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

Psalm 85

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Psalm 85, the returned exiles are wondering if God will ever restore the land He gave them many generations ago. For them, peace with God is through His favor towards them which includes having plenty of food through a good harvest and by meeting their physical and mental needs.

Today, Jesus our Intercessor has restored God’s favor so that our physical and mental needs can be met through prayer and by listening for direction. When I look back on experiences in my life, the times I have felt most blessed is when there was a true sense of calling or purpose. I felt called about seven years ago to be a part of my church’s media team; running the computer that displays words and pictures on screens during our worship service. There is an inner peace in knowing you are doing what God wants you to do and this leads to less stress.

Another part of the media team at my church is the sermon Podcast. One message I’ve received in a sermon is that to survive turbulent times, we need to invest in our mental and physical body because that is where Christ lives. Similar to a physical workout, we build muscles of faith when we study God’s word, pray, and listen for direction from the Holy Spirit. For more inspiring thoughts, visit at this link: Sermon Podcast.

I encourage you today to start it with prayer. No matter what happens in life, God loves you and that is all that matters. Click on this piano piece: In The Garden: Norm Hastings, Piano. While listening, reflect on today’s reading. What lesson is God teaching? Think about what you may pray for today. Is there a plan of action God is giving you today? Then spend some time with God in prayer.

There’s no such thing as a trouble free life on earth but there can be inner peace in our struggles; a life full of meaning and infused with purpose. Keep holding onto the promise of abundant eternal life through God’s Son. This Day with Him will be amazing so please share amazing moments by responding with a short note.

Advent Reflection on Streams in the Desert and Shouts of Joy by Mark D. Roberts (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
(The Lord…) Remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah. Psalm 20 (freelancingallday.wordpress.com)
Loving What God Loves – A Life Changer (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)
Psalm 84 – 86 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, HolySpirit, Immortality, Intercession, Jesus, Physical and Mental Health, Prayer | 8 Comments

Psalm 84

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Mark Shields

What the psalmist desires in Psalm 84 is to be with God and live by His principles because in the presence of the living God is enlightenment, guidance, safety, comfort, favor, and honor. The video below or at this link More Than Wonderful – Sandi Patty & Larnelle Harris explains that He is more wonderful than our mind can conceive or our heart can believe. That’s what Jesus is to us; Counselor and Prince of Peace.

Here’s an idea. At the end of each day, write down how things went with God. Look forward to the next day; praying and planning together for a successful day tomorrow. Amazing things happen when spending each day with God!

Pray for care in walking a principled life and trusting God for everything that is good. True happiness is found in the person who trusts in God and no matter what happens in life, understands God’s love for them.

Psalm 84 – 86 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Thirty Atrributes of My Love ~ (thatcrazylovething.wordpress.com)
Praying For You (impactingdreams.wordpress.com)
The Richness of God’s Instruction! (jantzika.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Desire, God, Jesus, Larnelle Harris, Psalm, religion & spirituality, Sandi Patty | Leave a comment

Psalm 84 – 86 Questions for Reflection

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Mark Shields

God’s principles never change. A daily devotional time using “This Day with God” internalizes His guiding principles becoming an instrument which pushes us to focus on Him in every activity throughout our day.

Psalm 84
Passage Lookup

What is the psalmist’s desire? How does he feel about coming into God’s presence? What images express his joy? What images express God’s attributes? What is so appealing about being close to God?

Psalm 85
Passage Lookup

What are the thoughts of the returned exiles as they begin the task of reconstruction? How does God speak peace to his people? What is the individual’s responsibility? How have you experienced God’s blessing as seen in his attributes here? Why?

Psalm 86
Passage Lookup

What does David request? Enumerate and relate his reasons for believing God will answer each request. What are your needs? What resources of God correspond to each need?

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Share with us those amazing moments of your past or present by responding with a short note or a comment about any of these questions. Also, share with us any favorite inspirational videos, photos, sermon thoughts, or favorite Bible verses.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978

Psalm 81 – 83 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, David, God, InterVarsity Press, Psalm, United Methodist Church | 3 Comments

Psalm 83

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Psalm 83, the psalmist is calling for help because of the unjust treatment of God’s people. The ultimate reason the psalmist wants God to come down on the opposition is to make them realize His power and convey to them the need to worship Him as the only true God.

In present times, it is not people that we need to go to war with but sin. We need to get mean and prepare to defeat this enemy of our soul. Take a look at this pep talk video below or at this link: Make War – John Piper.

The little things add up and cause the most harm. Look out for those things at war on the inside like pride, envy, greed, and the constant need for approval from others. Make war against these enemies and ask God for help in rooting out these things that pollute the Spirit.

The war continues for 2012 but God will ultimately triumph. We all are involved in this war and there is a need for all friends of the church to unite. This day with God, pray that we do unite so amazing things can happen and the war can be won.

Psalm 81 – 83 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, God, Israel, Jesus, John Piper, Psalm, religion & spirituality, Step Ahead of Competition | 1 Comment

Happy New Year – Starting Well 2012

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Mark Shields

I hope you all have had a very special Holiday season. My family has established a tradition of attending the candle light Christmas Eve service at church. As each candle was lit, it was touching to see the darkness become brighter with each candle and once everyone had their candle lit, they lifted it high above their heads as a thank you to Jesus.

As we begin a New Year, may we continue to light each other’s candle so the light shines even brighter throughout the world? Even if the previous year was not that terrific, this year can be different. Each day is a fresh start where we can seek God with all our heart by studying His Word and applying it to our life. It’s not going to be easy and we need some weapons to fight this battle. That’s why over the last few years I’ve started development of “This Day with God” Bible study guide to keep me on track.

It helps to know that others are following my journey. It’s a battle we face because of our busy world and there are many distractions. We owe it to God to fight this battle and “This Day with God” devotional intends to be one weapon to help fight as we go through 2012.

So I hope you’re refueled to full capacity and ready to start your engines for 2012. Be sure and visit my church if you live in or ever visit central Texas. Also, keep up with the weekly podcast if you need refueling at this link: Sermon Podcast. Have a wonderful 2012!