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

Rewards of Worship

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Mark Shields

In my reading and study of Psalm 122, I found that the psalmist wants to explain to us the tremendous need for a place to worship. Some of the rewards of God include joy, peace, and prosperity. A time of worship is so rewarding because the lessons learned are so precious.

The Word of God, sermon messages, and music are filled with nuggets of gold. The New Testament is a collection of the most joyful books of the world. Like in the reading of Psalm 122 as the people would come to Jerusalem three times a year for festivals, we need to pause along the journey of life to celebrate progress and reward. They used these celebrations to build stepping stones to their future battles and so can we.

The simple things in life that God gives can brighten our life more than the great occasions that cost so much. We can continuously celebrate our Creator on a daily basis with each sunrise or sunset. We can celebrate each season as the flowers appear in the countryside and the meadows become flush with new green grass. Millions of people hand over billions of dollars and much of their time each year on things that provide very little impact on their life. Yet, just a little time with God can have an effect on life beyond measure.

This day with God will be amazing if we just realize that we are blessed and others are blessed because of the impact of our faith. Here’s a video to praise and celebrate today: O Praise Him – David Crowder Band.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. – Psalm 100:1-2

May 23 Devotional (cherokeebaptistmemphis.wordpress.com)
Give Thanks (minofeducation.wordpress.com)
It’s Time to Worship – Psalm 66: 1-2 (dianneguthmuller.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Church, Creator deity, David Crowder Band, God, New Testament, Psalm, psalm 122, sermon messages, spirituality | 3 Comments

Worship is Rewarding

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Mark Shields

Continuing my journey as I read in Psalm 122, I see that the psalmist is ready, cheerful, and excited when going to God’s house. Jerusalem is described as packed in like a church should be in holy love and Christian communion. The people look forward with enthusiasm to coming to Jerusalem three times a year for the great religious festivals.

The psalmist in this writing wants to get across the benefits of providing a place to worship God so brothers, sisters, and friends are ready to take on the challenges of life. God’s house should be the main event, the place to go to. He wants people to know that God has plans for His people to prosper, to be safe, have hope and a very bright future.

Like the psalmist in today’s passage, make it a point to pray for others. Pray for those you would like to see come to Christ. Pray for churches around the world that their members are unified to take on the enemy. With enthusiasm, praise the Creator and be thankful.

Here’s a link to a poem I wrote recently about being thankful: Thank you God.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Invitation: Why Corporate Worship Matters (glennpackiam.typepad.com)
Reflection on Praise and Worship (poemsbymichelleyee.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Church, Creator deity, God, praise the creator, Psalm, psalm 122, Religion and Spirituality | 4 Comments

Ascribe to the Lord – Psalm 29:1-3

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Mark Shields

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

In all that you do, give God the glory. Live for Him and glorify Him with your talents and gifts; all that you do for your family and in your career. Here’s a video about handing things over to God and taking it to a new level: Steal My Show – TobyMac.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11

Psalm Sunday- Psalm 18 (amomlookingup.wordpress.com)
Psalm 119:145-152; Psalm 93 – The Lord Reigns (graceofourlord.com)
Sunday Psalm – Psalm 8 (tommiastablet.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christianity, God, Lord, Psalm, Worship the Lord | 2 Comments

The Glory of God

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Mark Shields

A new series called “Isn’t It Amazing” was presented this past weekend at the church I attend. We are taking a look at some of the basics of our faith … this week the message is titled “The Glory of God”. The sermons can be listened to or watched by clicking on the link called Pastor’s Podcast on the page at this link: First United Methodist Church Waco.

Below is an outline of the message. The words in black were prepared by the church staff and the words in blue were notes I included as I listened.

To God be the Glory. God’s glory gives weight, power, and significance to our own life.

1. Give yourself completely to God.

Exodus 40:34-35 – God’s goodness filled the whole tent

Luke 2:9 – God’s power is fearsome

Romans 3:23 – We are cut off from God’s glory because of sin

We sometimes want to accumulate glory for ourselves but that never works. Glory is the by-product of a glorious God.

2. Love God as God has loved you.

John 1:14 – God’s Word became human and lived among us

1 Peter 4:11 – God is Big Enough to help us in any situation

We reflect God’s glory into the world by how we help others during times of difficulty

3. Obey God’s Word consistently.

John 17:1-10 – Before Jesus died, he prayed this prayer out of His obedience to God

4. Reach out to people like Jesus did

2 Corinthians 3:18 – Everybody loves to be praised. God made us for affirmation.

2 Corinthians 4:15 – Our desire for fame is a parody of what God made us to be

5. Yoke with other believers

2 Corinthians 9:13 – We glorify God in our gifts, our songs, our worship, and gatherings

1 Corinthians 10:31 – Give glory to God in all you do.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the church. There was a mighty wind and fire. God was so glorious and people reflected that glory because they were spirit-filled. This reminded me of a poem I wrote recently about the events leading up to and on the day of Pentecost at this link: Spirit-Filled.

Signs in the Clouds (blessedaaron08.wordpress.com)
What Is God’s Glory? (pastorltd.wordpress.com)
Keepin’ It Real: My Thoughts on Life and Death (ministryinwords.wordpress.com)
Unleashing the glorious inner you!!!! (divinelygrafted.wordpress.com)
To God Be The Glory (dianasymons.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christianity, first united methodist church, Glory, God, HolySpirit, Jesus, Pentecost | Leave a comment

Solid Footing

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Mark Shields

Some days, it’s hard to get our footing just like in this video:

Doggy Wakes Up From a Nap and What He Does is Hilarious

Going to God when I first awake puts me on solid footing that keeps me upright and steady. He will give assurance during my walk to keep me upright even in a slippery secular society that many times keeps us sliding in all directions.

Remember that the script of our life is written with a pencil. God has the eraser. He is there to help us make the needed adjustments if we get off course. So like in yesterday’s post, Go For It!