Advent Daily devotions: Walking through Advent

 I’ve co-written an Advent devotional eBook which Kindle users can purchase and download. It contains twenty-six daily devotions and prayers for the month of December (two for Christmas Day). If you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the app to use on any computer or device.

The eBook also contains some of my unique artwork. Click the link box below for more details.

If you can’t see the link box, then click on this hyperlink to the book site:

Walking through Advent

Enjoy!

Happy Self-mas! - Micah 2:7

Micah 2:7 You descendants of Jacob, should it be said, “Does the Lord become impatient? Does he do such things? Do not his words do good to the one whose ways are upright?” (NIV)

            Patience is something that is in short supply, especially at this time of year. Whether we’re waiting in line to be served at a store, or holding on the telephone line for customer support, or waiting online for a new update to download, we get impatient very quickly and often get exasperated with the people who are trying to serve us. We never seem to think that they may have their own deadlines or sales to meet, their own issues or problems in their lives.

            Frequently, my wife Evelyn and I go to a fast-food joint for breakfast at the weekend. The staff is very pleasant and the coffee is always good. One of the managers has to bring her kids with her during her weekend morning shift. Usually, her children are good and well behaved, but sometimes they are cranky and tired which means that she has to deal with their issues, as well as serving the customers. I don’t know how she manages to get through her shift; she must have a great deal of patience dealing with her kids and the public at the same time.

            Today’s verse is about God’s patience with His people, especially during those times when they turned away from Him and rejected His counsel. Despite having received many blessings from God over several centuries, His people still ended up taking God for granted and broke their faith with Him. Instead of focusing on God and thanking Him for His goodness, they became self-centered and were distracted by their own desires. They wasted the blessings that God had graciously given them which made them ungrateful, impatient, and disrespectful.

            As we get nearer to Christmas, perhaps we should patiently ponder these questions: Who am I really serving this Christmas? Have I become distracted by other things?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we often forget about God’s great work of patient salvation which took centuries to perfect. We are too preoccupied with ourselves that we are in danger of displacing You at the heart of Christmas and turning it into a celebration of Self-mas. Forgive our selfish ways and foolish notions. 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 Traqair@aol.com.

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

Advent Devotions: Looking for Love

My new Advent devotions e-book “Looking for Love” is now available on Amazon and can be easily read on Kindle. You can download a free Kindle reader app for any of your devices or phones. The book contains 25 devotions and prayers, starting on 1 December and concluding on Christmas Day. Each day has a chosen Bible verse, a short devotion, a point to ponder, and a closing prayer.

This is my seventh e-book for Advent. Hundreds of people have enjoyed my previous books which are still available each year on Amazon. You can purchase this year’s e-book for only $1 (US) at this link:

Advent Devotions: Looking for Love

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0772LDBJR

June 28 devotion - My Eyes Have Seen

Luke 2:30-32              “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

            I have seen God’s salvation in the lives of other people, as well as my own. I have seen addicts turn their lives around and their families restored. I have seen people healed of various illnesses and injuries, and have watched them continue to enjoy life. I have seen the work of many churches across various cities, towns, and villages seeking to support the weak, love the lost, and embrace the hopeless. I have seen the work of missions and missionaries among the poorest of people and in the most deprived communities on Earth. In all of these places and among all of these people, I have seen the continuing ministry of Christ and God’s unending work of salvation.

            Today’s highlighted verses are taken from the prayer of Simeon when he encountered Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke2:25-35). His words of gladness are still relevant in today’s world. All over the globe, Christians are working for the Lord to bring salvation to anxious persons and healing to broken hearts. Life is a constant struggle for most people on this small planet, but Christ’s work, words, and ways still manage to bring light and love, as well as hope and healing to billions of human beings in hundreds of nations.

            The prophecy that Simeon expressed in the Temple courts can still be experienced today. If we open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to receive what God is truly doing among us, we will recognize His work around us. Christ’s light reveals to us the redemption, renovation, and restoration of lives throughout the Earth. We only have to be open to His Spirit; we only have to be willing to serve Christ in order to see.

