This Day With God

Ezekiel 47- 48 Questions for Reflection

Mark Shields — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:07 +0000

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?

__________________________________________

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

Celebrate with God – Ezekiel 46

Mark Shields — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:59 +0000

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)

Positive Direction for the Future – Ezekiel 45

Mark Shields — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:50 +0000

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.

Integrity is tied to faith (jimgreear.wordpress.com)
Are sons punished for their father’s sins? (erikbrewer.wordpress.com)
The Psychology of Integrity (blackbirdnetwork.wordpress.com)
God blesses Integrity in Business Affairs (jesuscarriesme.com)

Expect God’s Presence All The Time – Ezekiel 44

Mark Shields — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:00:19 +0000

This day will be amazing because God can be involved in every activity, every conversation, every problem, and even every thought. My Pastor, Steve Ramsdell said in a sermon message that God speaks in various ways – visions, dreams, life’s circumstances, and even through other people. Believe it or not and most of all, God speaks through the Bible.

The glory of God was a visible experience in Ezekiel 44. Is this Jesus in the appearance of a man who is leading Ezekiel on this tour? During Ezekiel’s time on earth, around 500 BC, the temple was the most efficient way to meet God but many were excluded because of the restrictions placed on this privilege of standing before Him. Because of Jesus, no one is excluded from this privilege.

We can let God lead us by praying without ceasing for help in our finances, interests, relationships, schedules, and troubles. We can expect God’s presence all the time.

Here is a piano piece link you can click to help you reflect: In The Garden: Norm Hastings, Piano. Think about your day and what to pray for. Spend some time talking to God in prayer. Put away the cares and concerns and noise of the day, listening for the Holy Spirit to give a plan of action as you make the most of this day with God.

AWAKE! ARISE! ALERT! ALARM! Part 2 (lifestreamsflow1.wordpress.com)
God’s trump card… His presence! (ilifejourney.wordpress.com)
Who are you Lord? I AM the head of my church 1 Thess 5:12-28 (whoareyoulord.wordpress.com)
The Revival We Need (3) (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
Hearing God: Listening through the Bible (missionalrev.wordpress.com)
God’s Presence Is Becoming Stronger Each Day (dailyaspects.wordpress.com)
The Path to Glory (Part 2) (godsgracegodsglory.wordpress.com)
The River of Life (onwardswearychristian.wordpress.com)

Ezekiel 44-46 Questions for Reflection

Mark Shields — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:34 +0000

Over the last few posts, Ezekiel has been given a vision of how the Temple will look. I learned just how important it is to set aside time to be in a holy space to pray daily. Time spent with God is effective time. More treasure is found and gold is mined during time spent with God than will ever be taken from the earth.

After Ezekiel gets a visionary tour through the Temple of God, he then is given a vision of the glory of God. The prophet Ezekiel is to tell people about what he sees just like God wants us to tell others about His plan. If we go to work for God, He will work on us. If we go to work on His plans, His plans will work on us. Whatever good things we build, end up building character in us.

I then learned about how they had to follow the law in order to be acceptable to God. Today it’s much easier because we no longer have to offer atoning sacrifices. We don’t have to jump through hoops with thousands of dollars worth of livestock or days of waiting to be approved by God. Jesus Christ of Nazareth changed everything. Because of His death and resurrection, we have immediate, constant, and forever acceptance.

Now, I will continue my journey through Ezekiel 44-46. The reading plan below with questions to provide fuel for my thoughts will be used. Join me over the next few post to help find out who is leading Ezekiel on these visionary tours, the instructions for a positive future, and what we can expect if we follow God’s plan for us.

Ezekiel 44
Passage Lookup

Does God’s Glory seem commonplace to you? Who is the man leading Ezekiel on the tour? What are the restrictions for the privilege of standing before God (verses 15-31)? To what extent are you careful about morally “legitimate” things which destroy the ultimate purpose? Why?

Ezekiel 45
Passage Lookup

What is the place of the temple in that national life? Why are weights and measures now standardized (See verses Lev 19:35-36; Deut. 25:13-16)?

Ezekiel 46
Passage Lookup

Note the orderliness required in verses 1-10. How does disorder affect your spirit of worship? Why are safeguards necessary for someone in power (See verses 16-18 with 45:9)? To what extent are you respecting the bounds of confidence placed in you without stealing reputation or using it for personal advantage? Why?

__________________________________________

I will use the reading plan above as a tool for daily Bible study. 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

Ezekiel 42-43 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Acceptance – Ezekiel 43:13-27

Mark Shields — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:45 +0000

We don’t have to jump through hoops to be approved by God. Jesus Christ of Nazareth changed everything; simply believing in His death and resurrection, gives immediate, constant, and forever acceptance.

