Short Devotion: Treating Ourselves - Psalm 103v10

 

Psalm 103:10 God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (NIV)

I’ve been thinking and reading a lot about forgiveness recently. I guess the older you get, you realize how many mistakes, foolish choices, and careless words you’ve committed and end up regretting ill-chosen paths, deeds, or conversations. I know that Christ forgives me, but I honestly struggle with forgiving myself. I can’t seem to let go of the past, so I carry it with me and end up with more than a few sleepless nights.

I don’t want to become a victim of my past mistakes or be held hostage by my stupidity, but nor do I want to be continually wishing things were different or reflecting where I would be if I followed another path. I want to live with what’s left of my life without being under a shadow of gloom and despondency. I want to enjoy whatever is in front of me without constantly living backwards. I guess I want to follow C.S Lewis’s advice of running onwards and upwards as I prepare to meet Christ face-to-face.

I think that the writer of Psalm 103 experienced something similar, especially when he wrote these amazing words: “God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Those words give me hope and release me from being vexed about my sins. Through Christ, I am totally forgiven, so there is a lot of room to forgive myself.

Perhaps you’re going through something similar and maybe you’re feeling the same things. I hope that you will also realize that God’s grace is greater than anything you’ve foolishly done, and that Christ’s love is larger than any regret you still hold.

Point to ponder: What do I need to let go from the past, so I can move forward with God into the future?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything, so there’s nothing we can hide from You. You could punish us with that knowledge, but instead, You save us from our worst selves. Thank You for Your complete compassion and godly grace. In Your Holy name, we humbly and gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. To see what’s currently happening at the church, just click on this link: www.erinpres.org.

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

Short devotion: A Key Moment - Luke 7:50

 

A Key Moment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lent Devotion: Interrupted - Ephesians 2:4-5

 

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (ESV)

 Do you ever lie awake at night and are unable to sleep because you’re thinking about all of the foolish mistakes that you’ve made? Do you ever relive those stupid moments in your mind and regret the things that you’ve said or done? Do you wish you could live parts of your life over again and avoid causing the problems or even the hurt that happened to other people? Me, too.

 It’s sometimes hard to come to terms with our imperfections and foolish ways. It’s not easy to get over the guilt for the wrong or shameful things that we’ve done. And it’s difficult to deal with the times when we should have said or done something to help someone else, but we were too scared, too busy, or too proud to do it.

 I used to think that the older I got, the more that I’d be able to handle the past and because I would be chronologically distant from those moments, I would be able to shove them aside. But that’s not true because the closer I get to being face-to-face with God, the more I know that He knows everything about me from the day of my birth to the time when I will die.

 It could make me despair, but then Jesus interrupts my melancholy and reminds me of His role as Savior. From the riches of God’s mercy, Christ applies grace to the moments and memories that keep me awake. He not only saves me from my sinful past, He rescues me from my hopelessness, so that when I do meet God face-to-face, Christ will be standing with me as my Savior, my Advocate, and my Friend.

 Q: What regrets do I have about my life? Am I ready to let Jesus apply His grace to those moments?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all make mistakes; we all experience shame; we all do foolish things. Save us from ourselves and graciously forgive us. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Pastor John Stuart

www.erinpres.org

Approaching God - Hebrews 4:16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meaningless Times - Ecclesiastes 1:2

Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (NIV)

These are times that try the souls of men and roast the hearts of women. These are sadly days of despondency and desperation where human life in all its forms is cheap, where human beings are callously chained to poverty, and woman-beings are severely punished for the sins of brutal men. The old Biblical cry of “Meaningless!” is partnered with a shout of “Powerless!”, along with a scream of “Helpless!” by those whose pleading voices are silenced by strong demands and uncaring words. Common sense is obliterated and the community is deliberately divided by those who want to keep control and seek retribution.

We are in the midst of a moral civil war which was once prophesied by the Good Shepherd of our souls. Mother against daughter, father against son, brothers and sisters against one another. But, instead of seeking the Prince of Peace to allow His compassion to make every life meaningful, instead of looking to the Lord of Light to eliminate the darkness of our hearts, we let the thorns of unbounded pride and self-righteous spears pierce the lives of those who plead for help, support, and understanding.

