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

Worship Service Update – 11/15/2013

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

This weekend, we will continue the sermon series “First” at the church I attend. The sermon title is “First, Guard Your Heart”. At this link: Pastor’s Podcast, you can see/listen to the messages of the series. You may also consider using the outlines, messages, and other material for Bible study or small group discussion.

Last week’s message was titled “First, Be Faithful”. A main thought from the message is the need to apply what we believe. If we believe that our Creator has made each of us with certain qualities or talents and we each apply them, then God will generously bring the increase.

Main points from the message

Pastor Steve presented that we should first be faithful in earning all we can. We all are wonderfully made by God who provides us with skills and talents. He wants us to prosper.

Next, he presented to us the need to be faithful in saving all we can. The more we have, the more we can invest in doing what’s good for society.

The next point was about being faithful in giving all we can. This past Monday was Veterans Day. We can all be thankful for the sacrifice made by all current and past service members who always give it their all to make us safe.

The last point made by Pastor Steve was the need to be faithful in trusting all we can. In John 6:1-14 we are told about God’s pattern of generosity and miracles when Jesus feeds a crowd of five thousand who had gathered around Him. With five loaves of bread and two fish, He fed each person and still had some left over. The key is to live within our means and understand that even with a small gift, Jesus can multiply and provide in abundance.

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy this video: Speak Life – Toby Mac.

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Posted in Sermon Outline, Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, God, Jesus, Pastor Steve, Religion and Spirituality, Sermon | 2 Comments

Words that Nourish the Soul

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

Like soft sweet grapes that are food for our physical body, our words should nourish the soul of others with a softness, kindness, and encouragement. Be gentle with your words by offering helpful and encouraging words.

What I took away from reading and writing about 2 Chronicles 30 is that leaders can make a big difference when they show respect to their people and support opportunities for spiritual nourishment. One example to follow is Hezekiah in verses 18-22 who prayed for others and offered encouragement.

A major part of the Christian journey is walking alongside others and receiving the spiritual nourishment needed. We have the opportunity each day to read blogs that offer words of encouragement and conversation from friends all over the world. This video is about what words can do and the hope that our words will nourish souls: Words – Hawk Nelson.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

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Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Books of Chronicles, Encouragement, encouraging words, God, Hezekiah, Lord, Nutrition, Physical body, Psalms, Religion and Spirituality, spiritual nourishment, words of encouragement | 1 Comment

Invite and Encourage

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Mark Shields

As described in 2 Chronicles 30, Hezekiah had a role in the kingdom’s changing attitudes. He wrote a letter to invite others to celebrate the Passover. He encouraged the people to return to the Lord but many scorned and ridiculed the offer (v.10). The lesson we can take away is that even if many will not accept what we write or say in a time of faithlessness and spiritual bankruptcy, some will accept and join in so go for it – we have nothing to lose.

Life may not seem fair at times but if we make choices that honor God, we will end up victorious. Like Hezekiah, we can reach out with messages of encouragement and share about the joy that only God can make happen.

Photo from Google Images

This day with God will be amazing. He is the creator of the universe with over 100 billion galaxies with each galaxy having billions of stars but it is His people that are His greatest creation of all. Let us pray then to treat everyone with great respect, kindness, and encouragement.

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Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Books of Chronicles, Christianity, God, Hezekiah, Jesus, Lord, Passover, Religion and Spirituality | 3 Comments

Refuse Not to Move

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

The people of Judah could have sat around and refused to do anything but with the leadership of a new king named Hezekiah as recorded in 2 Chronicles 29, they refused not to move. Instead they chose to move toward God. Here’s a video about refusing not to move and caring about others: I Refuse – Josh Wilson.

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16

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Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged 2 chronicles, Ahaz, Books of Chronicles, Christianity, Epistle to the Hebrews, God, Hezekiah, Jesus, Josh Wilson., Judah, Religion and Spirituality | 2 Comments

Where Everything Begins

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Mark Shields

It all begins with God. Bring things before Him and everything has a way of falling into place. Put the things of God as the number one priority and you are well on your way to producing successful outcomes.

We discover this viewpoint in the priority of the next king named Hezekiah as recorded in 2 Chronicles 29 who was to open the doors of the temple of the Lord and repair them (v. 3). The first step required of the Levites and priests was to make themselves and the temple of the Lord Holy so they removed everything that was unclean from the sanctuary.

They were eager to get to work since they knew that they had neglected their relationship with the Lord and had served other gods. This had caused God’s anger to be taken out on Judah with losses in war and its people were taken captive. They were ready to come back to the Lord after a time away and followed the instruction for rededication with burnt offerings and sacrifices. Then there was great rejoicing for the service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished (v.35).

During the time of Hezekiah, the temple had to be repaired and made Holy. In the New Testament, we learn that we are a Spiritual Temple in 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you”?

Because of Jesus, we are the temple and the journey with Jesus begins with a decision; a decision to grow and pray. It is a great adventure that can make a difference for a long time. We must refuse to give up, continue to work, to pray, to think, to believe, and to share with others. What we share may not sink in at first but we must keep sharing anyway and some day, what we share like seeds will take root. There will be growth, health, and a flower will blossom for the world to see.

Photo from Google Images

This day with God, make sure you have a Holy space. It may be as small as a breath taken in prayer or as large as a cathedral, or as expansive as a mountain view. Set aside a place for prayer, reflection, and listening to God.