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

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.

Questions for Reflection – Ezra 1-3 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Guest Post: Teamwork! (commonsenseprovidence.com)
Total Devotion (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezra | Tagged Amazing, Chris Tomlin, Christianity, Cyrus, Ezra, God, God’s Word, Inspiration, Jeremiah, Jerusalem, Jesus, Law, Lord, Persia, Pick-Me-UP, Prayer, Skills, Talents, Team, Teamwork, Temple, Together, Worship | Leave a comment

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?

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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.