October 26 devotion - Sword Fight

John 18:11     Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

I used to fence with swords when I was a teenager. My friend Graeme and I somehow managed to purchase two foils in a second-hand shop. I think we originally bought them for a play we were doing, but we got so hooked on the swords that we started to fence outside in my backyard.

It was good fun, but we didn’t have any masks or protective clothing, so it was pretty painful at times. The foils were tipped, but if they scraped across our open skin, it left a scar for days. We even worked out a staged fight and used it to entertain the local kids.

And then one day, Graeme lunged at me and hit me in the face. He hit the corner of my right eye, which left a nasty red mark across my face. If he had hit me a quarter of an inch to the left, I would have lost the eye. It was a very painful and poignant moment. That night we put the swords away and decided to take up jujitsu instead.

In the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ was being arrested, Peter just wanted to protect Jesus when he lunged at Malchus with his sword. Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who defended Christ. It was an impetuous and impossible thing to do. The high priest’s posse had arrived with clubs and swords, so no matter what Peter did, Jesus would still be arrested.

Strangely enough, Jesus didn’t rebuke the posse. Instead, He rebuked Peter, which must have seemed harsh at the time. It’s only later that you realize Jesus was protecting Peter from being arrested, too. By insisting that Christ had to drink the cup of wrath from God alone, Jesus was giving Peter a way out. He was diverting the mob’s attention away from the big impulsive sword-wielding disciple and turning it back toward Himself. It was an act of grace. It was a gift of mercy from God.

Sometimes, as Christians, we get all fired up and are full of zeal for the Lord. We want to protect Him from all of the discredit and damage that the world still wants to cause Jesus, but in the process, we act irrationally and put ourselves in danger. We seem to forget that Christ alone has the power to make all things right and that one glorious day, His justice will prevail.

Point to ponder

When have I acted impulsively in an effort to defend Christ? How would Jesus have responded?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we love You and we want to please You. Forgive us when our zeal blinds our reason and our strident ways diminish our faith. Grant us the godly gift of discernment, to know when and how to say and do the right things, as opposed to doing them at the wrong time, in an un-Christian way. 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 a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

August 7 devotion - Finding the Light

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)

We all go through some dark and fearful times in our lives. A serious illness or injury to ourselves or a loved one may create some anxious moments. Domestic strife or a conflict at work may distress us and cause us to despair. Trying to meet a crucial deadline or struggling with important homework can put us under a lot of pressure. Losing a job or being disappointed by a friend can make us feel worthless or abandoned. Whatever the circumstance or situation, we feel vulnerable and weak, as well as scared and anxious, causing us to struggle with life and thinking about giving up on our dreams.

Whenever I experience something like that, I frequently turn to the Book of Psalms for consolation, support, and wisdom. There’s usually a verse from those ancient sacred poems that resonates with my current situation which makes me feel as though God is speaking directly to me. One of those incredible verses is highlighted today. To know that in the midst of my darkness and despair that God is my light and salvation greatly helps me. To feel that the Lord is the stronghold of my life makes me feel protected, embraced and loved.

Perhaps you need a message or a sign or a Biblical verse to get you through today. Maybe you have more going on in your life than you can handle. Whatever your circumstance, please take today’s verse as something from God that you can both lean on and rely upon. Let God lead you with His light; let God shield you from all that stresses you.

Point to ponder

What is currently stressing me? Am I willing to let God help me?

Prayer: Lord God, You know our lives completely and are perfectly aware of all that is presently happening to us. In the midst of our trouble, be the light that leads us to better times. In our fearful moments, grant us Your strength and loving support. In Jesus’ 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 on Sundays. You will be made most welcome 😊

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

August 4 devotion - Paul's Gospel

2 Timothy 4:11           Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

            I find today’s highlighted verse fascinating. It seems the two Gospel writers, Mark and Luke, were closely involved with Paul toward the end of his life. Luke had traveled extensively with him throughout the Mediterranean; John Mark had initially worked with him on his earlier missions. From this passage, Paul is isolated and has been abandoned by some of his friends. He seeks the company of Mark and Luke, probably because he feels he can trust them and perhaps still influence their own ministries.

