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

God’s Way

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible. It was written at a time in history that is very similar to our current times in which there is religious skepticism and much doubt as to whether there is a God. There was a strong push to separate God from daily life similar to today when we see the efforts to strike the word “God” from public displays and prayer from public schools. Over verse 1, it says “Aleph”. This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and each section of Psalm 119 is arranged into eight verses with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Since Psalm 119 is very long, I’ll break it down into smaller blocks and write about each individually. In Psalm 119:1-40, we are given the purpose of God’s Word, the results of living by it, and why it is essential for life. The law of the Lord gives wisdom and experience. It counsels, inspires, cautions, and enlightens our minds. It supports and guides in our life journey; keeping us on target. There are many synonyms of the law of the Lord throughout Psalm 119 including statutes, precepts, and the way of truth.

Keeping God’s law leads to good thoughts, good works, blessedness, and joy. It is essential for life because it instructs how to be free from sin, how to pray, and how to live the best way. Following God’s plan and growing in the Lord keeps life pure while at the same time gives us a desire to reach out to others to share about Christ.

Christ in our life is enough and what we need each day. Our reality is not a TV show, a movie, or a sporting event but being dependent on God’s Word for insight and guidance. Christ in our life helps us remain faithful during times when others do not respect us or remain strengthened when others try to bring us down. Christ in our life helps us remain joyful even in a world that is sometimes very sad.

God’s way is best. The way of the world leads to inconsistency and confusion but the way of God leads to order and certainty. I don’t know about you, but I struggle many times just getting a footing when I try to climb the mountain the world has set before me but the path God has laid is much smoother and gets me to where I want to go.

This day with God let us be thankful and amazed because His principles never change. Let us pray for the ability to internalize His guiding principles so they become an instrument which guides like a compass along the journey and helps us always be led by Him in every activity of our day.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 119 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Daily Bible walk: Day 123 (ispygod.net)
Psalm 119:161-168 Shin God’s Awesome Word (fellowshiproom.org)
Psalm 119:169-176 Tau Speaking to God – Hearing His Word (fellowshiproom.org)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Certainty, Christ, Christianity, Faithfulness, first letter of the hebrew alphabet, God, God’s Word, Good Works, Guidance, Hebrew alphabet, Insight, Jesus, Joy, Lord, Order, Path, Prayer, Principles, Psalm, Psalm 119, religion, religious skepticism, spirituality, Strength, word god | 8 Comments

Self-Powered or Spirit-Filled

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

The fourth message in a series called “Not a Fan” was presented at the church I attend this past weekend. The message is titled “Self-Powered or Spirit-Filled”. 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.

It took patience but after seven weeks something big happened that was worth the wait. Amazement and mystery happened because the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. The Holy Spirit became available for all; the strength, the guidance and the power.

The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded by angels, by Giaquinto, 1750s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote a poem to help me understand, remember, and apply the message. Here is the link: Spirit-Filled.

What Is Your Source Of Strength? (myviewandopinion.wordpress.com)
Gifts (antandbev1.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Amazement, Christianity, Church, first united methodist, first united methodist church, God, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mystery, Patience, poem, Power, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Sermon, seven weeks, Strength, United Methodist Church | 2 Comments

Light for Our Path

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

We were created to worship God and get to know Him; to take in the lessons from His Word and from experiences as we travel through life. Then use them to light our path. Many things only last for a short time but the cause of Christ last forever so we should increase our assets by storing up treasures in heaven. These assets will someday be cashed in and take us to a place where all our hopes and dreams are fulfilled.

God has a purpose in our life. We may not think so at times but there are skills each of us has that God can use. We each have a story to tell and are extremely important. I’d like to share this video with you today because it points out the reason Christ died on the cross: We Are The Reason – Avalon.

When I moved to Waco, I was just out of college, single and still looking for a job much like many young people coming out of college today. After a few weeks, I was able to land a good job at a company that installed electronic and communication equipment into military aircraft. I gained some great experience with electronic equipment and computers but the job was not what benefited me the most.

The most beneficial experiences were gained at the church I began to attend on a regular basis. I met some great people including my wife and other friends that I continue to keep in touch with twenty five years later. The church has been the torch to light my path with purpose. In what ways has God given you light?

30 April 2013. – “a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – John 14:27 (alamptomyfeet.org)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 118 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
An Explanation of Trials (hiking2christ.org)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Church, College, Cross, Dreams, Experiences, Friends, God, God’s Word, Heaven, Hopes, Job, Light, Path, Purpose, religion, religion & spirituality, Skills, Word, Worship | 5 Comments

Stick to the Plan and Rejoice About the Big Plus Sign

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

All nations are called on to praise God because His steadfast love endures forever. Those who call on Him are comforted with everlasting goodness and mercy. Psalm 117-118 takes us from the exile in Babylon to the time Jesus walked on Earth and then takes us into Armageddon to the commencement of the millennial reign.

Let’s be honest, we all know that things are not perfect in this world today but we can rejoice and be glad because there will be a time when our Lord will come or call and it will be perfect. We will be tested but we must stand firm and be patient for this day.

Most things of this world are disposable. Think of the gadgets we buy. They are built to last just a few years and then they become obsolete. God’s Word is usable forever so focus on putting your time, effort, and confidence in God. We can trust Him now and forever because with God is peace, safety, happiness, righteousness, and victory.

In this reading, people and the church are compared to a building. The people are the stones, the leaders are the builders who rejected the cornerstone which is referring to Christ.

Faith

We can rejoice over the great salvation provided on the Cross; a big plus sign God has given for victory over both our human and spiritual enemies.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad (altruistico.wordpress.com)
Have You Surrendered Yet? (myviewandopinion.wordpress.com)
Be Happy with the Lord!!! (almachavezgonzales.wordpress.com)
A Gospel Sermon (Finally!) (charitygcsblog.wordpress.com)
A new way to look Habakkuk 3:17 !!! (urymglobal.wordpress.com)
Angels are rejoicing! Luke 15:10 (klandryblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Armageddon, Babylon, Christ, Christianity, confidence in god, Cross, Earth, everlasting goodness, God, God’s Word, goodness and mercy, Happiness, Jesus, Love, Peace, Praise, Psalm, psalm 117, religion, Righteousness, Safety, theology, Trust, victory | 3 Comments

Thank You God

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post about Psalm 116, I wrote about the many reasons to love the Lord. The consistent theme in God’s Word is joy and victory as we ask for His help in managing the affairs of our life. Imagine what it will be like standing in His presence. Let us make it a part of our daily thoughts and plan each day with this in mind.

Here’s a poem I wrote called Thank You God. Have a blessed day with God! 🙂

Thank you God for freedom
like an eagle gliding in the sky
Thank you for eyes to see your magnificent creation
like the mountains way up high
Thank you for the ability to hear music
pleasing to the Spirit
I love to hear it.

Thank you God for the sense of smell
like roses which are so sweet-smelling
Thank you for the sense of touch
like holding a baby even if screaming and yelling
Thank you for the ability to imagine into the future
as it moves faster than a wild stallion
I simply hope for a roof over my head
and food that is Italian.

Thank you God for my daily bread
as I smell pizza and know it will taste out of sight
Thank you for hopes and dreams
as I look ahead with a future so bright
Thank you for what’s still beyond my reach
like the horizon on the other side of the tree
I have faith in you God and thank you for loving me
so much to send your Son to die for thee.

By Mark Shields – © 4-30-2013