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

Victory is Proclaimed

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Mark Shields

After the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, victory is proclaimed and the prediction of the thousand year reign is made. There are reasons for giving thanks to God as brought out in Revelation 11:15-19; for His power and for rewarding His servants. Also for His wisdom, strength; and that His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Brought out in this vision is that God will destroy those that promote war and wrongfully judge. He will destroy creatures that cause harm and pain. He will destroy pain, hunger, thirst, and suffering. Even the destructive forces like fire, earthquakes, and storms; plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur. Last but certainly not least, God will destroy the king of the Abyss or Satan himself.

God’s servants will be rewarded along with the prophets, saints, and those who reverence His name. This day with God, let us be thankful that as God’s servants, we will not have to go through the tribulation. Let us be concerned for those who might have to unless we give them assistance in accepting Jesus as Savior.

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Posted in Revelation, Rewards | Tagged Death, God, Jesus, Kingdom, Power, Rewards, Satan, Savior, Seventh Angel, Strength, Thankfulness, Tribulation, victory, Wisdom | 2 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Revelation 10-13

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Mark Shields

Packing 100,000 Meals for Feed My Starving Children

Saturday, we had around 600 volunteers participate in the Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack Event at my church. Over 100,000 meals were prepared for children around the world. For more information about this organization, here is a short video: Feed My Starving Children Video. It’s amazing what a team working for a common cause can do.

Food is something that most in the United States are not that concerned about but it means survival to many children in other parts of the world and it is so important that small children get the proper nutrients at a young age for proper brain development.

Nutritious food is fundamental to our physical health and God’s Word is fundamental to our spiritual health. That’s the main purpose of this blog and for reading many of your wonderful blogs; to provide a means for obtaining nutritious spiritual food through the Internet. A tool that allows for regular Bible study and spiritual growth at any time and any place in the busy world in which we live.

Below are questions for reflection as the journey through God’s Word continues. I will share some thoughts using the following questions.

Revelation 10
Describe the angel. What is the mystery of God (See Romans 11:25-36; 16:25-27)? What is the purpose of the delay before the mystery of God is fulfilled?

Revelation 11:1-14
What and who will be protected while the world is in turmoil (See verses 1, 5 with 7:3)? What is the source of the authority given to the two witnesses (See Rev. 1:20 with Zech. 4:1-14)? In what ways are you influenced by world opinion of the church?

Revelation 11:15-19
List the reasons for giving thanks to God. What is the extent of God’s power (See verse 4:11, 7:12, Dan. 7:14)? What destroyers will be destroyed (See verses 6:3-8; 7:16; 8:7-11; 9:1-19)? Who will be rewarded?

Revelation 12
Who do the characters represent in this reading (See Mic. 4:10; Ps. 2:7-9)? Who has conquered (See 3:21; 5:5)? How? What are Satan’s feelings about the church? About you (See verses 12, 17)? What weapons does Satan have?

Revelation 13
What three falsehoods are promoted by the two-horned beast? How can you be sure you will not be deceived? How can you know which mark or seal is on you?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. 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 about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

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Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times

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Week in Review

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Mark Shields

This week, I have posting some thoughts after a study of Revelation 10-11. One question asked was what is the mystery of God brought out in this reading? The second coming of Jesus is the great mystery because we do not know the day or hour. Maybe the purpose for a delay in His return is to gain more followers before the end of time. Let us pray for patience while the future unfolds.

Let us read the Bible to make it internal and a part of who we are. The taste of God’s Word is both sweet and bitter. What is sweet is to rejoice in the triumphs of Christ but the judgments and plagues are bitter and this motivates us to pray for those that do not know Christ so they will be protected while the world is in turmoil.

Revelation 11 starts the first half of the Tribulation and Spiritual War. John explains in this vision that during the first half of the tribulation, Christ will give two witnesses power to preach. The two witnesses along with other servants of God (the universal church) will be given power over the antichristian empire. They will take on the character of Christ as they receive spiritual power and testify to the glory of God; being struck down only to rise again in joyous victory over evil.

Next week, the study will finish Revelation 11 and head into Revelation12. Have a great weekend my friends!

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Posted in Revelation, Week in Review | Tagged Bible, Christ, Future, God, God’s Word, John, Mystery, Patience, Pray, revelation, Second Coming of Christ, Spiritual War, Tribulation, Two Witnesses, victory | 2 Comments

Receiving the Power to Overcome

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Mark Shields

I posted yesterday about the Two Witnesses who take on the character of Christ; receiving spiritual power and testifying to the glory of God. After being struck down, they rise again in joyous victory over evil.

Life is a challenge and can strike us down at times but if we rely on the power of God, we can overcome just like this video points out: Overcomer – Mandisa.

And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. – Psalm 50:15

Posted in Overcome Difficulty, Revelation | Tagged Christ, God, Overcome Difficulty, Power, Testifying, Two Witnesses, victory | Leave a comment

The Two Witnesses

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Mark Shields

Reading in Revelation 11:1-14, Christ gives two witnesses power to preach during the first half of the tribulation. Some have speculated these two to be Moses and Elijah. They witness that Jesus is the Son of God, the heir of all things, and ask that all repent, fear, and glorify God.

The two witnesses along with other servants of God (the universal church) are given power over the antichristian empire. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. They have power to strike the earth with plagues and give testimony.

So in this vision, there is a battle between good and evil. Then the beast from the abyss attacks and kills the two witnesses. They lay in the street without burial for three and one half days until they are resurrected to life.

At that moment, fear came over the antichristian empire since they knew God was on the side of the witnesses. The two witnesses hear a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on (v. 12). Then, a severe earthquake destroys one tenth of Jerusalem. Seven Thousand people were killed.

The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon (v. 14).

A lesson we can take from this reading is to not be influenced by world opinion of the universal church. The world will not like the judgment but God works through the church to fulfill His purposes.

This day with God, let us pray for the power to face our challenges. Let us rely on God to bless us with strength to overcome difficulty in life by accepting His power. Let us make it a priority to listen, praise, and worship God even in difficulty. Let our witnessing be genuine and from the heart.

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