Daily devotion: Something Old, Something New - Ecclesiastes 1:10

Ecclesiastes 1:10         Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. (NIV)

            I am fascinated by the current cinematic trend of remaking or re-envisioning old movies. For the last couple of years, it’s been difficult to find an original story or completely new series of pictures. Hollywood seems pre-occupied with retelling old tales with new actors and brilliant special effects, yet no matter how wonderful these remakes appear to be, it’s just the same old story presented in a different style or new media form.

            As I watch crowds of people lining up at the movie theaters, it makes me wonder if the church could not learn something from this post-modern phenomena. Are there new ways to retell God’s stories? Should we seriously consider using innovative media techniques to present our worship, our Bible studies, our programs, and our missions in order to reach a wider community?

The answer is, of course, ‘Yes.’ Christianity has always been good at adapting its faith to new innovative processes. The Gospel writers used commonly spoken Greek instead of obscure Aramaic to spread Christ’s message. The Reformers employed the printing press to produce Bibles in distinctive European languages to expand Protestantism. Missionaries travelled the entire world using ships, trains, automobiles, and planes to take the Gospel to other nations and indigenous peoples. And today, Christian pastors use the internet by uploading sermons, writing blogs, and posting pictures to reach people in their homes all over the world.

A long, long time ago, in Galilee far away, Jesus Christ lived, bringing a message of hope to His people and the rest of the world. His story is our history and we are the messengers of His words, works, and ways in our own homes, churches, and communities today. The Gospel may be almost 2000 years old, but its teaching is still relevant for every human being on this planet. As Christians, it’s up to us to present that old message in new forms, whether it be by texting Bible texts, sharing prayers on Facebook, or writing devotional blogs. The opportunities are both amazing and boundless: it’s up to us to use them to glorify God and expand Christ’s Kingdom across the globe.

Questions for personal reflection

How has my faith been shaped by current technology? How am I using that technology to share my faith?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we live in amazing times and have wonderful resources to share Your Gospel message with our families and friends, as well as our neighbors and strangers. Grant us new opportunities to express our faith in positive ways using the technology at our disposal. In Your Holy Name, we share and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or share your ideas about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Christmas drawings called “Messenger of the Miracle.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Messenger.

Devotions - Is Life a Game of Chance? Ecclesiastes 9:11

Ecclesiastes 9:11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. 

Do you ever play games of chance? I’m not talking about betting on horses or playing casinos. I’m talking about those games that we all see at the fairground or a theme park. The ones I like are skeeball and trying to flick the quarter on to a glass table. Sometimes I win; most of the time I lose, and the stall owner knows this when I put my dollars down to play the game. The other one I like is the claw that you see in stores. I’ve won a lot of stuffed animals over the years and I can remember almost emptying a machine in Scotland before the store owner asked me to leave.

According to Solomon, life is a game of chance with no rhyme or reason to what goes on. His conclusion is to eat, drink, and be merry because tomorrow we may die. It makes me wonder that if Solomon knew Christ, would he have changed his philosophy?

As a Christian, I believe that Christ has a plan for my life and every other Christian under the sun. I believe that Jesus still cares about the world and that His ministry is still effectively taking place across this planet. I believe that hundreds of millions of people will do good things in His Name today that will go unreported, unrecognized, and unvalued. And I believe that life is not a game of chance; it is a predetermined journey which will end in Christ’s Triumphant Return when the gift of everlasting life will be awarded to His followers.

Today can be the first day in the rest of our eternal lives if we surrender our hearts and submit our spirits to Christ. Chance has got nothing to do with everlasting life; it has everything to do with Christ.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, Your life and ministry were planned long before You came to Earth. Everything was predetermined by God and You fulfilled all that God wanted and needed You to complete. Our lives have been potentially predetermined by You and there is a purpose for our existence. Help us to be aware of what You want and need us to complete in order to continue Your ministry and mission. 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 comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org

Today’s drawing is John’s latest chess prints. It’s called “End Game” and features three old men playing chess in the park on a cold winter’s day. If you would like to see a larger version of this drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6047493889_86ca7e5e66_b.jpg