Midweek Message: Making Mistakes

Midweek Message: Making Mistakes

Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

              You and I are going to make mistakes during the coming New Year. We’re going to say something we regret. We may do something that will disappoint or hurt others. We’ll probably let pride overtake our spirits and allow impatience to damage our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls, as well as our relationship with God and others.

              We constantly make mistakes because we are human and far from being perfect. We can try our best to avoid these sinful things with prayer, meditation, and patience, but then, just when we expect it the least, someone will say or do something to annoy us and before we know it, we will stumble down that old familiar road which causes us to find faults in others and do something wrong in return. Sadly, we may quickly experience regret, guilt, or even shame which could leave us isolated, ornery, and perhaps even alone.

              Despite our continuous faults, God will not leave us there to woefully marinate in our mistakes. The Lord has redeemed us from all of these things in the past. We may have our flaws, but God will still forgive us. Long ago at Calvary, Jesus died for every wrong thing that we do, or have done, or have still to do, so He will forgive us if we take time to sincerely come to Christ and humbly ask to receive His pardon and grace.

              Friends, we will all make mistakes during the coming year, but Christ will also be with us, too, when we need Him most to grant us mercy, grace, renewal, and hope.

Prayer: Lord God, in the past You constantly allowed Your sinful people to be restored to Your sacred presence by loving them continuously, despite their faults and failings. We now know that Christ sacrificed Himself for us, so we may also be rescued from our guilt and despair, our mistakes and sins. Thank You for these gracious blessings of love and restoration which mean so much to us every day of every year. In Jesus’ Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

Pastor John

 

Short devotion: "Year's End" - 2 Peter 3v9

 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

It’s almost the end of the year, so most of us are reflecting on what we’ve experienced since 2021 began. The last twelve months have not been easy for any of us – some folks have lost loved ones; others have seen their health decline; some have lost their jobs; and others have broken marriages or partnerships. The hopes and dreams that some of us had last January have remained unfulfilled or even faded away. It’s been a hard year, so most of us will be glad to see the back of it.

Perhaps our relationship with God has also suffered. We’ve been inconsistent at attending church or have spiritually felt lost and bewildered. Inertia has dampened our spirits and our souls are exhausted. We know that we’re supposed to believe that God is in control, but so many things have happened this year that we may even have questioned that truth. We could also be feeling guilty about not being the right kind of Christian or church member that everyone else expects us to be, so we feel cut off from God, our faith, and our congregation.

God understands all of this and thankfully His patience is not wearing thin. Even during painful and pandemic times when all we want to do is shout at God, He understands. How can this be true?

Well, we’ve just celebrated the birth of Christ who, as God, came into our world to experience humanity first-hand. He personally knows all about rejection and pain, disappointment and distress, fear and the feeling of being forsaken. Our worries, our problems, our pain and our protests are not unknown to God which is why He is patient with us and invites us to repent – to turn around from our painful places and isolating experiences – in order to turn to Him and receive comfort and love, hope and peace, rest and strength.

So, as we let go of this year and head into the next, let’s be assured of this: God is with us and will keep being with us, no matter what we face or endure over the next twelve months.

Prayer: Lord God, it’s been a hard and difficult year, one that we hope we will never have to repeat. If, during the last twelve months, we have forgotten or grown distant from You, then please, during the next twelve months, never forget or abandon us. In Christ’s Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 

Please feel free to forward and share this message with others.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN.

Pandemic devotion: Do No Harm

 

Today’s Bible readings can be found at this link: Proverbs 16:1-16 & Romans 13:1-14

 Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. (NIV)

 For many months, I have been strongly advocating the wearing of masks in public places in order to diminish the impact of the present pandemic. By wearing a mask, I am, like millions of others, trying to keep the number of contagions down so that our hospitals do not get overwhelmed with emergency cases. At the moment, we are in the most dangerous phase of the pandemic, so hopefully more people will graciously adhere to the wise safety precautions that our best medical people are encouraging us to practice.

 Some folks I know question these precautions because it offends their self-dignity and personal liberty. I must admit that I don’t understand this because freedom always entails community responsibilities for the common good of the whole people. Also, from a Biblical point of view, we are commanded by Jesus to love one another and, in today’s highlighted verse, the Apostle Paul endorses that by informing the Christian church in Rome that love does no harm to a neighbor and is, indeed, the fulfillment of God’s law. So, because of this, I wear a mask and encourage others to do the same. As a Christian, I see no other way of respecting and fulfilling Christ’s command to love my neighbor.

