Midweek Message: Have Patience

Ecclesiastes 7:8   Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (ESV)

            Sometimes when I am looking for a quick answer to things and pray for a swift resolution, the Bible reminds me that God’s timing may not be the same as my own. Take today’s highlighted verse, for example. It’s a wise way of telling us to slow down and wait for a positive result rather than hastily trying to enforce our own. We all look for a quick end to our issues, problems, and struggles, but sometimes we have to endure what’s happening for a while before we can reach a satisfactory conclusion. Sometimes this occurs when we’re recovering from an illness, surgery, or treatment, or when we’re looking for news about a meeting, a problem at work, or an incident with our family.

 

              I like what the ancient teacher has to write about being patient in spirit rather than being proud. It’s meant to teach us a lesson that patience requires some level of humility in order to reduce our anxiety and diminish our concerns. How many times have we worried about something that never transpired, or lost sleep over an issue that was never fulfilled? Rather than wasting our time with ‘what ifs,’ God often invites us to place all our anxieties into Christ’s hands and wait for the right moment for everything to be revealed or fulfilled.

 

              May God be with you and all your loved ones today, blessing you with patience and faith, hope and love.

 

Pastor John

Midweek Message: Calming the Storm

Mark 4:38        Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 

I’ve only had one anxiety attack in my life, and I truly hope I never experience another one. It happened years ago, shortly after my family and I moved into our new home in Knoxville. All at once, the reality hit me: we had taken on a thirty-year mortgage in a new city, in a new country, with no clear guarantees about what the future would hold.

I also carried a deep concern for my wife and two daughters. They had left so much behind to come to America with me—their family, friends, cousins, and familiar support systems. They needed me to be present with them, but I had become so absorbed in my work that I wasn’t giving them the care and reassurance they deserved. Instead of leaning into faith together, we found ourselves feeling afraid, unsettled, and even resentful. That strain continued for several weeks, until one day it finally overwhelmed me.

Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. My heart was racing, my thoughts were spinning, and for a moment I honestly thought I might be dying. It only lasted about a minute, but it felt much longer. When it passed, I was pale, shaken, and covered in cold perspiration. It was a frightening experience—one I would not wish on anyone.

As I look back now, I can see that I was trying to carry too much on my own. I was relying on my own strength instead of turning to Jesus for the support, peace, and perspective I needed. Christ had brought us across the Atlantic for reasons that are still unfolding in each of our lives. The storms I felt inside were real, but they were not beyond His reach. Jesus was right there in the middle of them—ready, willing, and able to quiet my fears and calm the waves within me. It took time for me to see that, but I understand it more clearly now: Christ’s presence is real, and what matters most is that He is with us.

Perhaps you are going through a storm of your own right now. Maybe life feels heavy, your problems feel overwhelming, or anxiety is rising higher than you expected. If so, please know this: you are not alone. Christ is with you in the middle of your worries, your questions, and your cares. You can bring them to Him. He is able to calm the storm, and He invites you to trust Him one wave at a time.

Question for personal reflection

What fears, worries, or heavy burdens am I carrying right now? How might I invite Jesus into the middle of them today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we need Your steady and powerful presence in our lives. When we feel afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed, help us remember that we do not have to face our storms alone. Be our strength when we are weak, lift us up when we stumble, and guide us with Your peace. Calm the storms within us and around us, helping us trust You one step at a time. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Pastor John

If you enjoyed this devotion, you can read more in John's devotional e-books like "The Light of Love" which has forty-two devotions inspired by the Gospel of John. You can find the book at this link: 

"The Light of Love."

Midweek Message: A Little Faith

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Mustard seeds are tiny, which is why Jesus used them to illustrate faith. Even a little can go a long way—like mustard on your plate.

 My mum once told me about her younger brother Andy, who was about four. One day, my Grandad McLay came home from work and sat down to his dinner of boiled ham with mustard. Young Andy, curious because he had never seen mustard before, asked for some. When he was refused, he cried and carried on.

 Eventually my grandfather gave in and handed Andy a teaspoonful. Delighted, Andy swallowed it quickly—then immediately cried out for water. As a child, he never asked for mustard again.

 A little goes a long way. Faith matters not only for us, but also for those we love and meet. Sometimes our faith helps others through hard times and brings change. Wherever we are today, let’s use even a little faith to make things better, especially for people around us.

