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

Thankful in all Circumstances

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

This Day with God In reflecting on the questions of Ecclesiastes 3, there is a danger in viewing life simply from the perspective of time because our life on earth is so short compared to eternity. We should be thankful in all circumstances and accept God’s timing. If He brings rain, appreciate the moisture. If it’s a sunny day, look up and feel the warmth. Decide to enjoy because each day brings its own unique blessings.

All of us have the capability of observing all that God has given and to use His resources to do our best in this life. The small things become big things when we value each small victory and use them as stepping stones to bigger things. We should evaluate each victory and loss to learn from them as we build for a brighter future. As we plan out each day, remember that most rewards in life are short term but our relationship with God last forever.

Adversity can enrich the world if lessons are learned. Nothing is worth as much as the soul. Let God be in charge. The simplest things give the most happiness. A farmer works hard to plant the crop, worries about lack of rain or too much rain or insects. Finally the crop is harvested and it’s ready for market. That’s when the fun begins and it’s time to reap the rewards.

This day with God, let us not get too uptight about things. Let it go and trust that everything will work out if we just do God’s will. Each day with Him will be amazing because we can sincerely believe that each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress throughout each day by praising Him.

Be Thankful (afriendofjesus2013.com)
Wisdom: 7 Laws You Must Honor to Have Uncommon Success (thinkbrownink.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Christianity, Churches of God, Ecclesiastes, ecclesiastes 3, God, Jesus, Nature, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality, simplest things, small victory, Solomon | 9 Comments

Focused on God’s Presence

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Mark Shields

Our annual County Fair is held for about ten days the first part of October. The only time we have available to attend the fair is on a Saturday. During this time of the year, there’s always a big college football game that I’m interested in watching. I’ll usually end up going to the fair and checking the score on my smart phone while my daughter and her friends ride the rides.

Instead of enjoying the fair and focusing on the wonderful memories being created, I put way too much attention into the football score. I need to be focusing more on what is really meaningful and brings true joy in life.

My team usually loses anyway so I waste a lot of time following a losing team. Life is always about choices and if we choose the hope and peace that God has to offer, we end up on the winning team every time.

Life works best when attention is on God because there is a plan, there is organization, there is a path to follow, and corrections can be made if we get off that path. What is truly meaningful is letting God be a part of your day; gaining wisdom, being inspired to work hard, and enjoying the blessings. This video inspires these thoughts today: Heaven in the Real World – Steven Curtis Chapman.

This day with God, let us pray that we are focused on God’s presence, especially during times when He feels distant.

Time-honored traditions | Take time to attend a county fair (tribune-democrat.com)
Wood Co. Fair gets giggles, grins (toledoblade.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Agricultural show, College and University, College football, Football, Saturday, Sports, Steven Curtis Chapman | Leave a comment

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)
Pressing Past Anger & Unforgiveness (chrissymdale.wordpress.com)
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