 The good news about wearing masks and following safety precautions is that we have actually diminished flu around the globe. Usually at this time, the flu season deeply impacts our communities, but because more folks have been vaccinated and are following the 5 core safety precautions, the annual flu is having a tough time of being transmitted. So, the side effect of all our precautions is that flu cases are very low. Isn’t that wonderful?

 May God bless you and keep you all safe from this pandemic. May you all do your part in fulfilling God’s law by keeping the precautions and showing Christ’s love by doing no harm to your neighbors. Wear a mask, please. 😊

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be free from our fears by graciously accepting the God-given wisdom of our health and medical professionals. Keep them safe, too, as they constantly seek to help those who are the worst affected by this pandemic. May our loving actions and compassionate responsibility successfully diminish this contagion. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 Pastor John

Erin Presbyterian Church,

Knoxville, Tennessee.

www.erinpres.org

Begin Again - Hebrews 2:18

Hebrews 2:18 Because Christ himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)

I’ve already broken several of my New Year’s resolutions, so I can’t even keep up with my own standards. Like most of us, I start off with the best of intentions but quickly get distracted or even too comfortable to follow through with my self-imposed promises. I guess I can reset my determination and begin again – hopefully, I will resolve to accomplish all that I want to achieve this year.

Today’s verse reminded me that this is what Christ offers us each day – a fresh chance to begin again. When we fall into temptation and fail to keep God’s commands, Jesus gives us the grace to pick ourselves up and start once more. He doesn’t do this either from a smug and self-satisfied position of knowing that He is perfect; He forgives us because He understands what temptation is like and how prone we are to fall prey to our own selfish and sinful ways.

So, today is a new day. Christ offers all of us the opportunity to begin again. He not only understands our personal struggles, but He is absolutely able to help us let go of our sinful past, acquire His grace today, so we may walk with Him day by day. We are not fallen failures, we are forgiven sinners; we are not cast aside by God, we are embraced by His patient and enduring love.

Application: Allow yourself to be forgiven by Christ for anything you have done. Let this be a new day of restoration in your forever relationship with God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Savior who completely understands our struggle to keep God’s commands. Grant us Your grace and show us a better way to live our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is a Communion drawing for the New Year. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: New Year.

New Year Poem: Let Go

Let Go

Let go the past

That caused you pain.

Be free at last,

Begin again.

Let go of fear

That kept you chained;

Take this new year,

And hope again.

Let go of hate

That brought you strife;

Take hold of love,

Reclaim your life.

Let go the war

Within your soul;

Let God restore

And make you whole.

© 2020 John Stuart

Depending on God - Psalm 118:6

Psalm 118:6 With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can anyone do to me? (RSV)

            We’re just days into the New Year which means we are still carrying many of our dreams and ambitions in our hearts and minds. The next twelve months are full of opportunity, as well as uncertainty. Not one of us really knows what we will individually face, but we hope for the best and try to plan ahead. I’m already filling up my calendar with events and tasks that look good on paper, but I also know there will be some of them that I will have to discard or be unable to accomplish. Within a couple of weeks, I’ll settle into a manageable routine which will help me to complete most of the things that God wants of me, as well as to fulfill a few dreams and new ideas that I want to accomplish.

            I also know that some of my folks are anxious about the future and feel uncertain about where they are headed. Work, health, and relationship issues are normally at the heart of their insecurity – not knowing what is in front of them can create a fearfulness which, if fed enough dread, can become overwhelming. Despair may set in, which is always hard to diminish, and feelings of guilt or regret can sour any hopes or dreams for the new year. Being human is never easy and the burdens we carry can bring us down. The emotional baggage from last year can be carried over into this year, spoiling our good intentions and new resolutions.

            However, we are not alone. God is always with us and His love, indeed, does endure forever. No matter what we face, God stands beside us; no matter what confronts us, God is willing to support, counsel, and guide us through it. As the psalmist simply stated long ago, “With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can anyone do to me?” – we can depend on God to help us through anything; we can rely on Him for strength when we are weak, hope when we are down, and love when we feel lost.