            I find it fascinating because I’ve heard and read many people write or say that they ignore Paul’s Letters and just live as Christians by purely following the Gospels. They seem to think that Paul had nothing to do with how the Gospels were written or what they contained. Today’s verse proves them wrong – Paul had a deep and personal interest in the ministries of the Gospel writers, so he must have given them guidance on what they eventually wrote.

            Some of the anti-Pharisee stories and the trial of Jesus reveal great insights into how the Pharisees operated at that time. Paul called himself a Pharisee of Pharisees, who had personal access to the High Priests and the great Pharisee teachers of both his and Christ’s time. It is my personal opinion that some of these Gospel insights came from Paul, the Pharisee Persecutor, who would have received a lot of personal inside information about the encounters that Christ and His followers had with the Sanhedrin Council, the High Priest and local Pharisees. At one time, he needed the information to condemn, arrest and imprison members of the new Christian sect. It’s amazing to think that what was given to him to persecute the faith, ended up in our Gospel stories from the pens of Luke and Mark, which were written in order to expand the faith. God surely does work in mysterious and wonderful ways!

Questions for personal reflection

What do I think about Paul? How has his influence shaped my Christian faith?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You personally chose Paul to be the appointed Apostle to the Gentile nations. His work for You has shaped who we are Christians today. Help us to recognize his worth to You, as well as his influence over our personal faithful lives. 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 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 Communion drawings called ‘Word.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Word.

July 8 devotion - Love the Word

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

I love the Word of God as contained in the Holy Scriptures. Ever since I can remember, I have believed in its truthful teaching and eternal message. I don’t think there has ever been a time when the scriptures weren’t real to me, not even in my drunken alcoholic days. The Bible has always been God’s Holy Word and I take great joy in reading it, hearing it, and drawing strength from it.

Now please don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean that I’m a Bible Thumping, Scripture Bashing, Gospel Guru who sits on a self-righteous pedestal and guffaws at the rest of the world. I do suffer from arrogance and have pride driven moments like everyone else, but basically, I love God and His wisdom, as revealed to us through the Bible.

When my life was at its most self-indulgent and self-destructive, I kept going back to my Gideon’s pocketbook version of the New Testament and Psalms. Somehow the seeds of faith that my Sunday school teachers had planted in my mind and heart were never completely gone. More than forty years later, I am still in awe of what God chose to do and how He accomplished it through His words that were written thousands of years before I was born. This constant relevance of the Bible that I see enacted in people’s lives and the world every day makes me love God’s word even more.

So today, let us all rejoice in this beautiful revelation that we call the Word of God. May it always be an anchor, foundation, and cornerstone of our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have been revealed to humankind for thousands of years through the Holy Scriptures. Your message and ministry are still expressed, embraced, and enacted by millions of people in the world today. Thank You for such a divine, beautiful, and everlasting gift. 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 Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You'll enjoy the experience and be made very welcome :)

Today's image is one of John's lectionary drawing called Easter 7B. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: E7B.

Short Devotion - An Old Story - Genesis 35:14-15

Genesis 35:14-15        Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Jacob called the place where God had talked with him, Bethel. (NIV)

            As a schoolboy, I was taught that the stone pillar which Jacob placed at Bethel thousands of years ago, was somehow transported to Scotland and became known as The Stone of Destiny. When ancient Scottish kings were crowned, they sat on a coronation throne which was built around the stone, supposedly conferring God’s blessing on their reign. Eventually, during the wars between Scotland and England, the English king took it as a victor’s trophy and had it placed below the coronation throne in Westminster Abbey. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth was crowned on the same throne over the stone. As a gesture of goodwill to the people of Scotland, she returned it in 1996 and had it placed in Edinburgh Castle, where it occupies the same room as the Scottish Crown Jewels.

            It’s a delightful story, but it really doesn’t date back to Jacob’s time. A group of geologists has studied the stone and they believe it is part of the red sandstone which is found around Scone Palace in Scotland, where the Scottish kings and queens were officially crowned. It seems that the Scots have a touch of what the Irish call ‘blarney,’ when it comes to telling tall tales.

            In the Bible, Jacob set up the original stone pillar as an everlasting witness to God’s grace in preserving him and his family, as well as for the promises of posterity which would be fulfilled in the multitude of the future Hebrew people and formation of a Jewish nation in the Promised Land centuries later. It was a turning point in Jacob’s life which allowed him to settle in God’s country with a divine blessing that would not be broken.

