Memorial Day Devotion: Remembering

 

Hebrews 10:14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (NIV)

I never served in the Armed Forces, so I don’t know what it is like to be in the military, but I am appreciative of the sacrifices that have been made by those in uniform. When Memorial Day comes around each year, I feel both sad and grateful at the same time. I’m sad because of the young lives that were lost either in battle, on a mission, or even by accident; I’m grateful because my whole life has been given a freedom that someone else earned for me.

At this time of year, I think about those who had no choice but to take up arms, who were conscripted to go to war instead of following their dreams of college, a career, or whatever else they wanted to do with their lives. I think especially of those who served in Vietnam, who lost their lives in an unpopular war, and whose surviving buddies faced humiliation and hostility when they returned. I think about the resentment some of those survivors may still feel and yet who, year after year, honorably remember and proudly commemorate brothers and sisters in arms who lost their lives in defense of freedom and for our country.

This also makes me ponder on the Supreme Sacrifice that Jesus gave for a world which did not deserve, receive, or accept Him. He was conscripted by God to fulfill a mission that was unpopular and unrecognized by most of His people. He endured shame and humiliation, even though He was doing what was right. He gave everything, so that we may be given all of God’s grace, mercy, and love.

So, this weekend, I will remember those whose lives were taken in a time of war and in service of our nation. I will be grateful for the freedom that I know, as well as for the faith that I have.

May God be with you and may you remember the sacrifices that were made on our behalf.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us never to take our freedom for granted, nor may we waste the faith that You purchased for us. In Your Holy Name, we remember and pray. Amen.

Pastor John

www.erinpres.org

May 31 devotion - A Real Testimony

Philippians 2:17          But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

            You may not realize it, but the above verse contains some chilling words. When Paul referred to a drink offering and sacrifice, he was writing about decapitation, which he expected to occur after he personally made his appeal to Caesar. He wrote this letter to the Philippian church – a congregation that he nurtured and loved – from his prison as a dying testimony. He knew that his chances of survival were slim, but rather than hide it from the church, he veiled his words in a way that his people would understand what he truly meant. After the letter was written and dispatched, Paul’s case went to trial and he was beheaded.

            It has always taken a great deal of courage to be a Christian. Over the centuries, millions of people have lost their lives for believing in Christ. Around the world today, Christians are still being persecuted. A recent survey by the Vatican revealed that up to 100,000 Christians of all different denominations are killed every year on our planet. That is a chilling number which should cause us all to reflect upon on own commitment to Christ. Is it inconvenient? Does it take a great deal of courage? Are we under pressure simply because we call ourselves Christians?

            Towards the end of May, we traditionally commemorate Memorial Day in the United States. It is a special day that we set aside to remember the true cost and sacrifices that have been made by the military to maintain the freedoms we enjoy over here. It is a somber time for those who truly remember why we hold it, but it is also a cheerful day for families who freely gather together.

            Perhaps as Christians who enjoy a great deal of freedom, we should also remember the true cost and great sacrifices in the past, as well as the present, that allows us to both somberly and cheerfully enjoy our faith.

Questions for personal reflection

How committed am I to Christ and His church? How has my personal faith been shaped by the lives of Christians in the past?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we thank You for the many leaders and people like Paul, who put their lives on the line, so that we may enjoy our Christian faith today. Help us to honor their sacrifices by living our lives in faithful and dedicated ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please feel free to share this message with others. John will also be delighted to receive any questions, comments, or feedback on today’s message. Send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s drawing for Memorial Day of this year. It’s called Memorial Rose. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Rose.

Memorial Day Poem

Memorial Day Poem 2016

“Remember”

I do not claim

To know your name,

Nor understand

What you had planned,

Before the blare

Of mad warfare,

Took you away

From this free land.

I only know

You faced a foe

And fought for me,

To keep us free.

One life to give,

That we may live

So thankfully,

For Liberty.

Now, at this time,

I keep in mind

The noble price

Of sacrifice.

I will recall

You gave your all,

And made your stand

For this Free Land.

John Stuart  2016

Memorial Day Devotion - Enjoy this Day! - Acts 17:18

Acts 17:18       A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

            All across the land, families will be gathering together, enjoying Memorial Day. For most Americans, it’s a sacred day to honor those who gave of their lives in past and present wars, as well as a time to respect and remember those among us who are still serving our country in the military. There will also be a lot of feasting and fun because the best way to commemorate the war dead is to live life freely and fully, enjoying the precious liberty that we have with our loved ones, and embracing the freedom that we have been selflessly given.

