Peace devotional - Seeking Solutions

No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. – Isaiah 60:18

            No matter who we are, where we are from, or whatever we do, we all want peace in our neighborhoods, communities, country, and world. As a species, we have been fortunate to survive eons of anger, conflict, and violence. As a planetary people, we have been tainted with the sins of inhumanity, cruelty, and hostility. Sometimes we wake up and wonder where it will all end. Sometimes we see no solution to the violence; sometimes we feel there is no answer to all of the conflicts across the world.

            And yet, we worship Christ as the Prince of Peace, so we basically believe that all of this hostility will end. We put our faith in God who is holy, just, and good, so there will be a passing away of all of these tragedies and conflicts. We ardently hope and look forward to a day as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, when God’s salvation will surround and protect us, when we will find the gate that leads to an everlasting time of peace, praise, joy, and love.

            At the end of the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, we can read these beautiful words which echo those spoken by Isaiah:

‘And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for those former things will have passed away.”’

-          Revelation 21:3-4.

So let us not give up hope, but instead may we keep praying for peace and that violence will come to an end. Let us seek justice in our communities and show true love to one another. In doing so, we will discover God’s peaceable Kingdom on Earth and Christ’s grace in our daily lives.

Questions for personal reflection

Where can I spread peace and love in my life? How can I support those who seek justice in my community?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, the challenges that we face today have always been a sorrowful part of the human condition. Long ago, You spoke words of peace and love, justice and mercy in order to help us build a better world, a brighter future, and a basic foundation for Your Kingdom on Earth. Help us at this crucial time to seeks Your ways and apply Your words in our lives, wherever we go, whatever we do, and whomsoever we meet. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish 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 drawings called ‘Prince of Peace.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Prince.

Daily Devotional - Reconciliation, Not Retaliation

Isaiah 59:9      So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. (NIV)

            We all woke up with heavy hearts this morning when news of the sniper killings from Dallas-Fort Worth became apparent. For the past two weeks, a darkness has overshadowed our land and violence is plaguing our people. The tragic deaths of both civilians and police officers is appalling and wicked. We seem to have reached another depth of human despair; we appear to have hit a confusing time of fear and insecurity.

            We can do better than this, but it will take a great deal of effort and energy. We can overcome these deep shadows and find a brightness which will embrace and empower our children. We have to fight against our fears and avoid retaliation. Our response to the injustice must be a search for truth. Our solution to the violence must be found in reconciliation.

            We are different, but those differences need not divide or destroy us. We have common goals and similar dreams for our children. We want our towns and cities, communities and neighborhoods to be places of peace, prosperity, and purpose. We want our schools to be filled with students who seek knowledge to build a better future, a brighter hope, and a peace-loving world.

            As Christian people, we follow a Savior who was both killed by the police authorities and the prejudicial mob. His words on the Cross emphasized the importance of reconciliation: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” If we are ever going to get out of this stagnant pit of evil and violence, then it begins with seeking forgiveness over fear, sincerely addressing racism and prejudice, as well as pursuing reconciliation instead of retaliation.

            May God have mercy on our people and nation.

Questions for personal reflection

How can I be a channel of peace and reconciliation in my home and community? How can my church actively seek and promote the same?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we really don’t know what to pray for at this painful time. We hail You as the Prince of peace and Healer of the world. In the midst of our broken hopes and shattered dreams, show us the path toward reconciliation and love. In Your Holy Name, we plaintively 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 devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s past drawings called “Face to Face.” It artistically represents the need for real and intimate dialogue between all races. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Face to Face.

Church Growth Devotion - Witnesses to Our People - Acts 13:31

Acts 13:31       And for many days Jesus was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

As Christians, we are meant to be Christ’s witnesses to other people. We are called by God to mainly serve Jesus in our local communities, so that others may be attracted to Christ. In churches, congregations, and house groups around the world, Christians are constantly developing programs to go out into the world around them, bringing their neighbors the good news of salvation, and compassionately supporting them in times of trouble, distress, and suffering.

The purpose of any church is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. This involves learning about God in worship and Bible study. We build up our knowledge of God’s words and ways, so that we will be confident about what Christ is saying and doing in the local community. We then find practical ways of applying what we learn, so that we can be effective witnesses who care about the critical needs of others. Every community has its different groups of people in need, which is why there are so many different churches in the world. Churches don’t exist to peddle a competitive Christianity. They are alive in order to augment, embrace, and support the constant work of the Holy Spirit, both at home and abroad. We are all called together to be Christ’s witnesses to our people.

Questions for personal reflection

What ministries and missions, both at home and abroad, do I feel called to support? How am I witnessing for Christ in my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You have called us into the service of Your Kingdom through the positive words and ways of other people. We are a part of Your Church because someone led us to You through their commitment, service, and devotion. Enable and encourage us to find similar ways to attract other people to You through our witnessing and support. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Mandala” and is a stained glass design of the Holy Spirit as a dove. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8696570270_10fdb48c7d_b.jpg