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

Stepping Up to the Plate

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Mark Shields

The center of attention in baseball or softball is home plate. For the pitcher to throw a strike, it has to be thrown within the strike zone which is in a certain area over home plate. Runs are scored for the team when team members cross home plate. The center of our attention as a Christian is Jesus Christ. In every book of the Bible, Jesus is revealed to us. From beginning to end, the Bible is about God’s love for us.

This past week at my church, Pastor Wayne’s message was from John 19:28-42. We read that the mission of Jesus was complete (v. 30). At the time of Jesus’ death, it seemed like the agony of “defeat” but we know now that this defeat has turned into victory on this Good Friday. For more inspiring messages, here is a Podcast of sermons: Link.

Two characters stand out in John 19:28-42. They are Joseph and Nicodemus who were at one time secret followers of Jesus. Joseph had feared the Jews (v. 39) and Nicodemus who earlier met with Jesus only in the secret of the night because of fear (v. 39). But now we see these two step up to the plate. They go before Pilate to ask him for the body of Jesus.

It took guts to take the risk they took and sometimes we have to take some risk to stand up for Jesus. It’s not always easy to live on Monday like it was Sunday but it makes a big impact when we do. Here’s a video of an inspiring true story that took place a few years ago: Sara Tucholsky – An Inspiring Softball Story.

Is there someone you know that needs some help touching all the bases to make it home to Jesus?

Clandestine Christian (tammykennington.wordpress.com)
Why Did Nicodemus Wait Until the Cover of Dark to Visit Jesus? (vineandbranchworldministries.com)
Off The Bench (thoughtfulbeliever.wordpress.com)
Competitive Sports and Faith (lsendow.wordpress.com)
Why I Love Baseball. Oh, Let Me Count the Ways. (sarahlynnpablo.wordpress.com)
Overcoming Obstacles (dailybibleplan.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Baseball, Bible, Christian, Courage, Good Friday, Jesus Christ, Nicodemus, Sara Tucholsky, Softball | Leave a comment

Recognize Excellence – Matthew 23:29-39

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Mark Shields

Reading in Matthew 23:29-39, the teachers of the law and Pharisees didn’t recognize Jesus as Messiah. The Savior was ready to receive them but they were too proud and unbelieving. They continued with their old ways and didn’t become acquainted with the new ideas Jesus was presenting.

The teachings of Christ focus on the unseen qualities and put attention on the inside and not the outside. One way to work at strengthening the inside is by taking in thoughts of kindness, tolerance, and teamwork; then mixing these with discipline.

This day with God will be amazing because He will help me plan the right things for my day and right activities will fall into place. There will be songs, pictures, and people I notice that will help explain the Spirit of God. Here is one example: Here is Our King – David Crowder Band.

I’m praying for more blogs, videos, pictures or examples that help explain about God and for the discipline to make a note so I can share with others.

Matthew 23-24 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
They took counsel how to put him to death (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
New Passion Project from Chris Tomlin (lifefm1079.wordpress.com)
What happened when Jesus died (wordsofgrace.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Activities, Christ, David Crowder Band, Discipline, Focus on God, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Kindness, Matthew, Messiah, Pharisee, Pictures, Planning, Share with Others, Songs, Teachings of Christ, Teamwork, Tolerance, Unseen Qualities | Leave a comment

Practicing What One Preaches – Matthew 23:1-28

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Mark Shields

The scribes and Pharisees didn’t practice what they preached in Matthew 23:1-28. On the outside, they looked great because of what they wore and the places they went. But on the inside, they were full of greed, self-indulgence, and hypocrisy. They put unobtainable requirements before the people and were enemies to the gospel of Christ thus preventing salvation of souls. They practiced the parts of God’s law that was easy for them to obtain but neglected the more important matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

It’s how we live each and every day that matters. Like an eagle in the sky, we spread our wings of faith and soar in life by meshing how we live with what we believe. Jesus teaches how to integrate our faith with our lifestyle. Here’s a video that inspires this way of living: How You Live – Point of Grace.

