Short devotion: Caretakers

 

Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (NIV)

One of the biggest issues that we’re facing today has to do with climate change. Whether we believe in it or not, there seems to be something going on with regard to glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and more storms each year. Last year, our wee city of Knoxville, Tennessee, which is located on the foothills of the Smokey mountains and usually enjoys pleasant weather, was hit with a highly destructive tornado, the likes of which we have never seen. Our winters have also been getting warmer with less snow capping the beautiful mountains that surround us.

Whatever is causing these changes probably has to do with the many neglectful ways in which we take the Earth for granted. We also tend to leave our environmental problems to someone else, or to some future hapless generation to find solutions to the difficulties that are presently occurring. It is far easier to ignore the issues and neglect to do something positive politically, financially, or even globally. After all, isn’t it our God-given right to do as we please with the planet and to exploit its resources?

When I read the Biblical version of creation in the Book of Genesis, I’m always impacted with the role that God gives to humanity with regard to the Earth. In today’s highlighted verse, we read that God not only expected mankind to work in the Garden of Eden, but God also wanted human beings to take care of it. Thus, right from the beginning, we are divinely expected to be caretakers of this planet, this home we call Earth, and not to exploit it.

So, here’s our challenge for today: how can we fulfill our faith in God by looking after the environment we live in, so that we honor God’s creation and become responsible of the planetary role that our Maker expects?

Prayer: Lord God, this is a beautiful and exceptional planet which is a great and unique gift. Help us to heal the harm we have caused it and enable us to restore its balance by being caretakers of the Earth’s environments and not exploiters. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish pastor, now living in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read more of his regular devotions on his website at www.glenkirk.blogspot.com

 

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings based on Psalm 24. You can view a larger version at this link: Psalm 24.

Builder of Everything - Hebrews 3:4

Hebrews 3: 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. (NIV)

I can remember watching my grandson playing with some blocks recently. He was cheerfully building a tower by piling each brick on top of the other. At some point, the tower became unstable and he laughed loudly as the blocks tumbled down. He would then start again to build another tower with the same outcome.

I think the urge to build something is a divine hallmark within all of us. Our world is full of many structures that people have built throughout the centuries. The greatest landmarks that we have are all buildings whether they be towers, castles, or even pyramids. We live to build and we build in order to live.

God is the greatest builder that we know. He built the Heavens and the Earth, the majestic mountains and the rolling seas. Our planet has been built over billions of years initiated by God and built upon His Word. God also builds our lives through the work of Christ and the interaction of the Holy Spirit within us. God has built us to be His people and He continually builds our spirits by filling us with faith, hope, and love.

Application: Think about the plans that you have for your life. Ask yourself “what is God building within me?”

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for building everything including our planet, our people, and our purposes. Encourage us to keep building what You have made within us. 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 at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome :)

Today's image is one of John's crayon drawings of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Castle.

Creation devotion: Constantly Amazed - 1 Kings 8:27

1 Kings 8:27   Solomon said, “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!”

            God often amazes me. In the littlest things like a blade of grass, I see His handiwork. In the vastness of space and the colossal starry sky, I recognize His hallmarks of creation. In the people I love, I see His image constantly before me. In the work of the church I serve, I watch for His ways. Every day is a special gift from His goodness, so no matter how I feel, what I am experiencing, or what I face, I still find sacred seconds in which He just plainly and truthfully amazes me.

            My mind cannot contain the infinite wisdom and boundless glory that is God’s. My heart overflows with His love because it cannot be kept personally within me. He makes me glad to be one of His creatures and He makes me proud to be a child of His. I know that I do not deserve such goodness and love, or His compassion and mercy, but I am joyful at knowing these beautiful blessings. Sometimes my heart is fit to burst with God’s overwhelming love; in those sacred moments, I wish that the whole world could be filled with the same feelings.

            Ages ago, when King Solomon had completed the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem, he knew that God could not be contained with the bricks and mortar of a mere building. However, Solomon understood the symbolism of God’s dwelling with humanity and felt humbled by God’s favor on his people. It must have been a glorious and sacred day for all of God’s people.