            May God bless you and all of your loved ones throughout this new year. May all of your dreams be fulfilled and may God let your plans succeed.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are afraid and insecure, help us to find faith and rediscover our dependence on You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship at 11:00 AM on Sundays – you will be made most welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘New Year Communion.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Communion.

New Year devotion - Living for God - Romans 14:7

Romans 14:7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. (NIV)

            Just after the new year, we’re all full of ideas and goals that we want to achieve. Most of us look forward to the possibilities and opportunities that the next twelve months may bring. It’s as if we’ve all been given a clean sheet with the ability to start again. A lot of people get energized by the turning of the year, so it’s a good time to begin something novel, tackle something fresh, and get excited about the new path that we’re on.

            As people of faith, we look to God to give us guidance and reassurance. We hope that all we want to accomplish is aligned with His will. We desire to do something significant and feel that our lives are not just worthwhile, but actually meaningful. In other words, we seek to be all that we can be, using the gifts, skills, and resources that we have managed to accrue and develop. When we use them effectively and devote them to God, we sometimes discover new blessings and opportunities coming our way. Through the giving our lives to God, we honor the important work of His Son Jesus. By choosing to bring our lives into line with God’s will, we are given a deep sense of belonging to God, no matter what lies ahead.

            Let’s hope and pray that 2018 will be an exceptional year in which we can deepen our faith commitment to God and develop new ways of experiencing significance in all that we prepare and plan to do. Time is a wonderful gift that should never be wasted; life is an amazing blessing that should always be celebrated. May God bless all of your hope and dreams by allowing your plans to succeed.

Point to ponder

What do I hope to accomplish this year? Have I truly asked God to help me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for allowing us to be restored to God’s favor, so we may truly experience belonging to Him. Guide us with Your Spirit throughout this year and help us to accomplish all that we seek to do. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

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

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

New Year devotion: Year's End - Ecclesiastes 2:17

Ecclesiastes 2:17         So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

            There was a time when I hated my life so much that I just wanted to end it all. Happily, three friends rescued me and I have enjoyed a lot of the last forty years since that dark time. This doesn’t mean that I’m not subject to anxious, troublesome, or depressing moments; like most human beings, I have my up and down times. However, even in a bad year like 2015, I have experienced some sweet and successful moments. The good does outweigh the bad; my joy for life overcomes the pain I have experienced.

            I get the feeling that the writer of Ecclesiastes must have been given practically everything to him on a silver plate. I don’t think he ever knew what hunger, poverty, trouble or pain really were. His observations come across as someone who has too much time on his hands, who never really worked for a living, or who was largely unaware of the struggles that most folks endure. He is like a rich monarch or a pampered celebrity; he fusses a lot when things don’t go his own way. He berates Life because it hasn’t lived up to his expectations.

            I contrast this with the coming of Christ into the world. He has all the privileges, power, and riches of Heaven, and yet He ends up being born to working class parents, in a borrowed barn, lying in a feeding trough. If Jesus had been like the writer of Ecclesiastes, He would have come to Earth on a golden chariot, accompanied by thousands of angels, displaying all of God’s mightiness, power, and sovereignty.

            But Jesus became like us to identify with our struggle, our grasp of reality, as well as our share of pain, toil, and trouble. And because He did this, Christ not only completely understands our hardships, setbacks, and problems, He also wants to rescue us from them for all of eternity.

            So today, let’s embrace this thought: Life isn’t meaningless with Christ – He has a purpose – all we have to do is to accept that we are part of His wonderful plan.

Questions for personal reflection

As I look back over 2015, what problems, struggles, and troubles did I experience? How did Jesus help me to endure, overcome, and learn from them? What do I hope He will help accomplish in 2016?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You walk with us each day and share our struggles and storms. Be near to us at the end of this year, and go before us into 2016. Help us to turn to You constantly for guidance and encouragement, strength and love. In Your Holy Name, we walk and pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s 2015 nativity drawings. It’s called “Mama’s Boy.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Boy.

New Year devotion: Asking for Help - Mark 10:51

Mark 10:51   "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 

            So, we've crossed the threshold of yet another New Year and only God knows what lies ahead. We've probably still got that feeling of wanting to do something significant, something different, or something effective in 2015, but within a couple of weeks, that feeling will usually diminish and we’ll settle back into our old ways, old routine, and old ideas. After all, we’re human – we like to be challenged and changed, but we prefer being cozy and comfortable.

            Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 10:46-52) about Jesus and Blind Bartimaeus made me wonder about why Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. Wasn't it obvious? Did Jesus actually need Bartimaeus to vocalize what he desperately needed? He was blind, so what does any blind person want, but to see again?

            There must be something more to this request. It’s blatantly clear to everyone that Bartimaeus wants his sight restored, but Jesus makes him clarify the request personally. In other words, Bartimaeus has to humbly ask in order to be healed. He also has to confirm that it’s only Jesus who can do this for him, which is why Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”

            As we walk deeper into this fresh year, we could imagine Jesus asking of us a similar question: “What do you want ME to do for you in 2015?” Do we know? Are we prepared to ask Him? Are we willing to express our personal hopes and dreams to Him, as well as completely depending upon Christ to fulfill those requests? I guess we will have to wait and see.

Prayer:           Lord Jesus, You sustain our lives each day and we are thankful for Your love, mercy, and grace. Help us to turn to You at the start of this year, in order to confidently bring You our hopes and dreams, ambitions, and goals. Grant us the opportunities, power, and persistence to realize and fulfill them. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask a question or make comments about today’s message, please send John an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s latest Epiphany drawing for church kids called “Epiphany 2015.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: Epiphany.

New Year devotion: Hopes and Dreams - Psalm 21:2

Psalm 21:2    You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips.

            We all have hopes and dreams that we want to fulfill. As we stand at the threshold of another year, most of us are self-reflective about the current year and self-motivated for the one that is about to begin. New Year is a great opportunity for all of us to begin again, to get re-started on our hopes, and rekindled concerning our dreams.

            It’s also a good time to get reconnected to God. As we plan for all sorts of future possibilities, we should also remember that the final destination of what lies ahead ultimately rests with God. Rather than leaving it to the last minute or even our last breath, wouldn't it be better to get closer to God now, to allow space and time in our busy lives to spend with Him in prayer, in consultation, and in worship?

            It seems to me that the desires of our hearts are more likely to be fulfilled through bringing them simply, humbly, and respectfully to God. After all, He loves us completely, so why shouldn't we put Him at the heart of our plans and the center of our hopes?

            I hope that 2015 will be a happy and prosperous new year for all of you who read these messages; but I also pray that it will be a sacred and special year during which we all become closer followers of Christ and devoted servants of God.

Questions for self-reflection

What are the main hopes and dreams that I have for the coming year? How will I bring them to God for His guidance, assistance, and blessing?

Prayer:           Lord Jesus, in You the hopes and dreams of all the Earth are fulfilled. At the end of all things, Your Words will remain and Your Sovereignty will endure. Help us, on the threshold of another year, to dedicate our lives to You. Allow us to fulfill our ambitions and wishes through Your power, presence, and love in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask a question, make a prayer request, or comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass designs. It’s called ‘Baptismal Waters.’ If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: Waters.

New Year devotion: Serving God - Ephesians 6:7-8

Ephesians 6:7-8          Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

We all have good intentions at the start of the New Year. We think about what we would like to do and accomplish, and maybe even dream about making fresh starts and fulfilling our long-term goals. It’s a great time of year to think about the future rather than dwell on the past. As we cross over this new threshold, we all hope for something good and significant to happen in our lives. It could be the birth of a whole bundle of blessings; it could be the start of something special.

            As a pastor, I like to use this time to seriously contemplate what God wants me to do with this year. I think about the path that the congregation is taking and try to work out how I can enable and encourage the good folks to find new ways and opportunities of supporting the church and serving Christ in our community. Each year is different from the past and God usually adds new folks, new missions, and new ideas to the whole process. It’s a large part of my ministry to see that God’s chosen people are placed in positions to be effective servants of Christ. If I can manage to do that well, then God’s work will be glorified and the congregation’s ministry will flourish.

