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

Looking Forward to The Day

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

The Old Testament ends with victory for those who believe and continue to honor God. While expecting His gracious promise to be fulfilled each day, we can be thankful, give effort, be disciplined, and care for neighbors.

Two types of people are presented in Malachi 3:13-4:6; evil and good. We can be thankful for the gracious promise fulfilled in Jesus. This promise encourages us to know God and to fellowship with those who follow His ways.

Thoughts of wrongdoing corrupt good minds and behavior but thoughts of virtue confirm good minds and behavior. Those that follow God’s ways are His jewels that He values beyond measure. The Gospel message changes hearts to prepare all that believe to follow the way of wisdom and happiness. By serving and trusting together with the influences of the Spirit, there is devotion, joy, and effectiveness.

The Old Testament ends and the New Testament is the most joyful book ever written. This day with God will be amazing because we can be thankful. Here’s a video about being thankful: About Giving Thanks to Him.

Like in the video, this day with God, I’m thanking Him for freedom, for eyes to see His magnificent creation, for hearing His wonderful sounds, for the sense of smell, of touch, and to imagine what it will be like to unite with those lost in this world and with my Father in Heaven.

Christology: Beliefs about the Nature of Christ (justsimplyinlove.wordpress.com)
Advent 1: Waiting for Christ (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Christianity, Devotion, Discipline, fellowship, Freedom, God, God the Father, Gospel, gracious promise, Happiness, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Joy, magnificent creation, Malachi, Neighbors, New Testament, Old Testament, religion, Thankful, Value, victory, Virtue, Wisdom, wonderful sounds | 1 Comment

He Will Take Us Back

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

Just like during the time of Malachi, reforms are needed in our world today. One thing to keep in mind though is that God will take His people back for He loved us so much He sent Jesus to die for us. Take a few minutes from your time and be inspired by this video: I’ll Take You Back – Jeremy Camp.

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7

Saving Grace (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Crusade Prayer (7,8,9,10,11) (trusthismercy.wordpress.com)
Was Jesus Talking to the Wall? (secretstolife.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jeremy Camp, Jesus, Love, Malachi, Reforms, religion, Religion and Spirituality, saving grace, Take You Back (song) | 2 Comments

Saving Grace

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Mark Shields

In reading Malachi 3:1-12, there is prophecy of the coming Lord to reform and refine society. During the time of Malachi, there is social injustice that needs to be corrected like mistreatment of workers, oppression of widows and the fatherless, deprived aliens, and adultery.

To correct the problems of society at that time, God tells Malachi to put forth the idea of giving God what He is due with tithes and offerings. In return, God will return blessings like good crops. What is involved in returning to God today?

Every individual has tremendous value to God for His saving grace in Christ gives a new
start. Let this inspire generosity to those in need with time and resources. Expect God to bless in return.

As a part of your prayer today, pray for fairness throughout the world. Believe this day with God will be amazing because everyone has tremendous value. Lay all burdens down at the foot of the cross.

Sermons 12/7/2012 (reporternews.com)
The Grace Lie (thedailyrippleeffect.wordpress.com)
Making Preparation for the Coming Reign of God — A Lectionary Reflection (bobcornwall.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Blessings, Burdens, Cross, Generosity, God, Grace, Jesus Christ, Offerings, Prophecy, Reform, Tithes | 4 Comments

Faithful to the Way

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Malachi 2, the idea is of being faithful to God’s way. We should follow God’s way through visions, dreams, and life circumstances but most of all through His Word. Read His word with a purpose by learning lessons that can be applied to life. We should love the LORD with all our heart, soul, mind, and with all our strength. Here’s a video to get us going in that direction today: Love The Lord – Lincoln Brewster

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. – John 17:4

Faithful Forever (sudryandspecific.wordpress.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Christianity, Christmas, Dreams, Faithful, Glory, God, God’s Word, Heart, Israel, Lessons, Lincoln Brewster, Lord, Mind, Religion and Spirituality, Soul, Visions | 3 Comments

Making a Stand

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Mark Shields

Malachi prophesied around 450 BC in Israel in the closing period of Old Testament history. He gives a graphic picture of the need for reforms in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

As I begin my journey into Malachi 1-2, the Israelites had returned from Babylonian exile, Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and the temple restored but years went by and sin has crept in. They began to question the reward from being righteous since they felt God had not blessed them with prosperity. They didn’t appreciate how God had helped them and became careless in worship by placing defiled food on His altar (v. 7).

Like the Israelites during the time of Malachi, we have a tendency to undervalue God’s mercy and excuse our own offences. We should enthusiastically worship God and not hold back. We should make a stand against evil and fight for goodness. Here’s speech to inspire: Finest Hour – Winston Churchill.

Are there things in your life that are like the blemished sacrifices that are talked about in this reading? Do you simply go through the motions or do you make a difference in people’s life? We should strive to be honest with ourselves so we don’t limit God’s power but diagnose problem areas in life where we fall short. God’s power can change where we need to change and new habits can be established that make us into the person God wants us to be.

This day with God will be amazing because with Him is freedom. With Him is the freedom to live, give, and love; the freedom to speak and teach so that a clear path is laid out for others to follow.