August 7 devotion - Finding the Light

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)

We all go through some dark and fearful times in our lives. A serious illness or injury to ourselves or a loved one may create some anxious moments. Domestic strife or a conflict at work may distress us and cause us to despair. Trying to meet a crucial deadline or struggling with important homework can put us under a lot of pressure. Losing a job or being disappointed by a friend can make us feel worthless or abandoned. Whatever the circumstance or situation, we feel vulnerable and weak, as well as scared and anxious, causing us to struggle with life and thinking about giving up on our dreams.

Whenever I experience something like that, I frequently turn to the Book of Psalms for consolation, support, and wisdom. There’s usually a verse from those ancient sacred poems that resonates with my current situation which makes me feel as though God is speaking directly to me. One of those incredible verses is highlighted today. To know that in the midst of my darkness and despair that God is my light and salvation greatly helps me. To feel that the Lord is the stronghold of my life makes me feel protected, embraced and loved.

Perhaps you need a message or a sign or a Biblical verse to get you through today. Maybe you have more going on in your life than you can handle. Whatever your circumstance, please take today’s verse as something from God that you can both lean on and rely upon. Let God lead you with His light; let God shield you from all that stresses you.

Point to ponder

What is currently stressing me? Am I willing to let God help me?

Prayer: Lord God, You know our lives completely and are perfectly aware of all that is presently happening to us. In the midst of our trouble, be the light that leads us to better times. In our fearful moments, grant us Your strength and loving support. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s Easter drawings called ‘Beyond the Cross.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Cross.

June 3 devotional - This is Love

1 John 4:10    This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

            I like to read what the Apostle John has written about faith. Whether it comes from his Gospel writing, his letters, or even the Book of Revelation, John had the gift of writing something succinctly and directly. He was usually not confrontational like Paul; he just wanted people to receive Christ’s message through the power of love.

            His description of love in today’s verse shows us what God did to prove that He truly loved us: God sacrificed His own Son to atone for our sins. Think about it: the Creator of the Universe gave up what was the most precious thing to Him – His own Son – in order to rescue the vilest sinners in the Universe – human beings. I cannot fully fathom why God would do such an awful thing to save us; it just doesn’t make sense. Instead of sacrificing Jesus, God could have destroyed everything that He made, and then have started again, making sure that sin never came into the equation at all. That would have been the easy way out, but God has never been One for taking things easy.

            The hardest thing that God could do in order to save us and restore creation, was to sacrifice His loving, precious, and dearest Son. Only a God who was loving and just could have done that; a capricious demiurge would have backed away from such a terrible sacrifice. True love is not just about embracing, accepting, and encouraging – true love always includes sacrifice, selflessness, and surrender. For love of us, God surrendered His Son to our demented depravity in order to deliver us from ourselves, our sins, and our deaths. For love of His Father, Jesus gave up His life to ensure our salvation, to overcome evil, and to honor God. It sounds crazy to us, but there is a deeper love involved here than we could ever imagine, know, or experience for ourselves.

            As John wrote long ago: This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

What more could God ever do to show that He loves us completely?

Prayer:                        Lord God, we can never fathom the depths of Your amazing and almighty love. To sacrifice Your sinless Son for despicable sinners like us is incomprehensible for us to fully understand. All that we can simply do is gratefully and humbly accept Your remarkable grace and unequaled love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called “Surfing Style.” To view a larger version, click on the following link: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/14082073517_ceeae46cc7_b.jpg

May 31 devotion - A Real Testimony

Philippians 2:17          But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

            You may not realize it, but the above verse contains some chilling words. When Paul referred to a drink offering and sacrifice, he was writing about decapitation, which he expected to occur after he personally made his appeal to Caesar. He wrote this letter to the Philippian church – a congregation that he nurtured and loved – from his prison as a dying testimony. He knew that his chances of survival were slim, but rather than hide it from the church, he veiled his words in a way that his people would understand what he truly meant. After the letter was written and dispatched, Paul’s case went to trial and he was beheaded.

            It has always taken a great deal of courage to be a Christian. Over the centuries, millions of people have lost their lives for believing in Christ. Around the world today, Christians are still being persecuted. A recent survey by the Vatican revealed that up to 100,000 Christians of all different denominations are killed every year on our planet. That is a chilling number which should cause us all to reflect upon on own commitment to Christ. Is it inconvenient? Does it take a great deal of courage? Are we under pressure simply because we call ourselves Christians?

            Towards the end of May, we traditionally commemorate Memorial Day in the United States. It is a special day that we set aside to remember the true cost and sacrifices that have been made by the military to maintain the freedoms we enjoy over here. It is a somber time for those who truly remember why we hold it, but it is also a cheerful day for families who freely gather together.

            Perhaps as Christians who enjoy a great deal of freedom, we should also remember the true cost and great sacrifices in the past, as well as the present, that allows us to both somberly and cheerfully enjoy our faith.

Questions for personal reflection

How committed am I to Christ and His church? How has my personal faith been shaped by the lives of Christians in the past?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we thank You for the many leaders and people like Paul, who put their lives on the line, so that we may enjoy our Christian faith today. Help us to honor their sacrifices by living our lives in faithful and dedicated ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please feel free to share this message with others. John will also be delighted to receive any questions, comments, or feedback on today’s message. Send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s drawing for Memorial Day of this year. It’s called Memorial Rose. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Rose.