Sunday by Sunday - Year C devotions

The Christian Calendar begins each year on the First Sunday in Advent which in 2024 takes place on December 1^st. We will be heading into Year C which will complete the three-year cycle of Bible readings. I’ve written a book of devotions for this calendar year and called it ‘Sunday by Sunday – Year C.’

The purpose of this book is to present a weekly meditation based on the Gospel texts for the Year C. Each meditation includes a highlighted verse from the Gospel text, as well as a point to ponder supplemented with a short prayer. It can be used as a time of preparation before Sunday worship or as a personal devotion if getting to church is difficult. Each meditation can also be read aloud as a discussion starter for a lectionary Sunday school class, or as a concluding devotion after such a class. The whole purpose is to focus on what Christ has done in the Gospel passage in order to draw each of us closer to Him and God.

The book can be purchased for Kindle use (a free Kindle reader app can easily be downloaded for free on any device), or as a paperback (US, Canada, and UK only). The link to the book is given below. Get your copy now, in time for Year C beginning on December 1.

US link: Sunday by Sunday - Year C The Gospels - Kindle edition by Stuart, John, Stuart, John. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

UK link: Sunday by Sunday - Year C The Gospels: Amazon.co.uk: Stuart, John, Stuart, John: 9798334060432: Books

Canada link: Sunday by Sunday - Year C The Gospels eBook : Stuart, John, Stuart, John: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

Sunday Shorts - Such is Life

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

It’s a question that we all ask at some time in our lives: “How can I overcome death and obtain everlasting life?”

When I was eighteen, I overdosed on tranquilizers and almost died. I was saved by three friends, to whom I will forever be indebted. I spent three days in hospital to get my stomach cleaned out to check if my organs were still working. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I could have permanently damaged my kidneys and other vital organs, which would have meant that I would have unavoidably died days later. Thankfully, and providentially, that did not happen. My life had been spared by the quick action of my friends and the medical emergency team at the hospital.

Through being so close to death, it made me think about Life. I was faithless at the time, so if I had died, I could have been lost to everyone forever. I did not know this because I held a childlike belief of God in my heart. However, when I later turned to the scriptures to learn more about God, I was startled by some of the forthright views of Christ because sometimes His words stung me.

I no longer dabble with death or take my life for granted. My attempted suicide has given me a different perspective from most people. Life is something to be cherished, but it is also a gift of God that shouldn’t be wasted or squandered. The purpose of life is to give it back to God. Everything that we accomplish, all of our achievements, and every resource that we own, are nothing compared to the riches of God’s grace and everlasting love. That’s why Jesus asked the young man in this much told story to give up his wealth and esteem – for when he is old and dying, the young man is going to have to give them up anyway.

Health and wealth won’t last forever, but faith and love do. If we want life – a real abundant and everlasting life – then we are also invited to surrender ourselves to God through Jesus Christ.

Point to ponder: What is the purpose of my life and how can Christ make it more abundant?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, each day You challenge us to give up our lives and place them in Your hands. In other words, You’re asking us to have faith in You by surrendering ourselves to Your Church and Kingdom. Help us to do this willingly so we may realize that our lives are gifts from the Lord, which we will eventually give back to God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s crayon drawings called “Cosmic Surfer.”

Sunday Shorts - Church Kids

Mark 10:14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (NIV)

I like to see children at worship services on Sunday mornings. Their presence gives hope to the older generations in the congregation. Over the years, I spent a lot of time getting to know the names of the children at church and enjoyed sharing my Bible artwork with them. On Sunday mornings, I used to produce a coloring page for the church kids which they seemed to enjoy. I felt it was an effective way of teaching the faith to them and as a means of encouraging them to create their own art.

Years ago, I decided to set up an art site which other churches could use for their own congregations and children’s classes on Sundays. Hundreds of churches all over the world use my artwork each week which means that thousands of kids are being taught the faith with the drawings that the Spirit inspires me to create. If you want to see some of my drawings, you can visit the website at this link: https://stushieart.com/.

