Psalm 87 – 89 Questions for Reflection

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Mark Shields

In the days ahead, I’ll use the questions below to stimulate my thinking about each block of reading. Then I’ll post some thoughts as I continue my journey. Thanks for being here as we learn from each other.

Psalm 87
Passage Lookup

What jubilation accompanies the claim made by other nations that they are citizens in Zion? What would international allegiance to God mean for society?

Psalm 88
Passage Lookup

Whom does the writer ultimately blame for his trouble? What is the extent of his affliction? What happens to your view of God and his sovereignty when you feel abandoned? Why does the writer turn to God for help?

Psalm 89:1-18
Passage Lookup

What qualities of God does the writer praise? Illustrate each attribute. What makes Israel blessed?

Psalm 89:19-51
Passage Lookup

List the promises in God’s covenant with David (Verses 3-4). What areas of life do they encompass? What is the witness for God’s promise to us?

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This Day with God reading plan can be used as a tool for daily Bible Study at any place or any time. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us , is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

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

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Sermon Podcast

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Mark Shields

At my local church, a new message series called “The Church” has started and can be listened to at this link: Sermon Podcast. Some of the main points from the message are that the Church is a movement that continues to move. It’s a gathering of people who share about God’s Word in every corner of the world. The movement was given to us by God so we have assurance, confidence, and power to share the Good News about Christ.

What struck me about the message is that the church is not a place; it’s a gathering. With technology today, we can share with others many miles away about God’s Word. What I’m writing now can be read by people all around the world. We can respond with thoughts and ideas that may help us all build up the Church or help us fight the battles we face in life together.

I hope you will be blessed by this video: Dive – Steven Curtis Chapman.

If you currently participate in a small group or lead a small group and are looking for discussion material, you might find the material at this link useful: Lesson One on the Church.

Let us continue to dive into God’s Word together.

Mark

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Psalm 86

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

David asked the Lord to hear his prayer in Psalm 86; to guard his life, have mercy, give joy, preserve his soul, teach him to walk in His ways, have mercy on him, and to give a sign of His goodness so his enemies would be put to shame. In each case, David believes his request will be granted because of his devotion to God.

Billy Graham once said, “Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness”. My hope is that you will be inspired by this video: My Desire – Jeremy Camp.

A person absolutely devoted to God will have only one worry in life. How will they have time to possibly gather in all the abundance of joy, peace, and favor God gives? They will need to start finding others to help gather it all in. That’s how momentum builds like a wave so that God’s message spreads from sea to shining sea and around the world. 

David faced enemies and we face enemies too; things that are at war on the inside like lack of time, being pulled in different directions so we can’t focus on a particular task, bad habits that keep us from being all we could be, and the list goes on and on. But we can believe amazing things will happen this day with God! Choose parts of David’s prayer in Psalm 86 to use as you pray today. Believe like David that your request will be granted.

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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.

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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.

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