Advent devotion - Never Give Up - Acts 27:20

Acts 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (NIV)

            It must have been a terrifying experience for Paul and his companions. In those days, most small sailing vessels hugged the shoreline because they couldn’t navigate in the wide expanse of the sea. During daylight hours, this was quite safe, but at nighttime or in the midst of storms, all sorts of dangers could occur which normally ended with vessels being shipwrecked on the rocks of the land they were following.

            In today’s Biblical passage, (Acts 27:1-20) a storm which had been brewing for days, suddenly unleashes its fierce power which will eventually doom the vessel that Paul and his companions are sailing in. For most of the passengers and crew, faith gave way to fear and as Luke states in his narrative, ‘we finally gave up all hope of being saved.’

            Notice that Luke writes “all hope,’ not just some, but all of it which included their faith in God’s power to save them. Paul, however, did not let go of his hope and in the remainder of the chapter, his faith enables everyone on board the vessel to be saved.

            We all go through uncertain times and experience worrying issues which test our faith and stretch our reliance on God to its limit. If we have taken time to build up our faith and knowledge of God, we can find an inner strength to help us overcome our problems. However, if we neglect our faith and take it for granted, we may soon discover that we have very little hope to cling to.

            As we head into the season of Advent, let us try to strengthen our commitment to God through worship, Bible study, and prayer. None of us have any idea of what we may face in the future, so is it not a better idea to be fully prepared for whatever may come by building up our reliance on God with faith, hope, and love?

Point to ponder

What issues am I currently facing? How am I relying on God to help me through them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know all that’s going on in our lives right now and fully understand the problems we are facing. Help us to turn to You for wisdom and strength, guidance and care to overcome. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s new Advent drawings. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Advent 1.

A Thanksgiving Devotion - Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)

            Sometimes people get nervous about Thanksgiving, especially those who are doing the hosting and cooking. I’ve never cooked a big meal for anyone, but I’ve watched my wife Evelyn prepare everything in advance – making the grocery list, setting the table, buying the groceries, preparing the food, cooking the meal, and beautifully presenting it to the whole family. I enjoy her cooking and marvel at how well she plans it in advance. I know she gets anxious about making everything perfect, but in the end, it’s always a wonderful meal and a great dinner.

            Other folks get anxious about traveling and hope that there are no major delays on the roads or at the airport. They want to be with their folks on time and enjoy the entire holiday. They hope that everyone will be pleasant and the conversations humorous. It will a special time to remember those who are absent, recalling past events and sharing stories that are cherished and embellished each year.

            Some people will be on their own throughout Thanksgiving, due to their own choices or because of circumstances. Whatever the reason, they may feel lonely or forgotten, isolated or unloved. In such cases, a kind call, a special card, or a reassuring word will go a long way in helping them to connect with folks around them.

            Lastly, there will those from our nation who are on active duty in other parts of the world, facing intense situations and encountering hostile forces as they seek to defend liberty and preserve hope in other places. Their thanksgiving at the end of the day may be one of thanking God for having survived a conflict. In the midst of all of our celebrations, we should all take time to remember our military and express a prayer of thanksgiving for all that they do on our behalf and for the cause of freedom throughout the world.

            Whatever your circumstances, concerns, or cares, receive God’s blessing through today’s Bible verse from Paul. To me, it is a promised source of reassurance which helps me in troubled times and enables me to give thanks to God each day, each season, and each year of my life. I hope and pray that it will become the same for you.

            May God bless you and all of your loved ones this Thanksgiving.

Point to ponder

What am I truly thankful for?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your presence in our lives which strengthens and sustains us each day. You know our present circumstances and current concerns. Help us to place them into Your hands, so that we may feel supported and reassured by Your grace and love. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Thanksgiving drawings called ‘Cornucopia.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Cornucopia.

Work in Progress - Acts 23:11

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (NIV)

            When we think about Paul encountering Christ, we tend to recall the story of Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. However, in today’s passage, Acts 23:1-11, we discover that Jesus also visits Paul while he is languishing in a Jerusalem cell. After the rough treatment he received that day, Paul must have wondered if he was going to escape with his life. I think that he would have been worried about either being lynched by the angry mob or crucified by the Roman guards. In either case, his death would have ended his mission for Christ and someone else would have to become the flag bearer of taking the Gospel to the Gentiles.

            But God was not finished with Paul, so in a moment of reassurance and grace, Christ comes to Paul in the barrack cell and lets him know that his work will still carry on. “Take courage!” Christ says, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

            This would have been good news to Paul, though not because his life was being extended. Paul knew that the Gospel of Christ needed to be preached and heard in Rome at the heart of the Empire. Paul would do whatever he could to get there, which would involve a direct appeal to Caesar because he was a Roman citizen. It would be the pinnacle of his mission; it would be the top moment of his work for Christ.

            Sometimes we think that God has finished with us and our work for Him is over, but as long as we have life and faith, we can serve God in many important ways. We can pray for our churches; we can increase our Biblical knowledge, and we can continually share our faith in loving and effective ways with the people we encounter. All we have to do is to continue to take each daily opportunity that God gives us to serve Him faithfully, loyally, and effectively.