            Children were important to Jesus, too. Today’s Gospel story from Mark 10 recalls a moment when the disciples tried to stop some mothers and their children approaching Jesus. They knew He was tired and needed to rest, so instead of taking the mums and kids to where Jesus was relaxing, they turned them away. When Jesus saw what was happening, He was not pleased and so He rebuked the disciples for being so uncaring. Christ welcomed the children because He loved them, for to Him they epitomized the best qualities of the Kingdom of Heaven. It was a lesson that the disciples never forgot and one which Christian congregations should still practice today by welcoming all children in their churches.

Point to ponder: How are children welcomed in the congregation I attend?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, remind us of the importance of children in our midst, at church, in school, and within our community. Help us to value them and share our faith by welcoming their families and accepting them unconditionally in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: Her Ministry

Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Years ago, on Sunday mornings, my wife Evelyn and I would have a coffee at either McDonalds or a bakery. Evelyn enjoys talking to folks and over the years, she developed friendships with the people who worked there. She talked to and helped single mums who were working all day in the restaurant, trying to get their high school diplomas at night. She blethered (an old Scots word for 'talked') with the seniors who were regulars, shared family photographs and funny stories with them. She listened to young students who were working their way through college, giving them encouragement to fulfill their ambitions. Evelyn often went just to have a quiet read and a cup of coffee, but I know that she also enjoyed the community of workers she befriended over all those years.

            Evelyn did the same at the West Town Mall. She got up early (before 6am!) and did four laps of the Mall. I tried walking with her, but I couldn't keep up - she walks too fast - and I'm not an early bird either. She talked to all the people in the Mall like they were her best friends - the walkers, the security guards, and the cleaners. When one senior walker was diagnosed with cancer, she made him some cookies and sent a card. When another walker suffered bereavement, she comforted her with prayers and love. I'm not saying that my wife is a saint - although she must be, she's married to me - but what I am saying is that she has a ministry of her own which is quiet, unnoticed and just based on befriending, supporting, and serving the least among us. Over many years, she has quietly helped people in the congregations I served without drawing any attention to herself. She still does that today by writing and sending cards to folks she knows with words of encouragement, support, and love.

            The mission of each church is to do the same. Many people have been blessed by the personal ministries that church folks accomplish with their families, friends, church visitors, and even strangers on the street. These ministries are the least publicized of all, but do you know what? These small ministries are among the greatest in the eyes of God and the most beautiful in Christ's Kingdom. The best way to serve God is to serve others with faith, hope, and love, as well as respect, acceptance, and compassion.

            So, wherever you are today, take time to be interested in other people, especially those who serve you in stores, restaurants, petrol stations, cash registers, banks and supermarkets. They are all children of God's grace and just like you and me, they need to be appreciated, recognized, and loved.

Point to ponder: Who will I encounter today? How can I serve God by treating them respectfully?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus wherever we are today and with whoever we meet, may we see God's image in their faces and God's grace in their eyes. Instead of looking to be served, may we look for opportunities to serve quietly, faithfully and effectively. In Your Most Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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.

 

Sunday Shorts - Speaking Plainly

Mark 8:32 Jesus spoke plainly about this, so Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

Some people never grow up. In my many years of ministry, I’ve come across some sad people who live as if they’re still adolescents and take no responsibility for their actions. When things get tough, they ignore the crisis and avoid the issues. Some of them retreat into a petulant corner; others become addicted to alcohol, drugs, or porn. Instead of seeking God’s help or good counsel, they carry on their reckless ways. It usually ends in tragic circumstances or bitterness. That’s what makes it all so sad.

I think Peter the disciple had a similar problem. When things were going well, he was probably the life and soul of the party. However, when Christ spoke about arrest and execution, as well as defeat and death, Peter desperately sought to avoid the impending reality. He didn’t want to listen to negative words. He didn’t want to accept Christ’s fearful prophecies. He wanted the sacred circus and miraculous merry-go-round to continue. He couldn’t face the obvious truth that Christ was expressing.

Within all of us, there’s a comparable attitude. We want life to be jolly, our hearts to be happy, and our days filled with gladness. We have made the pursuit of happiness our reason for living, instead of enjoying God and praising Him forever. We don’t want to change our ways or be challenged by Christ’s words. We want our faith to be warm and fuzzy, instead of challenging and life-altering. In other words, we really don’t want us to be focused on Christ; we want Him to be focused on us.

