Church devotion - Payback - 2 Thessalonians 1:6

Today’s Bible readings are 1 Samuel 13:1-7 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7

2 Thessalonians 1:6   God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. 

Sometimes when I read Paul’s letters, I wonder what kind of situation he was writing about and actually dealing with. It seems to me that all of the Young Churches that he was sending letters to, had internal problems which were negatively affecting the growth of the congregations. Time and time again, Paul reminded folks that God wasn't blind to the antics of these troublemakers; if they troubled the church, then payback would occur, because God would trouble them.

I get concerned when I hear of pastors and congregations that are experiencing conflict. I wonder if the people causing the damage really understand what kind of fearful judgment they are placing themselves under. Conflict in the world usually gets settled by arbitration; conflict in the church will be settled by God. The Church is Christ’s Bride, so anything that stains or contaminates or damages the Church, affects that which Jesus deeply loves.

Now I’m not free of this troublemaking myself. Every pastor that I know causes ripples in every congregation that he or she serves. Even the apostle Paul was known to stir up more than a few conflicts of his own. But the message from this letter should be clear to all of us – God looks after His own and payback really does occur, especially if pride gets in the way of peacemaking, or if self-righteousness blocks self-repentance.

Today’s message is as much meant for me, as it may be meant for anyone else.

Questions for personal reflection

Have I contributed to or caused conflict in the church? How can I seek forgiveness and find a way to make peace?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, as Christians we belong to Your Bride, the Church. Sometimes we fail to honor and cherish Your Love because we allow our pride to override our faith. Help us to see ourselves as both You and others see us, so that we may be challenged by the truth and changed for the betterment of Your Bride. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. 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 drawings called “Celtic Lights.” It depicts the northern lights seen from the shoreline of Scotland. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/12142272273_07a289b38b_b.jpg

Church devotions: Facebook Blues - Colossians 3:8

Today’s readings are : 1 Samuel 7:10-17 and Colossians 3:1-11

Colossians 3:8                        But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

I love Facebook and I hate Facebook – how does this occur?

I love Facebook because it keeps me updated with most of my family and friends. I love to read of their experiences, their feelings, and see photographs of events or vacations. I love it when they post great quotes or funny cartoons. I love having trivial, humorous, and even some deep conversations with people from all over the world. These things make Facebook a pleasurable experience.

I hate Facebook because I sometimes get embroiled in arguments about politics, religion, and current events, even with people that I don’t know. I hate Facebook when people post horrible pictures or sleazy photographs that don’t need to be seen. I hate Facebook when folks that I love use bad language or curse and think it is okay to do that. I hate Facebook when people use images, quotes, or links that promote ill feelings, divisiveness, or outright rudeness.

So I have this love/hate relationship with Facebook, but I have the same feelings about most communicative digital experiences these days – whether I’m using browsers and search engines, web articles or blog posts, or even e-mails and texts.

Christians should be very discerning people. I think if Paul was writing today’s chosen verse he would have emphasized to all of us to think twice about what we write or post from our laptops, computers, or mobile devices. We, of all people, should apply different standards and make sure that our contributions to Facebook conversations and posts, etc., do not include anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.

If we do so, then we should also be aware that we are choosing to act sinfully and are, in fact, letting Christ down completely.

Questions for personal reflection

Are my Facebook posts worthy of Christ? If I was sending a digital message to Jesus, how would I word it differently?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all too human at times, and yet You command us to lead better lives. Forgive us when we fail to loyally witness to You in all of our communications, especially those that are seen by many people. Help us to infuse Christian standards in all that we seek to express or communicate. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings called “Snowfall at Glades Creek.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/12057224316_5fae2dedbd_b.jpg

Church Conflict devotion: We All Suffer - 1 Corinthians 12:26

1 Corinthians 12:26   If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

For almost a year, I've been part of a Presbytery team that has been in discussions with a small country charge which is seeking to leave the denomination. It’s been a heart-breaking process and one of the most painful pastoral duties I have ever had to do. The congregation wants to leave the PCUSA because the people cannot abide recent policies and decisions that the denomination has established. The wee church wants to cut all existing ties with our Presbytery and go elsewhere.