Question for personal reflection

Do I feel called to a special ministry and mission in my congregation and community? Am I willing to talk to my pastor about it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all blessed to be Your servants. We each have unique backgrounds and gifts that are useful to Your continuing ministry. Help us all to pray about where You want us to serve You in our churches and communities. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask a question or make a comment about today’s message, please contact him by email at traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings. It’s called “Winter Cardinal,” and it features a beautiful red cardinal perched on a winter branch during snowfall. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/11634466773_6186ee6629_b.jpg

New Year devotion: Healing Blindness - John 9:11

John 9:11       He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." 

I’ve always loved this Gospel story of Jesus healing the blind man (John 9:1-12). When I was a child, I owned a small picture book with drawings of Jesus and His disciples. In my mind’s eye, I can still see the old picture of Jesus standing over the blind man, just after He healed him. The man is looking with amazement at his own hands which he has just seen for the very first time. Behind Jesus are all of His disciples, who are all awe struck about what their Master has just accomplished. It was a beautiful picture and it captivated my heart as a child.

Growing up in the world, I began to see that blindness is not just a physical ailment; it’s also a spiritual malaise among many people. As a young alcoholic, I could not see the real Jesus or even worse, I did not want to see Him. I wanted to live my life in my own way without Christ judging me for being selfish and sinful, misguided and lost. It was only when I reached rock bottom in the depths of darkness that I began to see Christ’s Light. My self-imposed blindness was penetrated by His love and mercy. He found me and healed; He restored my sight and led me by His astonishing light.

To make my healing effective, I had to do the same as the blind man in the Gospel story. I had to do what Jesus told me. In the blind man’s case, he had to go to the Pool of Siloam and wash the mud from his eyes. In my own case, I had to give up alcohol and trust in Christ completely. In both events, Christ’s healing prevailed.

Perhaps you are worrying about the future or you are carrying baggage from the past. Maybe your life has meandered for a while without purpose, direction, or meaning. Today I’d like to encourage you to honestly and simply give your heart to Jesus. He won’t break it; He will mend it. He’ll also lead you by a new light of faith, hope, and love in your life.

Questions for personal reflection

Have I been losing my way recently? Will I turn to Jesus and be restored to the light of His path for my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, sometimes we are blinded by our own ways, works, and words. We get distracted and misdirected by greed and ambition, insecurity and fear. Reach out to us and heal us of all that harms us. Beckon to us and call us back into Your Everlasting Light. 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 traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is another of John’s Epiphany drawings for church bulletins. It’s called “Fit for a King.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/8334144969_0f958571f3_b.jpg

New year Devotion: Who Do You Think You Are? - John 8:53

John 8:53       “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Of all of the questions that are asked in the Bible, this is the most crucial. When the religious clerics ask Jesus, “Who do you think you are?” they are confronting what they believe to be is His effrontery and impertinence before God. We tend to ask the same type of question of a misbehaving child or an ‘uppity’ person.

The question is seriously important because of the answer that Jesus gives. He claims to be the Son of God and that His Father glorifies Him. This was blasphemy to the Jewish authorities, which is why they seek to stone Jesus at the end of this encounter. However, His answer is very important to our salvation. If Jesus is telling the truth, then He is the One to whom our beliefs, worship, and lives belong. If He is telling a lie, then our faith is false and our hopes of forgiveness with everlasting life are unfulfilled, unsubstantiated, and unreal.

That’s why Christian evangelists are right when they challenge us to accept Christ completely. It is all or nothing. There is no compromise, or no middle ground. Jesus is either all that He says He is or, as CS Lewis once stated, He is a delusional madman. There is no in-between.

As we enter this New Year, we need to have our thinking and faith challenged. Being a committed Christian is one of the hardest things to achieve in life. It’s unpopular and anti-cultural. It is crazy to the world and cumbersome to the real believer. It’s not something that can be lightly adhered to, or casually carried in our hearts and minds. Jesus is either the Holy Son of God, glorified by His Father and truly worshipped by His people, or He is not. The choice, as always, is ours to freely choose or cast away.

Questions for personal reflection

Who does Jesus think He is? Do I think the same of Him?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You constantly challenge us to live our lives as committed Christians, who witness to Your Sovereignty and Power in the world today. Strengthen our resolve and build up our faith, so that we may solely rely upon Your Words and Spirit to guide our hearts and minds. In Your Holy and exclusive Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one John’s latest Epiphany drawings called “Visitation.” If you’d like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8331526125_acf804947a_b.jpg