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

Learning Lessons and Sharing Them Gives Us a Purpose

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

Each day with God as we read His Word or just simply live in His world, there are lessons to be learned. I once heard someone say that if you pay attention to God, you are prepared for the world; if you pay attention to the world, you become stressed and confused.

One time a bird decided to make a nest inside an ornament on our back porch. The bird gave our whole family a lesson on good work habits. It taught us about having a purpose, planning, and initiative.

Another way to learn lessons is to study leaders of the past. There are so many lessons to be learned. It was the initiative of Winston Churchill who called a meeting of the entire British cabinet and made his case for an all out war with Hitler. It was the inventors of the past like Ben Franklin who experimented with electricity that started the wave of new inventions for new devices. Without their initiative, just think how things would be – no light bulbs, no washers, no dryers, no TV, or computers.

I heard a story of a teacher who made an assignment for her students one time. The assignment was to write down good things or things they liked about their classmates. She gave each student a copy of what others had said. Later in life at her funeral, some classmates shared that they still had that list and went to it frequently to give them encouragement or to lift their spirits.

As I read the names of 1 Chronicles 5-6 , it struck me that all the names matter to God and some questions popped into my mind. What purpose has God given me? The Levites purpose was to care for the house of God (1 Chronicles 6:48-49). What roles should I assume to fulfill God’s purpose for me? Do I feel a part of history? We should all believe we are a part of history and participate in our community. Find a role in our neighborhood, our local school, or our church. You and I can make a difference to future generations.

This day with God will be amazing because of who He is and who we are; an important name in history – one of His children.

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 1-6 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Life Lesson: A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year-old) (turntoday.wordpress.com)
Finding Our Land (chateauprairie.org)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Ben Franklin, Christianity, current-events, Encouragement, God, God’s Word, Habits, History, Initiative, Inventions, Leadership, Lessons, Levite, Planning, politics, Purpose, quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Winston Churchhill, Winston Churchill | 1 Comment

Wherever You Are

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Mark Shields

Even when we can’t see God, He is present. Listen to Him in your Bible reading time and in your prayer time. Wherever you are; at work, in your neighborhood, at home with young kids, helping an older parent – you might be in your position in life for a reason and you may be the only one that can make a difference with God’s help.

In difficult days, Esther discovered that God was always there and He is for us too. Nothing is going to stop God so why not be a part of what He is doing. Ask Him what the mission is. You may have been born to help Him with that mission. The world is different today because Esther lived, said something, and did something with faith. Here’s a song to inspire us to do the same: The Stand – Hillsong.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

Esther’s Story (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Faith, where art thou? (faithfuldailyread.wordpress.com)
The name of the Lord (hitchhikeamerica.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Church, cloud of witnesses, Epistle to the Hebrews, Esther, God, hebrews 12, Jesus, prayer time, religion, Saint, throne of god | Leave a comment

Esther’s Story

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Mark Shields

We continued a four-part series at First United Methodist Church Waco titled “Amazing Stories”. Today’s message is “Esther’s Story” and can be watched at this link. Below is an outline of the message. The words in black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the podcast.

We are never as good as we can be with God because He is the One that directs us. Even when we can’t see Him, He’s involved in our life. Esther was a Jewish orphan who became Queen of the most powerful kingdom of that time.

1. HIGHLIGHT THE ABILITIES IN YOUR OWN STORY.

“Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” – Esther 2:15 (NIV)

God used Esther’s gifts to save the Jewish people. She had beauty but also was a good communicator and was engaging.

2. INCLUDE WHAT BREAKS YOUR HEART IN YOUR STORY.

When you look at your community and at those around you what is it that continually breaks your heart? You think to yourself, “Somebody ought to do something about that.” People are hungry, people need a home, people need to hear about Jesus and somebody ought to do something and that somebody might be you.

3. LISTEN TO GOD DURING YOUR STORY.

“When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:12-14 (NIV)

4. MAKE YOUR STORY ABOUT FAITH.

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 16 (NIV)

The world is changed because Esther lived, said, and did something with faith.

5. FULFILL YOUR STORY WITH PATIENCE, DILIGENCE, AND CONFIDENCE.

Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”. – Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Abilities, Church, Esther, Faith, first united methodist, first united methodist church, Listen, Mission, religion, United Methodist Church | 1 Comment

Finish the Race Victoriously with Enthusiasm

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Mark Shields

One question comes to mind after reading 1 Chronicles 3-4. What would you like to be remembered for? Our job is to decide what the answer is and get involved with a passion to make it happen. Finish the race victoriously with enthusiasm.

I really enjoy growing in the Lord with you and sharing videos that hopefully bless and uplift you. I’d like to share another one today that I think goes with today’s passage. Simply click this link: Live Out Loud – Steven Curtis Chapman or on the video below. God Bless 🙂

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

Live out Life to the Fullest (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Right Attitude (minofeducation.wordpress.com)
Worry & Trackstars (inkedpen.wordpress.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Books of Chronicles, enthusiasm, Events, First Epistle to the Corinthians, Lord, religion, Running, Sports, Steven Curtis Chapman | Leave a comment

Live out Life to the Fullest

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Mark Shields

The journey takes me through what many may consider the lackluster scenery of 1 Chronicles 3-4 but there are glimpses of God’s gracious purpose. Every name listed is important and today every person is important to God. What each of us should strive to do is find out what we would like to be remembered for and get involved with a passion to make it happen; finishing the race victoriously with enthusiasm.

I received an email a while back from a friend and in this email was a story of a lady who had started a long time ago to plant one daffodil at a time in a field. Now the field is covered with beautiful yellow daffodils. This story points out that if you start something positive even if it’s small, over time you will build something of beauty. Mark Twain said one time, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream – Discover.”

Each day with God we should be inspired to get things done now and never put things off because our opportunities to do great things may pass us by. Give it all we have while we can? We should live each day we have like the song by Tim Mcgraw called “Live Like You Were Dying”. The song puts things in perspective. Some of the lyrics in the song go I loved deeper, I spoke sweeter, I watched an eagle flying, live like you were dying.

I remember seeing a TV program called 20/20 many years ago. They interviewed Christopher Reeves after his horse riding accident which left him paralyzed in 1995. In the interview, he said that when he saw an able bodied person he would say to himself, “Man Just Go for It”! That’s some good advice. You see God has the eraser. He’s present to help us make the needed adjustments if we get off course. So go for it! If you feel a job is above your head, express your concerns in prayer and ask for the necessary skills. Ask for good helpers. Most of all, believe that God has given you a mission. God wants us to accept our lot in life. He gives each of us talents and ideas. It’s up to us to start using what gifts we have and giving God the glory.

This day with God will be amazing because He inspires us to live out loud. We can pray like Jabez, listen for instructions, and be honorable people. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s give God our best.