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

The Better Way

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Mark Shields

The author of Psalm 94 lived in a day when government promoted wrongdoing and persecuted the virtuous. He pleads with God for a settling of scores.

Think of all the negative enterprises today that prosper while they destroy the lives of people and their families like the ones that support drug addictions, gambling, and prostitution. A part of our culture even glorifies those enterprises while turning away from the positive enterprises that build up the lives of people and their families.

For the Psalmist in today’s reading, trusting in God is in the balance because the negative enterprises only prosper yet those that impact society in a positive way struggle. For the tide to turn, we must band together in the LORD. We must offer evidence of how God supports His people. Show people there is a better way; no more addictions, no more brokenness, no more ups and downs in life but evidence that a disciplined life of faith leads to repair, steadiness, and long term gain.

Are there examples in God’s Word were the virtuous eventually win. Think of current times and examples of people that are looked up to but then get involved in negative behavior. Examples may include political leaders that have been involved in scandals or athletes that find trouble off the field. The lesson today is that putting God first is the better way. Make it a part of your prayer today to put God first in your marriage, your family, career, ministry, and relationships.

Psalm 94-96 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Psalm 3 (asorensen.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Career, Christ, Christianity, Discipline, Faith, Families, God, Lord, Marriage, Ministry, Prayer, Psalm, Relationships, Religion and Spirituality, Virtue | 5 Comments

Psalm 94-96 Questions for Reflection

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

There were some great lessons learned over the last few weeks in studying Psalm 91-93. One is that with God we can take courage and step out into the unknown because the angels are near. We can resist fear and master fear like David; taking on our giants because the voice of truth encourages us to live in new and adventurous ways.

Along life’s path, there are times of difficulty where we struggle to keep our heads above water but the good news is that we have our heavenly Father’s shoulders to hold onto. He helps us live an effective life as we learn to internalize the fruits of the Spirit by being committed to Him and praying.

The journey now takes us into Psalm 94-96. I’m looking forward to using the momentum being gained each day to keep our faith strong, our hope firm, and our love overflowing. It will take a disciplined continuous effort but the benefits will be enormous. Below are the planned readings along with questions for reflection that will help as I share over the upcoming posts.

Psalm 94
Passage Lookup
Why does God allow wickedness to prosper? What will ultimately prevail? How are righteous and wicked people described here?

Psalm 95
Passage Lookup
Enumerate the aspects of God which make him praiseworthy. What warning is inserted into the congregational worship? When does it become difficult to praise God? How does He respond to our reluctance?

Psalm 96
Passage Lookup
What aspects of God are being praised? How does nature participate in the praise? How do you relate this sense of praise to your friends?

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

How much do I lack? (everydayawe.com)
Why Should God Answer My Prayer? (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
Costly Ransom (mikespot.wordpress.com)
Ever feel like God has abandoned you? (mudpreacher.org)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Angels, Courage, David, Faith, Fruits of the Spirit, God, Hope, Love, Psalms, United Methodist Church | 5 Comments

He Carries Us to the Finish Line

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

Reading in Psalm 93, praise is given to God for He is majestic, powerful, and eternal. He turned our problem into a solution through Jesus Christ and carries us to the finish line. Here’s a video that underscores this truth: My Redeemer Lives.

Headed To The Finish Victoriously (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Church in Eternity Past (5ptsalt.com)
The Committed Spirit (justificationbygrace.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, HolySpirit, Jesus Christ, Praise, Psalm 93, Religion and Spirituality | 2 Comments

Headed To The Finish Victoriously

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Mark Shields

I remember leaning to swim and holding onto my father’s shoulders when going to the deep end. The Good News is that when it’s hard to keep our heads above water in life, we have our heavenly Father’s shoulders to hold onto.

God is alive and Psalm 93 is a poem expressing praise to God for the qualities of his nature. He is majestic, powerful, and eternal. The flood of problems and confusions of the world make it hard to keep our heads above the water but the holiness of Christ’s kingdom keeps us afloat and headed to the finish victoriously.

God has turned our major problem into the greatest solution through Jesus Christ. This Day with Him will be amazing because we can go in prayer and speak to the ONE who already has the answer. Let us declare our praise and thanksgiving because we can look at every problem as an opportunity.

Psalm 90-93 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Builder’s App

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

We concluded the five part series called “Life Apps” this past weekend at the church I attend. This week’s message is titled “Builder’s App” and can be listened to or viewed at this link. We live in a world of change. Technology changes so fast that the latest and greatest becomes outdated in a blink of an eye. Yet there is something that never changes; building a life of faith. It’s the same as it was 2,000 years ago. 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 CHARACTER OF GOD IS THE PLATFORM.

“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, Who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them. He never changes or casts shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 (NLT)

2. JESUS IS THE HOPE OF THE WORLD.

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (CEV)

3. THE BIBLE IS THE AUTHORITY FOR OUR FAITH AND PRACTICE.

“The grass dies and the flowers fall, but the word of our God will live – Isaiah 40:8 (NCV)

4. THE POWER OF PRAYER IS UNSHAKABLE.

“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” – Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

5. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE AND GOD IS GOD.

“A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ Then I said, ‘What shall I cry out?’ ‘Say all people are like the grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.’ ” – Isaiah 40:6 (NCV)

Within the sermon message, there was a video of a father who catches a foul ball and celebrates by handing the ball to his little daughter. She then throws the ball back. Take a look and see the father’s reaction: Little Girl Throws Foul Ball Back.

The father reacts with “Oh No – Why!!” But then embraces the little girl realizing that it’s not the ball but the memories that will be cherished forever. To me, this is a good picture of how I imagine our Heavenly Father reacts when we toss what’s important to Him over the side; disappointed but lovingly embracing us into His arms.

6. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS THE PLATFORM.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

Technologies change and jobs change but the character of God never changes. Learning how to live God’s way is useful now and forever. When we apply His ways, we are built to be strong as individuals, communities, and families.