Listening to Jesus - Mark 4:9

Mark 4:9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (NIV)

            As a child, I often got into trouble for doing the wrong things, despite being pre-warned by my parents. I can still hear them saying to me, “This would never have happened if you had listened in the first place.” As a teenager, I promised to follow their instructions, but I still ended up making foolish choices which put me in reckless situations that I was lucky to survive. And then as a young man, instead of heeding the words of my family and friends, I almost destroyed my life completely through alcohol. In all of those circumstances, I just didn’t listen to the advice I was given. I wanted to make my own decisions and only ended up learning things the hard way.

            In the Gospel passage (Mark 4:1-20) where Jesus tells and explains the parable of the sower, I can hear some of His frustration with His own people. He has come among them to bring the good news of their salvation through the gracious Word of God. He is attempting to tell them, by means of this parable, about the consequences of listening to and applying God’s Word. Some of them get it and bear a fruitful faith, but most of them either discard His words or take them for granted and end up being fruitless. He is giving them the opportunity of a lifetime to get reconnected to God, but they just don’t listen and become separated from God forever.

            Christ’s words still challenge us across the centuries and His parable is highly relevant in today’s world. Sadly, some folks who consider themselves to be Christians are taking Jesus for granted and tossing away their opportunity of being saved. Instead of listening to His words, they make up their own beliefs and end up falling away. What little faith they have is fruitless, so whatever life they make for themselves is eternally pointless. They are choked with the cares of the world instead of cherishing the Word of God. In the end, they leave Jesus no choice but to say, “If only they had listened.”

Point to ponder

Is my faith fruitful or empty? Am I hearing what Christ has to say or just listening to my own voice?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, speak to our spirits and guide us to Your godliness. Open our ears to hear Your word and let our hearts embrace Your teaching so that we may bear a fruitful faith. Keep us from taking Your for granted and remind us of our dependence on You alone to restore us to God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

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

Faith devotion: Solomon's Sin - 1 Kings 11:1-13

Click on the links for today’s Bible readings: 1 Kings 11:1-13 and Revelation 18:1-10

1 Kings 11:4   As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

             I feel sad for old King Solomon. Things did not turn out well for him. At first, his reign brought in a golden age of prosperity, esteem, and power. He was blessed by God with wisdom, so that powerful people from near and far sought his personal advice. His kingdom expanded as his reign endured. He had more wealth than many other kings, and he certainly had more wives than anyone else in the Bible! And yet, for all of these blessings and gifts from God, Solomon went astray.

             Instead of honoring God, Solomon began to indulge himself. Rather than being devoted to the Lord, he devoted himself to his own selfish desires. In other words, he gave up his faith and replaced it with fantasy; he set aside his beliefs by displacing them with banality. Solomon wrecked his reign with idolatry, immorality, and indecency. He killed the newly born kingdom with his carnality, as well as his contempt for God. Instead of growing older and wiser, he became solo-centric and foolish. Whatever his accomplishments were at the beginning of his reign, they were totally eclipsed by his depravity and desertion of God in his later years.

             Added to this sadness, was the fact that the people in his kingdom followed the same route away from God. The whole nation became profligate and prodigal. The Holy Temple, which had been recently built as a sacred place where God’s presence was experienced, became an empty place. Like Solomon, the people returned to pagan ways worshipping nature, adoring the stars, and sacrificing their children. In only one generation, faith was forgotten and God was neglected. Solomon and his people forsook the LORD and so, in turn, God also abandoned them to their apostasy.

             How does this affect us three thousand years later? What lesson is here that we can learn, appreciate, and apply? I personally think that this passage of scripture (1 Kings 11:1-13) is both cautionary and challenging. It confronts our own ways and the decrease of our own worship of God, as well as our Christian beliefs. Are we as faithful to God now as we were ten, twenty, or even fifty years ago? Do we still live Christo-centric lives, or have we also become solo-centric? As we grow older, have we become closer or further away from God? These are very important personal questions, the answers to which both only we as individuals and God fully know. We may deceive other folks and delude ourselves, but we cannot ever fool God.

Questions for personal reflection

How has my commitment to Christ changed over the last ten years? Am I nearer to God now or further away?

Prayer:            Lord God, You know absolutely everything about us, so we cannot fool You with our words and ways, our good intentions or personal promises. Challenge us today, so that we may make the serious changes needed in our lives to become more committed, devoted, and faithful to You. In the Name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin 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 summer drawings called ‘Sunflower Power.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Sunflowers.

