Short devotion - Unity and Peace

Short devotion – Unity and Peace 

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)

             I can remember an old minister once preaching a sermon in which he said something like: “Twelve percent of the general population go to church on Sundays. Twenty percent of the general population would like to attend church on Sundays, but they don’t go because of the twelve percent who are already there.” His words stung the congregation because he was preaching the truth which was very hard to accept. The church members believed that they were God’s chosen people and followed the Lord faithfully. What they didn’t understand was that their zeal for the Lord and uncompromising ways actually turned a lot of people off from joining them on Sundays to worship Jesus.

            It saddens me that decades later, the old minister’s words are still very true. In recent years, the witness of Christ’s church has been damaged by aggressive pastors and congregations who puritanically seek to forcibly impose their beliefs on the entire population. School boards are rife with tyrannical menaces who threaten teachers and other parents with their book bans and religious demands. Local politicians and their parties hypocritically pass bills in the name of God which Jesus would never support, especially when those policies marginalize and dehumanize other people with different beliefs, ideas, origins, and lifestyle choices.

             I think it is important to remember that when Paul wrote his revered letters to young Christian churches, he was dealing with similar problems and divisions. This is why he emphasized the need to promote the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace – church people were meant to be peacemakers and not peace breakers. Outsiders were supposed to be made welcome, attracted to the church, and not targeted by it for being different, alien, or foreign. The House of God was – and still is – big enough for everyone; the question we need to face is this: are our hearts and minds, as well as our faith, big enough to accept that?

Point to ponder: Does my faith attract other people to Christ? If not, what do I need to change about me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we call ourselves Christians because we want to be identified with You, Your teaching and truth, as well as Your ministries and missions. Help us not to get in the way of Your work; instead, change us to truly become people of Your Way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Sabbath Psalms - Sacred Sanctuaries

Psalm 26:8 Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. (NIV)

            We all get attached to the sacred buildings where we worship. Within the bricks and walls, stones and stained-glass windows, we create a womb-like sanctuary where we feel the presence of God when we pray silently, or as we praise God with others around us. In the midst of a world which is always in a hurry and sometimes hostile, it’s therapeutic and refreshing to find a place of peace and acceptance, faith and love.

            Over many years, I’ve worshiped and served in different churches with varied ministries and missions, programs and projects that displayed their congregational focus and how the people practiced their faith. No matter how different the churches were denominationally or spiritually, I always felt being in a place of peace where God’s presence was experienced, whether it was in a small country church or a grand Gothic cathedral. They were, and still are, special places to me, where Heaven and Earth seem to meet, where the Eternal One abides with mortal ones.

            I think that the psalmist of old understood this, too, which is why he preferred God’s company and sacred house, rather than sitting around with dishonest and deceitful people. In the midst of a culture that was destroying itself with greed and corruption, the writer of Psalm 26 took solace in being with God, away from the maddening crowd. I think this is something important that we still need today – a place of quiet in a noisy world, a sanctuary of hope in chaotic times.

            Perhaps you are undergoing a lot of pressure in your life right now. Maybe you are in a situation that burdens you, or in the midst of circumstances that threaten to overwhelm you. Perhaps you have been too strong or self-sufficient too long, and now feel stretched, exhausted, and vulnerable. Maybe you don’t know what to do or where to go. Can I suggest that you find a nearby church sanctuary where you can bring your heartfelt pleas and personal prayers to God? Like me, you probably need somewhere to lay down your burdens and just be embraced by the Living and Loving God. A local church building or even a large cathedral may be just what you’re looking for. Try it and see.

Point to ponder: Where can I go to find God’s peaceful presence in my life?

Prayer: Lord God, Whose presence abides on our planet and Whose blessing can be found in many holy places on Earth, we seek Your peace and love to help us endure and overcome our problems and troubles. Guide us to a sacred place where we can quietly pray; lead us to special sanctuary where we can experience Your loving presence and praise Your Holy Name. Amen.

