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

Watch and Listen – Matthew 24:29-51

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Mark Shields

My Pastor, Steve Ramsdell said in a sermon once that God speaks in various ways – visions, dreams, and life’s circumstances, even through other people. Believe it or not, most of all, God speaks through the Bible. For other points made in sermons, visit this link: Sermon Podcast.

In Matthew 24:29-42, Jesus talks to the disciples about the future; giving a lesson by using the example of a fig tree. Like the leaves coming out on a fig tree before summer, so is the certainty of Jerusalem’s destruction. The Earth will pass away but God’s Word will endure so it’s important to watch and listen.

Then the Lord begins to speak of his second coming. The only definite “sign” Jesus gives of when this will happen is when the gospel of the kingdom is preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (verse 14). We should be on alert at all times and be prepared for when Jesus comes or calls.

I led a small group one summer and this link documents our study: God’s Plan for Us. The top part is for anyone that would like to accept God’s plan or reaffirm their “YES” for Christ. It also has links to some other writings I’ve posted.

This day with God, expect His presence all the time because God can be present in the things we read, the experiences we go through, or the people we meet.

Click on the piano piece above or at this link: In The Garden: Norm Hastings, Piano. Spend a few minutes in silence, putting away the cares and concerns and noise of the day; listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Reflect on God’s Word. What lesson is God teaching? Think about what you may pray for today. Is there a plan of action God is giving you today?

Today, I’m thinking about what I can do to remind myself to have thoughts about God and talk to him more often throughout the day? I pray that you do the same. This day will be amazing because we can share our thoughts and ideas even though we are many miles apart.

Things don’t happen by accident. Look around… God is present and making things happen. Like planting a seed and seeing what comes out of the ground, plant God’s word in the thoughts of others and see what grows to feed souls.

Expect God’s Presence All The Time – Ezekiel 44 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Matthew 23-24 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
And then, after Holy Week… (bodytheologyblog.wordpress.com)
A Season for Exploding (thejohn15life.wordpress.com)
Music Monday: Take your Seat! (ponderingbylaurie.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Bible, Christ, Dreams, Food for Souls, God, God's Presence, Gospel of Matthew, HolySpirit, Jerusalem, Lessons, Life Circumstances, Sermon, Visions | Leave a comment

Be Prepared Always – Matthew 24:1-28

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

The sign of Jesus’ return and the end of the age in the world is told in Matthew 24:1-28. Jesus tells the disciples that many will try to deceive and claim to be the Christ. They will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famine and earthquakes. Christians will be persecuted and put to death. There will be many that turn away from their faith.

When times get difficult, many want to give in but it’s important to stay in the light. Here’s a video to give inspiration: Stay – Jeremy Camp.

Burdens can be heavy so the challenge is to continue to be disciplined and stay in the light. Let us take note and be prepared always. Discipline weighs only ounces compared to regret which weighs tons. Let us stand firm and put God’s will first in our life – in our relationships, in our families, and in our finances. This day with God, make it a part of your prayer to stay in the light. No matter what happens in life, God loves you and that is all that matters.

Matthew 23-24 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Christ’s Love creates unity out of our diversity (bummyla.wordpress.com)
King Jesus (adeliberateexcursion.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Difficulty, Discipline, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jeremy Camp, Jesus, Matthew, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a comment

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.