I understand how they feel, but I also grieve their eventual loss to the Presbytery. At a time when the brokenness of the world needs healed, the disunity of the overall church is making us ineffective across society. When one part of the body of Christ suffers and dismembers itself from the whole, pain is felt throughout the entire body. Instead of concentrating on our strengths, we are highlighting our differences. Instead of celebrating the unity of the Church, we are displaying a disunity that fragments witnessing to our faith.

I grieve the loss of the good people in that small congregation. I wish and pray that we could find areas of common ministry that would enable us to remain together. Sadly, pride gets in the way and passion for religious righteousness hinders any healing. In my heart, I believe that Jesus weeps over what we have become. Instead of truly being the body of Christ, we have created our own bodies; instead of advancing the peace, unity, and purity of the church, we have become enslaved to pride, unrest, and polarization. It’s a crying shame because together we have so much to offer to the world.

Questions for personal reflection

Why did Jesus establish the Church? Why does the world need us to be united in our work for God’s Kingdom?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all sinners and not one of us is perfect or pure. Despite our failings, You still call us to serve You in the world. Please help us to stop focusing on the issues that divide us by making us celebrate the beliefs that we commonly share. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a sinner who is grateful for His Savior. John serves Erin Presbyterian Church as its pastor. 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 “Butterfly.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/10216052974_b61fb498af_b.jpg

Daily devotion: Putting Up with People - Luke 9:41

Luke 9:41 “O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?”

There were times in Christ’s ministry when He was exasperated with the people around Him. In today’s passage, (Luke 9:37-45), Jesus is not so upset at the father of the sick boy, as He is concerning His own disciples. He has just been through the amazing mountain-top experience of Divine Transfiguration when, all of a sudden, He is brought back to the ground with a joyless jolt and into the human world of fear and anxiety, failure and doubt.

This makes me wonder what causes Jesus to actually get exasperated with me. I also go through times of anxiety and doubt, fear and failure. My faith diminishes and my worries increase. Instead of relying upon Christ’s guidance, help, and presence, I try to fix things in my own way and sometimes end up making things worse for other people and me. My humanity often holds me back, whereas Christ’s presence could actually remedy my wrongdoing and mend the mistakes in my life.

Eventually, after expressing His exasperation, Jesus healed the sick boy. His compassion over-rode any impatience or inconvenience that He may have suffered. He still did what was right, not because it was required, but because His love and grace were (and always will be) real.

Questions for personal reflection

When can Jesus get exasperated with me? What do I need to do to change this?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, please be patient with me, especially when my faith is weak and my spirit is not strong. Become my strength and salvation. In Your Holy Name, I 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 called “Abide in Me,” and is John’s latest digital glass drawing. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7792965424_59c3929c30_b.jpg

Devotion - Changing Swords - Isaiah 2:4

Isaiah 2:4        He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Two weeks ago I was at a conference in Duluth, Georgia. It was taking place at the world renowned Crosspointe Church and I felt refreshed and renewed in my spirit. I enjoyed the worship and the preaching, the testimonies and faith sharing. It was a very uplifting time and I am now looking forward to next year’s conference.

On the last day of the conference, I was listening to a conversation by one of the deacons at the church. He was explaining to a visitor that the church building used to be a Sidewinder missile factory thirty years ago during President Reagan’s administration. After the taking down of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent thawing of the Cold War, the factory was no longer needed. Eventually, the growing Crosspointe congregation bought the building and converted it into an amazing church space, where thousands of people gather each week to praise the Lord. Instead of a place of death and destruction, it has become a house of peace and prayer. The Lord has truly turned swords into plowshares!

In our own lives, we go through times of conflict and argument, disagreement and trouble. We fall out with family and friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Our hearts become hardened and our tongues fire verbal missiles that are meant to hurt, anger, or upset other people.

God wants to turn the swords of our spirits into plowshares of peace. As always, He has the power to make those changes, but we need to begin the process by swallowing our pride, humbling ourselves, and acting upon God’s guidance.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace to our planet and the Healer of the Nations. We pray that You will help us overcome the conflicts and disputes in our lives by leading us with Your Spirit to resolve the differences and disagreements we have with others. 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 about it, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass designs of a Siochain – a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version of it, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6113973739_53680e29ee_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: In The Dog House - Proverbs 21:9

Proverbs 21: 9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 

Sometimes the Book of Proverbs makes me laugh out loud. Today’s verse had me smiling because I know what it feels like to be in the dog house, especially when I’m the one who sent me there.