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

Sabbath Psalms - Real Servants

Psalm 84:10    Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (NIV)

I remember a time when we didn’t have a custodian on duty at the church I served on Sunday mornings. This meant that I had to make the coffee because I was one of the first to arrive at the church. I also swept up the leaves at the front door, which usually collected in between Sunday school and worship. Some church members even joked with me when they caught me sweeping those leaves, asking if I had been promoted! It was all good fun, enhancing the friendship and fellowship at the church. It also helped me maintain a balanced perspective and kept my spiritual feet on solid ground.

I love the highlighted verse from today’s psalm because it reminds us that the practice of humility in God’s service is far more precious to Him than any fame or fortune, power or prestige. Whatever we do for the church, we are meant to do it humbly, firstly because we love God and secondly because we want to simply help others, so that they may be attracted to serving God as well.

When we think about Christ coming among us, we may be humbled and touched by the simplicity of Christ’s entrance into the world. He didn’t come to Earth surrounded by thousands of angels and glorified by rulers from all over the world. He wasn’t born into a family esteemed with riches and made prosperous through their power. His first abode was a wooden shack, usually reserved for animals. His life was endangered almost immediately by King Herod, and his family became refugees for a while. Rather than being recognized as the King of kings and Lord of lords, He was just a mere baby, unprotected and vulnerable, with no power or authority.

This is why serving the Lord at church should never be something that we undertake in order to fulfill our ambitions or build up our esteem. We serve the Lord because we are His servants. He calls and expects us to humbly do His will. He wants us to fulfill His ministries and missions, as opposed to our own dreams and desires. In other words, what we do at church is not to glorify ourselves, but to humbly worship God.

Point to ponder: Whatever I do in church, is it to make me feel good or to glorify God’s goodness?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we proclaim You as our King, making us Your subjects. Help us to recognize and accept that we serve You, so that You will be honored and glorified. Give us the heart of a humble servant and encourage us to attract others to serve You faithfully, too. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Some of My Books

 

Over the years, I've written many devotional and study books to help pastors, church leaders, and teachers share their faith with others in their congregations and communities. The books can be read individually or with a small group and are full of reflections to be used as discussion starters for church meetings, classes, and fellowship groups.

I've listed some of those books below and if you click on the images, it will take you to the book's page on Amazon where you can read its description. All the books can be read on any device using the free Kindle app; some of them are also published as paperbacks.

I hope you enjoy browsing the books. If you have any questions or suggestions for studies, then please leave your message in the comments section or contact me by email at stushiue57@outlook.com.

God bless.

John Stuart.

 

 

 

Sunday Shorts: Christ's Church

John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. (NIV)

            I see a lot of memes on Facebook that appear to condemn the Church for not being the Church that the world expects. The memes usually attack the Church for being hypocritical, intolerant, and not compassionate enough. There is some truth to what is posted, but these barbs often don’t offer a solution. It’s very easy to poke the Church in the eye for being so blind, but the negativity of those posts doesn’t act as an encouraging remedy; instead, they discourage folks from changing because there’s no guidance to do so being presented.

            When Jesus established the Church, He didn’t go looking for perfect people – He wouldn’t have found them anyway. What He did do was to take a bunch of sinners and set them on the right path toward God.  Despite their weaknesses and faults, sinfulness and selfish ways, He managed to put together a band of devoted people who would try to live their lives according to His teachings. He never expected them to be perfect which is why in today’s highlighted verse we have something that Jesus constantly did – He prayed for the ones given to Him by God; He prayed for His Church.

            Today’s Church has many problems and issues, but that’s what you get when sinful people are called by God. Despite the setbacks that the pandemic brought upon the Church worldwide, the world still needs Christ’s Spirit of compassion, healing, and love to fix our broken planet – which is why Christ is still praying for His Church and this is what we should be doing for our local congregations, national denominations, and international situations. The Church is Christ’s Bride and will always exist, even beyond Time itself.

