4 Minute Devotions: Simply Serving

Why do we, as Western Christians, feel entitled to God’s blessings? Are we meant to serve or be served by God?

Luke 2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

They could have felt divinely entitled and fully excused of their religious commitments. After all, Joseph and Mary were charged with the responsibility of protecting, raising, and rearing Jesus, the Son of God, so they could have been given some slack.

Instead, they chose to fulfill what the Law of the Lord required – offering a sacrifice, presenting Christ to the Lord in the Jerusalem temple, and having Him circumcised. They decided to show how dedicated they were and how honored they felt at being chosen for this holiest of callings. They would not claim any special bonuses or blessings from God. They would not demand that their wants be met or their commitment be recognized. They would simply submit to the Lord and remain grateful for the privilege they had been given.

Sadly, in our sophisticated Western Christianity, I see much of the reverse. Mega-church preachers and TV evangelists proclaim a Gospel of entitlement, success, and prosperity. Thousands of people turn up with their notebooks each week to glean words that will give them the scriptural secrets to making their dreams come true. Millions of viewers tune in to listen to this type of glossy Good news in order to make them feel better about their lives. There’s a sickness in their souls and a Gospel of greed possesses them. They want to be empowered, encouraged, and entertained, not confronted, challenged, or changed.

Joseph and Mary endured many hardships and experienced deep sorrows for accepting God’s call. They endured the scorn of their community when people first realized that Mary was pregnant. They experienced humiliation when they couldn’t find a place to have their baby born. They had to leave their country behind to go and become political refugees in Egypt. Even when they eventually returned to Nazareth, Joseph may have died young, leaving Mary to raise Jesus and the rest of the family. And finally Mary had to watch her grown Son die in a shameful, horrific, and painful way.

They accepted their calling and never felt entitled to health, wealth, or success. They served God fully and faithfully, doing what they were told and honoring Him. They sought service over success, sincerity over insecurity, and willingness over wealth. God chose them perfectly and wisely because they had the potential, character, and commitment to do what pleased Him.

There’s a lesson here for all of us and the challenge is this – are we willing to serve or be served? Is our faith all about God or about us? We know what the answers should be, but are we ready to let God make what could be with our lives?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the examples of faith, commitment, and service that Mary and Joseph showed in the past. Enable us to embrace that kind of holy calling and sacred service to You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Holy Global Warming! Pope Goes Green in Vatican

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).-

The Vatican will be taking a step toward promoting a greener culture next week as it inaugurates new solar panels on the roof of Paul VI Hall.

The inauguration will take place Wednesday at the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Vatican communiqué reported today.

The 2,400 solar panels replace the deteriorating concrete roof panels, and the photovoltaic cells will convert sunlight into electricity, and generate enough power to light, heat or cool the 6,000-seat hall. The Vatican says the solar panel project is one of the "concrete and tangible initiatives" of the Vatican to promote the protection of the environment.

Read the rest of the story here…

4 Minute Devotions: Striped Pajamas

The Boy in Striped Pajamas is a new Holocaust movie with some very important messages about raising children.

Podcast version here

Deuteronomy 11:19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

I went to a free screening of a new movie the other night. It is called “The Boy in Striped Pajamas.” The story is about two boys who are separated by the electric barbed wires of a concentration camp. One boy, called Bruno, is the son of the Commandant of the camp. The other boy, Schmoel, is the son of a Jewish watchmaker.

It’s a very sad movie and the ending is heartbreaking. I left the theater stunned. I don’t know whether or not to recommend it to anyone. It’s not a feel good movie at all, although it does have many important messages to impart.

For instance, several times during the movie, Bruno is being taught by an old fascist teacher. He’s being indoctrinated into the Nazi party line. Bruno resists this because of his friendship with Schmoel. Bruno’s sister, however, becomes infatuated with Nazism and begins to change her personality. It’s a good lesson about how impressionable children actually are. They can be molded, manipulated, and brainwashed at an early age. They are learning machines, especially between the ages of 8-12. What influences them during those years usually shapes their character for years to come.

That’s why it’s very important for parents to be parents to their children, and not friends. If we set no boundaries, we only end up raising savages. Children need boundaries because the world that they will grow up into has some serious boundaries.

This lesson also applies to the Church. When we teach our children faith in Christ, we’re giving them strength for the future and hope for what lies ahead of them. If we neglect to share our faith with them, they will lose their connection to God. Sadly, too many adults end up becoming addicted to tobacco, sex, drugs, or alcohol simply because they feel spiritually empty and cut off from God. If we can teach them to have faith at an impressionable age, then we may save them from some of society’s ills.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our children are precious gifts in our lives and community. Help us to share the joy of our faith with them, so that they may grow nearer and closer to You throughout their adult lives. Keep us mindful of the cultural persuaders that would undermine Your influence over them. Help us to help our children avoid them. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Willie

There are some great people that we get to know whose Christianity is a blessing to everyone they meet. Willie from Maybole, Scotland was a great example of this.

Podcast version here

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

I have been blessed in the Lord’s ministry to have worked with some wonderful people and deeply contented Christians. They have shown me that happiness in the Lord does not depend upon what we have, but what we give. They have been examples of faithful servants in God’s Kingdom and I feel very privileged for having known them. They remain dear to my heart and are ever on my mind.

For example, Willie was a great mentor to me and a partner in God’s work when I was pastor in Maybole. He was our Session Clerk, as well as being a lay preacher. Willie worked in the local bank and was well known throughout the town. He was a great smiler and always enjoyed being with people. He had a wonderful way of dealing with trouble and crises through his rich sense of humor. Many a time, when I would get all hot and bothered over an issue, Willie was able to disarm the situation by finding something amusing to say. It was a special gift and I became a better pastor because of it.

Willie had his own heartbreaks and troubles, but he never let them get him down or seriously damage his faith. When his beloved grand-daughter died of leukemia, he was heart-broken, but he didn’t let his tragic loss cloud his life. He still served God faithfully and loved serving the church. In my books, he was a great man and a wonderful Christian. I am truly thankful for having known him as a fellow servant for the Lord.

Willie has recently been taken into the hospice to prepare himself for that last journey that we all must take someday. If I know Willie, he’ll be making the nurses laugh and will still have that boyish sparkle in his eyes. It will be a sad loss for all of us who knew and loved him dearly, but it will be a joyous occasion on the other side when Willie is ushered into the Lord’s presence. One day, I’ll get to see him again and we can laugh together doing God’s work in Eternity. O how I love being a Christian! O how I love true Christian folk!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the special Christians in our lives whose love makes it easier for us to come closer to You. Empower and enable us to become true examples of God’s servants, not in a self-righteous way, but in an endearing way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment upon today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.