Point to ponder: Do I form Jesus into what I want Him to be, or do I allow Him to re-shape me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, speak plainly to our hearts and minds. Grant us a better understanding of what You want to do with our lives. Keep us from deluding ourselves and help us to devote our lives to You. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts - Prejudice and Prayer

Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. (NIV)

            Years ago, just after my family had moved with me to the United States from Scotland, one of my daughters had a bad experience. A girl that she played with at school fell out with her one day and the two of them got into an argument. At one point in the heated conversation, the girl who had been my daughter’s friend suddenly shouted out, “You’re no friend of mine. You’re just a dirty little foreigner.” It hurt my daughter immensely and she cried about it for days.

It was a very cruel thing to say which is why years later all of our family constantly defends the right of immigrants coming into the United States and being treated fairly and respectfully. Whenever we hear or read of others being castigated just because they were born in a different country, we confront that inhumanity. It’s also sad to see some of our friends in the UK also condemning foreigners, especially boat people who are desperate to find safety and asylum in Britain. It makes me wonder about how we’ll be received at the gates of heaven after death because we’ll be hoping to be let in to God’s Eternal Kingdom. How we treat foreigners on Earth may be the same standard that God applies to us when we ask for eternal sanctuary!

            When I read the Gospel story in Mark 7 about the Syrophoenician woman who begs Jesus to heal her daughter, I admire her tenacity. At one point, Jesus appears to call her a foreigner who is not worthy of His consideration. Despite this setback, the distraught mother pleads with Christ to cure her child. It’s this persistence that amazes Jesus and He compassionately agrees to heal the young girl.

            Tenacity and perseverance are two qualities that faithful, prayerful people possess. I’ve admired Christians who are prayer warriors in their communities and whose words of constant intercession have changed lives through Christ’s spirit. As Lord Tennyson once wrote, “There are more things wrought by prayer than the world dreams of.”

Point to ponder: How prayerful am I? Do I believe that prayer actually changes things? Have I any prejudices that I should be concerned about?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, every day we bring to You our prayers, but sometimes we take you for granted or we casually list our concerns to You. Help us to understand the true power and potential of prayer. Enable us to use it effectively in our faithful lives. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts - Our Own Rules

Mark 7:8 “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (NIV)

One of the biggest things that Jesus had to contend with was the fact that some contemporary religious groups had made up their own rules and regulations about applying their faith rather than following the simple commands of God. Take the Pharisees, for instance. They had taken God’s laws about working on the Sabbath to an absurd degree so that if you had a false tooth and kept it in your mouth during the Sabbath, you were actually carrying something which was vehemently prohibited and considered to be a blasphemous breaking of God’s command. Rules like that enabled the Pharisees to consider themselves spiritually superior as they fanatically followed them; everyone else was imperfect and sinful, unworthy of God’s blessing. 

When Jesus appeared, He questioned these absurdities and exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. This is why He said they were more into following and idolizing their own rules rather than humbly applying God’s commands. And the more that Jesus pointed this out, the more religious enemies He encountered. Christ was upsetting their rigid religious hold over the people by setting them free with loving commands and compassionate teaching. 

Thank goodness we’re not like those absurd Pharisees, right? Wrong! 

When Christians become hateful and harass others who are different, marginalized, or foreigners, they are following their own traditions rather than Jesus. When pastors preach about crushing or killing their political enemies, they are making up their own faith and have departed from Christ’s compassionate teaching. When church members support lying leaders and excuse their false statements, they have let go of the commands of God and are supporting the Father of all lies. And when Christian people embrace false conspiracies and pass on wrong untruthful messages or memes, they are worshiping absurd and dangerous ideas for which they will be judged by Jesus for their careless words and sinful statements. Being a Christian does not excuse us from being held responsible; being followers of Jesus does not pardon our prejudice. When we let go of the commands of God and hold on to human traditions, we are putting our souls in jeopardy from which only confession and repentance will be the remedy.

