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

Go For It

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Mark Shields

When difficulties and dangers are greatest, the psalmist in Psalm 121 gets comfort and help from the Lord. The Lord protects from harm throughout life. Never going off duty day or night, He protects from the heat of everyday issues and He guards us in the darkness of a secular society that secretly tries to kill the soul. As we journey away from dangerous places to safe places and into eternity, we can rest assured that the creator of the cosmos is in full control of our body, soul, and mind.

God is big enough to be a sufficient helper. As we face deadlines at work, He makes sure obstacles are removed. As we handle crisis situations with family, He is the wisest counselor. As we struggle with health issues, there is comfort in knowing He is the great physician. As we face schedules that wear us down, He provides the stamina to never give up. All we have to do is go to Him in prayer and our issues are resolved in His perfect timing.

This day with God will be amazing as we notice the sun come up providing food and energy for every living thing. Then in the evening, we will notice the moon and be amazed that someone has actually walked on it and returned back to earth. Yes, we can be amazed at the cycles of each and every day, each and every season, and each and every decade and look forward to the dawn of improved tomorrows.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
How Do You Pray When Overwhelmed? (callforfireseminar.wordpress.com)
Psalm 12:6 – And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, (church4u2.wordpress.com)
The Bible: meaning in poetic form (kathybrasby.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, dangerous places, God, Jesus, Lord, poetic form, Psalm, psalm 121, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality | 2 Comments

Touched with Something Different

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Mark Shields

From reading Psalms 120, the strategy is to overcome evil with good. There are many battles we face in life and the main source is sin. We face wars, bullies, and those that use deceit and lies to bring others down.

The best strategy is to do things right, pray for advice, listen, and follow the will of God. We were touched with something different because of Christ. He made things straightforward so there are no more complicated laws and rules but a much easier path to follow.

Because of Christ, hope gives optimism in a time of despair and faith gives courage in time of doubt. His love brought victory in a time of hate. To give a lift for your day, here’s a video about what God has given us through Christ: Amazing Grace (Acapella) – LeAnn Rimes.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. – 1 Peter 1:18-19

Reflections… a Scripture verse and inspiration for daily living [5/17] (riverrunchurch.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
1 Peter 1:17-21 (jessicahof.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Blood of Christ, Christ, First Epistle of Peter, God, LeAnn Rimes, Peter, precious blood, Psalm, psalm 120, time of despair | Leave a comment

Overcome Evil with Good

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Mark Shields

The psalmist in Psalm 120 was put in a bad situation because someone was lying about him and he needed the Lord’s help. This psalm was probably written by David when on the run from King Saul and he sought help through prayer.

Those that want power and control bring about this desire for war and not peace. Take a look at the fighting that goes on between religions and how they make those that do not believe in their specific form of faith a pariah. Sometimes the battle is a negative culture being pushed on people like a cancer on an otherwise healthy society. The problem is sin but the answer is God’s Son who paid the price.

Photo Credit : specialgathering.wordpress.com

Let us follow this example of David as presented in today’s passage and go to the Lord in prayer when in distress. Let us depend on the Him to take on our battles so that evil is overcome with good. When facing our enemies, let’s ask the Lord to provide for our needs and protect us until things are made right in His timing.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning Of Wisdom (smritidisaac.wordpress.com)
“Samuel?” (altruistico.wordpress.com)
An ancient failed leadership story from the bible (zingingleaves.wordpress.com)
1 Samuel 18. Saul becomes jealous of David (bummyla.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged David, failed leadership, fear of the lord, God, king saul, Lord, negative culture, Psalm, psalm 120, psalmist, Saul | 7 Comments

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

I just finished an amazing journey through Psalm 115-119. You can read about this journey at this link. As I continue the journey through the Bible, the next adventure will take me to Psalm 120-123. 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.

Psalm 120
Passage Lookup

What is the psalmist’s situation in this psalm? What prompts desire for war? Compare or contrast the desires of your contemporaries. Which are involved in lies and deceit? Why? What is needed when those against you are deceitful and lie about you?

Psalm 121
Passage Lookup

What is the psalmist’s answer to the question in verse 1? When do you ask the question “where does my help come from?” What resources do you turn to for help? How does the Lord help?

Psalm 122
Passage Lookup

What emotion does the psalmist have when going to God’s house? Why do the tribes go to Jerusalem? To what does the psalmist dedicate himself? What are his reasons?

Psalm 123
Passage Lookup

What inner attitudes toward God does the psalmist discuss? What is the psalmist’s problem? Why do his enemies want to humiliate him (See Ezra 4:4-24; Neh. 2:17-19; 6:5-9)? How can one handle scorn from non-Christians? How do you demonstrate honesty and trust when you approach 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

Psalm 21- Victory in Christ (inchristalonedevotions.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 119 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Christianity, God, Jesus, journey through the bible, Psalm | 4 Comments

How to Get Through Stuff

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

In the post yesterday, I wrote about the last part of Psalm 119 which is the largest chapter of the Bible. It is apparent from reading in Psalm 119:137-176 that the psalmist faced stuff in life and it’s no different for us today but like the psalmist, there are things we can do.

We can ask for God’s help in prayer, seek solutions, and have patience through hope. The benefits are peace in knowing that we have given it our all. Along the journey, it helps to remain positive, retain a sense of humor, and remember how much we are blessed. It’s in the stuff we go through that we grow as a child of God. Here’s a video with this idea in mind: This is the Stuff – Francesca Battistelli.