Sabbath Psalms - Begin Again

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me”

I struggle with my faith versus my thoughts. There are things I believe in my heart about God, but I also have doubts in my mind. For instance, I believe that God is infinitely powerful and just, but doubts arise when I see so much violence and injustice in the world. I believe that I am saved by Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, but then I doubt His influence over the Church when I see Christians aggressively hating people who oppose them. I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but then I doubt its transformative power into making us better human beings when I hear preachers ranting and raving about crushing or killing their political enemies. 

I am also aware that I am, like David who originally wrote Psalm 51, a sinful man who has made bad choices at times that have hurt other people, especially those whom I say that I love. My selfish thoughts and devious desires damage my faith. I am what John Newton once called himself – a wretch. In other words, I am a great sinner in need of an even greater savior. 

If we honestly read Psalm 51, we will be afflicted by the Holy Spirit and made self-aware of our foolish choices and sinful deeds. David doesn’t hold back anything from God because he understands that God knows everything about him – every false choice, every greedy decision, every little secret. He comes before God as a broken man who knows he has done something gravely wrong, but even with all that staggering burden of guilt, shame, and worthlessness, David still holds on to the fact that God can clean him of every sin, renew his unclean heart, and restore him to God’s love forever.

David’s story is our story, too. And we have even more besides: we have Jesus as our Savior who cast Himself on the Cross at Calvary in order to remove our blemished burdens and despicable deeds. Christ gave us His life so that we may live with God as forgiven, redeemed, and restored children of God’s grace forevermore. In other words, with Christ, we can begin again.

Point to ponder: What have I done that has offended God and damaged others? How can Christ cleanse and restore me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us, so we cannot hide any sin from You. Help us to humbly approach Your throne of mercy and grace, so we may ask You for forgiveness and restoration. We know that we do not deserve this, but we hold on to the fact that You have the power to do this. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

 

Sunday Shorts: A Old Fashioned Word

Mark 1:4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (NRSV)

It’s an old-fashioned concept which many people don’t think about today, not even Christians. The word is ‘repentance’ and most folks avoid it because it requires honesty and humility. In order to repent, we have to honestly confess that we have made a mistake which is difficult for a society that justifies everything. We also have to be humble and confess that we have weaknesses and faults which damages our pride and deflates our prestige. We are fiercely individual and self-reliant, so to repent would mean giving up striving for power, perfection, and position.

The word in Greek that Mark uses to describe repentance in his gospel is ‘metanoia,’ which involves a realization of being wrong, of feeling our guilt, and seeking to reverse our mistake. The old way of describing this act of repentance is ‘turning away from ourselves in order to turn back to God.’ It requires us to sacrifice our pride and let go of what is holding us back from returning to God. It’s not an easy process and it truly takes a great deal of effort. It’s not just a matter of saying ‘sorry’ and moving on – it’s about knowing that we’ve deeply offended God which causes us to humbly seek divine mercy.

In John’s time, people were required to publicly profess their sins before being baptized. That took a lot of courage, especially in a community that strove to be perfect in both God’s and other people’s eyes. However, when Jesus appeared on the scene and eventually humbled and sacrificed Himself for our mistakes, God’s grace was offered in a different way. We still have to repent and humbly confess our mistakes to Christ, we still have to turn away from ourselves and look to God for forgiveness and grace, but instead of being baptized publicly in the River Jordan, we can now be baptized personally by the Holy Spirit in order to eliminate our sinful, prideful, and past mistakes. With Jesus, we can be restored to God; with Christ, we can be reconnected to God’s love, compassion, and care.

So, today, as we reflect on repentance, let’s ponder for a moment about the things that we sinfully do which create a barrier between ourselves and God. Let’s honestly come to Jesus with our humble confessions, so that He can fully forgive us our past mistakes, strengthen our present resolve, and lead us into a better future.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, You came into our world to save us from ourselves. We know that Your perfection eliminates our imperfection and Your humility humbles our pride. Help us to turn away from ourselves in order to seek God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest baptism drawings. If you would like to see a larger version, please click this link: Baptism.