These trying times demand of us a serious self-reflection and honest introspection of our deepest motives. If we truly recognize and become plainly aware that we are not without sin, then surely, we of all people will stop throwing stones to destroy others, or penalize the powerless because they do not meet our moral expectations. After all, if God treated us the same way we treat and condemn others, none of us would survive and every part of our faith would be meaningless.

I wrote this devotion for me, as a challenging and necessary reminder that I am a terrible sinner in need of a gracious Savior. Every. Single. Day.

Questions to ponder

What sins do I secretly embrace that condemn me by God? Why does Christ allow me His grace? How should I faithfully apply that grace to others?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, none of us are perfect, nor are we better than anyone else in Your eyes. Humble our pride and help us to show Christian love and compassion to those who are outcast and defenseless, weak and powerless. In Your Holy Name, we despicable sinners humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of my Good Friday drawings called ‘Forgive Them.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click on this link: Forgive.

Card Collection - Psalm 86:9

Psalm 86:9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. (NIV)

Quite recently, I started collecting old tobacco cards. I came across a set of vintage racing car cards on Ebay and I was delighted with them. This piqued my interest and as I looked through other listings from all over the globe, it opened me up to a whole new world of collections. My Dad had some from the past – mostly of balloons and early airplanes – but I didn’t realize the amazing variety of subjects, themes, people and places that these colorful cards cover. I am now in the process of happily building up my own collection – mostly of racing cars, ships, military uniforms, famous people, and movie stars.

           

One set caught my eye the other day. It was produced in 1924 between the World Wars and is called “Children of All Nations.” The fifty cards are beautifully drawn with children wearing their traditional costumes. The set depicts the wonderful variety of people across the globe and when they are put side by side, it looks like a beautiful tapestry of humankind. I guess this is what God sees when He looks at us on Earth – a unique collection of creatures, owned and loved by Him.

The ancient psalmist who wrote today’s highlighted verse seems to reflect this. The great destiny of all nations and peoples is to come together to praise our Creator, to worship His ways, and to be called ‘children of God.’ It’s a beautiful image and is one which Christ obtained for humanity by dying for our sins. All we have to do is to receive this great gift and live accordingly – by showing one another grace and by loving one another, no matter who we are or where we come from.

Point to ponder

Do I appreciate the beauty and variety of this unique world? How can I show my thankfulness to God and other people today?

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for the wondrous work of Creation and the amazing variety of life, people, and places on this exceptional planet. Help us to love one another in ways that will honor You and expand the gift of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is a snapshot of the beautiful cards that John wrote about. 😊

John 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.

Kindness and Love - Titus 3:4-5a

Titus 3:4-5a But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. (NIV)

            I make mistakes constantly. You would think that after living for just over six decades I would be full of so much wisdom that I would never do anything incorrect again, but the older I get, I find that I repeat the same mistakes even though I should know better. I say something out loud that I should have kept silent. I do something wrong and don’t want to apologize for it. I hurt someone’s feelings and find it difficult to accept the blame. I rush into a situation and look to fix it before thinking of the consequences. In other words, I am still the same old me, foolish and unwise, inconsistent and inconsiderate.

            Thankfully, I believe in a Savior who knows me completely and who is still willing to forgive me and work on my defects. Whenever I am wrong, His Spirit afflicts my conscience; when I make a mistake, He helps me to recognize my fault and seek the right remedy for the sinful situation I have caused. I wish I was more righteous and less self-righteous. I pray I can be a better person and less of an erratic Christian. I guess that for the rest of my life, I will be imperfect, so I will always depend on the kindness and love of God to get me through my days and lead me into eternity.

            God’s mercy and grace have got nothing to do with any of my achievements or accomplishments, good deeds or acts of love. I cannot earn these blessings, but with faith in Jesus, I can rely upon them. Basically, this is why I am so grateful for being a Christian – without Christ’s forgiveness, I would be separated from God forever; without Christ’s mercy, I would never be able to look forward to being in God’s Kingdom.

            Perhaps you’ve made a mistake that you deeply regret. Maybe you can’t forgive yourself for something that caused a lot of hurt and pain to someone else. Perhaps you let someone down in a very big way and are now ashamed of your inaction or misdeed. Whatever the situation or circumstances, please know this: God’s love and kindness are still available for you; Christ’s mercy and grace are still offered to you.

