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

Questions for Reflection – Ezra 1-3

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Mark Shields

I’ve finished traveling through Matthew. Along the journey, I noticed how Matthew presented Jesus Christ as the Messiah long promised by God. The Christian faith is built on records that prove and link the Old and New Testaments; God’s purposes throughout the centuries.

For the next few weeks, the journey takes me into the Old Testament book of Ezra. There is a reading plan below. On the first day of each block of reading, the passage will be read using the question(s) to help in study and thought. Inspirational illustrations, sermon points, and pictures will be sought; anything that helps apply the passage to daily life at home or work. Quotes that inspire action or videos will also be searched. I will pray for my day ahead; for my family, church, and job. I will ask God for a plan of action after reading and studying each day’s reading.

On day two of each block of reading, the passage from the day before will be read again and checked by studying the heart. Thoughts, ideas, remarks, praises, or lessons learned that may help in life will be sought after. Some thought will be put into what to pray for that day. It might be for what plan of action to take or to write a single thought that crystallizes the passage.

Ezra 1
Passage Lookup

Who responds to the call to rebuild the house of God? Whom does God use to accomplish his purposes in history? Why? How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in the groups I’m a part of?

Ezra 2
Passage Lookup

How many people make the 800-mile trip? What happens when the people arrive at the site of the house of the Lord?

Ezra 3
Passage Lookup

What is the first united activity of the Israelites after they return? The returned exiles resume a detailed schedule of offerings and sacrifices. What motive prompts you to repent and worship? What managerial principles are used for laying the foundation of the temple?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’ve learned that spiritual growth is a daily process that requires continuous effort. Each day with God has fresh insight into how to play a part in His overall plan. He’s alive to help us now and into the future. Christ the difference maker assures that every struggle faced can be overcome.

Thanks for keeping me accountable to sharing my journey. Check up on my posts over the next week as I share some thoughts about each passage. My prayer is that some of the thoughts or ideas that come from the study and reflection can be applied to our own life.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978

Ezra (tylersheart.wordpress.com)
All I am, have and love is His, not mine! (tljax.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Book of Ezra, Christ, Christianity, Church, Ezra, Family, God, Job, Lessons Learned, Messiah, Old Testament, Spiritual Journey, United Methodist Church | 2 Comments

Sermon Outline – What Makes an Awesome Mom?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Mark Shields

Moms are always honored in the Bible. They matter because they have such an awesome capacity to bless their little ones and to continue to bless them as they grow into adults to become parents themselves. I liked the funny Mothers Day card examples Pastor Steve read. One card said, “Mom, take it easy today. Lay on the couch and rest. Be like Dad for a day”.

Below is the outline from the sermon message. One idea might be to use this outline or write notes from your church’s sermon message and go through them in a small group. Sermon outlines can also be used if you get together with an accountability partner or with a small Bible Study group. You are welcome to view podcast of sermons at this Link.

AN AWESOME EXAMPLE

“Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34b (NLT)

“And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)

AN AWESOME FOUNDATION

“I have loved you the way My Father has loved Me. Make yourselves at home in My love.” John 15:9 (MSG)

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

AN AWESOME PURPOSE

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.” Ps 115:1 (NIV)

“Children are a gift from the Lord;….” Ps 127:3a (NLT)

AN AWESOME POWER

“We love, because He first loves us.” 1 John 4:19(NIV)

“I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

The main thought that I got from the sermon message is that awesome Moms have the capacity to reflect who Christ is. When they live out the love that He has for us, they give us examples to follow which affects choices children make. These choices then affect what we become when we are age 17 or 97. Here’s a video that highlights God’s love: Your Love – Brandon Heath. My hope is that it will give inspiration for your day.

The Road to Inspiration (kingskidneal.wordpress.com)
Candy Wrappers and the Love of Christ – A Sermon on John 15:9-17; Easter 6B (interruptingthesilence.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Bible, Christ, God, Mother | 11 Comments

God’s Plan For Us – Matthew 28

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Mark Shields

In spite of all the precautions, the tomb could not hold Jesus. As presented to us in Matthew 28, on the third day after the crucifixion, Jesus had risen just as He had said with instructions for the disciples to meet Him at Galilee.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee and Jesus told them His last command in verse 19-20; “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus’ resurrection makes a big difference in our daily living because as mentioned above, God is near us at all times. By accepting Jesus as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing! The first seven paragraphs at this link: God’s Plan for Us gives a summary of why Jesus died for us.

