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

Going Forward with Boldness

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

Reading in 2 Chronicles 18:23-34, Micaiah’s chief aim in life was to listen to God and report to others what to do. He had courage to go against the tide. In him we find someone with purpose and a desire to go forward under fire. He had the courage to take a black eye for God’s purposes.

When we have a chief aim in life there may be others that want to keep us off target but the main purpose keeps us on track and we stand up with courage to stay on course. When our main purpose is to do God’s will, He is there with us in our time of need. Jehoshaphat was in danger during the battle but he cried out to God for help (v.31) and God came to his rescue.

Photo Credit – http://www.kapilapshankar.com

God has a purpose for each of us and along with this purpose are responsibilities. This day with God, ask to be true in all responsibilities to boldly fulfill this purpose.

The Valley of Blessings (codybateman.org)
The Valley of Praise (abundantgraceandlove.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Ahab, Christianity, God, Israel, Jehoshaphat, Micaiah, Religion and Spirituality | 3 Comments

Perfect Counselor

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

There is a difference between what we want and what the Lord has planned. That’s why it is so important to go to the perfect Counselor in prayer. We can take this counsel, study, and put what we learn into practice with the help of the Holy Spirit.

This day with God, let us look in the right direction, ask the right questions, ask the right people, and go to the Lord in prayer. One song that speaks to these thoughts is Come Let Us Return to the Lord by Matt Redman.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in you’re your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Matt Redman: Church, Worship, Fatherhood (cedarseleven.wordpress.com)
The Holy Spirit in the Role of Salvation: Part 3 (jmdansville.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Christianity, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lord, Matt Redman, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, trust in the lord with all your heart | Leave a comment

What a Friend We have in Jesus

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Mark Shields

Last weekend at the church I attend, we continued the sermon series “The Bible – A Story of God and All of Us”. Here is a link to a poem that was inspired by last week’s message: The Bible Invites Relationship.

The Bible is a relational book. We read about Jesus freeing the imprisoned, lifting up the fallen, and forgiving the unforgivable. We truly have a friend in Jesus and here is a video that highlights this thought: What a Friend We have in Jesus – Alan Jackson.

Today will be the final message of the sermon series “The Bible – A Story of God and All of Us” but at this link: Pastor’s Podcast, you can see/listen to the messages of the series. The outlines/movies and other material can also be used for Bible study or small group discussion.

There is one thing Christians all have in common and that is serving Communion. Last Sunday (10-6-2013) was world Communion Sunday. Let us continue to pray for our nation during this time of disunity. Let us be thankful for churches and small groups around the world that unify because of Christ.

The Bible Invites Victory (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Are You Praying the Wrong Prayer? (ourdailybread101.wordpress.com)
Hell Is For Real, My Friend! (pilgrimpassing.com)
The Blessed Saints (conmakhalira.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Alan Jackson., Bible Invites, friend in Jesus, Jesus, What a Friend We Have in Jesus | 2 Comments

True Counsel

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

As chronicled in 2 Chronicles 18:1-22, the King of Israel was Ahab who was corrupt and had surrounded himself with bad influences. On the other hand, Jehoshaphat wanted to make Judah steadfast for God’s ways and created programs in Judah that led to success. He had great wealth, prestige, and power as king of Judah. Ahab thought it would be advantageous to create an alliance with Jehoshaphat so he asked Jehoshaphat to join in a war against Ramoth Gilead.

Jehoshaphat says yes but with one stipulation; Ahab would need to seek the counsel of the Lord first (v. 4). Jehoshaphat knew about Ahab’s past and the spiritual decay that had taken place in his kingdom. Reading further, we find out that Ahab maintained a corps of 400 prophets who would prophesy only what Ahab wanted to happen rather than what God was going to make happen. Of course the prophets of Ahab predicted success for the king going to war against Ramoth Gilead but Micaiah was a prophet that had courage to go against the tide. In him, we find someone with purpose and a desire to go forward under fire.

This day with God, we can take a lesson from this passage that a leader should want to know the truth and accept the truth. There is a difference between what we want and what the Lord has planned. We can study and put what we learn into practice with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Photo Credit – http://southwatercommunitychurch.org.uk

Let us look in the right direction, ask the right questions, ask the right people, and go to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is our greatest power to help make good decisions and is crucial for success in life. Friends share secrets and God will share secrets with you my friend.

How Well Do You Take Advice? (thefaithfulpacesetters.wordpress.com)
Soothing seduction (holee0101.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Ahab, God, Jehoshaphat, Judah, king of Judah, Kingdom of Israel (Samaria), Lord, Micaiah, Ramoth Gilead | 1 Comment

Renewing the Ways Of the Lord

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Mark Shields

A growing faith in individuals sets in motion positive accomplishment for a society whereas lack of trust in the potential of individuals because of their lack of character gives power to the enemy. In reading 2 Chronicles 17, King Jehoshaphat renewed the ways of God to his kingdom. He initiated teaching programs to get his kingdom in alignment with what God wanted. His initiatives resulted in great power for his kingdom.

The lesson learned is to take the initiative in learning and teaching the ways of God so that in the process, momentum and strength is gained for society. It is a great adventure in studying, growing, and praying because there is not only personal achievement but achievement for your neighbor too. Eventually there is a ripple effect that results in better families, neighborhoods, communities, states, and nations. Take inspiration from today’s video: The Great Adventure – Steven Curtis Chapman.