Pursuing Wisdom - James 3:17

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. (NRSV)

When I was much younger, I thought that life was all about pursuing happiness and finding pleasure. Now that I am older, I realize that wisdom is more important than indulgence and that God’s wisdom is greater than anything I can possibly know or experience. Pursuing His wisdom is now the main part of my life, so when I read James’ words about the wisdom from above, I can relate to them in ways that my younger self would never have understood or even cared to receive. I guess that Time has a way of stripping away trivial pursuits and showing what is truly important – to enjoy all that God has created and live in His love forever.

Application: Take time to quietly think about God and cherish His love.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for our lives and the many ways when we encounter Your wisdom, love, and presence. Be with us this day and help us to take time out to contemplate Your words, works, and ways. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

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

Real Truth - John 8:31-32

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the people who had believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (NRSV)

The ancient Greek word for ‘truth’ in our Gospels is pronounced ‘aleethia’. It means something that is absolutely free from pretense, deception, falsehood, or corruption. In the New Testament, it is often attributed to the works and ways of God – something that is absolutely certain, a divine reality which cannot be challenged or changed by human guile or caprice. This truth – the real truth – will remain throughout history and continue into the everlasting realm of God. This is why Jesus declares that He is the Truth – the whole and unassailable truth – which cannot be diminished or destroyed. As Christians, then, we are called upon to seek, know, and live by the Truth for only then, as Jesus wisely stated, will we be made free.

Application: Ponder on what truth actually is and let’s ask ourselves – are we living truthful lives?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us to value truth above all else, for only real, divine, and sacred truth can set us free. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

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

Liberty and Mercy - James 2:12-13

James 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. (NRSV)

Liberty is a big thing in the United States. Many of our folks would defend it at the cost of our lives and when we feel it is being suppressed or encroached upon, we speak out against those who are hindering or harming our right to be free. Our fierce independence is entwined with our liberty, so, therefore, it is not something to be trampled on or carelessly neglected.

However, James the brother of Jesus had a different notion about liberty because he associated it with acts of mercy. His belief as a Christian was that liberty is not the right to do what we want (that’s actually anarchy), it is a God-given, unalienable right which we should freely use to show mercy to others. In other words, because God graciously and mercifully grants us freedom, we should aspire to justly and liberally do the same.

Justice and mercy are the fruits of a free and faithful people. Liberty is not a selfish right we fiercely possess; it is a gracious gift that we as Christians should want to share. When we fail or deliberately choose not to show mercy, we place ourselves under God’s judgment, so we should be very careful about how we express our freedom. If we use it as a weapon to deny others grace, justice, and love, then we are in danger of giving God no other choice but to judge us by our own standards. So, let’s all try to live our lives as Christ once put it: ‘Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.’ (Matthew 5:7)

Application: Do I use my freedom to apply mercy to others, or am I guilty of preserving my liberty solely for myself?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You purchased God’s mercy for us by dying on the Cross even though we did not deserve such a gracious blessing. You freed us from the slavery of sin and selfishness. Challenge our ideas and opinions, as well as our hearts and minds, to not only receive Your mercy but to show the same to all. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings based on the beautiful Micah 6v8 Bible verse. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Mercy.

Worthless Words - James 1:26

James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (NIV)

According to James, the brother of Jesus, being religious and being Christian were two separate things, especially when it came down to behavior. In his time, folks were very religious and sought to distinguish themselves by proudly displaying their faith and testifying to their own righteousness. However, when they spoke disdainfully or aggressively criticized others, this conveyed, as James wrote, that their religion was worthless. In other words, they were just going through the motions of appearing to be faithful, but their brutal words and strident ways showed them for what they were: absolute hypocrites who were not worth following or copying.

Application: During these troubled times, we need to personally ask ourselves: is my religion real or worthless?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, open our eyes to those who feign to be faithful and keep us from being misled. Let us also be aware of our own sinful ways. May our faith be real and not worthless. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called ‘Spirit 2020.’. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit.

Do Not Forget - Hebrews 13:15-16

Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (NIV)

Anyone can say from their lips that they love and serve Jesus. It doesn’t mean that they actually believe it or even practice what this entails. Healthy folks can also post religious verses or statements on the internet to indicate their beliefs, but they may not even go to church on Sundays. This is not a new issue, however, because the writer of Hebrews reminds the young Christian Church that praising Jesus also involves doing good and sharing with others. In fact, the author urges the new congregations not to forget about doing these things because some of them became so centered on their personal beliefs that they neglected to follow through with good deeds and Christian love.

Application: Is my faith deeply personal or distinctly relational? Who can I help to love and support today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to proclaim our faith in You by practicing Your teaching through helping and caring for others. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

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

A Great Sacrifice - Hebrews 7:27

Hebrews 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, Christ does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. (NIV)

Most of us make sacrifices for our loved ones whether they be our partners, parents, children, or friends. We give up something important to show how special our loved ones mean to us. This is exactly what Jesus did when He sacrificed Himself on the Cross at Calvary. You see, for centuries, God’s people had relied on animal and grain sacrifices to appease God’s anger and receive His mercy. But because the people constantly sinned, they had to constantly keep sacrificing.

When Jesus sacrificed Himself, He gave His people the greatest gift of all, for who could top the sacrifice of God’s Holy Son? And this wonderful blessing was expanded and shared with the entire world for all of history. This means that we also can have our sins forgiven and be reconciled to God no matter who we are or what we have ever done.

