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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Psalm 143-146

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Mark Shields

David was on the run as He wrote Psalm 139-142. He was running from Saul’s men who were sent to kill him. Saul was jealous of David and saw him as a threat to his power. David is discouraged, an emotional wreck, alone, and in physical danger so he humbly goes before God in prayer for help.

We can learn from reading the Psalms the need to develop this same kind of honesty with God that David displays. There are situations we go through where our only hope is in God; when all our strength comes only from Him.

David knows he is not perfect but flawed. God had done great things for David in the past but as He writes this part of the Psalms, he’s hiding from Saul’s men in a desperate situation. Even in this situation, he still praises God.

Like David, we may face difficult days ahead but we can overcome by turning our sites on the greatness of God. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about my journey through Psalm 143-146 and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage.

Psalm 143
On what basis does David make his prayer? What factors cause David to be thirsty for God? Summarize the basis for David’s confidence that God would answer his prayer.

Psalm 144
What symbols does David use to describe God? How does God show that He is interested in us? Contrast the power of man with the power of God.

Psalm 145
List the characteristics of God and His actions. Who and what is included under God’s compassion? How should this make a difference in the way you look at people?

Psalm 146
To what has the psalmist dedicated their life and what is their stimulus? What is the by-product of faith in God? How is eventual ruin of the wicked an encouragement to steadfastness and righteousness?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. 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.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. 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.

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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
Family Times
Image Source

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Devotion, Devotionals, discouragement, Honesty, Hope, Humility, Journey, Lessons, Praise, Prayer, Psalms, Reflection, Saul, Strength, Word | 1 Comment

Hope Instead of Mope

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – House of Hope

In studying Psalm 141-142 last week, what I took away is that we should hope instead of Mope. We should respond to criticism with a good attitude; seeing the critique as giving valuable feedback. Then take this feedback before God in prayer with humility and let God’s power work through us.

Also given in this study are ideas on how we can have hope in times of despair. We can go to the Lord in prayer and problems can be transformed. The treasure of hope can rescue during difficulty and provide a smoother pathway to the future.

Here is a poem in which the study this week has inspired: Getting Closer to God. This week, the plan is to continue the study into Psalm 143-144. May God bless you this week!

Posted in Hope, Poems | Tagged Attitude, Bible Study, Christ, Criticism, Devotion, Feedback, God, Hope, Humility, Pathway, poem, Prayer, Tact, Thoughts | Leave a comment

The Way – Sermon Message 03/23/2014

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Mark Shields

The message last Sunday at the church I attend was titled “The Jesus Way of Community”. Pastor Steve pointed out to us that the twelve people Jesus chose to be disciples were not stars like the world today likes to choose. They were not the smartest, best looking, or most wealthy but fishermen or like Matthew the hated tax collector.

Jesus chose people from around His community; around the Sea of Galilee. They all had life stories and issues but they changed the world by first changing the area in which they lived. They would gather together, learn from each other, eat together, and pray together.

Being a part of a community is Jesus’ plan to build faith. We all face spiritual drift but there is a remedy which is to have spiritual partners who share about issues and needs. In Proverbs 27:17, we are told that as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Jesus started something new with the disciples who grew together and changed the world.

Like the disciples, we may feel at times that we just don’t fit in but we do because Jesus has chosen each of us. He always says, “I want you to follow me.” Easter is just around the corner so between now and Easter, make it a priority to pray for those you are in contact with on a daily basis. Pray that they know how much God loves them and He has chosen them for a great purpose.

Image Source
First United Methodist Waco Podcast

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Church, Community, Disciples, Easter, Faith, Jesus, Prayer, Purpose, Sea of Galilee, Sermon, Way | 3 Comments

Prayer Can Transform Despair into Jubilant Victory

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Mark Shields

How can we have hope in times of despair? We can go to the Lord in prayer and problems can be transformed. The treasure of hope can rescue during difficulty and provide a smoother pathway to the future.

In the post Hope in a Time of Despair, I wrote about the despair David was going through while fleeing from Saul. He used a great weapon which is also available to all of us and that is prayer. Prayer Can Transform Despair into Jubilant Victory.

I also wrote about a desperate situation in modern times with Apollo 13. Many prayers were being offered up on April 17, 1970 as the space capsule was making its re-entry. Here’s a link to a movie clip to illustrate the tremendous despair along with the triumphant victory: Apollo 13 Re-entry.

Photo from Google Images

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Apollo 13, David, Despair, Hope, Pathway, Prayer, Problems, Saul, Strength, victory | 4 Comments

Hope in a Time of Despair

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Mark Shields

David’s problem in Psalm 142 is that he is fleeing from Saul’s men. He is not only in physical danger but emotionally he feels that no one cares for him. He’s in a cave in a desperate situation with no help and he has no one to turn to except God so he cries out for help in this prayer.

We can learn from this reading the need to develop this same kind of honesty with God that David displays. There are situations we go through where our only hope is in God; when all our strength comes from Him. Sometimes we depend too much on our own abilities but it is only God who has the power to completely change the situation.

Think of crisis situations in modern times like when Apollo 13 was in blackout mode for several minutes while the capsule re-entered the earth’s atmosphere; a time of tremendous heat. The heat shield had been damaged a few days before and they didn’t know if it could withstand the tremendous heat of re-entry. Everyone was waiting for the capsule to re-enter and all they could do was listen. All they could do was hope.

Photo from Google Images

Let us be thankful today because even in dark times, we can go to God, listen, and hope. He can turn those dark times into amazing times because His light illuminates the path.