As Easy As Obeying

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

This month, I’m back operating our church computer at the 10:50 service for the media group. We display slides for announcements, music, and the sermon message for each service. Below is an outline from the message for Sunday May 6th. There is also a podcast at this Link.

BELIEVING LEADS TO OBEYING

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life.” John 20:31 (NLT)

OBEYING LEADS TO A NEW FRAME OF_REFERENCE

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the flood waters rise and winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on a rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT)

A NEW FRAME OF REFERENCE CREATES TRUST IN OUR GUIDE

“When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to the crowd, He said, ‘I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel.’ ” Matthew 8:10 (NLT)

TRUSTING OUR GUIDE COMES WITH A PROMISE

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs:3:5 (NIV)

THE PROMISE COMES WITH A QUESTION? WHO WILL I TRUST?

“After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t recognize his voice.” John 10:4-5 (NLT)

AS EASY AS: FOLLOWING – BELIEVING – OBEYING

What I got from the message is that Christ made things simple. We don’t have to follow laws and rules but simply accept an invitation to follow Him. Being a Christian is as easy as following, believing, and obeying. By accepting His guidance and doing what He says, we have better relationships, families, and careers. There are many voices to listen to but trusting in the Word as your guide is the real voice of truth. Here’s a video to inspire or give a lift for your day.

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Doing Right – Matthew 27:11-26

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

The journey now takes us to Matthew 27:11-26. The governor named Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “Yes, it is as you say”. (v. 11) Pilate was reluctant to authorize the crucifixion because he didn’t know of a crime that Jesus had committed and his wife had sent him a message to not judge against Jesus. He gave the crowd of people an opportunity to release one of the prisoners but the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to release Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate washed his hands in front of the crowd to signify to them that he would take no responsibility for the death of Jesus but the crowd answered that the death of Jesus would be their responsibility. Pilate then released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Pilate had to do something that went against his better judgment simply to please those he led. Being a leader is difficult at times. There are questions that need to be asked and thought put into the effects of decisions. It’s best to understand that a public-opinion poll is no substitute for praying and asking God for help in the tough decisions that have to be made.

Reading today’s passage has helped me remember an idea Rick Warren suggested in his book “The Purpose Driven Life”. The idea is to keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned as you go through life. Write down the insights and life lessons God teaches you about Him, about you, about life, relationships, and everything else. Record these so you can review and remember them and pass them on to the next generation.

As I go through each passage and before I write each post on this blog, I’ll spend some time researching, reflecting, and trying to find ways each passage can be applied to my daily life. I’ll usually listen to an uplifting song or video while I write. Here’s one I used for today. Just click the video below or at this link: Forgiven – Sanctus Real. As you review and reflect on today’s reading, ask yourself – what areas of my life do I need to trust God most?

Today, I’m praying for leaders around the world. It’s not easy being a leader so I’m praying for church leaders, leaders at my work place, and government leaders. I’m also praying for school administrators and teachers around the world. I’m also praying for my own decisions and actions because nothing is too big for God to handle or too small for Him to be interested in. This day with God, I’m praying that He will help plan the right things for my day, for your day and that things will fall into place for an amazing day.

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Treasure in the Arms of Christ – Matthew 27:1-10

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Mark Shields

Each day with God is a fresh start because we are forgiven. It can be a great day because Christ the difference maker can turn broken yesterdays into amazing tomorrows. We are all a treasure in the arms of Christ.

As we read in Matthew 27:1-10, the priests and elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death but they lacked authority to execute anyone so they took Jesus to the governor named Pilate. We also read about Judas who was so anguished for betraying innocent Jesus that he hanged himself.

Like Judas, we all regret some actions we’ve taken in our past but the good news for us is that there is a way to fix a broken past by sharing the lessons learned. They become examples of how receiving Christ can change a broken past and turn them into an amazing future.

It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! Christ is our bridge to help us cross over; providing a path to follow right now and take us home to victory. At this link: God’s Plan for Us, I go into more detail about this plan.

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Matthew 27 Questions for Reflection

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Mark Shields

Over the last couple of weeks, my spiritual journey has taken me through Matthew 26. I’m going slower through these chapters because there are so many lessons to be learned that we can apply in our own life as well as share with others. In Matthew 26, I learned more about communion; how it focuses our attention on the Gospel message which consistently links the old with new and unifies Christians; providing the perfect source for inspiration now and forever.

I read about how prayer gave Jesus strength. Jesus was in great mental anguish at Gethsemane but each time He goes to pray during the night, he returns stronger. He worked His heart out for us until the final victory on the cross. I learned that like Peter, we just can’t do it all on our own. We need to lighten the load by taking in more of Jesus and emptying out our own desires. Then we will gain the energy needed to be all God wants us to be.

Matthew 27 also has many lessons so I will again go slower in order to break down the chapter into blocks of readings with the questions below to help in our thoughts. If you are a new follower or if you would like to look at other readings I’ve analyzed along my spiritual journey, take a look at the tabs at the top. One is called “Questions for Reflection”. The other is called “Index of Devotionals”. 

Matthew 27:1-10
Passage Lookup

Why do you think Judas regrets his action? When have you regretted your actions? Have they been irrevocable?

Matthew 27:11-26
Passage Lookup

What question does Jesus answer? Why is Pilate reluctant to authorize the crucifixion? Who accepts responsibility for Jesus’ death?

Matthew 27:27-56
Passage Lookup

Enumerate the things the soldiers do to Jesus. What signs show that God is at work in the crucifixion? Take a few moments to think about the crucifixion. Does it inspire more discipline in spiritual growth? What have you thought about doing recently to grow spiritually but haven’t done yet?

Matthew 27:57-66
Passage Lookup

Identify Joseph. What precautions against body-snatching does Joseph take? What do the chief priests and Pharisees arrange to have done? Why?

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Each day with God is a fresh start because we are forgiven. It can be an amazing day because Christ the difference maker assures that every struggle faced can be overcome. 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 the progress.  

Check up on my posts over the next few weeks as I share some thoughts about each passage. My prayer is that some of the thoughts or ideas that come from my study and reflection of my journey through Matthew 27 can be applied to your own life.

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

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The Desire to Fulfill the Mission – Matthew 26:57-75

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Mark Shields

The scribes and elders were called to session as explained in Matthew 26:57-75 eager to find false evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death. There were two witnesses that said Jesus had made the statement that he could destroy the temple of God and rebuild it three days. The witnesses didn’t understand what Jesus had meant when He made this statement because in looking at John 2:19-22, what Jesus was referring to was His death and resurrection. The high priest was looking for anything that might deliver a death sentence to Jesus so the charge of blasphemy was handed down.

Earlier in this chapter, Peter said he would die rather than deny Jesus but the actual events reveal something different. Peter followed Jesus from a distance and when asked if he knew Jesus said he didn’t.  Afterwards,  he wept bitterly for denying Him.

What we say and what we do sometimes do not match up because we lack the courage to follow through. Let us distrust our own hearts and rely totally on the Lord. There will be times that we need the favor of God along with a sense of responsibility to fight off our mistakes of the past and our desires for the future.

This day with God, my thoughts are on the desire that Jesus showed in fulfilling His mission. I’m thinking and praying for help in certain areas of my life where I need to take in more of Jesus and empty out my own desires; for the Spirit’s power to empty thoughts about what I want rather than what God wants.

Like Peter, we just can’t do it all on our own. We need to lighten the load by taking in more of Jesus and emptying out our own desires. Then we will gain the energy needed to be all God wants us to be. Here’s a video to inspire your day with this thought in mind: Empty Me – Jeremy Camp.

 

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