Short devotion: A Key Moment - Luke 7:50

 

A Key Moment

 Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (NIV)

 I’ve made many mistakes through the years, both foolish and sinful, so I often look to Jesus not just to accept and forgive me, but to fully understand my failures and to re-direct me onto the path that He hopes I will follow. Every day, when I talk to Christ in prayer, I ask for His grace because I know I don’t deserve it and I never want to take such a blessing for granted. It would be so easy just to let go of the past and convince myself that I’m not as bad as other people, but it bothers me because I recognize how much Jesus has sacrificed in order to forgive me.

 When Jesus forgave the woman in the story that is described in Luke 7:36-50, I see how much of an effort it took the woman to humble herself before Jesus and be humiliated by others around Him. She recognized that Christ was the only one who could cleanse her of the past, accept her in the present, and allow her a better future. He was the key that would unlock her from the past mistakes that imprisoned her mentally and spiritually; He was the one last opportunity that she had of being healed from her sins and restored to God’s favor; so she gave Him her painful tears and treasured perfume in the hope of receiving mercy and grace.

 I love how Jesus compassionately responds: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” He grants her the forgiveness she needs, but He also adds peace – the great shalom – to her mind, heart, body, and soul. No matter what she had done in the past, from that sacred moment she was fully restored as a child of God’s grace which is what we all want when we seek God’s mercy through Jesus.

 No matter who you are or what you’ve done, please know this: Christ forgives because He cares. Your faith can save you and you can know peace this day: just ask Jesus.

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us and how we are deeply affected by guilt and sorely troubled with regret. Allow us Your forgiveness and reset us on a path to peace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Check out the church at its website: www.erinpres.org.

 Today’s image is one of John’s latest lectionary drawings called “Water into Wine.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Waterwine.

Short Devotion: Mercy Me - Matthew 5v7

 

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (ESV)

            When I celebrate Communion at the church, one of the main areas that I focus on comes when the celebrant says: “O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.” It is one of the most meaningful points in the sacrament because it reminds me of how much the gift of mercy is an essential part of Christ’s ministry. At that sacred moment, I know that I am a sinful creature in need of God’s grace, so when I hear those beautiful words, I am both ashamed and assured at the same time: I am ashamed because of my past sins; I am assured because of God’s great mercy.

            But mercy just isn’t personally given to me because I am in need of forgiveness; it’s also a gift which I am meant to share. After being forgiven, I could fall into the temptation of being merciless to those around me. My self-righteous holiness could make me judgmental of others who are struggling with their own sins, or issues, or problems. Instead of seeing them as folks who need God’s mercy and love just as much as I do, I could be morally blinded by my pride into thinking that they deserve what they get, or that I’ve experienced the same issues and have risen above them, so why can’t they do the same?

            Jesus taught us many things with words, but He also applied His teaching with deeds. If we think about when He was nailed to the cross, He didn’t curse those who were killing Him, but instead He pleaded with His Father to forgive them – a divine act of mercy that makes the cross not a terrible instrument of death, but an everlasting symbol of forgiveness, grace, and life.

            So, next time we’re celebrating Communion, perhaps we would do well to ponder on how much God’s mercy comes to us through Christ and then think about how we could show and share that mercy with other people who are struggling, too.

Q: How has God been merciful to me? Did I deserve such a gift? How can I apply mercy to others?

Prayer: O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us Your peace. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Faraway Hill.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Faraway Hill.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what the church is doing, check out the website at www.erinpres.org

God's Faithfulness - Lamentations 3:22-23

Lamentations 3:22- 23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (NRSV)

I’ve always loved these verses for several reasons. First of all, they remind me of a dear old couple from Scotland who often sang this as a duet in worship. After decades of marriage, they epitomized all of the love, grace, and faith that these scriptures express.

Secondly, I need this promise from God every single morning of my life. I am far from perfect and cannot get through a single day without sinning. This means that I create a gap between myself and God each day. However, when I wake up in the morning, a new day begins with God’s mercy and forgiveness, faithfulness and love. It’s a beautiful and sacred gift that I will cherish as long as I live.

Application: Start off each day with a smile. God has graciously forgiven us and faithfully loves us, so what more can we possibly need? 😊

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the gift of grace and the blessing of love each day. Enable us to share these blessings will all whom we encounter today. In Christ’s Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

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

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

Approaching God - Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

In ancient times, many people thought that God was unapproachable and too holy to safely come into His presence. They believed that their sins caused an unbridgeable gap between themselves and Him. They were therefore very wary about directly asking God for help or forgiveness. They usually tried to win His favor by making a personal sacrifice of livestock or grain, money or other resources. They hoped that they could appease God’s anger and then be granted His mercy.

