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

Invitation to Intimacy

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Mark Shields

All through the Bible, God gives us an amazing proposal and invitation to intimacy. It’s all about our relationship with Him. The relationship between Jesus and the church is described as a marriage. In any relationship, friendship is a crucial part of a permanent love commitment. We should lift up those we are committed to; pray for them, listen and care. We are to love what they love and try to do what they ask.

There’s a song that speaks to this relationship we have with Jesus. Some of the lyrics say that every corner of creation testifies to God’s love; all the voices of the wind, every star in every sky, and from the mountains to the valleys. From the rivers to the seas, every hand that reaches out with peace. Click this link or on the video below to watch the video Testify to Love – Avalon.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

1corinthians13:4-8 (hayleyhibbard.wordpress.com)
Jesus Loves You (nobody2somobody.wordpress.com)
Waiting and Finding Intimacy (sharingfaithnet38.wordpress.com)
Intimacy (alittlebylittle87.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Bible, Christ, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, Intimate relationship, Jesus, Relationship, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a comment

Great Love

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Mark Shields

The first question the women ask the girl in Song of Songs 5:9-16 is how is your beloved better than others? She uses images like radiance describing purity with ruddy denoting passion. She then says his head is purest gold implying a crown on one’s head. Then she describes the different parts of His body using images. To describe his eyes she uses doves indicating innocence, for lips she uses lilies signifying pleasantness, and for his legs she uses marble conveying strength.

At the end in verse 16, the girl says “this is my friend” to describe her beloved. Friendship is a crucial part of a permanent love commitment. We should lift up those we are committed to; pray for them, listen and care. We are to love what they love and try to do what they ask.

We can be the best at what we do but it is love that makes us so blessed. The love of Christ gives us peace and freedom to take risk for within He lives. Think you will come through and think others will too with the help of His great love for you. Accept God’s gift; making use of it in life so it gives you a lift.

This day with God, let us be made aware that we are loved beyond measure and we will return this love unconditionally to others. Pray that the love of Christ who bled and died for us on the cross will compel us to live for His glory.

Photo Credit – Google Images

Song of Solomon 5. The bride praises the bridegroom. (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Birds of the Bible – Dove With Gold Feathers (leesbird.com)
Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 5-8 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Arts, Christ, Friendship, God, Google Images, Jesus, Online Writing, Song of Songs | 1 Comment

Preparation

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Mark Shields

Reading Song of Solomon 5:1-8 was a lesson on preparation for me. It’s important to be ready and focused at all times; seizing the opportunity to share with others, to be kind, or encouraging.

God speaks in various ways and I need to pay attention to the wonders around me. By looking, listening, loving, and laughing, I can expect His presence always. I need to develop the habit of winning each day with work, prayer, and thought; capitalizing on the power that God gives. I need to do the right things today, pray without ceasing, and prepare for tomorrow.

Here is a video to inspire these actions today: Beautiful One – Jeremy Camp.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19

100 Days of Words (thatsnicedear.wordpress.com)
A Lesson From the Wisest Man (encouragementforeveryday.wordpress.com)
The Pattern of Holy Passion – the Song of Solomon (daddysgirlblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christianity, God, Jeremy Camp, Jesus, Prayer, Reading Song of Solomon, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, Song of Songs | 3 Comments

At the Door of the Heart

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Mark Shields

The joyful event the girl is dreaming about in Song of Songs 5:1-8 is the Spirit of Christ at the door of her heart. But she is not ready and makes excuses for not opening the door. Much like the church does today; churches and believers carelessly provoke Christ to withdraw. He knocks at the door but we pretend to be tired; we lack time, and excuse ourselves from the call. We let fear and anxiety defeats us. In Matthew 25:1-3, Jesus teaches with a similar incident in the parable of the ten virgins.

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

From Google Images

Five of the virgins were not prepared for the bridegroom. This day with God, let us pray for help in being ready for Him at all times. Let us value the visits of Christ more highly and recognize when He is near.

Oil Lamps (theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com)
Parable of the Ten Virgins (shoutingthemessage.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, Gospel of Matthew, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lord, Parable of the Ten Virgins, Religion and Spirituality, Song of Songs | 1 Comment

Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 5-8

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

Recently, I shared some thoughts as I studied in Song of Songs 1-4. Some read the Song of Songs as a love poem; others believe it is written symbolically to express the affections between Christ and the church. Whichever way you read it, there are lessons we can learn about spiritual communion that help us desire the things of God so they become our treasure.

There are many things that can entice us from devotion to Christ. Many shows on TV want our attention. Every commercial we see is trying to entice us to pay money for their product or service. To keep us focused, the desire for spiritual communion with the Lord is essential and this can be done with a daily devotional and quiet time.

Being devoted to the teachings of Christ builds passion for life. We are driven toward God’s plan for our life and we trust our future in His hands. We also desire to make Christ known to others so they can have this same passion for life.

Reading in Song of Songs 2-3, lovely spring imagery in many ways describes the return of Christ. We wait with patience but right now we can pause along the journey to celebrate progress by taking in a sunrise, a sunset, or listening to a song. These are the things that reward our life but we know a future in Heaven will be much more rewarding. God has a tremendous future for us with peace and joy.

Because of this great future, let us be inspired to do great things right now. Let us be inspired by the passion of Christ who always prayed and listened for instructions. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s give God our best. If we express hope and show enthusiasm, others will be more open to the Gospel. The effect is more decision for Christ and a reinvigorated church.

If something is being started, it may be rough at first. For that reason, let us be inspired by the example of Christ as He demonstrated devotion and self-surrender in establishment of Christianity. He fulfilled His purpose on earth with passion and boldness and we can too. Life may not always be trouble free but there is peace in that Jesus is the key.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting about the rest of my journey through Song of Songs and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage.

Photo from Google Images

Song of Songs 5:1-8
What joyful event is the girl dreaming about? What delays her from responding to her beloved’s knocking? How can we be prepared and ready for God’s call in our life?

Song of Songs 5:9-16
What is the first question the women ask the girl? Why is friendship a crucial part of a permanent love commitment (v. 16)? In what ways is Christ your best friend?

Song of Songs 6:1-13 and 7:1-9
What images does Solomon use to describe the Shulammite girl? How does he flatter the girl in verses 8-10? Would Satan describe you as “terrible as an army with banners”?

Song of Songs 7:10-13 and 8:1-14
What good things can you offer the Lord Jesus? Study the girl’s character. Are these qualities strongly evidenced in your own relations with people? What should characterize a long-lasting relationship?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “Yes” for Christ.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

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Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times