Lent Devotions: 39 Steps to Go

Matthew 26:73  After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

The other day I went to my local bank to deposit a check. As usual, the young bank teller asked me to say a few words. “I just love listening to your accent,” she said. I smiled. If I had been given a dollar for every time that I’ve heard those words since coming to the United States, I might have owned the bank by now!

Accents are dead giveaways about where people originate. In the United States, there are many different accents and I like to try to guess which region, state, or city people come from whenever I meet them for the first time. If the Scottish accent is likeable to the American ear, it’s also true that most Scots like to hear American accents. I guess it all has to do with common genes and historical roots.

When the disciple Peter was confronted by a group outside the High Priest’s house where Jesus was being interrogated, his accent betrayed him to the crowd. He must have spoken with a rustic Galilean accent which was easily recognized by the city slickers of Jerusalem. He tried to hide in the courtyard, but each time he spoke, his accent revealed his origins. The fact that Jesus had begun His ministry in Galilee meant it was very likely that Peter had traveled with Him. No matter what the Big Fisherman tried to do to conceal his attachment to Christ, his accent gave him away. Sadly, the accusations all became too much for Peter and he eventually swore that he never knew Jesus. It was the lowest moment of his ministry with Christ.

As we journey throughout Lent, let’s ask ourselves this question: what things do I say or do that accentuates my faith to those around me?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, speak to our hearts and open our lives to Your bidding. Guide our thoughts and grant us the right words to say that will encourage and attract others to 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest pop art version of ancient icon of Christ as teacher. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6906688623_49b6a85555_b.jpg

Lenten Devotions - Kindle Your Spirit - 40 Lenten daily devotions

A lot of Christians use devotional material to help prepare their hearts and minds for Easter during Lent. This year, I've written a new 40 day devotional e-book to help them through the sacred season.

Anyone who uses a Kindle will be able to download the e-book in seconds. PC people, Android users, and even Mac owners can download the free Kindle app from Amazon.com and then download the book too!

The e-book is full of personal reflections, challenging meditations, and scriptural devotions. Each day also contains one of my art images. Each devotion can be read within 5 minutes. The cost is only $1.99. Most devotional books cost around $9.99 these days.

Click on the box below and enjoy a sample of what the book has to offer...:)

Lent Devotions: Lent Devotions e-book Kindle Your Spirit

A lot of Christians use devotional material to help prepare their hearts and minds for Easter during Lent. This year, I've written a new 40 day devotional e-book to help them through the sacred season.

Anyone who uses a Kindle will be able to download the e-book in seconds. PC people, Android users, and even Mac owners can download the free Kindle app from Amazon.com and then download the book too!

The e-book is full of personal reflections, challenging meditations, and scriptural devotions. Each day also contains one of my art images. Each devotion can be read within 5 minutes. The cost is only $1.99. Most devotional books cost around $9.99 these days.

Click on the box below and enjoy a sample of what the book has to offer...:)

Sunday Devotional: Back to The Future

Lectionary verse: Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.

Most of the psalms in the Bible are written by David, Israel’s greatest king. Usually, they have been written during his moments of great strength, faith, and creativity. It’s as if the vitality of David made him want to write some wonderful songs. And, if you think of it, most songwriters compose their best songs, lyrics, and tunes when they are between the ages of 25 – 45.

Today’s sacred poem is a bit different. I think that it’s written by an elderly David who is reflecting upon his life, his past mistakes, and deepest regrets. He’s looking back on some of his rash choices and poor decisions in his long life. And like anyone else who happens to be an elderly citizen, he wishes that things had been different and hopes that God will be merciful. You see, David is preparing for his final finals – he knows that one day soon, he will be face to face with God.

I don’t know about you, but when I look back at my own crazy past I want to give myself a good shaking down - especially when I was a teenager and in my early twenties. In my mind’s eye, I see myself saying and doing foolish and despicable things, or what David so eloquently calls ‘the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.’ I wish that I could go back to the past and alter things, but I can’t. And if, at the end of my life, anyone asks me “would you change anything?” I would have to answer with a resounding “yes!”

David’s problem with his past causes him concern for his eternal future. He wants God to forget about the many mistakes and wicked deeds that even he, the greatest Israelite King, had committed. He’s begging God to set aside all of those sinful times that contaminated his faith, his family, and his friendships. In other words, David is looking for a mulligan, as far as his life is concerned. He wants God to bend the rules, show some mercy, and apply some grace so that he can die and rest peacefully.

You see David did not have the wonderful opportunity to cast his sins upon Christ’s Cross to be redeemed, and although he made many sacrifices in the Holy Temple each year, the king still carried the burden of a sinful past. Today, we are more fortunate because we can directly, sincerely, and humbly appeal to Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. We can go back beyond our own sinful past to centuries before we were born and hang our mistakes, our guilt, and our regrets on a tree called Calvary.

We can also come to a Table full of mercy, forgiveness, and peace, instead of an altar streaming with blood, terror, and fear. If David knew then what we know today, then his anxiety and angst, troubles and tribulation over his youthful sins and rebellious ways would have been swept away by the blood of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, when we read today’s psalm and Gospel lesson, let’s give thanks to God that we live in a merciful time, where the Good News of salvation can be given to every sinner, just like ourselves, who personally comes to Jesus, seeks His mercy, and receives God grace. We go back to the past in order to move on to the eternal future where faith sets us free from fear, hope handles all our doubts, and love cleanses our sins forever.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. He regularily writes a devotional blog called Heaven's Highway.

The illustration was drawn by John. It is called "Lenten Prayer." You can see more of John's liturgical art at his webpage Stushie's Art.