After Christ died on the Cross, there was no need for any more sacrifices. He fully paid the debt that we all owe to God and opened up a new way for us to confidently approach the Lord for help and healing. Jesus purchased this gift with His beautiful life, so we can now freely and personally come to God to humbly ask for His grace, favor, and love without ever being afraid.

Application: Think about the mistakes and regrets that have disconnected you from God. Confidently approach God in prayer and ask Him for forgiveness. Receive God’s grace and begin again. 😊

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the amazing gift of grace that You have given to us through Your Son Jesus Christ. Forgive our faults and restore us to Your love. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

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

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

Street Meeting - John 1:29

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (NIV)

When I read the Gospel passage for today (John 1:19-34), it made me wonder what I would say if I saw Jesus walking down the street coming toward me. Would I fall on my knees and joyfully weep? Would I run away to hide? Or would I see him as John did – the Savior of the world who takes away my sins? I hope it would be the latter because, above everything else, Christ’s ability to forgive my sins – as well as that of the entire world – is crucially important to who I am, what I believe, and all that I hope to do.

Christians like me are imperfect and often fail to meet God’s standards. As the Apostle Paul once wrote, ‘I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing.’ (Romans 7:19) In my opinion, this means that we don’t fulfill everything God expects of us, so it leaves a credible gap between what we say we believe and what we actually do about it. For some folks outside of the church, this gives them the ideal opportunity to tar Christ’s followers as hypocrites – which we all honestly are – but that should not stop or hinder us from trying to be Christians. We know that we will constantly make mistakes, but we also have the potential to do some things that are right, positive, and faithful. And when we fail, Christ has the power and grace to forgive us completely, so we may gladly start again.

So, if you or I walk down the street today, and come face-to-face with Jesus, how will we respond?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us totally and are completely aware of all our faults. We are sinful creatures and imperfect followers. Despite these failures, You are still willing to allow us forgiveness for all our sins and the total restoration of our relationship with God. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and gratefully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Maundy Thursday drawings called ‘Window of Opportunity.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Window.

A Tax Break - Luke 18:13

Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (NRSV)

Do you ever have one of those days when you feel as though you’ve taken a wrong turn, done something stupid, or been very selfish? Me, too. I don’t know how you personally cope with those kinds of days, but they sometimes make me feel as though I can’t approach God for any help, hope, or healing. My foolish mistake or sinful act separates me from God, and so my pride or shame won’t let me immediately turn to Him for pardon, grace, or restoration. It’s as if I’m angry with myself or feel as though I’m wasting God’s precious time. However, at some crucial point, I reluctantly traipse back to Him like the tax collector in today’s verse, hang my head in shame, and mumble a plea for forgiveness.

Almost immediately, I experience a sense of relief and of being reconnected to God. I know I don’t deserve His gracious love, but I am very glad to receive it. By forgiving my sin, God restores me to His delight; by pardoning my mistake, I not only feel better, but I want to do things better for God and His Kingdom. To be forgiven is a precious gift that I hope I will never take for granted; to be restored to God’s favor is a wonderful way to begin my life again.

Perhaps you are feeling burdened by past mistakes, sinful deeds, or personal failures. Maybe you’ve been carrying a whole boatload of guilt that is keeping you back from reconnecting with God. Or perhaps you just feel as though you’ve disappointed God and can’t approach Him for mercy or restoration. Please do not despair: God’s grace is far bigger than any or all of our sins; God’s love is far greater than any mistakes we have made. He allows us to ask for forgiveness, not because He wants to shame us, but because He wants to restore us and reconnect with our hearts and spirits. In other words, we may be great sinners, but Christ is an even greater Savior than all of our sins combined.

Point to ponder

What is my deepest regret or costliest mistake? Am I willing to bring this to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and are aware of everything we have foolishly or sinfully done. You ask us to come to You for mercy to give us the gift of God’s grace. We are truly thankful and totally humbled by Your merciful ways. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s worship drawings for Transfiguration Sunday. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Transfiguration.