Point to ponder: Am I guilty of following false ways? If so, am I willing to repent?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we think that You approve of everything we believe, say, or do. We want You to do our bidding or agree with our understanding. Reveal to us our sinful ways and help us to regrasp and apply the simple commands of loving God and one another. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts - Sacred Vessels

John 6:54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 

I remember the first time I actually saw a church communion set. It took place in an old Gothic-style church, just outside of Glasgow, Scotland. My High School class was on a long-sponsored walk one Saturday and the church was a resting place for all of the participants. As we entered the Fellowship Hall, the first thing that drew my attention were the pewter plates and ornate stacking trays with little glasses in them on a long table. I had never seen anything like them before, so my teacher explained that these were the Communion vessels which the church would be using during worship the next day. 

I was intrigued and also impressed. The minister and a few elders were carefully cleaning the vessels which made me realize they were handling special things. It was only years later when I first formally took Communion as a church member that I understood similar vessels in my own congregation were regarded as sacred objects and treated with the utmost care. 

When Jesus talked to His people about being the living bread and how His body and blood would nurture them, they didn’t fully understand what He meant. Some of them even regarded Jesus as being crazy and left His company of disciples. But for those who stayed with Him and experienced the Last Supper, they soon realized after His resurrection that Christ was referring to His sacred sacrifice on the Cross and that generations of Christians would experience that same holiness when they celebrated Communion in their own churches. It would become a sacred time of spiritually connecting people to Jesus and with one another. 

No matter where or when I take Communion, it is still a sacred moment in my life. The minister and elders from that old church taught me something special that day long ago and I will always be grateful for how they showed the deepest respect for Christ as they carefully cleaned those beautiful vessels.

Point to ponder: How do I experience the sacredness of Communion in my church?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Yourself for all our sins, as well as for reconnecting humanity to You through Communion. Help us to respect such a beautiful celebration as special and sacred in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Sunday Shorts: Bread of Life

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (NIV)

            Recently, our whole family went out for dinner at a special pizza restaurant. The menu was amazing, and we all looked forward to eating our chosen meals. Our two-year-old granddaughter, Ellie, was there, too, but as she couldn’t read the menu, we just ordered her a plain cheese pizza.

            When the server came round with some garlic bread as an appetizer, Ellie enjoyed a piece and declared it to be ‘yummy.’ She ate several more pieces, copying her older cousin Andrew, but when the server arrived with the pizzas, she didn’t want any. All that she desired to eat was more bread. She loved the taste and the texture, so she didn’t want to replace it with something else. While we all ate our chosen meals, Ellie was content to eat what was left of the bread. She knew what she liked and didn’t want to change it for anything.

            When I read today’s verse where Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life, I wonder how many of us are satisfied with what He has to offer us spiritually? Are we ready to accept all that Jesus brings to the table of our lives, and is it sufficient for our spirits and souls? Once we taste the bread He offers, are we content to keep feeding from Christ’s life and teaching, or do we set His pieces aside each time we come across something spiritually novel or new?

            When Jesus spoke to His people about being the Bread of Life, He lived in an age where Roman emperors placated the unruly mobs in Rome with bread and circuses. The temple at Jerusalem was also a place where the best bread in the nation was religiously displayed and replaced every week, so when Jesus said He was the Bread of Life, He was radically declaring Himself to be better than the emperor and greater than the temple. It was a bold statement and one that would cost His life. Christ sought to inform His followers that as far as spiritual nourishment was concerned, He was more than enough for all of them.

            Today, Jesus speaks to us through the Gospels with the same declaration, telling us in this 21^st century that He is still all we need to nourish our spirits. He has invited us all to taste and see that the Lord is good; all we have to do is consume what Christ has to offer.

Point to ponder: How has Jesus become my Bread of Life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You offer to sustain us by becoming our Bread of Life. Encourage us to feed on Your words and ways that will sustain our souls and replenish our spirits. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully receive and pray. Amen.

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

My Latest Book: Sunday by Sunday

My latest book is the beginning of a three-year project that I’ve been wanting to complete for years. I try to write devotionals on Sunday mornings to help church folks, teachers, and pastors focus on God’s Word for each particular Sunday. Over the years, I’ve compiled enough to cover most Sundays in each lectionary year.

My aim is to write a series of books with meditations for the lectionary Gospels, Psalms, Old Testament narratives, and the New Testament epistles.

