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

Small Things Become Big Things With God

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

The first activity of the Israelites after returning from exile as recorded in Ezra 3 was to build the altar of God. Then they resumed a detailed schedule of offerings and sacrifices. Let us also learn to begin with God each day. Let us have a daily devotional to prompt us to worship God. For we all need God as our friend; to learn how we should live and pray for direction. We may not be perfect and fail at times but God’s mercy never fails.

The next activity after their return from exile was to lay the foundation of the temple so they planned out its construction by hiring masons and carpenters. Then they planned out the material needed for construction by trading food and drink and oil to Tyre in exchange for cedar logs. Work began after everything had been planned out.

We can take some lessons from this passage. Our work should begin only after planning out our activities with God. A point in a sermon of my Pastor is that before the beginning of anything, pray first for guidance. Talk to the ONE who created it all. Talk about the day ahead or the upcoming project; praying with specifics and believing that He will guide along life’s best path. For more sermon points, visit at this link: Sermon Podcast. Using a tool like a computer/iPad/Smart phone provides an efficient and effective way to research, write, and be lifted up by others.

Small things become big things when we go to God and plan to move forward together. An amazing day starts with God, moves into working with God, and ends with a celebration of thankfulness to God.

Many times I’ll take a break at work and get a snack or something to drink. What I’m trying for this week is to also use my break time or lunch time to honor God and praying for direction for the rest of the day.

Waiting on God, Part 3 (myheartsmission.com)
The ideal of God is a bridge (teachingsofmasters.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Alter of God, Christianity, Devotional, Direction, Ezra, God, God’s Mercy, Guidance, HolySpirit, Israelite, Israelites, Jerusalem, Jesus, Offering, Path, Planning, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, Sacrifice, Sermon, Sermon Podcast, Worship | 5 Comments

The Paths We Take

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Mark Shields

Road to Denali – Mountains – Alaska (Photo credit: blmiers2)

We began a four part series on “Stories for the Road” this past weekend at my church with “The Paths We Take”. Senior Pastor: Rev. Steve Ramsdell gave the sermon message and below is an outline of the message. It’s a beginning of summer series with principles of following God’s path taken right out of the Bible. One idea might be to send this podcast Link of the series to children, grandchildren, or neighbor’s children.

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OUR DIRECTION DETERMINES OUR DESTINATION

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” Ps 119:59 (NIV)

Some paths lead to where we need to go but some don’t. God’s way is always the right way.

EVERY ROAD HAS A PREDETERMINED DESTINATION

“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Ps 37:23-24 (NIV)

Intentions, dreams, and desire do not override the path.

OUR DREAMS AND OUR INTENTIONS WILL NEVER GET US THERE

“At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.” Pr 7:6-9 (NIV)

He follows a prostitute and she leads him down the wrong path. Judgment comes with years and experience and lots of painful moments.

OUR DIRECTION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHERE WE ARE

The past is not important but where you are going is very important

WE WILL ALL GO WHERE OUR ROAD TAKE US

Is your path taking you to where you want to go? We may not always make the right decisions. Let this path principle flow down into your heart.

The point that spoke to me personally is that some paths lead us to where we need to go but many don’t. There is a path God provides which is the sure way that has been proven over and over throughout history to take us to where we need to go. We may not make good decisions all the time but we can always be assured that making an adjustment so we walk the path God has made for us will get us back on track.

Proverbs 4:27 (proverbialthought.com)
Expecting The Unexpected (sarasmusings.wordpress.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Bible, Destination, Direction, Dreams, God, God’s Path, Intentions, Jesus, Journey, Lord, New International Version, Pastor, Sermon | Leave a comment

God’s Love is Constant

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

After reading in Ezra 2, the thought occurred to me that the only thing that doesn’t change is God’s love for us and how He carries those that trust Him, who follow His will, and aim to glorify His name.

I’ve included this video to inspire and give a lift for your day: East to West – Casting Crowns.

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Casting Crown, Follow, Glorify, God, Jesus, Love, Praise You In This Storm, Trust | 2 Comments

The Journey Home – Ezra 2

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Mark Shields

In Ezra 2, God’s people who had been exiled in Babylon return on the 800 mile journey back home to Jerusalem. Almost 50,000 people return to their homeland. They had been through tough times, away from their homeland a long time, and they must have been concerned about what it would look like when they returned. What would their old town, neighborhood, or home look like after all these years?

I’ve returned to a home I was raised in as a child. What were small trees as a child were now large. In some cases, the trees didn’t exist at all which allowed space for my dog Sport and I to run around and play. After many years away, things change. The only thing that doesn’t change is God’s love for us and how He carries those that trust Him, who follow His will, and aim to glorify His name. The exiles give us a good example to follow because when they arrived back home, the first thing they did was start collecting resources to rebuild His Temple.

This day with God will be amazing because it will be another day of this journey through life. The Lord will hold onto us; guiding us through safely to the mansion and room saved for us in His holy city. Along the way, why not invite others along as we journey home together.

Let us pray that we follow His will, aim for His glory, and depend on His assistance.

Questions for Reflection – Ezra 1-3 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The time Between the Old and New Testament (Part 2) (sistersforchrist.wordpress.com)
1 Peter 1:1 – Elect Exiles of the Dispersion (readingacts.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Babylon, Exiled in Babylon, Ezra, God, God’s Assistance, God’s Glory, God’s Love for Us, God’s Will, Holy City, Israel, Jerusalem, Journey Home, Journey Home from Babylon, Lord, Neighborhood, Second Temple, Temple | 3 Comments

God’s Word is Powerful – Ezra 1

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Mark Shields

God’s Word is powerful in human life. Because of the Word found in Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to let the exiles return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. The Temple had been destroyed in 586 B.C. and in 516 B. C. it had been rebuilt.

As the journey now goes into Ezra 1, a priest and scribe named Ezra encourages the returned-exiles in the building of the temple. He teaches them how they are to worship God and follow his law in restoring the religious community at Jerusalem.

Jesus told us that we are all God’s Temple so today we continue to build the Temple of God. Everyone has a skill and is useful for God’s purposes so in prayer today, lift up those you know that are on God’s team; other Christians including co-workers, neighbors, and family members. Ask God for others to join His team and that He may them for His glory.

We serve one great God with one purpose and one spirit. I’d like to share this video with you: How Great is Our God – Chris Tomlin.

This day with God will be amazing because He’s there with us to fix problems at work and home. My hope is that this video gives some inspiration, worship, and offers some pick-me-up to your day. Each believer has talents and skills to offer. What one lacks will be made up for in another and together there are no limits.