Jubilation for Some but Tribulation for Others

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Mark Shields

There is a need to always be prepared. The Rapture as recorded in Revelations could occur at any moment. In a twinkling of an eye, the Lord at a time no one knows will return to earth. Those who have accepted Jesus, will be jubilant and meet Him in the air. Those who have not accepted Jesus will enter into the worst of times.

Reading in Isaiah 25, the prisoners are those who do not accept Jesus and are not set free. They are those left behind on earth who have never accepted Jesus as Savior at the time Jesus returns. They will be in darkness and not understand what is going on. There will be seven years of the worst of times … hell on earth for those who rejected Jesus. This is called the tribulation.

Those who put a lot of study into the End Times say the Anti-Christ will attack and take over Jerusalem. There will be the final battle at Armageddon which is just south of Jerusalem. Jesus will simply speak a few words. No one knows what the words will be but maybe something like “Peace Be Still” and it will be over. Jesus will defeat the army of the Anti-Christ. [1]

The “feast” mentioned in Isaiah 25:6 is the new earth with Jesus reigning over all nations. Jesus is the Light that shatters the darkness. At that point, all things will be completely transformed. This is the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth with peace and prosperity.

According to the “The End Times” video, the planet will be renewed, there will be peace, and things of beauty will cover the earth. Jesus will reign as King. The new earth will be formed with the Light of perfect truth, the Light of life, and the joy of everlasting life.

Lord … this day we are working to build up the Kingdom. It’s rewarding work that is useful and important forever. We spur one another along toward your blessings. There are difficulties we face but we are lifted up because our eyes are on the ultimate prize. We step out in faith using Your Word as the stepping stones along the path. We are thankful that grace is the currency of Your Kingdom that rewards us with the treasures of peace and eternal bliss. We are focused on the victorious finish that Jesus provides. Amen.

[1] Amazon Prime Video Directed by Discovery Media Productions. 2006. The End Times

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

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Remain Strong and Burst into Song

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Mark Shields 
They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
   from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty - Isaiah 24:14

Difficult situations provide the opportunity for God to defy the odds and we can be a part of the victorious side that ushers in an amazing future!

Inspired by “Transition to Something More”, below is a short poem.

Within all the mirth
God devastates the earth
There was a lot of wrong
Humanity brought it on
For lack of pursuance
To the ordinance
But some burst into song
For they had remained strong

Look forward to singing praises to God each day to build up a strong faith and know that like the lyrics go to the song Strong by Anne Wilson, we can’t do it on our own, but with Jesus we have the strong arms of our Savior who holds on to us.

Index of devotionals

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Transition to Something More

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Mark Shields

Life can be disappointing with things that we have no control over and things in our past that put up obstacles for our future but God has a way to remove those obstacles. Jesus has made the path clear so our past is a clean slate and our confidence for the future is increased because we have access to more power than we could even imagine.

Reading Isaiah 24, the prophecy is that the Lord will judge His enemies. Today’s passage is about the end of times or the Day of Judgment. Humanity will bring it on for not following the Way of God. The stage will be set with wars, disasters, disease, and famine.

Even with the obstacles we face, with God we can transition to something more … to a higher state of being. “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly.” [1] The caterpillar’s old body dies, and a new body will form inside a protective shell. As time goes by, a thing of beauty emerges from the cocoon.

Difficult situations provide the opportunity for God to defy the odds and we can be on a victorious side that ushers in an amazing future! In a twinkling of an eye, the Lord will return and believers in Jesus will burst into song because they remained strong.

At that point, all things will be completely transformed. Earth will be renewed, there will be peace, and things of beauty will cover the earth. Jesus will reign as King of the new earth with the Light of Truth and the joy of everlasting life.

With You Lord Jesus, we transition to something more. We accept the Way and keep in step with the Spirit by following and obeying. It takes a lot of practice, and we practice our faith so it’s available when we need it. We read the Word, pray, and document what we hear, what we see, and what we feel. We overcome the obstacles faced by finding rest in You Lord because we know that You are setting things up for a future beyond what we can even imagine. Our hope is in You Lord Jesus for You are the Light and the Truth. Amen. 

[1] Quote from American Writer Richard Bach

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

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Thought From Devotional 10-25-2024

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Mark Shields

A thought from John 11:45-57 is that there is a need to rely on God for the possible when it seems impossible. When a plot to kill Jesus started, He went to a small village away from the public. He stayed with His disciples to prepare them for the rough days ahead. He gave up some comforts and went through adversity in order to fulfill His purpose; to die on the cross and save those who sought after Him.

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Good Steward

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Mark Shields 
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12

Today’s video is East To West by Casting Crowns.

From “The Better Way” another great city is prophesized to feel the destructive wrath of God who hates greed and pride This would lead to the ruin of Tyre (v. 9). Tyre was a great city of trade during the time of Isaiah as ships from the eastern coastal city of Tyre would deliver items to far off places like Tarshish in the western part of the Mediterranean near Crete or off the coast of Spain.  It made many people wealthy, but these people were not good stewards of the resources given.

This day with God, make your dreams and God’s dreams for you come true by being a good steward of the resources you’ve been given. Think of ways to use technology like WordPress which does not cost anything and is not too complicated to use. Use your talent of writing to build kingdom wealth by mining spiritual treasure from the Word of God. Then share this useful and meaningful treasure with others in an efficient way.

Index of devotionals

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