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

Time with God – Ezekiel 42

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Mark Shields

god (Photo credit: the|G|™)

At this link, is a piano piece that I’ve found helps me in reflecting on my Bible readings and helps when trying to understand the lessons God is teaching.

Today, I’m reading in Ezekiel 42. A tour of the area which includes the rooms for the Priests is given. These buildings are in close proximity to the temple proper and altar.

Today’s reading emphasizes to me the need to separate the holy and common. There is a need to set aside time to give to the Lord the devotion that is His due; to be in a holy space to pray. Time with God is a special time that we need to plan for each day. We need to think of what to pray for and how to spend our time. Each day with God, we can seek a plan of action from Him. He can give insight into how to play our part in a preferred future and give plans to make a difference in society.

Time spent with God is effective time. Amazing things happen when setting aside time with him. More treasure is found and gold is mined during time spent with God than will ever be taken from the earth. We need to follow the example of Jesus who rose early in the morning to spend His time with God before He spent His time with the “busyness” of His world.

Ezekiel 42-43 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
“Prayer and Perseverance: The Healing of the Dead Girl and Sick Woman.” (joshuacaleb32.wordpress.com)
Ephesians 1 Audience (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
Ezekiel 34 : Woe to the Shepherds (walkinstep.wordpress.com)
busy or scared? (called2teach.wordpress.com)
Ezekiel’s Conscience (thetestofthecross.wordpress.com)
120209 – George Hach’s Journal – Thursday (georgehachmyblog.wordpress.com)
How Should a Man Be Just With God? (justificationbygrace.com)
Submit You Ways to the Lord (communionwithjesus.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Bible, Christ, Ezekiel, God, Israel, Jesus, Lord, Priests, Wise Use of Time | 4 Comments

Ezekiel 42-43 Questions for Reflection

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

The last few post, we journeyed through Ezekiel 39-41. The homeland of the Israelites had been destroyed and they had gone through years of exile. It’s hard to understand at times why God’s people have to go through so much adversity but God has a purpose for us. Adversity builds character and momentum is gained as we pray. Then we start to envision the possibilities and look forward to what God can do. Through a dream, Ezekiel received a detailed tour of the God’s house. In building anything, it takes some vision, planning, and decision making. Whether it’s building a house, a skyscraper, or a winning team, attention to every detail is important.

Now over the next few post, we will continue with the visions of Ezekiel. A vision of the glory of God, the procedure to be acceptable to God, and we will try to find out who is leading Ezekiel on these visionary tours. The questions below will provide fuel for my thoughts as I study each reading and share over next few posts.

Ezekiel 42
Passage Lookup

Ezekiel now gets a tour of the area which includes the rooms for the Priests. What is the significance in the proximity of these buildings to the temple proper and the altar? In light of your calling as a Christian, what does this emphasize to you concerning the investment of your time, the preoccupations of your life and the type of service which must receive priority with God? To what extent do you give to the Lord God the devotion that is his due, even apart from your inclination? Why is there separation between the holy and common? What is designated holy?

Ezekiel 43:1-12
Passage Lookup

Compare and contrast Ezekiel’s vision of the glory of God and the temple (See verses 10:18-22, 11:22-24). For what purpose does God give the revelation of future glory (See verses 10-11)?

Ezekiel 43:13-27
Passage Lookup

What is the result of all the procedure? How do you know you are acceptable to God?

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This Day with God will be amazing! Share with us those amazing moments of your past or present by responding with a short note or a comment about any of these questions. Also, share with us any favorite inspirational videos, photos, sermon thoughts, or favorite Bible verses.

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

Ezekiel 39 – 41 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Ezekiel, God, Israelites | 5 Comments

What’s Happening in My Part of the World

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Mark Shields

Image via Wikipedia

The message last weekend at my church was from Acts 15:1-20 and titled “The Church Lost Its Way”. The early church grew and there were some growing pains as they struggled with whom should be accepted in. They were lost in who God intended the church to be for and what came first; the law or grace.