Encouragement Devotion: Everlasting Blessings - Luke 20:36

Luke 20:36     “And they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.”

I love verses like this from the Bible because they offer an everlasting hope of blessings yet to come. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not wishing for death – life is beautiful – but at the end of all this beauty and wonder, it’s comforting to know that there is something more wonderful yet to be experienced. This is why I am a Christian, and this is why I believe that Christianity offers the best hope of our earthly lives.

To be like an angel and a child of the resurrection is a precious gift that only Jesus can bring. When He spoke to the Sadducees, who did not believe in life beyond death, He did not condemn them for their beliefs. Instead, Jesus attempted to enlighten them in a charming and attractive way. He told them that all are alive to God, even those who are dead, because we all have eternal souls. I recently read a wonderful statement about this: “We are not human beings seeking an everlasting spiritual experience; we are eternal spiritual beings having a human experience.”

As a Christian, I want all of my family and friends, my neighbors and colleagues to live in the eternal blessings of God’s loving presence, so I have to try to share my faith with them. And I am certain that you want those blessings for your loved ones as well. The great news is this: Jesus can show us how to do that in a charming, attractive, and effective way.

Questions for personal reflection

Whom do I dearly love in this earthly life? Have I lovingly shared my Christian faith with them?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, they are people in our lives whom we dearly love and yet they do not truly know You. Help us to share our faith with them in loving and charming ways, so that they may be drawn closer to You and receive Your Gospel in their hearts. 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 about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s latest nativity drawing called “Star Song.” Every year, John draws unique nativity scenes which are used by many Christian groups and churches all across the world. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8075856657_2c44d4c75a_b.jpg

Daily devotions: The Language of Heaven - Genesis 12:1

Genesis 12:1   The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”

Genesis 12v1 was the very first Bible verse that I ever had to read, pronounce, and translate in Hebrew and it got me hooked on studying the Old Testament at Glasgow University in Scotland. My professor, Robert Davidson, was an outstanding biblical scholar and when he gently spoke the verses in Hebrew, you could hear from his voice how much he loved the ancient language in his heart. As he lyrically pronounced each word and syllable, I yearned to study Hebrew. It was a new part of my faith journey into ministry and it’s something that I still cherish.

Prof. Davidson made the text come alive and created an amazing picture of Abram’s journey to Canaan with his descriptions. He was Old School, which meant that he had been a parish pastor before becoming a university professor. This also meant that his lectures, which were full of wonderful research and knowledge, were also grounded in grass roots faith. Years later, he became the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and is still regarded as one of the finest spiritual leaders that Caledonia has ever known.

God commanded Abram to leave all that was familiar to him and go to a land that he had never seen. Abram’s obedient response puts a whole chain of events into motion that still affects many of us today. Three great faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – are born in that amazing moment. Abram’s blind acceptance of God’s Word not only affects his immediate family, it changes the history of the world.

Today God will call each of us to do His bidding, some of which may have life changing effects upon our lives, our families, and even our careers. The question we may have to ask of ourselves is not whether we are willing to listen to Him, but are we willing to listen and obey God?

Prayer:                        Lord God, we each believe that You have a plan for our lives, a call to our hearts, and a ministry to fulfill. Help us to be ready, willing, and able to accept Your Word, work, and way for our lives. In Christ’s 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 John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of my latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost People” and is a simple depiction of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/7238891276_57f5062184_b.jpg

Free Daily devotions: Alaskan Hummingbirds - Psalm 91 v4

Psalm 91:4      He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

I just watched an amazing video on Youtube this morning. A man was feeding hummingbirds from his hand in Alaska. Now first of all, I didn’t realize that hummingbirds went there. I thought it would be too far north and too cold. Every year, they fly 2,500 miles from Mexico to Alaska which in itself is astounding. How on earth those tiny little birds fly such a distance is beyond me.

Anyway, the man was taking pictures of hummingbirds at a feeder when he noticed that some of them were flying towards the red strip on the strap of his camera. It made him wonder that if he put red nectar in his hand, would the birds be attracted and feed from his palm? The results are remarkable to watch.

The wee birds rest on the man’s hand and those of his children. They feel safe and secure, knowing and feeling that no harm will come to them. The hummingbirds feed constantly and their birdsongs seem to express their delight.

I think that’s what the psalmist was trying to communicate when he penned the words “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” He writes of the security that faith can bring and he expresses his complete confidence in God. No matter what he faces, he will be secure beneath the feathers of God’s wings.

