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

Being Disciplined in His Ways

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Mark Shields

Rewards come as a result of practice and hard work. Like an athlete that works out or a student that studies, being self-disciplined in the way that God wants us to live is the foundation to God’s blessings. As noted in Psalm 128, the foundation of God’s blessings are built on reverence and respect for Him; living according to the principles of His Word.

Nations will grow and flourish when the family unit works like a family unit should. This is where we need leadership in putting first things first, having disciplined plans, and carrying these plans out. Leaders of a family instill principles of God’s Word so good habits are repeated and excellence is the result.

If discipline starts in the family unit, it will carry over into society as a whole. Excellence then becomes a habit and plenty of work is available in a thriving economy. It is a privilege to have satisfying work that earns a living for a family and allows one to enjoy the fruits of their labor by spending time with those they love in comfort or rest; in peace among neighbors.

The world needs leaders and the most effective leader is a leader of a Godly family. My prayer today is for these leaders of families. I pray that they submit to the Lord’s will by putting Him first in their life; marriage, social life, career, and health.

Photo Credit : Themissionchurch.net

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 128 – 131 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
5 Traits of Great Basketball Leaders (stevenashyb.wordpress.com)
Man-Up & Lead Your Family (aronkirk.com)
Four Truths about Discipline by John Maxwell (cpounltdblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, Discipline, effective leader, Family, God, godly family, john maxwell, Leadership, Prayer, Psalm, psalm 128 | 2 Comments

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 128 – 131

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Mark Shields

I just finished an amazing journey through Psalm 124-127. You can read about this journey at this link. As I step ahead on this journey through the Bible, the next adventure will take me to Psalm 128-131. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about the journey and 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.

Photo Credit : consultinggrad.com

Psalm 128
Passage Lookup
What is the foundation of God’s blessings? List in your own words the blessings of God. Note the different aspects of life that are covered. In what ways can a lack of personal godliness lead a country to ruin?

Psalm 129
Passage Lookup
What positive thought comes through in this psalm? What about God’s character is seen through all these troubles? How should this knowledge of God’s character affect your feelings about your past? Change your daily living in the present?

Psalm 130
Passage Lookup
What are the psalmist’s concerns in verses 1-4? What characteristics of God lead you to have hope? What effect do you have on others when you are in the depths? What is involved in “waiting” in your life?

Psalm 131
Passage Lookup
How would you characterize David’s attitude toward himself? When does he begin to hope in the Lord? How can you begin to demonstrate humility and honesty toward God?

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.

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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

Random reflections #1 (readprayblog.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 124 – 127 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Christianity, God, Jesus, journey through the bible, Psalm, psalm 128, United Methodist Church | 2 Comments

Our Relationship with Family

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Mark Shields

The lesson taught me in the previous reading of Psalm 127 and post at this link is to prepare and plan out my work. Our relationship with God is of highest priority because any work done that is not the will of God is unproductive.

The Bible teaches to focus more on activities like preparation, planning, and relationship building much like Jesus did with a prayer each morning; to see that each day is a gift of God and be careful to live wisely. Realize that relationships last forever and bring true happiness. I found this video to inspire the concept of love between a father and a daughter. Time goes by fast from the time a little one is born until they are ready to go out on their own so we should use our time wisely when raising our children. Here’s the video: Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman.

The time we have is short compared to the time in eternity with God. That’s why it’s important to spend time with God to get things right. I’m praying today as the Bible tells us in Psalm 90:12 – Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.

Steven Curtis Chapman ICRS (tbbmedia.wordpress.com)
3 Simple Steps for Studying the Bible. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
Choices: joyful living versus floundering through life (patternstriedantrue.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Christianity, gift of god, God, heart of wisdom, psalm 127, relationship with god, Steven Curtis Chapman, true happiness | 12 Comments

Our Relationship with Him

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit : prayerleader.com

As pointed out in Psalm 127, most activities are done in vain if there is not a good relationship with God. Set aside a time every day to meet with Him at your space and pray. Make it a daily appointment to discuss the day, plan the day, and get ready to take on the day because the best way is to balance hard work with God’s blessings.

Being a parent is a 24×7 Job. It takes not only a lot of time but hard work and at times not much sleep. Without His help it would take infinite hours, endless work, and no sleep to raise a family. But with God, It becomes possible because there is help from churches, other parents, and our own parents.

First time parents definitely face challenges but these challenges are made much easier with prayer. Children are a gift from God and it is up to the parents to provide comfort, support, and confidence. The family unit is God’s way to provide the basic needs of a society. Children will go in the direction they are pointed so it’s important to train them according to God’s Word.

Are there ideas that you can think of that might strengthen a home in the Lord? Small things can lead to bigger things. One simple but effective idea might be to make an effort to eat together more often so there is a chance to have a family prayer at dinner time.

Preserving the Future of Our Children (letstalkrelationship.wordpress.com)
Pray God’s Way! (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 124 – 127 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Confessions of a Tween Mom (encouragementforeveryday.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, Family, family prayer, first time parents, God, Lord, Prayer, prayer children, psalm 127 | 5 Comments

Isn’t It Amazing? Grace

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

The next message in the series called “Isn’t It Amazing” was presented yesterday at the church I attend. We are taking a look at some of the basics of our faith … yesterday’s message can be listened to by clicking this link: “Grace”.

Steve Jobs was a great entrepreneur and inventor. Roger Williams was a great pianist. But it seems that even if we are great at what we do, it’s not good enough. We can’t be good enough to get to heaven. Here is a video about the missing ingredient: Only Grace – Matthew West.

We can’t buy grace and we can’t earn it but we can receive it. The Word became flesh and God’s grace is His embrace. He accepts us as His child for it is by grace we are saved through faith.