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

Matthew 21-22 Questions for Reflection

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Mark Shields

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Each day with God can be amazing because the pathway set before us leads to that which is pure and good and lovely.

In my readings of Matthew 19-20, I’ve noticed that people are drawn to Jesus because of His passion for what He does and because He loves fulfilling His purpose; able to get inside those He teaches and motivate them to learn. People that want to learn formulate questions and we can be assured that the cross has the answer for them all. I’ve learned that it’s not money that makes us happy but doing God’s work and having others join in that abundantly blesses. The effort brings multiple rewards. We can build momentum for life by integrating our faith with our relationships, our career, and everything we do. God’s Word gives us step by step instructions for a meaningful life.

I’m looking forward now to sharing about my journey through Matthew 21-22. I expect to share about how powerful faith can be if we apply the Word of God and take action as we yield to a Godly perspective each day. The questions below will be used as a guide over the next four posts.

Matthew 21:1-22
Passage Lookup

To what extent do the people recognize who Jesus is? What are the pigeons used for? What causes the disciples to marvel?

Matthew 21:23-46
Passage Lookup

What is the issue? To what extent do you respect God’s Son? Why? Since God made you to live forever, what is the one thing you should stop doing and the one thing you should start doing today?

Matthew 22:1-14
Passage Lookup

What are wedding clothes? What are the requirements of being chosen? What is the main idea presented in this reading?

Matthew 22:15-45
Passage Lookup

What is the intention of these questions? Distinguish the Pharisees’ intention (verse 15) and response (verse 22). Can love of God and love of others be mutually exclusive? Why? What is the Messiah’s relationship with David (See PS 110:1)?

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The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it. My prayer is that the readings, questions above, and the experiences we go through this week will encourage thought in ways to apply God’s Word in our 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

Matthew 19-20 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
March 12 – Is It Okay To Ever Become Angry As A Christian? (lelandfleming.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged God, Gospel of Matthew, InterVarsity Press, Jesus, Matthew, Messiah, Pharisees, United Methodist Church | 7 Comments

Integrating Faith and Our Actions – Matthew 20:17-34

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Mark Shields

Jesus tells the disciples in Matthew 20:17-34 that he would be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They would condemn him to death and turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.

Jesus prepared for everything He would have to go through. He explains that earthly rulers exercise authority and others serve them but the ruler of the spiritual kingdom must be a servant. Jesus demonstrated this while on earth as He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

In Matthew 20:29-34, Jesus continued to demonstrate that He practices what He preaches by having compassion and healing two blind men in this passage. He would endure by faith until the end of His earthly life with passion but was raised to life on the third day!

A lesson for me in reading this passage is that we should put God’s will first in our life. This allows us to build momentum throughout life by integrating our faith with our relationships, our career, finances, and everything we do. God’s Word gives us step by step instructions to plan and build a meaningful life. Take inspiration from this video: What Can I Do – Paul Baloche.

Are you praying for a miracle today? Believe this day with God will be amazing because He will help us plan the right things for our day and things will fall into place.

Actions Speak Loud! (freedministries.wordpress.com)
There’s No Such Thing as Faith Without Works (livinghislegacy.wordpress.com)
Matthew 19-20 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Jesus the Great Connector (carolynpriesterjones.org)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Applying Faith, Christianity, Gentile, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Matthew, Paul Baloche, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a comment

Reward for Working in the Vineyard – Matthew 20:1-16

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

My Pastor, Steve Ramsdell once made a point in a sermon that there are huge dividends for doing God’s work. God’s bank never goes broke and there are rewards for encouraging others. In Christ, there is a reward and your needs will be met.

The piano piece at this link In The Garden: Norm Hastings, Piano helped me with focus and reflection as I read the passage. You may want to click as you read and think about what you may pray for today. Is there a plan of action God is giving you today?

Like the workers who didn’t know about the work the landowner had until later in the day in Matthew 20:1-16, many do not hear the gospel message and join into God’s work until later in life. Also, from the passage we learn that once called into God’s work, everyone receives the same reward. For all that accept Christ as Savior, the reward will be infinitely greater than deserved and all will be equally happy forever in the kingdom of heaven.

What is implied in today’s passage is that no one can work their way to heaven. Christ is our bridge to help us cross over; providing a path to follow right now and take us home to victory.

