Jesus is Aware!

A short while ago I was visiting some patients in Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN. As I was walking down the hall, I glanced in the coffee shop as I often do and found some friends of mine from Centerville. One of them was Shane Willis, who is on staff at the Centerville Church of Christ. His mother-in-law had surgery, and it just so happened Shane's partner in crime, Brian McAllister (the preacher) was visiting her. I sent Brian a text message saying "I know where you are and what you're doing!" His reply to me was "glad someone does." Though we were being sarcastic, he knew that I was aware he was in the hospital.

In the book of Revelation (which is another type of text message), John reveals to the seven churches of Asia Minor in chapter one that Jesus is in the midst of the lampstands (13). He clarifies that a few verses later by saying the lampstands are the churches (20). He also says that Christ was holding the seven stars in His right hand, which were the angels of the seven churches (16, 20). He was aware of the persecutions they had been facing, but He was also aware of the horrible persecutions they would face in the near future. That's why His message to them was relief is coming soon (1:1; 6:9-11). Following that up in chapters two and three, Jesus begins to reveal to John the spiritual conditions of the seven churches. It is clear from the information given in the opening chapters of Revelation that Jesus is totally aware of what goes on with His church.

We need to know this message today, because Jesus still knows what is happening with the church. It doesn't matter if it's here in Tennessee, California, Africa or Japan; Jesus is aware of what is going on in the lives of His people and their congregational triumphs and tragedies. Five of the churches were told to repent because of wrongdoing, whether is was leaving their first love like Ephesus or tolerating immorality like Thyatira. Smyrna and Philadelphia were the two praised for their faithfulness to the Lord. Regardless of where the church is meeting around the world, Jesus knows and cares what's happening with his people.

This message is comforting, but it should also be frightening. How many times have you heard the phrase "there's an all-seeing eye watching over you?" The writer of Hebrews says "and no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (4:13). Knowing that the Lord knows everything about us, how should that make us feel as members of the body of Christ? Are we doing things what would make Christ proud to call us members of His body, or are we acting in ways that bring shame and reproach to His body? Good or bad, Jesus is aware of our activities each and every day.

Jesus did provide us with the ultimate text message in the Word of God, but how would it make you feel today if Jesus sent you a text message on your phone saying "I know where you are and what you're doing?"

Small Game Hunt

I have recently been asked by my local game warden and buddy, Eric Anderson to help guide for next weekend's Maury County Youth Small Game Hunt. I'm excited about this as I'll get to serve as a guide to a young person who wants to bag a coyote. I'm not a professional in this field, but it can be a lot of fun. I'll give it my best shot and we'll see what happens. It would be great to get a young person interested in varmint hunting.

Also, I now have the latest audio up from the Revelation class last night. Next week's lesson is on the man-made doctrines of premillenialism and the rapture. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog!

New Audio from Revelation Class

We were able to meet for our Revelation class at Antioch after being postponed last week due to the weather. Our lesson was actually a merging of two lessons into one because of the cancellation, so we covered the background behind the book as well as the spiritual condition of the recipients of the letter. This lesson is just over an hour, so make sure you have time to listen. I hope it's helpful.