4 Minute Daily Devotions: Trying Times

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Podcast version here:

http://media.libsyn.com/media/stushie/Trying_Times.mp3

To paraphrase Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try the souls of men and women.”

The Stock Market has crashed again and the recession is getting deeper. No matter how many bail outs that our leaders employ, they just don’t seem to be working. We’re now at a 12 year low as far as the financial market is concerned, which means that we’re right back to where we were in 1997. If we follow the same pattern to reach our all time highs, it’s going to take about seven years to make up for the difference.

A lot of people are unsettled and sadly some have become unemployed. Everyone is tightening their belts and reducing costs. For the moment, gone are the days of unlimited credit cards, spending sprees, and buying luxuries. Most folks are doing well with what they have and just glad to be surviving.

In times like these, faith in God becomes a bulwark, an anchor, and a fortress. We need to feel that no matter what we are experiencing, He will help us to endure. That’s why today’s words, expressed and written by the prophet Isaiah 2700 years ago, are highly relevant to what we are going through.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

In other words, no matter what we face, our fears will not overwhelm us and our troubles will not destroy us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, these are anxious times and we all worry about the future. We pray that You will help us endure and support us in the coming years. Remind us also that our lives and our faith are eternally invested in You. Guide us, protect us, and love us. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly 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.

4 Minute Devotions: Real Christianity

What is real Christianity and how can we find it in the world? Can we be led to Christ without Christianity? A short reflection on John 20 v 29.

Podcast version here
http://media.libsyn.com/media/stushie/Real_Christianity.mp3

I’ve been reading a new book, written by Doug Pagitt called “A Christianity Worth Believing.” Right from the start, he expresses his faith in these terms: ‘I am a Christian, but I do not believe in Christianity.’ I think I know what he is saying, but I don’t necessarily agree with him. To me, Christianity is the spiritual vehicle for bringing us belief in Christ. Without some form of Christianity, none of us would ever get to know Jesus.

John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Doug’s opinion is a bit like saying that I am a driver, but I do not believe in cars. Or I am a pilot, but I do not believe in airplanes; or even I am a writer, but I do not believe in words. You cannot have one without the other. Trying to be a Christian without Christianity is impossible. You have to find some source of Christian thought, material, scripture or teaching before you can begin to know Christ.

Let me put it this way. If you grew up in Mars, could you know Christ? The answer is obviously ‘no.’ The only way a Martian could learn about Jesus would be from a Christian from earth. Therefore, the only way in which we can become Christians these days is through Christianity. It might not be what we want, wish, or expect, but it is the truth. Christianity is the vehicle that Christ uses to bring, express, and share Himself to the world.

So when Doug says, ‘I don’t believe in Christianity,’ I think what he really means is this ‘I don’t believe in denominations.’ In this post-denominational world that we live in, I would agree with him wholeheartedly.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your Church in the world, and we call it ‘Christianity’. It is the cradle in which our faith was formed and the vehicle through which our beliefs are transformed. Enable us, through our Christian lives, to attract others to You and, in so doing, let them find real Christianity. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

4 Minute Devotions: Plugged In

Spreading the Gospel is God's way of sweetening the world. Paul describes Christian witnessing as a fragrance pleasing to God and attractive to others. A short reflection on 2 Corinthians 2:14.

Podcast version here

My wife Evelyn likes to use those plug-in air fresheners all over the house. Each month, we buy new ones that smell like southern peaches, mountain air, or fresh fruit blossom. These air fresheners spread a sweet fragrance all over our home and Evelyn delights in them. It’s just one of those special things that makes her feel at ease when visitors call.

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

In the Old Testament, the sacrifices were proclaimed as having odors that were pleasing to God. In the New Testament, no such sacrifices were necessary because Jesus gave His life for our sins. The Gospel itself became the sweet smelling fragrance that pleased God, as knowledge about Christ was spread throughout the Roman Empire. We continue that process today when we share our beliefs with other people.

The world itself would be a much sweeter place to live in, if we as Christians spent more time spreading the Gospel through what we do and say. Our faith would be much more pleasing and acceptable to other people, if we would honestly practice what Christ preached centuries ago. That way Christ’s ministry and God’s Kingdom would become a pleasing fragrance around the world. Instead of having people rebel against and totally reject Christianity, more people would be attracted to Christ and be willing to give their hearts to Him.