Questions for personal reflection

Where is God at work in my life, community, and world today? How may I help Him?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world and we look to You for everlasting hope and eternal life. You came into this planet to restore us to God through mercy and forgiveness, grace and love. Thank You for these priceless gifts and infinite blessings. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s drawing is one of John’s stained glass designs. It’s based upon windows that he saw as a child when living in tenements in Glasgow, Scotland. The drawing is called both “Halfway Up the Stairs” and “Glasgow Rose.” If you would like to see a larger version, click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7458512986_9fc4bdf206_b.jpg

Advent Devotions for Kindle: Walking with God

My new Advent e-book for Kindle readers has just been published on Amazon. It contains short devotions, prayers, and meditations for each day of Advent which begins on Sunday 27th November. The e-book is only 99 cents and can be used individually, for family devotions, or at church meetings.

You can quickly find and view the book at the following link:

Advent Devotions 2015: Love Came Down Among Us

I've just completed my 20th devotions e-book for Kindle readers. It's called "Love Came Down Among Us." The book contains 27 new daily devotions, beginning on the First Sunday in Advent (Nov 29) all the way through to Christmas Day.

Each daily devotional includes a suggested scripture passage, a highlighted Bible verse, a short devotion, questions for reflection, and concludes with a prayer. Each day also has its own unique artwork, drawn by me.

Hundreds of people use my e-book devotions each year. The cost is only 99 cents, which is both a bargain and a great investment for every reader.

The devotions can be used on a personal basis, with a small group, at church staff meetings, or even for special family devotions.


You can view and purchase the e-book by clicking the following image. Enjoy !

Advent Resources for Church Bulletins

This year, as well as producing my annual Advent devotions e-book for Kindle readers, I've also prepared four weekly bulletin inserts with short daily devotions, prayers, and questions for reflection for the Season of Advent. The weekly inserts can be easily printed on 8.5 x 14 copy paper and produced for worshipers at church on Sunday mornings.

The devotions are based upon the Sunday lectionary and daily Bible readings from the Old Testament prophets. The series is called "The Gift of God," and the purpose of the inserts is to enable church folks to keep connected to God during a very busy season. the season begins on Sunday November 30.

The inserts can be easily emailed to churches in Word file form. All that churches would have to do would be to change the name of the church on each document and add their website address.

The cost for the Word file is only $10, which I believe is a great investment for each congregation that participates. An emailed invoice can be sent to each church for their records. payment can be made by check or Paypal.

If you are interested in receiving the Word files, send me an email to Traqair@aol.com.

May God bless you and your churches.

John Stuart.

Advent Devotions for Churches

As many of you know, I write a lot of devotionals throughout the year. This year, I have written a full set of devotions for Advent for the congregation that I serve. For each day of Advent, beginning on Sunday 30th November, I have written a short devotion to correspond to the daily lectionary reading from the prophets. A Bible verse is highlighted, a question for reflection is posed, and a prayer is written at the end of the devotional.

If any churches would like Word file copies of the templates, then I would be willing to send them by email. The price is only $10 for the full set of four. Payment can be made via Paypal or check. An invoice for church records will also be sent via email.

Anyone who is interested may contact me by email at Traqair@aol.com.

Advent Devotions for Kindle

This e-book contains short devotionals for every day of Advent. They can be read at any time of day. Each daily section has a lectionary Bible reading, an emphasized verse, a devotional, an art image for meditation, personal questions for contemplation, and a communal prayer at the end.

The Advent readings that I’m using this year all belong to the Old Testament Prophets, whose ancient words reveal to us the promises of God that have been fulfilled through Christ’s Birth, as well as those that have yet to be completed when Christ returns.

Get your copy at the link below…J

Christmas devotion: Two Great Gifts - Galatians 1:3

Today’s readings are Judges 2:7-15 and Galatians 1:1-10

Galatians 1:3  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

If I could give two precious gifts to the world this Christmas, they would be grace and peace.

Grace would be given, so that folks could forgive one another and allow their past mistakes to remain in the past. Husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters could set aside their differences and begin again. Fractured feelings, persistent pride, and baneful bitterness could be gone forever, replaced by love, kindness, and compassion. What a gift to give our broken world!

Peace would be given so that different groups could learn to dialogue with one another; nations could recommit themselves to the betterment of humanity; religions could turn their theological barbs and spears into plowshares for effectively working against poverty, oppression, and injustice. Races across the globe could respect the wonderful variety of God’s image in all people and work together to eliminate bigotry and prejudice, humiliation and rivalry.

The bad news is that I don’t have the ability or power to give those gifts to the world; but the good news is this: Christ has already given those two great blessings through His sacrifice on Calvary and obedience to God. The gifts of grace and peace are already ours; we only have to find and apply them in each of our lives to begin the worldwide celebration of God’s love to the world.

