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

The Sure Victory

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Mark Shields

Who is responsible for David’s military victories in 1 Chronicles 18? The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went and David gave God all the credit. He did what was just and right for his people.

The victories came as a part of God’s promise to David to help defeat the opposing nations. Small kingdoms that surrounded Israel were conquered like the Philistines, the Moabites, the king of Zobah, and the Syrians.

The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went (v.6). All the gold, silver and bronze collected from the spoils of war were dedicated to the Lord. He reigned over Israel doing what was just and right for his people (v. 14).

God helped David defeat his physical enemies and we can take this history lesson to build our faith in being able to defeat our spiritual enemies through our Redeemer. David was able to drop the idea that he was Atlas carrying the world on his shoulder. He was never too proud to get down on his knees and pray.

Scripture and prayer are weapons to win spiritual battles. Today we even have the added weapon of Christ our Redeemer. We can claim the sure victory He gave on the cross and share it with others.

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 17-19 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Offensive Spiritual Warfare (adaringfaith.com)
David and Goliath Fight (ghettoscorner.wordpress.com)
When Envy Turns Into a Blessing (mcsellersthoughtofthedaydotcom.wordpress.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Cross, David, God, Israel, Lord, Philistine, Prayer, Pride, Redeemer, religion, Scripture, victory, Zobah | 1 Comment

Unstoppable Purpose

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

The 3rd message of the series called “Unstoppable” at First United Methodist Church Waco was presented yesterday. It is titled “Unstoppable Purpose” and can be watched at this link. God became flesh and came to earth with a purpose. He was a wonderful teacher who attracted large crowds; giving wisdom and truth to all. After listening to the message, I wrote the poem below to sum up some of the main points.

Jesus was a great teacher
Crowds were amazed
He taught with authority
Attentions were raised

The reason Jesus taught
Giving wisdom to all
Listen and obey
And find your call

Whom Jesus taught
To all who would listen
Baptizing followers
We now call Christian

When Jesus taught
All fully understood
Arguing led nowhere
But unity would

What Jesus taught
Will set all free
He brought the truth
For you and for me

In Christ Alone (jacobjuncker.wordpress.com)
Bringing People To Jesus (jerrynwatts.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christian, Christianity, Church, First United Methodist Church Waco, God, religion, Religion and Spirituality, theology, United Methodist Church | 1 Comment

Steps to Take

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

In my study of applying our faith, I wrote the poem below.

Steps to Take

Start each day out right
Each morning see the light
Tell God your need
He will help to proceed

Pray with confidence
And expect assistance
Listen for instructions
Then take actions

If plans need adjustment
Pray even more fervent
Know that He is with you
All the way through

This week, I finish my study of applying faith with some ideas at this link: Tools for the Journey.

Posted in Applied Faith | Tagged Actions, Adjustment, Assistance, Confidence, Faith, God, Instructions, Journey, Needs, poem, Prayer, religion, spirituality | 4 Comments

When Down to Nothing … God is UP to Something

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

The Bible teaches that if you run into a wall, don’t turn around or give up but ask for God’s help and He will provide a way for you to climb over, go through, or walk around.

I love sharing inspirational videos and today there is one that inspires us to never give up but to make the impossible possible. Here’s the video: One of the most courageous things you will ever see on a running track.

The Bible tells us about Moses parting the Red Sea, Daniel surviving the lions, David defeating Goliath, and Jesus freeing us from sin. When down to nothing … God is UP to something.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 17-19 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
David and Goliath (tbquk.org)
Courage for 2013 (djunction.wordpress.com)
God with us (dailymedit.wordpress.com)
Jesus – The Way, truth and life (Part 1) (clydestyle.org)
Burnett & Downey Resurrect “The Bible” in a 5 week Television Mini-Series (outersparkle.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Bible, Christianity, Daniel, David, david and goliath, God, god is up to something, Goliath, Inspiration, Jesus, Make Impossible Possible, Moses, moses parting the red sea, Red Sea, reflection 1, religion | 4 Comments

Being All That God Intends You to Be

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

Success and Failure Road Sign with dramatic clouds and sky. Amazing things happen to those who simply follow God’s path. They can aim
for the moon and if they miss, God develops them into His star. Think about how God took a person of no status or standing like David and made him king of Israel.

In 1 Chronicles 17:16-27, David gives all credit to the greatness of God. He asked in prayer that the promise God has given would be fulfilled. That the house of God will be built and that the most significant leader ever will come from one of his offspring. Many think of Solomon and the temple he built but most believe the person being put forward as the most significant leader from the “house and lineage of David” is Jesus Christ. We know today that in the hearts of all believers is where the Spirit of God dwells.

David gives praise that God has carried him this far. That He has promised a future of honor and a future where his offspring will be the greatest of leaders. He gives praise that God has redeemed his people, performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations (v. 21), made people of Israel God’s very own forever and that He has become their Lord.

No one on earth can ever match God’s gift of His Son. I don’t care if the richest person, the most famous person, or the brightest person on earth gave a gift; nothing could ever match the one for which God gives in His Son and upon which we can build our life.

Reading today’s passage, David now sees himself more as a servant rather than a king. John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”

This day with God will be amazing because with Him we can passionately believe in what we are doing, let nothing hold us up in our work, and know that one day at a time the impossible will become possible. The Holy Spirit living in you will help give direction and God will do great things through you.

In preparation for prayer, take in these words from Reuben P. Job, a former United Methodist bishop, “Prayer is a revolutionary act and may lead us where we did not expect us to go and shape us in ways we had not anticipated. Prayer is not only a crying out for God’s help, it is not only an invitation for God to intervene in our lives, it is also an offering up of all we are and hope to become. In so doing, we glorify the ONE who loves us.”