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
In the bustling city of Ephesus, a thriving commercial hub at the intersection of major highways and home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, stood a church with an impressive pedigree. Founded by Paul, nurtured by Timothy, and likely shepherded by John, this congregation seemed to have it all. From the … Continue reading The Loveless Church – Revelation 2:1-7
In a world frequently consumed by the superficial, humanity yearns for glimpses of deeper truths. One such profound revelation is encountered in Revelation 1:9-20. Here, the Apostle John, isolated on the barren island of Patmos, receives a vision that defines not what Jesus looks like, but who He truly is. It is a divine encounter, … Continue reading What Does Jesus Look Like – Revelation 1:9-20
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, how should we as Christians live? The book of Revelation offers us a powerful reminder and call to action. Adrian Rogers once said, We ought to be living as though Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back this afternoon. Revelation, often misunderstood as merely … Continue reading Urgent Faithfulness – Revelation 1:4-8
There’s a moment in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that captures the essence of anticipation and hope. When Mr. Beaver utters the words, “They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps has already landed,” something extraordinary happens. The children, who had never heard of Aslan before, suddenly feel a stirring within them. Edmund experiences … Continue reading Aslan is on the Move – Revelation 1:1-5
Caring for people in their times of need has always been a challenge for the local church. It is a challenge not because people do not care for others, but because the needs can become overwhelming. This is what was facing the early church in Acts 6. The Hellenistic widows were being missed in the … Continue reading Member Care in the Local Church
Elderly gentleman was once asked what had robbed him of joy the most in his lifetime. He replied, “Things that never happened.” Fear of future known as Anticipatory Anxiety (future tripping). Whether you are planning a trip, waiting on a test result, going on a first date (or 2nd) or have a presentation to make at … Continue reading Anticipatory Anxiety
When I was in my last year of seminary I was asked, quite frequently, if I wanted to go back to Georgia to serve a church when I graduated. My thought was – why would I want to go back to Georgia? As I saw it, I had signed up to see the world, so … Continue reading Love Where You Live
MichaelStovall 