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

Love App

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Mark Shields

We continued with the fourth of a five part series called “Life Apps” this past weekend at the church I attend. This week’s message is titled “Love App” and can be listened to or viewed at this link. We can read the Bible and know it backwards and forwards but it is applying what God tells us that makes all the difference. Below is an outline of the message. The words black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.

1. WHATEVER YOU DO, APPLY THIS.

“Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

Growing spiritually is like physical exercise, we only get the benefit when we use the equipment and work out so to grow spiritually, we must use the equipment called the Bible and do what God tells us to do.

2. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I SAY DOES NOT MATTER.

“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)

Follow the golden rule – Do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Look at your neighbor with “Golden Rule” eyes.

3. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I KNOW DOES NOT MATTER.

“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be?” – 1 Corinthians 12:2a (NLT)

Knowledge in our culture is doubling every four years but it hasn’t made the world a more loving place. We have to apply knowledge before we can change the world.

4. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I BELIEVE DOES NOT MATTER.

“And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.” – 1 Corinthians13:2b (NLT)

5. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I GIVE DOES NOT MATTER.

“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NLT)

6. LOVE IS THE APPLICATION OF TRUST.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

Three phrases
1. Loves gives the benefit of doubt – Thinks good about others
2. Love looks for a generous explanation – Doesn’t jump to conclusion
3. Love chooses trust over suspicion – Believe the best in others

Most of us know what Love is but application is extremely difficult. The good news is that God shows us lessons in the Bible like the “Golden Rule” and a way to apply them is to let the love from the Father flow into our heart until it overflows to those around us. Here’s a video that I pray will inspire application of love with “Golden Rule Eyes” like Pastor Steve explained in the sermon message: Show Me How to Love – Sidewalk Prophets.

Don’t Forget the Love (myheartsmission.com)
Love Always Wins (brianwilliamsen.wordpress.com)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1 Corinthians 13, Applied Faith, Apps, Bible, Christianity, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, Golden Rule, Love, Matthew, Poetry, Sermon, Trust | 2 Comments

Make Minutes Count

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Mark Shields

After reading Psalm 90 and writing in yesterday’s post, the main thought for me was that I need to make the minutes count. I need to spend time thinking of ideas to use my time wisely and make sure that every spare moment is meaningful for the future. My hope is that if I continuously improve this habit, spare moments will turn into treasures of a useful life.

As I read in the Bible, there are principles that can be applied to life. In considering the reading of Psalm 90, making better use of time is one lesson learned. If we use our time wisely, there is more to spend with those we love. I found this video that communicates this idea of making the minutes count: Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman.

Psalm 90-93 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
A Worthy Gift (myjournalofpraise.me)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Applied Faith, Bible, Budget Time, Christianity, God, Habits, Hope, Moses, Psalm, Psalm 90, Religion and Spirituality, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wisdom | 3 Comments

Using Time Wisely

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Mark Shields

As brought out in Psalm 90, God was here before the mountains were formed; is here now and will be here for eternity. A thousand years is like a day for God. We were made to live a lengthy life but we do not know how much time we have on earth. It is important to consider the shortness of life and devote the time we have to the true wisdom of God whose glorious presence works for us and is in us. Let us accept the love of God in Christ and pray that our faith allows the Holy Spirit to work in us; steadily fulfilling God’s purpose now and into eternity.

Each day, let us be aware our daily routine; thinking of ways that might make better use of our time so there is more to spend with those we love. Let us set aside time to become more aware of God’s glory. Beginning our day with Him, ending our day with Him, and in between asking Him to work with us as we accomplish things together.

This Day with God will be amazing because we have a chance to pray continuously; while doing work around the house or on the job, while soaking up rays or whatever we enjoy doing in our spare time.

Psalm 90-93 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Life Isn’t Fair: So Grow Up! (eagleviews.org)
The Eternal Place (jesusnameaboveall.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Devotion, Eternity, God, Holy Spirit, HolySpirit, Hope, Love, Prayer, Psalm, Purpose, Religion and Spirituality | 11 Comments

Psalm 90-93 Questions for Reflection

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

I just finished my study of the book of Nehemiah so here’s a link to all the studies along this journey so far: Index of Devotionals. In the study of Nehemiah, I learned that the moment we pray for more of God and less of our own desires, the power to change intangible aspirations into real plans of action are set in motion. Each day can be a challenge and by going to the ONE who created it all and passionately stirring each other up to boldly step ahead, we are ready for any challenge.