Point to ponder: What should I be praying for in my local congregation?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Church exists because You brought it into being. Its purpose is to spread the Good News of the Gospel through word and deed. Despite our sinful and fallen ways, You still pray for Your Church and for us. Help us to align our prayers with Your will for the whole Church. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 

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

Watching Us - Psalm 121:7-8

 

Psalm 121:7-8 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (NIV)

The mindfulness of God is something that I have grown to really appreciate over the years. His constant presence has helped me on many occasions to overcome times of adversity, distress, and tragedy that I thought I would never be able to endure. It wasn’t just that God sustained me during those critical times; He embraced the situation I was in and walked with me through the pain, fear, and confusion. God’s empathy with my sickness and sorrow reassured me; His quiet presence strengthened me and gave me the hope to begin again.

Some people think that God watches over our lives to catch us out and add to our list of sins, so that on the Day of Reckoning God can fully indict us of our defiance, disobedience, and dalliance with sinful choices and deeds. That would make God capricious, a deity who delighted in tormenting our souls and overshadowing our lives with fear. I don’t see that in this scripture. In this text, God watching over us is like that of a parent who is both concerned and aware of what their child is experiencing. Rather than being punitive, God is protective. Instead of being vengeful, God is mindful, so He watches over us with concern and compassion, awareness and love.

I hope that this watchfulness of God will help you through your current experiences; I pray that Gods’ mindfulness will also give you the strength to overcome whatever you are presently enduring.

Point to ponder: Am I aware that God lovingly watches over me? Am I ready to receive His love and compassion?

Prayer: Lord God, You have given us life to experience Your light even in times of suffering and despair. Help us to reach out to You in the midst of what we are presently experiencing, in order to receive and be embraced by Your love. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what’s happening at the church, just click on this link: www.erinpres.org

Today’s image is one of John’s Pentecost drawings called “New Spirit.” You can view a larger version at this link: New Spirit.

Church Meeting devotion: Return to God

 

Isaiah 44:22 “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (NIV)

When I was a teenager and had strayed away from God, I found it very difficult to go back to church. I felt as though I had let God down and that the church people I once knew had become strangers to me. It was far easier to ignore God, as well as church, and just get on with my life. I thought that I could make it on my own and that God would understand because every now and then I offered Him quick snippets of prayers which I believed get God happy.

However, because I was depending on my own strength, my spirit began to drain until it was almost empty. I didn’t realize at the time that for my faith to grow, I needed fellowship with other Christians. In order to compensate for this emptiness, I used alcohol and my drinking buddies to fill this gap. It almost killed me and if Christ hadn’t led me back to church, I don’t think I would be here today writing this message.

What really helped me was listening to a preacher who didn’t condemn me for wandering away, but who actually welcomed me back into God’s Kingdom. Those redeeming words from Isaiah touched my soul and I knew that God had forgiven all of my past offenses through His Son Jesus. It was an amazing moment of grace and peace. I was able to return to God and His people by Christ’s wonderful redeeming love.

Perhaps over the last couple of years, you’ve let yourself be disconnected to God and the church. Maybe like I once did, you’ve used up all of your strength and just want to get back home among God’s people, but don’t know how. It could be that you feel awkward or guilty, embarrassed or unworthy to return to church. I understand because I felt that way, too, but please know this: God will always welcome you back into Christ’s fold; you are forgiven and redeemed, blessed and loved by Jesus.

Q: How do I feel about returning to church? Am I willing to let God lead me back to where I belong?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming our lives and reclaiming our spirits. We have been wandering in a spiritual wilderness for several years. Call us back to Your fold and embrace us with Your unending love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can check out the church website here: www.erinpres.org.

 

Short devotion: Unworthy - Luke 12:6-7

 

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (NIV)

A couple of times this week, I’ve had friends confess to me about how unworthy they feel to be loved by God. It bothers them greatly and hinders them from coming back to church. They genuinely feel that because Covid has isolated them from coming regularly to the sanctuary to worship on Sundays, they have somehow disappointed and failed God. They seem to think that this unworthiness has separated them from both the worship community and the Lord Himself.

This is very hard to bear, and I can remember going through a similar time when I strayed away from the church. The feeling of unworthiness creates a barrier and forms a shell of shame around your spirit. It’s difficult to break through and overcome; it’s also one of the best weapons that the devil uses to keep people away from God.

