Happy 428 Day - Mark 14:55

Mark 14:55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. (NIV)

            As a teenager, I was very cynical about the Church and what Christianity stood for. I was determined to do my own thing and go my own way, so I had no need of any of the joy that Jesus was supposed to bring or the love that God had for my life. In fact, when one of my younger brothers brought in a Bible to the house with a ‘Jesus is Lord’ sticker on it, I mocked him in front of the family. As far as I was concerned, Jesus didn’t exist and anyone who thought differently was a complete idiot. Christ’s story was just a fantastic lie made up by religious fanatics who couldn’t cope with His death.

            A couple of years later, everything changed. Instead of being a stupid, drunken lout to my friends and family, I accepted Jesus into my life and decided to become a Christian. The evidence that I denied suddenly became an experience that I embraced. At the 428 Gospel Club in the heart of Glasgow, I surrendered myself to Jesus one Wednesday evening. My life has never been the same ever since that precious moment. And today, on 4/28, I fondly remember those friends that I made for life, including Evelyn my wife, and give thanks to God for leading me to Christ, even though I had followed a reckless path of alcoholism which could have destroyed my life.

            Today, I would encourage everyone who is reading this message to embrace Jesus in their hearts and lives. He can change everything and set you on a new path of spiritual discovery. “Today,” as the preachers used to say at the 428 Gospel Club, “can be the beginning of the rest of your eternal life.” All you have to do is to let Jesus embrace you, once and for all.

Point to ponder

Am I weary of trying to be strong? Am I willing to let Jesus become my strength?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You love us completely, no matter who we are or what we have done. Enable us to embrace Your reality in our lives and lead us from this day forth. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church website at this link: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is another of John’s latest Pentecost drawings called ‘Spirit 2017.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit.

Erin Church Devotions: Boxer

How the Christian conversion of a thief in Victorian London began a journey of faith for a Scots family living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Audio version here

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

A couple of years ago, the WWJD movement swept Christian circles. I can remember seeing many young people wearing bracelets with those initials on them. It all had to do with the much loved book, “In His Steps” written by Charles M. Sheldon. The book was all about a church being transformed by an event that caused the congregation to ask themselves “What Would Jesus Do?” in every situation.

Like most movements, this one has had its day, and people have moved on to something else. Sheldon’s book can still be purchased online, but how many people are reading and applying it?

Sheldon wrote a much better book called “Broken Earthenware,” which is sadly out of print. It tells the story of a fierce thief called Boxer, who is dramatically converted one night during a burglary. Instead of remaining a thief, Boxer becomes an itinerant preacher, who is slain by the Spirit and washed in the blood of Jesus. Instead of bullying the people in his community like some sort of Bill Sykes, he changes the thieves and vagabonds, drunks and prostitutes in his part of London. He gets them to build a church and the book tells of his struggles with faith. In the end, his young son becomes a pastor and continues the work of Christ.

It’s a great book based on a true story. I owe my ministry, marriage, and children to Boxer’s conversion. Why? Well, you see Boxer’s son was known as Pastor Howard and when he was in his late eighties, he came to the 428 Gospel club in Glasgow, Scotland and preached a message about his father, which reduced everyone to tears, including my own wife Evelyn, who gave her heart to Christ when Pastor Howard gave the call. Boxer’s legacy of faith continues in the love of the Lord that both our children have in their hearts. God does indeed work in mysterious ways.

It is my fervent hope and prayer that you have also given your heart to Jesus in a personal way. All it takes is surrendering yourself to God’s love, looking for His forgiveness, and receiving His blessing through Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Son.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the people in the past whose lives and faith have touched our own. Thank You for the Spirit of conversion that transforms even the wickedest of people into becoming Your most devoted servants. Give us the courage to surrender our hearts to You today, and help us to place our lives into Your hands, both now and forever. Amen.