As I learned from Nehemiah’s leadership in building the wall to protect the Holy city, great purposes can be achieved when people work together. But In order to succeed in any project that brings positive change, the desire to complete it has to be greater than the fear brought on by those trying to stop it.

Now that the study of Nehemiah is complete, I will continue my journey into the Psalms. We need to grow roots and the best way is by reading some of the Bible each day. Going to God builds momentum for each day so we are in a position to run the day and not let the day run us. Instead, putting things into order will allow small things to lead to big things and doors will be opened. This Day with God reading plan can be used as a tool so that a small amount of reading each day leads to a growing knowledge of God’s Word and ways to apply this knowledge in life. The questions below can be used to stimulate thought about each block of reading.

Psalm 90
Passage Lookup
How does Moses describe the existence of God (See verse 1-2 with Deut. 33:27)? How does God react to human sin? Why? What does God require of you in order to experience his mercy?

Psalm 91
Passage Lookup
What is the prerequisite for the kind of protection we read in this Psalm? Make a list of your fears and troubles for which you want to trust God for deliverance or security.

Psalm 92
Passage Lookup
Why is it good to praise God? What is signified by the images of grass and the palm tree? Which is a symbol of permanence, dignity and fruitfulness? What is the promise for success and prosperity for the Christian?

Psalm 93
Passage Lookup
Compare verse 2 with Psalm 29:10. What qualities of God are being extolled? What happens to God when floods come? To God’s people? Why?

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The Olympics are almost over and many lessons can be learned from sports. One lesson is that it takes a lot of practice and rigorous training to get in shape and stay in shape. Spiritually, how can we be all that God made us to be? Well, in many ways, the same principles are in play. We have to be tough on ourselves and practice until it becomes easier with each passing day. But you’ve got to want to change, receive the power to change, become like Christ, and never go back to the way it used to be. The glue that holds our Spiritual well-being together is the Cross. My hope over this next adventurous stretch of the journey is to continue internalizing God’s Word and stay on course by focusing on the Cross.

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
http://www.family-times.net/

The Day Jesus Sang (brokenbelievers.com)
Psalm 16 (markconner.typepad.com)
What does a healthy prayer life look like? (everydayawe.com)
REFLECTION: Fulfilled (bdaniel17.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Bible, Christ, Cross, Desire, God, Holy City, Jerusalem, Journey, Leadership, Moses, Nehemiah, Olympics, Plans, Practice, Pray, Psalm, Psalms, Purpose, Sports, Teamwork, Training | 8 Comments

Beautiful Blogger Award

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

I would like to thank Nizy at http://nackynice.wordpress.com/ who has honored this blog with a nomination for the Beautiful Blogger Award. Nizy is very friendly and positive about life and it comes across in her blog. It’s truly rewarding when recognition is given by fellow bloggers like Nizy.

Here are the rules for accepting this award. Write 7 things about yourself, say thanks to the person that nominated you, and then nominate as many deserving followers you have that are Beautiful Bloggers like yourself.

To follow the rules, here are seven things about myself.

Met some great Christian Friends when I moved to Waco, Texas after college
Met my wife Donna at a small group from our Church
We have one daughter named Ashlee
Continue to live in Waco Texas which is 100 miles to the south of Dallas and 100 miles north of Austin
Waco is home to Baylor University, a private Christian University
Volunteer at my local church as a part of the media/tech team displaying videos and sermon outlines during worship service
The bridge you see at the top of this blog is called the Waco Suspension Bridge
Before 1869, crossing the Brazos river was dangerous and time-consuming . Due to the location of Waco on the growing Chisholm Trail, this historic bridge helped transform Waco from a small frontier town to a commercial center

Below are the Nominees for The Beautiful Blogger Award.

Sharanelle at http://nothappeninonmywatch.wordpress.com
Mary at http://mytropicalhome.wordpress.com/
Noel and Tess at http://livingforvision.wordpress.com/
Kimberly at http://kimberlymcpherson.wordpress.com/
Hajnalka at http://igerenezek.wordpress.com/

Also, I’d like to introduce you to the growing list of blogs I follow on the right side.

I’m thankful for the friendships, awards, and most of all the ultimate reward in salvation through Jesus Christ. The New Testament rewards us by being the most joyful book in the world filled with the theme of happiness and victory.