Monday, July 27th, 2009 "Much Required"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Monday, July 27^th, 2009

Title: Much Required

Text: Luke 12:48 (NIV)

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

This summer has been one of many adventures. In 3 short months I have been blessed to have found myself driving the roads of Costa Rica with amazing rain forests and smoking volcanoes, sipping coffee on the porch of a beach house watching the waves roll in and the sun rise at Myrtle Beach, and swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Bahamas while stingrays joined us for a few surreal moments of interaction. It has been a one of a kind summer. And as awesome as those trips have been, 2 of the 3 of them I also found myself face-to-face with least, the last and the lost.

In the midst of paradise I found people living is such poverty and conditions that I had never thought possible. In all my years of ministry I thought I had experienced it all. Yet God showed me that I certainly had not. I am haunted by the image of a small Costa Rican girl wearing a white dress running, giggling, dancing and playing, while her jet black hair floated in the breeze. She lived in a shack and had no clue where here next meal would come from. How about Mr. Aderly from the Kemp Road neighborhood of Nassau, The Bahamas? He is an 83 year old former sugar cane harvester and construction worker who lives in a house built entirely of scrap pieces of wood that he found on the side of the streets. He may only live a few short miles from the luxury and pampering of the Atlantis Resort and cruise ships, but it feels like a million miles. These are just a few of the mental pictures that run over and over in my head.

Through all of this, one question has continued to beg from me an answer. How did I get so lucky? Have you ever thought that? Have you ever wondered why you ended up where you are, with the family you have, live in the country that you do? What took place for us to have had the amazing fortune of having a real roof over our heads, so much food on our plates that we feel little guilt if any when we throw our leftovers in the trash, or stand gazing into our closets pondering which pair of shoes to wear today? I mean, sure we may have some really tough times in our lives, but we still have been given so much. But what are we doing with the blessings we have been given? Are we more concerned with filling up our storehouses on this earth than using our resources, both financial and the strength of our bodies and minds to reach and meet the needs of the least, the last and the lost? If we are the true, authentic and radical Christ-followers that we confess we are then we must also understand that one day we will stand before our Creator and answer for not only what we have done, but also for what we have not done.

Today’s scripture speaks of the fact that those who have been blessed or entrusted with much should fully understand that those blessing are not solely meant for our own use, but are also required to be used to help the Mr. Aderlys of this world. I’m not saying that we must jump on a plane and fly to an exotic country. There are people all around us in need. In need of a meal, in need of the safety and comfort of a home, and mostly in need of the life-changing love of Jesus Christ. Are you willing to do something about it?

Something to Think About:

• Make a list of how you have been blessed. (Much is given)
• What are you doing with it? (Much is demanded)
• What else can you do to meet the needs of the least, last and lost?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I thank you for all I have been given in my life. Please continue to reveal to me all of the blessings I truly have. I don’t have a clue why I ended up at this place in my life. I’m not sure why I was blessed with the family and life you have given me, but God I do know that I have been given much. I also understand that because I have been blessed with so much that I am required to do amazing, life-changing and Christ-like things with it. Please open my eyes and my heart to the needs of people in this world and give me the courage to help meet those needs in any way I can. Amen.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 "Don't Get Punk'd"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, July 8^th, 2009

Title: Don’t Get Punk’d

Text: Mark 13:5-6 (NIV)

⁵Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁶Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many.

A few years ago there was a television show that swept pop culture and seemed to be on everyone’s Watch List. The host was none other than megastar Ashton Kutcher and the popular television show was MTV’s “Punk’d”. The entire premise of the show was to trick people into thinking they were either in trouble or had done something illegal or some other thing that would basically cause the poor sap that was being punked to come just seconds away from having a panic attack, thinking they were really in trouble. But each time, just as the subject of the prank was about to begin crying like a baby, Ashton Kutcher would jump out and reveal the fact that the person had just been “PUNK’D!” They would all hug, laugh it off and finally the punked person would look into the camera and utter those infamous words, “I’m (Fill in the Blank) and I just got punked.” All the while the deceptive caste of funny people would mock them from the background.