Point to ponder

What has been the biggest mistake of my life? How can Jesus help me to heal and deal with it?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we call You Savior because You rescue us from the mistakes we have made and the sins of our lives. We know that we are imperfect and unworthy, so we cling to Your kindness and love which can renew our lives and restore us to God. Help us to be healed of the past, so we may look forward to a future where God’s favor blesses our souls. In Your Holy Name, we humbly confess and pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Trinity Sunday drawings called “Trinity 2018.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Trinity.

A Hard Teaching - Zephaniah 3:5

Zephaniah 3:5 The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame. (NIV)

            Some parts of the Bible are harder to accept and embrace than others. We usually look for promises and blessings from scripture to make us feel good, loved, and accepted by God, especially when we are going through some trying times. However, the Bible is not a quaint book full of positive thoughts and lovely affirmations. It is rooted in the struggle between God and humankind, so there are bits, passages, and sections that are very difficult to read and receive.

            Take, for instance, the passage from the prophet Zephaniah (3:1-10). It’s full of doom and gloom because it’s all about God’s wrathful response to the sins of His people. God comes across as a Destroyer of cities and nations which is actually very scary. There doesn’t seem to be anything positive to hold on to, or anything wonderful to glean. Now there are some folks who relish this kind of wrathful judgment in scripture and who use these words to spiritually terrorize other people. They gleefully embrace and apply these scornful words as weapons to condemn others who do not believe in God in a similar way. However, in doing this, they miss the point completely. In the midst of all the damnation and destruction, God is constantly upholding justice each day – for the poor and powerless, the deprived and marginalized.

            God is almighty and at any time He could destroy the entire universe, however, His grace endures and His mercy is given each day. Our role, as Christians, is to follow Christ and apply those divine blessings, even in a time when the unrighteous know no shame.

Point to ponder

Where do I see God’s justice prevail in the world? How can I align myself with His way?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is so very easy to condemn others, especially when we do not like what they are saying or doing. We can feel smug and self-important that we are not like them, but that would be false. In the midst of our sinful ways, teach us about justice, mercy, and grace. Help us to apply these gifts to those we dislike, oppose, and even distrust. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to give some feedback on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

The Best Come-back Ever - Matthew 15:27

Matthew 15:27           “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” (NIV)

            She was an outsider and a foreigner. She had no claim on Jesus and was not part of the Jewish nation. What she had was a daughter whom she dearly loved and like any other parent, she wanted the best for her child who was seriously ill. The Syro-Phoenician woman in today’s Gospel story (Matthew 15:21-28) had heard about Jesus, so when she saw Him, she immediately ran to him, fell on her knees, and asked for healing.

            She did not know what to expect. Christ’s disciples had already tried to send her back to where she came from because her crying and wailing disturbed them. But the woman was persistent and wouldn’t back down. Jesus had the power to help her child, so she kept on battering against the wall of prejudice that was in front of her, in a desperate effort to get Him to respond to her pleas.

            Initially, Jesus says and does nothing and then He points out that His mission is to His own people first. Did she expect Him to give her from the blessings that God intended for the Jews? Or as Jesus put it, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

            And then this foreign woman speaks the best come-back in the whole Bible, “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Her tenacity is relentless and her faith in Christ’s ability is undaunted. Jesus grants her what she may not have been entitled to, the immediate healing of her demon-possessed daughter, which now meant that Christ’s ministry and mission went beyond any borders, any barriers, any walls between nations and ethnic communities.

            It’s called ‘Grace,’ and it happens because Christ comes down among us, breaking down the barriers between Heaven and Earth, as well as bridging the gap between God and humanity. It means we are given an amazing blessing, of which we are not entitled or worthy, but only because God wants to share it, so that we may freely enjoy His love and kingdom forever.

Point to ponder

Am I aware that I am not worthy of God’s grace? How thankful am I to receive this unentitled blessing? How willing am I to share this gift with others, especially those unlike myself?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for healing the Syro-Phoenician woman’s daughter. Thank You for hearing her plea and showing us God’s grace at work. We know that we cannot earn such a sacred blessing, but we are grateful for the bounty of Your love, mercy, and grace in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Communion drawings which reminds us of God’s grace. If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Communion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions for reflection

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

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

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

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