The good news is this: we are all unworthy to be loved by God and yet, despite what we feel, God still values us as His children and His Son’s servants. This is why Jesus told His people not to worry about their lives or be anxious about their unworthiness. God valued them greatly and loved them deeply, so deeply, in fact, that God sent His Son to die for unworthy people and restore them to God’s favor forever.

So, know this: we who are unworthy, are welcomed back by God to worship in Christ’s church, not because of who we are, but because of Who God is and what Jesus has done.

Q: What makes me feel unworthy of God’s love? How has Christ overcome this for me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are times when we feel that we have failed You and sometimes this stops us from worshiping with others. Help us to accept that we are all unworthy, but that we are also valued highly by God, Whose love for us never ends. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and thankfully pray. Amen.

 

Pastor John.

www.erinpres.org

 

Midweek Devotion: Breakfast Buddies - John 21:12

 Here's today's short Midweek video devotion called "Breakfast Buddies," which is based on John 21 v 12. The text is below the video box. :)

John 21:12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. (NIV)

 One of the things that I miss dearly at the church is our monthly Men’s breakfast. About a dozen of us guys get together to sit down to a delicious breakfast which two of the group carefully prepare. We typically eat well and laugh well – sometimes at the pastor’s expense – and it is a great support group for all of us. Once this pandemic is over, I’ll be looking forward to be sharing breakfast with those guys in the church fellowship hall.

 I guess that’s why I like this post-resurrection story of Jesus having breakfast with the disciples. I can imagine that after their initial shock and surprise, they would share some laughter and light-hearted ribbing – probably at Peter’s expense – in order to rebuild their ties of friendship and faith. It seemed to be important to Jesus to share this moment with His friends. I think all of us will be happy to do something similar when we get through this present crisis.

 So, instead of dwelling on our current predicament, let’s look forward to those food and faith-sharing times when we will re-experience the laughter and love of friends in church together.

 Prayer: Lord God, You know how much we miss our church sisters and brothers and that we yearn to be in fellowship together. Please keep us safe throughout this pandemic and bring us to a time when we can thankfully be with one another gain. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Accordingly - Ezekiel 7:27

Ezekiel 7:27 According to their way I will deal with them; according to their own judgments, I will judge them. (NRSV)

What a shocking thing it is to realize that God will judge us just as we judge other people. In a culture where Facebook is used to air our grievances, provoke arguments, and battle with our neighbors, what a terrible thing it should be to know that God will treat us exactly the same way we treat others.

Facebook was meant to be a great tool of the new enlightened age; instead, it has become a platform to heighten hostility, spread falsehood, and promote prejudice, especially against the poor, the needy, the powerless, and the alien – all of whom deserve our patience, support, and love according to both the Old and New Testaments.

Sadly, there is a disdainful type of Christianity that is creeping across the internet and permeating our society through the instant channels of social media. Instead of being hailed as people of the Book whose compassion and love make people wonder who are these Christians, we take great delight in nailing each other to our communication crosses in order to impress like-minded Pharisees and skewer the opposition. And even after the damage is done, our compassion is gone, and our self-righteous stinger has made its poisonous impact, we still have this problem with God: He will judge us by our own standards; He will treat us according to our own words and ways.

All of this should make us seriously ponder about those who lead us whether it be religiously, politically, socially, or even leisurely. If we follow those who are constantly berating others or belittling them, then we are tarred with the same brush in God’s eyes. If we choose to excuse bad behavior from those that we should expect more, then we are in danger of becoming both leaderless and rudderless. And if we capitulate our ‘Christianity’ for something or someone that is obviously unchristian, then we are definitely going down the wrong path. As the Apostle John once wrote of the same kind of deluded Christians in his time:

1 John 2:9 Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. (NRSV)

And if you think that I’m excusing myself from this issue, then think again. I have done my fair share of name-calling, post-trolling, and stone-walling on Facebook, too, so when I read God’s Word for today, it hit me clearly between the eyes also. Being a Christian is never easy; being self-righteous always is.

