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

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 110-114

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, the journey has taken me through Psalm 107-109. Reading the Psalms is truly food for our souls that brings healing. We all face trials in life but God is more powerful than our problems when we pray every day and trust in every way. Jesus calmed the sea with one word and with one word can turn our time in a desert into a vacation spot on the beach.

There are many ways to praise God; in our prayers, in our actions, in our speech, and in our songs. We can also praise Him for the talents and skills He has given each one of us. Each of us has great potential because within everyone that has accepted Jesus Christ, there is a champion called the Holy Spirit. We were born to win but we have to believe we are worthy of being a champion.

Many enemies of David lied about him but he was a man of prayer and asks for help. Like David, we may face difficulties that are out of our control and only prayer can correct. The lesson is to keep the faith and keep going when the going gets tough. By being persistent, steady, and trusting in God to make things right, we can’t fail.

Stories of those in more recent history can inspire like Thomas Edison who failed many times before inventing the electric light and Walt Disney or Henry Ford who both had failures in life but most of all be inspired by the ONE who has overcome the obstacle we all will face some day which is death. With Christ, there is life. Faith triumphs limitations, hope triumphs difficulty, and love triumphs over hate. “For nothing is impossible with God”. – Luke 1:37

Reflections

As I continue the journey through the Bible, the next adventure will take me to Psalm 110-114. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about the journey and will use the questions for reflections 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 110
Passage Lookup
What will eventually happen to the Lord’s enemies? What is the Lord’s role? What qualities of the Lord are revealed?

Psalm 111-112
Passage Lookup
What is the mood of these psalms? What can we praise God for? When have you experienced God’s graciousness, mercy, and righteousness?

Psalm 113
Passage Lookup
What provisions has the Lord made for all mankind? For the poor and needy? To what extent is God concerned with your joy? How do you know?

Psalm 114
Passage Lookup
What event is especially significant in Israel’s history? Why? Do you treasure and appreciate a particular event that causes you to praise God? Why? What supernatural incidents in Israel’s deliverance are attributed to God? Why? How do you know the Lord is present with you?

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

I’ve seen de light… (afruitinseason.wordpress.com)
Joy (runningredeemed.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Calmed the Sea, Christ, David, Faith, faith triumphs, favorite bible verses, Food for Souls, God, God’s Word, Holy Spirit, HolySpirit, Hope, Jesus, Journey, journey through the bible, Lord, Love, nothing is impossible with god, Praise, Prayer, Psalm, Thomas Edison | 5 Comments

The Tough Get Going by Taking His Hand

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post, I wrote about what David did when the going got tough and today I continue with that thought. There will be danger, distractions, and critiques but because Jesus has arisen, we can press on and solve each problem as we come to it.

Many great people in current times have overcome obstacles. Thomas Edison failed many times before inventing the electric light. Walt Disney and Henry Ford both had failures in life. But there is no one who has overcome the obstacle we all face with death, except Jesus. Here’s a video of encouragement for your day: Del Way – Hurting People .

Let us pray to step on discouragement and failure; using them as stepping stones to a better day. Let us take the Hand of Jesus and keep going when the going gets tough; being persistent, steady and learning to wait for Him to make things right.

The Jesus Bus (runningforchrist.wordpress.com)
Inspiring Song #5 (undercoverheroes.wordpress.com)
Delivered from the Trials of Life (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Inspiration for the Day: The Art of Making Mistakes (soulmagnitude.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged David, Encouragement, God, Henry Ford, Jesus, Overcome Difficulties, Persistence, Prayer, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney | Leave a comment

When the Going Gets Tough

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Mark Shields

In today’s world in which we hear about bullying, it’s easy to identify with the psalmist’s situation in Psalm 109 and want bad to happen to those that are hateful toward us. David endured false accusations and he asks the Lord to take vengeance on his enemies. Some of David’s closest friends like Saul, Absalom, Shimei and others had turned against him.

This Psalm was probably written during the time that David was in great danger during Absalom’s rebellion. The enemies even went out to destroy David’s whole family (v. 16) but he gives the whole matter to God (v. 20). At this point in David’s life, he knew that victory had to come from God and there was no need to answer by being hateful in return. The lesson learned is that it is best that we let God get revenge.

