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

Roadblocks We Face

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

English: The Rebuilding of the Temple Is Begun (Ezr. 1:1-11) Русский: Восстановление Храма (Ездры 1:1-11) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the enemies of the returned exiles heard about the rebuilding of the temple, they asked if they could help but their past idol worship was known. The Israelites had absolute confidence in God but didn’t trust their enemies so they told them that they alone would rebuild the temple. This didn’t set too well and an adversarial relationship developed.

We face adversaries in life who don’t want us to succeed. In Ezra 4, the adversaries to those rebuilding Jerusalem wrote a false letter to the king and the good work of rebuilding the Temple was brought to a halt. The good news is that the King of heaven knows everyone’s motives and can shelter us from the storms.

This Day with God can be amazing even during storms of life because a teardrop on earth calls on God for shelter from our storms. The thought from today’s lesson is that difficulties can best be overcome with prayer and by following His will. Spend some time in prayer today and make it a part of your prayer to lift up your leaders and everyone in authority; ask God to give them integrity and wisdom.

Questions for Reflection – Ezra 4-6 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Getting Back to Basics (jonahzsong.wordpress.com)
Grace has been shown from the Lord our God (leadmeintheeverlastingway.com)

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Adversaries, Book of Ezra, Christianity, confidence in god, Difficulties, Ezra, God, Integrity, Israelite, Jerusalem, Leaders, Motives, politics, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, Shelter, Storms, Temple, Wisdom | 6 Comments

Questions for Reflection – Ezra 4-6

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Mark Shields

English: Sunrise. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The first activity of the Israelites after returning from exile was to build the altar of God. We can learn from their example of putting God first. 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. That’s the reason for the reading plan below.

Ezra 4
Passage Lookup

When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard about the rebuilding of the temple, they asked if they could help. Are the Israelites willing to cooperate with the adversaries in fulfilling a command from God? How do the adversaries respond to Israel’s refusal to cooperate? What is the “crowning blow” which frustrates the rebuilding of the city?

Ezra 5
Passage Lookup

How long has the building of the temple been stopped (Darius’ reign begins in 521 B.C.)? To what extent are you willing to invest your time and energies to help Christian friends keep the will of God foremost in their undertakings? To what extent do you rely on God’s timing to fulfill commands he has given?How

Ezra 6
Passage Lookup

What does King Darius add to the Cyrus decree that validates the Israelites and their work on the temple of God? What follows the completion of the house of God? What is the source of the Israelites’ joy? To what extent are you joyful? Why? What is its source?

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Things are not easy but God can help us overcome difficulties and the lessons given in His Word along with prayer, and following His will provide the road map for our journey. Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ because together confidence is increased for every obstacle to be overcome.

Come along with me or check up on my posts next week as I write about my travels through the book of Ezra. I’m praying for understanding as I read and reflect on each block of reading above and share ideas on how we can integrate our faith with our lifestyle. To help us learn how to do the right thing by staying in the light and understanding that God is present in His Word nourishing our thoughts so they grow into food for our souls.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Your friend in Christ,

Mark

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

Pentecost, When God was Obvious (tylersheart.wordpress.com)
Nehemiah 8 – True Worship (kelvinklw.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Altar of God, Book of Ezra, Celebration, Christ, Christianity, Difficulties, Ezra, Faith, God, God First, Israel, Israelite, Lessons, Light, Obstacles, Prayer, Road Map, United Methodist Church, Work | 5 Comments

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.