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

Praise God for Bringing Us This Far

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Mark Shields

At the ancient festivals of Israel like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles the people would thank God for what He had done in the past. For example: the history behind Passover is acknowledging God’s help when He passed by the blood-marked homes during the tenth plague called the death of Egyptian first-born. The Israelites were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a lamb, upon seeing this, the Spirit of the Lord knew to pass over the first-borns in these homes, hence the name of the festival.

Today, we should praise God for passing over each of us marked with the blood of Christ so that we are spared from death eternal into life everlasting. Our needs are provided for because there is abundant life and eternal rewards through His Son.

His Word provides light for understanding and awareness which allows bright days even during dark times. Each person is of equal standing and God has concern for the joy of His people. He has great plans for our life because we have come so far. In Genesis 1:27, the Word says God created us in His own image. The God of the universe miraculously put us together in our Mother’s womb and He’s made us each unique with potential to do amazing things.

Your Word for This Day: A reason to praise! (thotam.com)
God Deserves our Praise for He alone is “Good” (blessedaaron08.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged ancient festivals, Blood of Christ, Christ, Christianity, eternal rewards, God, Israel, Israelite, Light, Lord, Passover, Pentecost, Potential, Praise, religion, Rewards, Tabernacles, tenth plague, theology | 6 Comments

Knowledge or Intimacy

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Mark Shields

The second message in a series has started at the church I attend called “Not a Fan”. This week’s message is titled “Knowledge or Intimacy” and can be watched at this link. All sermons are available by clicking on Pastor’s Podcast at this link: First United Methodist Church Waco.

What I took away from the sermon is how two people can encounter the same experience yet be affected differently. What makes the difference is courage, holding nothing back, recognizing they need God’s help, and only accepting the best.

In the sermon message, we find out that two people were affected differently after they encountered Christ. One is the immoral woman and the other is Simon the Pharisee. The woman opens up her heart with courage, holds nothing back, and recognized she needed Jesus. Simon knew so much that he couldn’t recognize Jesus and didn’t need any help. He held back and wouldn’t let Jesus into his heart. The woman was transformed into a follower of Christ but Simon simply settled to remain as a fan.

The Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Below is an outline of last Sunday’s message.

1. INTIMACY WITH GOD IS WITH THE WHOLE HEART.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away.” – Matthew 15:8

“But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth. The Father is looking for anyone who Will worship him that way.” – John 4:23 (NLT)

2. INTIMACY WITH GOD TAKES COURAGE.

“A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with
expensive perfume” – Luke 7:37 (NLT)

3. INTIMACY WITH GOD HOLDS NOTHING BACK.

“Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped
them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them” – Luke 7:38 (NLT)

4. INTIMACY WITH GOD RECOGNIZES SOMETHING IS MISSING

“This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner.” – Luke 7:39-bc (NLT)

5. INTIMACY WITH GOD WON’T SETTLE FOR LESS.

“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” – Luke
7:44 (NIV)

“I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much
love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only a little love.’ Then Jesus said to the
woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ …and Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you;
go in peace.’” – Luke 7:47 and 50 (NLT)

Fan or Follower? (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Words of Jesus – Real Authority (burningfireshutinmybones.wordpress.com)
A Life of Sublime Intimacy with God (felixcaeliporta.wordpress.com)
Be Thankful in Every Circumstance (womeninwhite.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christ, God, Gospel of Matthew, Luke, Pharisee, Simon | 3 Comments

Great Works of God

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Mark Shields

In the post yesterday about Psalms 111-112, I wrote about what we can praise God for. He is majestic, righteous, compassionate, faithful, and just. By just looking at nature, we are witnesses to the great works of the Lord; a sunrise, rainbow, waterfall, mountains, fall foliage, snow covered countryside, or a sunset.

Our faith brings light to a dark world and builds momentum for each day. We may not know how a light bulb works but we know when we turn on the switch, there is light. Opening up God’s Word is like turning on that switch; bringing contrasting light to a dark place. This video is about this light of faith that guides us each and every day and my hope is that it gives momentum for a great day: Walk By Faith – Jeremy Camp.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

“Sit Down!” (gospelmet.wordpress.com)
Harmony’s Blessing – Psalm 133 (stevesbiblemeditations.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Autumn leaf color, Compassionate, Epistle to the Hebrews, Faith, Faith - Jeremy Camp, Faithful, Fall Foliage, God, Guidance, hebrews 11 1, Hope, http www youtube, Jeremy Camp, Just, Light, Lord, Majestic, Momentum, Mountains, Praise, Psalm, psalm 133, Rainbow, rainbow waterfall, religion, Righteous, spirituality, Sunrise, Sunset, Walk By Faith, Waterfall | 1 Comment

Faith Brings Light to a Sometimes Dark World

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Mark Shields

Life is not always easy but we can continue to rejoice in the Lord. Even when we have those that try to bring us down or when our path seems to be broken. Even when we do not feel secure, we can still praise God. We can trust Him to meet all our needs because we have seen His great works in the past and know what His attributes are. Psalms 111-112 tells us what we can praise God for. He is majestic, righteous, compassionate, faithful, and just. Like a child following instructions from a parent, if we follow the path set for us in God’s Word, we gain understanding and wisdom.

We have not been promised a perfect world here on earth. There will be dark times, bad news, and those that are against us. But blessings are laid up for the faithful and their children’s children. In the darkest hours of affliction, hope continues to light the path to a brighter future and faith gives composure to handle any circumstance. We have a pattern to follow in Christ and the blessings of the gospel are spiritual and eternal.

Please take a few moments to pray for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Pray for their families and their doctors. Let us also pray for our individual walk with God and that any fears we may have are replaced with a deep abiding trust in Him.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 110-114 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Keep the Faith. Recieve the Hope. (derizhope.wordpress.com)
Claiming Life After a Hard Day (wtmcclendon.wordpress.com)

Posted in Faith | Tagged Affliction, boston marathon, brighter future, Christ, Christianity, Composure, darkest hours, Eternal, Evangelism, Faith, Fears, God, HolySpirit, Hope, Jesus, Lord, Path, perfect world, Rejoice, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Spiritual, Trust, walk with god | Leave a comment

Rewarding Future

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

In the previous post about Psalm 110, we get a good picture of the Messiah and that the enemy described as ungodly men, sin, death, and the devil will be destroyed by Him. I’d like to share this praise video: Revelation Song – Kari Jobe.

In Revelation 22:12, Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done”. The most joyful writings in the world are found in the Gospel because they are about progress, victory, and celebration which are stepping stones to a bright future.