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

God Strengthens – Ezekiel 48

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Mark Shields

The name Ezekiel means “God strengthens” and as spiritual watchman, Ezekiel gives predictions and promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nation is to be restored. Like the trust of all the tribes in Ezekiel 48 who receive their portion of land, we must trust that God will give each of us a special place in His plan. As believers, our strength comes from God who is with us in life, in death, and forever.

I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to fulfill our purpose and make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us is a page called “Purpose” which is about fulfilling God’s purpose. No matter what happens in life, know that God loves you and that is all that matters.

Appreciate that you have the benefit of being a child of God. Rest and be assured that God has either found or will find a place for you in His plan. He will be present in defining moments of your life to carry you. Here is a video that affirms this truth: He will Carry You – Gaither Vocal Band.

Ezekiel 47- 48 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Call of God (lepages.wordpress.com)
Defending the Sheep and Contending for the faith (messianicway.wordpress.com)
I Know and I Remember (thetestofthecross.wordpress.com)
What Jesus Teaches Us About the Heart – -mark 7:6-23 (verticalviewer.wordpress.com)
Encountering God in this Season of Lent (sarahhollinger.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, Ezekiel, Gaither Vocal Band, God, God Strengthens, HolySpirit, Israel, Jesus, religion & spirituality | Leave a comment

Grace Brings Victory – Ezekiel 47

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Mark Shields

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Things can be made right; inner peace, laughter, and no stress. Freedom is waiting and the healing begins when we fall on our knees knowing grace brings victory.

In Ezekiel 47, the waters flow from the Temple of God to provide food for the soul and healing. The waters signify the gospel of Christ which will spread far to nourish all that believe. All need some Good News and reading blogs from fellow Christians is one tool that can accomplish this. If you read or watch the news, about 99% of what you hear is negative like crime, wrecks, fires, etc. but we don’t hear about the answered prayers.

We went through a drought in Texas last summer. It was so dry that fires would easily start if the wind got up; destroying homes, ranches, and livelihoods. Our church prayed for rain; for the farmers and ranchers who needed rain for their crops and livestock. God brought that healing rain and all of us at sometime in life will need God’s healing power.

Our mind and body are in constant need for healing. Videos that inspire, lift up, and provide positive food for the soul are ones that I value. Just like this one: Healing Begins – Tenth Avenue North.

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This day with God, I’m making a mental list of people that need healing and asking God for his therapeutic power. May His Word provide food for the mind; His Son supply light for growth and health.

Ashes: Dying to Sin (variegatedvision.wordpress.com)
A Baptism That Saves (gladlylistening.wordpress.com)
It’s the Water — A Lectionary Reflection (bobcornwall.com)
Called to Be Faithful, Not Successful by Mark D. Roberts (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Baptism, Christ, Christian, Ezekiel, God, Health, Holy Spirit, HolySpirit, Jesus, Prayer, Texas | Leave a comment

Ezekiel 47- 48 Questions for Reflection

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

Over the last few chapters of Ezekiel, I’ve learned that the real way to measure effective leadership is not what benefits the present but what affects a positive direction for the future in our families, businesses, organizations, and society in general. I’ve also learned that I need to pause each day to celebrate with God the free gift He has given us and to use each victory celebration as a stepping stone to even greater joy.

I’m looking forward now to sharing about my journey through Ezekiel 47-48 because it gives some great lessons about inner peace and the healing we receive when we fall on our knees with praise. We have been given the opportunity of being a child of God and can be assured that there is a place for all of us in God’s plan.

I will use the questions below to help in my thoughts as I share over the next two posts.

Ezekiel 47
Passage Lookup

How do you account for the origin, direction and increase of the water? How is the restoration of the glory of God among his people to affect a barren society and a stagnant religion? Who will share in the inheritance?

