August 27 devotion - Expecting the Unexpected

Revelation 8:5             Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

In 2011, an earthquake in Virginia took a lot of people by surprise. People felt high buildings shake and thought it was another terrorist attack. The Washington Monument cracked and was shut down. The National Cathedral in DC suffered millions of dollars of damage. It was completely unexpected and lots of people were left frightened and stunned.

Records, however, show that earthquakes have taken place in this region before. In fact, if you look at a map and check out the North Eastern seaboard terrain, you soon realize that earthquakes have been happening in this region for millions of years. Everyone was caught by surprise in 2011 because of a false notion that large earthquakes take place on the West Coast and not the Eastern Seaboard. We have fooled ourselves into believing that the whole region was off-limits to substantial seismological activity.

We are good at deluding ourselves biblically too. Take some of the passages in Revelation. We hardly ever think about them and cast them aside as ancient mythology. We reckon that it’s been almost 2000 years since the apocalyptic prophecies were written, so why do we need to bother about them now?

However, we also casually forget that we are almost 2000 years nearer to the day when these events will occur. Just like the “unexpected” earthquake in Virginia, the Lord will return one day and angels will hurl hail and fire which will burn up a third of the Earth. Will we look at one another in deep shock and surprise if it happens in our lifetime? Will we sadly remember that this “unexpected” return was not so unexpected after all? Will we continually live our lives as if these cataclysmic events will happen only after we’re dead and gone?

If we honestly think about it, every day has the potential of being our last day on Earth. The serious question that we need to ask ourselves is this: will it also be our first day in Christ’s Everlasting Kingdom? The gift of free will still applies, so the choice of where we end up eternally is still ours to make on this side of Life.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, prevent us from fooling ourselves about Your Second Coming. Keep us aware and alert to the signs of the times and the Biblical warnings that You have given to us. Help us to stay focused on our faith in You and enable to attract our loved ones to You before it is too late. 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 or ask questions, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image John’s simple stained glass design of Christ’s Return. It’s called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2432537217_e82364bff8_b.jpg

August 11 devotion - No Hurry

Revelation 10:6           And he swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and the angel said, “There will be no more delay!”

There’s an old story told about three apprentice devils who were taking their final exam in front of Satan.

“Before I let you loose in the world,” Old Nick said, “I need to know what deceitful message you are going to whisper in the ears of people so that they end up here in hell.”

“That’s easy,” said the first devil. “I’ll tell them there is no heaven.”

“That won’t work,” said Satan. “Whenever people look at the beauty of the earth and feel the wonders of creation, they know that heaven exists. FAIL!”

“I’ll tell them that there’s no hell,” said the second devil.

“That won’t work either,” said Satan. “The world is full of so much pain and suffering, injustice, and cruelty that people know hell exists as a place of punishment for the unrepentant and wicked. FAIL!”

The third devil thought for a moment and then said, “I’ll tell them that there’s no hurry.”

“EXCELLENT!” Satan declared. “People will be fooled into believing that there’s plenty of time to change. Hell will overflow with lost souls! PASS!”

And the angel said: “There will be no more delay!”

Are we ready for Christ’s Return if He comes back today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, our lives are precious gifts which are meant to be spent serving God and enjoying His Creation. We get distracted at times by what’s going on around us instead of paying attention to what’s happening inside our souls. Help us to take this day as a means of strengthening our faith, serving You, and sharing Your love, so that we and others will be ready for Your Return. In Your Holy Name, we wait and pray. Amen.

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

Today’s drawing is called “Death by Dali” and is John’s crayon depiction of the Crucifixion based upon Salvador Dali’s masterpiece “Christ of St. John of the Cross.” If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5630260156_4cd6a2e7b5_b.jpg

Short devotion: Sleeping Sheep - Mark 13:36

Mark 13:36     If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

There’s an old joke told about a Vatican priest rushing in to the Pope’s throne room in Rome and shouting, “ The Lord Jesus has returned to Earth! What will we do? What will we do?”

The Pope simply replies: “Look busy.”

I still laugh at that joke, but the older I get, I also understand the fundamental truth behind it. What if Jesus returned to Earth today, would we be ready or caught sleeping?

Because we live in a society where instant gratification and unhindered leisure are important to us, we may be caught off guard when Christ does return. We keep taking shallow short cuts with our faith and are constantly distracted from making a deeper connection to God via worship, meditation, prayer, and study. We want our theology to be thin and palatable; we want our Bibles to be read in short bytes and simple verses; and we want our worship to be convenient and passive, instead of challenging and passionate. In other words, we want a cozy, comfortable faith to soothe our spirits and anaesthetize our souls.

In John Bunyan’s amazing book, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress,’ the hero is called ‘Christian’ and he endures a harsh journey from the City of Destruction to the Gates of Heaven. Just before he reaches the end of the journey, he has to pass through a dangerous pathway where many fellow travelers are sleeping. They are sleeping because they have taken their faith for granted and will sadly never finish the journey, or enter into God’s Kingdom. Christian has to steel himself and summon all of his faith resources in order to overcome such a subtle temptation. Only by persevering faithfully, does Christian win the battle and get into Heaven. He is alert and awake for the Lord’s Return; he is heartily welcomed and cheerfully accepted into the Lord’s Domain.

Question for personal reflection

Am I ready for the Lord’s Return or am I guilty of falling asleep and taking Him for granted?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You could re-appear any day now and yet we live as though it won’t happen in our lifetime. Forgive us for disregarding the teaching of the scriptures and the challenges of the Gospel. Keep us alert and ready, as well as eagerly awaiting Your Promised Return. In Your Holy Name, we expectantly 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 image is John’s latest lectionary drawing called “Water and Spirit.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7259851996_ad06a17b9f_h.jpg