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God’s Purpose in Adversity – Ezekiel 39

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Mark Shields

After reading Ezekiel 39, it makes you wonder why God allows situations to develop into such a mess. What is His ultimate purpose and how do we understand that purpose?

Billy Graham once said, “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has”. Adversity does build character and it is times of adversity that many come to God for a solution. The Bible tells us of our problem of sin and that the solution is in Christ. Our purpose then should be to make sure the whole world hears about it. My hope is that this video provides a little inspiration for your day: Until the Whole World Hears – Casting Crowns .

Today’s reading has made me think about our disappointments. Many times, we can be disappointed but we must maintain faith that there is something better ahead. No matter what happens in life, God loves us and that is all that matters. This day with God, be thankful that we can pray to a powerful God and that because of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is with us to help make the needed adjustments along the journey.

You must remain standing – there is hope….please! You can prosper and turn adversity into wealth, again! (9millionvoices.com)
The dog and leash explanation of adversity (pastormikesays.wordpress.com)
Always Giving Thanks in Everything (altruistico.wordpress.com)
…in God’s hands (evanlaar1922.wordpress.com)
Seeking Wisdom: Being Realistic in Adversity (atruediscipleofchrist.wordpress.com)
Ezekiel 39 – 41 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Billy Graham, Casting Crowns, Ezekiel, God, HolySpirit, Israel, Jesus, Purpose | 3 Comments

Ezekiel 39 – 41 Questions for Reflection

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Mark Shields

The Super Bowl is this Sunday. Think of all the planning that goes into this event with so much enthusiasm. Companies pay millions to advertise on television and people spend tons of money for food and parties. I often wonder why there is not as much excitement each Sunday at church or this much enthusiasm about reading God’s word.

The thing about a football game is that one side wins and one side loses. The great thing about going to church or studying God’s Word is that everyone wins.

Over the next few posts, I’ll be reading, answering the questions, reflecting, and writing a few thoughts on the blocks of reading below. Check in over the next few days to see if there are any nuggets of gold to share with others.

Ezekiel 39
Passage Lookup

In view of the extent of God’s victory over his enemy, what purpose does God have in allowing the situation to develop to such proportions? What is God’s ultimate purpose for Israel (See verse 29 with 36:27; 37:14)? How will the nations learn the whole story of his purpose?

Ezekiel 40
Passage Lookup

How does Ezekiel, as priest and prophet of the temple’s ruin, see and speak of the new temple? What provision is made for sacrifice? For those who minister in the temple?

Ezekiel 41
Passage Lookup

How many inches is a cubit? What areas of the temple does Ezekiel see now? What is the purpose of a temple to God? How are you like a temple to God?

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Each day, we have a chance to journey through life and share the nuggets of gold found in the Bible, from each other, and our experiences. The nugget may be in the form of an inspirational video, a photo, a post, a sermon point, or a favorite Bible verse.

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 36 – 38 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Bible, Chapters and verses of the Bible, Ezekiel, God, InterVarsity Press, Israel, United Methodist Church | 2 Comments

Bringing Up To Date

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Mark Shields

Hi Everyone,

The message last weekend at my church was from Acts 8-9 and titled “The Church Had a Big Idea”. A few points brought out in the sermon was that the incredible idea called the church is centered around a person. God birthed the idea through the event of Christ dying on the cross. Sharing this idea was worth any price. The apostles were beaten and whipped; Stephen was stoned to death for sharing this idea. Another point is how God can change people anywhere and anytime. The example of Saul (Paul) was given who persecuted Christians but then eventually boldly journeyed into the world to share how Christ died for us all.

Below are some links you might find interesting:
Lesson four on the sermon series “The Church”
FUMC Podcast – The Church Had A Big Idea
Blessed Be Your Name – Tree 63

: Image via Wikipedia

January flew by and tomorrow is already Groundhog Day. Will Phil the groundhog (also called a woodchuck) see his shadow and return to his hole or not? If he does, we can expect six more weeks of winter. If not, he has predicted an early spring. Phil is wrong more than he’s right but hey, Michael Jordon missed more shots than he made. I like Phil because he keeps coming back year after year to give it his best shot. Anyway he’s more accurate than most weathermen. It’s too bad we can’t add to Phil’s work load; maybe prognosticating the economy or answering the age old question, how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Have a great rest of the week,

Mark

How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck… (mmejocelyne.wordpress.com)
Cousin Earl’s Carols for Groundhog Day (hiltoncaston.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Acts of the Apostles, Christ, Christian, God, Groundhog, Groundhog Day, Phil, Sermon | Leave a comment

Wanting God’s Help – Ezekiel 38

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Mark Shields

If we ask for God’s help to fulfill His purpose, will He give good visions, dreams, and plans? He did for Ezekiel and if He does for you, cherish them because they will be the blueprints to follow as you do His great work.

Here is a link to a piano piece: In The Garden: Norm Hastings, Piano. Click this link if you wish as you read the rest of this post to help with focus and reflection.

After reading in Ezekiel 38, I’m continuing to think of Israel or God’s people as today’s universal church. It is foretold that the enemies of the church will unite as one; they will be organized, formidable, and have destruction as their main objective.

But we can be encouraged by the rest of what the Bible says and the history we know. With God, it doesn’t matter how frightening the enemy is because He is in control and will defeat them. He will deal with any situation because His weapons are greater than any man-made weapon.

My Pastor where I worship said once that if the things of God are your treasure, then you have all things. What drives us toward God? Why do we not ask Him more often for help? Think of the possibilities if we went to Him more. This day with God, let us pray that we are with Him and that we work hard to make sure His name is glorified.

Ezekiel 36 – 38 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Steps to Fulfilling God’s Plan for Your Life (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)
Don’t Know What to Do for 2012? Ask God. (bogodoy.wordpress.com)
God’s Dream Lives in Us – 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (dianneguthmuller.com)
Learnings from Visioneering: God’s Blueprint for Developing & Maintaining a Vision (scribblingsbyme.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, Desire, Ezekiel, God, Israel, Jesus, Norm Hastings, Prayer, religion & spirituality | Leave a comment

Accepting God’s Plan and Working Together – Ezekiel 37

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Mark Shields

Some situations in life seem impossible but God can pull us through. We just have to trust that He will set things up to make it happen. This video affirms that trust: How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin.

It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us is a post with more details.

The glue that holds us together is Christ and as a body of believers, we complement one another. Like a forest of trees whose root systems interlock to withstand storms, we support each other to withstand the storms of life.