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Vacation App

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

We continued the sermon series called “Life Apps” this past weekend at the church I attend. This week’s message is titled “Vacation App” and can be listened to or viewed at this link. There are apps for personal finance, exercise, and many other things we do in life but none of them do what we want unless we use them. It’s the same with God’s Word. There are many useful principles but we must use and apply them to make a difference. Below in black print is an outline of the message which is supplied by the church staff and I added the notes in the blue print as I listened.

1. CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing?” – Matthew 6:25 (NLT)

Don’t worry …

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will given to you as well?” – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

God has a pattern for us and that is to seek Him first.

2. APPLY THE LIFE APP OF REST.

“The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.” Mark 1:35 (NLT)

Spend time with God and spend time in activities that recharge and refresh. It’s God’s will for us to rest so we are physically and mentally ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

“One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night.” – Luke 6i:12 (NLT)

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31 (NLT)

3. APPLY GOD’S RULES FOR LIVING.

“Remember to keep the Sabbath holy. Work and get everything done during six days each week, but the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the Lord your God:…” – Exodus 20:8-9a (NCV)

Once time is used, it’s gone so use it wisely and set aside a day of rest. Let God bless you and receive these blessings on His day.

4. MOVE AT A SUSTAINABLE PACE.

Elijah was as human as we are….” – James 5:a (NLT)

“When Elijah heard this, he was afraid and ran for his life…. He sat down under a bush and asked to die….” – 1 Kings 19:3a &4b (NCV)

After great victories, we are high but then we go through valleys.

“ ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he prayed. ‘Let me die. I am no better than my ancestors.’” – 1 Kings 19:4c(NCV)

“Then he lay down under the tree and slept. Suddenly an angel came to him and touched him. ‘Get up and eat.’…Then he went back to sleep.” … The angel touched him and said,… ‘Get up and eat….’ ” – 1 Kings 19:5 a, b; 6b; & 7b (NCV)

Elijah needed this rest to prepare for the purpose God had for him.

“Then Elijah went into a cave and stayed all night. Then the Lord spoke His word to him: ….” – 1 Kings 19:9a, b (NCV)

After victories, take time to celebrate but then get some rest because there’s more that needs to be done.

5. REST, REFLECT, RECHARGE AND THEN RE-ENGAGE.

“Immediately after this, Jesus made His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while He sent the people home. Afterward He went up into the hills by Himself to pray….” – Matthew 14:22-23 (NLT)

We underestimate the need for rest. Jesus understood it and teaches us to take care of our mental and physical health so we can do all that God wants us to do. The sustainable plan for rest involves working for six days and then a day is set aside where God blesses us and we bless Him. The Sabbath is a day to rest, reflect, and recharge so we are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Here’s a video that brings out a lot of points brought out in the message: Healing Begins – Tenth Avenue North.

Mercy App (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Declaration App (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Applied Faith, Apps, Books of Kings, Elijah, God, God’s Word, Matthew, Priorities, Re-engage, Recharge, Reflect, Rest, Sabbath, Sermon | 1 Comment

God’s Guiding Principles

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post, I wrote about some thoughts after reading Nehemiah 13:15-30. The physical wall had been built around Jerusalem but it was the lack of structure within the society that was causing problems. Within the post yesterday, we pointed out something remarkable; in every tissue of our body are proteins called laminin that are the structural scaffolding that we depend on for physical health. Amazingly under a microscope they are shaped just like what holds our Spiritual body together; the cross.

God’s principles never change. A daily devotional time internalizes His guiding principles becoming an instrument which pushes us to focus on Him in every activity throughout our day. Here’s a video to get us going in that direction today: Love The Lord – Lincoln Brewster.

Questions for Reflection – Nehemiah 10-13 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Yes, You Really Can Handle Opposition! (wisdomforherheart.com)

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged Attention, Christianity, Cross, Devotion, Focus, God, Israel, Jerusalem, Nehemiah, Prayer, Principles, religion & spirituality, Spirit, Structure | 4 Comments

Structural Principles

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Mark Shields

Nehemiah set out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem; not only the physical wall but the structural principles of an effective society. The physical wall had been built but as explained in Nehemiah 13:15-30, the people were not living according to the structural principles of God and not being obedient to His way.

Nehemiah set out to restore obedience so that God would be glorified. We need leaders like Nehemiah today; leaders willing to do what’s right even though it might not be popular. Our communities, cities, and work places need people of Nehemiah’s character to rebuild the principles that lead to effectiveness in a society.

Like the body of believers in a society, our own physical body has basic structural needs. In every tissue of our body are proteins called Laminin that are the structural scaffolding that we depend on for survival. Amazingly they are shaped like a cross. Think about it: The basic protein that holds our body together looks just like the cross; the key to holding our Spiritual body together.

Spend a few minutes in silence, putting away the cares and concerns and noise of the day, listening for the Holy Spirit. Remember that the glue that holds our physical body together is shaped like a cross. Remember also that no matter what happens in life, God loves you and He proved it on the cross.

I Didn’t Do It Because I Feared God (scripturenuggets.wordpress.com)

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged Character, Cross, God, God’s Principles, Holy Spirit, Jerusalem, Jesus, Laminin, Nehemiah, Society, Structure, Wall of Jerusalem | 5 Comments

Going Forward with Discipline

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Mark Shields

The subject of being all that God made us to be was brought out in yesterday’s post. I’ve been watching the Olympics and these athletes are blessed with skill but they also go through rigorous workouts to get to their level. As we start to accomplish anything in life, it may not be easy at first but things seem to get easier with practice. For a Christian it can be the same; tough at first but easier with practice. To get that to happen, we’ve got to want to change, receive the power to change, become like Christ, and never go back to the way it used to be. I’d like to share this video with you to inspire discipline: I Won’t Go Back – William McDowell

Here’s a good scripture on discipline: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. – Acts 2:42

120802 – George Hach’s Inner Disciplines Journal – Thursday (georgehachmyblog.wordpress.com)
FREE Audiobook Download: The Disciplines of the Christian Life by Eric Liddell (faithfulprovisions.com)
The Discipline of Celebration (wordsofsharon.wordpress.com)

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged Acts of the Apostles, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Eucharist, God, Olympic, Olympic Games | Leave a comment

Being All That God Made You To Be

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Mark Shields

Nehemiah had gone to Babylon for a while and returned to find abuses taking place by those in charge of God’s house. As explained in Nehemiah 13:1-14, the chief priest named Eliashib had taken the occasion to vacate an area that stored the tithes, offerings, and equipment so that Tobiah could have a room in the courts of the house of God.

Nehemiah was very displeased and immediately threw out all of Tobiah’s household goods and had the tithes, offerings, and equipment of the house of God returned. All the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields so the house of God was neglected. Nehemiah called everyone together to lay out his plans for reform. He had the tithes of grain, new wine and oil returned to the storerooms. Then new leadership was put in place for the care of the house of God.

In the New Testament, Jesus calls us the temple of God. Like God’s house that was neglected in this reading, we must reform and make changes when we neglect our temple. The Holy Spirit resides in us so let us clear out what shouldn’t be there; finding ways to change and being accountable to being all that God meant us to be.

This day with God, I’m praying to submit to His will and putting His will first in my relationships, my family, career, and ministry.