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

Weapons Against The Competition

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

There is competition we face every day; determination competes against doubt, passion against apathy, sacrifice against safety. The challenge for us is to learn about the qualities of Christ so we can use them as weapons against this competition; bringing victory for our team and getting others to join in.

Whenever we feel down or feel that our thoughts are more negative or we neglect to do as we should, videos like this one can help get us back on track and understand just how much God loves us. Here’s the link or click on the video below to watch and listen: My Savior My God – Aaron Shust.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” – Revelation 5:5

The Call for the Church from Colossians PI (acts29.org)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Aaron Shust, Challenge, Christ, Competition, David, determination, God, lion of the tribe of judah, My Savior My God, Passion, Religion and Spirituality, Sacrifice, tribe of judah, victory | 8 Comments

Worthy Because of Christ

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

English: Moses Pleading with Israel, as in Deuteronomy 6:1-15, illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Covered in Psalm 106 are events from Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt to when Israel was taken by the Babylonians. The people were being led to the Promised Land but on the journey, they complained about the need to satisfy their immediate wants rather than focusing on pleasing God.

Their downward path led to idol worship, sacrifices, and immorality which led to a separation from God. Eventually they became exiles in Babylon but God’s compassion and mercy continued to be with them; saving them from their captivity just as He does today by saving His people from the captive state of sin through His Son.

The challenge for us this day with God is to be aware when we are going down the wrong path, stop, put it in reverse and think about what He has done and can do for the future. Then, go down the path He has laid and enjoy the ride. Let hope give optimism in a time of despair, faith give courage in time of doubt, and let love bring victory in a time of hate. Before we can be victorious, we have to believe we are worthy and this Day with God will be amazing because Christ makes us worthy.

Life is Gospel-Shaped (Phil 1:27-30). (tithebarn.wordpress.com)
Are You Worthy of God’s Trust? (promisebook.net)
Destination Christ (breadforthebride.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Babylon, Challenge, Christ, Christianity, Courage, Egypt, Faith, God, Hope, Israel, Journey, Love, Moses, Optimism, Path, pleasing god, Promised Land, Psalm, religion, spirituality, time of despair, victory | 2 Comments

Family, Friends and Prayer

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Mark Shields

For the last few weekends, I’ve been writing about the importance of physical and
spiritual health. Today, I’ll write about the importance of family, friends, and prayer to this core value. Friday and Saturday, I was able to spend some time with family and friends. Friday night, we traveled 50 miles east of Waco Texas to my hometown Teague Texas to watch the homecoming football game. My mom and dad grew up there, fell in love, got married, and after work took them to other place as they journeyed through life, moved back home when I was in high school.

Teague takes homecoming serious as many stay the weekend catching up on what’s going on with their childhood friends. Careers have led many to live now in places like Houston or Dallas but most still have parents and relatives back home. They make floats for a parade and share memories of years gone by.

Each year that goes by and as we journey through life, we become more aware of the fact that the time on earth is but a short time span compared to eternity. Many loved ones and friends are no longer with us.

As we get older, we become more aware of the importance of visiting those in rest homes or in the hospital. What a tremendous boost people get when they get a visit. I remember seeing underneath a mantel the pictures of grandkids and the word HOPE in big letters. Nothing compares to the “beautiful you” in the form of a personal visit to a family member or a friend in a time of need.

Reverend Carolyn Crane says that it is important to receive the positive influence by others when sick. Positive speech and thoughts can hold the key to another person’s healing. Prayer provides this positive influence.

In prayer, God is with us as a friend. He heals a broken heart by changing the way we think. Instead of feeling unacceptable, we are accepted. Instead of feeling incapable, we are capable. He will hold us after a difficult day; giving us needed rest and peace. Picture a tiny baby in the arms of a father; relaxed, happy, and secure. This is the picture we should see in our minds as we think about God holding us in His arms.

If we meet with God every day and comprehend that His love is bigger than we could ever understand, there will be a positive benefit to health. We all make some bad decisions at times but through Christ, God reaches out and offers peace and eternal life. Nothing else can take the place of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. I read a blog post titled “Greater Than You Can Grasp” the other day that emphasizes the importance of this relationship.

Next weekend, I’ll share more ideas on this very important core value of physical and spiritual health. Until next time, have a wonderful day with God.

Prayer for Reawakening (johndwmacdonald.com)
Reflections on the Readings for Sunday, October 7, 2012 (danardoyle.wordpress.com)

Posted in Physical and Mental Health | Tagged Christ, Eternal Life, Family, Friends, God, God the Father, Health, Heavenly Father, homecoming football game, Hope, Memories, Peace, Prayer, Relationship, religion, spirituality | 1 Comment

God’s Rewards and Our Praises

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Mark Shields

A key thought from yesterday’s post is that God may reward us with a sunrise as we look out over a meadow of flowers or a sunset as we look over the horizon at the endless sea. We reward God by praising Him. Here’s a video that allows us to do just that: God of Wonders – Chris Tomlin. Enjoy! 🙂

This day with God will be amazing because we can be thankful for God’s work; for His protection, His wonders, His miracles and how He provides for those that ask for His help.

God’s Marvelous Works (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
How to handle a long day. (newequus.wordpress.com)
Inspired (thegr8adventure.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged awards, Chris Tomlin, Christianity, Flowers, God, Help, Lord, Meadow, Miracles, Nature, Praise, Psalm, religion, religion & spirituality, Rewards, Sea, spirituality, Sunrise, Sunset, Thankfulness, travel, Vacation, Wonders | 2 Comments

God’s Marvelous Works

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Psalm 105, the psalmist traces the history of Israel and writes to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness. He calls for the people to rejoice in what God has done, return to Him, and remember.

Adversity may seem bad at the time it happens but later we find that it prepares so we can handle the challenges of the future. The people of Israel were in Egypt for 400 years. Think about it: that’s much longer than the entire existence of the United States. Think of how God set things up for His people; plagues weakened Egypt and allowed them to escape so they could begin the journey to the Promised Land.

As we journey through life, there are times God rewards us. It may be a sunrise as we look out over a meadow of flowers or a sunset as we look over the horizon at the endless sea; like the picture below.

We reward God by praising Him. Being thankful for His work; for His protection, His wonders, His miracles and how He provides for those that ask for His help. The New Testament is all about cheerfulness and victory; the most joyful group of books ever written. God blessed those who had faith. In the same way, we will be blessed because of our faith.

This Day with God, let us grow stronger in faith so we can finish well. Let us remember the miracles He has performed in the past and pray to be more alert so we can recognize the miracles He is performing right in front of our eyes.