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

Fully Devoted

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Mark Shields

Yesterday’s sermon message at my church was about being fully devoted to God. Many of us have a passion for something like some hobby, playing a game like golf, or pulling for a favorite football team. These are all good but what is excellent in this New Year is to want our days to count by living them wholeheartedly for God. A song called Shout Your Fame by Hillsong calls to attention this passion we can have in our daily walk. Have a wonderful week living wholeheartedly for God. 🙂

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

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christianity, Church, Devotion, enthusiasm, First Epistle to the Corinthians, Fully Devoted, God, Jesus, Music, New Year, Passion, religion, Religion and Spirituality | 5 Comments

Between the “Y” and the “I” in 2013

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Mark Shields

Today’s message at First United Methodist Church Waco is from Pastor Steve Ramsdell titled “Between the “Y” and the “I” in 2013. The message podcast is at this link. Below is an outline of the message.

1. WHOLEHEARTED INITIATES.

“Then a Samaritan traveling down the road came to where the hurt man was. When he saw the man, he felt very sorry for him. The Samaritan went to him, poured olive oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them….” – Luke 10:33-34a (NCV)

2. WHOLEHEARTED IS PASSIONATE ABOUT WORSHIP.

“Lord, I will thank you with all my heart; I will sing to you before the gods. I will bow down facing your holy Temple, and I will thank you for your love and loyalty..” – Psalm 138 1-2a (NCV)

“David went back to bless the people in his home, but Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. She said, ‘With what honor the king of Israel acted today! You took off your clothes in front of the servant girls of your officers like one who takes off his clothes without shame.’ Then David said to Michal, ‘I did it in the presence of the Lord. The Lord chose me, not your father or anyone from Saul’s family. The Lord appointed me to be over Israel. So I will celebrate in the presence of the Lord. Maybe I will lose even more honor,’….” – 2 Samuel 6:20-22a (NCV)

3. WHOLEHEARTED IS SERIOUS ABOUT GENEROSITY.

“The leaders gave willingly and completely to the Lord. The people rejoiced to see their leaders give gladly, and King David was also very happy. David praised the Lord in front of all the people who were gathered….” – 1 Chronicles 29:9-10a (NCV)

4. WHOLEHEARTED MEANS ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPENTANCE

“The Lord sent Nathan to David… Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’…Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ ” – 2 Samuel 12:1a, 7a,13a (NCV)

5. WHOLEHEARTED LOVES TO BE CHALLENGED.

“I know, my God, that you test people’s hearts. You are happy when people do what is right…” – 1 Chronicles 29:17a, b (NCV)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Accountability, book of Samuel, Challenges, David, first united methodist, first united methodist church, Generosity, God, Initiative, Israel, Lord, Michal, Passion, Podcast, religion, Repentance, Samaritan, Samuel, Saul, servant girls, theology, Worship | 2 Comments

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Mark Shields

What is Faith? At this link, I write some thoughts. Also, here is a song about faith that I hope gives a lift to your day: Only A Mountain – Jason Castro.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

Jason Castro Asks – What good can we do today? How can we be a light? (kswpgoodfriends.wordpress.com)
What Faith Does | Hebrews 11 (christianitymatters.com)
How Do I Cultivate the Faith that is in Me?/Ken Copeland (promisebook.net)

Posted in Faith | Tagged Christianity, Faith, God, hebrews 11 1, http www youtube, Jason Castro, religion, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a comment

Productive Wisdom from Heaven

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

Noticed in the journey through James 3:13-18 are two types of wisdom; one from heaven that is productive and one that is earthly and destructive. Productive wisdom is obtained by asking God and believing He will give it through lessons found in the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaking deep in your heart, and experiences of both ourselves and others.

In reading the passage, I couldn’t help but remember a show called Mayberry RFD. I was just a small child when the original TV show called the Andy Griffith show aired on CBS in the 1960’s. It had great down to Earth lessons on how to handle situations. Here’s a song about the show: Whatever Happened to Mayberry by Bill Floyd.

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

Two Kinds of Wisdom (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
New Year’s Resolve: Day 3! (1singlefocus.wordpress.com)
Proverbs – The basics of living a life with discipline and wisdom (Front to end of Proverbs) (ourcreator.wordpress.com)
Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (saintlysages.wordpress.com)

Posted in James | Tagged Andy Griffith, Bible, Bible Lessons, Book of Proverbs, Christianity, Experiences, fruits of the holy spirit, gifts and fruits of the holy spirit, God, Holy Spirit, HolySpirit, James, Knowledge, Lord, Mayberry RFD, religion, spirituality, The Andy Griffith Show, TV show, Understanding, Wisdom | 2 Comments

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

The Holy Spirit as a dove in the Annunciation, by Philippe de Champaigne, 1644 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Within James 3:13-18 are found characteristics of two kinds of wisdom. Spiritual wisdom is exemplified by good deeds, humility, purity, and sincerity. On the other hand, worldly wisdom is depicted by envy, selfish ambition, and disorder.

To me, today’s passage tells us that it doesn’t matter how many college degrees we have or how many books we’ve read. Spiritual wisdom which comes directly from God is what we need to live an abundant life. We can obtain wisdom by asking God and believing He will give it through lessons found in the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaking deep in our heart, and experiences of both ourselves and others.

We need to keep God in our homes, in our schools, and in our lives so spiritual values can be passed on to future generations. This day with God, let us pray for spiritual wisdom and humbly accept the responsibility to train others so the next generation is prepared.