I’ve got this picture in my mind of the writer being a very wise man who’s sitting at the table writing down all of these great words of advice and feeling very smug with himself, only to realize much too late that he forgot again to take the garbage out. Before he can gather all of his scrolls together, he’s outside sitting on the corner of the roof in the pouring rain, remonstrating himself for being so absent-minded and upsetting his wife. Perhaps his wise instruction might have been better if he had written:

“Better to remember to take the garbage out than end up in the dog house on the corner of the roof.”

This is what makes me love the Bible so much. There’s always a verse or two that is applicable for each and every situation that we find ourselves in, especially when we make mistakes and need to resolve situations of our own creating.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of other people’s feelings and be sensitive to their needs. Teach me the wisdom of patience and grant me gracious opportunities to resolve issues that I have unwisely created. In Your Holy Name, I humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest Scottish drawing of Duart Castle, which was once a 13^th century stronghold of the MacLeans. The castle is situated on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/5775199608_a5383a5e3e_b.jpg

Devotions - After 25 Years - Proverbs 14:15

Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. 

At the end of this week, I will have been a pastor for 25 years. I was ordained on April 30^th, 1986 and began my pastoral duties on May 1^st. I was the first graduate of my class to be ordained in Scotland and I have tried to serve God well in the congregations to which I have been called.

Throughout the last quarter of a century, I have sadly seen Presbyterianism decline in both Scotland and the United States. I have made my views known on this from both the pulpit and through the devotions that I continue to write. I have seen the caliber of pastoral ministry diminish and divinity degrees being discredited. I have watched churches die and ministers burn out. I have tried to keep the churches under my care alive and growing. I have tried to be faithful to God’s word in preaching and pastoring, even when this has become unpopular.

I feel that I have failed. I feel that the words I have written, the sermons I have preached, and the studies I have led have not changed anyone or anything. People believe anything and Presbyterians are headed down a dead end street. There’s nothing I can do to reverse this and so I feel like the weeping prophet Jeremiah, who preached the Word of God faithfully to a people who believed in anything but the Word of God.

A new dawn is beginning for the Presbyterian Church which will see its demise in this century. By the time I retire professional pastors, denominational seminaries, and parish congregations will be relegated to the ecclesiastical history books. They will be replaced by part-time preachers, online courses, and community centers. Dinosaurs like me will eventually become extinct, along with denominations. Independent, post-denominational, charismatic and missional fellowships will grow because the True Word of God will be not only preached but practiced by all of the people. It will be a time of renewal and revival, but at least three generations will be lost because the large majority of them will believe anything but the Word of God.

So, on Sunday, I’ll be commemorating 25 years of ministry, but I won’t be celebrating it. It will be low key, simple, and for me very, very sad.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, when did we go off track and wander so far away from the Truth? How long will we stay on this dead end path that leads to nowhere? Why are we so afraid of our cultural peers? What makes our generation so certain that we have it right and every preceding one for two thousand years has been wrong? How long, O Lord, will it be before the Church awakens from its slumber and shakes off its dust? In Your Holy Name, we lament and pray. Amen.

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

Daily Devotions; The Fighter - 1 Timothy 6:12

1 Timothy 6:12           Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Yesterday I was reading about two pastors and their wives who were arrested in Iran about 9 months ago for preaching the gospel. They have been charged with sedition and have endured many beatings whilst they have been in prison. One of the women also miscarried her baby due to the lack of pre-natal care in her jail. These four young Christians are fighting the good fight and truly suffering for their faith.

In the Western church, we are just fighting. Issues have become incendiaries; theological tussles are creating turmoil; and church problems are preventing Christ’s peace from being embraced. The question we need to honestly ask ourselves is this: are we fighting the good fight or just battling ourselves?

When I see the horrific destruction in Japan and read about the blatant persecution of Christians all over the globe, it makes my own problems and conflicts seem trivial. I ask myself two important questions: Where is Christ in the midst of this mess? What is the Spirit really doing across the world?

