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

A Part of His Team

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Mark Shields

The scene in Revelation 14:1-5 turns to earth and Mount Zion or Jerusalem. The participants are the servants of God (144,000) with the name of the Lamb (Christ) and the Father’s name written on their foreheads. They are with Christ ready to worship and John hears a sound from heaven. The sound is that of harpists. They are playing a new song in front of the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth (v. 3).

In verse 4 we read that the 144,000 servants of God were people who did not defile themselves. They didn’t follow the antichrist and their hearts were right with God; freely pardoned in Christ. This day, let’s be devoted to His Word and worship the Lord in this way. Being obedient and devoted to living the way God wants us to; treating others right and having integrity.

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We pray this day with You God that our ambition is to be a part of Your team; fully sanctified, justified, and without fault before You. Help us to be good examples for others to follow and be inspired to work as a team of servants.

Posted in Discipline, Revelation, Teamwork | Tagged Christ, Devotion, Integrity, John, Lamb, Mount Zion, Obedience, Prayer, Servants of God, Team | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Revelation 14-16

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve continued to study the vision of John as revealed to us in Revelation. After the seventh angel sounds his trumpet in Revelation 11, victory is proclaimed and predicted is the thousand year reign. This day with God, there are reasons for giving thanks. He rewards His servants with freedom, there is joy; there is victory because we have been given a path to peace. God is concerned about our future my friend and there are huge dividends for doing God’s work. If we are a blessing, we will be set apart because He’s working out our future so there’s no need to be overly stressed.

After the study of Revelation 12, the main thought for me was that there is a spiritual war going on between Satan who leads the world astray and God who leads in the right direction. What must be done is to maintain faith in God’s way and to go the extra mile as we step ahead; to be a friend to those that need a friend and to help each other along life’s journey. It is good to know that Jesus has given us the opportunity for victory and a place prepared for us by God.

The disciplined path of God; growing day by day makes us into the person He wants us to be. Let us be self-disciplined to work hard and live the way God wants us to, treating others right, and having integrity. We are no longer flawed after being led to the Cross and receiving strength from the One who was slain for us; Jesus is His name. Let us be disciplined to know the Word and worship the Lord in this way. Take pride in being marked with His name and an example for others to follow.

This vision revealed by John in the book of Revelation tells us there will be a crushing blow for those who deny Christ. Our mission therefore is to put all our attention on making sure we are followers of Christ and help as many as we can to become followers. With this thought in mind, below are questions for reflection as the journey through God’s Word continues.

Revelation 14:1-5
Where is the scene now (See Heb. 12:22-23)? Are you one of the redeemed? Do you think John is literally referring to celibates or symbolically referring to purity here (See 2 Cor. 11:2)?

Revelation 14:6-20
What messages are given in chapter 14 and in chapter 13 and what are the purposes of these messages (see verse 12 with 13:10)? Where do the angels come from and what are their actions (note the verbs in Joel 3:13; Is. 63:3)? Define vintage. How ripe do you think the earth is now?

Revelation 15:1-4
What is being culminated? Who are singing (see Rev. 12:11)? What attributes of God are extolled?

Revelation 15:5-8
In what ways does the Temple express the nature of God (See 11:19)? What qualities of the presence of God stand out in this vision?

Revelation 16
Who or what experience the judgments? To what extent? What is their response (see vv. 9:20-21)? Describe the demonic spirits (See v. 13). What is their goal? How does your knowledge of the future influence your values in life?

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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Giving a Little Extra as We Step Ahead

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Mark Shields

Right now and into the future, there will be confusing days and tough days. What must be done is to maintain faith in God’s ways and to go the extra mile as we step ahead; to be a friend to those that need a friend and to help each other along life’s journey.

We must go the extra mile in being faithful and believing in God’s power. If we go the extra mile by putting our attention towards the things of God, our load is lighter. Take inspiration from this movie: The Second Mile.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. – Romans 5:3

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Posted in Going Extra Mile, Revelation | Tagged Character, Faith, Future, God’s Way, Going the Extra Mile, Hope, Journey, Life, Perseverance, Power, Present | 2 Comments

A Call for Strong Faith, Persistence, and Wisdom

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Mark Shields

Two beasts are presented to us in Revelation 13. One is the beast out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name (v. 1). He slandered God and those who lived in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them (v. 7).

The second beast is the one out of the earth who had two horns like a lamb but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised authority of the first beast on his behalf and made earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast (v. 12). He deceived the people of earth and ordered them to set up an image in honor of the first beast. All people who did not worship the image were to be killed (v. 15). The people who worshiped the beast where given a mark on their hand or forehead and no one could buy or sell unless they had this mark of the beast which is 666 (v. 18).

This chapter gives us insight as to what will happen in the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation. An Antichrist will be promoted as there will be a move towards a one world government, religion, and economic system. Many people will accept this one world government as their God and it will try to rule over the people in place of God.

There will be confusion and deception which calls for strong faith, persistence, and wisdom. Let us not be deceived and believe we should be many nations that have liberty and freedom; many nations under the one true God.

This day with God, have faith in the possibilities He gives. Persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way.

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Posted in Going Extra Mile, Revelation | Tagged Antichrist, Faith, Freedom, God, Liberty, Mark of the Beast, Obstacles, One World Government, Persistence, Tribulation, Two Beasts, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Review of Last Week

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Mark Shields

In reading Revelation 11-12 and posting some thoughts last week, there is a prediction of a thousand year reign. We can be thankful that there is joy and victory in the end for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior. The spiritual war is still being waged between those who accept the ways of God and Satan who continues to bring more into his ranks; deceiving the world.

The Good News is that because of the cross, there is the opportunity for victory. Hope gives optimism in a time of despair, faith gives courage in time of doubt, and love gives victory in a time of hate. It is up to us as individuals to stay with our decision to accept Christ as Savior or commit at this time.

As we step ahead, let us have complete dependence on Christ. This week, the study will continue into Revelation 13 and then start Revelation 14.

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