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

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.

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Apollo 13, Crisis, David, God, Honesty, Hope, Light, Listen, Path, Power, Prayer, Saul, Strength, Thankful | 2 Comments

Living Out Our Faith

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Mark Shields

In the post “Pray for What You Say and Do”, I wrote about David’s prayer and about being careful in how we respond to criticism. Like David, we should pray that our response to criticism is with tact. We should try to see the critique as giving us valuable feedback. We should take this feedback before God in prayer with humility asking that His power work through us.

Words can cause a lot of pain to others and leave a wound that never goes away. Words can inspire others or they can cause others to go away and not want to come back. They can cause a loss in customers and cause a person to be fired from their job. Here’s a powerful video about what words can do: Words – Hawk Nelson.

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips. – Psalm 141:3

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Criticism, David, Feedback, God, Humility, Inspire, Pain, Power, Prayer, Words | Leave a comment

Pray for What to Say and Do

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Mark Shields

Photo from Google Images

It seems as though David is in a crises situation as he goes to God in prayer to ask what to say and do. David’s attitude as I read Psalm 141 is one of humility and he is open to rebuke and correction (v. 5).

I had some blood work a while back as part of an annual wellness exam. After getting the results, I was told that my Triglyceride count was border-line high. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood which is bad for your heart. I was told I need to lose some weight and limit fats and sugars in my diet.

Like David, I need to be open to criticism. It would do me some good to do away with that extra piece of pie; the supersize order to go with my Big Mac which includes extra greasy fries and super size soda.

Like certain types of food, sin can seem delicious and tasty but it doesn’t last long and is bad for the heart. The worldly things that taste sweet at first ultimately become bitter but God’s Word is always sweet and wholesome. The gifts of the Spirit planted in the heart will last forever.

This day with God, be inspired by the fact that our Creator of the universe with over 100 billion galaxies with each galaxy having billions of stars thinks that every person is so important that He sent His Son to die on the cross for them. You and I are His greatest creation of all. Because we know this, let us pray that we treat everyone with kindness and tact.