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Vision to Make us Think and Deepen our Relationship with God

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Mark Shields

I mentioned in yesterday’s post The Mysteries of God that John is speaking to us about a vision and we are getting into visionary symbolism and must keep this in mind. It is impossible to understand everything John is describing but one thing is for certain; there are mysteries found in the Bible that spark our desire to think and learn. Things like the origins of life and the earth’s future. Does the theory of evolution have a problem because it cannot address how life originated in the first place?

There may be many theories out there about the origins of life and our future but one thing is for certain; many want to deepen their relationship with God and here’s a good song to start that process: Come Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Redman.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. – 1 Corinthians 13:12

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Revelation | Tagged Bible, Earth, God, John, Learn, Life, Lord, Mysteries, Think, Vision | Leave a comment

The Mysteries of God

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Mark Shields

The blowing of the first four trumpets in Revelation 8 and the opening of the six seals are similar in that there is an impact on the earth and in the cosmos. We get Images of fire, blood, and stars falling to earth. The sun, moon, and stars turn dark.

John is speaking to us about a vision and we are getting into visionary symbolism and must keep this in mind as we proceed. One question that came to my mind when reading: What is God’s purpose for the happenings here? Here’s a link to a blog I follow by Christopher C. Randolph who has written on the book of Revelation:revelation-8-the-seventh-seal. Is John’s vision drawing us into the mystery of God? Is this a call to deepen our relationship with Him?

Some thoughts that came to me during this reading: To a certain extent, we have had catastrophes in recent times that are similar to what is being portrayed in this reading. They are just not as severe as described in today’s passage. We’ve had meteors disintegrate in the earth’s atmosphere near Russia. There was contamination in ocean waters that killed many sea creatures after the nuclear facility was damaged from the tsunami a few years ago in Japan.

To me, God is giving us a lesson that there is a beginning and an end. There are mysteries that are impossible for us to understand and John is giving us this vision to make us think. John is giving us a big picture of the history of God’s people which I’m just not capable of understanding.

Each day with God is amazing because we have an opportunity to keep investigating the mysteries of God and sharing with others.

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Posted in Accurate Thinking, Revelation | Tagged Catastrophes, God, John, Mystery, Purpose, Relationship, revelation, Vision | 2 Comments

Week in Review

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Mark Shields

This week, I have posting some thoughts after a study of Revelation 7 and a part of Revelation 8. We can be encouraged from this dream given to John of God’s mercy and this encouragement can help us live the type of life God intends.

The power of Christ should reinvigorate us with momentum and build up our confidence because our tomorrows will always be brighter than our todays.

Because of the “Lamb of God” we can be sure that our prayers are heard. Our prayers are like written notes collected next to the altar of eternity and they have the power to advance the fulfillment of God’s purpose through each of us.

Next week, the study will continue in Revelation 8-9. Have a great weekend my friends!

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Posted in Revelation | Tagged Christ, Confidence, Dream, Encouragement, Eternity, God, John, Lamb of God, Mercy, Power, Prayer, Purpose, revelation | Leave a comment

Partnership in Faith

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post Collection of Prayers, I ask for you to imagine the content and volume of the prayers of all the saints as recorded in Revelation 8:3-4. Our prayers have so much power. Take some time today to be silent for a few minutes to pray. Talk to Him about some issue, ask for help, and listen to Him for a way to fix the issue. Are there problems you are trying to fix at work? Are there issues at home that need to be worked out?

As God’s people, we are on the same team going in the same direction. I’m reminded of a video about how geese work as a team at this link: Pulling Together – Simple Truths.

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Here are a few things we can learn about teamwork from geese:

They fly in a V formation which creates uplift for those behind
They share a common direction; therefore the pull together and get to where they want to go faster
They accept help from others as well as give help
When the ones in front get tired, they fall to the back and let others take over the lead
They honk to encourage each other

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. – Philemon 1:16

Posted in Revelation, Teamwork | Tagged Christ, Imagine, Listen, Power, Prayers, revelation, Teamwork | 5 Comments

Collection of Prayers

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Mark Shields

In the previous six seals, there was usually something immediately heard after the opening but after opening the seventh seal, there is complete silence for about thirty minutes. Reading further in Revelation 8:1-5, the seven angels standing around God at the golden altar are given trumpets (v.2).

Then another angel with a golden censer, comes to stand at the altar. This angel is the “Lamb of God”, High Priest of the church, and our Lord Jesus. He is given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people on the golden altar in front of the throne (v. 3).

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Imagine the content and volume of the prayers of all the saints and how these prayers produce great changes upon earth. Think of all your prayers over the years. Do you think they were included? This day with God, let us feel confident that our prayers are being heard. They are like written notes collected next to the altar of eternity to be used as one unified creation that advances fulfillment of God’s purposes.