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

David Gives Praise

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – platytera.blogspot.com

David is thankful as he praises God and writes Psalm 138. He is thankful for God’s love, faithfulness, and safety when being surrounded by enemies. This may have been written at the time of Absalom’s rebellion when even in a time of trouble or danger, David praises God.

In our time of need, we can praise God too. He didn’t spare His own Son and surely will give us all things. He gives strength to bear burdens, resist temptations, and fulfill the purpose He has for us. Give God glory and continue to receive comfort in being renewed through acceptance of Christ Jesus.

This day with you God, we have tasks before us and we pray for the courage to go out and get busy. We magnify Your love for us in praise because You are in control and any thoughts of fear can be mastered. We have faith in Your power, Your limitlessness, and Your promises.

Praise in suffering (hisgraceaboundsinme.wordpress.com)
A Tribute to The Father: I Worship You (nightshade130.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Absalom, Burdens, Christ Jesus, Christianity, David, Faithfulness, God, god glory, Jesus, Psalm, Psalm 138, time of need, time of trouble | 1 Comment

Be Inspired to Overcome Difficult Circumstances

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mark Shields

The lesson learned for me as I read Psalm 137 is how we should respond to a difficult situation? We should cheer up for there is hope for the future. We should ask God to open doors and believe they will be opened.

It is during difficulty that God works in our life therefore we can rejoice even in tough times. We can press on with patience, passion, and persistence; seeing problems as guidelines and not stop signs. We can trust in God’s presence, His direction, and care. We can understand that tough times build the foundation for strong character.

Here’s a video of people that didn’t stop when there were critiques or setbacks in life: Video to Encourage in Difficult Circumstances.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 1 Corinthians 12:5

Looking at Bad Circumstances in a Different Way (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Stillness retreat ahead… (masterpieceofgrace.wordpress.com)
God is faithful. (1safeharborisjesus.wordpress.com)
his strength (loveplanted.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged 1 corinthians 12, Christ, Christianity, Faith, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, god works, Jesus, Psalm 137 | 8 Comments

Looking at Bad Circumstances in a Different Way

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Israelites experienced emotional problems during their captivity in Babylon. Not only had they been taken captive but they had been carried to a foreign land and emotionally tormented. At the time of writing Psalm 137, the exiles were in extreme grief as their captors made them play songs they used to sing in the temple of Zion. These were songs appointed by God to be sung only in His service. The songs brought out sadness because they remembered friends who died when Jerusalem was destroyed by the heartless Babylonians.

In life, we all go through circumstances that are difficult. We go through times when it’s hard to focus on our relationship with the Lord because our circumstances are consuming our thoughts. Somehow we must lift ourselves up to overcome and hearing stories of others that have overcome can be inspirational.

I once saw a video about an armless carpenter from Ethiopia. He learned how to use his feet for everything; including sawing and nailing wood together. Another great story is the one about Nick Vujicic who was born without all four limbs. He struggled mentally and emotionally as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability and at the age of seventeen, started his own non-profit organization call “Life Without Limbs”.

This day with God will be amazing because the gladness He brings washes away every disappointment, the joy He brings dissolves every sorrow, and His love eases every pain. Is there a difficult situation you are going through? Put it on your prayer list. Lay out your concerns. If you need a miracle, ask for it; leave it to God to provide what is needed to get out of the bad circumstance.

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries: Unstoppable Nick Vujicic (lifebydmagdalene.wordpress.com)
Refreshments along the Rivers of Babylon (differentwithadifference.wordpress.com)
mentor #1: Nick Vujicic (healdaworld3.wordpress.com)
Nick Vujicic: Triumph over Adversity (inkimprint.wordpress.com)
download nick vujicic video (bethesamul.wordpress.com)
Joy Theif – Re-blog (mastellera.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Babylon, God, Israelites, Jerusalem, Life Without Limbs, Lord, Nick Vujicic, no arms no legs no worries, Psalm 137, rivers of babylon, spirituality, Zion | 5 Comments

He Loves Us

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Mark Shields

God knows all about us and sees value in each of us. He takes active concern in our life and mercifully prearranged a gift of love through His Son. What an example to follow and this love in action gives inspiration as we follow this pathway to passion with grace.

This day with God will be amazing because we will be made aware that He loves us beyond measure. This love will enter our hearts and then be returned unconditionally to others. Here’s a powerful video that mixes a message from John Piper along with a great song: How He Loves Us – David Crowder (Matt Chandler & John Piper). I hope it makes you aware how much He loves you and sets the tone for a wonderful day and weekend. 🙂

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

So-So Translations (scripturalmeditations.wordpress.com)
The Love of My Father (fggam.org)
‘Avoid Evil Distractions And Stick To Jesus’ Mandate For The Church By Preaching John 3:16′ (vineoflife.net)
*The greatness of our God* (fionacaeline.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, David Crowder, David Crowder Band, God, god so loved the world, Jesus, John 3:16, John Piper, Matt Chandler, religion & spirituality, United States | 1 Comment

God’s Love Endures Forever

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Mark Shields

Jesus Christ Crucifix (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every verse of Psalm 136 ends with the words “His love endures forever” and every grand purpose of our Creator over the years has always ended with these same words in mind. His knowledge and power are demonstrated in the physical universe through the miracles of Jesus Christ. By “mercy” He has saved all who were rendered miserable and the effects provide comfort to help endure forever. Remember His favor in leading His people into the Promised Land, His salvation through His Son, and His redeeming power that we may serve Him each amazing day.

This love that God has demonstrated helps us to learn how to treat others because He not only gave mercy to us but to all that believe in His Son. From creation through the deliverance of Israel to present times and into the future, the work of God’s strong hand and outstretched arm can be traced. He’s prompted to action when we are downhearted, in harm’s way, or in need.

In this psalm, God is saying to those who may doubt his love that He will provide in our time of need so don’t give up. He loves us and gives us an example to follow. He provides food for our physical body now and food for our soul to sustain us forever. This day with God, let us offer a prayer and thanksgiving in that His love endures forever. Let us never forget that we are praying to a God who loves us so much that He gave up His Son for us.