Application: Am I guilty of disdaining others because they think, act, or look differently from me? Do I understand that God judges me according to how I judge others? Am I willing to repent, so I can repair and renew my faith in Christ? Am I really a Christian?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are not just meant to follow You; we are supposed to witness on Your behalf. We can ask to be forgiven of our prejudices and pride, but with that gift of forgiveness, we are meant to change our ways. Teach us the gravity of knowing that God will treat us exactly as we treat others. Keep us from deluding ourselves or being misdirected. 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 at 11:00 AM on Sundays. You will be made very welcome😊

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

Pursuing Wisdom - James 3:17

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. (NRSV)

When I was much younger, I thought that life was all about pursuing happiness and finding pleasure. Now that I am older, I realize that wisdom is more important than indulgence and that God’s wisdom is greater than anything I can possibly know or experience. Pursuing His wisdom is now the main part of my life, so when I read James’ words about the wisdom from above, I can relate to them in ways that my younger self would never have understood or even cared to receive. I guess that Time has a way of stripping away trivial pursuits and showing what is truly important – to enjoy all that God has created and live in His love forever.

Application: Take time to quietly think about God and cherish His love.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for our lives and the many ways when we encounter Your wisdom, love, and presence. Be with us this day and help us to take time out to contemplate Your words, works, and ways. 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 ‘Christ is King’. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: King.

Worthless Words - James 1:26

James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (NIV)

According to James, the brother of Jesus, being religious and being Christian were two separate things, especially when it came down to behavior. In his time, folks were very religious and sought to distinguish themselves by proudly displaying their faith and testifying to their own righteousness. However, when they spoke disdainfully or aggressively criticized others, this conveyed, as James wrote, that their religion was worthless. In other words, they were just going through the motions of appearing to be faithful, but their brutal words and strident ways showed them for what they were: absolute hypocrites who were not worth following or copying.

Application: During these troubled times, we need to personally ask ourselves: is my religion real or worthless?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, open our eyes to those who feign to be faithful and keep us from being misled. Let us also be aware of our own sinful ways. May our faith be real and not worthless. 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 each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called ‘Spirit 2020.’. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit.

Carrying Burdens - Galatians 6:2

Carrying Burdens

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

One of the best things about church is the amount of support, empathy, and love that faithful people give to one another. Whether it's through the power of prayer, a kind word and a smile, the sending of a handwritten card, or turning up with a tray of food, many of our church folks are grateful for the friendship and kindness that congregational members share with one another whenever trouble, illness, or issues take place in their lives. The burdens that some have are lessened whenever good church folks rally round.

Over the decades that I’ve been a pastor, I’ve constantly been impressed, encouraged, and proud of how lovingly and effectively our church members will respond to meet the needs of those who are undergoing tough times. Organizing acts of kindness is a great way to fulfill Christ’s teaching; showing support to others in need is a wonderful demonstration that God’s love truly exists.

So, today, let’s be thankful for the ‘first-responders’ in our congregation whose generosity and true charity have helped us all when we needed them most.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the ministry of compassion and care that we have received from other church folks. Encourage us to become burden-bearers and loving supporters, too. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Action Step: Write and mail a card this week to someone in our congregation who needs to be encouraged, supported, and loved.

All for Nothing? - Galatians 2:21

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (NIV)

            Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and I remember an embarrassing mistake or something foolishly spoken that I committed years ago. The event or the expression I used stings my pride and I feel sorry for having said or done something stupid that may have hurt or disappointed other people. As I think about my mistake, I wish I could go back and change the past, but that’s not ever going to happen, so I make a silent prayer to God and ask for Jesus to forgive me. I cannot alter the consequences of my error either, but I am able to leave it in the hands of God after confessing my sin.

            This reminds me of why we all need a Savior. We could say to God that we regret the past and will try to be better people by making it up to Him with a whole load of good deeds, but all we would be doing is covering our shame and blanketing our remorse. We can never do enough good things anyway because there are other countless times when we have said or done something stupidly and selfishly sinful in all of our past.