I can remember thinking to myself that I just could believe how easily the people were deceived. I thought that it had to be set up, the person must have been really simple-minded and that I would never be tricked by something like that. Or would I? It seems that every time I turn around someone else is being sucked into to something that they should have just known better to have gotten involved in. Everything from throwing money at some Get Rich Quick business opportunity to how to drop 20lbs in 2-weeks by just sitting on your couch for only $39.99. It just seems that human nature tends to make us easy targets by those who are slick enough pull us into their trap.

The same fate could happen to each of us who call ourselves “Christians” if we are not careful. I’m not talking about getting punked by Ashton Kutcher or becoming the victim of some crazy TV show. Instead, I am speaking of putting our faith in something or someone other than Jesus. As we see in today’s text from Mark 13, Jesus warns us to keep our eyes open and our minds sharp and not become the next victim of the “Deceiver”. Our world is full of those who announce that they come in the name of Jesus and are only interested in doing the work of God. But many use that as a disguise to draw us in and away from the true purpose that God has for each of us. And before we know, we have been punked and are no longer walking in the Light of Jesus Christ, but instead we stride step for step with those of the world.

But fear not! Those who seek to deceive us and pull Christ Followers away from the safety, security and impactful life that is found is Christ will have no luck in punking those who stay connected to the truth found in God grace, the fellowship of others who find their way by walking in the brilliant Light of Christ and understand that the only real life is that life found in the presence of our God who is passionately in love with each of us. So keep your eyes open and your mind sharp. There is someone other than Ashton Kutcher who is out to get you. Just don’t get punked!

Something to Think About:

• Have you ever been punked? How?
• Have you ever punked someone else? How?
• How can you keep from being deceived in your walk with Jesus?
• How can you help other keep from being deceived in their walk with Jesus?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, As I walk through a world that thrives on instant gratification, get rich quick schemes, fast food and promises of faster fixes, please fill me with your spirit and strength to stay connected to you and away from the schemes of those who may deceive me. Reveal to me those who are not walking in your way, truth and life and help me to turn away from them and turn towards you. Amen.

Monday, July 6th, 2009 "Guard Duty"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Monday, July 6^th, 2009

Title: Guard Duty

Text: Mark 13:32-37 (NIV)

³²"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

³⁵"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

When I was 19 years old I had the amazing experience of spending 17 weeks in the US Army Basic Training and Reconnaissance School. These weeks often felt like years as we would wake up at 4AM and often not lay our heads on our pillows until around midnight. Back in the day the Army had a commercial that boasted that they did more by 9AM than most people did all day. Take it from me. That is not a false statement. They just fail to mention that they wake up 4 hours before most normal people. Anyway, one of the hoops that we had to jump through during those ridiculously cold months at Fort Knox, Kentucky was pulling guard duty. Wow, I actually just got goose pumps just thinking about it.

Guard duty consisted of one lone soldier, bundled up in like 30 layers of clothing, gloves and the ugliest toboggan one could ever put on their head. Then the Drill Sergeant would drop us off at a location where tanks and other military vehicles were parked. Our job was the walk around for 2 hours and make sure no one jumped a fence and stole one of the tanks. Right! Like some hooligan is roaming around an Army base, in the middle of the night, in the winter when the temperature is below 0 and decide to jump a fence, break into a tank and take it for a joy ride. But nonetheless, that was part of our training and certainly something we had to take serious enough. I mean, who wants to be known as the guy who allowed someone to steal a tank? So I remember thinking to myself that I needed to do my best to not only stay awake but to make sure that no one got by me. I was told to keep watch and that was what I was going to do. Because who knew when I would be asked to do it for real?

Well, that is exactly what all of us who call ourselves “Christ Followers” have been told to do. Maybe we haven’t been asked to stand guard and watch for someone who may want to steal an Army tank, but instead Jesus gives us our orders through the text found in Mark 13. We are to keep our eyes open and our hearts prepared for the return of our savior. Who knows when this will happen? The answer is that only God knows of hour of this return. Not Jesus, not your pastor, not the President of the Unites States. Only our Creator knows. And I’ll tell you this much, I want to be prepared and ready to watch my savior return in all of his glory. And as much as this world would like to distract us from our orders to keep watch, just know that Jesus will be back for us. On a day and at a time when most would least expect it, Jesus will return.

