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

The One Habit of Highly Effective Christians

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Mark Shields

If you are not able to attend a local church service today (traveling, health condition, etc), I invite you to a podcast this morning of the church I attend. The message today is titled “The One Habit of Highly Effective Christians”. At this link Pastor’s Podcast, the message is shown live on Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM Central Time Zone. It also can be reviewed at your convenience to be used for Bible study and small group discussion. Below is the outline of the message.

1. MAKE WORSHIP COSTLY.

“Then Moses sent this command throughout the camp: ‘No man or
woman should make anything else as a gift for the Holy Tent.’ So the
people were kept from giving more, because what they had was
already more than enough to do all the work.’ ” – Exodus 36:6-7 (NCV)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your
spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1 (NIV)

2. MAKE WORSHIP CENTRAL.

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: The Israelites should make their
camps around the Meeting Tent, but they should not camp too close
to it. They should camp under their family flag and banners.” –
Numbers 2:1-2 (NCV)

“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship
the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” – Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

3. MAKE WORSHIP HOLY.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
through Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 (NLT)

“No temple could be seen in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and
the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for
the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.” –
Revelation 21:22-23 (NLT)

4. MAKE WORSHIP JOYFUL.

“Skies, sing for joy because the Lord did great things! Earth, shout for
joy, even in your deepest parts! Sing, you mountains, with thanks to
God. Sing, too, you trees in the forest!” – Isaiah 44:23 a-d (NCV)

“Listen, kings. Pay attention rulers! I myself will sing to the Lord. I will
make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.” – Judges 5:3 (NCV)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Church, God, Israelites, Jesus, Lord, lord god almighty | 1 Comment

Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Mark Shields

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

Here’s a link to a poem I wrote this morning: The Lord Your God Goes With You.

Be Strong (abundantgraceandlove.wordpress.com)
God Will NEVER Leave You (paulstohler.com)
Be strong and c… (achebjournalism.wordpress.com)
Be of Good Courage! (poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com)

Posted in Courage | Tagged Bible, Book of Deuteronomy, Christianity, Faith, God, good courage, Lord, poem | 6 Comments

A Common Purpose

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Mark Shields

In studying Psalm 133-134, the influence of unity spreads and God has given us a common purpose as believers. Therefore a bond or chemistry develops and a group working for a common purpose achieves meaningful results.

I’d like to share this video with you to pass on this value of unity: How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin.

This day with God can be amazing if we claim our identity and tap into the abundant skills from the community of faith to complement each other. I pray that all Christians build up and encourage each other to use the strengths God has given them for His glory.

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:5

The Results of Unity (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Common purpose, common vision: How Jose Mourinho’s opening line to his team fosters a culture and work ethic (busyavnesh.wordpress.com)
What is Your Common Purpose? (tedambergsblog.wordpress.com)
Noble Purpose or Common Use (stumbling-into-grace.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christian, Christianity, Common purpose, Epistle to the Romans, God, how great is our god chris tomlin, psalm 133, Psalm 133-134, romans 12 | Leave a comment

The Results of Unity

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Mark Shields

In Psalm 133-134, unity is described like oil that is poured over the head because its influence spreads. God wants unity but Satan works to make sure it doesn’t exist. In verse 3 of Psalm 133, unity is described as dew. Where rainfall is not plentiful, dew can provide the moisture needed. It makes up the difference little by little but persistently and cumulatively produces the moisture that rain would otherwise provide. It also softens the ground similar to softening a heart to receive the good seed of the Word.

Photo Credit – vionnaswatching.wordpress.com

Unity has the same effect on Christianity. Its influence spreads over the body with attitudes of kindness, love, goodness, and faithfulness. The members of the body receive what is needed for growth and yield. I remember just getting out of college and moving to Waco Texas. I began attending a Singles Sunday school class and Bible study; meeting many friends during that time who I continue to stay in touch with. Also, there were several marriages that occurred from that group since it was a great place to meet Christians from the opposite sex.

Christians that stand together become strong enough to cause the enemy to have second thoughts. If you try to break one stick, it’s easy but three or four sticks together are hard to break. The same principle works in suspension bridges as one strand of wire is easy to break but many stranded together form a cable that is strong enough to support a bridge.

In this reading, the psalmist desires that people work together to glorify the Lord. As a community of faith, it’s neat to see us all working together to provide food for the soul. When someone comes to me with questions about life and about God, one of you may be a better fit than me to help that person understand. I can always give them the link to your blog to help them understand. It’s good to know I don’t have to do it alone and there is a team working together to bring others to Christ.

Pope Francis Calls for Christian Unity During General Audience (patheos.com)
General Audience: How Can We Have Unity Among Christians If As Catholics We Aren’t United? (stbernardschurchgibraltar.wordpress.com)
Live in Harmony with One Another (pray40.wordpress.com)
A New Testament Rendition of Psalm 133 Behold, (perpetualnovelty.com)
Unity (biblicalpreaching.net)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Christian, Christianity, God, good seed, Lord, psalm 133, psalm 133 unity, Satan, suspension bridges, Waco Texas | 4 Comments

Nothing Can Satisfy Like Jesus

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Mark Shields

English: child Jesus with the virgin Mary, with the Holy Spirit (represented as a dove) and God the Father, with child john the Baptist and saint Elizabeth on the right (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As explained in yesterday’s post, David endures many hardships but he had a desire to carry out God’s plan. David teaches us to seek God’s will, to have the desire to carry out the plan, and to believe He will work it out. God’s ultimate plan was that He would send Jesus; a descendant of David to rule the kingdom and the Holy Spirit will live in whoever believes in Him.

Nothing can satisfy like Jesus because His presence is heaven to us. His presence is the treasure of our heart and soul. Our days on earth are difficult at times but the hope Jesus provides gives the inspiration and desire to fulfill all that God has for us. Go to Him often in prayer aspiring for the unseen and eternal in order to make His wisdom known to those that do not know Him.

Heaven is not far away because God’s Spirit lives in our hearts. Hold this in your thoughts and never let it fade so hard times can be overcome. Let our thoughts of heaven produce pictures of paradise as we desire to fulfill God’s will.

This day with God, let us be inspired by the prayer of Jesus found in Matthew 26:39: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”