            It is also the reason why the Cross is at the center of our faith. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would sadly remain unforgiven for the numerous sinful moments across our entire lives. Without the effective work of the Cross, we could never be restored to God’s gracious love. If we could do this all by ourselves then, as Paul simply states, Jesus would have died for nothing, but because we cannot save ourselves, we need the power, purpose, and peace that the Cross of Christ provides for every one of us to be forgiven.

            So, perhaps the next time you or I awake in the middle of the night and recall an embarrassing or sinful moment from the past, instead of dwelling on our stupidity we should think about the wonderful opportunity to be totally forgiven and completely reconciled to God through Christ’s death on the Cross.

Point to ponder

What past regrets do I honestly have that still embarrass or shame me? Have I asked God to forgive me of them in Christ’s Name?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are at the center of history and the focus point of all this universe. Your Life matters to us in so many ways, but Your Death has significantly impacted us by negating our sins in order to let us be restored to our Creator. Thank You for such an amazing gift of love! 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 Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called ‘Empty Sky.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Sky.

October 26 devotion - Sword Fight

John 18:11     Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

I used to fence with swords when I was a teenager. My friend Graeme and I somehow managed to purchase two foils in a second-hand shop. I think we originally bought them for a play we were doing, but we got so hooked on the swords that we started to fence outside in my backyard.

It was good fun, but we didn’t have any masks or protective clothing, so it was pretty painful at times. The foils were tipped, but if they scraped across our open skin, it left a scar for days. We even worked out a staged fight and used it to entertain the local kids.

And then one day, Graeme lunged at me and hit me in the face. He hit the corner of my right eye, which left a nasty red mark across my face. If he had hit me a quarter of an inch to the left, I would have lost the eye. It was a very painful and poignant moment. That night we put the swords away and decided to take up jujitsu instead.

In the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ was being arrested, Peter just wanted to protect Jesus when he lunged at Malchus with his sword. Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who defended Christ. It was an impetuous and impossible thing to do. The high priest’s posse had arrived with clubs and swords, so no matter what Peter did, Jesus would still be arrested.

Strangely enough, Jesus didn’t rebuke the posse. Instead, He rebuked Peter, which must have seemed harsh at the time. It’s only later that you realize Jesus was protecting Peter from being arrested, too. By insisting that Christ had to drink the cup of wrath from God alone, Jesus was giving Peter a way out. He was diverting the mob’s attention away from the big impulsive sword-wielding disciple and turning it back toward Himself. It was an act of grace. It was a gift of mercy from God.

Sometimes, as Christians, we get all fired up and are full of zeal for the Lord. We want to protect Him from all of the discredit and damage that the world still wants to cause Jesus, but in the process, we act irrationally and put ourselves in danger. We seem to forget that Christ alone has the power to make all things right and that one glorious day, His justice will prevail.

Point to ponder

When have I acted impulsively in an effort to defend Christ? How would Jesus have responded?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we love You and we want to please You. Forgive us when our zeal blinds our reason and our strident ways diminish our faith. Grant us the godly gift of discernment, to know when and how to say and do the right things, as opposed to doing them at the wrong time, in an un-Christian way. 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 questions or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

October 24 devotion - Herod's Fate

Acts 12:22-23 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

            It was a dreadful end to a wicked leader. One moment, Herod Antipas was being lauded as a god by his supporters for a rousing speech, the next he was dying from a painful parasite which was taken to be a punishment from God. He who once was mighty and powerful was debased and diminished because of his vanity and pride. Instead of being hailed as the kingly champion of the people, Herod is remembered as an amoral schemer whose downfall was brought about by his own narcissistic tendencies and delusions of grandeur.

            This all took place at the same time when the fledgling Christian church was beginning to grow substantially. Herod’s influence was waning whereas that of Christ and His followers were increasing rapidly. The bold Galilean, whom Herod interviewed and sent to His death, would now be praised and lauded for centuries to come. Antipas, however, would remain in the past – along with all of his achievements, buildings, and decisions.

            Good leadership is a gift from God and those who are in positions of power – whether in our congregations or communities – should acknowledge God’s presence in their endeavors, accomplishments, and success. To claim those things as self-made is to rob God of His glory, something which Herod Antipas learned way too late.

