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

You Are His Cherished Child

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

God delivers His people so we can take courage and look to a bright future because we will have the advantage and our enemies will be burdened. Some of the events as prophesized in Zechariah 12:1-13:6 have already taken place.

The man who was pierced on Good Friday is our Savior. We mourn that He had to die on the cross for our sins. The world was a broken place but Christ began the process to fix the problem. Once someone repents and accepts Christ as captain of their salvation, faith begins to show up in who they are and what they do because the Spirit flows from God to them.

There are fears that keep us from fulfilling the mission God has made us to accomplish which is to tell others the Good News. Let us pray for courage and everything good so there is a day when every trace of idol worship is eliminated, all false prophets are non-existent, and unclean Spirits that inspire them are removed. Let us continue to look forward to that day.

Detail of a painting by Pedro Berruguete (c. 1450 – 1504) showing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Butch Dean, one of my blogging friends has written about the prayer of Jesus at this link. He writes that the greatest prayer we can pray is not as I will, but as God will. Jesus prayed this prayer just before He went to His death on the cross. Because of Christ, God is with us and the Spirit will make sure everything is in place for our final victory.

It is God that gives confidence and strength for us to face each day. Saying no when necessary, doing what’s right, and facing the truth. We have the weapon of prayer which is a power greater than we can phantom. Like a picture of a scoreboard in a sporting event when our team has won, the Bible displays a picture of victory. We can count on God because of the Helper.

teach us to pray (hebendsdown.wordpress.com)
Faith: The Perfect Place to Receive Heavenly Responses to Earthly Troubles (ptl2010.com)
My Prayer for Me and You (shelleywilliamsblog.com)
A reflection of prayer (pjgracecommunity.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, Confidence, Courage, Cross, Faith, God, Good Friday, Good News, Helper, Holy Spirit, Jesus, jesus in the garden of gethsemane, Prayer, prayer of jesus, Prophecy, Savior, victory, Zechariah | 6 Comments

Ocean of Believers

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Mark Shields

Alone we are just one small drop of water but together with God and with other believers we combine to form an entire ocean that brings new life. The video below helps to illustrate this point: Dolphins rescued by people at the beach.

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:5

Thankful for the Simple Truths of the Gospel (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Christ the essence of all delighs and pleasures (sacollinsvogan.wordpress.com)
1 John 1:6 Fellowship with Him. (lacykitkat.wordpress.com)
St. Malo (sentcollective.org)
God Came Down! (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)

Posted in Zechariah | Tagged Believer, Christ, Christianity, Christianity for Seekers, Evangelism, God, HolySpirit, Jesus, religion, Religion and Spirituality, romans 12, spirituality, Teamwork, Together | 2 Comments

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 🙂