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

The Narrow Way

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Mark Shields

A suggestion is made in Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 that there are two ways to look at life. We can strive to gain knowledge and wisdom or we can seek enjoyment in life. Wisdom takes effort but avoids many of the pitfalls whereas constantly seeking enjoyment or pleasure takes less effort but can lead to various unpleasant long term issues like being overextended financially or health concerns.

There is a need to have a balance between work and pleasure. We should be thankful for the opportunity to work for what we obtain and then enjoy the luxuries from our hard work. To direct how to budget our time and money and not outspend what we have.

Remaining cheerful is much easier for the believer because of the promise of eternal rewards. The teachings of Jesus are the “Narrow Way” which is about the never ending process of dying to an old self and being reborn into a new one. The world seems to emphasize enjoyment and pleasure without pointing out that life on earth is but a short time compared to a life with God that last for eternity.

Photo Credit – rodiagnusdei.wordpress.com

This day with God, let us pray for victory against the battles we face. Let us pray for more focus on the “Narrow Way”; staying calm, being careful, and knowing where we are going

210/444 Healing from Infidelity: Larry Crabb On Emotional Affairs (marriagesrestored.com)
Questions for Reflection for Study of Ecclesiastes 1-4 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Understanding is Enchanting (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Chapter 16 – The Pleasure of Virtue – Joy, Thankfulness, and Praise (aprimeronvirtue.wordpress.com)
Why aren’t Christians popular? Why are they persecuted and called ‘bigoted’? (atwistedcrownofthorns.com)
“The Road of Vice Is in Reality Narrow, and It Leads to an Eternal Precipice” (prayers4reparation.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Christianity, Ecclesiastes, eternal rewards, Evangelism, God, Happiness, Jesus, life wisdom, Pleasure, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality | 6 Comments

The Words We Use Carry So Much Power

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, I shared an outline of the sermon message at the church I attend. A take away from the message for me is that the words we use carry so much power because they can either build up someone or tear them down. That’s why it’s important to use the right words at the right time to give a lift to others in their time of need. The Bible gives us some ideas; pray first, ask for God’s help, and then say what needs to be said.

Who we are comes out in our words. Let us speak golden words to others that give them a lift. Take this video as inspiration as you go throughout this week: The Simple Truths of Service: Johnny the Bagger.

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11

Don’t let your mouth write a check that your……………….. (saltlightandwitnesses.com)
How to Read the Bible (destlife.blogspot.com)
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The Power of Fruit, Gentleness Is Power Under Control… (thepowerof1blog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged apples of gold, Bible, Book of Proverbs, Christianity, God, how to read the bible, johnny the bagger, Proverbs and Sayings | 6 Comments

Words without Wisdom

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Mark Shields

English: Scroll of the Book of Proverbs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are unable to attend your local church service today, I invite you to a podcast of the church I attend. This morning, we continue the sermon series called “Wisdom for Life”. At this link: Pastor’s Podcast, you can watch/listen to each message live on Sunday mornings around 9:45 AM Central Time Zone. It also can be reviewed afterwards and used for Bible study/small group discussion. Below is the outline of the message for today’s message “Words without Wisdom”.

1. WISE WORDS ARE CAREFUL WORDS.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will
eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21

“Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool
than for him.” – Proverbs 29:20

2. GOD’S WISDOM IS ACCESSIBLE.

“But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is
generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”
James 1:5 (NCV)

“Then the king said to me, ‘What do you want?’ First I prayed to the
God of heaven. Then I answered the king…” – Nehemiah 2:4 – 5 a (NCV)

3. DON’T SAY ANYTHING.

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds
his tongue.” – Proverbs 17:28

4. WISDOM IS HEEDING WISE WORDS.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs 27:6

“Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s
rebuke to a listening ear.” – Proverbs 25:12

5. UNWISE WORDS HURT IN EVERY DIRECTION.

“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Proverbs 26:28

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a
man’s inmost parts.” – Proverbs 18:8

6. WORDS REVEAL THE REAL ME.

“A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of
understanding holds his tongue.” – Proverbs 11:12

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue
crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

Wisdom Listens (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Proverbs Monthly (targettorah.com)
SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 17:27-28 (mydelightandmycounsellors.wordpress.com)
Power of Words (daughterbydesign.wordpress.com)
The power of the tongue (newstrength.wordpress.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Book of Proverbs, Christianity, Church service, God, god of heaven, James, Podcast | 1 Comment

Our Answer is Found in Christ

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Mark Shields

Technologies change and jobs change but the character of God never changes. Learning how to live God’s way is useful now and forever.

I’m reading now in Ecclesiastes and Solomon who is thought to be the author was humble and wise but following his path only goes so far. By following the path God has created in the life of Christ, we are walking the clear path that takes us all the way home.

Let God be a part of the new challenges of the future. Many old strategies may not work but with God, we are on the cutting edge.

Use these cutting edge strategies to help others find Christ. There’s always one more person to help get excited about the contentment and eternal treasures found in Christ. I found this video that emphasizes how important Jesus is in our life: Heart of Worship – Matt Redman.

When working toward solving challenging problems, it always helps to know the answer. We can rest assured that our answer is found in Christ.

A New Life In Christ (chrissymdale.wordpress.com)
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Awakened by the Kiss of God (emdog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Ecclesiastes, Evangelism, God, heart of worship, kiss of god, path god, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, spirituality | 5 Comments

Understanding is Enchanting

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Mark Shields

Wisdom is more meaningful when we use it to connect people to God. In so doing, we discover a sense of purpose and true reward. In reading Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11, Solomon searched for knowledge to satisfy his own purposes and not the purposes of God which resulted in his apathy. Getting satisfaction from the world makes one restless but there is fulfillment in the pursuit of knowledge that is used for God’s purposes because it is a meaningful activity.

For in using our knowledge to lead others in the ways of God, we are inspiring many in the direction of His purposes. Earthly pleasure leaves one unsatisfied but there is happiness found through Jesus Christ and in gaining understanding about how He lived while on earth. There is also the reward of peace when one hears of the love and the service of our Savior. Let us follow His example to build up individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities for His glory.

The study of the Bible impacts our life and gives lessons to share with others which will influence our world. Restlessness, apathy, and the lack of satisfaction which are outcomes of seeking worldly gain will wear a person down; doing nothing to help their current or future situation. But there is improvement if one can come to the understanding that life on earth is only a small stretch of time compared to an eternity in heaven.

This day, let God handle the negatives so we are free to look forward to a remarkable future. Let us pray for parents to lead their children. Let us pray for leaders in government, leaders of churches, for business leaders, and leaders in the field of education.

Success and Failure Road Sign with dramatic clouds and sky.

This day with God will be amazing because there are things we can learn from history that will help in making decisions. The problems we go through in life are not stop signs; they are guidelines and it is during tough times that God provides sure signs of a brighter future.