Prompted By Faith - 2 Thessalonians 1:11

2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. (NIV)

            Most church people that I know, try to make the world a better place. They understand their weaknesses and shortcomings; they are aware of their limits and abilities, and they are conscious of their faults and sins. Despite this, they pray, hope for, and work towards making their congregations, circles, and communities safer and just places, full of caring and supportive people. They also understand the strength that a faith community can bring into their lives, as well as to those around them.

            Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian church in today’s highlighted verse was meant to encourage the Christians in that community. They were already experiencing some forms of discrimination and persecution, but the apostle knew that if they endured their hardship and still worked toward the betterment of the whole community, their witness would be effective and their work for Christ would expand. Thankfully, those Christians took Paul at his word and practiced what he was preaching to them. To this very day, their faithful work still carries on.

            Today, we will all be given opportunities to do good and apply our faith in supportive ways. We can become embracers of those who need support and encouragers to those who need guidance. We don’t have to be extra-holy or superbly saintly about it; all we have to do is respond lovingly, care sincerely, and serve humbly. If we do this, then the world around us will become a better place, especially in someone else’s life.

Point to ponder

Who needs my help and support today? Am I willing to encourage them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, throughout this day we ask that You grant us guidance and wisdom to help those around us who need compassion and support, love and understanding. In your Holy name, we faithfully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest bird drawings of a hummingbird which, in some cultures, is a symbol of encouragement. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Hummingbird.

Never Ending Story - Acts 7:58

Acts 7:58 They dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

            I never knew my great-grandfather Andrew Stuart, but I heard some stories about him from my Dad. A hundred years ago in 1917, my great-grandfather was in the Royal Scots Guards who were fighting in the trenches of World War One. He was wounded a week before the Armistice was declared in November 1918. He lost an arm but he didn’t let it debilitate his life. He was born in 1875 and lived until 1955. By all accounts, he was a remarkable man and I would have liked to have personally met him.

            In November of this year, my first grandson is due to be born. I hope I have many stories to tell him about my family and our roots in Scotland. I also find it fascinating that if he lives into his mid-eighties, he will experience the beginning of the 22^nd century. That’s six generations covering four centuries – how amazing is that? Each time a life story ends, a new one begins.

            In the New Testament passage from Acts 7:54-60, we read about the sad ending of Stephen’s life, but we are also introduced to another significant life story – that of the young man named Saul. Christ’s work may have been completed for Stephen, but the ministry wasn’t over. Instead, it was being mysteriously transferred to an enemy of the Church called Saul. God’s story was continuing despite what may have been seen as a major setback by Christ’s followers. And the amazing thing is this – that very same story still goes on in our own lives today – person after person, follower after follower, generation after generation, and century after century until Christ’s Kingdom truly comes.

            Isn’t it wonderful to be a part of God’s never-ending story of salvation?

Point to ponder

Who helped me become a Christian? Have I passed on my faith to someone else?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Your ministry is remarkable and we feel privileged to play a part in Your continuing mission. Encourage us to be a blessing of faith to someone else, especially among those of a different and future generation. 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 this devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest art nouveau drawings called “By Any Other Name.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click here: Rose.

Daily Devotional - A Brand New Week - 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12        For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

            It’s a brand new week and hopefully it will be full of new opportunities to share our love of Christ with other people. Some folks think that ministry is something that pastors mainly do on a Sunday, but the fact about our faith is this: we all have personal ministries that God gives to each of us every day.

            At some point this week, someone is going to need our help. It may be at work, at school, at home, or in a public place. Wherever and whenever it happens, let’s hope and pray that we can respond in an encouraging, compassionate, and supportive way. If we do, then we will be honoring Christ and reflecting the goodness that God has given us.

            Paul’s message to the young church in Thessalonica was meant to encourage them. He appreciated the support that the members had given to him when he first came to the small congregation. They helped him to share his faith in positive and effective ways, so that even today, more than nineteen hundred years later, the Christian Church is still present there and effectively ministering to the thousands of Syrian Christian refugees who have recently fled that city.

            So, wherever we are this week, whoever we meet, and whatever we do, let’s also try to be supportive, compassionate, and encouraging in order to help other people, while honoring Christ at the same time.

Questions for personal reflection

What do I hope to accomplish this week? How can I reflect and share Christ’s goodness to those that I encounter?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all called to be servants of Your Kingdom, followers of Your way, and ministers of Your Gospel. Help us to convey our faith to others in effective and lasting ways. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Communion drawing called ‘Sanctification.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Sanctification.