Only God - Psalm 130:8

Psalm 130:8 The LORD Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (NIV)

            There’s an old saying: “If you want something done well, do it yourself.” It was once attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, who liked to be in control of every maneuver on the battlefield. He had no time for failure and often dismissed his generals or other officers who displeased him. Eventually, this led to his downfall because the very thing that Napoleon considered to be his strongest talent turned out to be his greatest weakness. His obsession to be in control of everything was unsustainable; all his enemies had to do was to coordinate their attacks on many flanks until he was overwhelmed, which is precisely what happened to him at Waterloo.

            To be in control of everything, you need to have infinite power. Only God possesses this, which is why when humanity was unable to crawl out of the mess that sin had caused, God took control of the situation and personally redeemed the world through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. For generations, God’s people had tried to remedy the situation and bridge the gap between God’s holiness and humanity’s unworthiness, but no matter how many animal or agricultural sacrifices were made, the deficiency and separation were still there. It was only when Christ chose to die at Calvary that the debt could be paid and the gap filled. God took it upon Himself to fix what we had broken; He personally redeemed us from all of our sins, at great cost to Himself.

            We all make mistakes and choose to do sinful things. We hurt other people by breaking our promises and offend God by ignoring His commands. We make bad choices, which we often regret, and create a gap between ourselves and God which could be eternally disastrous. However, because God is in control, He remedies the situation and graciously offers us redemption and restoration. Our foolish ways are totally forgiven and our offenses are fully pardoned. We are saved from our selfish stupidity and allowed to receive God’s favor. As the psalmist wrote long ago: The Lord Himself redeems us from our sins.

Point to ponder

What sins have I committed recently that could potentially separate me from God? Am I willing to seek forgiveness? Am I aware of God’s redemptive love for me through Jesus?

Prayer: Lord God, we know that we are not perfect and that our sinful ways separate us from Your Kingdom of holiness and love. Forgive the foolish choices we make and the unholy sins we commit. In Christ’s Name, we pray for mercy and grace. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘Lent Journey.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Journey.

The Answer - Luke 1:76-78a

Luke 1:76-78a And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of God. (RSV)

            I’ve tried to be a Christian for forty-two years. When I first gave my heart to the Lord as a teenager, I thought that everything would get easier and my faith would grow stronger. As the decades have sped by, I realize that being a Christian is a daily struggle between doing what is right rather than what I want. Each day, I can choose to justify my sinful mistakes and selfish choices, or I can decide to repent of my wrong deeds and foolish notions. I wrestle with my conscience and fight with God, usually when I let my doubts and fears overshadow my faith and weaken my connection to Christ. Instead of enjoying my salvation, I allow my insecurities to rob me of my relationship with God; rather than experience the assurance of His love, I permit my worries to pick away at my Christian beliefs. So, each day, I need someone to guide me back to God; I look for a path to restore my peace of mind and salvation.

            As I read today’s Gospel passage about the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80), I quickly realized that the answer to my struggle is plainly written there. When Zechariah prophesies about his newborn son, he says that John will become a herald of the Messiah by proclaiming a message of salvation to his people, ‘in the forgiveness of their sins through the tender mercies of God.’ In other words, John’s people will be restored to God’s favor and love through the gift of grace, which we now know was manifested in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

            So, what does this mean? Will our spiritual struggles end? Will things become easier for people of faith? I think the answer during our lifetime will depend on how much we really believe in grace. The true power of forgiveness does not lie in the fact that our mistakes are pardoned, but in the ultimate reality that our connection to God is eternally restored. With forgiveness, we can move on from the chains of our sinful past, enjoy what life has to offer in this present time, and look forward to the everlasting love of God in the future. And that, my friends, is salvation in a nutshell which we can experience both now and forevermore.

Point to ponder

What am I looking for in my life? How can salvation from God bring that to me?

Prayer: Lord God, You fully understand our human frailties, fears, and failures. We often make mistakes and carry a lot of regrets. Encourage us to come to You for the gifts of forgiveness and grace. Restore us to Your peace and love through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

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

Unforgiven - Colossians 3:13

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

            Do you know what it feels like to be unforgiven? Is there some past mistake in your life that you regret but can never fix? Are you carrying a whole dose of guilt because someone else still feels wounded? Are you sometimes sad because you were completely misunderstood or unfairly misrepresented and cannot change that misperception? Me, too.