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words inspire us to use our faith in different ways. You ask us to help other people; You also need us to tell others about Your Kingdom. Enable us this day to do all that we can to make the world a better place, even with just a little faith. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 God bless you all.

Pastor John

Midweek Message - Living in Love

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

As part of the history class that I took in High School, I had to study the origins of World War 2. Our class spent several weeks focusing on FDR’s Presidency and how he motivated the American people to deal with the Great Depression, as well as leading them through the dark days of the global war. We also had to learn his exceptional words - which are still often quoted - from his first inaugural speech in 1933: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’

There’s no doubt that we are living in anxious times. Most of the good folks I know are fearful of the future because uncertainty has robbed them of their confidence. Others feel that partisan politics have become an extreme problem and that we are heading toward a severe conflict which will divide our communities, our congregations, and our families. The longer this insecurity continues, the deeper our divisions; the more our unfettered concerns grow, the fewer connections we will have with one another. Fearing our fears will erode our trust; fueling our fears will break our nation.

All this has happened before. Centuries ago, when Christians were actually being persecuted and the survival of the church was questionable, old men like the Apostle John called upon the community of faith to face their fear by replacing it with love. To be fearful was to punish yourself with anxiety; to be faithful was to replenish yourself with love. John fully believed that our lives were meant to be focused on love and not overwhelmed with fear.

Today, Christ’s Church, as always, has the remedy to reduce our fears and relinquish our anxieties. The Spirit of Christ within us has the power to overcome the spirit of spite outside us. Fear is a manipulator which imprisons our souls with lies; faith is a motivator which frees our spirits with love.

May you bring all your fears to Christ and exchange them for His love.

Prayer: Loving God, help us to live lovingly rather than existing fearfully. Enable us to follow Jesus faithfully and share His love generously. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Midweek Message: Brief Encounter

Isaiah 63:7       I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. (NIV)

I remember years ago when my car was in the shop being repaired. It practically took all day to be fixed, but I used the time to read a book about ministry, written by one of my favorite authors. I personally met the writer years before in California at a clergy conference. I was really impressed with his gentle and compassionate manner. He had been a real pastors’ pastor and had a lifetime of congregational wisdom, as well as relevant church experiences which resonated and connected with other ministers like me.

Anyway, I was sitting in the shop reading this book, looking at a chapter on reaching out to other people. Sitting beside me was a young man, who noticed that my book bag had “History Book Club” imprinted on it. He turned out to be a history graduate from UT called Eric, whose grandparents had emigrated from Jamaica. His area of specialization was in World War II and when I asked him why he chose that era, he told me that his uncle had been a Tuskegee airman in North Africa and Italy.

We talked for about two hours, sharing our life stories, cultural backgrounds, and historical interests. It was one of the best conversations that I have ever had. We both felt completely at ease with one another.

And then a news story on the television in the waiting area interrupted our conversation. It was all about a popular radio host, who made an appalling insult concerning a ladies college basketball team. Students, administrators, and teachers at the college were staging a protest, calling for the radio personality to be fired from his TV/radio station. Some commentators were talking about vengeance and vanity; others were mentioning forgiveness and fair play. It was a hostile and divisive situation which was being instantly broadcast on the car showroom television.

Eric and I looked at each other.

“So long as we keep talking together, we can overcome these issues,” I said.

“So long as we have dialogue, we’ll always respect each other,” Eric replied.

We continued our great conversation and filled the rest of the day with hope, not hatred.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the people we meet, the sharing of stories, and the mixing of cultures. Thank You for the varieties of experiences that we all have, which enrich our lives and enhance unity, purpose, and faith. Bless all whom we encounter this week, and may we discover new ideas, new lessons, and new lives that will touch our hearts, strengthen our souls, and broaden our minds. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 

God bless you all.

Pastor John

Midweek Message - Sent by Christ

Mark 5:20 So the man went away and began to tell in the ten cities how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (NIV)

I always feel sorry for the man who was healed by Jesus of his demon-possessed spirit. His mind and soul were liberated from the violence and darkness that had overcome him; he was now freely able to think for himself, for the first time in years, so all he wanted to do was to go with Jesus and gratefully follow Him.