Point to ponder

What leadership responsibilities have I been given? Do I thank God enough for any of my successes?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help us to remember that everything belongs to God, especially our own victories and successes, achievements and accomplishments.  Keep us mindful of the many blessings that You grant in order for us to fulfill our dreams. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and thankfully pray. Amen.

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

You can also read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

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

Sleepless Nights - 2 Corinthians 11:28

2 Corinthians 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (NIV)

Like most pastors, I often wake up in the middle of the night thinking about and worrying over people in the congregation that I serve. I guess that other professionals – doctors, teachers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and counselors experience the same kind of sleepless nights. Like them, I carry around in my heart and mind the many circumstances, issues, and even secrets that the people under my care have shared with me. At times those burdens are hard to carry, so at night I sometimes lose sleep by worrying about the church folks.

The good thing about this is that I also get some quiet time to pray for their situations. During the day, there is a lot going on and finding a quiet place or a quiet time can be hard to do. However, in the wee small hours of the morning, I can quietly come to God to pray for the healing, help, or wholeness that people need. I can whisper their names to God and ask for strength, guidance, and grace to be given to them. Usually, when I have about finished my prayers, sleep begins to drift over me, so I can return to my bed and get beneath the warm blankets to myself.

When I read today’s verse from the Apostle Paul, the first thought that crossed my mind was ‘he gets it.’ We tend to think about Paul being a fearless preacher who faced many dangerous and life-threatening moments in his ministry. But he was also a pastor who had a heart for the people he met – this is why he writes of the daily pressure he endures because of his concern for all of the churches that he cared about. I believe that Paul, too, had some sleepless nights and quiet moments of prayer for the church folks that he knew.

Maybe you’ve been waking up at night because of family, work, school, or health issues. Perhaps you are worried about money or concerned about the future. May I humbly suggest that you use those sleepless times effectively by seeing them as sacred moments when the Holy Spirit is calling you to pray? I think you’ll find an answer to your problems and a much better sleep after praying.

Point to ponder

What concerns do I presently have? When and where can I quietly pray about them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we have sleepless nights because of our current issues and prevailing worries, help us to quietly turn to You in prayer. Enable us to share deep concerns with You and to sincerely seek Your guidance and grace, strength and healing. In Your Holy Name, we quietly 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 autumn drawings called ‘Fall Retreat.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Retreat.

October 20 devotion - Finding the Light

Matthew 4:16   “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

When I first became a minister, I worked for a while in an ophthalmic ward as its part-time chaplain. All the patients in it were recovering from eye surgery. Some of them needed implants, some suffered from glaucoma, and still others had been involved in car accidents which meant that the surgeons had to patiently pick out small fragments of glass and metal from their eyes. Most of the time, the surgeries were successful. Some patients had to undergo several different operations before their eye ailments were cured. Sadly, a small number of people each year remained blind. Dealing with those patients was amongst the saddest pastoral experiences I ever had.

For the rest of the patients, recovery took several days. They were gradually brought into the light so that their eyes would not be permanently damaged by the sudden brightness of daylight. I can remember that large wooden shutters were placed over each window in the ward. The merest ray of sunshine, if prematurely exposed to the patients, could ruin their eyes forever.

The best experiences in the ward were those great days when a patient was wheeled out into the courtyard in full sunlight. Their joy was ecstatic and tears of gladness were often shed by the patients, nurses, as well as their families. It was indeed a fulfilling of the old Biblical prophecy – “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Spiritual darkness occurs in the hearts and souls of many people in the world today. Sometimes they’ve allowed fear, disbelief, and distance from God to take them back into the shadows of doubt and despair. Sometimes painful events, grief, and illnesses cause people to retreat within them, cutting themselves off from God’s love and His people. Whatever the causes or the circumstances, as a pastor I have seen the light of Christ heal, restore, and reclaim people like them for God’s Kingdom, in words and ways that cause them to rejoice in the Lord and delight in His glory.

