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

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 103-106

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Mark Shields

God’s Word is a valued treasure in our life and reading in the Psalms has helped me understand even more about its tremendous value. In my reading of Psalm 100-102, I’ve reflected and come to the conclusion that the best way to go is to be thankful, have a positive attitude, give your best effort, and to be disciplined. A thankful group of people ultimately leads to a winning company, organization, or team. The everyday challenges we face can be difficult. Like the sails to a boat, integrity can harness the power yet at the same time push us where we need to go. We can be having a bad day and think there is no hope but one thought about our hope in Jesus switches our outlook in a split second from one of despair to one that leads to new discoveries, new joy, and new hope.

Over the next few posts, I will be sharing my study and reflecting upon Psalm 103-105. The reading plan and questions below will be used as a guide.

Psalm 103
Passage Lookup
For what personal reasons does David bless God? How has God dealt with our sin? Why? How will you join the call for universal praise?

Psalm 104
Passage Lookup
How does God provide through nature for the daily needs of animals and people? Attempt to grasp the greatness of God manifest in nature and in life. How do you respond?

Psalm 105
Passage Lookup
What is the situation for the psalmist’s call for thanksgiving and rejoicing? What is God’s covenant and promise to his chosen people? How does God provide when people ask?

Psalm 106
Passage Lookup
What have been the consequences of Israel’s disobedience? For what reason does God save Israel? What Christ like character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?

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

You all keep me accountable to Bible Study. This Blog is a blessing to me and I want to thank all of you that read, like, and respond to my posts with very interesting thoughts. The mission for this blog is to take what God gives us in His Word and point out its lessons.

An interest I’ve had for some time now is on ideas or strategies that might help build up families and neighborhoods. Someday, I hope to put these together in a book and call it “Neighbors United”. Another interest I have is in searching for ways to build up the economy. If I were to write a book about this, I would title it “Step Ahead”. I recently set up a facebook page that includes all three interests into one place. The page is called “This Day with God – Neighbors United – Step Ahead”. You might have similar interest and can connect at this Link.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 100-102 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
I LIFT UP MY EYES – Psalm 6:6,7 (ptl2010.com)
Psalm 5 (asorensen.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Discipline, Discoveries, Economy, God, God’s Word, Hope, Integrity, Jesus, Lessons, Neighbors, Positive Attitude, Psalm, Reflection, Thankful, Treasure, United Methodist Church | 7 Comments

A View From The Stands

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

We continued with the six part series at the church I worship at called “Game Plan”. The second in the series was last weekend titled “A View From The Stands”. To listen or view you can click this link.

In golf, we might miss hitting the ball perfect and end up in water hazards, the rough, or in the sand trap but if we keep swinging, we eventually hit it just right. In life like in golf, there are many hazards but at times we hit it perfect and the worship of God is one of those times.

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.

1. THE VIEW CAN BE UNCLEAR.

“ But I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well. They are not suffering; they are healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like the rest of us; they have problems like other people.” – Psalm 73:2-5 (NCV)

Sometimes we just don’t see God’s plan. Why is it that some people who do not live a Godly life seem to have it easy with no financial problems, always going on vacations, and it looks like they have life figured out?

“I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see….” – Psalm 73:16 (NCV)

When things seem unfair, where is God to make it fair?

2. WORSHIP CLEARS UP OUR CONFUSION.

“… until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen to them. You have put them in danger;…” – Psalm 73:17-18a (NCV)

“But I am always with you; You have held my hand. You guide me with Your advice, and later You will receive me in honor. I have no one in heaven but You; I want nothing on earth besides You.” – Psalm 73:23-24 (NCV)

Like keeping your eye on the ball, if we keep our eye on God, we find perspective.

3. WE GET TO CHOOSE THE VIEW AND OUR RESPONSE.

“I keep the Lord before me always. Because He is close by my side, I will not be hurt.” – Psalm 16:8 (NCV)

There are many things to be thankful for and we can celebrate with passion. At sporting events, there is a lot of enthusiasm. It’s Okay to have enthusiasm and yell for God’s team too.

“Then David danced with all his might before the Lord. He had on a holy linen vest. David and all the Israelites shouted with joy and blew the trumpets….” – 2 Samuel 6:14-15a (NCV)

4. THERE IS NEVER A WORSHIP VOID, ONLY WORSHIP CONFUSION.

“ ‘People of Athens, I see that you are very religious. As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, ‘To an Unknown God.’ You worship this God but you don’t really know him’….” – Acts 17:22b-23a (CEV)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Swing as hard as you can swing in life. Don’t get down if you hit the hazards because when we connect with God in worship, we hit it perfect every time. I hope this video of God’s beautiful Creation and awesome scenery will provide a time of worship for your day: Creation Calls – Brian Doerksen.