 

This first book of devotionals focuses on the Gospels for Year C which begins at Advent on December 1 of this year. It contains seventy meditations including daily devotions for Holy Week, Christmas, and other Feasts. Each devotion includes a highlighted verse, short meditation, a point to ponder, as well as a short prayer. The devotions can be completed individually, with family, or a small church group.

 

I am already working on Year A Gospels, as well as some of the lectionary psalms. My hope is to produce twelve books which can be read year after year. The books will be available as eBooks for Kindle users (the Kindle app can be downloaded for free on any device or computer) and as paperbacks. The links to this first book are given below. I hope you may at least enjoy looking at them online.

 

As always, I am grateful for your encouragement and support. God bless.

John Stuart

 

Ebook and paperback* links

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

*paperback copies are only available via Amazon in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Sunday Shorts: Listening, But Not Hearing

Mark 6:20 Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. (NIV)

            Being a Scottish preacher in American churches can be quite novel at times. For some reason, folks like to listen to my Scots accent because they find it to be quite lyrical. I used to think this was a great thing and relished each time I was asked to preach in a different pulpit. Over the years, however, I realized that my accent could sometimes get in the way of the Gospel message. People in the pews liked to listen to how I preached but didn’t absorb the sermon. Sometimes at the church door after the worship service, someone would say: “I loved your Scottish accent, but I didn’t understand what you said.”

            King Herod must have felt the same with John the Baptist. The cruel king had imprisoned John for preaching against his marriage. Herod’s wife was greatly offended, so Herod had the fiery preacher arrested and thrown into a jail below his palace.

            Herod, however, did not neglect John. He liked to listen to the preacher, although he didn’t fully understand what John talked about. Perhaps the prophet preached on the Kingdom of God which Herod would think rivalled his own sovereignty. Or maybe John talked about repentance for being sinful which Herod totally ignored. Whatever the case, Herod missed his opportunity to be reconciled to God. He liked listening to John, but he never truly heard a word which could have changed his life forever.

            Some folks are like that, too. They know about Jesus and have perhaps listened to some of His teaching. Unfortunately, instead of fully embracing Him as their Savior and Lord, they just label Him as another historical holy man whose sermons were quaint and applicable to the past, but not relevant in today’s world. In other words, they listen but do not hear, which is why Jesus constantly told His listeners, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Point to ponder: Do I like to just listen to what Jesus had to say, or do I hear how His words challenge me to change my ways?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be truly open to Your Gospel message and holy teachings. Challenge our lives so that we may change our ways by applying Your words in our daily lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: The Grand Delusion

Mark 6:2 On the Sabbath, Jesus started teaching in the synagogue, and those who heard him were astounded.

“Where did he learn these things?” they asked. “What kind of wisdom has he been given? And what about these amazing miracles he is performing?”

            Over many years of being a pastor, one of the saddest things about ministry that I experienced was the number of people who took their faith for granted and attended church very infrequently. No matter how hard I tried to encourage them to be at worship on Sundays, they always had something else to do with family or friends. They simply believed that God would indulge their lack of dedication to His Son. God would just turn a blind eye and allow them to do what they wanted.

            Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus, who knows God more personally than we could ever imagine, was always in synagogue on the Sabbath. He wouldn’t dishonor God by neglecting to worship and study on the special day set aside for glorifying His Father. He could have been exempt and gone elsewhere. He could have communicated with God in the flowered fields and hiking the hills. He could have enjoyed the company of family and friends, but instead He chose to be in God’s House with God’s people worshipping God.

            There are many people who have given up on church attendance and a new generation of what’s called ‘nones’ has arisen. They believe in their own version of God, a Supreme Being who watches over them and who will receive them into His Kingdom after death. That’s the biggest lie the devil has spread and sadly, many of the nones will not realize it until it’s too late.

            If weekly worship in God’s House was good enough for Jesus, then shouldn’t it be our priority, too?

Point to ponder: How often do I attend church on Sundays? What would Jesus do?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we have made up our own image of God to be an indulgent father or grandfather who lets us do what we want and whose infinite compassion will overlook our lack of faith. You never said that. You never taught it. You never lived that way, either. Teach us with Your astounding knowledge and guide us back into God’s House on a weekly basis, so that we may truly be Your followers and God’s servants. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: The Quiet Woman

Mark 5:27-28 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him, hidden by the crowd and touched his cloak, thinking to herself, "If I only touch his clothes, I will be healed."

