Listening for the Plan

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – bradcusworth.com

One of the main points expressed in Ecclesiastes 5 is that we need to keep our thoughts from wondering and listen for God’s plan throughout the day. He can say something through another person, a book, a movie, through art and music. If we pay attention to God, we are prepared for the world. If we pay attention to the world, we become stressed and confused.

Both the wealthy and the poor can struggle when attempting to satisfy spiritual wants. The key to fulfilling spiritual needs is to take pleasure in finding the call that God has given and to focus on it until the mission is complete. God has given each of us gifts but we must open them up. The greatest gift is Christ who is the Bread of Life; providing food for the soul. Once the gift is opened, there is opportunity for His blessings. We should ask each day: GOD, WOULD YOU SHOW ME YOUR PLAN FOR MY LIFE?

This day with God will be amazing if we stay focused on His presence. He’s not distant but near. Each day, let us be careful with our thoughts in preparation for prayer. Let us spend a few minutes in silence; putting away the concerns of the day and listening for the plan.

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Questions for Reflection to Help Study Ecclesiastes 5-8

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Mark Shields

I recently finished questions for reflection to help study Ecclesiastes 1-4. 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: God’s Way is the Best Way.

The next part of the travel will take me to Ecclesiastes 5-8. 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 : consultinggrad.com

Photo Credit : consultinggrad.com

Ecclesiastes 5
Passage Lookup
Why is religion a part of even secular man? Why should we listen to God more than we talk to Him? How do you listen to God? When? How can I stay focused on God’s presence, especially when he feels distant?
 
Ecclesiastes 6
Passage Lookup
What is the difference between riches as end and as means for the Christian? Who determines our destiny? What is one area in my life where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?

Ecclesiastes 7
Passage Lookup
Can any good come from experiencing tough times? What is God’s relation to prosperity and adversity? What is the purpose in each? To what extent can we solve the riddle of life by reason?

Ecclesiastes 8
Passage Lookup
What extent has God given man the capacity to understand his situation? How is slow justice unjust? To what extent are God’s moral principles applicable for all time?

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

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Together is Better

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

Many activities can’t be done alone. You ever tried to water ski alone? How about move furniture? How about playing tennis? The activity of building up our spiritual life also requires other people around us to inspire, energize, and learn from.

I remember a fall evening and hearing a sound in the sky. Looking up, above me are geese flying in a “V” formation. There are great lessons of teamwork to be learned from geese. They fly in the “V” formation as a way to help the whole group fly further. When the geese in the front gets tired, they fall back to the end and let others take over. They share a common direction and get to where they want to go more quickly and easily.

The main thought or lesson learned from reading Ecclesiastes 4 is that God’s way is the best form of leadership. There’s power, safety, and success in pulling together because people can support, encourage, and strengthen one another. They can tap into the faith, hope, and love of other believers so their talents or skills combine to strengthen the whole body of Christ.

Here’s a video that promotes how God’s way is best and together is better: How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin . 🙂
 


Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

 

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Win-Win Situation

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

Within Ecclesiastes 4 are thoughts of oppression and violence; the abuse of power and authority that persisted throughout societies during the time of its writing. It was believed that there was nothing that could be done to create peaceful societies because of the competitiveness inherent in man’s nature.

In many there is a natural competitive streak and this is often thought of as a positive trait among people in current times. It’s good to want to be the best. A competitive person is driven to be the best they can be so they work hard but within society, there needs to be a balance between the desire for personal gain and doing what is good for all; in other words, making sure society is fostering a win-win situation for all.

On the other hand, a society with no incentives for personal gain produces an apathetic attitude among its people which leads to a win-lose situation. Those in power stay in power and no matter how hard a person works, they are stuck at the bottom with no upward movement. There is a fatal flaw in a society that has no accountability among its leaders and they remain in power. The economy struggles and there is chaos and confusion.

The best form of leadership is God’s way. There’s power, safety, and success in pulling together because people can support, encourage, and strengthen one another. They can tap into the faith, hope, and love of other believers so their talents or skills combine to strengthen the whole body of Christ.

Photo Credit - dwellingintheworld.wordpress.com

Photo Credit – dwellingintheworld.wordpress.com

This day with God, pray for yourself, your spouse, your parents, your children. Pray for opportunities to help someone come to know Christ. Pray for a society of peace where leaders let it be known that God’s way is followed. Pray that God would use you to work for His glory.

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Simple Truths from God

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

The simplest things give the most happiness if we let God be in charge and praise Him. A farmer works hard to plant his crop and he worries about the lack of rain or too much rain or insects. But finally the crop is harvested and it’s ready for market. That’s when the fun begins and it’s time to reap the rewards.

The words we write are like the seeds a farmer plants. We worry that the words are meaningful and that others will take them in. Finally the words are published and that’s when there is a bountiful harvest. Let us plant our seeds and give credit by praising the ONE in charge: O Praise Him – David Crowder Band.



How does eternity affect your life? The work we do on earth has a time limit so we should budget our time and money wisely. Our work is recorded for eternity and our work in sharing about God brings eternal rewards.

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