            It’s an awful feeling to be unforgiven and it gnaws away at your soul, especially during times of vulnerability, isolation, and sadness. You revisit events in your mind and a shadow of remorse covers your soul. You can’t do anything to change things, so in order to cope, you just pack it away into a corner of your mind and leave it there until it re-emerges at an unexpected or inopportune time.

            As Christians, we are called to be forgivers. Jesus talked about it constantly and in today’s highlighted verse the apostle Paul echoes Christ’s message by reminding the church folks at Colossae to forgive their grievances against one another in the same manner as Jesus forgave their sins. In other words, it was expected of Christ’s followers to show forgiveness, otherwise their faith was shallow, insincere, and ineffective. However, if the Colossians truly forgave one another, then the church would actually be practicing what Christ required, barriers would be brought down, and wounds would be healed.

Point to ponder

Do I feel unforgiven? How much does it trouble me? Am I willing to forgive those who won’t forgive me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all make mistakes and sometimes we hurt or disappoint other folks so much that they will not forgive us. Although we cannot change the past, allow us the ability to forgive ourselves and do all that we can to mend broken fences and wounded souls. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawing called “Spirit Fest.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit.

May 30 devotion - Anything and Everything

Luke 7:48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (NIV)

            Like most churches, our congregation has a time of silence during the prayers of Adoration and Confession. It is a holy moment when we humbly approach God quietly to individually seek His pardon for the mistakes, faults, and sins that we each have committed since the last time we came to God in prayer. I usually have so much to confess that I never get my petitions finished before the silence is broken by the Prayer Guide. However, as soon as we have concluded our prayers with the Lord’s Prayer, there comes an even better moment: the Promise of the Gospel when all of us are assured of the forgiveness that Christ has obtained through His sacred sacrifice. It’s that beautiful time when He speaks to our souls and says, “Your sins are forgiven.”

            The woman in today’s Gospel story (Luke 7:36-50) must have been waiting to hear those words of assurance for a long time. We do not know her name, but we do know that she sought Christ and lavished Him with her most precious possessions – her perfume, her hair, and her tears – in order to be both forgiven and accepted by God. Up till that point, her life had no meaning or purpose. She was treated badly, especially by the religious folks and leaders who should have known better. Christ’s compassion for the woman is evident in how He responds. He forgives her sins and restores her as a favored daughter of God. It is a wonderful moment of liberation and love; it is a lesson which continually teaches every generation about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

            Perhaps you are carrying a burden of guilt from the recent past or even from a long time ago. Perhaps it overshadows your soul and depresses your spirit. Maybe you can’t forgive yourself for the wrong choice you made or the hurt you inflicted on others. Perhaps your secret shame is a painful and heavy burden to bear. Please know this today: Christ is willing to hear your prayer of confession and sorrow in the quietness of your heart. Be assured, He forgives anything and everything that you or I have wrongfully committed: all we need to do is ask Him for God’s grace.

Point to ponder

What burdens do I still carry in my heart and mind? Am I willing to come to Christ to confess and receive His mercy, peace, and love?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You know everything about us and are just waiting for us to approach You humbly with our confessions. You want to set us free from our captive and sinful past. You want us to experience a new beginning in our lives. Help us to seek Your forgiveness and compassion. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s church bulletin drawings called “Hands.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Hands.

Christian Forgiveness - Matthew 6:14-15

Matthew 6:14-15       For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

            I find forgiveness one of the hardest things to do, especially after someone has hurt or disappointed me. In my heart, I want to forgive them, but in my head I keep re-enacting the words or the event which have wounded me. I hold on to my bitterness and cradle my anger. Instead of moving on, I become stuck in my own stubbornness. I know that it would be better for me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to let it go, but before I do, I just want to nurse it a little while longer.

            Today’s verses look and read as if they are a rebuke from Jesus, informing us that when we keep things or people unforgiven, we will suffer the same consequences when it comes to God’s judgment of us. It sounds like a divine ‘quid pro quo,’ where we can receive forgiveness in exchange for showing forgiveness. I think that is at the heart of what Jesus is saying, but I also think He’s reminding us and encouraging us to take the health benefits that become available to us when we actually practice forgiveness.