            Over the many years that I have worked in ministry, I have seen many women sincerely serve God in their own quiet way. Some of them have worked behind the scenes preparing food for different social events; others have written cards or given flowers to folks who were experiencing illness, loneliness, or grief. I have also watched other women professionally minister to their called congregations, serving with love, enthusiasm, intelligence, and compassion, even in the face of gender discrimination which still can be found in some unenlightened churches. Their quiet endurance is something that I constantly admire, and I am grateful for the essential ministry of women which keeps Christ’s Church alive throughout the world.

            In today’s Gospel story (Mark 5:25-34), a wee quiet woman seeks Christ’s ministry of healing. She has suffered from a blood disease that has plagued her life for years. She has sought medical help and spent most of her resources trying to find a cure. When she hears about Jesus coming to her town, she knows within her heart that this will be her last opportunity of being healed

            Her illness, though, has left her without any helpers. She may even have felt excluded from the rest of the religious community because blood issues among women at that time were deemed to be unclean. Perhaps she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself in case someone recognizes her, so she quietly and timidly reaches out to touch Christ’s cloak as He is passing. She believes that whatever power He has can be instantly transferred to her without causing a scandal.

            Jesus, however, feels some of His divine power draining from Him, so He immediately stops and asked who touched Him. His disciples explain that many people in the crowd who were pushing and jostling with each other to get near Him, must have brushed against Him. But Christ knows what has really happened and the wee quiet woman, who has already been healed, is terrified of what could now occur. In her heart, she must have thought that Jesus would have rebuked her for stealing some of God’s power and so she kneels before Him, trembling.

            Christ then does something beautiful here. Instead of rebuking her, He commends her for being faithful and He even calls her “Daughter,” which meant that she was not only physically healed but that she was completely restored to God. For years, she had been on the outside of the faithful community; now, she was fully accepted back into God’s love.

            There are many women in the church who are faithfully serving Christ. They don’t look for any rewards, public praise, or congregational recognition. They just seek to serve Jesus quietly, efficiently, and effectively, empowered by His presence in their lives, and encouraging others by sharing God’s love which has helped them, healed them, and restored them.

Point to ponder: Who are the quiet women in my congregation? Am I grateful for their faith and service?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we give You thanks for the quiet women in our churches whose support, compassion, and ministries sustain local congregations everywhere. Bless them for their devotion, leadership, and service which has kept our faith alive for centuries. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

Sunday Shorts: Anxious Prayers

Sunday shorts: Anxious Prayers

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?” (NIV)

            Sometimes I get frustrated with God, especially when my prayers of concern take a while to be answered. I’m usually a patient person, but when I get anxious, I can’t help feeling that God is either ignoring me or doesn’t understand the situation. I can remember years ago, when a church staff member created an almighty conflict in the congregation I served, how vexed I was because I was being falsely blamed for their misconduct. I repeatedly prayed to God to deal with the situation and make others understand the truth. I even spelled out to God how to do it and wondered if He really cared about what I was unjustly enduring. Eventually, it was positively resolved, but I still carry some pain from that unsettling time.

            I hear the same anxiety and frustration in the voices of the disciples who are caught in a terrifying storm as they try to cross Lake Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). While the waves are violently crashing against the boat and the wind is fiercely howling, they are terrified about losing their lives. Meanwhile, Jesus is sleeping soundly at the boat’s stern, resting on top of a cushion. The disciples can’t believe that He is so totally unaware of their predicament and so they anxiously shout at Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

            Christ awakes from His deep sleep and responds to their pleas by stilling the storm. The wind and waves become calm; the situation is dealt with; they can now resume crossing over to the other side. Jesus probably went back to sleep again, leaving His disciples no longer anxious, but completely bewildered. They now ask themselves, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

            Perhaps you’re presently anxious about something beyond your control. Maybe you’re also waiting for God to answer your prayers of concern. It may take time to be accomplished, but please know this: God hears your prayers and knows what needs to be done.

