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

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 120 – 123

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

I just finished an amazing journey through Psalm 115-119. 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 120-123. 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.

Psalm 120
Passage Lookup

What is the psalmist’s situation in this psalm? What prompts desire for war? Compare or contrast the desires of your contemporaries. Which are involved in lies and deceit? Why? What is needed when those against you are deceitful and lie about you?

Psalm 121
Passage Lookup

What is the psalmist’s answer to the question in verse 1? When do you ask the question “where does my help come from?” What resources do you turn to for help? How does the Lord help?

Psalm 122
Passage Lookup

What emotion does the psalmist have when going to God’s house? Why do the tribes go to Jerusalem? To what does the psalmist dedicate himself? What are his reasons?

Psalm 123
Passage Lookup

What inner attitudes toward God does the psalmist discuss? What is the psalmist’s problem? Why do his enemies want to humiliate him (See Ezra 4:4-24; Neh. 2:17-19; 6:5-9)? How can one handle scorn from non-Christians? How do you demonstrate honesty and trust when you approach God?

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

Psalm 21- Victory in Christ (inchristalonedevotions.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 119 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Christianity, God, Jesus, journey through the bible, Psalm | 4 Comments

How to Get Through Stuff

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

In the post yesterday, I wrote about the last part of Psalm 119 which is the largest chapter of the Bible. It is apparent from reading in Psalm 119:137-176 that the psalmist faced stuff in life and it’s no different for us today but like the psalmist, there are things we can do.

We can ask for God’s help in prayer, seek solutions, and have patience through hope. The benefits are peace in knowing that we have given it our all. Along the journey, it helps to remain positive, retain a sense of humor, and remember how much we are blessed. It’s in the stuff we go through that we grow as a child of God. Here’s a video with this idea in mind: This is the Stuff – Francesca Battistelli.

This day with God can be amazing even if having a tough day for we can go to God in prayer and start fresh with a new perspective.

This Is The Stuff- Francesca Battistelli (katelynneamanda.wordpress.com)
WOTD: Practicing Thankfulness – Joyce Meyer (litroads.wordpress.com)
Prayers of Generations Past (thewritelife2.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, child of god, Christianity, Francesca Battistelli, God, new perspective, Prayer, Psalm, Psalm 119 | 5 Comments

Benefits of God’s Word

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Mark Shields

As brought out in Psalm 119:137-176, God’s Word is right, trustworthy, and dependable but even in keeping His Word there is difficulty. There are enemies that bring trouble and distress who try to bring us down by what they do or say. To overcome this battle, listen to God’s Word and pray for ways to apply His instruction. Appeal to God’s compassion, mercy, and His ability to deliver.

Continue in hope and receive encouragement from God’s promises. We have access to Him at all times so pray because God knows our needs and will help in time of trouble. In prayer we can ask for God to wash every disappointment, we can ask for joy that will dissolve every sorrow, and we can accept His love to ease every pain.

Photo Credit – truthmattersblog.wordpress.com

Be excited about God’s Word and praise Him continually because of peace right now and tremendous hope for the future. Be patient and understand that life is about pleasing God who gives salvation. Obey the truth, align to His will, and keep the hope of finishing strong until that day when He comes or calls to eternal glory.

Praying the Imprecatory Psalms (Psalm 83) (happymills.wordpress.com)
DAY 15: Monday, May 13 (gotprayer.net)
When Life Is Just Too Hard (donkeywhispererfarm2010.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, God, imprecatory psalms, Jesus, pleasing god, Prayer, Psalm, Religion and Spirituality | 3 Comments

A Mom’s Amazing Journey

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

I just finished taking a look at the Podcast. What I took away from the message is the tremendous purpose moms have. In raising their children, they have a major part in changing the world.

This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey

The sixth message in a series called “Not a Fan” will be presented at the church I attend today. The message is titled “A Mom’s Amazing Journey”. 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.

Below is an outline of the message. I will be helping today during the message as I operate the computer and camera used to present the message. Later today, I will watch the podcast and write some thoughts. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

The words in black were prepared by the church staff and the words in blue were notes I included as I listened.

1. GOD’S PLANS INCLUDES MOMS.

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary…”
Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

“Mary responded, ‘I am…

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A Mom’s Amazing Journey

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – ogranizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress

The words in black were prepared by the church staff and the words in blue were notes I included as I listened.

1. GOD’S PLANS INCLUDES MOMS.

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary…”
Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept
whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true.’ And
then the angel left.” – Luke 1:38 (NLT)

For all Moms, God has a plan and purpose for you. Mary’s response was “Yes” to the angel.

2. REAL MOMS HAVE REAL STRUGGLES.

“After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but
Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss Him at first,
because they assumed He was with friends among the other travelers.
… His parents didn’t know what to think. ‘Son!’ His mother said to
Him. ‘Why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been
frantic, searching for You everywhere.’ ” – Luke 2:43-44 & 48 (NLT)

Jesus is twelve and they go to the Passover. Mary and Joseph loose Jesus but he was not really lost but He was in His Father’s house. Jesus had a bigger mission that was bigger than His family.

3. MARY’S CHILD WAS ALSO GOD’S CHILD.

“ ‘They have no more wine’ she told Him. ‘How does that concern you
and Me?’ Jesus asked. ‘My time has not come yet.’ But His mother
told the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’” – John 2:3b-5 (NLT)

There is this transition taking place between Jesus and Mary. Jesus has an earthly family but God is making preparations for Jesus to be head of a new family called the church family.

4. MARY’S CHILD CAME TO BEGIN A NEW FAMILY.

“Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and Your brothers are outside,
and they want to speak to You.’ Jesus asked, ‘Who is My mother?
Who are My brothers?’ Then He pointed to His disciples and said,
‘These are My mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of My
Father in heaven…’ ” – Matthew 12:47-48 (NLT)

History is changing at this point. There is a distance between Mary and Jesus because God was in the process of forming not a nuclear family but a God family through grace and forgiveness by Christ on the Cross. The church family is in all places throughout the world. Every child is not just a child of a family but also a child of God.

5. THE END IS REALLY THE BEGINNING.

“When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He
loved, He said to her, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ And He said to this
disciple, ‘She is your mother.’ And from then on the disciples took her
into his home.” – John 19:26 – 27 (NLT)

Mary saw many amazing things but also many dark things. She saw her Son on the Cross. Jesus was in the process of growing a new eternal family.

6. THE NEW FAMILY BEGAN WITH PRAYER.

“They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the
mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.” – Acts 1:14

Over two thousand years later, the family of God is now on the other side of the planet; right at your local church. Mary became not just the mother of Jesus but also His follower just like you.