Fighting the good fight may not necessarily mean being doggedly dogmatic and solidly scriptural. Perhaps in today’s world it means fighting against despair, struggling with survivors, and mightily loving those whose losses are overwhelming their lives.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You live and walk among the ruins of Japan, as well as the isolated cells in Iran. You fight for the faith by embracing the shattered souls and helpless hearts of people everywhere. Your Spirit seeks the lost and weeps with those whose lives are wrecked. Enable us to be empowered by Your empathy and to conquer despair with compassion. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Japanese prints. It’s simply called “Geisha.” I heartily recommend that you view the larger version of the drawing which brings out the beauty of the girl’s hair and comb. You can view it here:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5511261006_91b8a00621_b.jpg

Christian devotions and Podcasts: A Real Challenge - Philippians 2:14

The podcast for today’s devotion can be heard at the following link:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/stushie/A_Real_Challenge.mp3

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing

Wow! Now there’s a verse of scripture that takes a lot of doing! I grew up in a large family -4 boys and 2 girls- so there was a lot of competition for our parents’ attention in my household. Without complaining or arguing, none of us were ever heard or seen, and unfortunately it became a character flaw that I have carried with me to this very day.

But let’s stop and think about what Paul was trying to inspire in the young Philippian church. Those new Christians lived in a very busy town that had established itself as a powerful place. Old ways and old money kept the merchants happy; new groups and new faiths were frowned upon and even harassed. The first Christians in that town had to deal with a lot of public hostility and suspicion, so if Christ’s church was going to succeed, then His followers would have to be patient, compassionate, and passive in order to let the gospel take root in the hearts of the Philippian people. If the Christians complained about the harassment or persecution, they would have appeared to have been churlish and thin-skinned. However, if they put up with the discomfort and prejudices, and still acted justly and kindly to those who offended or hurt them, then Christ’s message would eventually win over the hearts and minds of the people in the town. Paul’s words must have been effective because a strong church was established at Philippi.

Sadly, there are a lot of churlish Christians in our society who seek to get their own way and bring the message of Christ into disrepute. Instead of being united in Christ’s love, Christians can be very divisive, argumentative and totally inadequate as witnesses to God’s Kingdom. This is why Paul’s words strike at the very heart of our lives and faith. If we were to sincerely apply them in our homes and churches, then the world would be totally conquered by Christ’s compassion and God’s love.

So here’s the challenge for all of us this weekend: let’s try to do everything without complaining or arguing. Instead, let’s do everything agreeably and with compassion. It will be interesting and perhaps life-changing to see how this all turns out.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we must disappoint You with our disagreements and sadden You with our complaints. Challenge us with Paul’s words this weekend and encourage us to apply them with our families, friends, neighbors and church people. 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 drawing is one of John’s wild bird drawings of an American Barred Owl. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click here: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5325073573_ce80eaec50_b.jpg


All of John’s drawings can be found on the Web at his art site at http://www.stushieart.wordpress.com/

Signed, numbered and matted prints are available for only $20 each (plus shipping if necessary). They make unique gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and new homes. Just contact john by email and he’ll be delighted to help you.

Daily devotions: Joy Seekers

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Years ago, I went to a conference in Los Angeles. One of the speakers was H.B. London, who is known nationally as being a pastor to pastors in crisis. He spent over twenty years leading churches, so he experienced first-hand the trials and tribulations of being the target of church members, especially when they were frustrated with his preaching or annoyed at his decisions. He called those people ‘joy-suckers’ because they literally sucked the whole joy out of his being and, funnily enough, they did the same to the happiness of the congregation. Many pastors at the conference understood how he felt and, at that time, I also knew what he was talking about.

Nowadays, I take a different view. I’ve discovered that people who H.B. London labeled as ‘joy-suckers’ usually have undergone a tragic or traumatic event in their lives, which overshadows their spirits. They carry burdens in their hearts and souls which affect their relationships and sometimes they become spiritually depressed. It’s not that they are ‘joy-suckers’; they are really ‘joy-seekers’ trying hard to cope with life and courageously carrying on despite the hidden heart breaks within them. They know the prayer of David, when he pleads with God to restore the joy of His salvation. They seek this above all things and desperately try to lead a normal, happy life.

Perhaps we are going to come across people who carry painful and heavy burdens this week. Perhaps our first reaction is to avoid or show a disinterest in them. They need to know that we love them, so we need to be patient and listen. We need to be open to hearing their hurts and help them to find the joy, healing and strength that their spirits yearn.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us from being dismissive of others who appear to be ‘joy-suckers’, but who are really ‘joy-seekers.’ Teach us to be patient and help us to help those who are trying to cope with the hurts and hardships of life that we may never know or ever experience. 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 this message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.