            In the end, I really try hard to forgive and let past mistakes go. When things are tough, I enlist Christ’s help through prayer to enable me to release the firm grip that I have on my gripe, allowing me, as well as the other person, to begin again. Letting go of the past permits me to live in the present and look forward to the future. Christ heals me of that which holds me back; Jesus frees me from that which fragments my soul.

Point to ponder

Is there something or someone that I still need to forgive? Am I willing to let Jesus help me to let it go?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiving our past sins and mistakes. Help us to regain our spiritual strength by applying Your grace and forgiveness to those who have hurt or disappointed us. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Good Friday drawings called “Fallen Star.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2860/32857434250_6b42a68137_b.jpg

Healing Devotion - Take Heart - Matthew 9:2

Matthew 9:2   Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

            The more I read the beautiful story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man (Matthew 9:1-8), the more I believe that real healing begins with forgiveness. As a pastor for over thirty years, I have been with and cared for many people in times of illness and recovery. Usually, when folks experience a serious sickness, injury, or setback, they become more reflective about their situation and sometimes express regrets from the past or long-term issues that still burden their hearts.

            During those sacred moments of confession and unburdening, the hope of forgiveness, mercy, and grace which Jesus freely gives, becomes a major step in the healing process. It may not seem amazing to others, but as a long-term pastor, I feel privileged to see the beginning of a miracle in individual lives. Christ’s forgiveness and wonderful love combine into a healthy restorative which moves the person forward on the journey to recovery.

            Perhaps you are in need of forgiveness because of something you said or did which you regret. Maybe you also need to forgive someone of something which still burdens or affects you. Whatever it is or whoever caused it, allow yourself to be embraced by Christ and permit His compassion to begin the healing process within and around you.

Point to ponder

How can Christ’s forgiveness heal and restore me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, Your gracious words of forgiveness can help us to heal from the past. Grant us this blessing today and enable us to share that forgiveness with others, so that Your healing may be extended beyond our own lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Celtic Cross drawings – this one has been created for Ash Wednesday. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Cross.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church’s website here: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Not Just For Us - 1 John 2:2

1 John 2:2        Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (NIV)

            There’s a beautiful part of our Communion liturgy that I totally love. It’s when I get to pray over the bread and wine, saying, “O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, grant us Your Peace.” I don’t know what the good folks in the pews experience at that sacred moment, but I feel completely grateful to God for allowing us sinners the divine opportunity of being absolutely forgiven. As well as offering this to all of Christ’s believers, the grace of God is extended beyond the table, out of the sanctuary, and into the heart of the community around us.

            It humbles me to think that God’s mercy and love can be experienced by anyone who chooses to accept this gift from God. I don’t fully understand how God does this, but I count it as a great blessing to humanity, coming directly from Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, Savior of the world, and Healer of our souls.

            Sometimes Christians are condemned for being judgmental, graceless, and self-righteous people, who feel spiritually superior and are arrogantly convinced that we are elevated above all others. We erroneously think that we own the moral high ground and often justify our ideas and opinions as being equal to those of God. Our pride gets in the way of our compassion; our sense of privilege and entitlement undermines our effective and personal witness to God’s words and ways.

            God’s love is deeper than we can ever know, and His grace is beyond what we imagine it to be. Both in our Communion liturgy and today’s verse from 1 John, we can read, discover, and embrace a great plan of salvation for a sinful planet. We can find a true meaning for life when we humbly understand that Jesus has sacrificially died, not just for our sins, but for those of the entire world. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to take the Good News into our communities and let all people know that because Jesus fully atoned for every one of our mistakes, regrets, and sins, we can be completely restored to God’s love as His precious daughters and sons, no matter who we are or what we’ve done.

Questions for personal reflection

How have I individually experienced God’s grace through Christ? How can I share this beautiful blessing with others?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the World who heals our broken ways, forgives our personal sins, and restores us to God’s love. We can never sufficiently thank You for such a beautiful gift, but we can extend Your blessing by lovingly sharing it with our families and friends, colleagues and neighbors, community and world. 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 ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Forgiven Forever - Hebrews 8:12

Hebrews 8:12  “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

            Most of us have regrets – some of them are shameful, while others are still painful. Being human means we are not perfect and make mistakes – and some of those mistakes are bad enough to weigh heavily on our minds for years.