Questions for personal reflection

Where have I experienced God’s grace and peace in my life? To whom can I share these great gifts during Advent?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are both the greatest gift and the greatest gift-bringer in the history of the world. You came among us to grant all people everywhere the opportunity of being restored to God’s favor and love, as well as His grace and peace. Help us to share these blessings with the other people in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on 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 Christmas drawings called “Tree Window.” It’s a stained glass design of a Christmas tree. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/11164226093_863c950b18_b.jpg

Advent Devotions for Kindle

Advent is now upon us and many Christians are looking for devotions to help them through each day of this very special season. Over the past three years, hundreds of people have used my Advent devotions on Kindle. This year, my Kindle Advent devotion book is called "Holding On To Hope."

It contains 25 new daily devotions with Bible verses, prayers, questions for reflection, as well as my own specially created pieces of digital artwork.

The Kindle book only costs 99 cents and, with the new free Kindle app for all laptops and mobile devices now available, any one can get to purchase a copy and join the growing number of people who use these books.

Gospel devotion: The Real Jesus - 2 Corinthians 11:4

For today’s readings: click on these links – Judges 10:6-18 and 2 Corinthians 11:1-11

2 Corinthians 11:4     For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

At this time of year, I always chuckle at the special programs which some cable channels broadcast about the Bible and Jesus. They usually advertise the programs with teasing titles like ‘Secrets of the Bible’ or ‘UFOs in the Bible’ or ‘The Real Jesus.’ I must admit that I've watched some of them through the years, but what they usually present are just old obscure ideas that were rejected by the Church ages ago because their origins were unreliable.

Along with these ‘recently discovered scriptures,’ the programmers roll out some college lecturers who want to make a name for themselves by being controversial. They are just like the paid examiners in high profile trials, who trot out what their legal sponsors expect of them. In return for their fifteen minutes of fame, these religious lecturers relish creating a controversy that some people sadly buy into, and end up causing them to cast aside their simple faith.

Long before cable and television were invented, the Apostle Paul had to deal with the same sort of controversial stuff. In today’s passage (2 Corinthians 11:1-11) he deals with a similar situation where rogue preachers have come into an established Christian community, preaching a different Gospel and Jesus from what was originally expressed. Paul gently berates the community of the faithful for embracing these new and highly questionable ideas about Christ. The Corinthians community is embracing the novelty of a new Christ, instead of holding on to their faith in the real Christ that Paul had introduced them.

With so many different methods of receiving information, people can be easily persuaded to accept something as Gospel truth these days without questioning either the sources or the ideas. In every generation, the Church has had to face this problem and fight for the Truth. And in every situation, the simple answer is still the best solution: people need to get back to the basics of actually reading the Bible.

Questions for personal reflection

What is the source of my knowledge about Jesus? How often do I actually read the Bible?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, Your words and ways have shaped this whole world for almost two thousand years. We thank You for the Gospels and for the messages which continue to captivate our hearts and minds. Keep us focused on Your teaching and protect us from those who would divert our attention, distract our devotion, and diminish our understanding of Who You really are. 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 make a comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s latest Nativity drawing. It’s called “Mumbai Madonna” and is an Indian artistic interpretation of Jesus and Mary. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/11039323083_c96ac02b69_b.jpg

Advent Devotions: Holding On To Hope

My new Advent devotions e-book, "Holding On To Hope" has now been published for Kindle users. It has 25 short devotions (all new), Bible verses, questions for reflection, and prayers for use by individual Christians, small groups, or families on a daily basis from December 01 through until Christmas day.

Many of my Advent, Christmas, and Nativity drawings are also included in the book.

The US price is only 99 cents, so its well within everyone's budget...:)

You can check out a copy at the following link:

Christmas devotion: Gift of God - John 4:10

John 4:10       Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 

Many of us are currently under pressure trying to get the right gifts for our loved ones, friends, and acquaintances in order to make them and us feel good at the same time. I see people with lists in the mall, weary with shopping and frantically checking off names, before hurrying to the next store. Drivers constantly cut in front of me, racing towards other stores to get the latest item, gadget, or toy before they inevitably sell out. I even feel some of this undue pressure on myself as I try to work out the best evening to set aside in order to put up the tree and some outside lights. Christmas is coming fast and we are all suffering from an artificial urgency, as well as a self-imposed slavery to the commercial necessities of a religious feast gone astray.