            It’s also a day of faith, hope, and love when people of small towns and large cities will gather at military cemeteries to place small flags over the graves of those who served so long ago. Red, white, and blue is to be seen everywhere, and the Stars and Stripes is flown from flagpoles and homes all across the country. It’s a beautiful sight to see and a wonderful blessing to experience.

            For those of us who are Christians, there is also the wonderful hope of resurrection through Jesus Christ, who also gave of His Life so that we may be saved from our sins, restored to God’s Kingdom, and blessed with everlasting life. One amazing day, when Christ returns, all of those heroes’ graves will burst open jubilantly and the sleeping warriors within them will be raised to the glorious eternity that we all seek. Our commemorations of the dead will suddenly become celebrations of Life and we will all be together with Christ forever. This is the good news that Paul preached about in Athens; this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we continue to share today, till the end of Time.

Questions for personal reflection

What does Memorial Day mean to me? How are my freedom and faith connected to my salvation in Christ?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, on this special day when we remember the fallen heroes of our nation, we also remind ourselves of Your Supreme Sacrifice which has given us hope for the Life that is yet to come. Be with our people this day, and as we honor those who have served and are still serving our nation, keep us mindful of the service that we can still give to You each day. 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 or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is a Memorial Day drawing of John’s called “Memorial Tears.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/2525663285/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Memorial Day poem: Memorial by John Stuart

Memorial

Silently,

I will remember the host
Of men and women
Who paid the cost
For the Freedom I enjoy.

Respectfully,

I will remind
The next generations
Of the sacrifice
That previous generations
Gave to preserve our Liberty.

Tearfully,

I will recall those still living,
Whose hopes and dreams,
Lives and loves
Were completely altered
By unavoidable war
And selective service.

Proudly,

I will stand with them
And embrace the Stars and Stripes
In my heart and soul,
Feeling strongly connected
To its past, present, and future.

Thankfully,

I will honor those
Who selflessly gave of their youth,
And those who are still giving of their lives,
So that I and all others
May have a Freedom worth living,
A Hope worth advancing,
And a Life secured by Liberty.

(c) John Stuart 2013

Memorial Day Devotion: Peace and Freedom Are Not The Same

Some people think that Peace and Freedom are mutually the same. They’re not. Peace is an absence of conflict where tyranny can prevail; just ask the good people of North Korea what they want most: peace or freedom? Remember, tyranny escalates when good people take their freedoms for granted.

Freedom requires a defending of our liberties which can only be sustained if we are willing to fight for them; Freedom triumphs when good people are willing to sacrifice themselves for the liberties of others.

That’s why I thank God for all our Armed Forces today and especially for those who gave of their lives. May they honorably rest in peace as we honorably cherish our Freedom.

Memorial Day Devotion: A Memorial Wish

Acts 3:7           Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 

If I had the ability to have a wish completely answered on Memorial Day, it would be that all injured, wounded, and disabled veterans were healed today – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Wars come and go, but wounds and scars remain. Many true combat veterans will not speak about their experiences because of the horrific and inhumane experiences they endured. Night after night, they relive former battles, campaigns, and skirmishes in their hearts and minds. Even decades after terrifying and sickening events, veterans wake up sweating all over and never find real peace.

Years ago, when I ministered to fishermen on the West Coast of Scotland, I can remember making a house call to an elderly couple. During the visit, the woman of the house told me that her husband suffered nightmares every night and that she had to comfort him. He had been on a British navy ship that was torpedoed during World War 2. He was one of the few survivors and had spent several hours in the sea before being rescued. Thereafter, every night for more than forty years, he experienced the same nightmare. The fear and anxiety never went away.

Today, we commemorate Memorial Day in the United States. Some people have a romantic nostalgic notion of making this day a red, white, and blue flag waving celebration. It is all that, but much more besides. We patriotically remember  and proudly honor those who gave their lives to protect us, but we should also be aware of the many veterans at home, in hospital, or veteran’s homes who still relive their time of combat and have wounds, physically and internally, that will never be healed on this side of glory.

Prayer:                        Lord God, we who are free sometimes forget about those who are still captive to past traumatic experiences and fearful events. We can truly never know all that occurred to preserve our freedom on the battlefields of Europe, on Pacific islands, and in South East Asia. Even today, we are not completely aware of what our armed forces endure in Iraq and Afghanistan. Forgive us for being ignorant and complacent. Bless those who sacrificed everything to give us what we cherish most today – our freedom. In Jesus’ Name we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, John will be pleased to receive your emails at pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.