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

Worship the One Who is Worthy

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Mark Shields

Because of Christ who is worthy of our praise, we gain confidence to face the challenges in life. He washed us clean and we can come to God in prayer for help. We can take initiative and apply our faith with prayer and patience. Each day can be victorious because we can tap into God’s power and strength.

This day with God, consider how the Lamb is worthy of your praise. Worship with this song: Worthy is the Lamb – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

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 Challenges, Cheerfulness, Christ, Confidence, Cross, Grace, Joy, Love, Patience, Power, Praise, Prayer, Redeemer, Strength, victory, Worship | 4 Comments

Worthy of Our Praise

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Mark Shields

The vision of John is continued in Revelation 5. He now sees a scroll along with a mighty angel asking who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll (v. 2). John wept because no one was worthy to open the scroll and look inside (v. 4). The problem was overcome when a Lamb that looked as though it had been slain came and took the scroll. Then the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. They started to sing new songs and to worship.

The Lamb had become the sacrifice for sins and now receives glory, honor, and power. Christ stands as Mediator between God and both ministers and people. It is a matter of joy that God deals with us in grace and mercy through the Redeemer.

This day with God, give praise for what Christ has done. Let others know how much you appreciate them and worship in unity. Let cheerfulness wash every disappointment, joy dissolve every sorrow, and God’s love given on the cross ease every pain.

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Posted in Overcome Difficulty, Revelation | Tagged Angel, Cheerfulness, Christ, Cross, Grace, John, Joy, Lamb, Love, Praise, Redeemer, Unity, Vision, Worship | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection in Study of Revelation 5-9

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Mark Shields

In Revelation 1, Christ is speaking to John about the things already seen. Beginning in Revelation 2, John is told by Christ about the present and what to write to the seven churches. In Revelation 3, we begin to understand that life has its challenges and sometimes we might think there is no hope but if we can just hang in there and give it just a little extra, God will provide a way.

In the book of Revelation, 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 gives us information from a vision to make us think. He’s giving us a big picture of the history of God’s people.

It is no secret that we face hard times until Christ returns. Revelation 4 started the study of God’s judgments and we will continue this study for the next few weeks by using the questions below to help in this process. I’m grateful that each day with God is amazing because we have an opportunity to keep investigating His mysteries and sharing with others.

Revelation 5
What is the problem encountered in this passage? How is the problem solved? Why (see Rev. 3:21)? What has the Lamb done? What will the Lamb receive (verse 4:11)?

Revelation 6
How is the Lamb’s worth related to his opening the seals? Identify the forces in the first four seals that are operative throughout history. What event is John describing in breaking of the sixth seal?

Revelation 7
What are the responsibilities and purposes of the angels here? Who will be sealed? What is the significance of the sealing (See Ezek. 9:4)? What encouragement do you find here to help you manage living today?

Revelation 8:1-5
Who is the angel with the golden censer? Contrast the earthly and cosmic reverberations of the previous six seals with the opening of the seventh seal. Imagine the content and volume of the prayers of all the saints.

Revelation 8:6-13
What is God’s purpose for the happenings here? What is the state of the earth? The heavens? The men of earth?

Revelation 9
Can you define woe? How are the appearance and activities of the locusts here different from the insect locust? What is the nature and scope of the second woe?

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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Posted in Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Devotion, God, Hope, John, Journey, Lessons, Mysteries, Plan, Questions, Reflection, revelation, Vision | 5 Comments

Steps to Take

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, I finished a study of Revelation 4 and posted about it at this link: Invitation to the Future. John is given a vision of the future with an invitation to heaven so he could record for us what to expect and how to be prepared.

Many times we search for answers and look for God but in reality, He’s constantly looking for us. The places where we meet are when we love His people. This day with God, search for ways to give Him glory, honor, and praise. Be a part of His plan by having a prayer time and asking for ways to show your love towards His people. Use this video to give the spark to get going: As it is in Heaven – Matt Maher.

Here is a link to a poem I wrote a while back: Steps to Take.

Posted in Applied Faith, Poems, Revelation | Tagged Future, God, Heaven, Invitation, John, Love, Prayer, Vision | Leave a comment

Invitation to the Future

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Mark Shields

In Revelation 4, we come to the section about the future. John is included so he could see and understand the things that are to happen on earth. In turn, he would record this experience so we could all understand.

In this vision, John sees an open door up to heaven and a voice tells him to come up. He goes up and sees God sitting on a throne (v. 2). Qualities of God as king, governor, and judge sitting on a throne are extolled. A rainbow encircled the throne and surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold (v. 4).

From the throne come flashes of lightening and in front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing (seven spirits of God). A sea of glass that is clear as crystal looked like it was in front of the throne (v. 6). John was given this vision to help us see what heaven will be like; a place far more beautiful than the human eye has ever seen or the mind ever imagined.

Most want to go to heaven some day but not right away. The good thing is that life is not really ended by death. For those of us who believe in Christ, it only changes because we make a great step from faith into vision when we leave this earth. We will someday find a life far more beautiful than we could ever imagine.

Wouldn’t it be great to be invited like John to get a vision for the future? This day with God, we have that chance by spending some time in prayer with the Almighty, the Father of heaven, and asking for a vision that will guide our future.

Image Source – Jeff’s Prayer Connection