Many think that money will make them happy but it’s doing God’s work and having others join in that abundantly blesses. The effort brings multiple rewards. This day with God, think of someone you would like to invite to help in God’s vineyard. Ask for plans that will make a difference in the lives of people, pray for insight into how best to do it, and be thankful for the opportunity to do His work.

Matthew 19-20 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Matthew 10:1-20 (wiseasking.wordpress.com)
Paid for Doing Nothing | Matthew 20:1-16 | 112 (commonmansbiblejourney.wordpress.com)
Saturday, February 25, 2012@Matthew 20-22 (phyllisbenigas.wordpress.com)
The First Last, And The Last First (shirlblake.com)
Dim Sum – Meritocracy vs the Grace of God (ptl2010.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, Gospel of Matthew, HolySpirit, Jesus, Matthew, religion & spirituality, Reward | 4 Comments

The Young Rich Man’s Question – Matthew 19:16-30

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Mark Shields

Those who neglect to ask questions many times end up where they didn’t want to go. In seeking answers to questions, we can be assured that the cross has the answer for them all. Like the young rich man did in Matthew 19:16-30, ask questions and seek answers.

Reflect on God’s lessons from His Word and experiences of life. Think about what you may pray for today. One issue might be to pray for your nation. Pray for government leaders, church leaders, leaders of families, school teachers, and leaders at places of work. Be thankful that each day with God is amazing because we can meet with Him; in every activity, every conversation, every problem, and even every thought.

The great baseball player, Yogi Berra said once “if you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else”. We can be thankful that in seeking answers to questions, the cross answers them all. Here’s a video about knowing who to follow in preparing to lead others: I Will Follow – Maranatha Singers.

When I was leading a small group a while back, one study dealt with this question presented by the rich young man in Matthew 19:16, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” We spent several months researching and writing a document on God’s plan for us. At the end of the document is a place for a signature where one can make a first time commitment or reaffirm their commitment to Jesus Christ. Here is a link to a part of the document along with some other writings I’ve submitted: God’s Plan for Us.

Matthew 19-20 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Are You a Good Person? (truthexploration.wordpress.com)
Open your mind (Part 2) (christianpf.com)
5 Keys of Biblical Leadership, Key One: Why Are You Here? (matthewclyde.wordpress.com)
120116 – George Hach’s Journal – Monday (georgehachmyblog.wordpress.com)
Renew Our Minds, Lord (affinityforlife.wordpress.com)
In our wildest dreams (treeparker.wordpress.com)
Knee Pads (mygraceissufficient.wordpress.com)

Posted in Matthew | Tagged God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Leadership, Matthew, Teacher, Yogi Berra | Leave a comment

Exceptional Teacher – Matthew 19:1-15

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Mark Shields

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber ...

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An exceptional teacher doesn’t take criticism too seriously but just has a passion for what they do and loves being who they are. They really get inside the learner and motivate. Picture the scene in Matthew 19:1-15 as crowds would flock to be in the presence of Christ. Since people were drawn to Jesus, shouldn’t they be drawn to us? As my Pastor Steve Ramsdell said once in a sermon, “Jesus can shape us to be the people we need to be”. For more inspiring sermon messages, visit at this link: Sermon Podcast.

As pointed out in Matthew 19, Jesus left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him. Then some Pharisees wanted to question Jesus about divorce hoping they could force him to contradict the Law of Moses but Jesus was able to skillfully teach about the divine ideal for marriage.

Later in the passage, Jesus teaches the disciples that children are welcome to come to him for prayer. In Jesus’ day, little children were thought of as a hindrance to a spiritual leader like Jesus so the disciples rebuked those that brought their children to Him. Jesus demonstrated more love and tenderness than the best of his disciples by letting the children come to him so He could pray for them.

Click on this link if you would like: In The Garden: Norm Hastings, Piano to help with focus and reflection. Think about what you may pray for today. Is there a plan of action God is giving you today?

God gives insight into how to play a part in a preferred future and gives plans to make a difference in society. This day with God, make it a part of your prayer to lift up those close to you; maybe a spouse or children. Pray for grandchildren, a niece, nephew, or another child you know. This day with God will be amazing because like jumper cables that recharge one battery from another, we can be the link that connects the power of God to people. We can get interested in them, make them happy, and empower them.