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

A Need for Each Other

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Mark Shields

In most activities we engage in, there is a need for each other. Think of praising God with music as many people with skills are working together to inspire us. Think of mountain climbers as they help secure each other with ropes as they ascend to the summit. Think of a rowing team as they row in sequence to move the boat forward. Even in the animal kingdom, think of how geese fly in a “V” formation to help with wind resistance.

In thinking about my study of 1 Chronicles 24-25 and ways to help cultivate the characteristics of real community with other believers, one way is through music so I’d like to share this video with you today: How Great is Our God – Chris Tomlin (World Edition). God bless! 🙂

This day with God is made more amazing when we bless, inspire, uplift, energize, and help one another.

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 24-27 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Two Are Better Than One (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Bringing a Team Together (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Chris Tomlin, Christianity, Community, David, God, God Bless, Inspiration, Spirituality & Religion, Teamwork | 2 Comments

Using God Given Strengths for the Good of the Whole

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Mark Shields

Reading in 1 Chronicles 24-25, all details were planned as to the order and method of performing the work of the temple. A lot of planning and organization went into the ministry. A sort of organization chart was set up so that everyone knew what his or her role should be so that every detail was attended to.

David organized singers and musicians in the temple to praise God with great earnestness and devout affections under the influences of the Holy Spirit. Poetry and music were used to inspire their devotions to God.

In the body of Christ, every member has a God given strength for the good of the whole. Each member should do what they can for God and others will build on this foundation. I read a lot of blogs each day and when a post makes a topic clear to me, I’ll make a note for future reference. For the topic of our role in community, I made a note and here’s the link: Revelations In Writing – Called To Community.

Some of the thoughts I took away from the post is when Shannon wrote that we are God’s temple and God wants His temple built up, not torn down. All jobs are important for the work of God. We can work together to complement, encourage, and learn from each other. We need a community to pray together and share one Lord, one body, and one purpose.

Each day with God can be amazing if we understand that we are all His children singing His praises forever.

Lifestyles

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Body of Christ, Christ, Church, Community, David, Devotions, God, Holy Spirit, HolySpirit, Lord, Music, poetry and music, Praise, Prayer, Purpose, religion, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality, Strengths, Temple | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection – 1 Chronicles 24-29

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, the journey has taken me through 1 Chronicles 20–23. I studied how David began to trust in his own powers rather than trusting God. He felt he could do it himself instead of relying on God. Faith is something we can’t see but the invisible and intangible can be so powerful. We can’t see air yet our life depends on it. We can’t see faith yet it can help us through anything and is the key to life eternal.

Because David’s pride got in his way, God sent an angel to make the numbers smaller so the angel caused a plague that killed 70 thousand of David’s fighting men. David had humility and after he prayed, God showed mercy and allowed healing to take place. There are things we can learn from history and our own experiences that will help in making decisions. The problems we go through in life are not stop signs; they are guidelines and it is during tough times that He provides sure signs of a brighter future.

God spoke to David and He listened. He paid attention to the stop signs and used them as guidelines to help make decisions. David had the ability to step back and prepare for the day for someone to take over the leadership. He began assembling materials for the building of the temple because He knew that it was the next generation who would carry out the work. We may not always see the fruit of our labors but our hard work will set up success for the future as we prepare the next generation to carry out God’s work.

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about the journey through 1 Chronicles 24-27 and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage. Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of these questions. 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.

1 Chronicles 24-25
Passage Lookup
What can be learned from the organizational planning described in these chapters? How can I help cultivate the characteristics of real community with other believers?

1 Chronicles 26-27
Passage Lookup
List the jobs mentioned in this section. What characteristic did the gatekeepers and stewards possess (26:6-9, 14, 30-32)? Note all the helpers necessary for what David had to do. What tasks has God given you, and what resources has he provided for their completion?

1 Chronicles 28
Passage Lookup
What are the conditions for success taught here (vv. 7-8)? What resources are provided for Solomon (vv. 11-21)?

1 Chronicles 29
Passage Lookup
As David’s reign draws to a close, what do you think are his top three or four priorities in life? What is the evidence? What is your attitude about giving of your substance? Of your time and skills?

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.

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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

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, David, God, Jesus, United Methodist Church | 5 Comments

Building Up the Kingdom

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Mark Shields

The Word of God is very important to us as we learn how we should live. God spoke to David and He listened. We too should listen and prepare for the future. God will give instructions on what we can do for the Kingdom.

As we write about faith and artistically share about faith in the written word, music, and pictures, we are a big part of the continuous building up of God’s Kingdom. There are great videos that build up our faith as we worship God. Here’s one video as an example: Word of God Speak – MercyMe. May God bless your day! 🙂

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

Audio Readings March 19, 2013 5th Week of Lent (sacredheartcatholicchurchcrosbytexas.wordpress.com)
Advance the Kingdom (thepopeys.wordpress.com)
Faithful Delight (faithfuldelight.wordpress.com)
Price of Kingdom Building (iamchasewordz.wordpress.com)

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Church, David, example word, Faith, God, God’s Kingdom, Instructions, Kingdom, Lord, MercyMe, Prepare, proverbs, religion, word music, Word of God, Worship, www youtube | 4 Comments

Preparation for Excellence

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Mark Shields

The Journey now takes us to 1 Chronicles 22-23. Let us examine David’s conversation with Solomon. The instructions are to follow God’s will, be strong and courageous. David explains that the resources will be given but Solomon needs to use these resources wisely.

David had the ability to step back and prepare for the day for someone to take over the leadership. He began assembling materials for the building of the temple because He knew that it was the next generation who would carry out the work. We will not always see the fruit of our labors but our hard work will set up success for the future as we prepare the next generation to carry out God’s work.

Reading in 1 Chronicles 22:2-4, plenty of resources were gathered by David. He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David.

When David was up in age, he went ahead and handed off the leadership to Solomon and set up the duties of Levites who would manage the methods of the temple service; helping all that brought an offering and in all the ways that the worship of God would be carried out.

The lesson for me in today’s passage is that things just don’t happen. They need to be prayed about and planned for. A lot of work has to be put into preparing for the future. In reflection, one example is the church I attend. About twelve years ago it was struggling but put in place was a vision for the future. A multi-million dollar building project was planned out and there was a goal to gather the financial resources up front so there was not any debt for future generations. Today First United Methodist of Waco, has a tremendous impact on not only the community but throughout the world.