This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

He Rescues in a Time of Need

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

If facing difficulty, the lesson learned by what Abijah and Asa did in 2 Chronicles 13-14 is a good one to take to heart. Pray and ask God to intervene; trusting that you will be rescued in your time of need. Focus on God and take the upper hand in the battles of life.

There are many inspiring stories of winning when the odds were stacked against people. These lessons teach us to maintain hope because God is at work with His presence, direction, and care. No situation is beyond help because we can lean on God for solutions to life’s most difficult problems. Look at these times as opportunities for God’s power to make us stronger, prepare us for the future, and bring us closer to Him.

Songs can also inspire. The song by the Afters called Lift Me Up can give a boost during difficulties.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10

Strength (headscarolinatailscalifornia2013.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 11-15 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Abijah, Asa, Christ, Christianity, God, Second Epistle to the Corinthians | 3 Comments

Being Right with God

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

The prevailing atmosphere during the reign of Asa was one of being right with God and of peace. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 14, Asa’s army of around 580,000 consisted of soldiers from Benjamin and Judah. The army of Zerah the Cushite consisted of thousands upon thousands of soldiers.

The odds were against Asa’s army but he asked for God’s help in a prayer. Asa trusted that God would help and had confidence that His power would prevail. It did just that, the Cushites fled, and Asa’s army took advantage of the opportunity God had given them. The Cushites were crushed and victory comes to Asa’s army because God was on their side.

Think of battles you have faced in life when the odds were stacked against you. Use stories found in the Bible like in today’s passage, experiences in life, and from other amazing stories like this one from a blogging friend at Morning Story and Dilbert.

Photo Credit – http://larrye360.wordpress.com

Think of a struggle you are in right now and how you can apply the lesson learned. Go to God in prayer and ask for help with a confidence that His power will prevail. This day with God will be amazing because we can have faith that every adversity has a seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.

“555 Days of Prayer to Save America” Participants Pray for “The Church” as “The Church” Prays for the Nation and the World (prweb.com)
Find Victory in Your Life (prayercommunicationwithgod.wordpress.com)
Learning from the past (davidlogsdon495.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Asa, Bible, Cushite, God, Judah, Zerah | 2 Comments

The ONE Who Created Us Can Help Win Battles

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

The event recorded in 2 Chronicles 13 is another inspiring occasion that builds up faith. Each day with God can be amazing because we can pray, listen, and take action with confidence. We can write our script of life with a pencil knowing that God has the eraser. The ONE who created us can help us win battles when it seems like sure defeat. Some people want excellence to happen, some wish it would happen, others pray and God intervenes to make it happen.

Like an eagle in the sky, a mighty lion among beasts, or a servant who becomes king; God creates everything and everyone for a purpose and He has made you for a purpose also. So step ahead; feel free to explore and discover ways to dispense this power given to you. Here’s a video to inspire: What Faith Can Do – Kutless.

For nothing is impossible with God. – Luke 1:37

Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 11-15 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Find Victory in Your Life (prayercommunicationwithgod.wordpress.com)
The Valley of Praise (abundantgraceandlove.wordpress.com)
This is “rock ‘n’ roll”… (brobrosblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Christianity, Faith, God, Jesus, Kutless, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon | 2 Comments

Be Lifted to New Heights of Accomplishment

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – masterfile.com

The event recorded in 2 Chronicles 13 is another inspiring occurrence where we see the results of God’s favor at work just like David defeating Goliath, the Red Sea and Moses, or Daniel and the lion’s den. If we can just simplify our life and let God do the amazing part, we can be lifted to new heights of accomplishment. God can expand our thinking and give us confidence to adventure out to explore new opportunities that fulfill the purpose He has for us.

In today’s reading, Jeroboam’s northern kingdom seemed to have the military advantage with an army twice the size as Abijah’s fighting men but God was not on their side because the priests in Jeroboam’s northern kingdom were selected by them and their gods were idols like golden calves. On the other hand, the southern kingdom called Judah led by Abijah worshiped the LORD; Jehovah, the only true God. The priests in Judah were the sons of Aaron and the Levites who assisted them.

Jeroboam had set up an ambush and with the number soldiers in his army, it looked like a sure win but Judah had one big advantage; God was on their side. They ended up routing Jeroboam because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers (v. 18).

When the God of the universe intervenes, there is optimism, confidence, and decisiveness. It is like the runner with the wind at their back or the team with momentum. This day, think about what it means to have a God who intervenes. Believe that He will lead you to where you did not expect to go and shape you in ways you had not anticipated.

A Trilogy: Lessons of Right and Wrong (petitebouchee.wordpress.com)
Bones of the Priests part 1 (rebuildtheruins.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Aaron, Abijah, God, Jeroboam, Judah, Kingdom of Judah, Moses | 22 Comments

The Bible Invites Freedom

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – jassaahluwalia.blogspot.com

“What If” never brings victory but “Who Is” does. It is God who brings freedom, confidence, frees our resources, and builds our courage. Here is a short 3 ½ minute video from “The Bible” TV series about David demonstrating these concepts: Video Link.