That’s a message that we all need to hear. Some of us are perhaps currently experiencing difficulties and crises that make us wonder where and when they will end. Knowing that God holds us securely in the midst of our trials can help us endure our troubles and give us hope for the future. As Jesus Himself once said, “Come to me, all of you who are heavy burdened, and I will give rest for your weary souls.”

Prayer:             Lord Jesus, You completely know everything that is going in our lives. We place You at the center of all that we are enduring and ask that You lovingly hold us and keep us safe. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Today’s image is John’s drawing of a hummingbird feeding. If you would like to see a larger version, please click the following link:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4400739464_fbcc5af539_b.jpg

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to leave feedback on today’s message, please make a comment in the comments section or send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

You can also view the Alaskan hummingbird video at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUEZkwJulBY&feature=player_embedded

Free Daily Devotions: Against the Tide - Zephaniah 3 v 16

Zephaniah 3:16                 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

I felt sorry for the Texas Longhorn quarterback last night. Five plays into the game, he was injured and had to be benched. He saw his team battle bravely from the sidelines, but the Alabama players were just too much for them. Without their leader, the Longhorns were no match for their Crimson Tide opponents. The whole team didn’t play well at all because their potential for success was diminished when McCoy was injured.

Today’s passage from Zephaniah is about restoring God’s people after many years of exile, oppression, and defeat. The prophet has been inspired by the Holy Spirit to lift up the hearts of the people and cheer them with good news about being rescued by God. Instead of being afraid and letting their hands hang limply by their sides, Zephaniah is encouraging his people to reclaim their hopes and lift up their arms in praise of God’s power and presence in the community. Instead of being hopeless, God’s people become hopeful. Rather than languishing in fear, they are being led back to their faith in God.

At the start of each New Year, we all have hopes and dreams mixed with some fears and worries. The promises of restoration and salvation are given to us so that we may rejoice in God’s grace and be assured of His care. We are not isolated or alone, forgotten or abandoned. God is still in our midst, battling for His people and bringing them back to Christ, His Holy Son.

So let’s raise our arms and voices to praise our God. Let’s fill our hearts with faith to overcome our fears and allow Jesus to joyfully lead us through another year of faith, hope, and love.

Prayer:                 Lord Jesus, You are our Leader and Savior, our Sovereign and Guide. Throughout our days, You are willing to show us God’s work in the world. You are the One who inspires our dreams and empowers us to fulfill our lives in meaningful and abundant ways. Thank You for Your words. Thank You for Your guidance. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Hottest New Presbyterian Game: Jesus Says!

All week long, I watched the 218th General Assembly. It astounded me how many times people stated that Jesus would do this or say that to bolster their arguments. What a load of baloney! None of us were around with Jesus in New Testament times. We have no earthly idea about what He would do or say with regard to our cultural dilemmas and ecclesiastical issues. We question the authenticity of the Gospels and the authority of the scriptures. We transfer our own cultural preferences and see our own societal prejudices in the texts that were written by the people who truly knew Him.

We are a bunch of narcissistic hypocrites looking to justify our politically correct ways and cultural orientations. We cast aside our allegiance to Christ because we don’t want to submit to Him. We change what the Bible says because we want everybody to like us. And then we get up to the microphones and tell other people what Jesus would do as if He’s our best buddy, turning Him into a theological ventriloquist’s dummy by putting words into His mouth and thoughts into His head.

Bovine manure! We are the biggest bunch of failed followers in the history of Christianity and we have so diluted the Gospel that we have deluded ourselves into shaping Jesus like play dough and making Him a bobblehead character to sit beside our PCs. Our modern Presbyterianism is a theological tacky, mood manufactured, and cheapened grace of a faith. Even the word faith is false when applied to us – we have spiritual trends, and that’s about all.

Perhaps we still have time left. Perhaps we can return to what we once were. Perhaps the Church will go through a revival, instead of cultural capitulation and doctrinal denial. Philippians 2:9-11 can be our starting point.

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

4 Minute devotions: Going Paddling

I used to love “going paddling” in the Firth of Clyde before it connects with the Irish Sea. Each summer, Evelyn and I would take our kids down to the beach to build sandcastles, look for shells, and “go paddling” in the water.

Podcast version here

Only adults went paddling – usually adult men. They went down to the shore with their children, took off their shoes and socks, rolled up their trousers to above the knees, and sometimes tied a clean handkerchief like a bandana to their heads. They paddled along the shore line, knee deep in the water, looking after their swim-suited children who were swimming, playing, and laughing in the sea. The purpose of the beach paddler was to keep their children from going too far out.