Application: Think about the worst thing that you have ever done. Ask God to forgive you in Christ’s Name. Receive God’s grace through Jesus and begin your life with His love again.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the Cross. We can never repay the debt that we owe You, but we can praise You forever for doing this. In Your Sacred Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

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

God Won't Forget You - Hebrews 6:10

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. (NIV)

One of the greatest ways we can show God’s love is to help others. Most churches have faithful people who serve and worship God by compassionately – and very often quietly – supporting others who are undergoing hard times, health issues, and other problems. As a pastor, I am constantly amazed and encouraged by kindhearted people who live their lives lovingly. They make the world a better place and do a lot for the well-being of the local community with their good works, generosity, and empathy. Their faith is very down-to-earth and highly practical; in God’s eyes, their good works are commendable and memorable which is plainly expressed in today’s highlighted Bible verse.

Application Q: What good can I do today? Who can I encourage and support at this time?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You showed God’s love by healing people who were hurt, comforting those who were grieving, and restoring those who were lost. Your compassion displayed the goodness of God’s Kingdom in the world. Help us to do all that we can to follow in your footsteps today. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

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

Life Lessons - Hebrews 5:8-9

Hebrews 5:8-9 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (NIV)

Most of the lessons that we learn about life usually come through some sort of trouble or suffering. Pain and pressure, heartache and hard knocks have ways to strengthen us after we endure them. We may not have chosen that way for ourselves, but what we gain through suffering is patience, endurance, and character.

According to today’s verses, Jesus also experienced this. As a human being, He was subjected to all sorts of pain, humiliation, conflict, and even shame. But in the end, He endured because He kept on the path that God had laid out before Him. His suffering led to perfection because of His obedience; that perfection has won for us forgiveness and absolution, salvation and everlasting life.

Application: Consider your present circumstances and how some negative experiences have actually made you into a better person. Would you have learned those important lessons in any other way?

Prayer: Lord God, be with us when we go through times of trouble, suffering, and pain. Grant us the strength to endure and teach us real lessons about life, faith, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called Take Up Your Cross. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Cross.

Approaching God - Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

In ancient times, many people thought that God was unapproachable and too holy to safely come into His presence. They believed that their sins caused an unbridgeable gap between themselves and Him. They were therefore very wary about directly asking God for help or forgiveness. They usually tried to win His favor by making a personal sacrifice of livestock or grain, money or other resources. They hoped that they could appease God’s anger and then be granted His mercy.

After Christ died on the Cross, there was no need for any more sacrifices. He fully paid the debt that we all owe to God and opened up a new way for us to confidently approach the Lord for help and healing. Jesus purchased this gift with His beautiful life, so we can now freely and personally come to God to humbly ask for His grace, favor, and love without ever being afraid.

Application: Think about the mistakes and regrets that have disconnected you from God. Confidently approach God in prayer and ask Him for forgiveness. Receive God’s grace and begin again. 😊

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the amazing gift of grace that You have given to us through Your Son Jesus Christ. Forgive our faults and restore us to Your love. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

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

Builder of Everything - Hebrews 3:4

Hebrews 3: 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. (NIV)

I can remember watching my grandson playing with some blocks recently. He was cheerfully building a tower by piling each brick on top of the other. At some point, the tower became unstable and he laughed loudly as the blocks tumbled down. He would then start again to build another tower with the same outcome.

I think the urge to build something is a divine hallmark within all of us. Our world is full of many structures that people have built throughout the centuries. The greatest landmarks that we have are all buildings whether they be towers, castles, or even pyramids. We live to build and we build in order to live.

God is the greatest builder that we know. He built the Heavens and the Earth, the majestic mountains and the rolling seas. Our planet has been built over billions of years initiated by God and built upon His Word. God also builds our lives through the work of Christ and the interaction of the Holy Spirit within us. God has built us to be His people and He continually builds our spirits by filling us with faith, hope, and love.

Application: Think about the plans that you have for your life. Ask yourself “what is God building within me?”

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for building everything including our planet, our people, and our purposes. Encourage us to keep building what You have made within us. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome :)

Today's image is one of John's crayon drawings of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Castle.

Begin Again - Hebrews 2:18

Hebrews 2:18 Because Christ himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)

I’ve already broken several of my New Year’s resolutions, so I can’t even keep up with my own standards. Like most of us, I start off with the best of intentions but quickly get distracted or even too comfortable to follow through with my self-imposed promises. I guess I can reset my determination and begin again – hopefully, I will resolve to accomplish all that I want to achieve this year.

Today’s verse reminded me that this is what Christ offers us each day – a fresh chance to begin again. When we fall into temptation and fail to keep God’s commands, Jesus gives us the grace to pick ourselves up and start once more. He doesn’t do this either from a smug and self-satisfied position of knowing that He is perfect; He forgives us because He understands what temptation is like and how prone we are to fall prey to our own selfish and sinful ways.

So, today is a new day. Christ offers all of us the opportunity to begin again. He not only understands our personal struggles, but He is absolutely able to help us let go of our sinful past, acquire His grace today, so we may walk with Him day by day. We are not fallen failures, we are forgiven sinners; we are not cast aside by God, we are embraced by His patient and enduring love.

Application: Allow yourself to be forgiven by Christ for anything you have done. Let this be a new day of restoration in your forever relationship with God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Savior who completely understands our struggle to keep God’s commands. Grant us Your grace and show us a better way to live our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is a Communion drawing for the New Year. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: New Year.

New Year Poem: Let Go

Let Go

Let go the past

That caused you pain.

Be free at last,

Begin again.

Let go of fear

That kept you chained;

Take this new year,

And hope again.

Let go of hate

That brought you strife;

Take hold of love,

Reclaim your life.

Let go the war

Within your soul;

Let God restore

And make you whole.

© 2020 John Stuart