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

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.

United Methodist Committee on Relief Responds to Hurricane Sandy (prnewswire.com)
Women keep turning tragedy into good news (state-journal.com)
The Devine Dare (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Blessing, Christ, God, Jesus, Perspective, Purpose, United Methodist Church, Veterans Day | 1 Comment

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