            As we each look over our lives, remembering where we came from and looking forward to the times that lie ahead, let’s not forget to be thankful to God for sustaining and blessing each and every day of our lives. We may not fully know what lies ahead, but of this, we can be certain, the God who holds us dearly in His hands today, also holds every tomorrow in His hands.

Point to ponder

What Bible stories do I remember from my childhood? How do those stories still affect my faith today?

Prayer:            Gracious God, we thank You for the fulfillment of Your promises over the centuries and across the world. We have faith today simply because You arranged it long ago. Help us to be mindful of how we pass on our faith to the younger generations in our lives. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Scottish designs called ‘Caledonian Soul.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Soul.

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

Healing Devotion - Take Heart - Matthew 9:2

Matthew 9:2   Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

            The more I read the beautiful story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man (Matthew 9:1-8), the more I believe that real healing begins with forgiveness. As a pastor for over thirty years, I have been with and cared for many people in times of illness and recovery. Usually, when folks experience a serious sickness, injury, or setback, they become more reflective about their situation and sometimes express regrets from the past or long-term issues that still burden their hearts.

            During those sacred moments of confession and unburdening, the hope of forgiveness, mercy, and grace which Jesus freely gives, becomes a major step in the healing process. It may not seem amazing to others, but as a long-term pastor, I feel privileged to see the beginning of a miracle in individual lives. Christ’s forgiveness and wonderful love combine into a healthy restorative which moves the person forward on the journey to recovery.

            Perhaps you are in need of forgiveness because of something you said or did which you regret. Maybe you also need to forgive someone of something which still burdens or affects you. Whatever it is or whoever caused it, allow yourself to be embraced by Christ and permit His compassion to begin the healing process within and around you.

Point to ponder

How can Christ’s forgiveness heal and restore me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, Your gracious words of forgiveness can help us to heal from the past. Grant us this blessing today and enable us to share that forgiveness with others, so that Your healing may be extended beyond our own lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Celtic Cross drawings – this one has been created for Ash Wednesday. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Cross.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church’s website here: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Love and Perseverance - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

2 Thessalonians 3:5   May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (NIV)

            I like today’s chosen verse because it is full of encouragement. All of us want to experience God’s love in our hearts and feel the assurance of His compassion. We all need to know that we are not alone in this world and that God loves each of us fully. This is a wonderful gift of grace and something that we can faithfully rely upon.

            But there’s also a bonus in this verse: Christ adds His perseverance to that beautiful love of God. This means that no matter what we anticipate, experience, or endure, Jesus will be right there with us, every step of the way. In colloquial terms, it could be said that Christ has our back and is constantly watching over us. God’s love make us feel secure and strong; Christ’s perseverance enables us to face our problems, issues, and troubles, in order to resolve and overcome them.

            Perhaps this has been a bad week, or a terrible month, or even a painful year for you. You may currently feel isolated and vulnerable, anxious or depressed. Whatever you are going through, please know this: God loves you and Christ walks beside you. You are not unloved or alone.

Questions for personal reflection

What problems am I facing today? How can God’s love and Christ’s perseverance help me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we know that You are always with us and that God’s love sustains us. Persevere with us in the midst of our troubles and graciously enable us to overcome our problems. 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 contact him, please send John an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Gospel Devotion: Wrestling with Reality - Luke 23:18

Luke 23:18    But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

“Popularity should be no scale for the election of politicians. If it would depend on popularity, Donald Duck and The Muppets would take seats in Senate.”

– Orson Welles

            I have often thought that what is popular, fashionable, or currently cool is not necessarily right, moral, or even Christian. I struggle with this constantly, because I am bombarded with societal standards and cultural expectations from my family, friends, peers, and even church members. I’m probably considered to be old-fashioned, anachronistic, and archaic (even using those words defines how outdated I am). Because I wrestle with this, the message that I write or proclaim is tarnished with the same misperception of being antiquated.

