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

Harness Power With Integrity

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, we learned from David about the core value integrity. You ever tried to hold an umbrella in a thunderstorm as the wind blows in various directions? It’s difficult and the everyday challenges we face can be difficult but like the sails to a boat, integrity can harness the power; pushing us to where we need to go.

Sometimes the desire to win pushes some to cheat to get ahead but they are mistaken. What it all comes down to is working hard and doing things the right way. The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. The great football coach named Vince Lombardi once said “Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price”.

I remember in high school going through summer football practice. Towards the end of our training and before our first game, our coach took us to the movie “Rocky”. Here’s a training montage of one of the Rocky movies that inspires the core value of integrity:Rocky IV Hearts on Fire Training Montage. Notice that Rocky’s competitor is cheating with shots of performance enhancement drug while training but Rocky harnesses power with integrity.

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. – Psalm 41:12

Harness the Power (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
John Travolta Reportedly Considering Role of Packers’ Legend Vince Lombardi (bleacherreport.com)
Quote: Vince Lombardi Leaders Are Made, Not Born (greatist.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged David, Football, Green Bay Packers, Integrity, Rocky, Rocky IV, Sports, Success, Vince Lombardi | 2 Comments

Harness the Power

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Psalm 101, David promises to manage all his affairs both within his own family and as a public leader with integrity; making sure to discourage bad behavior but encouraging what is good for each individual and as a society.

In present times, we have a helper because of Christ. In Christian love, we can build our neighbor up. Each individual can search their heart for improvement so the future is one of excitement and optimism.

Doing things our way many times ends in disaster but doing things God’s way leads to success. As a Christian, we have access to God who gives the specific steps to follow, the power to begin, and the persistence to finish.

I was getting my hair cut one time and my barber was excited about his weekend hunting trip. Not many people get to hunt where he was going to hunting. It was on a ranch owned by a billionaire and only those with large sums of money could pay to hunt there. Well my barber is a friend of the billionaire’s son who has given him access to hunt there free. In a similar way, we can get excited about our future because we know God’s Son and we have access to His resources since the price has been paid.

Let us pray for our walk with God. This day with Him will be amazing because with Him there is a freedom that helps us live happier, give to others enthusiastically, and care for one another. Let us pray that we are good examples and lay out a clear path so others can follow.

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 100-102 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Extraordinary Hand of God! (psalmsofpraisewomensministries.wordpress.com)
A Leader’s Prayer-Psalm 101 (garyrunn.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Agape, Christ, Christianity, David, Excitement, Freedom, God, Happiness, Improvement, Integrity, Jesus, Leadership, Optimism, Persistence, Psalm, Psalm 101, Success | 5 Comments

Celebrate Progress

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Mark Shields

As reflected upon yesterday’s reading of Psalm 100, when a person is thankful, they have a positive attitude, they give more effort, they want to be disciplined, and they care about doing their best. A thankful group of people ultimately leads to a winning company, organization, or team. When they win, they should celebrate progress along the way by praising him like in this video: Shout to the Lord – Michael W. Smith. Enjoy! 🙂

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. – Revelation 22:12

Psalm 100 (asorensen.wordpress.com)
Becoming your proper size {How to rest in the urgent} (hearingtheheartbeat.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Discipline, God, Jesus, Positive Attitude, Praise, Psalm, Psalm 100, Psalms, Reflection, Shout to the Lord, Thankful | 6 Comments

The Gift Worthy of a Big THANKS

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Mark Shields

We get a psalm of praise for the gift worthy of big THANKS in Psalm 100. God is worthy of thanksgiving because of the promise given that Jesus will reign. When we are thankful, we have a positive attitude, we give more effort, we want to be disciplined, and we care about doing our best.

A thankful heart pauses along the way to celebrate; excited about each day and what part God will play in the future. This catches the attention of others who desire the same excitement. A thankful group of people ultimately leads to a winning company, organization, or team.

This day with God will be amazing because with Him we can sincerely believe each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress along the way by praising him.

Let us be thankful in prayer today because God has an answer for our questions or struggles and that answer is Christ Jesus; a gift worthy of a big THANKS!

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 100-102 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
I LIFT MY EYES – Psalm 2:11, 12 (ptl2010.com)
I LIFT UP MY EYES – Psalm 2:8 (ptl2010.com)
Morning Prayer ~ August 7, 2012 (ronpogue.typepad.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged A Thankful Heart, Care, Celebrate, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Discipline, Effort, enthusiasm, God, Positive Attitude, Praise, Psalm, Psalm 100, Religion and Spirituality, Thankfulness, Winning | 2 Comments

Questions for Reflection – Psalm 100-102

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Mark Shields

Amazing things happen because of faith. Mountains are moved and dreams come true because the ONE who made the stars more numerous than the grains of sand on the beaches of earth is making the impossible possible.

The mission of this blog is to point out the wonder and amazement found as I journey through each book of the Bible. Questions are asked and answers are sought in the quest to integrate God’s principles or core values into our daily life either at work or at home.

Let enthusiasm for increasing our faith permeate our soul; capturing the interest of others as we glow and radiate. Let us have an attitude of praise in whatever we do; washing dishes, repairing a machine, selling a product, counseling a client, growing a crop, or raising a family.

A physical workout requires repeated exercises that over time builds muscle and conditions the body whereas our spiritual body requires repeated thoughts about our love of God. The exercise equipment for Spiritual growth is God’s Word; reading, studying, singing, writing, and sharing God’s Word. Over the next few posts, we will be studying and reflecting upon Psalm 100-102. The reading plan and questions below will be used as a guide.

Psalm 100
Passage Lookup
Why is God worthy of thanksgiving? What acts and attitude accompany thanksgiving?

Psalm 101
Passage Lookup
What are the principles on which David will base his reign in Zion? What promises have you made to God? Examine the extent of your commitment to Christ. Write down promises you wish to make today, beginning each with “I will” or “I will not.” What are the specific steps you will need to take today to begin fulfilling them?

Psalm 102
Passage Lookup
How does the psalmist describe his spiritual, physical, emotional and social condition in verses 3-11? In contrast, how does he characterize the constancy and mercy of God in relation to Zion? To all mankind? How do you react when you feel overwhelmed by problems?

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

Please connect with me on facebook at This Day with God.