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Give a Little Extra

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post Barely Hanging On, I wrote about how the church at Sardis was in decline. They needed to give a little extra to make good things happen. In our own lives today, that’s still a lesson we need to hear.

What steps can you take to go the extra mile to solve a problem? One idea is to come up with questions that need answered. Another is to ask for directions or seek advice that may help. Below are examples of what giving a little extra can do:

A commander of an Army was thought to be a total failure but he didn’t give up. His name was George Washington.
A company had some problems with their systems at first but then they came up with a new system. The system was Windows and the company was Microsoft.
Moses and Caleb rose to prominence and fulfilled God’s purpose after the age of 80
Jesus can change dark days into ones of joy and hope. That’s what He did for two of His followers on the road to Emmaus
At 211 degrees, water is hot but at 212 degrees, it’s boiling. Ask God to help find that little extra passion to make things happen.

Ask God to help you find that little extra today. Here is a video to inspire: Help Me Find It – Sidewalk Prophets.

So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him. – 2 Chronicles 15:7

Posted in Going Extra Mile, Revelation | Tagged Advice, Caleb, Decline, Directions, George Washington, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Lesson, Microsoft, Moses, Obey, Problem, Road to Emmaus, Sardis | 2 Comments

Barely Hanging On

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Mark Shields

This is a picture of the ruins of the church at Sardis which is about 30 miles south of Thyatira in what is today the western part of Turkey. As explained in Revelation 3:1-6, the people of the church at Sardis were proud and looked good on the outside but not so good on the inside. They needed to reflect on their past, ask for forgiveness, and humbly follow the Lord.

There are many churches today that are very much like the one at Sardis. They talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. They seem to be barely hanging on, almost dead with very little good deeds. What is needed is a good self evaluation by asking the question: are we doing all that we can to keep ourselves spiritually growing and productive?

Sometimes we might think there is no hope but each day we wake up, we can still dream and believe because God’s love keeps flowing like a never ending stream. If we just hang in there and give it just a little extra, God can take it from there.

Image Source is from ministrytravels.blogspot.com/

Posted in Going Extra Mile, Revelation | Tagged Churches, Forgiveness, Good Deeds, Hope, Humility, Lord, Love, Reflection, Sardis, Seven Churches, Spiritual Growth | 7 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Revelation 3-4

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Mark Shields

In Revelation 1, Christ is speaking to John about the things already seen. This letter from John was written originally for the first seven churches in Asia but now for all Christian churches. Within the book of Revelation is discovered the love of God and the reward He has for His people.

Revelation 2 and 3 is about the present. Christ is telling John what to write to the seven churches.God is for us but Satan tricks us and there has been a battle since the days of Adam and Eve. The purpose of each church should be to explain the dilemma we face and share how to solve the problem.

God gives us the upper hand because we can detect mistakes of the past and be faithful to build solutions for the future. So over the upcoming weeks, I will use the questions below to help in this process. Let us hope for and desire the treasures found by living in God’s Spirit.

Revelation 3:1-6
Distinguish the appearance and the reality of the lives of these people. Which of your good works are on the point of death? Why? What steps will you have to take to revive them?

Revelation 3:7-13
How does Christ commend the church here? What is promised to them? Who might seize your crown? Why? How can you prevent such a loss? Relate love and power.

Revelation 3:14-22
The people of Laodicea are described as being lukewarm. What are the remedies for their situation? In what areas and ways do you need the help of Christ to help in conquering?

Revelation 4
What is happening here? Why? What is the reason for John’s inclusion? What qualities of God are extolled? How can you give God glory and honor and thanks today?

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
Image Source

Posted in Questions for Reflection, Revelation | Tagged Apostle John, Bible Study, Churches, Desire, Devotion, Future, Hope, Journey, Lessons, Past, Plan, Present, Questions, Reflection, revelation, Rewards, Satan, Seven Churches, Solutions, Treasure, Word | 2 Comments

Week in Review – Revelation 2:12-29

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Mark Shields

This week, I have posting some thoughts from Revelation 2:12-29. The church at Pergamum was in a city rife with idol worship. The church at Thyatira had a problem with a corrupt leader named Jezebel who enticed the people into adultery and other immoral sexual behavior.

One lesson learned from this week’s study is that we should get the upper hand by detecting mistakes of the past and being faithful to build solutions for the future. If there is a problem with those we associate as the case with the church at Pergamum, then we need to jump away from that way of life and desire the treasures found by living in God’s Spirit. Here is a link to a poem with this in mind: Jump.

The hope for a brighter future influences our present lives. If we believe God will give us what we need and if we keep the vision of a better life for future generations, then we will work harder. These thoughts inspired another poem at this link:Hope for a nation.

Next week, the study will continue into Revelation 3. Have a great weekend my friends!

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Posted in Overcome Difficulty, Poems, Rewards | Tagged Association, Future, God’s Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, revelation, Vision | Leave a comment

Seek the Prize and Arise

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Mark Shields

Believe God will give you what you need and keep working to paint a picture of future victory. Here’s a video to inspire this action: Revelation Song – Kari Jobe.