            The older I get, the more that I realize that because God is gracious, He allows His Spirit to reside on this paltry planet we call Earth. Humanity does not deserve such a blessing because of our broken and sinful ways, but the love of God persists in the midst of all the evil in the world. We are still His people. We are still His children. We are still loved and never alone.

The infinite God abiding in a finite planet – this is what constantly and will always amaze me.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I see God’s handiwork around me today? When do I feel His love in my life?

Prayer:            Lord God, You have created the entire universe with its vast array of galaxies, solar systems, stars and planets. You have also made the tiniest of things like atoms, cells, seeds, and people. Thank You for the wonders of creation that are all around us, which constantly amaze us. And we especially thank You for Your deep and abiding loving presence which will always gladden our hearts and give meaning to our lives. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin 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.

Today’s image is one of John’s Psalm pictures which depicts God as Creator. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Psalm 115.

Creation devotion: Wildlife Wonders - 1 Kings 4:33

1 Kings 4:33   Solomon described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.

            One of the best programs that we have in our church takes place on Wednesday nights. It’s called the Pioneer Club and our Family Ministry Director, Joy, puts together special presentations about animals and wildlife. Most of the kids who attend the program are not church kids; they are siblings of other children who are involved in our popular Creative Ministry program called the Sonshine Company.

            I attended Joy’s programs and was often amazed about the animals she spoke about. She used pictures and books, videos and sounds to captivate the kids’ attention. She gave them animal stickers and treats which delighted the young children. Joy also prepared special crafts which the kids made and proudly took home with them. It was a great program and a wonderful way to reach out to unchurched families. Joy was not just teaching the children about different wildlife, she was doing missionary work by giving these kids a positive experience at the church we both serve. Hopefully, in future years, the children will remember Joy’s programs and perhaps they will be drawn nearer to God as the Creator of all Living Things.

            I like today’s verse from 1 Kings. Solomon was a wise person, but he also was a great naturalist, maybe even the David Attenborough of his day. He used the talents of wisdom that God gave him not just for the running of his kingdom, but also to increase his knowledge about the wonders of life and all living things. I find that both incredible and also very understandable. Most people who enjoy God’s Creation seek to learn more about it, whether it be life on earth, birds in the sky, fish in the sea, or even planets and stars in the vast universe.

            As I reflect on this, the first question and answer in the Westminster Shorter Catechism of the reformed tradition comes to mind:

Q: What is the chief end of man?  A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

            I think that for me, and for Joy, and for the kids at Pioneer Club, for Solomon too, and may other good folks, enjoying God also means to delight in His works of wondrous creation. After all, life on earth would not be possible without God’s creative handiwork and sustaining grace.

Questions for personal reflection

What is it about life on Earth that fascinates me? Where do I see God’s handiwork on this planet?

Prayer:            Lord God and Creator of all Life, thank You for allowing us to enjoy Your wonderful works. We praise You for sustaining Life on this planet and for the great enjoyment that we, as human beings, experience in the world today. Bless all life and enable us to appreciate it as a precious gift. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s many wildlife drawings. It features a Baby Raccoon. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Baby Raccoon.

Online Devotion: What the World Needs - Romans 1:5

Romans 1:5    Through Christ, and for the sake of His Name, grace and apostleship were given to us, in order to call people from all over the world toward faith and obedience.

(Passage context: Romans 1:1-7)

What the world needs now is the grace of Christ.

We've all become insecure and defensive, easily offended and constantly aggressive. We talk about toleration and coexistence, but we don’t practice or even exercise them. We are still hostile to our enemies and appalled by other ideas. We are quick to point out the weaknesses, faults, and inefficiencies of other people, but pride and self-centeredness won’t allow us to admit our own wrongs, failings, and inadequacies. We live our lives as we see fit, and justify whatever we do. We don’t accept blame easily, but we are often ready to identify other people as blameworthy. In short, everything that goes wrong in the world is someone else’s fault; everything that needs to be fixed in our lives is someone else’s problem.