Perhaps you are currently undergoing some pain, hardship, or trouble. Maybe you feel vulnerable, isolated, and alone. Dark clouds may have almost overwhelmed your soul and you may feel depressed. Know this: Christ has the capacity to bring you back into the light. Allow Him to do what He is best at accomplishing – restoring lives and returning people to God’s Love. All you need to do is ask Him to do this for you, even now as you are reading this message.

Point to ponder

When I have experienced dark times in my life? How can Christ’s light heal me of those moments?

Prayer:                       Lord Jesus, You know the struggles we are all experiencing and the issues that overshadow our lives. In the midst of all the darkness that we feel, bring to each of us Your Everlasting Light. Encourage and embrace us; empower and enable us to follow Your Path. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can also read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s picture is one of John’s seasonal drawings called “Halloween Jack.” If you would like to view a larger version of this drawing, click on the following link: Jack.

22 September devotion - Get Real, John!

1 Peter 5:10    And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (ESV)

            There are some days when I feel sorry for myself and end up brooding over something someone has said to me or something that happened which embarrassed or offended me. I feel hurt and unappreciated which causes me to become gloomy and upset. I think that I should be shown more respect and credited for my years of wisdom, skills, and knowledge. I get frustrated and end up in a foggy mire of my own making. It’s as if I’ve decided to ‘doldrumize’ my life and be as stubborn or ornery as I want to be.

            I think my suffering is unfair and unmerited. I go about with a grey cloud over me and make others around me feel uncomfortable, unsure, or uneasy. Because I’m so focused on my issues, I don’t see what’s going on around me – how I’m embarrassing myself or how folks are beginning to avoid me. In other words, my suffering becomes self-inflicted and my sorrow is self-sustained.

            And then I see scenes on television or the internet which display real suffering and destitution. I look at the thousands of homes that have been destroyed by hurricanes and floods. I watch hundreds of people try to rescue children underneath collapsed buildings. I see parents weeping in anguish, old folks looking confused, and children who are shell-shocked because of the disaster, tragedy, and horrific loss of life, liberty, and security that they are all sadly experiencing. Their pain quickly puts my pettiness into perspective. Their tragic losses burst my injured pride and self-centered ways wide open.

            During those times of real awareness, I reject my manufactured, artificial, and sorrowful feelings. I am ashamed of my self-pity and the trivial burdens I conceitedly carry. I need to get real and truly understand that the world does not revolve around me, my feelings, or my upsets. There are billions of people on Earth who suffer much more than I have or ever will. Instead of wasting my compassion on me, I should make it available for them. Rather than be gloomy and petulant, I should be grateful and penitent.

Prayer: O Lord, forgive me! Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. If you would like to worship with us, join us on Sundays at 11:00 AM.

August 29 devotion - Human Holiness

Hebrews 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (NIV)

            Holiness is not something that human beings are known for unless you ascribe it to Bible characters, New Testament saints, or noble historical people like Francis of Assisi, Father Damien of Molokai, or Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Holiness, however, is what we need if we are to eventually come into the sacred presence of God. Without it, we will be separated from our Creator forever.

            Thankfully, even though we cannot earn, produce, or obtain this holiness for ourselves, Jesus has enough holiness to cover our sins and make us sacred in God’s eyes. This process has a church word for it – it’s called Sanctification. Jesus sanctifies us through His own sacrifice and makes us holy with His Cross. This is unbelievably simple and something which a number of people will never understand. We are so used to accomplishing tasks for ourselves or getting what we want by working for it, that we find it difficult to accept Christ has already fulfilled what is eternally required. However, think about it this way: what more can we add to what Christ has done? Nothing – absolutely nada. If there was something we could add, then Christ’s sacrifice would be incomplete. If there was something else we could achieve to merit sanctification, His offering would be imperfect.

            So today, let’s celebrate our sanctification and cheerfully embrace Christ’s holiness as our own. By His sacrifice, we are reconnected to God and restored to His dream forever.

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for receiving us as human sinners and transforming us into holy children of God. Your sacrifice perfectly restored us to our Creator. Your death decidedly reconnected us to God. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please feel free to send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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