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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Hebrews 7 – 9

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared some thoughts and ideas from the journey through the book of Hebrews.

The main point of the post “Architect and Builder” is that you should choose to build your life by following the characteristics of Christ. He leads as a friend to great faith and accomplishment.

The post “Impacting Lives” brought out the thought that we need to focus in on what really matters. One thing for sure is that we need to pay attentions to the Spirit’s prompting.

We live in the information age but as explained in the post “The Great Physician” some information is negative and some is positive. That’s why taking in the positive information from God’s Word is so important for a healthy mind, body, and soul.

In the post “Overcome with Desire and Enthusiasm”, there is a picture of my dog Marlee. She is ready each day to get up early for her food. The picture demonstrates how she was telling us she was ready to be fed as she hopped up on the chair next to the dinner table. This day with God, accept the invitation. Come to the table and receive food for the soul.

We explored the characteristics of being enlightened in the post “Treasures for the Soul”. Being enlightened comes about by noticing God all around us, relying on the Spirits’ prompting, and applying the Word. We are touch with the power of enlightenment and are ready to share with others the promise of a glorious future.

Within the post “Encouraged by Hope” a metaphor used was an anchor. A ship at sea needs an anchor when the waters get rough. It’s the same with us as we need an anchor to keep us grounded and steady during the storms of life.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study over the next few posts, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Hebrews 7:1-10
What are the facts about Melchizedek (See Gen. 14:17-20)? In what ways is he the excellent representation of Christ? How do these truths affect you? What should be our response?

Hebrews 7:11-17
What happens to the law when the priesthood is superseded? To what tribe does Jesus belong? What is Jesus’ qualification to be a priest?

Hebrews 7:18-28
In what way is the hope and covenant through Christ better than the hope and covenant through the law? How is Christ superior to the Levitical priests? What is the impact of these truths in your thinking? In your daily living?

Hebrews 8:1-6
What is the duty of priest? How is the earthly sanctuary a model for Christ’s ministry? How is the setting of Christ’s ministry as high priest superior to the setting of the ministry of earthly priests?

Hebrews 8:7-13
What are the reasons the old covenant was inadequate for bringing salvation? In what ways has God overcome this difficulty? What happens to the old covenant when God initiates the new? How is the new covenant superior to the old?

Hebrews 9:1-14
How was the sanctuary laid out in the Old Testament times? What is the significance of the curtain dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies? Why is Christ’s blood of unique significance?

Hebrews 9:15-28
What is the meaning of mediator? What does the death of Christ accomplish in regard to Old Testament believers? What was Christ’s purpose on the cross, purpose in heaven now, and purpose for the future?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture | Leave a comment

My Hope is in Jesus

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Mark Shields

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6:18-19

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Hope | Tagged Blessed, Devotional, Encouragement, Gospel, Hope, Persistence, Praise, Soul, Video | Leave a comment

Encouraged by Hope

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Mark Shields

We explored in the previous post about being enlightened which is noticing God all around us, relying on the Spirits’ prompting, and applying the Word as we look forward to the promise of a glorious future. In Hebrews 6:9-20, we look into God’s promise to Abraham which was to promise descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.

Two metaphors are used in Hebrews 6:18-19. First is hope which is described as an anchor for our soul. The other is curtain which describes how we were separated from God because of sin and the curtain was the division between humanity and God.

We learned from delving into the Word in Leviticus 16 that there were extreme consequences for disobeying the Lord during the time of Moses and to make atonement for sins, there had to be a sacrifice! For our sins to be banished today, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice as we confess our sins and accept Him as Savior. Jesus enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain on our behalf as high priest.

As we confess, we are then blessed. So we are to love the Lord with all our heart, follow the Way, and continue to obey. We are to run the race with the finish line always in mind knowing where we are going because the Lord’s Way is aligned with the destination. We will persevere with passion in our heart to finish the race strong because the reward at the end of the finish line will be beyond what could ever be imagined.

When the headwinds of life try to push us back, keep going. Never get discouraged but maintain the hope and the Lord will help us handle anything because we know the Way, are prepared, and expect to be pulled through until the end. Keep reading the Word, keep applying it in life, and sharing the truths of the gospel with others. We will persevere because the Lord will be with us to finish strong.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

This day with You Lord, we have hope for the future because our questions have been answered. This hope is like an anchor when a ship at sea is going through rough waters. We also need an anchor to hold us steady in rough times and we are thankful that our hope in Jesus gets us through. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Hope | Tagged Bible Study, Blessed, Gospel, Hope, Persistence, Prayer, Soul | 1 Comment

The Power of Enlightenment

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Mark Shields

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

The scripture above and other memorized scriptures can be very useful when faced with pressure moments in life. As we find the goodness of the Word, collected is a treasure chest that grows in value throughout life.

In the post “Treasures for the Soul”, we explored the characteristics of being enlightened which comes about by noticing God all around us, relying on the Spirits’ prompting, and applying the Word. We are touch with the power of enlightenment and are ready to share with others the promise of a glorious future.

Finding faith, hope, and love truly are treasures for the soul. We are enlightened in many ways and one way is praising God in music. Take a moment to celebrate today with the song Through All of It by Colton Dixon.

We get it right sometimes
And wrong sometimes
But through all of it,
We do not worry
Because God is with us
On this life journey.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, victory | Tagged Creator, Devotional, Enlightened, Faith, Flourish, Holy Spirit, Hope, Love, Music, Photo, Praise, Soul, Sunrise, Sunset, victory | Leave a comment

Treasures for the Soul

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because even though we are never 100% prepared for anything in life, God will make up the difference and we can step ahead with confidence. Today, we walk through Hebrews 6:1-8 as the journey continues.

The victory is for all who belong to Christ Jesus. The world has a way of looking for faults and exposing them so we end up never being good enough but with God there is no need to get stressed out. He’s big enough to make up the difference and provide that extra so we can finish a step ahead each day.

Today, we examine characteristics of being enlightened which is noticing God all around us, relying on the Spirits’ prompting, and applying the Word so we share in the promise of a glorious future. From today’s passage, the author makes the comment that it is impossible to become enlightened but then reject what God has to offer for the future.

Like in the picture below, branded in our mind is the Creators promise for a glorious future. Like a flourishing countryside of hills dressed in flowers, the morning sunrise rising over the hillside, or the glowing sunset slowly lowering into the valley below.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

On the Journey from here to there Lord, we need a life transforming relationship with You. We are each wonderfully made and You can take both our assets and liabilities and turn them into treasures for the soul. Today is the day we step ahead with confidence going from the basics to true spiritual growth. Amen.