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

Hope and Confidence Confounds the Enemy

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Mark Shields

The Christians at Smyrna were being persecuted by pagan Gentiles, hostile Jews, and by Satan himself. Smyrna, a large city that reached metropolitan proportions during the period of the Roman Empire, was rebuilt by Alexander the Great. Since it was located in a strategic point near the coast of what is today Izmir Turkey, it rose to prominence as a wealthy and famous city. But as described in Revelation 2:8-11, the Christians there faced persecution because of their allegiance to Jesus.

Church of Smyrna was located in a strategic point near the coast of what is today Izmir Turkey

Christ’s description of himself as the ONE who is the First (with God from the beginning) and the Last (the judge of all); who died and came to life again (v. 8) brought comfort to the church at Smyrna. Even in persecution, there was always hope and a confidence because of the help that was gained from the Holy Spirit. This same hope and confidence is available to us today to confound the enemy.

In verse 11, the concept called the second death is mentioned. This type of death is much worse than the first death because it is eternal death in the lake of fire. Patiently enduring whatever challenges this world dispenses is worth it when the reward is with Christ and eternal happiness with Him.

The church at Smyrna was persecuted but they had a powerful testimony and set their site on the “Crown of Life”. The lesson from the Christians at Smyrna is to have the courage to stand even when everything seems to be against you. This day with God can be incredible because we have history to fall back on with great examples of courage like the one in today’s passage inspiring us toward God and His high purpose.

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Posted in Courage, Revelation | Tagged Alexander the Great, Challenges, Christians, Confidence, Courage, Crown of Life, Enemy, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Purpose, Rewards, Roman Empire, Smyrna | 5 Comments

Devotion and Passion

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Mark Shields

The church in Ephesus worked hard and demonstrated perseverance but they had lost their passion. They needed to ask for forgiveness and get back that passion they had when they first formed the church.

As we all think back to when we first accepted Christ, there may have been more devotion and passion toward Him than there is today. To get that passion back, some ideas may be to ask for forgiveness; for the desire to take the steps needed. Here’s a video to inspire us toward that direction today: Lord I Need You – Matt Maher.

This day with God

May He grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! – Psalm 20:4

Posted in Desire, Revelation | Tagged Christ, Church, Church of Ephesus, Desire, Devotion, Forgiveness, Inspiration, Passion, Plans | 4 Comments

How is Love of Christ Demonstrated

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Mark Shields

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The church in Ephesus is addressed in Revelation 2:1-7. The message to them from Christ is that their deeds, hard work, and perseverance are acknowledged and praised but they had abandoned their first love. They must correct this by asking for forgiveness and doing what they did when they first formed the church which is to have devotion and passion in their hearts.

Think back to when you first accepted Christ. Is there something you can remember that showed your devotion and passion toward Him? If there is, pray for ways to get that passion back, ask for forgiveness, and the desire to take the steps needed.

Have a desire to go in a positive way by sharing with others about Christ today. As you go down the path today, be faithful and look forward to the reward one day. Believe that this day with God will be wonderful because what He gives in a purpose is a treasure and the more we follow this purpose, the more passion we will have.

Posted in Desire, Revelation | Tagged Christ, Church, Church of Ephesus, Devotion, Love, Passion, Purpose, Reward, Treasure, Witnessing | 2 Comments

Prayer and Preparation

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Mark Shields

John was in exile on the island of Patmos simply because of spreading the Gospel message. As mentioned in yesterday’s post, we may not face persecution like John but we do face many trials in life. That’s why it’s so important to prepare for each day by reading a short block of scripture and having a daily prayer time. Ask for guidance and write down lessons you can build on throughout life.

This video is about having a different perspective in our trials and the need for prayer: Blessings – Laura Story.

Father God, help us to envision the possibilities. Help us to dream big dreams and be led by the Holy Spirit; to have a vision of You with us and to feel your presence now. We ask for a strong faith that trust Your love. As we share our burdens, we are thankful for Your grace which makes our burdens light. Help us now to receive clear directions for the activities of our day with You and receive strength and power needed for these activities; for it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Posted in Applied Faith, Revelation | Tagged Directions, Dream, exile, Gospel, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, John, Lessons, Love, Possibilities, Prayer, Scripture, Trials | 2 Comments

Vision Received

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Mark Shields

John describes himself as a brother and companion to those he is writing to in Revelation 1:9-20. He is writing to the seven churches while in exile on the island of Patmos; a small island in the Aegean Sea about 50 miles southwest of the city of Ephesus. He was exiled there because of his refusing to stop preaching the Gospel.

While in exile one Sunday, he hears a voice and in turning around toward the voice he sees seven golden lampstands which represent the light of Christ and the gospel. Then John sees the Lord Jesus Christ appear in the midst of the golden lampstands and describes what he sees in full detail like this photo below.

We may not face persecution today but we need to continually ask for the courage to share our faith. The same power that was available to John in the early church is available to us today. Just like John received this vision, let us receive the vision of God’s plan and follow through with this plan even under difficulty.

This day with God will be amazing because we have a mighty strength; the blessing of the Trinity. Because of this blessing, we have available a mighty power which is prayer; the power available to each of us with opportunity to receive in full detail God’s plan for our future.

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