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

Questions for Reflection to Help in the Study of Esther 1-4

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

I recently finished questions for reflection from Psalm 132-138. To review where I’ve been over the last few weeks along with a synopsis of the answers, I wrote a post at this link: answers as we step ahead.

The next part of the travel will take me to Esther 1-4. The book of Esther is a thrilling story of a Jewish girl whom God uses to save her nation. No mention of God is made in this book, probably indicating that the account is written at a time when it is dangerous to mention Jehovah.

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 : consultinggrad.com

Esther 1
Passage Lookup
What is the extent and wealth of Ahasuerus’ kingdom? Contrast the position of women in this court with the liberation of women after Christ.

Esther 2
Passage Lookup
How does Esther become a member of Ahasuerus’ harem? Does she have a choice? What can you learn from her?

Esther 3
Passage Lookup
What precipitates the tension between Haman and Mordecai? What warnings do you see here about self-importance?

Esther 4
Passage Lookup
What immediate action does Mordecai take when he hears of pending disaster for the Jews? How does Esther respond to Mordecai’s challenge that she is involved in an event larger than her self-interest? What does Esther’s command to the Jews reveal about her faith and character?

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

Esther: Behind the Veil (voice4society.wordpress.com)
Why Beauty For Purpose (beautyforpurposeblog.wordpress.com)
Esther, Moses, and our Identification with God’s People (smallstudentbiggod.wordpress.com)
Victorious (thetabletwritings.wordpress.com)
Golden Sceptors (December 28, 2012) (hannahriggin.wordpress.com)

Posted in Questions for Reflection | Tagged accepting god, book of esther, Christ, Church, Esther, God, Mordecai | 5 Comments

Braver Because of the Savior

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

We can have confidence about the future because God protects us like a cherished child of His. Below is a poem I wrote to explain this confidence.

Life can get us down
But we can be found
We can run out of strength
But our rescue is at length

My precious friend
Just try not to overextend
You have what it takes inside
Just brush aside and never hide

Have courage to keep going
And continue your glowing
See things through to the end
God loves you…can you comprehend

You are not what happened to you
Choose His help unlike you used to
Move forward with principle
With God you are invincible

Take courage and be a hero
Exhibit faith in your tomorrow
Take it one day at a time and cope
Never giving up hope

Be empowered with devotion
To handle the commotion
Receive strength and be braver
Because of the Savior you have favor

By Mark Shields – © 7-1-2013

Braver. Stronger. Smarter. (chokingonthememories.wordpress.com)
God is our savior…. (proudactivestepmoms.com)
“A Hero Is No Braver Than An Ordinary Man” (catalystquotes.com)
The Lord Your God Goes with You (mdshields.wordpress.com)
Sucker-Punching Savior (hilltopprophet.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Christianity, Existence of God, God, one day at a time, precious friend, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality | 13 Comments

David Gives Praise

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – platytera.blogspot.com

David is thankful as he praises God and writes Psalm 138. He is thankful for God’s love, faithfulness, and safety when being surrounded by enemies. This may have been written at the time of Absalom’s rebellion when even in a time of trouble or danger, David praises God.

In our time of need, we can praise God too. He didn’t spare His own Son and surely will give us all things. He gives strength to bear burdens, resist temptations, and fulfill the purpose He has for us. Give God glory and continue to receive comfort in being renewed through acceptance of Christ Jesus.

This day with you God, we have tasks before us and we pray for the courage to go out and get busy. We magnify Your love for us in praise because You are in control and any thoughts of fear can be mastered. We have faith in Your power, Your limitlessness, and Your promises.

Praise in suffering (hisgraceaboundsinme.wordpress.com)
A Tribute to The Father: I Worship You (nightshade130.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged Absalom, Burdens, Christ Jesus, Christianity, David, Faithfulness, God, god glory, Jesus, Psalm, Psalm 138, time of need, time of trouble | 1 Comment

Be Inspired to Overcome Difficult Circumstances

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mark Shields

The lesson learned for me as I read Psalm 137 is how we should respond to a difficult situation? We should cheer up for there is hope for the future. We should ask God to open doors and believe they will be opened.

It is during difficulty that God works in our life therefore we can rejoice even in tough times. We can press on with patience, passion, and persistence; seeing problems as guidelines and not stop signs. We can trust in God’s presence, His direction, and care. We can understand that tough times build the foundation for strong character.

Here’s a video of people that didn’t stop when there were critiques or setbacks in life: Video to Encourage in Difficult Circumstances.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 1 Corinthians 12:5

Looking at Bad Circumstances in a Different Way (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Stillness retreat ahead… (masterpieceofgrace.wordpress.com)
God is faithful. (1safeharborisjesus.wordpress.com)
his strength (loveplanted.wordpress.com)

Posted in Psalm | Tagged 1 corinthians 12, Christ, Christianity, Faith, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, god works, Jesus, Psalm 137 | 8 Comments

Looking at Bad Circumstances in a Different Way

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Mark Shields

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Israelites experienced emotional problems during their captivity in Babylon. Not only had they been taken captive but they had been carried to a foreign land and emotionally tormented. At the time of writing Psalm 137, the exiles were in extreme grief as their captors made them play songs they used to sing in the temple of Zion. These were songs appointed by God to be sung only in His service. The songs brought out sadness because they remembered friends who died when Jerusalem was destroyed by the heartless Babylonians.

In life, we all go through circumstances that are difficult. We go through times when it’s hard to focus on our relationship with the Lord because our circumstances are consuming our thoughts. Somehow we must lift ourselves up to overcome and hearing stories of others that have overcome can be inspirational.

I once saw a video about an armless carpenter from Ethiopia. He learned how to use his feet for everything; including sawing and nailing wood together. Another great story is the one about Nick Vujicic who was born without all four limbs. He struggled mentally and emotionally as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability and at the age of seventeen, started his own non-profit organization call “Life Without Limbs”.

This day with God will be amazing because the gladness He brings washes away every disappointment, the joy He brings dissolves every sorrow, and His love eases every pain. Is there a difficult situation you are going through? Put it on your prayer list. Lay out your concerns. If you need a miracle, ask for it; leave it to God to provide what is needed to get out of the bad circumstance.