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

Live out Life to the Fullest

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Mark Shields

The journey takes me through what many may consider the lackluster scenery of 1 Chronicles 3-4 but there are glimpses of God’s gracious purpose. Every name listed is important and today every person is important to God. What each of us should strive to do is find out what we would like to be remembered for and get involved with a passion to make it happen; finishing the race victoriously with enthusiasm.

I received an email a while back from a friend and in this email was a story of a lady who had started a long time ago to plant one daffodil at a time in a field. Now the field is covered with beautiful yellow daffodils. This story points out that if you start something positive even if it’s small, over time you will build something of beauty. Mark Twain said one time, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream – Discover.”

Each day with God we should be inspired to get things done now and never put things off because our opportunities to do great things may pass us by. Give it all we have while we can? We should live each day we have like the song by Tim Mcgraw called “Live Like You Were Dying”. The song puts things in perspective. Some of the lyrics in the song go I loved deeper, I spoke sweeter, I watched an eagle flying, live like you were dying.

I remember seeing a TV program called 20/20 many years ago. They interviewed Christopher Reeves after his horse riding accident which left him paralyzed in 1995. In the interview, he said that when he saw an able bodied person he would say to himself, “Man Just Go for It”! That’s some good advice. You see God has the eraser. He’s present to help us make the needed adjustments if we get off course. So go for it! If you feel a job is above your head, express your concerns in prayer and ask for the necessary skills. Ask for good helpers. Most of all, believe that God has given you a mission. God wants us to accept our lot in life. He gives each of us talents and ideas. It’s up to us to start using what gifts we have and giving God the glory.

This day with God will be amazing because He inspires us to live out loud. We can pray like Jabez, listen for instructions, and be honorable people. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s give God our best.

The Great Crime of Not Living Life to the Fullest (shogoonoe.com)
Don’t let another year go by (donnyprevette.wordpress.com)
How To Live Longer And Happier (forbes.com)
NOOMA – Today by Rob Bell Qty available 1 (impetusselgroepe.wordpress.com)
I dare you… (solosearching.wordpress.com)
A Lesson Before Dying: What My Aunt’s Death Taught Me About Freedom From Fear And Living Life To The Fullest (madamenoire.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Christianity, God, Jabez, Mark Twain, outdoors, religion, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality, Tim Mcgraw | 5 Comments

Discover Your God Given Strengths

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Mark Shields

As I read 1 Chronicles 1-2, the thought occurred that everyone’s life matters. Your life matters to your parents, your children, grandchildren, your nephews, nieces, or your friend’s children. It also matters to God. What you do in life affects future generations so discover the God given strengths you have and make a difference.

You are important in reflecting God’s light so I’d like to share this video with you to inspire your day. Simply click at this link: He Will Carry You – Gaither Vocal Band or on the video below.

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. – 1 Corinthians 12:28

Your Life Matters (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The strength you have (myeverydaygod.com)
The God of the Bible is a Source of Strength! (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
How GOD Gives Us Strength (rosevoc2.wordpress.com)
Distinguishing God’s voice from own willfulness (prweb.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged 1 corinthians 12, Apostles, Books of Chronicles, Christianity, church god, First Epistle to the Corinthians, Gaither Vocal Band, Gifts of healing, God, God’s Light, Healing, Inspiration, Life, Miracles, Prophets, reflecting god, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Strength, Teachers | 2 Comments

Your Life Matters

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – Town of Seekonk Massachusetts Website

In 1 Chronicles 1-2 is a genealogical record from Adam to the sons of Israel. In reading through these first two chapters, many may wonder why this is meaningful but for me it helps me realize that that every person matters to God.

1 Chronicles deals with the history of Israel as a religious community. It is written shortly after the exiles return from Babylon and they need to understand their history so they can learn from the past – what God has done to and for them and what tasks they are entrusted with for the future.

The human race has gone through so much; from Adam and Eve, the flood, and wars. Through it all, lessons can be learned, there can be spiritual reforms, we can work together in this world because we all come from ONE father and Jesus carries us to victory.

God is concerned about our future and much of who we are is passed down through our family. We fit into that line of history because we have an impact on promoting the wellbeing of each other; how we worship, pray, and approach life now and into the future.

Discover who we are; a child of ONE Father, each with a strength or spark to provide, trying to find the way God is going and going that way with each personality reflecting God’s light in many colors and patterns throughout the world.

This day with God, we can go to Him in prayer and speak to the ONE who will carry us to a bright future.

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 1-6 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Salvation, Atonement, and Redemption (It’s not that complicated!) (pilgrimpassing.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Adam, Adam and Eve, Babylon, Books of Chronicles, Exiles, exiles return, Future, Genealogical Record, God, History, Israel, Lessons, Noah, Prayer, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Worship | 5 Comments

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 1-6

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Mark Shields

I just finished the journey through the book of James which for me was a good instruction manual for how to apply our faith. Learned in the book of James are great truths we can apply at work or home. The principles learned and applied refine our character.

Lessons found in the book of James provide a path when we listen and follow; lessons like remaining persistent, focusing on the possibilities God gives, and living by the “Golden Rule”. Applying these lessons can change the world. Also, I learned that for any plan or purpose, we should attach the qualification of God’s will.

Spiritual growth requires patience. It is a daily process of growing to be more and more like Christ. Faith along with prayer is needed. Like an antenna to our soul, faith energizes, inspires, and transmits God’s power which lightens our load.

Now as I turn my attention to the study of the book of 1 Chronicles. I will use the questions below to help focus on each passage. Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of these questions. 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.

1 Chronicles 1-2
Passage Lookup
Is it important to you to know how God has dealt with your ancestors? Why? What is the connection between God’s concern for a person’s own relationship to him and his concern for family history?

1 Chronicles 3-4
Passage Lookup
What would you like to be remembered for? What special attention is given to Jabez?

1 Chronicles 5-6
Passage Lookup
To What extent do you feel a part of history today? Why? How can you remain holy to God in your culture? What is special about the Levites (See Num. 3:5-4:49)
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.

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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

Favoritism and Living Faith (menofmud.org)
Faithfulness to All Generations (minofeducation.wordpress.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, favorite bible verses, God, Golden Rule, history today, Jesus, videos photos | 4 Comments

Begin With Faith and Finish With Faith

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Mark Shields

Yesterday at the Church I attend, the sermon message was titled “Caleb’s Story”. The story of Caleb begins with faith and finishes with faith. Giants were in the land God had promised but Caleb was not afraid because he believed that with God, they could defeat them. The people didn’t want to listen and for 40 years they wandered in the desert but Caleb persistently had strong faith. Even at 85 years old, he still wanted God’s promise and was ready for the battle.

This day is Martin Luther King Day. Like, Caleb, he started with faith and finished his story with faith. He kept going and refused to be defined by the world but to be someone different in a troubled time. Here’s a video in his honor: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech

The ultimate measure of a man or woman is not where they stand in comfort or convenience but where they stand at the time of challenge or controversy. – Martin Luther King Jr.