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

Hope is Our Anchor During the Storms of Life

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Mark Shields

Reflection upon reading Zechariah 9:1-10, we can rejoice for hope is our anchor during the storms of life. Our hope is the righteous, gentle, and humble King that proclaims peace. Rejoice for our hopelessness has turned into an endless hopefulness. Take about three minutes and receive inspiration from this video: Rising Hope by Charles Swindoll.

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Ro 8:25

An Anchor For The Soul (aviesplace.wordpress.com)
The Key to Hope (builtwithgrace.wordpress.com)
A Present Help by Charles R. Swindoll (ponderingmoments.org)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Anchor, charles r swindoll, Charles Swindoll, Chuck Swindoll, God, Hope, Hopefulness, humble king, Inspiration, Jesus, King, Peace, Reflection, Rejoice, Religion and Spirituality, storms of life, Zechariah | 3 Comments

Hopelessness Turned Into Endless Hopefulness

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Mark Shields

Cities in the region like Tyre and Sidon were powerful and wealthy around 487 B.C. but history tells us these cities were devastated by a representative of God’s judgment; the monarch of Greece named Alexander the Great who swept around the edges of Israel and Judah with his powerful army south to Egypt and back to Greece.

Foretold of this ruin in Zechariah 9:1-10, Israel and Judah would be spared because of God’s favor. God’s protection relieves their fear, His power sets them free, and He shapes their future. Prophesy of the gospel message being shared with the world is made as God looks with favor on His people with Christ’s first coming (v. 9) and Christ’s second coming in (v. 10). The new King is described as righteous and victorious but humble and meek who would rule over the Spiritual world.

This day with God will be amazing because even in dark times His light illuminates the world. The safest place for us is to be is in the center of His will so let the reign of the King meet with joy in your life.

Zechariah 9-10 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
“it’s hopeless!” (sfbible.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Alexander the Great, Christ, Christ’s First Coming, Egypt, God, Greece, History, History of ancient Israel and Judah, Israel, Joy, Sidon, tyre and sidon, Zechariah | 3 Comments

Zechariah 9-10 Questions for Reflection

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Mark Shields

As I continue the journey through Zechariah, it becomes evident that this book was written as a call to return to God. In one’s life or sometimes for several generations, a society can get off track and there is a need to return to the solid principles that God gives us. It is the study of God’s Word, acceptance of His Son, and asking for help to receive the power of the Holy Spirit that leads to a successful society. The choice we make to become more like Christ, respond to God’s Word, be filled with His Spirit, and interact with fellow believers requires some effort. It’s like training for a race (iron man or marathon).

It is not the formalities of religion that we need more of but the outward signs of goodness. Are we honest, are we reliable, and do we treat people with respect? Our gratitude for God’s love might be to find what it is that we can do to help others and take every opportunity to make it happen. Only a few may read the Bible day after day but many read our actions.

When God was displeased, the economy went down and every neighbor was against one another but reading in Zechariah 8, God is saying He will make it right again for Jerusalem and Judah. God always does what he says so we should always try to do what we say. We should seek areas of our life where we fall short and study the life of Jesus to help plan what to do. We can neutralize negative habits and push for ones that set us free.

My attention will now lead into the study of Zechariah 9-10. The questions below will be used to 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.

Zechariah 9:1-10
Passage Lookup
Contrast the before and after situation of the cities. How is the king described? What response does the king’s arrival call for? To what extent does his reign meet with joy in your life? Why?

Zechariah 9:11-17
Passage Lookup
How does this passage continue the theme of the previous message in Zechariah 9:1-10? What does it mean to be a prisoner of hope? What battle do I need to turn over to God today?

Zechariah 10
Passage Lookup
How does this passage continue the theme of the previous message in Zechariah 9:1-10? What does it mean to be a prisoner of hope? What battle do I need to turn over to God today?
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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)
Zechariah: Visions and Prophecies (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Actions, Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, favorite bible verses, Freedom, God, Gratitude, HolySpirit, Honesty, Jesus, power of the holy spirit, Principles, Reflection, Reliability, Zechariah | 1 Comment

Truth Will Always Be Truth

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

Truth will always be truth. The truth is that all religious leaders have been buried and we know where their bones are except for one leader and that leader is Jesus. No one knows where the bones of Jesus are buried because He’s still alive! We should seek areas of our life where we fall short and study the principles He has given us to live by. We can neutralize negative habits and push for ones that set us free. Here’s a video to help inspire following the Truth: Solid As The Rock – Avalon.

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. – Psalms 41:12

Seeing the Truth (wordsaver.wordpress.com)
Telling the Truth: Inaction and Failure (liberationtheory.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Christianity, Freedom, God, Habits, Inspiration, Integrity, Jesus, Philosophy, religion, religion & spirituality, solid as the rock, Truth | Leave a comment

Truth Sets Us Free

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

God’s thoughts and ways are so much above ours that we have a hard time believing that He wants what is best for us. There are difficulties we face in life, trials we go through, and it seems God is distant but He’s closer than we think.

In today’s passage Zechariah 8, God had been displeased with His people (v. 10-11). When He was displeased, the economy was a mess and every neighbor was against one another. But then there is this verse in Zechariah 8:15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.” The passage goes on to say that God requires certain actions like being faithful and honest; for His truths to rule in their thoughts and His peace rule in their hearts. A lesson we can certainly apply in current times.

Today, we can look forward to being living epistles of Christ. We can influence many people by being honest with ourselves and not hiding personal weaknesses but making known the power of God. We can make known to people that He is ready to pour out His blessings with expressions of love. His presence will bring the blessings of peace, joy, and salvation. God always does what he says so we should always do what we say.

Today, I’m praying that things I do in life are anchored to the solid truths of God’s Word.