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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Luke 7-8

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks in the study of Luke, noted were some thoughts and ideas that we can apply today as we journey through life. Some difficulties and adversities seem impossible to overcome but if we give up control and plug into His power it makes a huge difference. Each devotional here at “This Day with God” is designed to start each day with God; trusting in His plan so that before long we are doing what we once thought was impossible.

Applying our faith starts with one step. A step towards teaching, learning, asking, and doing the work God has laid out for us to do. Studied over the last few weeks were some of the miracles of Jesus such as the “Healing of the Leper” and “Healing of the Paralyzed Man”. Each person healed, were strengthened in faith and overflowed with thankfulness because faith in Jesus made their future much better. Our future can also be much better as we are strengthened in faith.

The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free. Something new always meets some resistance. The new way Jesus taught is all about getting done what God wants done which requires a lot of prayer, the willingness to listen, and the ability to make decisions that we stick to. Our time in prayer should be a time of preparation and planning just as Jesus shows us when making a decision on who would be His twelve Apostles. We should want to know the things we do are leading us in the right direction.

God’s word became flesh and the lessons learned guide us in our relationships, our career, and in everything we do. Living the way Christ teaches is about joyfully offering our time, our attitudes, our energy, and our words to God. It is not so much about knowledge but about how to apply our faith in life and also knowing that when difficulties come, faith will protect, provide joy, and give direction.

I’ll be continuing the study in the book of Luke next week and sharing a few thoughts. Each of the studies are designed to help apply our faith in the work place, at school, or at home. You can keep up with my spiritual journey by clicking http://wp.me/1ar6D

Have a great weekend my friends! As the journey through God’s Word continues, below are questions for reflection for the study of Luke 7-8 which will help focus some thoughts to share in posts over the next few weeks.

Luke 7:1-17
What does the centurion recognize in Jesus? What extraordinary power does Jesus display at the funeral? How do the people respond to the actions of Jesus?

Luke 7:18-35
What is Jesus’ attitude toward John the Baptist? How does Jesus characterize John (See Mal 3:1)? What is Jesus’ attitude toward the poor? How can you honor true wisdom today?

Luke 7:36-50
Visualize the scene. How does the scene reveal that Jesus’ ministry is not one-sided? How does Jesus commend the woman’s love but make clear that her love has not saved her? How can you show the same attitude toward others as Jesus did?

Luke 8:1-21
Imagine you are a disciple who has left a lucrative fishing business to preach. How do you look on this means of support (vv. 1-3)? What is the purpose of the parable of the sower? How is the word of God like seed? Are you responsible for how you receive the seed? How can you have more insight into the truths of God’s word?

Luke 8:22-39
Over what realms does Jesus show authority? Describe the demon-possessed man before encountering Jesus? Describe the demon-possessed man after his encounter with Jesus? How is your faith in Jesus eliminating fear of circumstances, others, and Satan in practical ways?

Luke 8:22-39
How do you know that Jesus’ healing is not magic (v. 46)? How are miracles and our faith related? What qualities of Jesus are revealed by his attitudes and actions in this passage? How does the Lord’s knowledge of situations strengthen your faith in his specific commands to you?

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
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Posted in Luke, Questions for Reflection | Tagged adversities, Career, Devotional, Difficulties, Direction, Faith, Freedom, God, Gospel, Jesus, Joy, Miracles, Power, Prayer, Relationships, Trusting | 2 Comments

Putting Lessons Learned Into Practice

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Mark Shields

Living the way Christ teaches us is not so much about knowledge but how to apply our faith in life. God’s word became flesh and the lessons learned guide us in our relationships, our career, and in everything we do. It protects in storms, provides joy, and gives direction. Today’s video is about putting these lessons learned into practice: Speak Life – Toby Mac.

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. – Psalm 86:11

Posted in Applied Faith, Luke | Tagged Career, Direction, Discover Strengths, God’s Word, Guide, Heart, Jesus, Joy, Judgment, Lessons, Relationships, Soul, Speech, Thoughts, Words | Leave a comment

Jesus Teaches Through Parables

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Mark Shields

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Reading in Luke 6:39-49, Jesus teaches through three parables. The first is the eye and its focus (vv. 39-42), the second is the tree and its fruit (vv. 43-45), and the third is the house and its foundation (vv. 46-49).

First, we need to not judge others but recognize our own faults first. No one is perfect except for Jesus but that doesn’t mean that we should give up. We should always strive to limit our faults and build upon our strengths. We are to use discernment to see clearly, judge carefully, and to act compassionately.

Second, Jesus explains that a good tree bears good fruit (v. 43). He also explains that each has a specific purpose in the fruit they produce. A fig tree produces figs and a grape vine produces grapes. Shouldn’t we then use our God given strengths to produce what God wants us to produce? Each of us should find that strength and share it with others.

Jesus teaches about storing up good thoughts in our heart so that out of the overflow of these thoughts in our heart, we will provide good for others (v. 45). God’s word provides food for the soul so that we can be all we are meant to be; we are prepared, productive, and a blessing to others.

The last great lesson Jesus teaches in this passage is that we need to build upon the solid spiritual foundation that we are provided in God’s Word which helps us get through the tough times or storms we may face in life. The rock solid foundation which Christ provides is deep, dependable, and durable.

This day with You God, help us apply our faith by using Your word to guide us in life; in our relationships, our career, and in everything we do. Protect us in the storms, provide joy, and give direction.

Posted in Applied Faith, Luke | Tagged Compassion, Discernment, Faith, Guidance, Jesus, Joy, Lessons, Preparation | 4 Comments

Prayer and Plans

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Mark Shields

Our time in prayer should be a time of preparation and planning just as Jesus demonstrates to us when making a decision on who would be His 12 Apostles. We should desire to know the decisions we make are right.

The plan Jesus gives us as written about in the post Making the Right Decisions is a treasure. Doing to others as we would want done to us or the “Golden Rule” is a plan for life that gives greater returns than any 401K plan ever has.

Lord, we choose above all else to live this day with You. We joyfully offer You our time, our attitudes, our energy, and our words.

Here is an encouraging video to start our day: Magnificent Obsession – Steven Curtis Chapman. Have a blessed day! 🙂

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:8

Posted in Desire, Luke | Tagged Attitude, Decisions, Encouragement, Golden Rule, Jesus, Joy, Planning, Praying, Service | Leave a comment

Making the Right Decisions

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Mark Shields

Reading Luke 6:12-38, Jesus reveals a sense of responsibility when He chooses apostles to take on future leadership. His first order of business was to go out to spend an entire night on the mountainside praying (v. 12). When we choose others to take on more leadership responsibilities, praying about the decision should be our top priority too. Our time in prayer should be a time of preparation and planning just as Jesus demonstrates to us in today’s passage when making a decision about who would be His twelve Apostles. We should desire to know the right steps to follow and the right people to get help from.

After Jesus received direction, He called everyone together and chose the twelve Apostles. Then He gave a message on blessings and woes. The specific actions Jesus said we should take are to desire spiritual treasures and not the desires of this world. He tells the people that the poor, the hungry, and the rejected will be blessed. Our reward to look forward to is the reward in heaven (v. 23).

Another great point from this passage is the “Golden Rule”; treat others as we want to be treated (v. 31). We should strive to give to others as though we are giving to God; not just our money, but our encouragement and service to others. We should reap what we sow (vv. 37-38). Give to others encouragement and we will receive encouragement in return.

What God gives in a plan for life is a treasure and the more we lose ourselves in this plan, the more passion we will have. This day with God, we pray for our present attitudes and daily living that might be changed as a result of what has been learned in today’s passage.

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