Point to ponder: What currently concerns me? How am I asking God for help?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about our lives, especially the situations and worries that we presently endure. Please help us to remain faithful to You as we hand over all our anxious concerns and deepest issues. Calm the storms in our lives and enable us to continue our journey with You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: A Wee Word

Mark 4:31 The kingdom of God is similar to a mustard seed, which, when sown into the ground, is one of the smallest the seeds on earth.

            Recently, I was traveling back from a church committee meeting with two other pastors. As we drove home, we talked about how a word preached at the right time to the right person can have a profound effect on the lives of others. A short phrase, sentence, or illustration could impact someone in the pew and change their lives forever. The Word of God, no matter how insignificant to other folks, never returns to Him empty.

            I remember many years ago preaching in the Scottish country church that I served. I thought my sermon was mediocre, a wee bit long-winded, and perhaps even boring. In the congregation that day was a visitor from Northern Ireland whom I had never met. Something I said clicked with him and when he went home, he gave up his successful job and business because he decided that his talents would better be used to help other people in places where war and famine occurred. Within a couple of months, he used his skills to prepare, organize, and build 250,000 temporary shelters for refugees in Africa. Almost a million people were physically saved through his work and all because some wee word of hope and challenge had been given in an unexceptional sermon. A mustard seed of faith had been planted in his heart and it blossomed into an amazing work of deliverance given by God.

            Whenever we sincerely share God’s Word in preaching or conversation, with words of comfort or challenge, the potential to change things for the better is always present. Perhaps something that you share today – an exchange of ideas, a social media post, a phone conversation, or even a text – will have a profound effect on someone else’s life. A mustard seed of faith may be included in your message and God knows that it will not return to Him empty.

Point to ponder: With whom can I share God’s Word today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words of life have won our hearts and changed our lives. You have implanted seeds of faith within each of us. May we now sow those same seeds in the lives of others who need them, too. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: A House Divided

Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Have you ever seen the old movie "Fall of the House of Usher?" It starred Vincent Price, in what was his only role with blonde hair. It's based on Edgar Allen Poe's short story of the same name and was what we called a "Creepie" back in Scotland. If ever a movie was rated by stars, this one was a Black Hole. It was terrible, full of overacting, cheap scenery, and clumsy effects. The best part of the movie comes at the very end, when the old house sinks into the mire it is built upon, and some Gothic text appears on the screen, quoting today's verse. They don't make them like that nowadays - and as my father used to say, "That movie was never released in theaters, it must have escaped."

When Jesus spoke those words so long ago, He was referring to the unpleasant fact that His religious enemies were calling His miracles acts of demonic possession. Instead of glorifying God for His compassion in helping sick and sorrowful people, the scribes and Pharisees were trying to turn the people against Jesus. In other words, they were causing a division amongst God's people. It must have been a sad time for Christ because He was doing His best to make the world around Him a better place with healthier people, both physically and spiritually. To be condemned for doing something good by religious leaders who should have known better, must have impacted Jesus emotionally. 

There’s a lot of fearful talk about civil war coming to the US after the forthcoming election. We used to be a nation that accepted the outcome and strove to upbuild one another, but ever since the turn of this new century, we have let the demons of distrust and deceit damage our souls. I wish we could get back to moving forward and not give in to those who promote division, hostility, and violence. I pray each day that our nation will not become a house divided, but rather that the teachings, compassion, and love of Christ will impact and influence us all. For the sake of our dear children and grandchildren, we must be better than this.

Point to ponder: Am I contributing to the hostility and division among us? What would Jesus do?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help Your church here on Earth to overcome our differences and divisions. Let a united witness be evident in every congregation and community. Keep us more in tune with Your ways, so that we may turn our lives around and make the entire world a better place, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: Ticked Off

Mark 3:5 Jesus looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. (NIV)

            Jesus was ticked off. Someone needed help and the religious folks wanted to keep their religious rules intact instead of reaching out to the man with the withered hand. Their lack of compassion in a House of God is what made Jesus angry. In a sacred place where the community worshiped God, compassion was meant to be available to everyone. Instead, the regular attenders closed their hearts and minds to what was needed because they only wanted their religious rules to be strictly heeded.

