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

Sermon Message – The Church Truly Prayed

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Mark Shields

I can’t believe it is already mid January. We’ve had a strange weather year in Central Texas; from record breaking heat last summer to a strange winter pattern which has the temperatures going up and down like a yo-yo. Most of the leaves have fallen but amazingly there are some that have not. I spent a few hours last weekend raking leaves in the same part of the yard I did the week before. When strong north winds blow, it seems that all the leaves in my neighborhood have a tendency to be blown and collect in one place; my yard.

Late last summer, First United Methodist Church of Waco was praying for rain. The area was so dry and a slight increase in the winds caused fires to burn rampant all over Texas. Waco is surrounded by farm and ranch land and many prayers were being lifted up for those that depend on rain for their livelihood.

The message last weekend at First United Methodist Waco called “The Church Truly Prayed” was about Acts 4; the early church and the big prayers they prayed.

Some of the main points brought out in the sermon message were the following:

The Church is built on something that happened
The Church is continually pulled toward the Inside
What we believe should make us brave
The size of our prayer should grow our faith
Our prayers will show us how big God really is

In Acts 4, the young church had just started because of something that had happened. Jesus had been crucified and now the indwelling Spirit moved the people. They had just witnessed Peter and John healing a crippled man. Peter and John were unschooled ordinary men; not insiders but considered outsiders. They had been arrested for speaking to the people about Jesus but they had the courage to stand before the rulers and elders; boldly explaining how they had the power to heal the crippled man. After they were released, they went back to their own people and prayed. Their prayers were big prayers and their faith grew.

We should do the same today. Our prayers should grow our faith and our prayers should be big prayers to show how big God really is.

Here are some links you might find interesting:
Lesson two on the sermon series “The Church”
http://www.fumcwaco.org/lesson2.html

Sermon Podcast
http://www.fumcwaco.org/pod.html

I hope you will be blessed by this inspiring video
As It Is In Heaven – Matt Maher

This upcoming week, write down notes from a sermon or sermon podcast and share a thought. Let us continue to work, learn, and pray big prayers together,

Mark

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Central Texas, Christ, God, Jesus, Matt Maher, Prayer, Texas, United Methodist Church | Leave a comment

God’s Promise to Us – Psalm 89

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Mark Shields

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Image via Wikipedia

No matter what happens in life, God loves us and that’s all that matters. In verses 3-4 of Psalm 89, the promises made to David are to establish his line forever and make his throne firm through all generations. God is faithful and unchangeable; doing what He says through His Word. In the line of David is our Redeemer; God’s Son who reigns forever.

Sometimes, I’ve had a bad day and God gives a sign to remind me how awesome each day can be. It may be a sunset, the first cool front as summer begins to change to fall, or a rainbow which as mentioned in verse 37 is the witness for God’s promise to us.

Billy Graham once said, “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, “I love you.”

Click on this piano piece: Jesus Loves Me – Norm Hastings. While listening, reflect on today’s reading. Think of signs God has given you in the past as a symbol of His love. Think about what you may pray for today. Is there a plan of action God is giving you today?

A great price was paid on the cross because every person is valuable to God. If having a bad day, remember how much God values you. Because of His love, this day with Him will be amazing.

Psalm 87 – 89 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Psalm 89 (dwinger.wordpress.com)
On Time (loopyloo305.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Billy Graham, Christ, Christianity, David, God, Psalm, religion & spirituality | 2 Comments

God’s Principles Never Change – Psalm 89:1-18

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Mark Shields

The writer of Psalm 89:1-18 praises God’s qualities like faithfulness, goodness, justice, and infinite power. We should do the same and here’s a video that also honors these qualities about our Lord: I Am – Mark Schultz

Some years back, I started making notes of some character qualities I wanted to improve. I began to realize that unlike many manmade rules, God’s principles never change. Through a daily devotional time with God and learning His principles, we then have a way to include Him in every activity throughout our day; while shopping, driving, working, or performing any other everyday tasks.

This day with God, experience His power in all your activities and may this power bring forth reward in your life.

Psalm 87 – 89 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Get Up, Take your Mat and Walk! (jasonbee98.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, David, God, Israel, Lord, Mark Schultz, Psalm, religion & spirituality | 2 Comments

Palm 88 – Going to God for Help

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Mark Shields

If God feels distant, envision a better future and go to Him in prayer. Apprehend that the trials we go through build spiritual muscle and character. Look forward to what God can do and get ready to grab the helping hand of His Spirit. The writer of Psalm 88 blames God’s judgment for his state of grief. He’s lost and writes that he is near the grave, without strength to go on, and in despair.

Weakness of faith leads to the state described by the psalmist in today’s reading but our faith gets stronger when we look to Jesus during grief to remember the sufferings he went through in order to redeem our souls.

The lesson for me in today’s reading is to build up our faith daily with Bible study and praise to God. Read a planned out passage, pray for help, write down thoughts from sermons, and view praise videos like at this link: Blessings – Laura Story or embedded below.

We need to believe God is beside us in everything we do; during household duties, on the job, at lunch time, and when driving in our car. Faith will not only protect when life delivers its blows but will also help us recover at a faster pace so we are back on our feet and ready to meet challenges head on.

After reading Psalm 88, set some time aside for reflection. What lesson is God teaching? Think about what you may pray for. Is there a plan of action God is giving you? Then spend some time in prayer; believing God will help you plan your future and that things will fall into place for amazing days ahead with Him!

Psalm 87 – 89 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Make the Time (ptl2010.com)
“Delight Yourself in the Lord” (pjsprayerline.blogspot.com)
Do You Have Tim Tebow’s Phone Number? I would like to borrow his pen. (craigmotor.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Applying Faith, Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, God, HolySpirit, Jesus, Prayer, Psalm | 2 Comments

Psalm 87

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Mark Shields

Image via Wikipedia

Each day is full of excitement because God can be with you at all times and at any place; like when working, washing dishes, soaking up rays, or even scaling up a mountain.

There is plenty of excitement expressed in Psalm 87. Zion is one of the hills of Jerusalem and in biblical times, it is an emblem of the household of God or the church of God established by Him that continues to be strong because He is founder and protector.

Click on this piano piece link: 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?

With Christ as leader of the church, God has given us a glorious and excellent plan that is greater than any of the nations of the earth. In prayer today, be thankful for God’s church and how it is the perfect institution in our world established by God to meet all our needs.

Get excited about each day. In the book “Game Plan for Life”, Tony Evans writes that Jesus had a zeal for His Father’s house that consumed Him; Paul said his ministry was his ambition or passion; Jeremiah said his calling became like fire in his bones that he couldn’t shake.

This day with God, you will have new ideas formed and new thoughts crystallized. My prayer is that you turn them into pieces more precious than diamonds.