Daily devotions: God's Smiley Face - Isaiah 49:13

Isaiah 49:13    Shout for joy, O Heavens; rejoice O Earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. 

Like most people, sometimes all that I need are a few kind words and a smile to get me through the day. A little kindness, mixed in with some encouragement, goes a long way. In the busy-ness of our own activities and careers, it’s nice to be applauded and appreciated once in a while.

Sometimes when I’m writing emails, I put one of those smiley faces at the end of what I’ve written. Emails are great, but they often don’t communicate gratitude and grace very well. A little yellow smiley face or even the typed equivalent J helps the recipient to understand that you are pleased with what they are doing and encouraged by what they have written.

I like today’s verse from Isaiah because seeks to bless His people with comfort and compassion. They have endured a lot of suffering through the years of exile in Babylon. Their faith has been stretched to its limit and their beliefs have been battered and bruised. God wants them to know that in the midst of their struggles, He is still with them.

Perhaps today you need a kind word and a smile from God. Through the grace that Jesus Christ brought into the world, we are given God’s comfort and compassion. Come to Him today with your worries and woes, your problems and pressures. His promises will help you; His love will sustain you…. J

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the instrument of God’s blessing to the world and the channel of His cherished love. Grant us comfort in the midst of all that unsettles us, and compassion in all that worries us. 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 my latest chess drawing called “Indian King,” featuring Indian designed chess pieces. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6854840939_1a83f370e8_b.jpg

Erin Church Devotional : Backsliding in Faith - How to return to God

Audio version here

Jeremiah 3:22 "Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding."
"Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God.” (NIV)

Recently, our Celtic band Glenfinnan played at a Scots-Irish festival in Dandridge, Tennessee. We performed from the front porch of an old inn, right in the heart of the town. As well as listening to our music, people were walking around the various craft and food stalls, all of which had Celtic connections.

At the end of the street, there was a high hill. It was the back end of the dam wall and it was very steep. Children were slowly walking up the hill carrying sheets of cardboard with them. Once they reached the top of the hill, they slid down it by sitting on the cardboard. It looked wonderful and all the kids were having great fun.

This reminded me of my own childhood days. Just around the corner from my own home, there was a steep hill and we also used to slide down it on sheets of cardboard. There was one major difference from Dandridge. At the bottom of the hill in Scotland were railway tracks. We used to play “chicken” by sliding down as fast as we could to reach the tracks just as a train was passing by. We were young, fearless, and stupid. You wouldn’t catch me doing the same today as I did way back then.

Although sliding was great fun, walking back up the steep hill was agony. It took ages and after a while, it was all too much. No matter how much we looked forward to sliding, we were just too tired to do anymore.

Backsliding in faith can be fun, too. People slack off from going to church or turning up to Sunday School. They want to do something exciting or haven’t got the time to give of themselves to God. They believe that they’ll get back to church soon, but it becomes too much of a chore, too much of a task to organize. Backsliding is no longer just fun; it becomes a feature of their lives.

But God and God’s people are just waiting for them to return. Backsliders are not going to be condemned or criticized, chastised or challenged. Instead, they are going to be welcomed and embraced, encouraged and loved. Instead of backsliding, they are back praising God. Instead of being away, they are shown the Way. Instead of fearing God’s wrath, they receive His grace. Backsliding can be fun, but homecoming is even more wonderful.

Perhaps you’ve been away from church for a while and don’t know how to get back. Don’t worry about it – just walk through the church door, and you’ll receive a hundred thousand welcomes. You’re back where you belong. You’re back in God’s place.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all backslide occasionally and find it hard to return. Faith is such a steep hill at times, so we pray that You will reach down and help us climb it. Grant us the courage to return home to You, so that we may re-experience Your love, grace, and welcome. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Amazing Agents

Scottish audio version here

Ephesians 4: 12 ‘…to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…’

I’m always amazed at the amount of good that church people do in the world. Congregations are full of individuals who like to give of themselves to causes and charities over and above what they commit to their own church. For example, I’ve seen a group of Senior citizens contribute monthly to the needs of a young boy in the Philippines, who has grown up well educated because of their support. I’ve known a group of college students to give up their breaks to clean up hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast, and who also have worked with poor school children in Guatemala.

I’ve watched a busy young mother set up a weekly support group for other mothers on Monday mornings, giving them and their children a good start to another week of pressure. I’ve seen a young family with a deaf child start a monthly group for other families with deaf children, in order to help them find the right resources, peer support, and a place to express their feelings.

I’ve also watched a retired scientist give up his Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on Habitat building projects. And I’ve encountered a 90 year old man who constantly visits people in hospital and nursing homes, bringing to the patients and residents good cheer, friendship, and faith to help them get better.

These are just a few of the good things that church people are doing to help others. With each act of kindness, friendship, and love, the sharing of faith and the building up of Christ’s church continues. These are good people, working for God’s Kingdom and serving Him in ways that positively impact those around them.

That’s what Paul was expressing to the Christians at Ephesus. That’s also what Christ did for us when He descended into this world. Now that He has ascended into heaven, it’s our turn to do His work, in His ways. For in so doing, we not only make the world a better place, we also build up Christ’s Church.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, every day You grant us opportunities to do good, to help others, and to give support to those in need. Help us to fulfill those precious moments, so that we may make a positive difference in the world and be agents of Your compassion, hope, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.