Smoke detectors have a funny way of getting your attention. They seem to go off in the middle of the night, waking you while everyone else sleeps. You can’t just ignore it and go back to sleep. It’s meant to rouse you, warn you, and rescue you. The seven trumpets in Revelation 8–11 function in … Continue reading When the Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 8-9
Humans are curious creatures. We want to know. It’s why children ask, “Are we there yet?” a hundred times on a road trip.It’s why we scroll endlessly through social media.It’s why we made Google a verb. And when it comes to the end times — the last days — our curiosity reaches a whole new level. We’re … Continue reading When Curiosity Meets Revelation – Revelation 6-7
In the spring of 2000, James Montgomery Boice, beloved pastor of 10th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, was diagnosed with cancer. Just eight weeks later, he was gone. On May 7, 2000, he stood before his congregation for the last time and said something remarkable: “If God does something in your life, would you change it? … Continue reading The Lion-Lamb – Revelation 5:1-14
There are moments in life that never get old … Driving over the bridge to the beachside and seeing the ocean stretched out before me. Cruising down a country road lined with cotton, corn, and pastures, soaking in the beauty of creation. Catching a first glimpse of Augusta National in the spring – golf heaven … Continue reading Game of Thrones – Revelation 4:1-11
A church doesn’t die overnight. It happens slowly, quietly, almost imperceptibly. And often, the church doesn’t even realize it is happening. Proverbs 29:18 warns us: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” This is not a slick slogan for a capital campaign—it’s a spiritual indictment. It’s what happens when God’s people lose sight of Him, lose … Continue reading The Dead Church – Revelation 3:14-22
Do you remember the nervous feeling of getting your report card in school? That envelope was more than a piece of paper — it measured progress and pointed out where we needed to grow. In many ways, the letters to the seven churches in Revelation are like spiritual report cards — but these come from … Continue reading Report Cards from Jesus – Revelation 3:7-13
I was recently asked a question I hadn’t considered before: “What’s one thing you would like to see change at your church?”My answer was simple but weighty — I want to see the worship of our church become more consistently passionate. I want to hear the congregation sing. That might seem like a small thing, but … Continue reading The Revived Church – Revelation 3:1-6
In today’s culture, tolerance is often held up as the highest virtue. On the surface, that doesn’t seem so bad. Who wants to be harsh or hateful toward others, especially those with differing beliefs? Christians, in particular, are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Tolerance, in that light, can sound quite … Continue reading The Faithful Church – Revelation 2:18-29
Winter was coming. A hunter went into the woods, hoping to find a bear from which he could make a warm coat. As he quietly moved through the snow-covered forest, he spotted a bear coming toward him. He raised his gun and took aim. “Wait!” the bear said, “why do you want to shoot me?” … Continue reading The Compromising Church – Revelation 2:12-17
The goal of the Christian life is not to escape death—but to be faithful to Jesus. That’s a sobering statement. Yet it cuts through the distractions and comforts that often lull us into spiritual complacency. The church in Smyrna, one of the seven churches addressed by Jesus in Revelation 2, knew this all too well. … Continue reading The Persecuted Church – Revelation 2:8-11
MichaelStovall 