I loved it and often wish each summer for those halcyon days to return. I enjoyed watching my kids play, and of being their protector from the mighty sea.

Ezekiel 47:4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.

Today’s verse from Ezekiel reminds me of those days, but it’s also a picture of the depths of faith that we each have in God. I remember an old pastor giving a tremendously simple sermon on this passage, in which he challenged the whole congregation to review their relationship with God. “Have you a faith that is ankle deep, knee deep, waist high, or over your heads? Are you willing to trust God completely, or just a little bit at a time?” It was a great sermon and one that I have cherished in my heart for decades.

So, I guess the message for us all this morning is this: are we prepared to be deeply faithful to God and surrender ourselves to Jesus, or are we still inclined to just “go paddling” on the shore line of commitment?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know what we face this week, what fears we have, and what our faith commitment is to You. Help us to reach out to You completely, so that when we are confronted with hard choices and serious decisions, the depth of our faith will enable us to take the right action. Thank You for Your protection and guidance, Your counsel and presence with us each day. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.

Feb 3: Four Chaplains Day by Act of Congress

Today, February 3rd, is known as “Four Chaplains Day.” It was designated this title by Congress after a heroic act by four military chaplains who were serving on the S.S Dorchester during World War 2. Rev. Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed), Rev. George Lansing Fox (Methodist), Father John Washington (Roman Catholic priest) and Alexander David Goode (a Jewish Rabbi) sacrificed their lives as their ship went down.

The Dorchester, which was transporting 904 troops, was torpedoed by a U-Boat on Feb 3, 1943. The initial torpedo killed more than 100 young soldiers and the second plunged the ship into darkness. The survivors panicked and scrambled, trying to find life jackets. In the midst of all the disarray and chaos, the four chaplains worked with then men, bringing order with their words of assurance and prayers.

The chaplains gave up their own life jackets to save four others. As the Dorchester finally began to sink, the four chaplains were seen linking their arms together. They had all been friends since their days at Chaplain school at Harvard University. Witnesses said that they heard two prayers amid the screams of pain and horror that permeated the cold dark night. It was the strong voices of the Chaplains. "Shema Yisroel Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echod." "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done."

Looking back they saw the slanting deck of the Dorchester, its demise almost complete. Braced against the railings were the Four Chaplains...praying...singing, giving strength to others by their final valiant declaration of faith. Their arms were linked together as they braced against the railing and leaned into each other for support, Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling, and Father Washington. Said one of the survivors, "It was the finest thing I have ever seen this side of heaven."

Today is also Transfiguration Sunday. The word ‘transfiguration’ means a remarkable display of God’s Glory, which illuminates the person, notably Moses, Jesus, and Stephen from the Bible. Perhaps, in the darkness of February 3rd 1943, God’s glory was also seen in the sacrifices of Rev. Clark Poling, Rev. George Lansing Fox, Father John Washington, and Rabbi Alexander David Goode.



You can read a full account of their story at

http://www.homeofheroes.com/brotherhood/chaplains.html



John Stuart is pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee

Does Anyone Remember "The Whirlybirds?"

I love helicopters. Ever since the days of the “Whirlybirds” television series way back in the early sixties, I have been fascinated with this type of aircraft. I used to spend hours pouring over old black and white photographs of helicopters, learning names like Sikorsky and Chinook and voicing them as if they were sacred incantations. Even today, whenever I hear the rumbling of the rotary blades in the sky, I have to stop what I’m doing and look up. Evelyn thinks I’m crazy, especially when I unexpectedly run out of the house just to look at them. One day, I’ll muster enough courage to go up in a helicopter and enjoy the scenery below.

However, what seems marvelous to me about helicopters isn’t shared by the rest of my family. In fact, when I’m busy watching helicopters traverse across the sky, people around me don’t bother to look. After all, it’s just a helicopter – what’s so special about that? Fifty years ago, they were not common where I came from, but these days we see Army, Rescue, Police, TV and Radio helicopters all over the place, so what’s the big deal? I guess for me, it’s about reliving the wonder of childhood and a boyish fascination with Whirlybirds. It lets me know that the child within me is still there.

Verse of the Day

Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty.

When Zechariah speaks about the wonders that God will perform by returning His people to Jerusalem, it will seem incredible to the Jews, but not to God. The people will be astounded and amazed that God still cares for them, but to God it will be His usual way of fulfilling His promises. The exiled Jews will declare their deliverance as a miracle; the Lord will see it as keeping His word.