So will you join me in standing guard duty and keeping watch for the return of Jesus? Will you stand with me and prepare ourselves for the day our King returns to take his people on to paradise? Will you walk with me, keeping our eyes fixed on the sky eagerly anticipating the moment we see Christ break through the clouds ready to embrace those who have called on his name? All we have to do is prepare our hearts and minds with the things of God, stay awake, alert and watch. And we don’t even have to wear a funny hat.

Something to Think About:

• What can we do to prepare ourselves for the return of our King?
• What distractions should we avoid?
• How can we help others be prepared for the return of Jesus?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I thank you for the promise of the return of my savior. I pray for your guidance and strength to help challenge and prepare me for the day Jesus comes back for his people. Please use me to help spread the word and help others be prepared as well. Help me avoid the worldly distractions that would draw my attention away from keeping watch. Amen.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 "Play That Funky Music"

Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, July 1^st, 2009

Title: Play That Funky Music

Text: Psalm 98:4 (NIV)
⁴ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music

Well it is official. I am finally learning to play the guitar. I figured I would go ahead and make my official announcement so that all of you can help hold me accountable as I try to accomplish something that I have been trying to master for many years now. I mean, what kind of youth pastor doesn’t know how to play the guitar? It is just one of those assumed talents that many people think about once they find out that a person works with youth for a living. Plus, I have always wanted to lead a small group in a fireside rendition of “Kumbaya”.

Last week I was at the beach with some of my youth for our annual beach retreat. I was challenged by one of my amazing youth to bring my guitar with me and that she, along with several other highly talented individuals, would assist me as I took my first few baby steps on the road toward becoming a true guitar player. Now, I have never dreamt of being an Eddie Van Halen or Slash from Guns & Roses (If you are asking yourself who those guys are, please be kind enough not to ask me. Remember, I’m just a feeble, old youth guy.) but I would like to be able to step in a lead music when necessary. Anyway, each morning as we’d roll out of our beds, mine was an ever-deflating air mattress, a group of us would make our way to the back porch of our ocean-front house perched nicely overlooking the ocean in North Myrtle Beach. We would all sit back, drink coffee and the others would patiently teach me how to play some of the chords. These people certainly earned a few extra jewels in their heavenly crowns. Slowly I was able to con my brain into forcing my fingers to twist into the yoga-like positions it took to play the chords I was attempting to learn. I know that it was ugly and often painful for those sitting on the porch with us. And I know it was agonizing or the poor, elderly lady who was always on the porch of the house beside us. I know this because the look of pain on her face was a true giveaway.

Even though the music was rough, the people who were taking the time to teach me were always very kind and patient with me, and once one of them simply looked at me with pity in their eyes and said, “You’re doing great. Just keep working hard and you’ll soon be making music.” Those words have rang through my head over and over again since that moment. And everyday as I reach over and pick up my guitar I just keep telling myself those very same words. “Steve, just keep working hard and you will soon be making music.”

Don’t those same words apply to other areas of our lives? I sure think they do. I think about the work that we all have the opportunity to take on. Everything from our daily chores to, the school work of my students, to the full-time jobs we tackle for a living, to all the other things we are committed to. Are we really working hard, giving our best, and pushing through the adversity until we finally hear something quite special. Music! The joyful noise that our lives can make as an offering toward God. I can just picture God looking down at us and encouraging us with those same kind words. “You’re doing great. Just keep working hard and you’ll soon be making music.”

So join me on my quest to not only master the guitar, but strum the strings of our lives and accomplish something very special. While doing so we can all join in the music of the deserved celebration of the wonderful, grace-filled God that loves us more than we could ever imagine. Who said you can’t teach an old dog, new tricks? Now if you will pardon me. I need to get back to practice. Kumbaya isn’t going to play itself.

Something to Think About:

• What kind of music are you making with your life?
• Does the music your life makes shout for joy to the Lord? How?
• How can the music you are making with your life encourage others to keep working hard to make their own music for God?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, beautiful music is the least I can do to show my adoration and love of you. You have blessed me so much. I will strive to keep working hard to play even more beautiful music for you. I pray that through this not only will you be honored and glorified but others will join me in this journey to shout for joy to you. Amen.