David went to God for help and to take care of the matter (v 21-25). You see, God knows how to win the war. In the war between good and evil, the war is won at the cross. You see, the devil thought the trophy was the death of Christ on the cross but it turns out that the Lord’s cross was the devils mousetrap.

We can be assured that when those against us treat us bad that God will deliver us. It’s time to not get angry with those that treat us bad but to get sad. It’s sad that they do not understand how to live the way God wishes and their future is one of despair and failure. Let us pray and hope the enemies of God see the light.

Many enemies of David lied about him but he was a man of prayer and asks for help. Like David, we may face difficulties that are out of our control and only prayer can correct. The lesson found in this passage for me is to keep going when the going gets tough. Be persistent, steady and learn to wait for God to make things right.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 107 – 109 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Bobby Conner: The Hungry Heart – Seeking the Secret Place (celebratekingjesus.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Absalom, Bullying, Christ, Cross, David, Difficulties, Evil, false accusations, God, Lord, Patience, Persistence, Prayer, Psalm, psalm 109, Revenge, Shimei | 1 Comment

Fan or Follower?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Mark Shields

A new series has started at the church I attend called “Not a Fan”. The first message is titled “Fan or Follower?” All sermons are available by clicking on Pastor’s Podcast at this link: First United Methodist Church Waco.

One part of the message made note of was the change in both Joseph and Nicodemus. I heard this song on the radio recently: Changed – Rascal Flatts. I thought it fit right in with the message as we change from being a fan of Jesus to a follower.

Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus and Nicodemus brought very expensive embalming ointment for the burial of Jesus. They were both fans before He was crucified but were changed into followers when they went public. We also go from being a fan to a follower when we go public and follow Jesus one faith step at a time.

Below is an outline of last Sunday’s message.

1. FOLLOWING IS ONE FAITH STEP AT A TIME.
“When Jesus was leaving, He saw a man named Matthew sitting in
the tax collector’s booth. Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me,’ and he
stood up and followed Jesus.” – Matthew 9:9 (NCV)

2. BEING A FAN IS BELIEVING.
“After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to speak with Jesus, “Teacher,” he
said, ‘We all know that God has sent You to teach us. Your
miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with You.” – John 3:1 (NLT)

3. BELIEVING IS NOT FOLLOWING.
“When Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast, many people
believed in Him because they saw the miracles He did.” – John 2:23 (NCV)

4. FOLLOWING IS GOING PUBLIC.
“Nicodemus, the leader who met with Jesus earlier, then spoke up.
‘Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?’ he asked.
They replied, ‘Are you from Galilee, too? Search the scriptures and
see for yourself – no prophet ever comes from Galilee!’ ” – John 7:50-52 (NLT)

5. GOING PUBLIC CHANGES EVERYTHING.
“Afterwards Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of
Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for
permission to take Jesus’ body down…. Nicodemus, the man who
had come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing about seventy-five
pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Together
they wrapped Jesus’ body in a long, linen cloth with the spices, as is
the Jewish custom of burial.” John 19:38-40 (NLT)

LISTEN: Nicodemus: Another Secret Saint Who Came Through for Jesus in the End (The Unsung Heroes of Easter #7) (blackchristiannews.com)
Nicodemus, the mystery man of Holy Week (religionnews.com)
The Impact of Fear (mandylynncarpenter.wordpress.com)
The Public Burial of Jesus (truthmattersblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, Crucifixion, Faith, Fan, first united methodist, first united methodist church, Follower, Jerusalem, Jesus, jesus and nicodemus, Joseph, Nicodemus, passover feast, Pastor’s Podcast, Pharisee, Rascal Flatts, religion | 19 Comments

The Champion Within

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Mark Shields

A thought from my previous post “Victory Assured” is that within each of us is a champion. All we have to do is release that champion within called the Holy Spirit. We were born to win but we have to believe we are worthy of being a champion. Jesus makes us worthy and to keep winning we should plan, prepare, and expect to win life’s next big challenge.

I found this video clip. It’s from the movie “Miracle” and the clip is the pre-game pep talk by Coach Brooks who coached the USA hockey team to win the 1980 gold medal. It’s an uplifting speech that gives confidence and builds up the team before the game. Here’s the video: Miracle – Coach Brooks Addresses Team.