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

Accepting Our Purpose

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Mark Shields

We are introduced in Luke 1:1-25 to the writer of this book. He is someone well educated and who was there with Jesus during His ministry on earth. We are told that this account of the Gospel is extremely reliable because of Luke’s attention to detail in his sources, the fact he was there with Jesus, and his background; a physician, historian, and traveler.

Luke tells us about a priest named Zechariah and his wife named Elizabeth. They were both descendants of Aaron and had prayed to have children but had not been successful. They were up in age with no hope of ever having children but then an angel appears to Zechariah and tells him that Elizabeth would become pregnant and bear a son.

God gave this message to Zechariah through an angel but he questioned it because it was unbelievable. The son the angel is talking about would be John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. Zechariah wanted proof that he would have a son because he couldn’t believe it since he was an old man and his wife was well along in years (v. 18).

Many times we question God’s purpose in our life. Luke’s purpose was to write an orderly account of the Gospel. He fulfilled God’s purpose in his life by taking God’s Word and writing it in such a way to enrich lives. Zechariah’s purpose was to raise a son whose life work would prepare hearts and shed light on Christ.

This day with God will be amazing because of who He is and who you are; an important name in history – one of His children. This day in prayer, listen to God’s message to you and follow the instructions even if they may seem simple because with God, small accomplishments turn into big accomplishments. Before you know it, you are doing amazing things.

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Posted in Luke, Purpose | Tagged Elizabeth, God, Gospel, John the Baptist, Purpose, Zechariah | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Luke 1-2

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Mark Shields

I want to take this time to thank all of you my readers. This blog started several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to almost 1,000 followers. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study. We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing.

As the journey continues through God’s Word next week, below are questions for reflection for the study of Luke which will help focus some thoughts to share in posts over the next few weeks. Luke is an educated Gentile – physician, historian, and traveler. In Luke’s concern for the development of the Gospel, he explains that the kingdom of God is not contained within the boundaries set by Jewish religious leaders. He set out to explain that the Gospel proclaimed by Jesus is for all that would like to follow including the poor, the sick, and the outcasts.

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Luke 1:1-25
What does Luke’s own introduction reveal about his reliability, source material, purpose, and distinction? Why did Zechariah want proof from the angel that he would have a son? In what ways have you questioned God’s purpose in your life?

Luke 1:26-38
In what ways are Elizabeth’s and Mary’s situation similar and different? What does the angel reveal about the identity and destiny of Jesus? In what situations have you chosen between the approval of others or submission to God with a resulting stigma? What choice have you mad? Why?

Luke 1:39-56
How does Elizabeth know Mary’s secret? In the song Mary recites, what does she say concerning the character of God, His actions and activity, and His attitude toward people? For which of God’s attributes can you praise Him today? How can you view immediate problems in the perspective of past and future history as Mary does?

Luke 1:57-80
What does Zechariah say about the purpose of the Messiah and the purpose of his own son?Measure the purpose of your life with verses 73-75 and 79. What is significant about both Zechariah’s and Mary’s referring to the broad sweep of history?

Luke 2:1-20
Imagine the hardship of the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Describe the conditions surrounding the birth of Jesus. How much hardship, frustration, and inconvenience are you willing to endure as God’s instrument? The Shepherds were at work when told about Jesus. Do you listen for God’s message to you as you go about your daily work (v. 2:8 and 1:8)?

Luke 2:21-39
How do Joseph and Mary comply with God’s demands (See Gen. 17:9-13; Ex 13:2, 13; Lev. 12)? What is Simeon doing in the Temple (v. 27)? What does he prophesy about Jesus?

Luke 2:40-52
Where was Jesus when Mary and Joseph saw that He was not with them on their return back home? With what are you occupied when not involved in the daily routine of life? From verses 40 and 52 describe Jesus’ childhood. Are you growing in similar directions?

The above reading plan will be used as I share 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 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.

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. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978

First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times

Posted in Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible, Gospel, Luke, Plan, Reflection | Leave a comment

Our Destination is Close at Hand

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Mark Shields

In the post Be Ready, there is a warning and an invitation. The warning is that what is written in Revelation will occur and only those who accept the invitation of Jesus in their heart as Savior will be written in the Book of Life and receive the key to the new city.

Those that do not accept Jesus as Savior will be cast into the lake of fire. It is up to us to follow the good path that has been mapped out. If there are things that we do not understand, ask questions in order to stay on track.

Our destination is close at hand. To inspire us towards this destination, here’s a video: I Will Follow – Maranatha Singers.

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Revelation | Tagged Book of Life, Destination, Inspiration, Invitation, Jesus, Morning Star, Prepared, Prophecy, Root and Offspring of David, Savior, Truth | Leave a comment

Be Ready

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Mark Shields

Jesus describes himself as the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star (v. 16). In reading Revelation 22:16-21, everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this book is warned. The completeness of this revelation is so important because our share of God’s inheritance is dependent on accepting this prophecy as the whole truth and nothing but the truth; nothing is added or taken away.

God is at work; He’s in charge, the boss. He’s here for the broken, the poor, the sick, the down trodden. We know He came in the flesh as Jesus and He will return. The time we do not know but let us be ready at all times. In the meantime, the Spirit comes from up there to down here to guide our steps.

This day with God will be amazing because the path put down before us leads to the new city; to that which is pure, and good, and lovely.

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Posted in Accurate Thinking, Revelation, Rewards | Tagged Jesus, Morning Star, Prepared, Prophecy, Root and Offspring of David, Truth | 5 Comments

The Key to the New City

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Mark Shields

This day will be amazing because with God we can sincerely believe that each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress throughout each day by praising Him.

There is reason to be optimistic and enthusiastic about the future because there is a reward for those written in the Book of Life. For those who are ready for the Lord, they will receive the key to the new city and they will receive all that anyone could ever desire.

To keep these thoughts of optimism with us this day with God, enjoy this inspirational video: Open Skies – David Crowder Band.