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

Fortified with His Word

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – wisconsingeologicalsurvey.org

This day with God will be amazing because He can bless us with more victories than all the grains of sand on earth if we are fortified with His Word. To learn more from His Word this day, we journey into 2 Chronicles 11. We learn that Rehoboam set out to make war against the northern tribes but the Lord advised otherwise so Rehoboam focused more attention on repairing and fortifying the southern cities of Judah.

In the northern territory, Jeroboam had rejected the priest and appointed their own priest to worship idols. Those who set their hearts on worshiping the Lord sided with Rehoboam and moved to Jerusalem to help; even abandoning their pasturelands and property (V. 14).

God’s faithful gave up their inheritance of land in order to fight for His interest. Let us also be willing to renounce our worldly interests in order to help the interest of Christ and the gospel. Pray to be fortified with God’s Word, shielded from temptation, and prepared for victory.

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Christ, Church, God, grains of sand, Jeroboam, Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah, Lord, northern tribes, Rehoboam | 5 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 11-15

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Mark Shields

I’ve been reading and studying over the last few weeks in the Book of 2 Chronicles 6-10. The study has inspired the poems at the links below:

Walk with Integrity – 2 Chronicles 6
Amazed and Inspired – 2 Chronicles 7
Putting God First – 2 Chronicles 8
The Secret – 2 Chronicles 9-10

The next part of the travel will take me to 2 Chronicles 11-15. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about the journey and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage.

Photo Credit – beamsoflights.wordpress.com

2 Chronicles 11
Passage Lookup
What action does Rehoboam decide to take against the rebellious northern tribes? What prevents him from doing so? What is your relationship of your patriotism or ethnic allegiance to your citizenship in God’s kingdom?

2 Chronicles 12
Passage Lookup
What do you think causes Rehoboam to forsake God? What is the result? What is the chronicler’s general verdict concerning Rehoboam’s reign?

2 Chronicles 13
Passage Lookup
Which side has the military advantage? Who are the victors, and what is the decisive factor?

2 Chronicles 14
Passage Lookup
Compare the size of Aza’s army and Zerah’s army. What statement does king Asa make in his prayer? How does victory come to Asa’s army even though the odds were against them?

2 Chronicles 15
Passage Lookup
What specific reforms does Asa undertake in the spiritual life of his kingdom? Think about your relationship to God. Are you seeking Him “with all your heart and with all your soul” (v. 12)?

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.

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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

Questions for Reflection in the Study of 2 Chronicles 1-5 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 6-10 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Bible, Christ, Jesus, jesus is god, king asa, northern tribes, Rehoboam, Solomon | 4 Comments

Speedy Solutions

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Mark Shields

It’s important to choose your advisors carefully when solving problems. In reading 2 Chronicles 10 and posting yesterday, I noted that king Rehoboam sought advice and listened to the wrong advisors. Because of this mistake, there was rebellion throughout the kingdom.

Our wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace will give the best advice if we ask for help. This Day with God, ask for His advice and believe it will come quickly. Start your day with this video: Come Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Redman.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

New Music Video by Matt Redman (thec2projectradio.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 6-10 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Christianity, God, Israel, Jerusalem, Leadership, Lord, Matt Redman, Rehoboam, Solomon | 2 Comments

Advice Needed

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – wildapricot.com

As explained in 2 Chronicles 10, adversaries continued to arise during the end of the reign of Solomon. The resistance grew because many people became unhappy with the heavy burden put on them to help pay for the king’s extravagance. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam took over as king and was aware of the building opposition so he sent for advice.

One group he consulted with was the elders who had served his father Solomon. They advised him to be kind and seek to please the people so they would be loyal servants. Another group he sought advice from was the young men he had grown up with who told him to make the burden on the people even greater.

A glimpse of God’s ongoing purpose is given to us in this reading. For we have the ability to look back on history and know God’s ultimate plan. Jesus dying on the cross for our sins makes our burdens light and gives us the freedom to be loyal servants of His kingdom.

The Bible is God’s plan for our life and the cross answers our questions. Through the Holy Spirit, we gain insight in the direction we should take in life’s most difficult moments. We can lean upon God’s unlimited knowledge in the Bible, study and practice together, and let the Holy Spirit give directions to His way through prayer.

Prayer is our greatest power! This day with God can be terrific because when we talk to Him in prayer, we receive counsel to plan the right course of action for the day so tasks are accomplished.

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged 2 chronicles, Bible, dying on the cross, gain insight, God, heavy burden, Holy Spirit, Israel, Jesus, loyal servants, Rehoboam, Solomon, son rehoboam | 3 Comments

The Bible

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – stpatselkhorn.org

Last week, we started our fall series “The Bible” at the church I worship. Here’s a video that opened our series last weekend: The Bible. The Bible mini-series on TV this past spring was very successful because there is a hunger for spiritual growth. We get a call on our cell phones or a text and we want to read it but do we as readily answer the call from God or read His text which is the Bible.

The following poem was inspired by last week’s sermon message:

Faith IS

Faith is continuing to believe
Even when I can’t see my way.
Let God Initiate instructions
He will not lead astray.

Faith is listening
When God is saying something.
Keep on listening and going.
God comes through – just keep on coming.

Faith is being sure
Of God’s assurance.
He gives us covenants
All we need is endurance.

Faith is obeying when
I don’t understand.
The Cross is one example
I know off hand.

Faith is persisting when
We want to quit.
God keeps His promise
We just need to commit.

At this link: Pastor’s Podcast, you can listen to each message. The podcast can also be used for Bible study material or small group discussion.