But Christ had other plans. He wanted the healed man to go and tell his story to his own people. He was given a mission to spread the good news about Jesus among his family, neighbors, and wider community. They had known him as a fearful and violent man; they could now see him as someone completely restored by God’s mercy and renewed through Christ’s compassion.

The man’s mission would become important because he was preparing the region for a time when Christ’s followers would be persecuted and forced to flee from religious authorities that wanted to eliminate them. The ten cities where the cured man preached would become safe havens for the fleeing Christians. In other words, the mission that Jesus sent the man to fulfill would have major consequences in the future for the dispersed Christian church.

This makes me wonder, what it is that Christ expects of me and my faith today, in order to make it important for others in the future? If I am willing to share my testimony, my story about who Jesus is in my life, it may have a significant impact on loved ones and others who have yet to know and experience His presence in their lives.

Point to ponder: How, and with whom, can I positively share my faith in Christ today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we each have a personal mission that You want us to undertake and accomplish. Encourage us to listen for Your advice, wisdom, and counsel to help us go where You would send us and do what You have us fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Message - Time to Pray

Midweek Message – Time to Pray

Mark 1:35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. (NRSV)

Let’s be honest, we often neglect taking time to pray, and instead give God quick requests about needing blessings for us, our families, and our plans. We've turned prayer into a brief spiritual interruption in our busy lives, sending the Lord urgent requests as if they were telepathic texts. Unfortunately, this isn't enough to build a strong relationship with our Creator. If we think we're too busy to pray, then as old preachers used to say: we're just too busy.

Jesus was also extremely busy during His time on Earth; every day included teaching, healing, solving problems, and guiding His disciples. He likely had very little time to relax. However, despite constant demands and interruptions, He still made time to pray by deliberately rising early to be alone with God. Similarly, Martin Luther, the great Reformer of the Church, who also had a very busy schedule, was once asked how he found time to pray. He responded by saying: "I get up an hour earlier to pray before my work begins."

Perhaps, then, if we want to spend some quality time in prayer, offering God our thanks, requests, praises, and petitions, then we should also make time to pray in the earlier and quieter part of our day. And if we are truly concerned about our personal circumstances, national issues, and global situations, we should purposely set aside time to pray, and then quietly listen for God’s response.

Point to ponder: When do I make time to pray?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You taught us how to pray and why we should pray, but You also revealed to us when we should pray. Encourage and enable all of us to quietly make time to talk to You faithfully, fully, and effectively before our scheduled day begins. In Your Holy Name, we ask. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Devotion: Restless Nights

A short devotion based on Psalm 103:11-12. Dealing with sleepless nights because of anxious thoughts? Me, too :) Here's the remedy.

 

 Text:

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (NIV)

 Have you ever had one of those restless nights when you suddenly remember something foolish you did ages ago and feel so embarrassed that you can’t get to sleep? Me, too. When it happens, I relive that moment in my mind many times and get weary beating myself up for doing something so stupid. I feel a bit ashamed and realize I’m not so perfect after all. I have many flaws which floor me from time to time, especially when those foolish moments randomly emerge in my thoughts.

 There’s nothing I can do to change the past and that’s part of the problem. If I could jump into a time machine and prevent myself from being foolish, I most certainly would. But I’m not Doctor Who, nor do I have a Tardis to take me back. I’m stuck in the present and have to deal with the emotional consequences of doing something wrong, so long ago. If was I was left in that state of bleakness, I would soon become a miserable creature and give up any hope of healing my broken life.

 But there is hope because God compassionately cares for all of His children. His love for you and me is so vast that it cannot be measured. His ability to forgive our sinful past is infinite, so no matter what you or I have done, God will forgive us if we personally and humbly ask Him.

 It’s this point of faith which helps me sleep. My random thoughts diminish, as well as my shame. God makes peace with me and helps me not just to be forgiven, but to also forgive myself. He does this because God cares and also because of the sacrifice His Son Jesus Christ made on my behalf. Jesus healed the breach between myself and God by bridging the gap with His Cross. I am forgiven and so are you, truly, tremendously, and totally for all time.

 Q: What’s the most foolish thing I have ever done? Am I willing to seek God’s forgiveness for that, now?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us and yet You are still willing to forgive us. We have all been foolish and selfish, sinful and shameful. Please pardon our past mistakes and help us to move forward into a better future. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 Thanks for watching. God bless you all.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please visit the church website to see what’s currently happening at www.erinpres.org.