Pastor Steve said in a sermon once at my church that Christ had a mission and was fully engaged in that mission. We too have a mission and that is to help others know about Christ. The empty tomb created a void that now fills the heart with joy for those that believe. This joy provides momentum which pushes to invite others to join God’s plan for us.

Today’s video provides an inspiring good ending to my journey through Matthew. Just click here He’s Alive – David Phelps or on the video below.

This day with God will be amazing because He gives insight into how to play a part in His overall plan and He’s alive to help us now and into the future.

Jesus Gives the Great Commission (dailybibleplan.com)
Evidence that Jesus rose from the dead… (andrewejenkins.wordpress.com)
A Cowering Community – April 15, 2012 – John 20: 19 – 31 (prissiesissie.wordpress.com)
Matthew 28 (thechristiangazette.wordpress.com)
The Great Co-Mission (atruediscipleofchrist.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Christ, David Phelps, Empty Tomb, Galilee, God, Gospel of Matthew, He’s Alive, Holy Spirit, Matthew 28, Risen Christ | 3 Comments

God’s Love Keeps Going On and On – Matthew 27:57-66

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Mark Shields

I journey now into Matthew 27:57-66. Reading in the passage, Jesus didn’t have a burial place so it was thought that He would be buried in a place where the very poor were buried but Joseph who was a member of the Council; a good, upright, and wealthy man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He had recently cut out a rock for a tomb so Joseph took the body of Jesus to the tomb and rolled a big stone in front of the entrance.

The chief priests and Pharisees were concerned that the Disciples would steal the body of Jesus and claim that He had risen so they went to Pilate with their concern. Pilate then ordered that the tomb be made as secure as possible by placing a guard in front of the tomb.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, some thought there was no hope but God was just setting up the greatest miracle ever. He set in motion and had recorded in His Word proof of the Resurrection. Jesus would rise and God’s love would create a path for all. His love is like a stream that keeps flowing and when confronted with hearts that are sometimes as hard as a rock, the stream wins–not through strength but by His never ending love. My hope is that this video will inspire this thought of God’s never ending love for us. Just click on this link: On and On – Chasen or on the video below.

Sometimes we might think there is no hope but each day we wake up, we can still dream and believe because God’s love keeps flowing like a never ending stream. Today, I’m praying that I become aware of areas in my life where I’m holding back from God because of my lack of faith. I’m praying that my thoughts are not that the risen Christ message seems unbelievable but believable.

The Risen Christ Triumphs Over Evil (frted.wordpress.com)
The Cross And The Empty Tomb (chanmunwai.wordpress.com)
Matthew 27: Wondering What Happened on Saturday (christiansread.wordpress.com)
9th inning, two out, down three runs (justifiedjournal.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Body of Jesus, Faith, God, Hope, Jesus, Love, Pharisees, Pilate, Resurrection | 2 Comments

Thoughts of the Cross – Matthew 27:27-56

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

Jesus went through tremendous emotional and physical stress leading up to this point. He has gone through several days without sleep and had gone through a through an exhausting trial. Once He was handed over to be crucified as explained in Matthew 27:27-56, a crown of thorns was placed on His head which penetrated the skin causing blood to flow down from his head to the rest of his body. The soldiers spit on Jesus and took a club to his head. He was forced to carry a heavy wooden cross for a long distance to the execution site. His hands and feet were nailed to the wooden cross. The weight of His body hung on the nails till He suffered and died in agony.

In thinking about the crucifixion, it inspires us to be more disciplined in our spiritual growth. Everyone needs a space to meet with God on a regular basis. That’s why I started “This Day with God” devotional; to use as a tool for spiritual growth. It’s a mobile spiritual tool so that God’s Word can be read and thoughts can be shared. Today, God may be telling you something in His Word that you haven’t started doing yet. Pray for ideas that may help initiate action and receive inspiration by what happened at the Cross.

Spiritual growth is a daily process that requires continuous effort but the endeavor is slight compared to the regret one might feel if they never started in the first place. The way that Jesus was willing to die for us should change our attitude. I hope the video below will inspire in your efforts today. Simply click on this link: Lead Me to the Cross – Hillsong or on the video below.

This day with God can be amazing because we can read blogs, learn and grow in faith, praise God, and pray for direction directly from our computer, smart phone, or iPad.