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

Questions for Reflection to Help Study Ecclesiastes 9-12

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Mark Shields

I recently finished questions for reflection to help study Ecclesiastes 5-8. To review where I’ve been over the last few weeks along with a synopsis of the answers, take a look at a post at this link: answers as we step ahead.

The next part of the travel will take me to Ecclesiastes 9-12. Over the next few weeks, I will continue to post about the journey and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage.

Photo Credit – sidsavara.com

Ecclesiastes 9
Passage Lookup
How does the sovereignty of God lend meaning to your life? Characterize your sense of urgency about your mission in life.

Ecclesiastes 10
Passage Lookup
What inclination of the heart is related to your ability to resist evil? What is recommended when we are confronted with evil in high places? Why? Contrast the manner of a wise man and a fool. What are your responsibilities in balancing talk and action?

Ecclesiastes 11
Passage Lookup
To what extent do you act out of love, without concern for return? Why? In what areas should you apply caution before taking a risk? What is the danger inherent in delaying generosity?

Ecclesiastes 12
Passage Lookup
Have you resolved to follow God? Why or Why not? List your own and the author’s conclusions about wisdom.

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

Ecclesiastes 12. Advice to young people. Seek God in early life. God. Respect and obey God. (bummyla.wordpress.com)
God’s Way is the Best Way (mdshields.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Ecclesiastes, favorite bible verses, God, Jesus, jesus is god, sovereignty of god, United Methodist Church | 7 Comments

God’s Truth is Solid

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

If you pursue Godly wisdom, you will be more likely to know whose side to be on and listen to the right people. You will follow the right leader because you will listen to those with wholesome values and morals. Like a magnet attracting iron, you will attract treasures for the soul because the elements of God’s principles are at work in you.

Truth will always be truth and God’s truth is solid. We should be careful to protect character and do nothing that would compromise integrity but be honest with ourselves; having the attitude of wanting to know where we fall short and what needs to be done. I’d like to share this video with you to pass on this value of God’s truth: Solid as the Rock – Avalon.

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

Wisdom and Understanding (ladiesofgod02.wordpress.com)
Summary of Proverbs (zachscripturestudy.com)
Knowledge Vs Wisdom/can You Have One Without the Other (mcsellersthoughtofthedaydotcom.wordpress.com)
Spirit of truth (staflyyane.wordpress.com)
Day 194- Proverbs 14 (365daysoffocus.wordpress.com)
Spouting Truth vs. Speaking Truth ~ Kristi (hallelujahhighway.com)
Wisdom Listens (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Divinity, God, Jesus, Literature, Lord, proverbs, Proverbs and Sayings, solid as the rock, Solomon, spirit of truth, Truth, values and morals, wholesome values, Wisdom | 5 Comments

Living with Wisdom

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – trans4mind.com

As we now journey into Ecclesiastes 8, Solomon continues to give us wisdom about life. For example: he notes that the riddle of life is very hard to solve, he writes about justice, about punishment, and God’s moral principles.

We do not know the future. Only God knows the future so we should submit to His will and providence. We should fear the Lord because His moral principles are applicable for all time. Iniquity can’t escape death so hold fast to goodness and justice.

Have good judgment, discernment, and discretion; trying to balance the heart and mind. Common sense is gained through life experiences and helps us to avoid as many traps as possible. If we do not agree with someone that has authority over us, there is a proper time and procedure for every matter. God will be at work to set things right.

A wise man is useful, happy, and is comforted by the enjoyment of God’s blessings. Let us pray that we view eternal things as near, real, and most important. This day with God will be amazing because with Him there is freedom that helps us live, give, and love. There is freedom that allows us to speak and teach; laying out a clear path for others to follow.

God’s Way is the Best Way (mdshields.wordpress.com)
The Path to Truth (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Better Than Rubies: Devotion for Monday July 29, 2013 (socyberty.com)
A Great Thing to Achieve (bryanvillarosa.com)
The Spirit Man (kevinleedodson.wordpress.com)
What if you had 1 wish? (ctkblog.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Bible, clear path, Ecclesiastes, God, heart and mind, Jesus, life experiences, Lord, moral principles, riddle of life, Solomon, spirit man, Wisdom | 3 Comments

Lift the Cross High

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Mark Shields

In the previous post along the journey, I wrote about the lessons to be learned in life and from God’s Word but the riddle of life can’t be solved by reason alone. It’s solved by the cross so lift it high because it is our trophy for the victory. The war is over and the love of God through Christ has won. May this video give a lift for your day: White Flag – Chris Tomlin.

Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. – Job 6:24

Rewards Beyond What We Could Ever Imagine (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Be Lifted Higher Than Me (thesolidground.wordpress.com)
“Follow Me” (harleyhalliburton.wordpress.com)
Imperfect. (mockmenot.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Chris Tomlin, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Churches of God, God, Jesus, trophy, white flag | Leave a comment

What Makes You Angry?

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, I shared an outline of the sermon message at the church I attend. A take away from the message for me is that many things can make us angry or frustrated in life. Being angry is not a sin in itself but how we react to the anger can lead to sin.

Here are some possible things that might make you angry:

You buy food at a fast food restaurant and you get home and they left out part of your order
Driving behind a slow driver
Watching the news
Add more you can think of in the comments

We all deal with anger, frustration, and hurt feelings. Maybe someone has spread gossip about you that is not true. Maybe you work with a demeaning boss.

On the other hand, there are times when anger can make a right wrong like when there is a need in society. Think about orphanages. Someone was angry about children not having a home and thought of a solution. Think of Habitat for Humanity. Someone was angry that some could not afford their own house and was angry enough to form an organization that could make it happen.

There are certain ways to react to anger and the Bible teaches us to reflect before reacting and to respond wisely. As we follow the teachings of the Bible, we learn to develop skills in how best to respond to anger. We learn that we don’t have to repress it but confess it and ask for God’s help.

God can transform us with his amazing grace. We begin a process of change that seeks accountability by taking things step by step. We choose friends wisely that will give correction when needed and lift us up to make us a better person. Aiming high is harder but it’s what God wants us to do. Like this video suggest, ask Him to take you higher: Take Me Higher – Lincoln Brewster.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you …” Romans 12:2ab (NLT)