            Despite their lack of compassion and stubborn pride, which incidentally, embarrassed the man with the withered hand, Jesus broke all of the rules and customs to do what was right, rather than pander to what was so obviously wrong to Him. We tend to think that Jesus only got angry in the Temple when He overturned the moneychangers’ tables in the sacred courts, but here we have Jesus getting angry because good people – good religious people – were doing nothing to help and justified it by hiding behind their sacred rules.

            The world throws a similar angry accusation at the Church today. How many issues and problems could be solved in our communities, as well as all over this planet, if Church people – Christ’s followers – were to help those in need instead of hindering the outcast, the alien, the different, the poor, the hungry, the war-trapped, and the unloved? Sometimes church people – even me – get angry when faced with other people’s problems because it would offend our moral or religious codes that we keep inside of ourselves. But instead of us getting angry, we should ask ourselves this honest question: is Christ angry with us because we say or do nothing?

Point to ponder: Who needs my help today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, following You leads us into difficult situations and causes us a great deal of discomfort. Challenge our indifferent ways and change us so that we may help those in need whom we encounter. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: Christ's Church

John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. (NIV)

            I see a lot of memes on Facebook that appear to condemn the Church for not being the Church that the world expects. The memes usually attack the Church for being hypocritical, intolerant, and not compassionate enough. There is some truth to what is posted, but these barbs often don’t offer a solution. It’s very easy to poke the Church in the eye for being so blind, but the negativity of those posts doesn’t act as an encouraging remedy; instead, they discourage folks from changing because there’s no guidance to do so being presented.

            When Jesus established the Church, He didn’t go looking for perfect people – He wouldn’t have found them anyway. What He did do was to take a bunch of sinners and set them on the right path toward God.  Despite their weaknesses and faults, sinfulness and selfish ways, He managed to put together a band of devoted people who would try to live their lives according to His teachings. He never expected them to be perfect which is why in today’s highlighted verse we have something that Jesus constantly did – He prayed for the ones given to Him by God; He prayed for His Church.

            Today’s Church has many problems and issues, but that’s what you get when sinful people are called by God. Despite the setbacks that the pandemic brought upon the Church worldwide, the world still needs Christ’s Spirit of compassion, healing, and love to fix our broken planet – which is why Christ is still praying for His Church and this is what we should be doing for our local congregations, national denominations, and international situations. The Church is Christ’s Bride and will always exist, even beyond Time itself.

Point to ponder: What should I be praying for in my local congregation?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Church exists because You brought it into being. Its purpose is to spread the Good News of the Gospel through word and deed. Despite our sinful and fallen ways, You still pray for Your Church and for us. Help us to align our prayers with Your will for the whole Church. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 

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

Sunday Shorts: Asking God

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (NIV)

This is one of those Bible verses that is mistakenly used by people who believe in the Prosperity Gospel. They focus on the second part of the verse where Jesus states that ‘whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.’ They think it means that to get anything they want, they just have to ask for it, using Christ’s name as their guarantor, so God will be compelled to give them whatever they desire. But that is not based on faith, it’s actually a form of magic which is called an enchantment. God becomes the Great Genie in the Sky who grants people their wishes, so long as they use the right words.

This mistake occurs because people forget about the first part of the verse where Jesus states that He chose and appointed people to follow Him for one purpose – to bear fruit; in other words, to expand God’s Kingdom and make faith prosperous, not the person, nor their individual desires. It’s what God wants that is important, not what we want. Christ’s name is honored by being associated with the bearing of fruit and is not trivialized or taken in vain by trying to coerce God into doing what we want. We align ourselves to God’s purpose – the sharing of His love through the life, work, and ministry of His Son – instead of maligning God by expecting Him to give us everything we desire. 

So next time when we’re praying about something that matters to us, let’s be careful about what we ask for, by personally pondering whether or not we are attempting to manipulate God to our will, rather than consolidate ourselves to God’s will.

Point to ponder: When I pray in Jesus’ Name, am I asking for things that will bear fruit for God’s Kingdom or just myself?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we come to You very often with our needs, wishes, desires, and dreams. We pray for things that we want and forget to ask You what it is that You want for us. Help us to reconsider how we pray and what we ask of You, in order to make our requests more fruitful for God’s Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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