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

Depending on His Direction

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Mark Shields

The people were 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 direction.

This world is sometimes a broken place and we lose our way without a home. Sometimes it’s our own fault but sometimes it’s just the situation we are placed in. Either way, we can be rescued by receiving God’s grace, praying to God for help, and accepting Jesus as our Rescuer.

Only in the Messiah are we connected to the power of God and are closely connected to God, His Spirit enables us to do His will despite the obstacles (vv. 6-7). Like a farmer who needs rain for the crops to grow, we need spiritual nutrients from God’s Word and protection from the negatives. Like insects and disease on a crop, the negatives can infiltrate to destroy.

The choice is ours. We can plant the seeds that God gives as Spiritual nutrients for our soul or we can plant negative seeds that poison. This day with God, amazing results will occur because we are planting the things of God which are nutrients for the soul.

Today, I’m praying for staying close to God and His Word; that His Spirit enables me to do His will. I’m admitting wrong or negative thoughts at times and praying for Godly thoughts. Today my hope is to be connected to the power source through Jesus.

How do I Pray? (essentialthingdevotions.com)
Prayer Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated (essentialthingdevotions.com)
Godly Discernment and Godly Wisdom CUP (deweymoede.wordpress.com)
Live For Jesus (shelleywilliamsblog.com)
Tuning In (beingrebekah.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Christianity, Evangelism, Food For Soul, God, god and his word, God’s Word, Grace, HolySpirit, Jesus, Leadership, Messiah, power of god, Prayer, praying to god, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Rescuer, Spirit, spirituality, wrong direction | 4 Comments

Let Him Fight Your Battles

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Mark Shields

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 “sparkle like jewels in a crown” is our reward of salvation which sets us free. We are exceptionally valuable and the inspiration God gives in writing or sharing about faith will sparkle so that others will be attracted to follow the path to freedom. Here’s a video to inspire: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) – Chris Tomlin.

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. – Revelation 22:12

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged amazing grace my chains are gone chris tomlin, Bible, child of god, Chris Tomlin, Christianity, Faith, Freedom, God, Grace, Israel, Israelites, Old Testament, religion & spirituality, Rewards, sparkle | 2 Comments

The Path to Freedom

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Mark Shields

As I journey through Zechariah 9:11-17, the theme of the first part of Zechariah 9 continues as God carries out the destiny of His people. After King Solomon’s reign, the kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom (called Israel) and the southern kingdom (called Judah). During the seventy year captivity in Babylon, the exiles were viewed as “prisoners of hope” (v.12). This prophecy tells that all of this territory, north and south will someday be reunited as God helps to fight their battles by using Alexander the Great who was the monarch of Greece to weaken enemies and restore a little freedom to them (vv. 13-16).

There are many battles we face in life that we need to turn over to God. Step by step and day by day, God has a destiny for you and me. Once we begin to see His helping hand and as we have daily success, we begin to look at the future differently. People around us start to notice something different. We sparkle like jewels in a crown (v. 16). The issues we battle and those that keep us down do not affect us. There is freedom to loosen up and be who God meant us to be.

This day with God will be amazing because He will bless you and others will be blessed because of the path to freedom you put in view for them.

Leadership Profile: King Josiah (garyrunn.com)
What is God’s Greatest Punishment? (billhogan77.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Alexander the Great, Babylon, Blessings, Destiny, Freedom, God, Greece, Israel, Journey, Judah, Kingdom of Israel, Kingdom of Judah, Path, Prophecy, Solomon, Zechariah | 2 Comments

Inspiring Messages

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Mark Shields

There are many inspiring messages across the world each weekend at churches. One message I got at the church I attend for worship last weekend is that there is a test to pass as a Christian. To make our Father smile, we can get in a position for a blessing by trusting our treasure with God and partnering with Him in a mighty work across the world.

When you go to a worship service, look for Christ. It may be a song, a prayer, or a part of the sermon that gives you a picture of Christ. Then you can apply it to your daily life or help someone else going through a difficult time. I found this video that brings out some of the main points in the message and I hope it will inspire your day as much as it has mine: Stop The World – Matthew West.

I welcome inspiring messages you might want to share from your church, a podcast, photo, video, or blog. Simply include the link or words of inspiration in the “leave a reply” box. God Bless 🙂

There Will Be a Test (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Archbishop of Canterbury: First Address by Justin Welby (frstephensmuts.wordpress.com)
Do You Value Success Or Fruitfulness? (garyware.me)
Transcending Time: Divine Inspiration Through the Arts – Articles (wilmingtonfavs.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged archbishop of canterbury, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Church, God, Inspiration, inspiring messages, Lord's Prayer, Matthew West, Prayer, Service of worship, Song, words of inspiration, Worship | Leave a comment

There Will Be a Test

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Mark Shields

On Veterans Day this past Sunday, the message at First United Methodist Church Waco was titled “There Will Be a Test”. Our Veterans have passed a test and we all as Christ followers have a test to pass. To make our Father smile, we need to get in a position for a blessing by trusting our treasure with God and partnering with Him in a mighty work across the world.

Below are some notes I took while watching the Podcast.

1. ARE YOU FULFILLING YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?

God made us in His image and we know God is Generous; therefore His people have are inclined to be generous.

2. ARE YOU MAKING GOD SMILE?

Jesus tells us what God is like; a Heavenly Father and we are His children. When we give something of ours to God, it makes Him smile. Giving is a sweet smell to God.

3. ARE YOU POSITIONED FOR A BLESSING?

In 1880, there was a survey asking people to list their most basic needs. There were only 16 items on the list. In 2002, the same survey was conducted and there were 98 items on the list. To position ourselves for a blessing, we need to understand that many things we have today are not really basic needs that we have to have for survival. It’s important to gain perspective.

4. ARE YOU GAINING PERSPECTIVE?

Where is your heart? The checkbook will tell you. When you trust your treasure with God, He holds that eternal. It’s about a promise that is bigger than your bank account can ever be.

5. ARE YOU PARTNERING WITH GOD?

Feel free to use this outline and message to study or share with others. There is also a Podcast of all sermons at First United Methodist Church Waco Podcast.