Ezekiel 48
Passage Lookup

In the beginning of Ezekiel’s ministry, God left Jerusalem and His people. Why will He return and restore them? On what basis does the city receive its name? Summarize the role Ezekiel has played in fulfilling God’s purpose. What is your place in God’s plan?

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Getting enthused about what you do has to come from within. For me, each day begins with a daily Bible reading and prayer. I’ve never gone to seminary but I’ve been a student of the Bible for nearly thirty years and a volunteer for my church media team for over seven years. Recently, I’ve set out to create a Bible study guide called This Day with God using my background in computers and business with ideas to help individuals get prepared for their day.

My prayer is that the readings, questions above, and the experiences I go through this week will provide some good thoughts to share over the next few posts. I’m praying that the lessons will help not only me but all who read so we can apply them in our activities and conversation as we spend each day with God.

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
Family Times

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Ezekiel, God, HolySpirit, InterVarsity Press, Jerusalem, United Methodist Church | 1 Comment

Celebrate with God – Ezekiel 46

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Mark Shields

Pause each day to celebrate with God the free gift He has given. Use each victory celebration as a stepping stone to even greater joy. In verses 1-10 of Ezekiel 46, there is certain orderliness required before worship. God wants us to be ready and like an athlete that warms up before a game, a musician that gets ready for a concert, or an actor practicing their lines, God wants us to be ready for worship.

There is a certain order before receiving rewards. A person has to see, believe, and then achieve. We vividly imagine what a life is like with God forever, ardently desire that life, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically worship … so it will inevitably come to pass.

Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation. According to Tony Evans, when we follow the plan God has for us, our life is full of purpose and on target. An entire psalm has been dedicated to profiling just how amazing it can be in Psalm 128. Robert H. Schuller said once, “God has prepared for us a bright future because our reward is with Christ.

The ordinances of worship are described in this passage today. We have many duties that God wants from us yet many things He leaves to our choice. One choice to never neglect is our daily time of worship. This day with God, make it a part of your prayer to be organized by making a mental list of who to pray for. As prayers are answered in the days ahead, thank God and make a note to share with others.

Here’s a video to inspire as you celebrate with God: Shout To The Lord – Hillsong.

Ezekiel 44-46 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Praising the God of Possibilities (countingmyblessings.typepad.com)
February 8 – I See His Glory In My Life (lelandfleming.wordpress.com)
Morning Pick-Me-Up (blessednoise.wordpress.com)
The Power of Worship by Blogger Clay Ritter (religionnewswilmington.wordpress.com)
There is No One Like You: Psalm 138 (psalmslife.com)
Renewing Your Heart with LOVE (lamehousewife.wordpress.com)
Don’t Just Thank God, but Praise Him Also (mujrdblog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Ezekiel, God, Israel, Jesus, religion & spirituality, Rewards, Robert H. Schuller | 1 Comment

Positive Direction for the Future – Ezekiel 45

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Mark Shields

The real way to measure effective leadership is not what benefits the present but what affects a positive direction for the future in our families, businesses, organizations, and society in general.

In Ezekiel 45, God is giving instructions for how society should be set up. All people will participate; working together to live in peace, ease, and goodness. There will be a balance of authority between leaders and the people. Leaders will be of integrity and a system will be put in place so that the focus of society is to worship the one true God.

Reading today’s passage, made me think back to a personal experience earlier in my career. I went to technical school to learn about computer programming. After I had secured a job and had been working for a year or so, I was asked about a person who attended the technical school at the same time I did. The person they asked me about was always cheating to get by in class and I just couldn’t give a good recommendation to that applicant. People may think they can cut corners and end up on top but they can’t. At some point in time, the lack of integrity spoils a person’s potential. This video inspires integrity: House of Gold – Gaither Vocal Band.

Pray for your walk with God so that it is one of integrity and know that God’s principles never change. A daily devotional like “This Day with God” internalizes His guiding principles and becomes an instrument which pushes one to focus on Him in every activity throughout your day.