Short Devotions: No More Night - Revelation 22:5

Revelation 22:5          There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.

I love seeing the moon and the stars in the night sky, but I guess that I’m going to miss them in Eternity. This verse from Revelation makes it quite clear that night and darkness will have no place in God’s Everlasting Kingdom. God is Light, so there will be nothing to get in the way of Him and those of us who make it into Heaven. Everything and everyone will be bathed in the glory of God’s infinite glory.

Things will be different, which means that we will be different too. The lives that we live here on Earth are just mere shadows compared to the everlasting brightness to come. We have got so much ahead of us that the present changes, turbulence, and difficulties will quite literally pale next to the heavenly glories that we are still to experience. Compared to God’s Kingdom, the world will just be another dull place.

That doesn’t mean to say that I’m wishing my life away; quite the reverse actually. I’m hoping for more of God’s brightness, light and love to be seen and experienced in the dark places on Earth. I’m praying for a revival in my life, my church, and my faith through the opening up of the minds and hearts of our people, our communities, and our culture. For too long, we’ve let the darkness overshadow our society. It’s time to be truly enlightened by Christ and not artificially brightened by the world.

Prayer:                       Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World. You come into our dark ways and times in order to show us the everlasting brightness and glory of God. Open the eyes of our hearts, so that we may truly see God’s everlasting brilliance in the world. By the power of Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask a question or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing which is simply called “Surfer.” It features a surfer within a wave. If you would like to see a larger version of the picture, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6201329105_b1e187698e_b.jpg

4 minute Devotions: Life is a Journey - 1 John 2:15

1 John 2:15      Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

There’s an old folk song called “The Wayfaring Stranger.” Most people assume it’s an Appalachian song, a Melungeon ballad, or an old African-American spiritual. There’s even some speculation that it was first sung in Britain and brought over to these shores during the large scale immigration of the 18^th century. Whatever its origins, the song has been lovingly sung for generations because it expresses a simple truth: we are all just pilgrims on this planet, heading home to Heaven.

I’ve often stated that life is a journey and that it continues until we reach our eternal destination. Jesus Himself told us that He is the Way to God, so our lives can be continued beyond the grave if we place our hearts and hopes in Him. This, of course, means letting go of all that possesses us on this planet, which is why the Apostle John wrote to his fellow Christians about not loving the world. If we grow too attached to the things around us, and even the people, we will never give our hearts to God. The purpose of this life-long journey is to experience the temporary joys of God on Earth, so that we will be attracted towards, and even yearn for, the infinite bliss of Heaven.

When we accept that life is transitory and look forward to being with Christ in Eternity, we discover a peace about who we are, what we are meant to do, and why we are here in the first place.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You have told us that if we seek You first, we will experience an abundant life. You have also claimed to be The Way in which we can be reunited and restored to God in Heaven.  We believe Your words and look forward to the time when we will at last see You face-to-face in glory. Thank You for Your promises and for the gift of Everlasting Life. In your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s abstracts. It’s called “Church of the Holy Moon.” If you would like to view a larger version, please visit the following link: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1071/922294289_96d56148da_o.jpg

If you would also like to hear and view a great version of the Wayfaring Stranger song, please visit the following YouTube link which features Trace Adkins singing it at the Grand Ole Opry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXX0S9P1SUo

Daily Devotions: Embracing Eternity

Ephesians 1:19b-21 That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Sometimes we get so preoccupied with what’s going on each day that we forget about the everlasting qualities of our faith. We get so involved in the ‘here and now’ that we neglect to meditate and ponder about our eternal future. We have an immortal King and He grants us everlasting life, so why do we continually get stuck in an earthly rut that is both temporary and fleeting?

Some Christians believe that we shouldn’t become so heavenly minded that we’re of no earthly use, but what if the reverse is also true? What if we become so earthly grounded that we have no use for heaven? Aren’t we making the mistake of believing that life revolves us individually, instead of having Christ at the center?

I wish that more people would take time to think about everlasting life. According to scripture, it will be a time and a place where peace abounds, pain is gone, and God shall wipe away every tear from our faces. Being with Christ forever is a wonderful prospect to me. To hear Him speak, to watch Him rule, and to serve Him forever are precious to me and keep me from being chained to insecurity and doubt, anxiety and depression.

When Paul was writing to the young Christian churches so long ago, he wanted them to understand Christ’s eternal sovereignty. They lived under the rule of the Roman Emperor and had suffered for their faith. Paul was constantly reminding them that Jesus reigned forever, whereas Caesars would come and go. In other words, kingdoms and empires may rise and fall, but Christ’s words endure forever.

I think that Christians should meditate on the everlasting component of our faith. I believe that we should embrace eternity in our everyday lives. Some anti-religious people may call it deluded escapism, but millions of others believe it to be an everlasting hope that gives us a purpose to live our lives in meaningful, faithful, and Christian ways.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gift of eternal life and for the many ways in which it enriches our spirits and strengthens our faith. Help us to share this wonderful hope with many people, so that they may also experience Your everlasting promises. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinrpesbyterian.org.