Point to ponder

What work of service has God given me to do in my church and community? Am I willing to continue that mission?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we each have different gifts and abilities which can serve and honor You throughout our lives. Help us to discern Your role for us in Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest nativity drawings called ‘Gift of Good News.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Gift.

In the Past - Acts 22:4

Acts 22:4 “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.” (NIV)

            I sin. You sin. We all sin. There’s not one of us perfect or sinless. We all have deep moments of regret or guilt from our past that we struggle with on a regular basis. To be sinful is to be human; to be perfect is to be Jesus, so none of us will ever reach that divine standard of sinlessness.

            In today’s reading, (Acts 22:1-16) the Apostle Paul is addressing an angry mob in Jerusalem. They believe he is ruining their faith and they want to run him out of town. When Paul is given the opportunity to speak, he lets them know about his history. He is Jewish-born, has been educated by Gamaliel, one of the most renowned Jewish teachers of his day, and he has hunted down and sent Christians to their death.

            What??? Was Paul involved in the persecuting and killing of Christians? The great apostle, who is still revered after almost two thousand years, was a killer of Christ’s people? How on earth did he get the job of being the missionary to the Gentiles? Why should we even read or listen to the words from such a sinful killer of Christ’s followers? Something must be wrong somewhere. God must have made a mistake.

            No, there’s no mistake. It was Jesus who chose Paul on the road to Damascus. It was Christ who turned his life around and appointed him to the task. It was Jesus who decided that Saul the slayer of Christians could become Paul the preacher to Gentiles. Christ changed his life from one of defiance to one of obedience.

            I sin. You sin. We all sin. We all need Jesus to save us from ourselves and to restore us to God’s favor. It’s His perfection that makes us holy. It’s His grace that forgives our past. It’s His mercy that gives us a new beginning and the opportunity to live for God and not ourselves. After all, if this was good enough for Paul, it’s more than good enough for us.

Point to ponder

What is my deepest regret? How can Christ release me from the past?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, even though we were sinners and enemies of God, You still came into the world to die for our sins and grant us the opportunity of forgiveness, renewal, and restoration. We thank You for this wonderful act of grace which still amazes us. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called ‘Outside a City Wall.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Outside.

Handling the Truth - Acts 21:38

Acts 21:38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?”

            It appears that fake news has been around for thousands of years. In part of today’s passage (Acts 21:37 – 40) the apostle Paul’s presence in Jerusalem had started a riot. The Roman commander quickly responded and sought to arrest Paul. The charges? According to the commander, Paul fitted the description of a wanted outlaw who previously caused a revolt and recruited four thousand terrorists to form a rebellion. Obviously, the commander had been misinformed about Paul and was ready to arrest him based on the fake news he had been given.

            Passing on false information, including gossip and rumors, is something that Christian people are seriously commanded not to do. Reputations can be destroyed because of false rumors and mistaken charges. Christians who do this shame Jesus whom they follow and serve. In fact, Christ Himself gave a strict warning about this grave sin: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have passed on. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37). This includes passing on Fake News by email, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media.

            As people who call themselves Christians, we are meant to be salt in a tasteless world and light in a time of darkness. If we fail to be truthful and honest because we allow our prejudices and pride to influence our choice to forward unconfirmed and false information, then we damage the community we are meant to help heal, put ourselves under God’s severe judgment, and diminish Christ’s sovereignty over our lives.

Point to ponder

Have I ever passed on fake news or false information to hurt other people? Do I understand that this can have serious consequences for me as a Christian?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, protect us from ourselves, our pride, and our prejudicial views. Keep us from falling into the temptation of passing on false information. Deliver us from doing harm to others simply because we want to pass on gossip or unverified biased opinions. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Bible bulletin covers called “I am the Way.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Way.

Ancient Words - Hosea 10:12

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers His righteousness on you. (NIV)

            The ancient prophet Hosea, who lived in Samaria during the 8^th century before Christ, was both a religious and political seer. His words, which were among the first to be written down among the Hebrew prophets, mostly dealt with the turbulent times that his people were experiencing. Time and time again, Hosea warned the people that there would be severe consequences if the nation failed to honor and worship God with righteousness and love. The country’s leaders were proud and arrogant, deceptive and unaccountable. Hosea saw that this would have disastrous consequences on all the people, so he stridently urged them to get back to the basics of humility and honesty, faith and devotion which were the bedrocks of the Jewish religion.

            Sadly, Hosea’s words were rejected. The people decided that they knew what was best for themselves and wouldn’t allow the words of a Northern prophet to influence their ways. Their fierce independent spirit and puffed up pride wouldn’t permit them to admit they were headed in the wrong direction and that their leaders were pulling them away from the real truths of God. Instead of humbly turning to God’s righteousness and love, they surrendered themselves to their own selfish and sinful desires, which eventually ruined the nation. However, Hosea’s prophecies endured in written form and generations later the people embraced God’s Word by rejecting the rashness and pride which had almost destroyed them.

