Sabbath Psalms: Image of God

Psalm 67:4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

There is a lot of fabricated controversy surrounding the term DEI which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Some folks get really incensed when they see those letters or feel that their white privileged position is threatened simply because others who are different are getting more opportunities to better their lives. Rather than allow others the chance to raise themselves up from poverty, depravity, and ignorance, those who are angry about DEI are trying to eradicate it entirely to secure their own entitled position.

‘Equity’ is a Biblical word and reveals to us that our Creator – who loves the diversity of people and included the whole world in the plan of salvation – treats us not just equally, but with equity which means that when it comes to judging human beings, God takes their backgrounds and circumstances into account. If God was to purely treat us on an equal basis, then those with privilege, power, and prestige would have an advantage. Equity is why Christ sees the poor widow’s two pennies as being infinitely of more worth in the Temple offering than the pre-calculated, restricted, and designated portions which the rich and powerful gave.

So, for those of you who are furious about DEI and seek to destroy it, let me seriously caution you: God created and still sustains a diverse world which the Lord rules with equity and includes everyone in everlasting love. Are you going to foolishly try to take that away from God as well? By the way, if you need an easy reminder, the old Latin phrase for ‘the image of God’ which we all have been graciously given, is ‘Imago DEI.’

Point to ponder: Why did God make such a diverse world? How inclusive is God’s love?

Prayer: Lord God, You created a wonderful world full of diverse beings, made in Your image and sustained by Your love. Help us to let go of greed and resentment, jealousy and bigotry which have no place under Your domain, Your sovereignty, Your rule. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen 

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

Church devotion: Three Important Things - Matthew 4:23

Matthew 4:23           Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

            Teaching, preaching, and healing – those were the three main strands of Christ’s ministry among His people. He taught them the Word of God in new and authoritative ways. He preached the Word of God by challenging their ideas and confronting their sins. And He practiced the Word of God by healing the people of their illnesses, anxieties, and distresses.

            Teaching, preaching, and healing – these should be the three major strands of Christ’s Church throughout the world. People still need to be taught the Word of God, otherwise they make up their own set of beliefs to suit themselves. Folks need to be preached to, and at, in order to shake up their choices and life styles. And people still need to be healed because there is brokenness, suffering, and despair all over this planet.

            If we are truly taught the Word of God, we can become Christ’s followers. If we are fully receptive to the preaching of God’s Word, we will make good and honest choices. And if we allow ourselves to be healed of the past, as well as cured of our present woes and anxieties, we will discover a newer, brighter, and more blessed future with Jesus.

            Teaching, preaching, and healing – the continuous and effective ministries of Christ which we can still experience today, in any part of this planet, in any place where the Spirit of the Lord can be personally known – which is everywhere and by everyone.

Questions for personal reflection

What part of Christ’s teaching means the most to me? How has preaching increased my faith as a Christian? When and where has Jesus healed me?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, thank You for being the True Teacher, Preacher, and Healer of the world. Help us to rely upon Your words and ways each day. Grant us the grace to receive, retain, and apply God’s Word through Your teaching, preaching, and healing in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Lectionary art images. It’s based on a verse from Psalm 67. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Psalm 67.

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Stomp!

Psalm 67: 3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

I went to see “Stomp!” last night at the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville. It was absolutely incredible. The performers and dancers were fantastic and their rhythmic use of paper bags, brooms, and metal chairs was totally amazing. I came away from the theater completely astounded and ever since then, I’ve been tapping and slapping rhythms all over my house, my car, and my office.

I often wish that church could be like that on Sunday mornings. I’ve tried over the years to encourage more participation in worship by our church people. I feel that the more they put into praising God, the more that they will get out of it. I think way back in the days of the psalmist, worship must have been more celebratory and theatrical than it is now. I sometimes wonder what the original psalmists would have thought about our neat and tidy hymn and prayer sandwich services. They were more into an all day event with trumpets and harps, tambourines and horns. They certainly wouldn’t have been anxious to get out after an hour in order to get to the restaurants before the bigger churches finished their worship!

The old Hebrew word for praise is ‘yadah,’ which actually means to hold out your hands and lift them up to God. What I saw at “Stomp!” last night was yadah in action. I definitely think that if more modern worshippers were to allow themselves to praise God by lifting up their hands and exalting the Lord’s Name, they would feel freer and closer to God. Who knows, maybe this Sunday “Stomp!” will come into our sanctuary and the Spirit will lead our people in pure and powerful praise.

Prayer: Lord God, over the centuries You must have seen some amazing, diverse, and incredible worship services from different cultures, nations, and denominations. Your Spirit astounds us from time to time with energy, vitality, and presence. Help us to be more open to praising You in freer and more faithful ways. In Christ’s 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.

Saturday Bible Screensaver

67 down, 83 to go....from my Psalms project



See the other 66 at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/sets/72157603288751629/