Before God’s gift of His Son, there was a procedure as explained in Ezekiel 43:13-27 that everyone had to go through to be acceptable to God. It involved sacrificing burnt offerings and sprinkling blood upon the altar; a young bull would be given to the priests, a goat on the second day, and then for seven days in a row a male goat would be provided for a sin offering along with a young bull and a ram from the flock.

Today it’s much easier because we no longer have to offer atoning sacrifices. We don’t have to jump through hoops and spend large sums of money on livestock or spend days of waiting to be approved by God. Here’s a video to up lift as you spend this day with God: My Savior My God – Aaron Shust.

This day with God, I’m praying to have the courage to get honest and call sin by its true name; knowing that this provides the stage for cleansing in Jesus Christ and new freedom.

Free from Demonic Strongholds (ptl2010.com)
He Will Manifest His Victory In And Through Us!! Praise God!! (gospelbondservant.com)
Hardness of Heart vs. Glory of Gospel Truth (justificationbygrace.com)
How We Can Recover From the Fall of Humanity (notsoprivatemusings.wordpress.com)
God’s Love Makes Us Victorious (pureglory.net)
This is the victory… (evanlaar1922.wordpress.com)

Lover’s Leap

Mark Shields — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:00:02 +0000

If you go to a movie or read a book, romance is depicted in stories of courtships and love affairs or in historical settings of heroic deeds or pageantry. In a colorful and scenic world full of fanciful stories and daydreams. I once heard about a legend similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. An Indian maiden named Wah-Wah-Tee from an enemy tribe of the Apaches and her Apache brave lover knew that their love would be forbidden. They were determined to be together and tried to run off together, only to be intercepted by her angry father and brothers. The tale ends with Wah-Wah-Tee kissing her lover before they both jump off a cliff and plummet to their death. Today, people around Waco Texas call the cliff just north of downtown at the east end of the Bosque River “Lover’s Leap” because of this legend.

The world does not give a good guide to relationship but we can look to the greatest servant of all, Jesus, for a perfect model to follow. A relationship fueled by “serve-you” love is a lasting love that begins when a couple start viewing their relationship as a chance to meet each other’s needs. A couple should admit their needs, ask God for help and serve each other in God’s strength. For any leader of a family or group of people, take inspiration from the following video: Lead Me – Sanctus Real.

Pray for God to lead you to make good decisions and for the strength to lead those you love in the right direction.

John Ed Mathison in his book “Treasures of a Transformed Life” Wrote about a guy in a romantic mood. He said to his wife, “If I had a thousand arms, they’d all be around you. And she said, “Quit complaining about what you don’t have, and use what you do have!” My pastor, Steve Ramsdell pointed out in a sermon one time that God gives us an amazing proposal and invitation to intimacy. From the beginning in Genesis 1:26-28 to the end in Revelation 21:6-7, He understands our needs and wants. The focus is on a relationship and sometimes we need to slow down and smell the roses. Billy Graham was quoted to say the following, “The word romance, according to the dictionary, means, excitement, adventure, and something extremely real. Romance should last a lifetime.

Vision for God’s Plan – Ezekiel 43:1-12

Mark Shields — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:34 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

In Ezekiel 43:1-12 Ezekiel gets a visual tour of the temple and then is given a vision of the glory of God. His Spirit entered in the gate facing east and His voice spoke to Ezekiel. God told Him to tell people about the temple so they may understand the plan.

Like the physical temple where the Spirit of God lives in this reading, we each have the Spirit in us when we accept the gift of Christ. We can tell others about this mystery of redeeming love; and all the Scriptures can be opened so more will accept God’s Plan for Us. If you go to work for God, He will go to work on you. If you go to work on His plans, His plans will work on you. Whatever good things we build, end up building character in us.

May the reading of God’s Word and the experiences you have today allow you an opportunity to truly experience a deeper relationship with God through prayer? “This Day with God” devotional is here to open up the Scriptures with ideas that may help apply them. It’s a tool to enhance communication about faith and have an effect on how we learn from each other. It’s about providing the type of freedoms people are interested in.

Encourage, build up, and humbly pray for Spiritual growth in people around you. Each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of those that look to us for leadership. We need to get across to them that no matter what happens in life, God loves them and that’s what makes this day with Him amazing.

Ezekiel 42-43 Questions for Reflection (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Are We Using The Wrong Tools To Measure Our Spiritual Growth? (footsoldiers4christ.wordpress.com)
Ezekiel….Things that make you go hmmmmmmm…….. (walkinstep.wordpress.com)

Time with God – Ezekiel 42

Mark Shields — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:00:49 +0000

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)

Ezekiel 42-43 Questions for Reflection

Mark Shields — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:59:23 +0000

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)

This Day With God

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