            Today’s verse reminds us that we believe in the God of Forgiveness. No matter how bad we have been or how wickedly we have sinned, God is still willing to be merciful and allow us the opportunity to put the past behind us and begin once more. He also promises to never bring up ever again those sins and mistakes that we regret and have confessed to Him.

            God does this for us because His Son Jesus paid the price for our sins. This is what it means to be redeemed; this is what happens when we are saved. So today, receive and embrace this blessing: God knows all our regrets; He forgives all our mistakes, and He promises to let go of every one of them forever.

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for taking upon Yourself the punishment due for our sins. Your sacrifice allows us to be saved. Your Resurrection permits us to be redeemed. Thank You for such a wonderful gift and everlasting blessing. In your Holy Name, we gratefully and humbly pray. Amen.

Christian devotion: Simply Sacrificial - Colossians 1:19-20

Colossians 1:19-20     For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (NIV)

            Paul simply states in the above verses what I have always believed and experienced as a Christian. Without the Cross, I could not be forgiven. Without Christ’s blood, I could never be reconciled to God.

            This candid sentence in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians makes it perfectly clear: the Cross was not an accident; it was fully intended to be used by God to reconcile us to Him. It was not a mistake; it was a divine instrument of God’s mercy and grace. We look at the Cross and experience the horror that Jesus endured. We know that we put Him there, so it makes us feel uncomfortable, self-loathing, and ashamed.

We would rather it was a mistake because we wouldn’t feel that our sins had wounded Him. We would happily accept it as an accident because we would be able to cast the Cross aside and simply approach God without any boundaries or barriers. But the Cross is there to remind us that we are sinful creatures, forbidden to enter God’s Holy Kingdom without the shameful Cross of Christ and the sacrificial blood of Jesus.

As post-modern people and 21^st century idealists we want things to go our way, be what we wish, and embrace our own understanding. However, as Paul writes elsewhere, the Cross becomes a stumbling block in the way of our wisdom, and the foolishness of God is infinitely above the cleverness of people. If we want to be with God after we die, we need to come to the Cross before we die. If we wish to enter into the glorious Kingdom of God at the last, we need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus first. There is simply no other way, nor can we ever find another truth to gain us everlasting life.

Questions for personal reflection

What does Christ’s Cross mean to me? How has Christ’s blood reconciled me to God?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, being a Christian is never easy or comfortable. We have to make hard decisions and a personal commitment to You. We want eternal life and to go to Heaven after we die. Help us to both understand and embrace the divine fact that we cannot do this on our own. We need Your Cross to convict us; we require Your blood to cleanse us. 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 send him an email, feel free to do so at Traqair@aol.com.

Toda’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Outside.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Outside.

Joyful devotion: Filled with Joy - Acts 16:34

Acts 16:34       The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

            Before he became the great reformer, Martin Luther was terrified of God. He believed that God was out to get him, especially during thunderstorms. He suffered mentally and emotionally, as well as spiritually. He constantly went to Confessions, sometimes for six hours at a time! His priestly confessor, Johann von Staupitz complained that Martin was wearing him out. He often tried to explain to Luther about the grace of God and that Christ had died for every one of his sins. All that Martin needed to do was to trust Jesus and love God. But Luther would not believe it. Instead, he continued to be afraid and feared Christ as a terrifying judge.

            Thankfully, there came a momentous time in Luther’s life when he realized that God’s grace was more than sufficient to allow Martin to stop torturing himself and be forgiven. His fear was replaced with faith; Christ’s judgement was exchanged for real joy.

            In today’s passage, (Acts 16:25-40) we can read about a jailer who was so terrified that he strongly thought about killing himself. The words of hope from Paul and Silas, as well as God’s grace turned his life around. After being baptized, along with the rest of his family and household, the jailer experienced the real and lasting joy that God brings to people who believe in Jesus for the first time. Paul and Silas were God’s chosen servants to bring about this remarkable conversion. The jailer received Christ’s spirit in his heart, encountered God’s grace, and embraced the Spirit’s love. For the very first time in his whole life, the jailer knew what it was to be forgiven of his sins, released from his fears, and restored to God’s Kingdom.

            We all go through times of doubt, fear, and low esteem. We all battle with the world and feel unworthy. We all have shameful secrets and past regrets. If we dwell on them, we will become as miserable as sin; however, if we dwell on God’s gracious love, like Luther and the jailer from the past, our fear will disappear and Christ’s joy will reunite us to Him.

