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

Questions for Reflection for Studying Psalm 132-138

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Mark Shields

I recently finished questions for reflection from Psalm 128-131. To review where I’ve been over the last few weeks along with a synopsis of the answers, I wrote a post at this link: answers as we step ahead.

The next part of the travel will take me to Psalm 132-138. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about the journey and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage.

Photo Credit : consultinggrad.com

Psalm 132
Passage Lookup
What has David done? Explain his desire (See 2 Sam. 7). How is God’s chosen dwelling different from David’s conception (V. 11-12)? What is one area in life where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?

Psalm 133-134
Passage Lookup
What are the results of unity? How does its influence spread? What effect does unity have on Christianity? What attitude and actions are apparent? What desire does the psalmist have in this psalm?

Psalm 135
Passage Lookup
Why is the psalmist praising God? What memories of past victories are evoked? In what ways is God different from Idols?

Psalm 136
Passage Lookup
How does God demonstrate his understanding and power in the physical universe? What can you learn from the way God deals with people? What is God saying in this psalm to those who may doubt his love as the Israelites did at times?

Psalm 137
Passage Lookup
What methods of psychological warfare were the captors using? When others do not take you or your faith seriously, how do you react? What difficulty in life has caused the greatest growth in you?

Psalm 138
Passage Lookup
What motivates the kings to praise God? How can we have confidence about the future?

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.

__________________________________________

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

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 128 – 131 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Psalms of Ascent – What do they teach us about our Lord? (2cherish2commend.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Christianity, David, God, Jesus, Psalm, psalm 133, psalm 136 | 4 Comments

The Model Fatherhood

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Mark Shields

Happy Father’s Day!

Christmas of 1967

The picture above was taken Christmas morning 1967. That’s my Dad setting up the race track Santa gave me and that’s me wearing my new football jersey. My sister Tracy is on the right side of the picture holding her new baby doll.

The message today at the church I attend is from Rev. Brandon Frenzel. There is a Pastor’s Podcast at this link: Father’s Day Message. Below is the outline of the message.

Our Father in Heaven:

I. Is relational

Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. – Exodus 29:45

II. Can be trusted

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deut. 31:6

III. Is giving; does not withhold

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32

IV. Loves extravagantly

The Lord your God is with you,
     The Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
     In His love He will no longer rebuke you
     But will rejoice over you with singing. – Zeph. 3:17

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord you God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. – Deut. 1:30-31

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged dad, Egypt, Father, Fathers Day, God, God the Father, Israelites | 1 Comment

Drawing People to the Power of God

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

As explained in yesterday’s post, we can be the type of person that connects the power of God to others. What gets in our way at times is that we take ourselves too seriously. Children remind us to just be ourselves. They just say whatever they think without being concerned about what others may think. I once heard a funny story of a 3-year old child who started their prayer like this, “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name.” 🙂

It’s important to be comfortable in our own skin, to have a calm soul, and to feel we have a purpose in life. People were drawn to Jesus during His ministry on earth. Today, with the chance to study His life and with the help through the Holy Spirit, our personality can be shaped into the person we need to be so people are drawn to God.

We each have a skill to offer. This thought is underscored in the book, “The Richest Man in Town” by V.J. Smith. It’s about a simple man that ran a cash register at Wal-Mart. His name was Marty Martinson and this is how his obituary read:

Aaron “Marty” Martinson
1926-2004

Marty left an indelible mark on the many people who passed through his line at Wal-Mart. No one was a stranger in his line, merely a friend in waiting. His life, guided by his positive attitude, was an inspiration to many people. Sad with loss of a husband, father, and friend, people take comfort in knowing that Heaven has found a new greeter.

To inspire our day towards this thought of drawing people to the power of God, here’s a video: Free To Be Me – Francesca Battistelli.

This day with God, pray that His power would cause a revival in the nation so that a sacrificial humble personality is more honorable than a worldly, prideful, materialistic, and entitled one which many societies seem to promote. Pray to be free to be the wonderful person you are.

Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him and He began to teach them. – Mark 2:13

You Need to Know This (stayconnectedtogod.wordpress.com)
Do you see Jesus in me? (six11.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Francesca Battistelli, God, HolySpirit, Jesus, Lord's Prayer, Wal-Mart | 4 Comments

The Link that Connects the Power of God

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

In Psalm 131, David’s attitude is to be happy in all circumstances. He does not desire to be great in this world but accepts what God has in store for him. This humility and trust in God provides calmness, patience, and peace.

Pride is one of the things God hates yet it can easily be centered in the heart. For many, there is this worldly desire to have the best life can offer; even willing to go into extreme debt to obtain the best looking cloths, car, or house.

This day with God, think of ways to demonstrate the character traits of happiness, humility, calmness, patience, and peace as demonstrated by David. Each day can be amazing because like jumper cables that recharge one battery from another, we can be the link that connects the power of God to people. We can get interested in them and let them know how much God loves them.

Photo Credit – http://www.doityourself.com

This day in prayer, be thankful because the God of love meets your needs. Pray for your spouse, your parents, your children, and your neighbors. Be the link that connects them to the power of God.

Why David Is Such A Great Role Model (dianasymons.com)
Beauty (mikehigh5.wordpress.com)
Mercy (devog.wordpress.com)
Venting Upwards (replaceanger.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged calmness, character traits, Christianity, David, God, Humility, Jesus, power of god, Psalm, Psalm 131, trust in god | 7 Comments

Hope in the Lord Sets Us Free

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Mark Shields

As explained in yesterday’s post, life can be difficult but with God there is grace and power; hope in the Lord sets us free. Being patient is hard because our mind keeps telling us to give up but hope keeps whispering one more try.

Learn to wait, use the time to prepare, and use hope to hold course. Christ turns hopelessness into endless hope that breaks bad habits, transforms problems, relieves fear, supplies needs, and secures a future because our hope and not our hurts shape our future.

If going through some difficulty, let this video be a good start to a better day: Aaron Shust – My Hope is in You.

Study your own heart. Write out any thoughts, ideas, remarks, praises, or lessons learned from your time with God today that may help yourself or those you care about be set free today.