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

Thankful for the Simple Truths of the Gospel

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

The picture received in Zechariah 11 is different from Zechariah 10. Trying to anchor this prophecy in history is next to impossible and the text is difficult. It seems to cover a wider span of history and perhaps going past our present times. The prophecy begins with the desolation of the land; then goes into the rejection of the Messiah and to the destruction of all that do not accept Christ as the Messiah.

On the other hand, the gospel message is really a simple one. Explained throughout the Bible is this need to be reconnected to God. Sin had disconnected people from God and the solution is His Son who died on the Cross as the ultimate sacrifice. We no longer have to fulfill the law but simply belief that Jesus is our Savior. Here’s a link to God’s Plan for Us which documents a study I led with a small group.

Jesus is the way and the glue that holds us together. In times of happiness or in times of difficulty, God’s people are there to care for each other. In the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, the following is written, “As believers we share one Lord, one body, one purpose, one Father, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one love. We share the same salvation, the same life, and the same future – factors far more important than any differences we could enumerate”.

This day with God, I’m praying that I encourage, build up, and humbly care for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, there is an amazing impact.

November 25th 2012 – Solemnity of Christ the King (catholicjules.net)
The Revelation of the Gospel (Galatians 1) (edevotional.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Bible, Christ, Cross, Faith, God, History, Jesus, jesus is the way, Messiah, Prophecy, Purpose Driven Life, purpose driven life by rick warren, religion, Rick Warren, Sacrifice, Savior, solemnity of christ the king, Teamwork, Zechariah | 4 Comments

Questions for Reflection in the Study of Zechariah 11-14

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Mark Shields

Zechariah was written as a call to return to God. We can rejoice for hope is our anchor during the storms of life. Our hope is in the righteous, gentle, and humble King that proclaims peace. Rejoice for our hopelessness has turned into an endless hopefulness.

The reward for God’s people is salvation. Over and over again, God fought battles for the Israelites in the Old Testament and delivered them. As a child of God, we can let Him fight our battles. The metaphor used to describe our purpose is to sparkle like jewels in a crown. We are exceptionally valuable and the inspiration God gives us as we share and write are the stepping stones along the path.

Israel was being led in the wrong direction as recorded in Zechariah 10. Instead of praying and getting answers from God on how to overcome the obstacles they faced, they were depending on idols. The people were spiritually blind and led in the wrong way. Like a farmer who needs rain for the crops to grow, we need spiritual nutrients from God’s Word. Also like insects or disease on a crop, we need protection from negatives that can infiltrate and poison the soul.

To produce more food for the soul, the questions below will be used to put special attention on each passage as I finish my study of Zechariah. Feel free to add to this harvest by responding 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 have set up at this link: This Day With God.

Zechariah 11
Passage Lookup
What is the prophet told to do? How is his leadership received? What is the result of the shepherd’s rejection? Contrast the care, seeking, healing, and nourishing you have experienced from the Lord as your shepherd.

Zechariah 12:1-13:6
Passage Lookup
When are the events of this passage to take place? What is the relationship between mourning, repentance and forgiveness? What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish? What keeps me from telling others the Good News?

Zechariah 13:7 – 14:21
Passage Lookup
What is the end result of Israel’s purging? Where is the climax in verses 1-8? What does “Thy kingdom come” mean to you?
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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

Studying Zechariah & John (heartpathjournal.net)
Friday, November 23, 2012 @ Zechariah 8-14 (phyllisbenigas.wordpress.com)
Notes from Zechariah (hitchhikeamerica.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Anchor, Bible, Bible Verses, Faith, favorite bible verses, Food For Soul, Gentleness, God, Good News, Hope, humble king, Humility, Ideas, Inspiration, Israel, Israelites, Jewels, Old Testament, Peace, Photos, Rejoice, religion, Reward, Righteousness, Salvation, storms of life, Thoughts, Videos, Zechariah | 1 Comment

The Ripple Effect

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

The main thoughts from the most recent sermon message received at my church were that we need to be intentional about growing, intentional about what we feed our soul, and intentional about setting priorities in life. When we ask for God’s help to fulfill our purpose, there is a ripple effect that gets bigger and bigger. What we pass on keeps the ripple effect going for many years.

There is a video that demonstrates how kindness and generosity passed on today creates a ripple effect that will influence the future. This day with God, I’m thankful for family, friends, and for videos like this one that give a lift for each day: Paid In Full with One Glass of Milk. Take 2 ½ minutes to watch. Happy Thanksgiving! God Bless 🙂

Passing It On (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Ripples is here! (journalread.wordpress.com)
The Spirit of Thanksgiving (longversion.wordpress.com)
Thanksgiving is the time to follow up on those feelings of gratitude for all we have ~ Reed (2rqod.wordpress.com)
Happy Thanksgiving! (inspirationdailyblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Special Occasions | Tagged Children and Youth, Christianity, Church, Family, Food for the Soul, Friends, Generosity, God, Growing, Holiday, Inspiration, Kindness, Priorities, Purpose, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Sermon, Soul, spirituality, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Passing It On

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Mark Shields

We finished the series called “Your Move” this past Sunday at First United Methodist Church Waco. The series was about how the Bible gives answers that help us determine our best move when it comes to making decisions about the stewardship of our time and money. The last message was titled “Passing It On”.

Ripple effect on water. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We are to be intentional about growing, about what we feed our soul, and doing what’s most important. When we ask for God’s help to fulfill our purpose, there is a ripple effect that gets bigger and bigger. What we pass on keeps the ripple effect going for many years. Below is an outline of the message. The words in black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.

1. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT GROWING.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

The outward body will waste away but the inner body can keep growing and getting stronger. God does not see the outward appearance but He sees the heart. He cares about your character. Paul the apostle was not a handsome guy or a good speaker but he had all the things that matter like joy, generosity, and peace. We need to spend as much time on our inner being as we do our outer being.

“… Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3 (NLT)

We need to live our faith.

2. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT YOU FEED THE REAL YOU.
“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called his children, and we really are! …” – 1 John 3:1 NLT)

We feed our bodies and our souls. We are feeding our souls with every television show we watch, every book we read, and every conversation we have.

“Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NCV)

The Word will change what you do, change where you go, and change what you give. God will build within you and me something to pass on.

Here is a link to the video shown during the sermon of those recently baptized by immersion. The inner life is transformed and the outward life is never the same.

3. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SETTING PRIORITIES.
“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’ ” – Luke 9:62 (NLT)

Set the unimportant aside and do what is most important. The Apostle Paul’s ministry started something that keeps going on and on like the ripple after throwing a rock in a pond. The ripple effect gets bigger and bigger until it’s a mighty work.

“If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life.” – Matthew 16:25 (NLT)

4. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR PURPOSE.
“Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him…. So we have been sent to speak for Christ!” – 2 Corinthians 5:18b, 20a (NCV)

We’ve been sent to speak for Christ. We share the message with our words, our resources and also our deeds.

“… use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends, In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.” – Luke 16:9 (NLT)

5. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SEEKING GOD’S HELP.
“…and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern.” – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, ‘Let me assure you that no one has ever given up anything … for love of Me and to tell others the Good News, who won’t be given back a hundred times over… All these will be his here on earth, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life.” – Mark 10:29-30 (LB)

What we pass on creates a ripple effect for many years. Feel free to use this outline and message to study or pass on to others. There is a Podcast of all sermons at this link First United Methodist Church Waco Podcast.