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

First Order of Business is Prayer

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – thespiritmagnus.blogspot.com

After the temple was built, the first order of business was prayer. Solomon’s main request in 2 Chronicles 6 is for God to hear their prayers of repentance and forgiveness. Solomon knew what God had promised and in prayer ask that it come to fruition; that they would learn, receive protection, and that their prayers would be heard.

After Solomon’s prayer, fire came down from heaven and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The people responded in worship and in giving thanks. This should be our response when we are aware of God’s presence. Today, our hearts are His resting-place. Christ dwells in us by faith and we are set apart as God’s temple where we can meet each day and listen for His voice in the quiet.

We can ask these questions: God do I limit your power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to receive your power? Is there something I can share that will provide a good lesson for those that follow in my path?

There is Never a Day We Should Not Pray

Give us this day our daily bread
And bless those O Lord whom have not yet been fed
I thank God for my food and I can honestly say
There is never a day that we should not pray

If not for ourselves there are plenty in need
Of hope and compassion it’s their hearts we must feed
The light of God can show us the way
There is never a day that we should not pray

He gave us his son who taught us to share
To love and forgive, he taught us to care
For he died on the cross and for our sins he did pay
There is never a day that we should not pray

~ Michael Gannon

Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 6-10 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
“555 Days of Prayer to Save America” Participants Pray for “The Church” as “The Church” Prays for the Nation and the World (prweb.com)
Why God are you doing this for me, Who Am I to teach the world? (godschildren58.wordpress.com)
About to talk to God (eyesonchildren.com)
Prayer is Food for the Soul (prayercommunicationwithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Christ, Christianity, days of prayer, Forgiveness, glory of the lord, God, Jesus, Lord's Prayer, power in my life, Prayer, prayers of repentance, Solomon | 3 Comments

Don’t Forget the Go

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Mark Shields

Yesterday’s message at the church I worship at was titled “Don’t Forget the Go”. At this link: Pastor’s Podcast, you can see/listen to each message. The podcast can be used for Bible study material or small group discussion. Here is a link to the outline of the message: “Don’t Forget the Go”. Below are some key points I took away from the message.

With Christ, there is courage because we are not alone. Peter and John were ordinary men. They were not well schooled yet because of Christ everything was possible. Wherever we are right now, we can start going with courage to reach new heights because of Christ.

Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit and amazing things happened as they helped those in need. God wants great things for us and it happens when we go with the Spirit. There is something different in those who go with the Spirit because there is a passion that keeps getting stronger.

There is boldness when we go in Jesus name; when we pray for His power to lead us in unfamiliar territory and accomplish significant results. Here’s a video to inspire as we set out on our walk this day with God: Help Me Find It – Sidewalk Prophets.

So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him. – 2 Chronicles 15:7

What Love (holdingforthhisword.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 6-10 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Bible Study, bible study material, Christ, Christianity, Church, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, jesus name, John, Peter, Saint Peter | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Chronicles 6-10

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Mark Shields

I recently finished questions for reflection 2 Chronicles 1-5. The study has inspired a poem at this link: Stepping Stones. The next part of the travel will take me to 2 Chronicles 6-10. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about the journey and will use the questions below in my time of reflection on each passage.

Photo Credit – happyologist.co.uk

2 Chronicles 6
Passage Lookup
What is Solomon’s main request? According to Solomon’s prayer, what precedes God’s forgiveness of sin? Read ahead to 2 Chronicles 7:1-3. What two immediate events follow Solomon’s prayer?

2 Chronicles 7
Passage Lookup
What is the effect of the ceremonies and feasting for the dedication of the temple upon the people who were there? What do you learn about God’s character from his words to Solomon in verses 12-22? What promises does God make concerning Israel and her worship of him?

2 Chronicles 8
Passage Lookup
What are Solomon’s priorities as king as shown by the order in verses 1-2? In what areas of your life do you need to develop consistency? What are your priorities?

2 Chronicles 9:1-12
Passage Lookup
What does the queen of Sheba want to know about Solomon? To what does the queen attribute the things she sees in Israel? In your own mind, and in the view of others, who gets the credit for the good things and accomplishments in your life?

2 Chronicles 9:13-31
Passage Lookup
How does Solomon use God’s gift of wisdom? List the gifts God has given you. How are you using them?

2 Chronicles 10
Passage Lookup
See 1 Kings 11:14-43 and write a short description of the opposition which arises toward the end of Solomon’s reign. From whom does King Rehoboam seek advice, and what answers does he receive? What glimpse is given here of the ongoing purposes of God? What parallels have you seen in your own experience?

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

Using The Skills He Gives (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection in the Study of 2 Chronicles 1-5 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Questions for Reflection | Tagged 2 chronicles, gift of wisdom, gifts god, God, Israel, Jesus, Queen of Sheba, reading plan, Rehoboam, Solomon | 9 Comments

The Reward of His Presence

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Mark Shields

Anything of significance takes so much preparation and time but there is a great reward. Think of studying for a major exam, or all the work it takes to graduate, or practicing for a championship game in sports. Think of a promotion at work or the detailed planning that goes into a wedding. Think of the time and commitment it takes to raise children.

Life is about the moments and memories. These are made with friends, family, and those we love. In all the experiences during the journey, it is good to know that God is with us. Take a moment this day with Him to be lifted up by this video: In Your Presence – Jeremy Camp.

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what He has done. – Rev 22:12

Presence as a Gift (womensublime.com)
I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp (lucky4jill.wordpress.com)

Posted in 2 Chronicles | Tagged Education, God, Jeremy Camp, Relationships, Test Preparation, Training | Leave a comment

Victory after Many Loses

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Mark Shields

When the work on the Temple was completed as recorded in 2 Chronicles 5, there was a celebration. Judah’s history had been one of instability and a renunciation of religion but interspersed with periods of spiritual reformation. The people had gone through exile, wilderness wanderings, invasions, and re-location. The new temple had great emotional significance for each person because it was a victory among so many loses.

As we go through life, we need to keep mementos of past successes. We need to hold victories dear and use them as stepping stones to building a winning path to the future. Like graduating from college or getting a promotion at work, we need to find time to celebrate achievements.

Once the temple was completed, Solomon called for his leaders to bring the Ark of the Lord’s covenant to the Temple. Only the Levites who were priests could carry the arc and the sacred furnishings. Also, the people sacrificed so many sheep and cattle that they were not able to record or count (V. 6). The priests and people took extreme care as they placed the ark in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the most Holy place (V. 7).

Why did the priest and the people put so much effort into this assignment? It was because the ark was a token of the presence of God. Inside the ark were the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt (V .10).

The characteristics of God most emphasized by the actions of the priests and the people are His holiness, excellence, and love. In verse 13 is written:

“He is good;

His love endures forever.”

The glory of the LORD filled the temple of God (V.14). Think of how your worship of God reflects your awareness of His character. Praise Him today for something about His character that you have not been aware of before.

This day with God will be rewarding to our souls. Have you noticed how a pet gets so excited when you come home or before being fed? We should have that same enthusiasm about our spiritual food; rising early and looking forward to our daily rewards.