Worthiness - 1 Corinthians 3:16

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (NIV)

            There are days when all of us go through some sort of depression or low self-esteem. It may come after a family argument, or when a project fails, or as a result of being unjustly accused. We may feel worthless and empty, of no value to anyone or totally insignificant. We may think less of our gifts and strength and more about weaknesses and faults, especially when we see others around us accomplish much with their lives and be successful. It happens to all of us and if you remember Christ’s struggles throughout His life, you also know He hit rock bottom, too. (John 6:60-66)

            Today’s highlighted verse is a great comfort to me when I’m feeling down. It reminds me that God’s Spirit dwells within me, sinner though I am and so unworthy of such a presence. This tells me that God thinks more about me than I do of myself. Because God loves me, I understand that I am a child of His grace and still a servant of His Son.

            No matter what you’re going through and no matter what you’ve done; no matter how bad you feel about yourself or your present circumstances, please know this: God’s Spirit abides within you and in His eyes, you are precious, accepted, and loved, not just at this time, but forever.

Point to ponder

Am I feeling down about myself? Do I know that God loves me truly?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us so completely that You sacrificed Yourself so that we may be restored to God’s favor and love. In those dark moments when we are down and depressed, let Your Spirit embrace and sustain us from within. 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 send feedback about today’s message, send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s recent lectionary drawings based on a verse from Isaiah called “Diadem.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Diadem.

Work in Progress - Acts 23:11

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (NIV)

            When we think about Paul encountering Christ, we tend to recall the story of Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. However, in today’s passage, Acts 23:1-11, we discover that Jesus also visits Paul while he is languishing in a Jerusalem cell. After the rough treatment he received that day, Paul must have wondered if he was going to escape with his life. I think that he would have been worried about either being lynched by the angry mob or crucified by the Roman guards. In either case, his death would have ended his mission for Christ and someone else would have to become the flag bearer of taking the Gospel to the Gentiles.

            But God was not finished with Paul, so in a moment of reassurance and grace, Christ comes to Paul in the barrack cell and lets him know that his work will still carry on. “Take courage!” Christ says, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

            This would have been good news to Paul, though not because his life was being extended. Paul knew that the Gospel of Christ needed to be preached and heard in Rome at the heart of the Empire. Paul would do whatever he could to get there, which would involve a direct appeal to Caesar because he was a Roman citizen. It would be the pinnacle of his mission; it would be the top moment of his work for Christ.

            Sometimes we think that God has finished with us and our work for Him is over, but as long as we have life and faith, we can serve God in many important ways. We can pray for our churches; we can increase our Biblical knowledge, and we can continually share our faith in loving and effective ways with the people we encounter. All we have to do is to continue to take each daily opportunity that God gives us to serve Him faithfully, loyally, and effectively.

Point to ponder

What work of service has God given me to do in my church and community? Am I willing to continue that mission?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we each have different gifts and abilities which can serve and honor You throughout our lives. Help us to discern Your role for us in Your Kingdom. 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 him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Love and Perseverance - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

2 Thessalonians 3:5   May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (NIV)

            I like today’s chosen verse because it is full of encouragement. All of us want to experience God’s love in our hearts and feel the assurance of His compassion. We all need to know that we are not alone in this world and that God loves each of us fully. This is a wonderful gift of grace and something that we can faithfully rely upon.

            But there’s also a bonus in this verse: Christ adds His perseverance to that beautiful love of God. This means that no matter what we anticipate, experience, or endure, Jesus will be right there with us, every step of the way. In colloquial terms, it could be said that Christ has our back and is constantly watching over us. God’s love make us feel secure and strong; Christ’s perseverance enables us to face our problems, issues, and troubles, in order to resolve and overcome them.

            Perhaps this has been a bad week, or a terrible month, or even a painful year for you. You may currently feel isolated and vulnerable, anxious or depressed. Whatever you are going through, please know this: God loves you and Christ walks beside you. You are not unloved or alone.

Questions for personal reflection

What problems am I facing today? How can God’s love and Christ’s perseverance help me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we know that You are always with us and that God’s love sustains us. Persevere with us in the midst of our troubles and graciously enable us to overcome our problems. 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 contact him, please send John an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Christ is King Sunday drawings. If you would like to see a larger version, please click this link: King.

Daily Devotional - Hope for the Weary - Isaiah 50:4a

Isaiah 50:4a    The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.

            We all get weary at times and wonder what life is really about. Some of us are over-worked and under pressure much of the time. Others are over-worried and fighting depression. Some folks are lonely and barely manage to get through each day. Still others find life hard to endure especially when family, friends, or loved ones are struggling, too.

            Being human means that we will experience good days and bad days, broken dreams and unfulfilled promises, hardships and perhaps even hostility. However, it’s good to know that we are pilgrims passing through this planet, heading towards something else, something bigger, and something better.

            Being human also means that we can appreciate beauty, kindness, love, and peace. We can be inspired by others, encouraged through their words, and comforted with their presence. In the midst of our worries and weariness, good friends and faithful people can make all the difference. The Irish often say that all people need is ‘a kind word and a smile’ – which are great gifts to receive and are wonderful blessings to share.

            When we take time to read the scriptures, we often find verses and passages that reflect our current experiences. This reminds us that God’s Word is alive and relevant, with the potential to sustain us in times of trouble and encourage us in days of joy.

Questions for personal reflection

How am I feeling today? Am I willing to ask God to guide and sustain me with His Word?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing Your Spirit to be present with us each day. You know everything that we are experiencing; You understand all that we are currently going through. Encourage and sustain us; embrace and remain with us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to send him a message, please send an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is an old drawing of John’s called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: New.

Half Time devotion: Hope and Strength - Psalm 31:24

Psalm 31:24  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

            This is one of my favorite verses from the Bible. When I read or hear it, it reminds me that faith is a mysterious mixture of hope and love. I place my hope in Christ because He loves me. I love the God of my heart because He sustains my hope. This is what I experience as faith. This is what I know to be personally true for me.

            Life isn't fair and sometimes we struggle through each day. We all have troubles and disappointments in our lives. We all experience times of sadness and loss. We all have difficulties to overcome and problems to solve. Today’s Bible verse doesn't fix our issues or cure our ills, but it does enable us to cope, to endure, and to eventually get through whatever we are facing.

            Like you, I muddle through each day as best as I possibly can. I take what comes and try to maintain a course that will steer me through whatever confronts me. The source of my strength comes from God, and my ability to deal with my problems is empowered by Christ. Without Him, I am both hopeless and helpless. With Him, I am hopeful and strong.

            Whatever you are personally going through at this time, please know this: God gives strength to the weak and hope to the helpless. You are not alone and you are loved. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Questions for personal reflection

What problems am I currently facing? Am I relying upon God for the strength I need? Am I hoping for His support and guidance?

Prayer:           Lord Jesus, You once said that each day has enough trouble of its own, in order to remind us not to worry about tomorrow. Be with us today and guide all of our responses and decisions. Let us know of Your comforting and abiding presence in our lives. 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 today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

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