The lesson that we can all learn from this is that God’s Word remains true throughout the ages. He still performs marvelous deeds and miraculous works in the world, which are extraordinary to us but just normal to Him. God doesn’t see Himself as a performer of miracles; He identifies Himself as a keeper of His Word. If we honestly try to live our lives in godly way, then we don’t have to be powerful or mighty, dynamic and energetic. All that we have to do to be godly is to keep our word.

Prayer: Father God, throughout the centuries You have remained true to Your word. You have sustained our planet and this universe simply by the power of Your will. We live because You allow us time. We exist because You care for Your creation. These things are marvelous in our eyes, but simple, normal acts of love in Yours. We bless and praise You, Almighty God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Lord is not OK with it, Fred

Fred Thompson's remarks yesterday about him being OK with the Lord and the Lord is OK with him, shows either disrespect to God or ignorance about the Christian faith.

Matthew 26:40 Then Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.

Our congregation, like any other in existence, has more church members than weekly worship attenders. Over any given 13 week period, I think we have at least sixty percent of our members and their families attend at least one Sunday. It’s really sad, but it is a trend that is happening around the nation. People are turning worship into an extra-curriculum exercise or leisure pursuit. They won’t dare miss an episode of one of their favorite TV shows, but worshiping God is something that they can give and take as they please.

I’ve tried hard to impress upon people how important worshiping God actually is, but to no avail. In our free-spirited society, even church members take God for granted and only use Him in emergencies. They don’t believe that they’re harming themselves or that God cares about something as unimportant as going to church on Sunday. I don’t know where they’ve gotten that idea; it’s certainly not in the Bible. Jesus and his disciples gathered at the synagogue every Sabbath, and even after His glorious Resurrection and Ascension, Christ’s apostles gathered at the temple for weekly worship. Anyone who thinks that we can glibly turn up when we feel like it and expect God to be pleased, is being careless with their faith. Even Fred Thompson, one of the Republican candidates for President, stated yesterday that he was the religious conservative’s choice…and then went on to say that he didn’t go to church! Who’s he kidding?

To truly worship God means to turn up when we don’t feel like it. When we treat worship as a respectful obligation to God, just as Jesus did, then we can truly begin to call ourselves Christians. Otherwise, we’re just dabbling in the faith and have no real relationship with God at all.

To highly independent people, this will read like religiosity, forcing them to submit their lives to God’s rules instead of their own. And they’re absolutely right, because the word “worship” in the Bible means to bow down painfully before God in a position that is totally uncomfortable. In other words, it’s a humiliating experience when we realize that we are made for God’s commands, and are not creatures of our own comfort.

It’s time that the Church stopped softening the message to appease the feelings of those who take God for granted. Jesus wouldn’t have put up with any of that empty spiritual nonsense, so why should we?

In the midst of all our busy weekly lives, can’t we at least keep watch with Christ for just one hour?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, shake us and move us, challenge us and change us. We falsely think that You fully accept our ideas and opinions about worship. We fool ourselves into believing that we’re OK with You and You’re OK with us. Keep us from deluding our hearts and deceiving our minds. Get us back into church on a regular basis to worship and glorify You, especially on those Sundays when we’re too busy or don’t feel like it. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Everlasting Joy and a Scottish Highland Cow

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always

My brother Alan is a great photographer and he recently posted a picture of a Scottish Highland Cow. I’m thinking of creating a poster with it and putting today’s verse below it. The Scottish cow is one of the most somber creatures on earth, which never seems to smile. It has long horns and equally long shaggy red hair. It’s a dearly beloved animal in Scotland and once seen, you never forget them. (I’ve tried to insert Alan’s picture with this devotional).

When Paul writes to the Thessalonian church and urges them to be joyful always, he isn’t ordering them to stick a smile on their faces everywhere they go. There’s nothing worse than meeting Christians with that phony tele-evangelist smile on their faces that you know is incredibly insincere. He’s talking about the joy that we are meant to carry in our hearts each day because we know that we have been saved by Jesus. Of all people on earth, Christians should have an inward happiness, and a blessed assurance within them.

Now that doesn’t mean that we don’t get upset, or experience sadness and remorse. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t know those kinds of emotions in our lives. Having an ever present joy, in the midst of all sorts of circumstances, means holding on to that hope in our hearts that Christ will carry us, cherish us, and embrace us during the best of times and the worst of moments.