One example within the message points out that grace should come first. The illustration laid out was the baseball star named Josh Hamilton who had a relapse last week with alcohol. He was photographed drinking at a restaurant in Dallas last week and confessed to the relapse. Years ago, he was suspended from the league because of alcohol and drug issues but for the last few years he’s had a transformation which has been a major part of the comeback in his career. In interviews, he’s talked about how important faith has been in getting his life in order.

The secular world didn’t have anything to offer except criticism and judgment. The media was all over him but the body of Christ was offering encouragement and help. Here’s a picture of the news conference where he was confessing of the relapse. At this link you can see that he is wearing a wrist band. On the wrist band are the words “God is Big Enough” inscribed on it; an idea started by my Pastor Steve Ramsdell and also spread by his twin brother Mike Ramsdell who is the Pastor of a church in a suburb of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

The idea is that God is big enough to help us through any situation. Hundreds of thousands of these wrist bands have been given out as a way to share faith. Many examples have been given of people going through hard times and receiving these wrist bands from believers who are offering encouragement. It’s a gift to let those going through treatment for cancer, going through a major surgery, the loss of a job, etc. that they are being prayed for.

Below are some interesting and inspiring links you may want to check out:
Podcast – The Church Had A Big Idea
Lesson five on the sermon series “The Church”
Search Me Lord – Gaither Vocal Band

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christ, Dallas, Dallas Morning News, God, Health, Josh Hamilton, Relapse, Texas Rangers, Wristband | 4 Comments

Attention to Every Detail – Ezekiel 41

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Mark Shields

The pastor, author, and educator Charles Swindoll once said, “The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.” In building anything, it takes some vision, planning, and decision making. Whether it’s building a house, a skyscraper, or a winning team, attention to every detail is important.

In the last chapter, Ezekiel received a tour of the courts and now in Ezekiel 41, he gets a detailed tour of the temple. As I read today, I’m imagining his emotions as he is given this exclusive tour; the awe with which he looks at these rooms or the intricate detail like in the carvings of cherubim and palm trees. In further research, I found that a cubit is around 20 inches.

In reviewing history, the first Temple was built by King Solomon in 957 BC but was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The passage today is the vision of the second Temple which was built at the same location on the Temple Mount of the old city of Jerusalem around 538 BC after the exiles returned. It dominated the skyline of the city for centuries.

In Matthew 2, Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple which came about during the Roman siege of Jerusalem around 70 AD. Jesus also taught that we are the Temple of God and that His Spirit lives in each of us. In building this day with God, know that in you is the Holy Spirit; pray without ceasing by conversing with God while shopping, driving, working, or whatever task you do. Here is a video to inspire a great day with God: Sanctus Real – The Redeemer .

Today my prayer is to enjoy the amazing presence of God in everything I do.

The Old City of Jerusalem (sharinhislove.wordpress.com)
Islam and the Temple Mount – Growing Frustrations (thesalvationtimes.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged 530s BC, Focus on God, God, Jerusalem, Old City, Second Temple, Solomon, Temple, Temple Mount | 2 Comments

Envisioning the Possibilities – Ezekiel 40

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Mark Shields

Leading up to the vision given in Ezekiel 40, the homeland of the Israelites had been destroyed and they’ve gone through years of exile. Healing needs to take place but what can start this process? Vision and dreams can help get started in the right direction but it is taking action that restores and builds. Momentum is gained by envisioning the possibilities and looking forward to what God will do; for a nation, a community, a family, or to as individuals.

The newly hopeful exiles have questions which arise about how the new society will be constructed in its worship, culture and government. In any healing process, prayer is so important and prayers for a place of worship is a good start to the healing process; giving hope to many.

Even today, in our own society, there are broken homes, broken jobs, issues with heath care and the economy but all things work out for those that believe in the Lord. God will bless if there is prayer, if there is encouragement, and if more and more become a part of God’s healing process. May you be blessed by this video: Blessings – Laura Story.

This day with God, think about your neighborhood, community, and nation. See in your mind a preferred future and envision the possibilities. In part of your prayer today, ask God for insight into how you can play your part and the plans He has in your life to make a difference.