            However, I would rather embrace an old-fashioned religion than be besieged by a culture enraptured with the shallowness of celebrity. I would rather hold on to an archaic Gospel than succumb to a diluted message that has no depth. I would rather hold out for a Bible worth reading, studying, and applying, more than a thousand best-sellers that add little quality to my life. Like everyone else, I only have a short time on Earth compared to the eons of eternity. Like some, I would rather seek peace with God and be embraced by Christ, rather than waste my life on spiritual superficiality.

            When the mob in Jerusalem had the opportunity to choose Jesus, who was standing in front of them, they rejected Him and chose Barabbas. They just did what the world has always done: they made a secular, popular choice, and ended up with the wrong person. They could have chosen Christ and have been blessed by His continued teaching; instead they shouted for a killer, becoming killers themselves by abandoning Jesus.

            This week, we will all be given opportunities to do what is right, as opposed to what is convenient or popular. We’ll be challenged by the Spirit of Christ to follow His ways, or to wander down the path of apparent popularity. We’ll either end up marching to the banal tune of a cultural pied piper, or we’ll be singing songs of salvation about our Savior. As always, the choice is ours. It may not be popular, agreeable, or acceptable to even write this, but to paraphrase Orson Welles, if our faith depended upon popularity, then we would worship Donald Duck or the Muppets, instead of a Crucified King and rejected Lord.

Question to ponder

How much culture influences my Christianity?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, we try to follow You but often end up getting distracted by our own preferences and choices. Help us to find the path that You want us to travel on. Give us the courage to make better choices, so that we may serve and worship You. 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. John is always interested in your thoughts. And, if you ever find yourself in Knoxville on a Sunday morning, the people at Erin will make you feel welcome and will be delighted to worship with you.

Today’s image is John’s latest Celtic Cross drawing called “Son Light.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Cross.

Bible devotion: Tennessee Pharisees - Luke 14:11

Luke 14:11    “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

            A strange thing happened in the Tennessee legislature this week. The House passed a bill declaring that the Bible should be the State Book, giving it special status just like the State Bird, State Song, State Flower, etc. An ex-pastor, who is now a politician, proposed this bill. It was accepted by the majority and will now proceed to the State Senate, and then to the Governor’s desk for signing, if it passes there.

            To me, this is a pointless exercise of fundamentalist posturing which will be fruitless and successfully challenged on the grounds of its unconstitutionality. It’s a banal bill and a ludicrous law which only taints Tennesseans as stereotypical backward, bible thumping hillbillies whose ornery ways castigate the forward thinking and future planners for our beautiful State.

            All of you know me. I love the Bible – its stories and teachings, history and poetry, messages and tenets. I try to live by Biblical standards, but also fail miserably as a sinner. The Bible is God’s Word for me and I read it daily for guidance, sustenance, and inspiration. To make it the official book in Tennessee degrades the Bible to a tawdry and subservient political level, where crafty representatives and wily politicians will use it to promote their own self-righteous, sacrilegious, and charlatan ways. I thought that the Pharisees no longer existed; it seems that they are alive and well in the Tennessee legislature. Instead of acting humbly and showing love, the House representatives are exalting themselves and religiously oppressing others – something that both Jesus and the US Constitution strongly and accurately oppose.

Question for reflection:      What does the Bible mean to me? How do I apply its teachings with my life?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You warned Your people constantly about self-righteous leaders and oppressive lawmakers. You confronted their hypocrisy and often challenged their misdirected and foolish ways. Enable us to freely, faithfully, and even constitutionally resist those who would try to use their religion to humiliate others and exalt themselves. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely 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 church drawings called “Communion Cup.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Cup.

Bible devotion: Meat, not Milk - Hebrews 5:12

Hebrews 5:12              In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Recently, I took part in an online survey from a large Christian publishing house. The company was trying to promote yet another new version of the Bible, and the survey dealt mostly with the packaging and cover of the book. It was interesting to complete because the publishers were asking pastors their views on how the new Bible should be marketed to people in the congregations that we serve. I must admit, the whole process made me actually wonder whether or not we truly need another version of the Bible at all!

Never before in the history of Christianity has the Word of God been more accessible to people everywhere. Folks can read the Bible in traditional book form, or as e-books online, on their laptops and notebooks, as well as on their mobile devices and smart phones. It is instantly available, practically anywhere on the planet, so no one can have the excuse of not being able to find a Bible to read. However, it appears that people are actually reading the Bible less and less; even although we have it literally at our fingertips, Christians are become Biblically illiterate and so end up creating their own ideas, opinions, and beliefs about God.

