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

Jesus is God’s Love in Action

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

In reflecting upon Zechariah 1:7 – 2:13, the lesson for me is that learning, preparing for a career and success are important but the most important is to receive God’s love which is activated by depending on Him. Jesus is God’s love in action that saves souls now and promises big plans for the future.

Remember, we are the apple of God’s eye as demonstrated by what has been done on the cross. Here’s a video to inspire as we accept God’s love and return it to others: How He Loves Us – David Crowder Band.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

Keys to Powerful Living: Love (addisabram.wordpress.com)
For God So Loved The WORLD – Eric Dykstra’s Thoughts (pastorericdykstra.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Apple of God’s Eye, Bible, Christianity, Cross, David Crowder Band, Evangelism, Everlasting Life, Future, God, god s love, god so loved the world, Inspiration, Jesus, John 3:16, Learning, Lesson, Love, Promise, Reflection, religion, religion & spirituality, Soul | 2 Comments

Apple of His Eye

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Zechariah 1:7-2:13, there are three visions. The first is about what God can do. The second is that pride can be dangerous, and the third vision is about God’s interest in our future. Zechariah had several questions and all readers of today’s passage probably have some questions like whom is the man riding the red horse and what is God telling us?

In researching who the man is riding the red horse, I’ve concluded that this is Jesus. Later in Zechariah 2:8-9, I believe we find the main message of today’s reading when the scripture reads: “After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you – for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye – I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them.”

It’s important to always remember that we are the apple of His eye as demonstrated by what has been done on the cross. Learning, preparing for a career, and being successful are important but only if we have God’s Love which is activated by depending on Him. Jesus is God’s love in action that saves souls now and promises big plans for the future.

When I was working my way through college, most of the money earned was during the summers where I worked for a construction company. Whenever we prepared a foundation or built a wall of a house, we used a measuring tape and string to make sure the construction of the house was level and straight. In building our life, the Word of God is our measuring device and Jesus is our example to follow as we try our best to be lined up or upright.

Today, I’m anticipating God’s care and praising Him. This day with Him will be amazing because we are aware that He loves us beyond measure and we are the “Apple of His Eye.” Today, we have the opportunity to return this received love from God to others.

Zechariah 1-4 Question for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The man and the red horse (shilohrestoration.org)
We Are the Apple of God’s Eye (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Apple of His Eye, Career, Christ, Christianity, Cross, Foundation, Future, God, Israel, jesus is god, Learn, Love, Praise, Prepare, Question, red horse, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Research, Soul Plans, spirituality, Success, third vision, Vision, Word of God, Zechariah | Leave a comment

4th Quarter

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

The last message in the sermon series “Game Plan” was this past weekend at First United Methodist Church Waco. The message is titled “4th Quarter”. To win in the last minutes of any game, the team must make it happen and there’s usually one person the team looks to. It may be the quarterback leading the team on the last drive to a winning touchdown for a football team or the sure shooter to make the winning basket for a basketball team.

In life, Christ is the one we turn to for victory. Our job is to follow Christ to victory and go into the world to invite others to join the team so they can see just how powerful the Good News can be in the life of those that follow Him.

The Baylor Lady Bear basketball team came to the 10:50 service. The sermon message and a pep talk video from their coach Kim Mulkey that drove them to the undefeated record and the national championship is at this link. Click on the 4th Quarter Podcast to see the pep talk. It was about unfinished business and as Christ followers, we have unfinished business as pointed out in the outline below. 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. YOUR MINISTRY IS IN THE CHURCH AND YOUR MISSION IS IN THE WORLD.

“As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” – John 17:18 (NLT)

Pray often for God to show you the plan for your life in your home, at work, and in your community.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last,..” – John 15:16 (NLT)

The fruit we share is our life story and it’s Good News that last forever.

2. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND INVITE

“Jesus said, ‘Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people’” – Matthew 4:19 (NCV)
“So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Team them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (NCV)

3. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND TELL

“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” – Mark 16:15 (NLT)

God cares about everyone and He offers Good News we can share with them.

“While I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:4 (NLT)

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” – Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

People will know who Christ is through us. We reflect God’s light throughout the world. He has placed us where we are for his strategic purpose.

4. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND LOVE

“In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.” – Luke 15:7 (NLT)

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)

We help connect the dots between people and God. People can always be loved to that place of grace.

5. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND SHOW

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 NIV)

“And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus…” – Colossians 3:17a (NLT)

If you do not feel you are growing in faith, begin to share your faith and you will grow more than you ever have before.

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.

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: My Savior My God – Aaron Shust. God Bless 🙂

Why more church members don’t ‘share the Gospel’ (markkelly.wordpress.com)
Empty Your Recycle Bin (upliftingchrist.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christ, Disciple, Faith, God, Good News, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Kim Mulkey, Matthew, Podcast, Prayer, Team, victory, Witness | Leave a comment

Attention to God

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Mark Shields

After studying and reflecting on yesterday’s reading of Zechariah 1:1-6, the thought that came to mind was the importance of our attention to God. Like the focus of an athlete in training for their sport, we should focus on God. He teaches in various ways through life circumstances, through other people, and in the Bible. The lessons can be internalized for effective living.

No one can be with you every step like God can. Like this video: Stop The World – Matthew West, we need to eliminate distractions, say a prayer, and listen for instructions. God is with us in every situation and will help us make the needed adjustments and do what’s right.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19

“In God” do we still trust? (triblive.com)
Equipped For Your Calling (consecratedtohim.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Attention, Bible, Christ, Christianity, dear brothers, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Life Circumstances, Listen, Matthew West, Prayer, Reflection, religion, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality, Study, Zechariah | 1 Comment

God is Present in Every Circumstance

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

After reading Zechariah 1:1-6, the message for me is to take in lessons from history, learn from mistakes, and make the adjustments with a new outlook towards the future. A great future awaits those who put God first with obedience and initiative. We don’t always have good examples to follow but the model we have in Christ is beyond any other.

Each day is a new day and we have to evaluate every circumstance. When I was around twelve years old, I was able to travel with my hometown high school football team since my Dad was on the coaching staff and the head coach had a son my age. We would help with various duties like provide Gatorade for the players or dry wet footballs with towels.

We were in El Campo Texas one time playing the local team in a practice game. El Campo is near the Gulf of Mexico and there was a tropical storm brewing. Our Dad’s had told us to stay on the side line and not wonder off. About half way into the scrimmage, it started pouring rain.

It was raining so hard, they called off the practice game and both teams went inside the locker room. After our dad’s had talked to the team, they looked around and wondered where we were. We were doing what they had told us and had stayed on the side line. We were smart enough to get under a bench.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that parents and most people want what is best for us but there is no one like God to help in making decisions. This Day with God, I’m praying to stay focused on God’s presence and slow down for a while to listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction.