Sabbath Psalms - Like a Tree

Sabbath Psalms – Like a Tree

Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Many years ago, I took a group of church people on a coach tour of Scotland. It was a wonderful experience, and I personally delighted in showing everyone the wonders and beauty of the auld country.

In the middle of the tour, we visited a small town, right in the heart of Scotland, called Dunkeld. The scenery was breathtaking and all the tourists with me loved the buildings, bridges, and beautiful gardens in and around the town. We stayed there for two days, but just before we left Dunkeld, I took the group to a secret spot behind the Birnham hotel, where we were staying.

We walked for about 500 yards and came to the riverside. There, next to the water banks, stood four ancient oak trees, about 900 years old. They were massive and the girth of one of the trunks took half of our party to circle. It was amazing to experience one of Scotland's hidden treasures.

For nine hundred years, those trees had been planted by the water. They were mentioned in Shakespeare's Scottish play "MacBeth" in the lines "when Birnham wood comes to Dunisane hill." They had survived the most turbulent years of Scottish history, and they still thrive, bearing acorns every year.

Today's Bible verse tells us about the prosperity and strength of those who rely upon the Lord. It's a lesson for each of us to experience, for no matter what we go through - pain, sorrow, or trouble - if we remain true to the Lord, He will enable us to endure, overcome, and prosper. God grants us this hope for being faithful to His Son. We are truly blessed, not because of what we do or accomplish, but because of all that God has done for us through Jesus.

Point to ponder: How has remaining faithful Jesus helped me through difficult times in my life?

Prayer: Lord God, Your strength carries us through life and Your will sustains us each day. Enable us to keep focused on Your ways, so that we may spiritually thrive and faithfully prosper in Your Kingdom on Earth. Refresh our souls with the Living Water of Jesus Christ and strengthen our spirits with the riches of His grace. In Jesus' Name, we gladly pray. Amen.

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

 

Sabbath Psalms - Sins of Omission

Psalm 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

I once was given the opportunity to teach two English literature classes in my daughter's High school class. It all came about when her teacher referred to Britain as 'England.' My daughter took offense at this and reminded her teacher that Britain is made up of several nations, which includes Scotland. Thankfully, her teacher accepted what she had to say and, in the ensuing conversation, I somehow got volunteered to teach two classes about Scotland's contribution to English literature, especially the works of Robert Burns, the world's greatest poet.

This highlighted verse from the psalmist reminded me of something that Burns once wrote. The psalmist talks about hidden faults, and how each of us are blind to some of the persistent mistakes that we make. In the past, ministers would call these the 'sins of omission,' the things that we neglect to do, as well as the mistakes that we unconsciously commit. In one of his poems, Burns put it this way:

'O the pow'r that God wad gie us, to see ourselves as ithers see us.'

(O the power that God would give us, to see ourselves as others see us)

Sometimes, we are blind to the sins we commit and the mistakes that we habitually make. If only we had the power to see ourselves making those mistakes, which others around us notice, for then we would be empowered to avoid repeatedly making them.

Perhaps today we could all make a conscious effort to watch what we do or say; to be careful about the witness to Christ that we project, to be aware that we are not perfect all of the time. And at the end of the day, as we make our confessions and give thanks to God in prayer, let's also remember to ask forgiveness for our hidden faults, those sins of omission that we constantly fail to recognize.

Point to ponder: What sins do I constantly repeat? How can I change this?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we unknowingly hurt other people and offend You with our frequent mistakes. Sometimes the things we say and do, or the things we neglect to say or do, cause us to disappoint others and sin against You. Help us to recognize our recurring mistakes and give us the ways and means to avoid our sins of omission. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Midweek devotion: Growing Up - Luke 2:40

A short video devotion based on Luke 2:40. How Christ's young life can help us with our issues today.

 

Luke 2:40 And the child Jesus grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (NIV)

I like this picture of Jesus that Luke’s Gospel describes which, in just one sentence, covers at least twelve years. He grew up strong, probably because Jesus helped his earthly Dad, Joseph, in the carpentry business. I can see him carrying bundles of wood, using heavy tools, and even sweeping the sawdust from the floor at the end of each day. I think he would have enjoyed that work and there are old legends of Christ creating perfect pieces of furniture for customers in Nazareth.

But as well as strength, Jesus was also filled with wisdom, which meant that He must have attended school, studying the scriptures at the local synagogue, filling His mind with the wisdom of the Jewish sages in the past. In years to come, this knowledge would enable Him to follow God’s path and help other people find God’s Kingdom.

Lastly, in this one verse we are also told that the grace of God was on Him. What was the use of all that strength and knowledge if He didn’t know how to use it compassionately, mercifully, and lovingly? Strength can be used to bully others who are weaker; wisdom can be employed to marginalize those less able, but when God’s grace is mixed in with them, strength is used to support others and wisdom finds ways to help others. So, when Luke describes how Jesus grew up, he is showing us how God shaped Christ’s life for His future ministry.

Dear friends, in the midst of this pandemic, we may wonder what it is going to take to get us beyond this crisis. I believe that Luke presents the formula for such a solution: strength, wisdom, and the grace of God.

So, here is something to personally ponder: what strengths do we have and what knowledge do we possess that could be enhanced by the grace of God?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, Your life is a true example of someone who was shaped by God to serve Him with strength, wisdom, and grace. Help us to be open to God’s will at this crucial time. May we serve Him and one another with all of our power and knowledge, mixed in with God’s grace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

September 20 devotion - A Small Gate

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (NIV)

            My parents’ home in Scotland had its own front garden. My Dad planted a hedgerow to divide it from our neighbors and placed a green picket fence all around it. To get to the front door of their house, you had to walk through the small wooden gate in the fence. My Dad never oiled the hinges on the gate, so it creaked noisily each time it was opened. I think he did this deliberately as an early warning signal to let him know that someone was approaching the front door. Every time I visited my parents, the creaky gate was a welcome sound to me and a homecoming ritual that I always enjoyed. Even though they are long gone and I am now living in a different continent, I can still hear that gate being opened as I muse on it in my mind.

            When Jesus spoke of the narrow gate in Gospel times, He was clearly teaching His followers to seriously focus on the path He was laying before them. If they wandered from His teachings or even redefined His way, they would miss the narrow gate which was meant to open them to a life beyond death and an eternal existence. Christ cautioned them about being too broad-minded or too casual about their faith. If they followed the world, they would pursue a wide path which ultimately led to destruction. However, if they remained attentive and focused on Jesus, they would keep on His single path and enter through His narrow gate which, according to Jesus, only a few would truly experience.

            In these post-modern times, people are both encouraged and enticed to follow their own destiny, their own path, and their own ideas. The culture of self has overtaken the community of faith which sadly means that many will miss the narrow gate. As a pastor, an important part of my calling is to show people where that gate is and help them to walk through it. If I’m too busy doing my own thing, going my own way, and making my own path, then I will be guilty of leading people astray. However, if I maintain my focus on Jesus, His way and His words, then I can confidently remain at the gate and faithfully help my folks through it.

Point to ponder

Am I allowing the world to distract me and divert me on to a different path? How can Jesus help me to find and walk through His narrow gate?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us on Your path and lead us through Your narrow gate. Prevent us from becoming careless about our faith and lost in our own ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called “Banner.” If you would like to view a larger version, double-click this link: Banner.

August 30 devotion - I Like Bread

Luke 11:3 Give us each day our daily bread.

I like bread. I like it a lot. Whether it’s the bread that I toast in the morning, the sandwich that I eat for lunch or in the roll that I may have with dinner, my conclusion is the same: Bread Rules! When I was growing as a teenager, I could sometimes eat half a loaf at night with butter and jam. I don’t know how my folks afforded it, but there was always bread in the pantry for all of us hungry Stuart kids.

In Scotland, there is something called a plain loaf which is a doughy loaf of sliced white bread. At each end of the loaf is a thick slice which is either called the ‘heel’ or the ‘outsider’. In our house, getting the outsider was an extra helping, so we took it turns to receive it. Whenever it was toasted, covered in butter, and put on a plate, I felt as though I was feasting like a king. As I am writing this, I can still experience crunching through the dark crust and tasting the texture of the bread. As a poor kid, from a large family, living in a deprived area, white bread was my staple diet. Eating the thick crunchy heel was a wonderful blessing that meant a lot to me.

When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, He instructs them to ask God to give them their daily bread before they ask Him to forgive their sins. He wants them to rely upon God to sustain them first and then forgive them second. It’s not that forgiveness is less important than meeting their needs; it’s just that Jesus wants them to be grateful first and then seek God’s mercy.

Sometimes I need to remember that lesson. Frequently I feel guilty about my mistakes so that when I talk to God in prayer, I reel off a list of sins in order to seek His mercy first. I forget to be grateful and thank God for His daily goodness; instead I focus on being forgiven in order to make me feel good. Perhaps if I changed my prayers to concentrate on thanking God first, then I would not dwell upon how much I disappointed Him again.

Questions for personal reflection

What are the daily gifts in my life for which I should be grateful to God? Are my prayers more about me or God?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us how to pray and for drawing our attention to the daily blessings and needs that God provides. Keep us from being self-centered or ungrateful. 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 comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is a bulletin cover design for Communion drawn by John based upon Christ’s own words, “I am the Bread of Life.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3560/3770073328_9c57843113_b.jpg

Thirsty Times - John 4:13-14

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (NIV)

            The best water I’ve ever tasted came directly from my mom’s kitchen tap (faucet) in our Glasgow home. I can remember during some hot summer days running in from the backyard to stick my head under the cold tap and guzzle as much of the pure clear Scottish water in order to slake my thirst. Some folks reading this have probably done something similar as a child by drinking cold water directly from a garden hose. You feel totally refreshed within seconds and very soon your thirst is completely satisfied.

            Just like our bodies, our spirits get thirsty, too. We run ourselves ragged with all the business and responsibilities in our lives. We use up all of our energy looking after family, keeping up with work, and getting through each day. We may sometimes feel everything is uphill for a while and end up emptying ourselves emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We need to refresh our weary souls and renew our tired spirits. In other words, we need to reconnect with God to fill ourselves up with His grace, care, and love.

            This is why Jesus talks about being living water. He is the One we can tap into in order to quench our spiritual thirst and satisfy our parched souls. He has words to comfort us, ways to guide us, and the will to refresh us. All we have to do is to trust Him and seek His living water for ourselves.

            Whatever you are facing today, however empty you feel, and wherever you go, seek Christ and receive His love, mercy, and strength.

Point to ponder

How much do I need Jesus to help me today? When can I make time to seek Him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and are aware of how empty we feel. Fill us up with Your living water and refresh our weary souls. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome and filled with Christ’s love 😊.

Today’s image is one of John’s living water drawings. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Water.

June 21 devotion - Promises, Promises - Genesis 21:1

Genesis 21:1    Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. (NIV)

            My Grandma Stuart had a saying about people who disappointed her: “He’s a great promiser, but a bad fulfiller.” She came from a small Scottish religious community who were known as Rechabites. Her direct family members were all teetotalers who abstained from drinking alcohol and smoking, which is funny, because of her grandfather, James Doyle, who made his money manufacturing clay pipes for tobacco users. She was a strong-willed person who had a lot of gumption and determination. I guess I get most of my stubbornness and religiosity from her side of the family.

            Throughout the Bible, God constantly makes promises and never fails to fulfill them. In Sarah’s case, from the events described in Genesis 21, He sees to it that she bears a child even in her old age. The same blessing is also accomplished in Luke 1 when the elderly Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist. It’s all part of God’s way of completing the work of His salvation for the people on Earth. God is not only a great promiser; He’s also a great fulfiller.

            Every day, we experience the promises of God in our individual lives and across the entire Earth. His promises are both personal and global, as well as being current and historical. In Jesus, we have the greatest promise of salvation that humanity has ever known; in Christ, we also see the greatest fulfiller of God’s holy words.

Points to ponder

When and where have I experienced God’s promises in my life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, through Your complete obedience to God and the fulfillment of all His promises, we have been given the sacred opportunity of forgiveness of our sins and being eternally restored to God. In response, we dedicate our lives to You and to Your continuing ministry of salvation throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully serve and thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s church bulletin covers called ‘The Promise.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: Promise.

Short Devotion - An Old Story - Genesis 35:14-15

Genesis 35:14-15        Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Jacob called the place where God had talked with him, Bethel. (NIV)

            As a schoolboy, I was taught that the stone pillar which Jacob placed at Bethel thousands of years ago, was somehow transported to Scotland and became known as The Stone of Destiny. When ancient Scottish kings were crowned, they sat on a coronation throne which was built around the stone, supposedly conferring God’s blessing on their reign. Eventually, during the wars between Scotland and England, the English king took it as a victor’s trophy and had it placed below the coronation throne in Westminster Abbey. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth was crowned on the same throne over the stone. As a gesture of goodwill to the people of Scotland, she returned it in 1996 and had it placed in Edinburgh Castle, where it occupies the same room as the Scottish Crown Jewels.

            It’s a delightful story, but it really doesn’t date back to Jacob’s time. A group of geologists has studied the stone and they believe it is part of the red sandstone which is found around Scone Palace in Scotland, where the Scottish kings and queens were officially crowned. It seems that the Scots have a touch of what the Irish call ‘blarney,’ when it comes to telling tall tales.

            In the Bible, Jacob set up the original stone pillar as an everlasting witness to God’s grace in preserving him and his family, as well as for the promises of posterity which would be fulfilled in the multitude of the future Hebrew people and formation of a Jewish nation in the Promised Land centuries later. It was a turning point in Jacob’s life which allowed him to settle in God’s country with a divine blessing that would not be broken.

            As we each look over our lives, remembering where we came from and looking forward to the times that lie ahead, let’s not forget to be thankful to God for sustaining and blessing each and every day of our lives. We may not fully know what lies ahead, but of this, we can be certain, the God who holds us dearly in His hands today, also holds every tomorrow in His hands.

Point to ponder

What Bible stories do I remember from my childhood? How do those stories still affect my faith today?

Prayer:            Gracious God, we thank You for the fulfillment of Your promises over the centuries and across the world. We have faith today simply because You arranged it long ago. Help us to be mindful of how we pass on our faith to the younger generations in our lives. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Scottish designs called ‘Caledonian Soul.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Soul.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Devotional : A Mighty River - Psalm 46:4

Psalm 46:4    There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

            I was born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland. At one time, there used to be over a million people living in the city. Glasgow prospered due to being situated on the banks of the River Clyde, where great ocean going steamships were built to be sent all over the world. Most Glaswegians are proud of their city and its achievements. They also love its famous river which brought economic prosperity to the whole population.

            The source of the river is at a small town called New Lanark. Four small streams converge as waterfalls (or linns, as they are known in Scotland) and the River Clyde meanders to the sea, growing deeper, wider, and larger at every mile downstream. The Falls of the Clyde are quite beautiful and well worth visiting by any tourist. Out of that small stream in a small town, a mighty river is born which has changed the industrial history of Scotland, the United Kingdom, and the world.

            Today’s Bible verse expresses a similar event, all couched in spiritual terms. From a small stream at the heart of Jerusalem, God has created three world-wide religions that have affected the entire world, even to this very day. Out of a small place, God’s work has meandered throughout history until every nation on Earth has been influenced by what has occurred in Jerusalem.

For us Christians, we are reminded that Christ’s isolated and relatively insignificant death, outside of the city walls of Jerusalem, has engendered a Faith which has over 2 billion followers and is still growing throughout the Earth. The goodness of God and the gladness of Christ’s people have spread across kingdoms and nations, civilizations and generations in an amazing process of truth and love. And until Christ returns, that river of redemption will continue to grow, that small stream of salvation will carry on affecting the lives and souls of billions of people who are as yet unborn.

Question for reflection

What is the source of my faith? How am I passing on that source to the next generation?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You are the source of everything that is sacred, loving, and true. You have called each of us into Your Kingdom and continue to influence the lives of others around us. Help us to do whatever we can to encourage other people to come to Your Living Waters and be redeemed and forgiven, restored and welcomed into God’s Holy Dominion. In Your sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently 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 Pentecost drawings called “Spirit Dancers.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Dancers.

Gospel Devotions: A Wee Clype - John 5:15

John 5:15       The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

He was sneaky. Absolutely sneaky and completely ungrateful. In Scotland, we used to have a word for a person like that: ‘clype’. It was the worst name that you could ever be called. If somebody at school or in the playground was called a wee clype, then he or she was instantly shunned by the rest of the class. Tell-tale, tattle-tale, or tale bearer were relatively mild compared to clype. To be a clype was to be the lowest and meanest person on the planet. It was to be avoided at all costs.

But some people like to get others into trouble. Take this person who has been healed by Jesus in the Gospel passage (John 5:1-15). Jesus has cured him of his paralysis, but instead of being thankful and delighted, he appears to be resentful and somewhat ungrateful. He even goes later in the day to find the religious authorities, in order to tell them who healed him on the Sabbath. He is a tale bearer of the worst kind: he is a wee clype.

Other people who are healed by Jesus are normally ecstatic and exuberant about being cured. They want to tell the whole world about Jesus in order to share their joy and celebrate His goodness. This appears to be the only occasion in the gospels where a cured person actually betrays Jesus in order to get Him into trouble. Instead of glorifying Christ, he seeks to humiliate Him. Rather than being grateful, the cured man is totally unthankful.

Every day, Christ guides us and takes care of our prayers, therefore our daily response should be one of complete thankfulness. Are we?

Questions for personal reflection

In what recent situations has Jesus helped me? Have I been truly grateful for His intervention?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are meant to be at the center of our lives during good times and bad times. In the midst of our present issues and complications, grant us Your guidance and allow us Your grace. Keep us mindful, as well as thankful, of Your mercy, healing, and love. 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 about today’s message or ask a question, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest seasonal images called “Christmas Tree.” If you would like to see a larger version, then please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8200761419_9a23df46d8_b.jpg

John’s drawings are available as signed limited edition prints. If you are interested in obtaining one for yourself or as a gift for someone else, send him an email for details.

Gospel devotion: Archie the Engineer - Luke 9:2

Luke 9:2         Jesus sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

            Archie was a great preacher and many of the young people in Glasgow, Scotland that I knew in the late 1970s were drawn to Jesus through his straightforward, no-nonsense style of preaching. He was a heating engineer by trade and originally worked in the great Glasgow shipyards on the Clyde. He was skilful at his job, so eventually he set up his own firm and became quite successful. At some point in his life, he met Jesus and gave his heart to the Lord.

            Like most people who go through a dynamic conversion experience, Archie wanted to tell everyone about Christ. He became a part-time preacher at the Gospel Club that I attended each Wednesday evening.

            I can still see and hear him preaching about God’s Kingdom with a confidence and strength that came from the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. As he preached his message, Archie held a large Bible in his hands and often flicked through its pages, quoting book, chapter, and verses to back up his Gospel message. His strong clear voice and candid preaching reached into the hearts and minds of my friends, as well as me. At the end of the meeting, new souls were saved and old sinners were changed. To all who heard him, Archie exuded Christ’s authority and preached with the power of the Holy Spirit.

            When Jesus sent out his disciples to other areas during the winter season, He gave them His power and authority to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. It must have been a remarkable time for His faithful followers, as well as the people in that region. Lives were changed, sicknesses were cured, and souls were saved. It was really the beginning of Christ’s Church in the world.

            The world still needs powerful preachers and healing miracles today. Instead of being distracted and divided by the devil, Christianity could empower people with hope and heal the brokenness of humanity. If we would open our hearts and minds to being revived by the Holy Spirit instead of reviling one another, this entire planet could be saved within a couple of generations. The challenge that we all have today is this: are we willing to set aside our theological woes and simply work for Christ?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You know what the world really needs and what Your Church needs to do. Help us to reclaim our faith, renew our commitment to You, and revive our spirits. May we preach with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as well as healing the world through Your Loving Way. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish pastor at 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 African drawing called “Sunset Parade.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7778524948_dd17801487_b.jpg

Daily devotion: Promises, Promises - Genesis 21:1

Genesis 21:1   Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.

My Grandma Stuart had a saying about people who disappointed her: “He’s a great promiser, but a bad fulfiller.” She came from a small Scottish religious community who were known as Rechabites. Her direct family members were all teetotalers who abstained from drinking alcohol and smoking, which is funny because her grandfather, James Doyle, made his money manufacturing clay pipes for tobacco users. She was a strong-willed person who had a lot of gumption and determination. I guess I get most of my stubbornness and religiosity from her side of the family.

Throughout the Bible, God constantly makes promises and never fails to fulfill them. In Sarah’s case, from the events described in Genesis 21, He sees to it that she bears a child even in her old age. The same blessing is also accomplished in Luke 1, when the elderly Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist. It’s all part of God’s way of completing the work of His salvation for the people on Earth. God is not only a great promiser; He’s also a great fulfiller.

Every day, we experience the promises of God in our individual lives and across the entire Earth. His promises are both personal and global, as well as being current and historical. In Jesus Christ, we have the greatest promise of salvation that humanity has ever known. In Jesus Christ, we also have the greatest fulfiller of God’s holy words.

Question for personal reflection

When and where have I experienced God’s promises in my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, by Your complete obedience to God and the fulfillment of all His promises, we are given the sacred opportunity of being forgiven of our sins and eternally restored to God. We seek to dedicate our lives to You and to Your continuing ministry of salvation throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we serve and 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 one of John’s latest chess drawings. It’s called ‘Slavic Knight’ and is a part of his new ‘One of These Knights’ art series. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7411440258_2e934d85a8_b.jpg

Daily devotions: The Language of Heaven - Genesis 12:1

Genesis 12:1   The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”

Genesis 12v1 was the very first Bible verse that I ever had to read, pronounce, and translate in Hebrew and it got me hooked on studying the Old Testament at Glasgow University in Scotland. My professor, Robert Davidson, was an outstanding biblical scholar and when he gently spoke the verses in Hebrew, you could hear from his voice how much he loved the ancient language in his heart. As he lyrically pronounced each word and syllable, I yearned to study Hebrew. It was a new part of my faith journey into ministry and it’s something that I still cherish.

Prof. Davidson made the text come alive and created an amazing picture of Abram’s journey to Canaan with his descriptions. He was Old School, which meant that he had been a parish pastor before becoming a university professor. This also meant that his lectures, which were full of wonderful research and knowledge, were also grounded in grass roots faith. Years later, he became the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and is still regarded as one of the finest spiritual leaders that Caledonia has ever known.

God commanded Abram to leave all that was familiar to him and go to a land that he had never seen. Abram’s obedient response puts a whole chain of events into motion that still affects many of us today. Three great faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – are born in that amazing moment. Abram’s blind acceptance of God’s Word not only affects his immediate family, it changes the history of the world.

Today God will call each of us to do His bidding, some of which may have life changing effects upon our lives, our families, and even our careers. The question we may have to ask of ourselves is not whether we are willing to listen to Him, but are we willing to listen and obey God?

Prayer:                        Lord God, we each believe that You have a plan for our lives, a call to our hearts, and a ministry to fulfill. Help us to be ready, willing, and able to accept Your Word, work, and way for our lives. In Christ’s 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, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of my latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost People” and is a simple depiction of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/7238891276_57f5062184_b.jpg

Lent Devotions: Always Around - Matthew 26:11

Matthew 26:11   The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian, I attended a Youth Fellowship program at a church where most of my friends worshipped. It was at the other side of town which meant that I had to get two buses to travel there.

Most of the young people there belonged to the same mid-week evangelical Gospel club that I attended in the heart of Glasgow. There were a few who didn’t and they remained skeptical about giving your life to Jesus. One young guy always used today’s verse as his spiritual barrier from accepting Christ as his Savior. He argued that Jesus was being insensitive and uncaring when He stated that the poor would always be around.

“Instead of just healing the sick,” he often argued, “why couldn’t Jesus get rid of poverty? Helping the poor would have made Him my Savior in my life.”

It was hard to argue against that statement. We really didn’t know then that the Church is truly engaged in the world trying to alleviate poverty every day. We also didn’t understand what Jesus was really saying: ‘help the poor as much as you can because they’ll always be there, but also make and take time to honor me.’

I think Mother Theresa of Calcutta said it best when she talked about helping the poor and serving Christ. “Do something beautiful for God,” she often declared when she addressed church conferences in other countries. In other words, we can help the poor as much as we are able and feel good about ourselves, but when we do it for Christ, we have the added bonus of pleasing God.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, each week You present us with opportunities to help people in need and to serve You. Enable us to do both of these together, as ministry and mission, as well as outreach and worship. 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 one of John’s latest Psalm drawings. It depicts Psalm 115 and features the verse where God is described as the Maker of Heaven and Earth. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6855709255_a7d20b81df_b.jpg

Scottish Devotions - Jenny Graham - Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Next to my wife Evelyn, Jenny Graham was the fastest walker I have ever seen in my life. When I ministered in Scotland, Jenny could be seen most days cantering down the Maybole High Street as she headed to the stores for groceries, the post office for stamps, or the bank for money. She was always hurrying to get her messages done and nobody could keep up with her. Walking alongside Jenny was not an option and everybody smiled a good morning or good afternoon to her as she trotted past them. When I knew her at first, she was in her sixties, but she continued rocketing along the High Street well into her nineties.

Jenny was a remarkable lady, an amazing pianist, gifted piano teacher, and a wonderful church organist. Music was a great gift to her from God and she used her talents to bless the townsfolk in Maybole for generations. Everybody kent (knew) who Jenny was and her long life was spent passing on the gift of her faith through music. When I was pastor at the Glenkirk in Maybole, Jenny was immensely helpful to me, especially in the putting together of worship services. I appreciated her skills, her stories of past ministers, her great friendship, and total commitment to the church. Much of what I accomplished in the congregation had a lot to do with Jenny’s support.

Jenny passed away on New Year’s Eve and her funeral service took place today. Many people would have been in attendance from all over the town and from all of the churches. It must have been strange, though, not having Jenny playing the music.

From now on, when I read or hear today’s verse, I’ll remember Jenny. The part about ‘they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint’ just sums her up completely to me. She had an amazing life with wonderful skills, and many people like me feel blessed to have known her. I’m also left with a wonderful image in my head of Jenny at the Pearly Gates cantering through them with St Peter behind her trying to catch up!

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for the many wonderful people that Your Church brings into our lives. Thank You for their dedication and commitment, service and faith. They inspire each generation to do something more beautiful for You. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully 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 my drawing of the Glenkirk in Maybole under a Scottish moonlight. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4071/4317958402_fe0f23d3cd_b.jpg

Daily devotions: Yeaster Day - Matthew 13:33

Matthew 13:33            Jesus told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

One of my earliest memories from childhood is of the terrible smell of whisky yeast that came from the distilleries next to my neighborhood. It was absolutely awful and some days it made me feel sick. The stench was so strong that I can still remember the smell fifty years later. These days, distilleries would not be allowed to pollute the surrounding environment, but way back in the early 1960s there were no government controls. Generations of Glaswegians learned to live around the pollution and put up with what we called ‘the pong.’ We didn’t know any better or that life could be better lived. Thankfully, the environment has been cleaned up and future generations of my city folk will not have to endure such a bane in their everyday life.

Yeast is pervasive, whether it is used for making bread or a whisky mash. It expands throughout the substance it enters until all the flour for bread or barley for whisky is affected. It’s an amazing biological process which causes bread to rise and whisky to mature. Without the yeast, proper bread or real whisky could not be produced. It is the main catalyst which is required to produce the final desired result.

Jesus said that the Kingdom of God was meant to be like yeast; it is essential to the spiritual growth of humanity and the expansion of the Church. Without the kingdom of God at the heart of our spirits, we could never aspire towards Heaven. Without Christ’s Kingdom at the center of our faith, Christianity could never have hoped to be globally influential across the centuries. Christ’s Kingdom is the catalyst that is required to produce God’s final desired results – that of sinners saved by grace and billions of people restored to His everlasting favor.

So today, let us give thanks that Christ is at the heart of our faith and also our spirits. His Kingdom begins within each of us and expands out into the world through the faith that we share, the deeds that we do, and the lives that we live.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, be the spiritual yeast within us that we yearn for in the world. Expand Your Ministry and Mission through each one of us. Help us to grow in faith and to increase the good deeds that we can complete, in order to bring honor and glory to God. In Your Holy Name, we live and 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 Psalm drawing. It’s a simple child-like depiction of a verse from Psalm 111. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6464037881_34db33968d_b.jpg

Stewardship Devotions: The Swan Pond - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Ecclesiastes 11:1       Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 

Some of the simplest joys that I can remember of living in Scotland were the times when Evelyn and I would take our two daughters to Culzean Castle to feed the birds at the Swan Pond. It was always wonderful to watch our girls smile, laugh, and be happy as they threw the bread to the beautiful swans.

The swans knew what to expect and they would majestically glide across the water to feast on the bread. Usually a number of mallard and tufted ducks would try to get into the action, but because of their bigger size, the swans would get most of the bread. As the sun shone on the water and we heard the giggles and laughter of our girls, life felt so good.

I wonder what bird-less waters that the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote about. Whenever we threw the bread on the Swan Pond waters, everything was soon eaten. If we went back there in three hours time, we would find nothing left, so this verse puzzles me.

I’ve heard people use this verse, including some preachers, to encourage others to give their money to God because it would be returned to them. I also know that some people claim this to be true, but I wonder about their motive for giving in the first place. If we give to God because we want to get something in return, is that an offering or bargaining? Isn’t it more Christian to give without expecting anything in return, in order to live by Christ’s teaching that “it is far better to give than to receive,” as the Apostle Paul pointed out? (Acts 20:35)

So, by all means, let’s cast our resources upon the living waters of Christ and His Church, but let’s also not look for anything in return. After all, aren’t the complete forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life more than enough?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for giving everything of Yourself so that we may be restored to God’s eternal love. Help us to give what we can of our time, talents, and money to those needful opportunities that will come our way this week. Enable us to do this selflessly so that You will receive all the glory and honor for the good deeds and charitable giving that we do in Your Name. Amen.

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

Today’s drawing is one of John’s wildlife drawings called “Swan Pond.” If you would like to see a larger version of it, then please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4373092333_3d5cd56d51_b.jpg

Christian Devotions: Passing Through - Philippians 3:20

Philippians 3:20         But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

A lot of people, when they get to hear my Scottish accent, usually ask me if I ever feel homesick. It surprises them when I usually say, “No.” They reckon that I would be pining for the Auld Country, but the truth is this: I miss the people, but not necessarily the place.

I’m not disrespecting the land of my birth either; it’s a beautiful place. It’s just that I’m moving onward and upward to God’s country. I’m just a pilgrim passing through the Earth, no matter where I’ve come from, or where I will ever live.

As Paul stated long ago, people who are Christians should view things like citizenship and nationality as being temporary, which means that our patriotism and loyalty ultimately and truly belong to God. There is no Scotland in heaven; there is no USA beyond the Pearly Gates. There is just one kingdom and one country: that of God’s Sovereign realm.

So do I ever get homesick? Yes, but not for Scotland. I yearn for the day when my soul will be at one with Christ in God’s Kingdom. I long to be home in Christ’s Country and everlasting presence. And in the end, when all is said and done, isn’t this the reason why we became Christians in the first place?

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest New Yorker series. It’s called “Snow Show at Radio City” and features traffic in the snow outside of the famous theater. You can view a larger version of this picture online at: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5345410288_aa183fa9f1_b.jpg

All of John’s drawings can be found on the Web at his art site at www.stushieart.wordpress.com

Signed, numbered and matted prints are available for only $20 each (plus shipping if necessary). They make unique gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and new homes. Just contact John by email and he’ll be delighted to help you.

Inspirational Devotions: Love and Hate - Philippians 2:8

The podcast for today’s devotional can be found at the following link:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/stushie/Love_and_Hate.mp3

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

I love the snow; I just hate driving in it. Even though I was born in Scotland and drove through many blizzards on the West Coast at night, when I could barely see a thing, I find that driving in the snow covered streets of the South is much more hazardous. There seems to be more black ice and bad drivers here than I ever experienced back in Scotland, so even when an inch of snow hits our roads in and around Knoxville, it’s deathly dangerous.

I guess it’s because people are just not used to the white stuff falling on the streets each winter. The local authorities don’t seem to be wholly prepared either and yet, we all know that winter comes around every year at this time.

I love being a Christian; I just hate the struggles that I have each day in trying to maintain my faith. Even though I grew up in the Church and have spent much of my life as a pastor, it’s still hard to be the perfect saint that everyone expects. I’m only human after all, so I’m going to make mistakes and at the end of each day, I’ve usually got a whole list of sins to ask God for forgiveness. As each day starts, I begin with the best of intentions; as each day closes, I seek pardon for the offenses I’ve caused and the temptations to which I have yielded.

I love Jesus Christ too; I just hate the fact that He died on the Cross for me. Even though I know He did it to obey God and obtain my salvation, I feel guilty about driving the nails through His hands with my personal sins. I know that I’ll never be perfect and that I’ll need His Cross each day to pin my sins upon Him. I hate that, but at the same time I am also deeply grateful that Jesus saved and saves me from my sins by His humility and obedience which led to the Cross.

Perhaps you are feeling guilty about something you once did or said. Maybe you feel distant from God or separated from Him because of sinful acts and shameful secrets. I hate those things too, but this I love: there is nothing that we have ever done or said that can ever separate us from the love God through our Lord Jesus Christ. If we let Him into our lives and open our hearts to Him, if we accept Him and believe that He has the power to pardon us, then He will grant us forgiveness instantly and immediately, totally and completely.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we love You dearly, but we hate the fact that we caused You to die on the Cross for our past mistakes and present sins. We are humbled by Your humility and are in awe of Your obedience to God. Without Your death, we would have no Life; without Your sacrifice, we would have no salvation. In Your Name, we live and 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 drawing is a nighttime scene of the Henley Street bridge in Knoxville. The picture is called “Moon over Henley.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click here: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5322272559_cdb65afa3d_b.jpg

All of John’s drawings can be found on the Web at his art site at http://www.stushieart.wordpress.com/

Signed, numbered and matted prints are available for only $20 each (plus shipping if necessary). They make unique gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and new homes. Just contact John by email and he’ll be delighted to help you.