You don’t think so? Ponder this: two generations ago, most church people could recite the Ten Commandments, say the Lord’s Prayer, name the twelve disciples, and quote a whole list of Bible verses. Three generations ago, they could do all of that, as well as listing the books of the Bible, and stating the chapters where you could read all of those things. Sadly today, people who often quote that we should not judge each other because Jesus said so, or that we should all love one another because He commanded it, could not tell where to actually find those sayings in the Gospels (Matthew 7 and John 13).

As Christians, we ought to be People of the Book, not for legalistic reasons, but because the Word of God needs to be cherished in our lives. Daily readings should be a constant in our daily lives because each day that we wake up, is actually a gift from God in the first place.

I think it is time to recommit ourselves to a quiet devotional retreat with God’s Word every day. It’s not hard to get back into the habit – think about it, there are things that we do each day without burdening ourselves – like reading the newspaper, catching up with folks on Facebook, or even watching a nightly TV show. It can be done, but only if we truly want to do it.

Questions for personal reflection

Am I really too busy to spend time alone with God in prayer and Bible reading? Who gave me this life I am living anyway?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we want to follow You and grow in faith. Help us to recognize how important the Scriptures were to You, and how crucial they are in our spiritual lives today. Give us the focus and determination to set aside some quality time with You, Your Words, and Your Way. 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 Lent bulletin drawings for this year. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Lent Bulletin Cover.

Gospel devotion: Sharing Good News - Romans 15:23-24

Romans 15:23-24       But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

It was always Paul’s intention to take the Gospel from one end of the Mediterranean to the other, from the shores of Palestine to the Rock of Gibraltar. He had a vision of preaching to almost the whole Roman Empire, which would have been a mammoth task to undertake. However, despite having such a grand scale vision, his efforts to reach Spain would be halted by his arrest in Jerusalem and subsequent fatal trial at Rome. He would never fulfill his ambition, but his work would carry on to all sides of the Mediterranean and beyond through those who heard his message and read his letters.

When I first became a pastor in Scotland, all I wanted to do was serve a parish and help all sorts of people come to Christ. I never dreamed of coming to the States to be part of a different kind of ministry, which has now given me the ability to communicate to Christians around the globe. Folks in the church at Erin, Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as others in Scotland and across the world, get to read these devotional messages. With the use of email, Facebook and even Twitter, I can reach out to others from Christ all over the world at any time. It’s humbling to realize this and when I read the list of countries and cities where people read my devotionals, it really is staggering.

It makes me wonder how much Paul would have used modern technology to reach people for Christ all over the Earth. He endured hardships and suffering, beatings and imprisonment for the spreading of the Gospel. He would have loved this new technology and would have put it to wonderful use in order to share Christ’s message across the nations.

Thank you for reading these devotions and for sometimes sharing them with your family and friends. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read the scriptures, my thoughts, and the devotional prayer. May God bless you on your journey of faith this day and may He continue to grant you visions for bigger and better things for your life, your church, and Christ’s ministry.

Questions for personal reflection

How can I use the technology I own to spread the Gospel? Who can I share Christ’s message with today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world and for the many new ways we can share Your words with others today. Grant us opportunities to share our beliefs at the right time, with the right words, and to those who need it most. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Window Lamp.” It features an old kerosene lamp lit in a window at dusk. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/9622394834_c41fc6f281_b.jpg

Short devotion - Testimony Time - Acts 23:1-11

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."

It’s been too long a time since I heard a great testimony of faith. Presbyterians tend to be introverted academic people, so getting church members to testify is like trying to draw blood from a stone. It’s not that these people have no faith; it’s just that the age-old Calvinism inside their souls obstructs them from ‘showing-off’ about their personally held beliefs.

There are some Presbyterians, though, who could give their testimony at the drop of a hat. They are very confident about their beliefs, but sometimes their testimony lacks real credibility because vanity and assertiveness comes through. As extroverts, they do not see this in themselves, but those who hear and see them observe these things.