Our lives were never meant to be like this. We were made to obey God and give our days to Him. We are the heart of His Creation, which He wants us to enjoy forever, but because we busy ourselves with other things and burden our lives with trivia, superficiality, and false senses of importance, we lose those precious moments of sacred presence, and drift further away from God’s love.

We need Christ’s grace in our lives to halt our weary un-holiness and put an end to the digital urgency that exhausts our minds and souls. We need Christ’s grace to re-open our eyes in order to see the beauty and wonder of Creation that we once knew as little children. We need Christ’s grace to help us both understand and cherish that each day is a gift, full of moments where God can be found and His love experienced. We need Christ’s grace to fully realize that we are just children, playing on a planet, under the watchful gaze of our Loving Creator.

Question for personal reflection

Where have I seen God in the world today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to see the world through Your eyes. Enable us to embrace Your love and receive Your grace. 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 a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is an old stained glass picture that John designed several years ago. It’s called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3084/2432537217_e82364bff8_b.jpg

Devotion - Cosmic Collision - Genesis 15:5

Genesis 15:5   God took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

I’ve just read a fascinating article about an inter-galactic collision that will take place 4 billion years from now between our own Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. Billions upon billions of stars will either collide or closely pass by one another over a time period of more than a billion years. The article is based upon a study that NASA has released; to even think about such a cataclysmic event is absolutely staggering to my feeble mind. The astronomers who have completed their observations, done their research, and completed the math are amazing scientists. We certainly won’t be on this side of Life when the collision occurs, so perhaps we will witness it as the equivalent of a divine Fourth of July fireworks display on a Heavenly scale.

When God takes old Abram outside to show him the night sky and tells him that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars, I find that equally amazing and fascinating. It tells me that when God makes a promise, He not only keeps His word, but He also blesses and fulfills it as wonderfully as He possibly can. The majority of the religious people on the Earth today can trace their spiritual roots to this moment of God’s magnificent blessing. Billions of people – Jews, Christians, and Muslims - find their religious ancestry in Abram of old. God’s promise, made thousands of years ago, has found its fulfillment in today’s world. This also tells me that God not only works in mysterious ways, He also has a great patience in fulfilling his work of salvation.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do my religious roots originate? How does my faith sharing with others expand this ancient blessing?

Prayer:                        Almighty Creator, when I gaze upon the stars in the night sky, I am struck with wonder and awe. Your works are amazing and I feel both humbled and privileged to be a creature of Your making. May I continue to bless and praise You throughout the days of my life. In Christ’s 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 one of John’s drawings called “Sleepless Sky.” It features a beautifully starlit northern sky illuminated with the aurora borealis. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/7186639110_1bbac69be5_b.jpg

Daily devotions: A Living Covenant - Genesis 9:13

Genesis 9:13 “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the Earth.” 

Like most people on Earth, I love seeing rainbows. The colors are always fantastic and the whole experience is mystical, especially when the bow arcs across a dark gray sky and then gradually disappears as the rains move on. Sometimes a double bow will appear and once I saw three bows together. That always thrills the child within me and I feel blessed to having seen something naturally beautiful. I know that there are scientific reasons why rainbows occur and it all has to do with the refraction of light against droplets of rain. Whatever the cause, I still stop to look at rainbows and experience the wonder of it all.

I also understand the covenant that God made with the Earth when the first rainbow was produced after the Great Flood. That promise was made not just with people, but the whole of life on Earth. This tells me that God greatly cares for all of Creation and not just human beings. We are just one species of many creatures on Earth and God loves them all; after all, who among us doesn’t love the things that we have created and crafted with our own hands? Don’t we also sit back, enjoy, care for all that we have made?

Next time I see a rainbow, I will delight in its short existence and thank God for such a blessing. I will also remind myself that the rainbow is not just for me, but for every living creature under its vibrant arc.

Question for personal reflection

Where do I find God’s promises being fulfilled in my life? 

Prayer:        Lord God, thank You for the wonder and beauty that rainbows evoke in our hearts and minds. We also praise You for the Promise of sustaining the Earth with Your blessings and grace. We are grateful to be living on and enjoying a planet with an amazing variety of living things. Help us to help You take care of it all. 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 comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org. 

 Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Power” and is a stained glass design of the Holy Spirit descending to the Earth. Symbols of flames and the rainbow permeate throughout the drawing. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7200604314_e1352d502e_b.jpg

Earth Day Devotion: What Came First? Genesis 2:5

Genesis 2:5 …and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,…

What came first? Rain from the sky or water from the ground?

I must admit I hadn’t really thought about this, but today’s passage has really intrigued me. When the Earth was created, how did water form on this planet? Did it occur through condensation – the hot Earth cooled and hydrogen with oxygen combined in the process, or was it through evaporation – icy comets hitting the hot planet repeatedly causing showers of rain in the atmosphere? I’m not a scientist, environmentalist, or even a geologist, so I have no clue whatsoever about the processes involved. I guess it must have taken a considerably long time for water to appear on the Earth, but I’m also confident that this was a significant part of God’s creative plan and amazing patience. After all, how many planets in our Solar System currently have the gift of water on their surface?

Whatever the circumstances, this I do know: water is a precious commodity and one which significantly impacts the health of all of us on this wee planet. Much of the ill health, disease, and poverty in the world today can be attributed to the lack of clean water in many areas around the globe. The sad thing is this: we have the scientific, economic, and technological ability to clean the world’s entire water supply but due to our greed, sin, and inhumanity, we often lack the will to do anything about it. If we truly want to bequeath anything worthwhile to our descendants that will make their lives better, then clean water should be this planet’s first priority.

This coming Sunday is Earth Day. As Christians, we will be praising and praying to our Creator. Perhaps we should all ask Him what we can do to make the world a better place and to give our brothers and sisters across the globe access to clean drinking water.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Living Water of faith, hope, and love in our lives. Across many nations, billions of people do not have easy access to healthy water. Open our hearts and minds to the challenge of providing clean water for everyone in the world within a generation. 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, then please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing for Earth Day. If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/6942425398_1632459efd_b.jpg

Earth Day Devotion: Sacred Seeds - Genesis 1:11

Genesis 1:11   Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 

For the first time in years, I’ve planted some seeds in a box and am hoping to grow perennial flowers that I enjoy. The plants are nasturtiums and lupines. They are both different kinds of plants. The nasturtium is a Chinese creeping plant with beautiful orange and yellow flowers. Butterflies are attracted to them and when the Fall comes, they’ll probably be covered in a host of caterpillars. The lupines are tall plants which attract honey bees. They are usually white, pink, and lavender blue. If they grow successfully, they will constantly re-seed and eventually cover a large area of my front garden.

I need to look after the seedlings in order to give them a strong chance of growing and developing into mature plants. If I neglect to water them or if a late frost gets to them, they will soon die. Every day I keep an eye on them and so far I am delighted with their progress. Hopefully, I will be able to plant them outside in a month’s time and watch them bloom all summer long.

I am constantly amazed at Creation. God’s imagination, artistry, and skill are all around me and I feel both humbled and privileged to enjoy the wonders of His natural works. I like to think that when God first created plants, flowers, and trees on this planet, He not only saw that they were good but that He was absolutely delighted and thrilled with His own work.

Within each of us, God plants seeds of faith that have the potential to bear fruit and multiply through the sharing of our beliefs, the worshipping of Christ, and our participation in His ministry in our own communities and throughout the world. God’s work never stops growing because He is actively involved in the Church’s mission. Our task is to discover where our faith can best be used to bear fruit and where our Christian beliefs can blossom among the people we love, work with, and encounter.

Question for Personal reflection

Where does my faith in Christ produce the most fruit for the future?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for creating the Church in the world and for allowing us to be participants in Your mission. Help us to rely upon You to guide our thoughts, ways, and deeds so that we may produce fruitful works that glorify You and attract other people to Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. if you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org. John is always delighted to read your comments and to receive feedback.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Smoky Mountain Sunset.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/6926536366_3bd793f073_b.jpg

John’s drawings can also be found on his art website which you can view at www.stushieart.com.