Questions for reflection

Am I afraid of God? Am I willing to find peace and joy in Jesus?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we confess that we are sinful and selfish, prone to stubborn pride and tempted every day. Forgive us for being faithless and fearful; help us to seek God’s grace, joy, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. John is always interested in your thoughts. And, if you ever find yourself in Knoxville on a Sunday morning, the people at Erin will make you feel welcome and will be delighted to worship with you.

Today’s image is John’s latest Nativity drawings called “The Child.”. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Child.

Christian devotions: Divine Gift - Acts 13:39

Today’s Bible readings can be found online here: Proverbs 15:1-11 and Acts 13:36-52.

Acts 13:39       Through Christ everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the Law of Moses. 

            One of the greatest gifts of Christianity is that people, even the wickedest among us, can be forgiven by God. This allows all of us to begin our lives again and make a new start. Many of us have past regrets and have made terrible mistakes. We carry the burden of our guilt within us, and sometimes even punish ourselves for being so foolish, corrupt, and sinful. To be human, is to be frequently wrong. To be forgiven, is to be set free from the past.

            Our beautiful world and wonderful planet is full of broken, guilty, and remorseful people. Much of the disappointments we experience or cause, are deeply rooted in our sinful nature. We all could be better people; we all could make better choices; we all could do better things with our lives.

            Christ gives us a gracious opportunity to begin again, no matter who we are, no matter what we’ve done; no matter what age we are, and no matter what hurt or damage we have caused. He sacrificed Himself for our sins and, as Paul preached long ago, ‘everyone who believes is set free from every sin.’

            Today, I rejoice in the eternal fact that I am forgiven. I hope that you can also receive and experience this greatest of all gifts from God. As the poet, Alexander Pope once wrote: ‘to err is human; to forgive, divine.’

Personal questions for reflection

What is currently my biggest regret? Have I truly asked Christ to forgive me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are our Divine Savior and Gracious Lord. We know the wrong that we have done and the disappointments we have created. Forgive our past mistakes and foolish choices. Allow us the opportunity to begin again and to re-start our lives by being connected to You. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully and humbly pray. Amen.

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

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

Church devotion: An Interesting Word - Luke 17:3-4

Luke 17:3b-4            "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

            ‘Rebuke’ is an interesting word. In English, it originally meant to force back or repress something by pushing against it. In Greek, it meant to overload something with so much honor that any badness, corruption, or sinfulness would be thoroughly depleted, so that only goodness would remain. These days, we equate the word ‘rebuke’ as something negative, judgmental, or offensive, simply because we do not like to be criticized, questioned, or confronted about our personal choices, decisions, and deeds.

            In the New Testament, the purpose of a rebuke was to make someone aware of the negative consequences of a personal act or selfish misdeed. The rebuke was meant to stop individuals from doing something sinful or foolish, in order to bring them back to their senses, turnaround their lives, and set them back on the right direction. It wasn't a judgment to make them feel bad; it was a cautionary word to help them be restored to something good.

            This is how forgiveness and grace actually work. People may turn away from self-destructive and detrimental choices because they sincerely seek the peace and wholeness that being forgiven offers. This is what makes repentance a key process in spiritually reforming and transforming people. The hope of being reconciled and restored to God’s favor, blessing, and love can be a major and positive impact in healing people of their past, in order to help them lead better and productive future lives. So, if we properly understand what Jesus once taught in today’s passage, we would see that a rebuke can bring about a healthy realization in a person, which in turn leads to a sincere repentance, to be followed up with real forgiveness, in order to bring about an absolute restoration with God and others. It’s a beautiful way of transforming our lives; it’s what makes grace so amazing.

Questions for reflection

Have I ever been rebuked? If so, how did I respond? Am I willing to forgive someone who repents? Am I committed to restoring hope through the healing of God’s grace?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You are the Author of our hope and salvation. Sometimes Your words challenge, confront, and even rebuke us in ways that make us aware of our faults, foolishness, and failings. Help us to understand that You overload us with Your honor not to make us feel bad, miserable, or fearful, but instead You use it to cleanse us from our sins and fully reconnect us to our loving, forgiving, and everlasting God. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and cheerfully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass type designs. It’s called ‘Spirit of the Dogwoods.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Dogwoods.