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

Wherever, Whenever, Whatever

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Mark Shields

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The fifth message in a series called “Not a Fan” was presented at the church I attend this past weekend. The message is titled “Wherever, Whenever, Whatever”. 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. The words in black were prepared by the church staff and the words in blue were notes I included as I listened.

1. FOLLOW FOR A PURPOSE.

“And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know
that I must be about My Father’s business?’ ” – Luke 2:49 (NKJV)

Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was lost and they went back to Nazareth. They find Him in the Temple teaching. The purpose of a mother bird is to protect their young. They will stay at a next even if a person walks up near. Jesus knew His purpose on earth and He took risk to carry it out.

2. LATER CAN MEAN NEVER.

“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up
his cross daily and follow Me” – Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Slogans define products with just a few works. What is the slogan for Christianity? The verse above Luke 9:23

3. GO WHEREVER JESUS ASKS YOU TO GO.

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, “I will
follow You wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and
birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay
His head.” – Luke 9:57-58 (NIV)

It’s not all easy. Carrying the cross takes courage, self discipline, and hours of work.

4. RESPOND WHENEVER YOU HEAR THE CALL.

“He said to another man, ‘Follow Me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first
let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury
their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ ”
Luke 9:59-60 (NIV)

There are many excuses to why we can’t respond to the call but with Jesus we respond right now.

5. BE WHATEVER JESUS ASKS YOU TO BE.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they
put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)

Jesus hands His light to us to be the light to the world right now. We are where we are for a purpose.

6. A COMPLETELY COMMITTED FOLLOWER SHINES.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

“…Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts….”
Hebrews 3:15 b, c (NIV)

It’s about how you live your life and what you say for it is through us that people understand what God is like.

Rejoice this day for it is the day the Lord has made for us to use our gifts and let them shine to glorify Him.

Following Jesus or Following the Rules (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Songs & Scripture: “Mighty to Save” (Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan) (laurensettle.wordpress.com)
Change is Good . . . Did I Just Say That? (janeenkime.wordpress.com)
Christian Truth (pilgrimpassing.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged birds of the air, Christianity, Cross, father jesus, first united methodist, first united methodist church, Light, Luke, Matthew, Nazareth, Podcast, Purpose, religion, Sermon, theology, United Methodist Church | 1 Comment

The Way of Order and Certainty

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Mark Shields

I wrote in the previous post that the way of the world leads to inconsistency and confusion but the way of God leads to order and certainty. Here’s a video that advances this thought: Stop the World – Matthew West.

God’s Word is essential for life. It’s like food for the soul and we should meditate on it and seek it with all our heart. He speaks through the Bible so follow His Word and choose the path of truth in getting ready for each day. Then pay attention to the good things, be thankful, and share these blessings with others.

God’s Litmus Test – Got LOVE? (truelivingtoday.wordpress.com)
Confusion and Certainty about God | by Linda Brendle (lifeaftercaregiving.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Blessings, Certainty, Christ, Christianity, Christianity for Seekers, Evangelism, God, God’s Word, Heart, Life, Matthew West, Meditate, Path, religion, religion & spirituality, Soul, spirituality, Truth | 5 Comments

God’s Way

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible. It was written at a time in history that is very similar to our current times in which there is religious skepticism and much doubt as to whether there is a God. There was a strong push to separate God from daily life similar to today when we see the efforts to strike the word “God” from public displays and prayer from public schools. Over verse 1, it says “Aleph”. This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and each section of Psalm 119 is arranged into eight verses with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Since Psalm 119 is very long, I’ll break it down into smaller blocks and write about each individually. In Psalm 119:1-40, we are given the purpose of God’s Word, the results of living by it, and why it is essential for life. The law of the Lord gives wisdom and experience. It counsels, inspires, cautions, and enlightens our minds. It supports and guides in our life journey; keeping us on target. There are many synonyms of the law of the Lord throughout Psalm 119 including statutes, precepts, and the way of truth.

Keeping God’s law leads to good thoughts, good works, blessedness, and joy. It is essential for life because it instructs how to be free from sin, how to pray, and how to live the best way. Following God’s plan and growing in the Lord keeps life pure while at the same time gives us a desire to reach out to others to share about Christ.

Christ in our life is enough and what we need each day. Our reality is not a TV show, a movie, or a sporting event but being dependent on God’s Word for insight and guidance. Christ in our life helps us remain faithful during times when others do not respect us or remain strengthened when others try to bring us down. Christ in our life helps us remain joyful even in a world that is sometimes very sad.

God’s way is best. The way of the world leads to inconsistency and confusion but the way of God leads to order and certainty. I don’t know about you, but I struggle many times just getting a footing when I try to climb the mountain the world has set before me but the path God has laid is much smoother and gets me to where I want to go.

This day with God let us be thankful and amazed because His principles never change. Let us pray for the ability to internalize His guiding principles so they become an instrument which guides like a compass along the journey and helps us always be led by Him in every activity of our day.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 115 – 119 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Daily Bible walk: Day 123 (ispygod.net)
Psalm 119:161-168 Shin God’s Awesome Word (fellowshiproom.org)
Psalm 119:169-176 Tau Speaking to God – Hearing His Word (fellowshiproom.org)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Certainty, Christ, Christianity, Faithfulness, first letter of the hebrew alphabet, God, God’s Word, Good Works, Guidance, Hebrew alphabet, Insight, Jesus, Joy, Lord, Order, Path, Prayer, Principles, Psalm, Psalm 119, religion, religious skepticism, spirituality, Strength, word god | 8 Comments

Self-Powered or Spirit-Filled

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

The fourth message in a series called “Not a Fan” was presented at the church I attend this past weekend. The message is titled “Self-Powered or Spirit-Filled”. 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.

It took patience but after seven weeks something big happened that was worth the wait. Amazement and mystery happened because the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. The Holy Spirit became available for all; the strength, the guidance and the power.

The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded by angels, by Giaquinto, 1750s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote a poem to help me understand, remember, and apply the message. Here is the link: Spirit-Filled.

What Is Your Source Of Strength? (myviewandopinion.wordpress.com)
Gifts (antandbev1.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Amazement, Christianity, Church, first united methodist, first united methodist church, God, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mystery, Patience, poem, Power, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Sermon, seven weeks, Strength, United Methodist Church | 2 Comments

Light for Our Path

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

We were created to worship God and get to know Him; to take in the lessons from His Word and from experiences as we travel through life. Then use them to light our path. Many things only last for a short time but the cause of Christ last forever so we should increase our assets by storing up treasures in heaven. These assets will someday be cashed in and take us to a place where all our hopes and dreams are fulfilled.

God has a purpose in our life. We may not think so at times but there are skills each of us has that God can use. We each have a story to tell and are extremely important. I’d like to share this video with you today because it points out the reason Christ died on the cross: We Are The Reason – Avalon.

When I moved to Waco, I was just out of college, single and still looking for a job much like many young people coming out of college today. After a few weeks, I was able to land a good job at a company that installed electronic and communication equipment into military aircraft. I gained some great experience with electronic equipment and computers but the job was not what benefited me the most.

The most beneficial experiences were gained at the church I began to attend on a regular basis. I met some great people including my wife and other friends that I continue to keep in touch with twenty five years later. The church has been the torch to light my path with purpose. In what ways has God given you light?