I don’t know what kind of day you are having right now, or what kinds of issues that you are facing. You may be emotionally stretched to your limit, angry or fearful, insecure and uncertain. Whatever you are experiencing, know that Christ is right there with you, carrying you and loving you, holding you and comforting you. In Him, there is a peace and joy that passes all understanding and knows no barriers or limitations.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Savior and for dealing with us lovingly, patiently, and compassionately. We adore You for the many ways in which You cherish and support us. Fill our hearts with Your joy, so that we may become effective servants and witnesses of Your everlasting Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Erin Church devotions: Nov 1 - Every Christian is a Saint Today

Acts 26:17, 18 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Today is All Saints’ Day in the Christian Calendar. We don’t usually celebrate it as Presbyterians, but Roman Catholics are required to go to mass today, for this is what’s called a Feast of Obligation. To them, it’s one of the holiest days in the year. There are more than 365 saints in the Roman Catholic Church, so a special day was set aside to commemorate and celebrate all the saints who ever lived on earth. It’s a day to give thanks to God for the past witnesses of church leaders and holy people. It’s also a day to make special prayers to your favorite saint from the past, in the hope that he or she will intercede on your behalf.

But Presbyterians don’t celebrate this day because we don’t believe in the veneration of saints. Instead, we believe in the sanctifying (making of saints) of the people of God through the conversion of our souls and the forgiveness of our sins. That's the process that the apostle Paul is expressing here. He’s talking about the saintliness of ordinary people through the extraordinary holiness of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, for Presbyterians to celebrate All Saints Day, we should remember the people who have made a positive impact in our lives with regard to the faith that we carry in our hearts and minds. We should give thanks for the Sunday school teachers and pulpit preachers who have helped us to become Christians. We should honor those who work hard for our local congregations in our ministry and mission programs. We should remember those who work in foreign lands bringing the Gospel to millions of people throughout the earth. And we should also remember our own service to the Lord in our congregations and communities.

So let this day be sanctified in all of our hearts. Let it be an occasion to be grateful for the saints in each of our lives who bring us closer to the Lord. And let’s also look for positive opportunities to be Christ’s sanctified servants to all whom we meet and encounter today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for this special day and for all the saints who are working for Your Kingdom here on earth. Thank You for their focus and faith, their devotion and dedication, their example and encouragement. Bless and sanctify all of us, so that we may faithfully and effectively carry on Your ministry and mission to our community and world. In your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Erin Church Devotions: Dealing with Anxiety

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Exodus 14:12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (NIV)

When I first became a Christian, I found it tough to try to live up to Christ’s standards. I wanted to remain the same, and for Christ to be different. I wanted Him to accept who I was, instead of me accepting His terms of belief. I wanted Jesus to be my friend, my pal, my best buddy, especially during those times when I wanted to go out and get drunk, paint the town red, and do whatever I desired. In other words, I wanted Christ to save me, but to still let me do what I had always done.

But being double-minded just didn’t work. I was always fighting within myself to overcome temptation, and then when I failed, I fought with my pride to overcome my need to confess. One moment I was happy with the Lord; the very next I was angry with Him. I’m certain that there was some psychological scarring going on, and old wounds that had never been healed were beginning to fester, as well as pester me.

What was occurring was an ancient work of God. I was being convicted and afflicted by the Holy Spirit, but I didn’t understand it at the time. I had given my heart to Jesus, but not my whole life. I was still keeping some things back, some things that I wanted to possess on my own. The trouble was this: the more I held back from Christ, the less able I was to deal with temptation. The more absorbed I became with my my desires, the less faithful I was to God.

At some point, the struggle reached a point when I had to either give up being a Christian, or go forward in faith. I had to let go of the past and move on with Christ. I had to let go of Egypt, and let God lead me through my spiritual wilderness to Christ’s Promised Land. After struggling for months, I eventually surrendered my soul. It wasn’t easy, but it was the best thing that I have ever done in my life.

Perhaps you’re struggling with an issue from the past, or are deeply troubled about your present circumstances. Maybe you’re pining for the good old days, or fearful of what lies ahead. Whatever you are experiencing, it’s time to surrender it all to Christ and place it in His hands. Being depressed about the past or anxious about the future just saps your energy, well-being, and health. Put yourself in Christ’s arms; He’ll embrace you and all of that baggage that you’re carrying. He’ll help you through the emotional wilderness that you’re in, and lead you to a better life, a more hopeful time, and a brighter day. Trust me; I know this to be true.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to surrender our lives to You today. Give us the courage to let go of our fears and worries, so that we can replace them with faith and assurance in You. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.