            As Christians, we are called to be Christ’s representatives in the communities where we live. Although Hosea’s words and warnings are almost three thousand years old, his prophecies still resonate in our current circumstances. The call to righteousness and love, as well as humility and honesty, is as relevant today as it ever has been, so we are left with the same dilemma: to humbly embrace God’s will or defiantly reject His ways. As always, the choice is ours – the consequences remain to be seen.

Point to Ponder

How does God’s Word affect my life? How is His Word reflected in my community?

Prayer:  Lord God, Your ways are meant to be honored and revered, worshiped and adored. Forgive us when we allow our pride to hide the truth and twist Your Word. Speak to us today in our hearts and communities. Protect us from our pride and misguided paths. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Christmas candle drawings. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Candles.

Encouraging Words - Acts 20:2

Acts 20:2 Paul traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece. (NIV)

We are living in pretty discouraging times. Our people are divided and our leaders are not working together. Terrible acts of violence have been committed and hatred is on the increase. Good folks everywhere are feeling insecure and most people are looking for real solutions to our problems. All this strife is adding to our stress which fragments our relationships, leaving us isolated and vulnerable. No one seems to know how to fix things and heal our problems. Our souls are damaged and our hearts are crushed. We just need something or someone to say the right things, give the right word, and point us in the right direction.

This is the Great Commission of Christ’s Church in the 21^st century. We still have a pertinent platform where words of encouragement can bring people closer to God and, in the process, bring us together. How we express those words is very important to the folks around us. For encouragement to work, we have to be sensitive and supportive. If we present Christ in compassionate ways, we will help others who are struggling with life. If we share our confidence in God’s love, we will enable others to find refuge in Him. It all depends whether we are willing, like Paul of old, to be vessels of Christ’s mercy and grace. If we choose to channel His Loving Spirit, we will help others to overcome their fears and rediscover the inner strength which faith in Christ empowers.

Wherever you are today, be an encourager. Whatever you do, let it be done in love.

Point to ponder

How does God encourage me? How can I share this with others?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we can grow weary of the world and fearful of its fallen ways. Enable us to overcome our current concerns by placing our hopes, dreams, and lives into Your hands. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings called ‘Red Cardinal in Snow.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Cardinal.

Falling Out - Acts 15:39-40

Acts 15:39-40 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. (NIV)

            There’s nothing more damaging to the life of a congregation than a church conflict. When Christians fall out with one another, things can get very ugly and a lot of pain is experienced on each side of the conflicting issue. I’ve been a pastor for over thirty years, so I’ve seen several conflicts, some of which I sadly and foolishly created. At the heart of each one is a very sinful thing: pride. Proud hearts and minds become stubborn and entrenched. Instead of seeking a healthy compromise, both sides want everything to be done their way. And rather than humbling themselves in the presence of God, in His own House, people walk away and carry wounds that still hurt for years after the initial conflict.

            In today’s New Testament passage, the great giants of the Early Church, Paul and Barnabas – who had been friends for years – have a sharp disagreement which causes them to part ways with one another. Barnabas wanted to give young John Mark a second chance to be part of the mission to the Gentiles; Paul, however, strongly disagreed. John Mark had left the mission when things became too tough for him, so Paul was unwilling to risk taking him again. This created an intense conflict between the two missionaries and in the end, the matter was unresolved, so they went their separate ways, dividing the ‘dream team’ that God had created years before.

            Congregations are full of imperfect people – members, elders, and pastors alike. If the New Testament Church couldn’t avoid conflict, then what chance do we have of avoiding conflicting issues? Faith is a very important and deeply individual aspect of every Christian, so we become passionate about things that personally affect us. However, when an issue does become a conflict, then perhaps we should honestly review our own part of the problem and ask ourselves if we are letting our pride get in the way of a solution. If only Paul and Barnabas had asked themselves that question, they might not have parted company and divided the church’s mission.

Point to ponder

Do I have a conflict with someone in church? Am I letting my pride obstruct me from finding a healthy compromise or an agreeable solution?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and are totally aware of what is going on in our lives. If we have any conflicts or issues with other people or even in our congregation, help us to seek Your Spirit and guidance in overcoming our pride and finding a real resolution. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can also read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s bulletin drawings called ‘Hands.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Hands.

Advent Devotions: Looking for Love

My new Advent devotions e-book “Looking for Love” is now available on Amazon and can be easily read on Kindle. You can download a free Kindle reader app for any of your devices or phones. The book contains 25 devotions and prayers, starting on 1 December and concluding on Christmas Day. Each day has a chosen Bible verse, a short devotion, a point to ponder, and a closing prayer.

This is my seventh e-book for Advent. Hundreds of people have enjoyed my previous books which are still available each year on Amazon. You can purchase this year’s e-book for only $1 (US) at this link:

Advent Devotions: Looking for Love

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0772LDBJR