Perhaps testimonies are best expressed when they are situational and not contrived. In Paul’s case, from what we read in Acts 23, he testified to his faith in Christ because he was emboldened by the Holy Spirit to speak in a largely hostile situation. His life was on the line and he could have been torn to pieces by an angry religiously-fanatical gathering. Paul used the event to boldly speak of his faith in Christ’ resurrection, without boasting or vanity. It was a crucial moment to show his genuine Christianity to people, especially those who may have known and admired him before he actually became a follower of Christ.

I guess what I’m trying to write is that God gives us opportunities to testify about our faith in the experiences and situations that we find ourselves daily. Today, whether we are introverts or extroverts, there may come a special moment where positively expressing our beliefs to another person may be crucial in their lives. Let’s all hope and pray that when it comes, we will be ready.

Questions for personal reflection

When was the last time I heard someone give an effective Christian testimony? When was the last time I made my faith in Christ known to someone else?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You came into our lives through the words and testimony of another person. Our faith was transmitted to us through the effective witnessing of other people, whether they were family, friends, preachers or teachers. Remind us that we are also called to share our faith and testimony with other people. Help us not to shy away from those precious and crucial moments in our lives that will effectively, positively, and lastingly challenge and change other people. In Your Holy Name, may we continue to watch and pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s Easter Sunday drawing for this year. It’s called ‘Rising Star.’ If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8605348590_4986139d69_b.jpg

Bible Devotion: What is an Ephod? - Exodus 39:2-3

Exodus 39:2-3                        They made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen--the work of a skilled craftsman.

What’s an Ephod?

There are some words in the Bible that only belong to the ancient cultures represented in its pages. ‘Ephod’ is one of them. The ephod was the metallic breastplate or vest that Aaron the High Priest wore when he entered the holy tabernacle to intercede on behalf of the Hebrew people. It was part of his uniform and a badge of his authority. The ephod was squarely shaped and contained twelve jewels on its surface which represented the twelve tribes of Israel. It must have been both a beautiful and an amazing piece of jeweled clothing for the high priest to wear.

By the way, some people believe that the arrangement of colors, threads, and squares was an ancient inspiration to the making of the first plaid/tartan cloths.

The ephod’s significance had many meanings. By wearing it, the high priest was recognized by God as being the one who could make confessions and prayers for all the people. Its precious stones represented the well-being of the whole community and signified God’s authority through Aaron to the people. It was also an expensive vestment, festooned with gold and rich jewels, with which the wearer honored God’s kingly, royal, and majestic presence. The people could confidently have their prayers of confession presented to God because the ephod wearer was welcomed into God’s sacred presence.

As Christians, we have a high priest, but instead of an ephod, He bears the marks of crucifixion on his head, chest, hands and feet. When we make our confessions in Christ’s Name, He stands before God as our both our Holy Savior and God’s Sacred Son. He is given the authority to forgive our mistakes, to pardon our messed up lives, and to allow us the precious opportunity of beginning again. We are a fortunate people because we are forgiven; we are exceptional creatures because Christ saves us.

Questions for personal reflection

How many times in the day to I ask Christ to intercede on my behalf? What does He do that makes Him my Savior?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for being our High Priest. We are grateful that You are willing to intercede on our behalf each day, to forgive our many sins, and to restore us to God’s favor and kingdom. Without You, we would be lost to God forever. With You, we are blessed eternally. 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 or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is of the High Priest in Aaron’s time wearing the ephod and other vestments.

Daily Devotions: Read the Bible

Genesis 25:1   Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 

Luke 4:29       They got up, drove Jesus out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 

Okay, hands up all of you out there who knew that a) Abraham married again after Sarah died and b) that Jesus was almost thrown off a cliff to His death by his own neighbors?

I’m thinking that there may not be many hands up out there and that you are probably surprised by these events. Not many pastors preach on those topics and I can’t ever remember a Sunday school class ever tackling these passages. And yet, these events are written and described in the Bible, so why don’t we know about them?

We’ve stopped reading the Bible, plain and simple. We’ve all the time in the world for a best-selling novel, or checking our emails, or reading our tweets and texts, but when it comes to actually reading God’s best seller, God’s text message – the Bible, we’ve grown careless and inconsistent, making ourselves biblically weak and scripturally ignorant.