Father, Help Us to Worship (sjbrown58.wordpress.com)
Worship Is About God’s Offering, Not Ours (arendsarticulations.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Brian Doerksen, Celebrate, David, enthusiasm, God, Israelites, Lord, Passion, Perspective, Podcast, Psalm, Thankful, Worship | Leave a comment

Perspective Helps To Keep Going

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Mark Shields

We can be having a bad day and think there is no hope but one thought about our hope in Jesus switches our outlook in a split second from one of despair to one that leads to new discoveries, new joy, and new hope. Sometimes a song will turn a day around and I hope this one either turns your day around or adds momentum to an already awesome day: On and On – Chasen.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. – Isaiah 43:18

Hope In Jesus (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Great perspective today… (heatherlconrad.com)
Giving Thanks in ALL Circumstances – Lee Layton-Matthews (kerithsmallgroups.wordpress.com)
Please don’t confront me….and I won’t confront you. (trinityfamilyministries.wordpress.com)
5 Antidotes for Hurry Sickness (progressandpath.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, Discovery, God, Going the Extra Mile, Gospel of Matthew, having a bad day, Hope, hope in jesus, Isaiah, isaiah 43, Jesus, Joy, Momentum, Outlook, religion, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality | 3 Comments

Hope In Jesus

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

Isaac Newton apple tree, Babson College, 231 Forest Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The psalmist describes his dire situation in Psalm 102. He’s alone, he is skin and bones, and his days are vanishing like smoke. Emotionally, he’s taunted by his enemies; believing God has afflicted him with his position in life with no hope as his life withers away.

In contrast, he characterizes God as being constant and forever; a compassionate God of mercy who will release the poor captives out of Babylon and from the chains of sin and eternal destruction.

Bad days turn into good days with God. Was Isaac Newton having a bad day when he was simply trying to catch up on lost sleep under the apple tree pictured above? The apple conked him upside the head. He could’ve just chalked it up as another bad day. Instead, the occasion sparked an idea about gravity and what we know today as the Universal Law of Gravitation.

This scientific law from Newton set in motion our ability to communicate to others around the world. Satellites are put in orbit because they are projected so high and then when they start to fall they never reach the ground again because the earth is shaped as a sphere which is curving away from the falling object. Thus, the satellite stays in orbit high above the earth.

What we know today about God’s universal law of life is that Jesus has set in motion our ability to have new life. We can be having a bad day and think there is no hope but one thought about our hope in Jesus switches our outlook in a split second from one of despair to one that leads to new discoveries, new joys, and new hopes.

Because Jesus lives, we live also. God releases us from our bondage; giving us an Advocate so we receive grace and are not under the law. He shows favor to His people and will continue to build up the universal church.

This day with God will be amazing because even in times where we might think there is no hope, we can still dream and believe because God’s grace keeps flowing like a never ending stream.

Did YOU Hear the CALL? (jasonofgod.com)
Wilderness Wanderer (istellorton.wordpress.com)
Empowering Others (wdednh.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Babylon, Christ, Christianity, Discovery, Dream, God, Grace, Hope, Isaac Newton, Joy, New Life, Orbit, Psalm, Universal Law of Gravitation | 8 Comments

Peace of Mind and Joy

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

Billy Graham was quoted to say the following, “The word romance, according to the dictionary, means, excitement, adventure, and something extremely real. Romance should
last a lifetime”. When I was single, the guys in a small group at my church made lasagna from scratch for the single girls of that group and planned a dinner for them on Valentine’s
Day. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or what but about four or five marriages were produced from that group.

There is something to be said about having a partner for life. Researchers have found that people who are lonely have more health issues. Loneliness is more of a factor in health concerns than being overweight, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. There are not many happy hermits. God created us to be social beings that depend on one another. Psychiatrists have done studies to proof that having meaningful relationships will add to better health.

In Luke 14:16-24 is the parable of the great banquet. Invitations were sent out for a feast but everyone made excuses for not showing up. The lesson is to not miss out on the gift of God who helps us physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.

What provisions has God made for us? Every person is in equal standing with God who wants to provide us with joy and peace of mind. He is a God of justice who makes wrongs right. This is provided for in that everyone who believes in what the gospel clearly explains and accepts God’s Son as their savior has a protective antidote to a life of eternal misery. Our needs are provided for and He provides joy and peace of mind.

Two ways to increase both physical and mental health are to be kind to others and to be the person that God desires you to be by following His instructions. These are prescriptions to keeping a sound mind filled with wisdom and a sound body that makes available a wholesome dwelling for your soul.

Next week, we will continue with this core value of physical and mental health God gives that I think is important to being all we are intended to be. We will get more into how to build up this key core value in the post next weekend.