Free Devotions: Above the Mountains - Psalm 104

Psalm 104:6    You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon, but it is on my bucket list. From what I’ve heard from other people, it is a remarkable and awe-inspiring place. Photographs do not do it justice and even documentaries on television do not capture the breath-taking grandeur of this wonder of nature. I’m looking forward to the day when I can stand at the edge of it and take in all of its majestic beauty.

It also amazes me that the whole region was once under the sea. I just can’t picture that in my mind and it’s staggering to think that the ocean covered most of it. Like the psalmist of old, the fact that the seas once engulfed what we call mountains causes me to humbly praise God’s infinite, creative power. When I think about the processes of creation and the intelligence behind such a glorious living design, I am over-awed and extremely thankful for God’s generosity and grace. He didn’t have to share any of it with humanity, but because He delights in our child-like wonder, God lovingly allows us to truly enjoy what He has made.

Prayer:                        Lord God, thank You for the dynamic process of creation and the majesty beauty that surrounds us. The natural world is full of wonderful places and creatures. We are over-awed by the complexity and variety of Life on Earth. We praise You alone for such a beautiful gift and we delight in all that You have accomplished. In Christ’s Holy Name, we cheerfully 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 one of John’s latest Fall drawings called “Fall Break.” It features a wee chipmunk feasting before hibernation. You can view a larger version online at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5087270293_ed11200126_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Textbook Mythbusters - Mark 11 v 6

Mark 11:6       They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

There’s a controversy brewing here in Knoxville which will probably become national. A biology honors textbook has a line in it which defines Creationism as: "the biblical myth that the universe was created by the Judeo-Christian God in 7 days." A local father has asked that the book be banned because it is biased against Christianity.

I was asked to give my opinion about it by the local TV station. I told them that I don’t believe that banning textbooks was a good thing. After all, the Church is in the business of teaching faith, not our public schools. If we are so insecure about what we believe and that the mere word ‘myth’ shatters it into a million pieces, then do we have any depth to our faith at all?

I’m all for freedom of religion and freedom of speech. If we ban the textbook in Knoxville, then we are giving in to fear and not truly expressing our faith. If we want to control our public schools so that Christianity is given a special status, then we no longer have freedom of expression and we may as well start burning witches again on Market Square.

I firmly believe that God created the Universe and that it is sustained by His will. I cannot scientifically prove that as a fact, but I feel it one hundred percent as an act of faith. I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and I try to live my life according to His words and ways. I am not perfect. I still sin. I still make many mistakes. The fact that a school textbook refers to my beliefs as a mere myth does not unsettle me at all. I will continue to preach and teach that God made the world and that Christ is my Savior. To paraphrase Jesus: “textbooks may come and go, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, every generation has its crosses to bear in the world. Every Christian is confronted with words and ways that will challenge cherished beliefs. Remind us that the battle has already been won and that the power of Easter’s New Creation cannot be diminished by mere words. Help us to express our faith through conviction and depth, and not by fear or anxiety. 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 comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s digital glass drawings called “creation.” If you would like to view a larger version, click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/3640187690/sizes/l/

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Earth Day

Isaiah 54:5     For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the Earth.

Today is Earth Day and all around the world various people are celebrating this new tradition by bringing attention to the plight of the planet. Some protest and environmental groups will be petitioning their governments to reduce carbon emissions and end global warming. Others will be celebrating the diversity of customs and costumes around the world.

I like the idea of Earth Day and I think that Isaiah gets it right when he reminded his people long ago that the Lord is the God of all the Earth. This means that we are just tenants and not owners of the globe. Kingdoms and governments may think they possess their own parts of the world, but God is the Sovereign of the whole planet. Everything belongs to Him.

I’ve started to boldly capitalize the letter ‘E’ in the word Earth. That reminds me that this planet is a precious jewel in God’s eyes and that we as human stewards should do our utmost to look after it. Respecting the environment, recycling our waste, and reflecting upon the wonders of this Earth is a good place to start. Life on Earth may be the most precious gift in the entire universe. It’s time that we chose to really respect that amazing gift of grace which our God has created.

Prayer:                        God who made the Earth, the air, the sky, the sea; Who gave the world its birth, please care for me. In Jesus’ Name. 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.