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

Help with Difficulties

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

Life is full of disappointments. Let’s face it, we all fail at times but that shouldn’t keep us down; especially when we have faith that God will work in our life. As pointed out in yesterday’s post, He’s big enough to beat down the obstacles in our way. In fact, the failures can become stepping stones to a bright future. Think of these examples below:

Dismissed from Drama school because of shyness – Lucille Ball
Tuned down from a recording company because they didn’t like their sound – The Beatles
Cut from his high school basketball team – Michael Jordon
Fired from a newspaper because he lacked imagination – Walt Disney

We all face disappointments. Sometimes a song or video can give a lift during storms of life. I’d like to share this video: Shelter Me – Bruce Carroll, Billy Sprague and Bob Bennett.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10

Cast Your Fears to God: Proverbs 16:3, 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, Psalm 55:22 (sidewalkschalk.com)
Temporary Visible Things, Eternal Invisible Things (godsgold.wordpress.com)
Momentary Light Afflictions, Eternal Weight of Glory (gracevibe.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Beatles, Bruce Carroll, Christ, Christianity, God, Lucille Ball, Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Walt Disney | 6 Comments

Help in Trouble

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Mark Shields

The psalmist might be recalling real situations in Psalm 124 when God helped the Israelites. Situations in the past like when rebuilding the wall or protecting the city of Jerusalem. Another might be when the Red Sea parted to escape Pharaoh’s army.

This Psalm is a hymn praising God for deliverance from the enemies who tried to set traps but the Lord provided the power, mercy, and truth to overcome. The people would sing this Psalm as they went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the three major feasts each year.

Today, we can recall the great work of redemption by Jesus Christ who rescued us from Satan. This should be at the top of our thoughts as we praise God. Each day with God is amazing because even if a problem comes up, He’s in control to give a solution.

Have faith that God will work in your life because His power is put to work when obstacles are in your way. He can beat them down so they become stepping stones to a brighter future. Lay out concerns to God whether big or small. If a miracle is needed, ask for it. He can work in your life if you pray, trust, and ask for help.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 124 – 127 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Destined for Success (marsharandolph.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, God, Jesus, Lord, praising god, Psalm, psalm 124, psalmist, spirituality | 5 Comments

Memorial Day

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Mark Shields

Vietnam War Memorial (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In memory of the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and fought for our freedom, I offer a tribute in a poem at this link: Let us never forget their faces.

Memorial Day Honor Those Who Have Fallen in The Defense of Freedom (americanfreedombybarbara.com)
Memorial Day Quotes And Infographic: A Day Of Rememberance (valuewalk.com)
Remembering Our Veterans on Memorial Day (goodtimestories.wordpress.com)
Memorial Day (alzjourney.com)
Memorial Day (poemsandponderings.wordpress.com)
What Memorial Day is all about (jennvilleusa.wordpress.com)

Posted in Holiday | Tagged Community, Death, History, Holiday, Lee Greenwood, Memorial Day, Memorial Web Sites, Military, poem, United States, Unity, Veteran, Vietnam War | 3 Comments

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 124 – 127

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Mark Shields

I just finished an amazing journey through Psalm 120-123. 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 124-127. 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.

Photo Credit : consultinggrad.com

Psalm 124
Passage Lookup
In what ways are the Israelites dependent upon God? What contrast does the psalmist make in verse 2? What real situations might the psalmist be recalling (See Verse Ne. 6:15-16, Isa. 37:33-38)?

Psalm 125
Passage Lookup
In what sense is God like the mountains? Contrast the psalmist’s solid trust in God with his keen awareness of the dangers of sin. How can you experience this balance in daily living?

Psalm 126
Passage Lookup
What relationship does this rejoicing have to the history of Israel (See Ezra 3:10-13)? What is the people’s reaction to victory and deliverance? How do you react to good times in relationships, character development, studies and work? Who gets the credit?

Psalm 127
Passage Lookup
What two activities mentioned are done in vain? Why? What does this show about the integral relationship between God and people? Why do we have families? Why not?

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

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Psalter and Its Purposes (apologus.wordpress.com)
Song for a King (faithfuldailyread.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, God, Jesus, journey through the bible, Psalm, psalm 124, psalm 126, psalm 127 | 9 Comments

Give the Extra Effort

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Mark Shields

What type of attitudes should we have when working through problems? In yesterday’s post, the lesson was about how to respond to problems and those against us. I wrote about mercy and how Jesus forgave even those who crucified Him.

Although, only God can forgive sin, we can take lessons about mercy and apply them in our own life. There are situations when we need to forgive. Maybe a relationship has gone bad, a co-worker has done us wrong, or a customer has been unreasonable. In these situations, it might help to receive inspiration from what Jesus said in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”.

We should always go the extra mile or give the extra effort in our relationships. We should be honest and trust in God to rescue if we continue to work, pray, think, and believe while being patient. He will honor our patience if we choose His way to joy and hope.

Photo Credit : entherm.com

My study in college was in business management and I’ve always had a passion for ideas on how a company can inspire good attitudes in their employees so it leads to excellent customer service. There’s a video I came across that explains the small difference between hot water and boiling water that makes all the difference. Here’s the video: The One Extra Degree Makes All The Difference.