That’s why the church in Western society is encountering so much inner turmoil. Mainstream Christians believe that their own life experiences and personal feelings, their own ideas and individual opinions outweigh God’s Word. They want their faith to be relevant, but they don’t want to read the scriptures. They want their culture to be accepted, but they don’t want to accept Christ’s Gospel. In fact, when faced with the audacity of the New Testament message, they want to throw the uncompromising Christ and His First followers, like Peter and Paul, over a cultural cliff. In other words, they want the church to catch up with the world and alter its Christian ways, rather than face up to the world and challenge it to change.

I firmly believe that if people want their churches to grow, they have to re-invest their time in God’s Word. It’s no use hoping for the best and wishing things were different; if Christians really want to be effective and influential in the world, they honestly need to know God’s Book from beginning to end. Anything else will just be superficially experiential and grossly inauthentic.

Questions for personal reflection

How often do I read the scriptures? How can I make this a daily practice?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, our generation of church going people is guilty of setting aside scripture reading. We may pray to You several times a day especially in times of crisis and trouble, but we are forgetting or failing to read, meditate, and study Your Word.

Forgive our foolishness and keep us from becoming ignorant of Your Ways. Help us to make the time to read the Bible, as well as continually praying. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest “Bonnie Scotland” drawing. It’s a winter scene of the beautiful Eilean Donan castle which has been used in many movies. If you would like to view a larger version, then please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7532542862_5b7b31bd43_b.jpg

Superbowl halftime Devotions: Divine Forgetfulness - Isaiah 43:25

Isaiah 43:25    “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

I honestly could not live with myself if I could not go to Christ each day in prayer and ask for the forgiveness of my mistakes and the absolute pardon of my selfish sins. I may be a pastor, but I am also only human, so I will never be perfect in any shape or form. As the legendary coach of the Packers, Vince Lombardi, once said, “ Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”

We cannot be perfect, but we can strive to be better people each day. We can learn a lot more about God. We can work on our weaknesses and build upon our strengths. We can seek God’s blessing, Christ’s forgiveness, and the Spirit’s guidance every day. We can know that we are growing in faith by trying to live as effective and devoted servants of Christ in our congregations, communities, and countries.

God is able to blot out our past mistakes and to presently bless us with His love. And when God forgives us through Christ Jesus, His Holy Son, He promises not to remember, recall, or be reminded of our sins anymore. When God forgives, He forgets our offenses. When He pardons us, He allows us to move on.

Perhaps you have been carrying a major regret from the past for a long time. Maybe you haven’t managed to forgive yourself for a sinful stupid mistake that still haunts you today. It could be that you’ve not known any real peace of mind or heart over an event or deed that you committed recently or long ago. Know this: help is available now and peace can be experienced. Tell Christ what’s truly on your heart and ask Him for mercy. Your prayers will be answered and your sin will be fully forgiven. Just make the time and take this opportunity to make amends with God and be restored to His love today.

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You know us completely and we know that there are no secrets that we can ever hide from You. Pride and fear sometimes keep us from asking for forgiveness. Denial and delusion sometimes cause us to bear our burdens longer than we need. Today, we come to You as sinners in need of salvation, as failures in need of forgiveness. Hear our prayers given humbly and in the power of Your Holy Name. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. if you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest free clip art image for school teachers. It’s called “Teacher’s Welcome.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6746680641_4b4da99685_b.jpg

Church Devotions: A Believer's Catechism - Matthew 20:28

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 41:17-24 and Matthew 20:20-28

Matthew 20:28            “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Why did Jesus die? To save us from our sins.

Why do we need to be saved? Because God is holy and perfect and cannot abide sin; our sins separate us from God, so if we die in sin, we will be separated from Him forever.

Why can’t we save ourselves? Because we are not perfect or holy. We are human and sinful, selfish and proud, greedy and faithless, self-centered and conceited. Our sins are many and our good deeds are too few to purchase salvation.

What did Jesus mean when He said that He came to give His life as a ransom for many? Jesus was telling His followers that only He could pay the full price for our salvation. Without His perfect and supreme sacrifice, the ransom that God demanded would never be paid.

What did Jesus mean by ‘many?’  Not everyone will be saved. There will still be those who will choose to die in sin. There will still be those who choose to reject Jesus. There will still be those who will not repent of their sins, so they will never be restored to God. Jesus died for all, but not all will be saved.