This day with God, I’m praying for humility and for taking action on what I advocate. Each day can be amazing because of the power of prayer which allows us to speak to the ONE who already has the answer.

Attract-o-gusting | Matthew 23:1-12 | 125 (commonmansbiblejourney.wordpress.com)
Being Good Does Not Save You! (footsoldiers4christ.wordpress.com)
Are You “A Christian” Or Are You “Christian”? (stevensawyer.wordpress.com)
“Those Pharisaical Pharisees” – Men Who Should Have Known Better!! (verticalviewer.wordpress.com)
Matthew 12:1-23 (wiseasking.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Applied Faith, Christ, Christianity, God, Gospel of Matthew, Holy Spirit, Humility, Jesus, Justice, Matthew, Mercy, Pharisee, Prayer, Salvation | 1 Comment

Matthew 23-24 Questions for Reflection

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mark Shields

Each day with God can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down.

In my readings of Matthew 21-22, I’ve found that there is great power in letting faith arise. This invisible and intangible power can never be taken away; a valued possession that helps us get places and accomplish things that matter. I’ve learned to take action on what the true need is and that it takes courage to do the right thing especially when there are those against us that are going to criticize no matter what.

Those against us say that Biblical principles are not practical in present times but I’ve found just the opposite and by yielding to a Godly perspective day in and day out, we are set free. Not only does the gospel message have a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it but there is real integrity with no need for manipulation.

I’m looking forward now to sharing about my journey through Matthew 23-24. The readings below will be used as a guide or map and the questions will be used to stimulate thought over the next four posts. For a guide of other devotionals along my journey, visit this page: Questions for Reflection.

Matthew 23:1-28
Passage Lookup

In what ways do the scribes and Pharisees oppress the people? Why? What images describe the Pharisees’ actions and attitudes? What hypocrisy is revealed by each? Why?

Matthew 23:29-39
Passage Lookup

To what extent do you believe you would have recognized Jesus as Messiah in Jerusalem at this time? How are you responding to his words now?

Matthew 24:1-28
Passage Lookup

What will precede the end of the age in the world? In the church itself? What image is used of the Roman conquest? How do you know you will be saved?

Matthew 24:29-42
Passage Lookup

How certain is Jerusalem’s destruction? What metaphor illustrates its imminent certainty? How differently do you live if you know for sure that Christ is coming back in your generation? Are you prepared to meet Him?

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Come along on my journey or check up on my posts over the next couple of weeks as I write about my travels through the book of Matthew. I’m praying for Jesus the Teacher to help me understand and share 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.

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

Matthew 21-22 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Christ, Faith, Free, God, Gospel of Matthew, Integrity, Jerusalem, Jesus, Matthew, Pharisee, Power, United Methodist Church | 7 Comments

Jesus is Tested – Matthew 22:15-45

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Mark Shields

The Pharisees Question Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it. There is real integrity and no need for manipulation. As I journey through Matthew 22:15-45, I noticed how the Pharisees planned to trap Jesus with contradictory words thus damaging the integrity of His teachings. Jesus answers their tough questions about paying taxes and resurrection. Then the Sadducees got their chance to question Jesus. The first question was what is the greatest command? The second was whose son is the Christ? In each answer to their question, Jesus baffles these religious leaders with His profound knowledge and crystal-clear answers.

The truth is clear. In the book Game Plan for Life by Joe Gibbs, one of the team writers named Ravi Zacharias writes, “In real terms, the New Testament is easily the best attested ancient writing in terms of the sheer number of documents, the time span between the events and the document, and the variety of documents available to sustain or contradict it. There is nothing in ancient manuscript evidence to match such textual availability and integrity”.

This day with God, make it a part of your prayer to ask for help in your walk with Him. Be thankful for the integrity of the Gospel writings. As my pastor, Steve Ramsdell said once in a sermon message, “Christ Jesus does what He promises to do. You can find all the bones of religious leaders except for one because He has risen.” Encourage, build up, and humbly pray for growth in the people you are around each day. Get across that no matter what happens in life, God loves them and that is all that matters.