Lake Eufaula Christian Church
At LECC this summer, we’ve studied the Bible’s road trips, starting with Abram hitting the Canaan Road in Genesis up to the Beloved Disciple John, the last of Jesus’s original twelve, exiled to the Greek Island of Patmos, where he spent his older years writing the book of Revelation.
In New Testament times, Patmos was a destination for criminals and political prisoners. Many died of exposure, violent attacks by other convicts, or starvation. Though Patmos was but a dot in the ocean, God saw John there and entrusted him with important prophecies.
John writes in Revelation 1:10-18: “It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshipping in the Spirit. Suddenly I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet blast…. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.’” Believers now don’t have to fear Hades or death, because Jesus conquered both. We can rest in Him, and have power in Him. But how do we do that? Repent. Turn from sin. Turn to Jesus. On your life’s road trip, if you only want to control everything and disregard God’s plan for your life through Jesus, then you set a course leading directly away from heaven, and straight to eternal separation from God.
But, if and when you relinquish control, you’ll realize that God has always been at work in your life. And God’s desire is to place your soul in the hands of Christ, who’ll wash your sins away and ultimately make you new. You’ll want to heed God’s guardrails on your journey home to Him. “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come .” (Hebrews 13-14) Sometimes while driving this nation’s highways, guardrails often seem restrictive. Their presence forces you to keep driving in a certain direction on a certain path; they contain you to a certain space. But they also minimize your risk of plunging into a deadly ravine.
The same principles apply to your spiritual journey. If you do not fully understand their intention, the good standards of God could seem restrictive. Yet in reality God’s commands and standards help us live life to the fullest. The boundaries exist so we can safely complete the journey of faith and make it home to be with Christ.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.” (Revelation 22:14). “Wash their robes” means true believers seek to purify themselves from a sinful way of life, so as not to live “with the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.” (Revelation 22:15) God is good, and His grace is life changing. If you are un-churched, we at LECC pray that your journey of faith will lead you to our sanctuary at 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula. Sunday school is at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesdays allage activities at 6:30 p.m.
We hope you’ll heed God’s guardrails and get back on His holy path with our congregation who will love you and welcome you with open arms.
