On Their Way - 3 John 1:6

3 John 1:6        They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. (NIV)

            I’ve been at Erin Church for more than 21 years and during that time, I’ve watched young children grow up to become wonderful adults. I’m often amazed at how far away most of them now live in the United States, but through email and Facebook, I get to see what they’re doing and accomplishing in their lives.

            As I see their successes, I remember the times they spent in Sunday School, music programs, Vacation Bible school, youth groups and conferences, as well as many of the ministries and missions that our church has supported. I hope and pray that the memories of those events, times, and days will draw them closer to God as they journey through life. Whenever we get to see them back at Erin, we are always delighted to greet them and catch up with their accomplishments.

            I guess what we try to do at Erin with our young people is the Apostle John described so long ago in today’s highlighted verse: we do our utmost to send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It’s a wonderful privilege and a precious gift from God to have young people in any church. I am truly thankful for those who journey through our doors and go out into the world to make their own mark. As always, our hopes and prayers are with them, for we are proud of who they are and love what they become.

Questions for personal reflection

Who are the young people in my life that are still precious to me? What can I pray for them?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the young people in our lives whose energy and enthusiasm, ambitions and goals are still being accomplished. Thank You for the many times that we have faithfully supported and encouraged them. Bless all of their hopes and dreams for the future. 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 comments about this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Young Adult devotion: Hope for Everyone - James 5:19-20

James 5:19-20            My friends, if someone should bring back another who has strayed from the Truth, take note of this: Whoever convinces a sinner to repent of his erroneous ways will rescue that person from death and cover over his many sins. (JSV)

            There is hope for everyone, even the worst of sinners. I know this to be true for I am part of that category. We all make ill-advised choices, especially when we are young adults, some of which can ruin our lives entirely. We follow our own path and determine our own future. We hate being wrong and don't want to repent of or confess our foolish ways. Some of us would rather keep making the same sinful choices rather than admit to being wrong. Being ornery and stubborn, mule headed and strong minded comes with the territory of growing up. What we eventually become is largely based on how willing we are to change direction, especially if we are following a self-centered and self-destructive path.

            When I was addicted to alcohol, I never heeded anyone's advice. My mother wept over me; my father gave up on me; and my friends began to abandon me. I stubbornly refused to concede that I had a problem. I believed that I was right and everybody else was totally wrong. I wouldn’t seek help and almost got myself into a lot of serious trouble. If I hadn't met Christ on the road I was on, I probably would be dead by now. It took His presence in my life and the candid words of His followers, who were my peers, to turn my life around. Their love convinced me to repent. Their understanding and faith saved me from my sinful addiction.

            Sometimes I worry about our young folk at church, college, and in their new careers. Some of them are making foolish choices just like I did, so I pray for them on a regular basis. I want them to know that the lessons of faith they learned as children or teenagers are still relevant in their lives today. I want them to know that when all else fails, Jesus will never let them down. I want them to have a place of acceptance and love, renewal and hope in their lives.They are still, and always will be, children of God’s grace. My fervent prayer is that they will personally know that for themselves in the most crucial time of their beautiful lives.

Questions for personal reflection

Who are the young people in my church? How often do I think about and pray for them?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You personally know the young people in our lives who are part of our family and church. Please be with them this day and bless them with guidance. Let them know that they are fully loved by You, as well as by Your people. Help them to make good choices which will bring positive benefits to their lives. Let all of them experience Your loving embrace. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest Memorial Day drawing called “HERO.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/14115352532_981eecd1a7_b.jpg

Confirmation Devotion: Precious People - 1 Peter 4:16

1 Peter 4:16                However, do not be ashamed if you suffer for being a Christian; instead, praise God that you bear Christ’s name!

            This Sunday, four of our young people will go through the rite of Confirmation at church and publicly declare their faith in Jesus. They are very bright young people and each of them have prepared Faith statements about their Christian beliefs. They have been nurtured spiritually by their families and our congregation, so the whole event will be both a sacred and special time for all of us.

            They are all deep thinkers which is what Presbyterians are known for. However, they are also Presbyterians in the Bible Belt, which is not always easy to practice. Some of them have been have been confronted and demeaned by their evangelical peers, who seem to take great delight in telling them that they are not going to Heaven simply because they are Presbyterians. It must be very hard for our young people during those moments, but they are all strong in their faith and know who they actually are in Christ’s eyes. One day, each of them will become leaders in our church. They have a great potential and we all feel both honored and deeply privileged to have them among us.

            When Peter was writing about the sufferings that Christians were experiencing in his time, he was reminding them that to follow Christ was never easy. During those dangerous times, Christians were persecuted by both Imperial and religious authorities. They were regarded as seditionists whose beliefs were thought to be corrupt and shameful. They were hunted down and arrested, humiliated and executed for believing in a religious fanatic who had been crucified for his criminal behavior.

            I wonder what Peter would have thought of today’s Christians who bait and provoke one another, causing our young people to reject the church? I think that he may have been both disappointed and righteously angry by our pride and arrogance, our heartlessness and hostility. Perhaps it is time to re-learn our faith from our young people; perhaps it is time to seriously rethink about our divisive ways. I know that I have been guilty of this, too. I know that I need to reconsider that how I express myself as a Christian is more important to our young folks than what I actually have to say.

Questions for personal reflection

How do I convey my Christian faith to those around me? Is my witness to Christ effective or aggressive?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, the world is constantly changing and our young people are the most precious gifts that You bring to our churches. Help us all to support them in their faith journeys, to nurture them spiritually, and to encourage them faithfully, so that they may develop their Christian beliefs in productive and positive ways. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings called “After the Fire.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/14077009816_c339a8caf4_b.jpg

Youth devotions: Vital Vision - Acts 2:17

Acts 2:17         ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.’

            Currently, some of our young people are going through the process of Confirmation. Our Youth Leader is doing a wonderful job with them and I’m attending the classes, more as an observer and adviser. As always, when I enter into a church teaching situation, I end up learning more about what I believe. Our young students bring vitality to the faith that we share, and I receive new insights into what they believe and what’s important to them.

            Last night, they composed a new statement of faith based upon what Presbyterians call the ‘Great Ends of the Church.’ Through their minds and with their ideas, I experienced a new understanding of what Church is all about and what it will become to future generations. Instead of being anxious and worried, I was both moved and impressed by what they wrote together. At their Confirmation service, which will take place on the Day of Pentecost, our congregation will use their Statement of Faith in our morning liturgy. Here is what they have brilliantly written:

At Erin Presbyterian Church, we will seek to be God’s people by:

·         Declaring that Jesus Christ is the Savior for all people.

·         Caring for and providing a strong community of faith for all of God’s children.

·         Taking care of godly praise.

·         Keeping the message of God alive.

·         Encouraging the fair treatment of all people everywhere.

·         Showing the world God’s grace.

I think that the future of the Church is in very good hands, don’t you?

Questions for personal reflection

As a teenager, what were my views and vision of the Church? How have I fulfilled that vision in my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of our young people and for the vitality that they bring to our churches. May their thoughts and ideas be aligned to Your future vision of the life, ministry, and mission of the Church to come. 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 concerning today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Holy Week drawings. It’s called “Eye of God” depicting Christ crucified. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8489798601_5bcd371d9b_h.jpg