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

Mary’s Song

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Mark Shields

We are exploring the songs of those who were touched by Christ that first Christmas in a

Cover of Mary’s Song

message series called “The Songs of Christmas” at First United Methodist Church Waco. I would like to invite you to watch the podcast at this link. Below is an outline of the message titled “Mary’s Song”. 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. KEEP LOOKING.

Mary was open and looking.

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” – Luke 1:26-28

Mary was told that she was highly favored. Each day you wake up with God and you are highly favored.

2. KEEP THINKING.

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. – Luke 1:29-31

Mary takes a simple step and one step at a time she changes the world. You can do the same because God’s favor is with you this day.

3. KEEP RESPONDING

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. – Luke 1:38

May was troubled and in a very confusing circumstance but she agreed to accept whatever God wanted. Like Mary, knowing that God’s favor is with you, changes your day and helps you to step out in faith to accept God’s purpose for your life. Respond by wanting to be God’s man or woman for your day.

4. KEEP WORSHIPING.

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, – Luke 1:46-47

These words of Mary reversed everything. The world most of time gets it wrong on who is great and at the time in history when Mary said these words, the world is about to change.

5. BECAUSE EVERYDAY IS BECOMING ETERNAL.

“For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me.” – Luke 1:48-49

God’s plan for us each day can be eternal. God steps in and what you do and share today will become eternal. In the mundane tasks of every day, it’s nice to know that in our everyday struggles that God notices and enters in.

6. BECAUSE GOD HIMSELF IS COMING

“To Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” – Luke 1:55

God always keeps His promise. The promise kept is the gift of His Son. Many open the gift and think it is empty but inside is God’s invisible kiss. If discouraged, sad, or tempted, remember this gift and grab the invisible kiss to place on you cheek. The supply of God’s love and invisible kisses are inexhaustible. All through the upcoming year, remember that God didn’t just give us a thought or idea, He became the gift for us.

Mary’s Song was written by Mary at the age of sixteen and it turned the world upside down. Here is a link to a video of the song: The Magnificat Mary’s Song by Dawn Van Naam.

HCIKFS: Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) (lbtk.wordpress.com)
Sunday Message: Heralds of Good News (ferlans.wordpress.com)
Mary: An Example of a Teenager Who Loves God (hemustbecomegreater.wordpress.com)
Why Mary? (whitebrickhouse.wordpress.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Christ, Christmas, Christmas Songs, Eternal, Favor, Gift, God, Mary, Promise, Purpose, Worship | 6 Comments

Vision of Victory

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

The Old Testament ends in the book of Malachi with a hopeful message that we can all look forward to each day. Until the day when Christ returns or when we are called to heaven, we can live in joy.

My grandmother told me about the day my grandfather went to be with the Lord in 2003. He was going in and out of consciousness and would actually sit up with his arms apart as though he was embracing someone while saying Poppa. My grandmother said “Poppa” was what he called his earthly father. He was finally home to be with his loved ones forever. Here’s a song to inspire looking forward to the day: Finally Home – MercyMe.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – Proverbs 29:18

Looking Forward to The Day (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Saving Grace (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Book of Malachi, Christ, God, Hopeful, Joy, Lord, Malachi, Old Testament, Vision | Leave a comment

Looking Forward to The Day

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

The Old Testament ends with victory for those who believe and continue to honor God. While expecting His gracious promise to be fulfilled each day, we can be thankful, give effort, be disciplined, and care for neighbors.

Two types of people are presented in Malachi 3:13-4:6; evil and good. We can be thankful for the gracious promise fulfilled in Jesus. This promise encourages us to know God and to fellowship with those who follow His ways.

Thoughts of wrongdoing corrupt good minds and behavior but thoughts of virtue confirm good minds and behavior. Those that follow God’s ways are His jewels that He values beyond measure. The Gospel message changes hearts to prepare all that believe to follow the way of wisdom and happiness. By serving and trusting together with the influences of the Spirit, there is devotion, joy, and effectiveness.

The Old Testament ends and the New Testament is the most joyful book ever written. This day with God will be amazing because we can be thankful. Here’s a video about being thankful: About Giving Thanks to Him.

Like in the video, this day with God, I’m thanking Him for freedom, for eyes to see His magnificent creation, for hearing His wonderful sounds, for the sense of smell, of touch, and to imagine what it will be like to unite with those lost in this world and with my Father in Heaven.

Christology: Beliefs about the Nature of Christ (justsimplyinlove.wordpress.com)
Advent 1: Waiting for Christ (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Christianity, Devotion, Discipline, fellowship, Freedom, God, God the Father, Gospel, gracious promise, Happiness, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Joy, magnificent creation, Malachi, Neighbors, New Testament, Old Testament, religion, Thankful, Value, victory, Virtue, Wisdom, wonderful sounds | 1 Comment

He Will Take Us Back

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

Just like during the time of Malachi, reforms are needed in our world today. One thing to keep in mind though is that God will take His people back for He loved us so much He sent Jesus to die for us. Take a few minutes from your time and be inspired by this video: I’ll Take You Back – Jeremy Camp.

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7

Saving Grace (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Crusade Prayer (7,8,9,10,11) (trusthismercy.wordpress.com)
Was Jesus Talking to the Wall? (secretstolife.com)

Posted in Malachi | Tagged Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jeremy Camp, Jesus, Love, Malachi, Reforms, religion, Religion and Spirituality, saving grace, Take You Back (song) | 2 Comments

Saving Grace

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Mark Shields

In reading Malachi 3:1-12, there is prophecy of the coming Lord to reform and refine society. During the time of Malachi, there is social injustice that needs to be corrected like mistreatment of workers, oppression of widows and the fatherless, deprived aliens, and adultery.

To correct the problems of society at that time, God tells Malachi to put forth the idea of giving God what He is due with tithes and offerings. In return, God will return blessings like good crops. What is involved in returning to God today?

Every individual has tremendous value to God for His saving grace in Christ gives a new
start. Let this inspire generosity to those in need with time and resources. Expect God to bless in return.

As a part of your prayer today, pray for fairness throughout the world. Believe this day with God will be amazing because everyone has tremendous value. Lay all burdens down at the foot of the cross.