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

Thank You God

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post about Psalm 116, I wrote about the many reasons to love the Lord. The consistent theme in God’s Word is joy and victory as we ask for His help in managing the affairs of our life. Imagine what it will be like standing in His presence. Let us make it a part of our daily thoughts and plan each day with this in mind.

Here’s a poem I wrote called Thank You God. Have a blessed day with God! 🙂

Thank you God for freedom
like an eagle gliding in the sky
Thank you for eyes to see your magnificent creation
like the mountains way up high
Thank you for the ability to hear music
pleasing to the Spirit
I love to hear it.

Thank you God for the sense of smell
like roses which are so sweet-smelling
Thank you for the sense of touch
like holding a baby even if screaming and yelling
Thank you for the ability to imagine into the future
as it moves faster than a wild stallion
I simply hope for a roof over my head
and food that is Italian.

Thank you God for my daily bread
as I smell pizza and know it will taste out of sight
Thank you for hopes and dreams
as I look ahead with a future so bright
Thank you for what’s still beyond my reach
like the horizon on the other side of the tree
I have faith in you God and thank you for loving me
so much to send your Son to die for thee.

By Mark Shields – © 4-30-2013

Thankfulness (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Psalm Chapter 116 (pofw.wordpress.com)
Father’s Glory (wrob77.wordpress.com)
“What is Old Testament theology?” (altruistico.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, Freedom, God, God’s Word, HolySpirit, Jesus, Joy, Lord, Love, magnificent creation, old testament theology, Prayers, psalm 116, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Reward, spirituality, victory | 19 Comments

Thankfulness

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

There are many reasons to love the Lord. We may go through difficulties at work or our health may be a concern but we find relief in knowing that God is big enough to handle the situation and hope for a brighter future keeps us going. In Psalm 116, the psalmist experienced danger but shows gratitude towards God with the belief that relief is on the way and with God’s presence there is more joy than can be imagined.

God can answer our prayers during times of difficulty because He is in control and sees the big picture. He’s present; listening as we spend time with Him in prayer, reflect on the past, and receive direction for the future. We are rewarded when God hears us. There is peace knowing that God is in control and there is a sense of freedom in knowing that we are headed in the right direction.

Once delivered, the psalmist becomes more devoted to God and willing to be His servant. He will tell others to join him in loving the Lord. Even after trails and hardships we are certain to face along life’s journey, we can maintain the thought of entering our heavenly rest where we are delivered from sin and sorrow with the reward one can only imagine.

Life has ups and downs but one thing we can always look forward to and that’s the glory of standing in the presence of God when He comes or calls us home. Here’s a video to remind us of that glorious day: I Can Only Imagine – MercyMe.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 118 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Purpose of Righteousness (frted.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, Direction, Faith, Freedom, God, Gratitude, heavenly rest, HolySpirit, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Lord, Love, Peace, Prayers, presence of god, Psalm, psalm 116, Reflection, Relief, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Reward, spirituality | 1 Comment

He Is Everything

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Mark Shields

After reading Psalm 115 and writing some thoughts in the post Our Living God, what was most meaningful to me is that idols do nothing but stand there and look good but God is constantly on the move; ready to help and defend.

Faith in idols does nothing but faith in the ONE and only God is action oriented because real faith is confessing sins, accepting God’s forgiveness, and walking in the light.

Here’s a video that explains how big our God is: Starry Night – Chris August.

Idols only sit there and depreciate over time but each day with God is amazing because He helps to replace every doubt or fear with deep abiding trust in Him.

Our Living God (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 118 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
How Great Is Our God (monicahoranxox.wordpress.com)
American Idols – Psalm 106:20-21 (stevesbiblemeditations.com)
Praying the Imprecatory Psalms (Psalm 83) (happymills.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged accepting god, Chris August, Christianity, Doubt, Faith, Fear, God, http www youtube, Idols, imprecatory psalms, Israel, Jesus, Lord, Psalm, psalm 115, psalm 83, real faith, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Trust | 3 Comments

Examples of Integrity

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking about the character trait integrity. Like my Pastor has talked about before in his sermons, we should be honest with ourselves. Having the attitude of wanting to know where we fall short and what we need to do.

There are many examples of this character trait called integrity throughout the Bible. I thought about what happens when there is a lack of this trait as in Genesis 27:1-45 when Rebekah convinced her favorite son to trick his father and receive his blessing instead of Esau. This set off all kinds of family turmoil.

Figures Isaac Blesses Jacob (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Then I thought about the example of David’s men in 2 Samuel 18:9-12 who honored David’s wishes. They didn’t kill Absalom even though he was fighting in the enemy’s army and there was a big reward to kill him.

I then thought about examples of people in more current times who have demonstrated integrity and about how a society could build up this quality for future generations. To read these thoughts, take a look at the post titled Ideas for Building a Society with More Integrity.

T is for Twins; Esau and Jacob (jimlwright.wordpress.com)
Five Minute Friday: Character Traits a Friend Should Have (adaptivelearnin.wordpress.com)
Integrity (ejaife.wordpress.com)

Posted in Integrity | Tagged Absalom, Bible, Book of Genesis, David, Esau, Generation, Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Rebekah, religion, Society | 5 Comments

Our Living God

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Mark Shields

Pointed out in Psalm 115, idols do not have any sense or reason and are works of human hands: the painter, the carver, the statuary. They can’t see, hear, smell, feel, or speak but God has all of these along with great wisdom and purpose for everything.

In today’s passage, Israel appeals for God’s help knowing that they can trust the living God who has helped them in the past. When they have respected Him with reverence for his Word and relied on Him, they have been blessed. With confidence, they can trust that He will refresh their souls and bless them forever.

There is no power in idols but the worship and praise of the ONE and only God leads to a great capacity for victory so spend some time in silence; putting away the cares and concerns of this world so that all attention is on hearing directions from the Holy Spirit.