How can I be saved?  Completely believe in Jesus and fully accept His words. Sincerely repent of your sins and seek His forgiveness. Respect Him as Your Savior and serve Him as Your King. Then you will know the joy and experience the blessing of being eternally saved by Christ.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we come to you as sinners needing to be saved, as followers seeking forgiveness, and as servants searching for Your blessing. Forgive us of the past. Reclaim us at this present time. Restore us eternally to God. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of my Good Friday drawings from last year. It’s called “Death by Dali” and is my crayon version of Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of St. John of the Cross.’ The original painting hangs in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery of my hometown Glasgow, Scotland. If you would like to see a larger version of my drawing, click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5061/5630260156_4cd6a2e7b5_b.jpg

If you would like to view an image of Dali’s original painting, please click this link: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/museums/FullSizeMuseumPhotos/ac_id/87/image_id/361/imageno/1

Free Church Devotions: Knowing - Isaiah 40:14

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 40:12-17 and Matthew 19:13-15

Isaiah 40:14    Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?

I have a simple mantra for my life: God knows what He is doing. As far as I can remember, even in my bleakest of moments, God has always been in control. I’ve suffered from addiction and heartaches; I’ve experienced the death of loved ones and tragedies; I’ve known what it’s like to be hungry and poor, cast aside and ignored. And yet through all of that, God has always known what is best for me.

My approach to the Bible is just as simple: God knows what He has accomplished. And if God says that Jesus is His beloved Son, I simply believe it. And if Jesus says that God can only be known through Him, I simply accept it. God knows everything, so therefore when God sent His Son into the world to die for us, God knew that this was the best possible way to restore us to Him forever.

I don’t question God. I don’t question Jesus. I simply believe and totally accept all that God did through Christ. If someone were to ask me, “How can I live forever”, I will simply say, “Believe in Jesus Christ.” If  I am asked, “Is there life after death”, I will say, “Of course, through Jesus alone.” And if someone were inquire, “Is Jesus the only way to salvation”, I would have to answer, “Yes, because God knew what needed to be done and Jesus was the only person who ever accomplished it completely.”

God knows everything; the question we have to ask ourselves is this: are we willing to trust Him and simply accept what He did through Jesus?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of our souls because You alone completed all that God expected You to do on Earth. You fulfilled the mission that God knew was necessary to restore humanity forever. We praise You for being our Advocate, our Redeemer, and King. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest Psalm drawing for children. It’s from Psalm 112 and you can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6651134643_e5a34e5fe7_b.jpg

Devotional - No Hurry - Revelation 10:6

Revelation 10:6           And he swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and the angel said, “There will be no more delay!”

There’s an old story told about three apprentice devils who were taking their final exam in front of Satan.

“Before I let you loose in the world,” Old Nick said, “I need to know what deceitful message you are going to whisper in the ears of people so that they end up here in hell.”

“That’s easy,” said the first devil. “I’ll tell them there is no heaven.”

“That won’t work,” said Satan. “Whenever people look at the beauty of the earth and feel the wonders of creation, they know that heaven exists. FAIL!”

“I’ll tell them that there’s no hell,” said the second devil.

“That won’t work either,” said Satan. “The world is full of so much pain and suffering, injustice and cruelty that people know hell exists as a place of punishment for the unrepentant and wicked. FAIL!”

The third devil thought for a moment and then said, “I’ll tell them that there’s no hurry.”

“EXCELLENT!” Satan declared. “People will be fooled into believing that there’s plenty of time to change. Hell will overflow with lost souls! PASS!”

And the angel said: “There will be no more delay!”

Are we ready for Christ’s Return if He comes back today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, our lives are precious gifts which are meant to be spent serving God and enjoying His Creation. We get distracted at times by what’s going on around us instead of paying attention to what’s happening inside our souls. Help us to take this day as a means of strengthening our faith, serving You, and sharing Your love, so that we and others will be ready for Your Return. In Your Holy Name, we wait and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is called “Death by Dali” and is John’s crayon depiction of the Crucifixion based upon Salvador Dali’s masterpiece “Christ of St. John of the Cross.” If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5630260156_4cd6a2e7b5_b.jpg