So, wherever we find ourselves today, let’s try and be plugged into Christ’s ways and ministry. If we were more self-aware of being His servants and disciples, we would become more effective as ambassadors of the Gospel and messengers of God’s Word.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to please You by leading attractive lives that bring others to You. We want to be productive servants of Your Kingdom and effective messengers of Your Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

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

4 Minute Devotions: An Old Lie

We all tell lies and have to deal with the consequences. I still am bothered about a lie I told my High School sports coach 35 years ago in Scotland.

Podcast version here

When I was in High School, I belonged to the sprint relay team. It was an honor to be chosen and I loved running around the bends of the 400 meter track. The coach that we had was superb. He was a great encourager and a wonderful teacher. We excelled as a sprint team because of his positive coaching. We all wore gold vests which he gave us, representing the colors of our High School. I cherished mine and kept it, instead of handing it back in at the end of the season. Our coach was so successful, he was promoted as an assistant principal at another school.

The next season a different coach arrived. He was severe and a disciplinarian. He took the joy out of our accomplishments and I eventually left the sprint team. During athletics practice one day, he caught me wearing my cherished gold vest. He grabbed me by the arm and told me to take it off. That’s when I told the lie. I insisted that my mother had purchased me the vest at a sports shop in Glasgow. The coach scrutinized the label and, sure enough, the tag belonged to the shop that I mentioned. He looked me in the eyes and then dismissed me. My lie had me kept me safe. He couldn’t prove it otherwise.

It has been thirty five years since I told that lie and it still bothers me today. I wish that I had told the truth. I wish that I had given back the vest. I wish that I could erase this from my past. I’d even thought about sending money to the school to buy vests for a whole sprint team, but the school was closed and demolished years ago. A subdivision has been built over the running track, so I have to live with my lie.

Hebrews 6:18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

I am so thankful that God never lies. He keeps His Word. He fulfills His promises. He remains faithful to us, even although we are unfaithful to Him. When the Good Book reveals to us that God is forgiving, merciful, and gracious, it really means it. And when Jesus is described as being the Truth, Way, and Life, it’s not a lie. These things encourage me to try to be a Christian. Where I fail, God succeeds. When I am weak, He is strong. When I feel lost, He still guides.

Prayer: Lord God, we all have regrets, make mistakes, and even tell lies. We are sorry for the disappointments we cause and the hurts that we create. Forgive us of all our sins and allow us to begin again. Grant us Your mercy and grace, Your love and compassion. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

4 Minute Devotions: The Secret of Success

An attitude of gratitude, especially towards God, paves the way for us to be more confident about what we do, and can lead us to success.

Podcast Version here

I’ve tried hard to overcome this failing of mine, but I can’t abide ungrateful people. I guess it’s because I grew up with so little that I feel the need to thank God for everything each day. When I see people in trouble, experiencing illness, or going through a crisis, they usually want God’s help. They turn to Him and the Church for guidance, counsel, support, and wisdom. After the crisis has been averted, most people are very thankful to God and keep on worshipping Him. They remember His kindness and use their experiences to help other people in similar circumstances.

Sadly, throughout my twenty five years in ministry, I have come across a handful of people who don’t change. I’ve seen God do mighty things in their lives and even what I would call miracles, but it didn’t change their character, their pride, or their ungrateful ways. And that just frosts and frustrates me. I guess it’s what Jesus calls ‘casting pearls before pigs.’ They just take the goodness and kindness from their blessings, and end up trampling the beauty of God’s gifts in the mud.

2 Chronicles32:25 But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

Hezekiah was a great king. In fact, he is one of my favorite characters from the whole Bible. But he also had some pride issues, which had to be dealt with and overcome. I am so glad that he managed to deal with his ingratitude and turned things around so that, as the Bible states, ‘He succeeded in everything he undertook.’ His new attitude of gratitude gave him a creed to succeed.

The lesson for all of us today is this: have we taken God’s goodness for granted and turned away from His blessings? Have we forgotten how to thank Him for His loving kindness, even for the kindness of granting us another day?

Prayer: Lord God, You have intervened in each of our lives and there have been many moments when we have called upon You for help. You have remained faithful to us; we are sorry if we have failed to do the same. Enable us to clearly see how much You have blessed, transformed, and even saved our lives. May we never take those blessings for granted, and may we always worship You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.