Jesus is the gift of God and we miss out on the life refreshing blessings that He has to offer us. When He was born in Bethlehem, Christ was wrapped up in simple rustic swaddling clothes and not over-priced designer wrapping paper. His birth was meant to bring peace into the world, as opposed to the unyielding pressure we annually experience. If we honestly knew Christ as the gift of God and did what He simply asks of us – to believe in Him as the Son of God and Savior of the World – then we would ask Him for an everlasting peace to descend into our self-panicked souls, as well as his immortal love to reside in our harassed hearts.

Christmas is about The Gift of God. Jesus is graciously given to us out of God’s wonderful love, so that we would not perish under a pile of presents, parties, and pressures, but thrive on being thankful for forgiveness, restoration, and everlasting life.

Question for personal reflection

Am I willing to let go of the unreality of Christmas commercialism and be embraced by the everlasting reality of Christ?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are God’s greatest gift to the world and we can be truly blessed by allowing Your Spirit to release us from the present pressures and lead us to the everlasting joy of Your peace. 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 or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is called “Advent 2012” and features John’s four special Advent drawings for this year. Churches all over the world are using these images in their bulletins, worship services, and Christmas outreach campaigns. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8191609401_655228761a_b.jpg

Advent devotion: Revering God - Malachi 2:5

Malachi 2:5    “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.” 

Reverence is something that appears to be missing in our present world. That’s a pity because reverence is such a wonderful gift to experience. Giving reverence to God means to humble yourself before Him, as well as surrendering to His will and simply choosing to serve Him. There’s a great peace that can come into a person’s soul when, as the psalmist wrote long ago, their ‘delight is in the Lord.’

In midst of our daily stresses, artificial urgencies, and constant pressures, we could learn a lot from the people and prophets in the past who devoted their days to the Lord. It wasn’t always easy, but there seemed to be more satisfaction in sacred things and holy ways. I sometimes wonder if we aren’t ‘gadgetizing’ ourselves to an early grave and a purposeless life simply because we’ve become technologically distracted from the mysteries, wonders, and beauty of God.

As we head into another church year (Advent is the beginning of the Christian calendar), perhaps we should try to recapture the blessing of revering God with our time, our thoughts, and our devotion. It could be the beginning of a new life for each of us…J.

Question for personal reflection

What can I do with my life to make reverence of God a choice and not an inconvenience?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You revered God throughout Your life on Earth. You taught us how important revering God should be in our lives. Forgive us for being distracted with unimportant things and tasks. Help us to reclaim time to honestly and simply revere God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s 2012 nativity drawings called ‘Emmanuel,’ which features the Holy Family in a snow globe decoration. If you would like to view a larger version, then please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/8170459261_03d3204704_b.jpg

John also has signed limited edition signed prints of this beautiful drawing. Just contact him by email for details.

Thanksgiving Devotion: A Tale of Two Gifts

Zechariah 12:10         “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

John 1:14       The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

The older I get, the more I need God’s grace in my life. Decades ago, I thought it would be the reverse. I believed then that I would by now have worked out all of my flaws, failings, and mistakes because I would be older, wiser, and more mature. The reality is a whole lot different: I get set in my ways, whine for the good old days, and feel out of place. Ecclesiastical curmudgeonary and dinosaurial drudgery can best describe me at times. I was born in the 1950’s, raised in the sixties, and formed in the seventies. I’m a 20^th century man living in a 21^st century world. I know how I would like things to be but there’s no going back; in order to accommodate a new bold world, I constantly need an old beautiful gift: grace.

The two Bible verses for today were written hundreds of years apart, but they express God’s remedy for a broken world in almost the same terms: ‘grace and supplication’ and ‘grace and truth.’ In the Old Testament, God’s patience and mercy were appealed to through the means of sacrifice and supplication. In the New Testament, the Supreme Sacrifice had already been made, so the opportunity of God’s patience and mercy were given through this truth: Jesus is the Savior of our sins. In the past, grace was a means of being granted the permission to approach God; now grace through Christ means that we can not only approach God, but we may also abide with Him forever.

Grace: an ancient, blessed, and beautiful gift from God granted to us today (and for all time) through Jesus Christ our Lord and King.

Question for personal reflection

How many times have I needed God’s grace this week?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You were given to us to become the ultimate sacrifice and universal Savior of the world. By Your obedience and death, we have been given God’s grace and life. We will always be truly thankful for Your wonderful gift. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask a question of him, please send an email to Traqair@aol.com. John is always delighted to read your comments and answer your questions.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Nativity drawing for 2012. It’s called “First Family” and is currently being used by churches in the United States, Switzerland, and England for their Christmas advertizing campaigns. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8132931651_2e0cee43a8_b.jpg

John has signed 8x11 prints available. Contact him by email for details.

