Short Devotion: Throne of Grace - Hebrews 4:16

 Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESV)

I don’t know about you, but I need God’s grace to get me through each day. When I look over my whole life – which is what most folks do when they get older – I still feel embarrassed, foolish, or even ashamed about things that I’ve thought, said, or done in the past. I continue to remember old conflicts that I created with family, friends, and other people. Times when I was outspoken, self-righteous, and arrogant severely impact my soul. Moments of carelessness, madness, and recklessness are replayed in my mind and numerous incidents of wrong-doing, wrong paths taken, or wrong ideas overwhelm me now and then. I realize that I am imperfect, fallen, and sinful – which is why I need the perfect, upright, and holy remedy to my dilemma: God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

When I think about what Jesus did for the whole world – dying for our sins – it humbles, terrifies, and comforts me all at the same time. I am humbled because I don’t deserve such love; I am terrified because I know God could judge me; I am comforted because Christ saves me. I may not be the best of Christians, but Jesus is the best Savior I can ever know, so I place everything in His crucified hands – my sin, my shame, my past – then draw near to His throne of grace and seek mercy which He graciously gives when I most need forgiveness, acceptance, and love.

Maybe you’re going through a bad time. Perhaps you have deep regrets or wish that you could have said or done something differently. Maybe you’re carrying a burden which has been with you for a long time. Maybe you’re depressed about the past or worried about your future. Please know this: Christ understands you; Christ forgives you; Christ will restore you through the riches of His grace and the boundless love of God. 😊

Q: What is unresolved in my life? How can Christ restore me today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are all weak, wayward, selfish, and sinful. Our mistakes are many and our sins are countless. We are imperfect, foolish, and even wicked at times. Forgive our faults, accept our confessions, and apply Your grace to heal our broken and fallen ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Christian devotion: Justice and Jesus - Isaiah 42:3b-4a

Isaiah 42:3b-4a           In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on Earth.

            We all have different ideas about justice and what it actually means. For some people, justice implies getting even with someone who wronged them. For others, it can mean making someone pay excessive damages and full reparations for a disappointment, mistake, or tragedy. Justice can also involve giving equal rights to those who have been marginalized by society, or degraded by our culture. It is also sought by those who are impoverished or oppressed throughout the world, where injustices are perpetrated by people in power. In fact, all across the Earth, billions of people are constantly seeking justice, human rights, and equality.

            Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 42 has been interpreted as a foretelling of the Messianic role Christ was to fulfill seven hundred years later. Jesus would become the Chosen Servant of God who entered the world to right all wrongs, bring justice to the powerless, and restore the dignity of God’s people who had been oppressed by the Romans. After His Resurrection and Ascension, He would be revered as the Judge of the entire Earth, who would ensure that the wicked are finally brought to justice and that the poor are exalted above all others in the future Heavenly Kingdom.

            As Christians, we are called to follow Christ, so the seeking and supporting of justice should be a key part of how we apply our faith. If we use our religion to lord it over other people, we have maligned Christ’s ministry. If, however, we focus on the equal rights of all people and see justice as a main emphasis of Christ’s teaching, then we will positively and effectively witness to God’s love and Christ’s grace. In other words, Justice and Jesus are fully entwined; you can’t have one without the other. You can’t serve Jesus without seeking Justice.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I see injustice in my community? How can Christ’s Church seek and support justice for my community?

Prayer:             Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the World, who brings good news to the poor and justice to the oppressed. Help us, as Your followers, to pursue justice in our communities and around the world. 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 questions about today’s message, please send an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings for Trinity Sunday. It’s called the ‘Triune Heart of the Universe.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Heart.

Short devotion: Blue Jays - Romans 5:17

Romans 5:17  For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

            This morning when I drove into the church parking lot, I was surprised to see a flock of blue jays hopping on the grass in front of our Fellowship Hall. They were feeding on something, but as there were no berries on the trees, I wondered what they were eating. As I watched a few of them fly away, I saw that they had small white cubes in their mouths. I quickly realized that they were feeding on the Communion Bread from last Sunday morning!

            After each Communion service, our church elders dispose of the extra bread and wine by emptying the cup’s contents on the grass, as well as scattering the small squares of bread on the lawn. Eventually God’s creatures come and feed on the elements – insects, birds, and small animals. Today, however, was the first time that I have seen any of them actually taking Communion!

            Grace is a wonderful gift that we’ve been given through Christ, so that we may dwell with God in His Eternal Kingdom. Seeing the blue jays feeding on the bread crumbs reminded me of the simple way that my Heavenly Father nourishes me with the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.

            May you experience the richness of God’s grace and the blessing of His goodness today.

Question for reflection

What does Communion mean to me? How have I experienced God’s grace through it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of grace that You purchased for us through the giving of Your Body and Blood. We know that we do not deserve such a bounteous blessing, so we are humbly grateful for what You have done and what we have been given. 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 comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Short devotion - Really Good News - Acts 13:38

Acts 13:38       “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

We all do things that we later regret. We all make mistakes that can’t be rectified. Each of us lives with guilt on our consciences and shame in our hearts. We are human and fallible, prone to failure and imperfection. It’s a sad and sinful part of who we are; none of us are perfect and not one of us is free from sin.

Left to ourselves, we would have no opportunity of being reconciled to a holy, sacred, sinless, and perfect God. The great fact of history is this: we are not left to ourselves. Through Jesus, we can be forgiven; by Christ, we can be reconciled to God.

Some people talk about the Church as being outdated, old-fashioned, and irrelevant, but so long as people are selfish, sinful, and foolish, the Church will never become irrelevant. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people across the world discover Jesus as their Savior. Every night, billions of people ask for forgiveness and seek His favor. In the eternal scheme of things, the world is already outdated and will become old-fashioned and irrelevant beyond the gates of Heaven.

With Jesus as our gracious Savior, today is the continuing first day in the rest of our eternal lives. That’s what I call really good news – now let’s go out and share it with other people…J

Questions for personal reflection

What has been the gravest mistake of my life? How has Jesus forgiven me?

 Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the world and the Holy One to whom we belong. Our past mistakes are completely forgiven. Our future hopes rest in Your Kingdom. Help us to share the goodness of Your love and forgiveness to others around us. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully 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 from a new series of church banners that John is currently designing. This drawing is called “Banner 01.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8706417998_4c1a0953e9_b.jpg