Advent Devotions for Kindle: Waiting for Jesus

Advent devotions for Kindle fire are now available via my new Advent devotions e-book, "Waiting for Jesus." It contains fifty Advent devotions which can be used as personal reflections each morning and evening of the first 25 days of December.

These Advent devotions prepare Christians spiritually in the midst of the pressures leading up to Christmas. Both Kindle and Kindle Fire users will enjoy the reflections as well as the many art illustrations that I have included in the book.

So if you're looking for an Advent devotions e-book, then why not look at what I've written for this year. It only costs $1.99 and can be read not just by Kindle and Kindle Fire owners, but all computer users everywhere who have downloaded the Kindle app to their system.

You can view the Advent devotions book at the following link:

http://amzn.to/TWhiHO

Devotional: My Eyes Have Seen - Luke 2:30-32

Luke 2:30-32              “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

I have seen God’s salvation in the lives of other people, as well as my own. I have seen addicts turn their lives around and their families restored. I have seen people healed of various illnesses and injuries, and have watched them continue to enjoy life. I have seen the work of many churches across various cities, towns, and villages seeking to support the weak, love the lost, and embrace the hopeless. I have seen the work of missions and missionaries among the poorest of people and in the most deprived communities on Earth. In all of these places and among all of these people, I have seen the continuing ministry of Christ and God’s unending work of salvation.

The prayer of Simeon of old is still relevant in today’s world. All over globe, Christians are working for the Lord to bring salvation to anxious persons and healing to broken hearts. Life is a constant struggle for most people on this small planet, but Christ’s work, words, and ways still manage to bring light and love, as well as hope and healing to billions of human beings in hundreds of nations.

The prophecy that Simeon expressed in the Temple courts is still being experienced today. If we open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to receive, we will notice what God is truly doing among us. Christ’s light reveals to us the redemption, renovation, and restoration of lives throughout the Earth. We only have to be open to His Spirit; we only have to be willing to serve Christ in order to see.

Questions for personal reflection

Where is God at work in my life, community, and world today? How may I help Him?

Prayer:             Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world and we look to You for everlasting hope and eternal life. You came into this planet to restore us to God through mercy and forgiveness, grace and love. Thank You for these priceless gifts and infinite blessings. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s drawing is John’s latest stained glass design. It’s based upon windows that he saw as a child when living in tenements in Glasgow, Scotland. The drawing is called both “Halfway Up the Stairs” and “Glasgow Rose.” If you would like to see a larger version, click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7458512986_9fc4bdf206_b.jpg

Daily devotion: A Good Movie - Luke 2:17-18

Luke 2:17-18              When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Whenever I see a good movie, I like to share my delight with other people. I do it because I want them to enjoy a similar satisfying experience. My wife Evelyn and I enjoy going to the movies on a regular basis and it helps us to relate to one another. Some of our first dates, before we got married, consisted in going to the movies, so I guess we’re still sustaining that mutual interest and bond that we share together.

Faith is supposed to be like that, but because of keeping common courtesies and retaining social boundaries, we’re not so inclined to share our faith with others. We’ll readily tell people about a good book, great movie, or riveting new television series, but when it comes to relating about an ‘ah ha’ moment in church last Sunday, we’ll probably keep it to ourselves and inwardly reflect on it.

It’s a shame that we do that because all sorts of people in our world, which is such a broken place, need to hear about God’s presence still being felt in today’s church. They want to know that God still reaches into the hearts and minds of believers. They want to hear that in the midst of all the fear, anxiety, and confusion around us, God is still in control. When the shepherds went back to the hills after seeing the baby Jesus, they were singing, rejoicing, and exuberant about the Good News they had personally experienced. As they told their story to everyone they encountered, the people that they met were amazed.

Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place, if we allowed ourselves to share our joy in the Lord?

Questions for personal reflection

What makes me delighted to be a Christian? How can I share this with other people in my life?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are God’s Gift to the world and we are joyful because You are constantly with us. Help us to joyfully share the Good News of forgiveness and salvation with others. Prevent us from keeping the blessings of the Gospel to ourselves. 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 digital glass Psalm drawings (Psalm 24). He has been tentatively invited to present and display some of his Psalmic art in Dallas, Texas this Fall. If you would like to view the Psalms art project online, please click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/sets/72157603288751629/

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