September 15 devotion - A Simpler Path

Acts 2:46         Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

            I envy the First Christians. Their faith seemed very simple and straightforward. They worshipped and studied each day, and made time to frequently share meals and break bread together. They weren’t encumbered with almost two thousand years of ecclesiastical history, denominational divisions, or cultural conflicts. They just simply, purely, and innocently practiced their faith in cheerful, faithful, and joyful ways.

            Where did we go wrong? What moved us off the simpler path to Christ? Christians today are fiercer than ever and fighting battles that are not important. Whenever I read something belligerently written by some Christian group, whether they be conservatives or progressives, which berates the other side, I feel bad inside. In the past, I’ve created and contributed to these self-righteous invectives, but I’ve now reached a point where I ask myself this: what does it prove? How does it help Christ’s Kingdom? What do people outside of the Church think of us?

            I’d like to get back to those simpler days of sharing the Gospel and breaking bread together. I’d like things between all Christians to change, so I know that it has to begin with me. I may not get it right all of the time; I hope I don’t wander from the simpler path, but I know that the Church – whether local, national, or even international – can’t go on beating itself with its own stick. The world is broken and we need to be healers sent from Christ, but we can only do that if we honestly heal ourselves of our self-sustained prejudice, arrogance, and ignorance.

Questions for reflection

What is the role of the Church in the world? How does it present that role in my local community?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all sinners saved by Your grace, but sometimes we forget that we are essentially unworthy and unholy. Redirect our lives and re-position us on a simpler path of faith. Cleanse us of ecclesiastical arrogance and cultural conflict. Teach us Your Way, so that we can faithfully present Your Truth and live Your Life. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently 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 :)

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

Short devotions: Shifting Sands - Matthew 7:24

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 19:9-17 and Matthew 7:24-29

Matthew 7:24              “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” 

Sadly for all of us, we’re not listening to Jesus anymore and this may be why our civilization is crumbling. The world is broken, but the compassionate voice of healing and wholeness is being ignored. Christ’s words and ways have helped our churches and communities for centuries, even during the most troubling of times. To call God ‘Father’ was once a comforting expression of hope. To call Jesus ‘Lord’ was to place Him at the center of our lives. Unfortunately we have wandered so far from God and compartmentalized our faith so much that we don’t what’s right or wrong, real or unreal, or true or trustworthy anymore.

It’s obvious that society is becoming more fearful, injured, and wounded each year. Violence and greed, anger and anarchy, immorality and insensitivity are becoming the hallmarks of our sad generation and we are wallowing in a mire of wasted lives, wasted resources, and wasted potential. The sinking sands of our self-centered ways are ruining this beautiful planet, and the Church, which used to be the bedrock of wisdom, strength, and faith, has become a hapless caricature of what it once was, and at times a helpless creature to our restless world.

To replant our feet on solid ground, we’ve got to patiently hear Christ’s message again and faithfully apply His words. If we truly want the world to be healed and transformed, then that positive change has to begin within our own individual souls. We have to get right with God and get tight with Christ. We have to intentionally rebuild our hopes on the promises of God and the teachings of Jesus. Everything else is just shifting sands.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we have tried to be good Christians in the world, but sometimes we have been misled by our good intentions into building our faith atop of shifting sands. We have listened to ourselves too much and we have forgotten how to truly listen to You. Forgive our foolish and reckless ways. Lead us back to the solid rock of faith and hope, so that we may glorify You with our lives, our choices, and our ways. 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 on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings. It’s called “Winter Mill” and features the Glade Creek Mill in West Virginia during snowfall. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6323857053_990bded2f2_b.jpg

John’s drawings are becoming collectible and make unique & inexpensive Christmas gifts. If you would like to view his entire collection online, please visit his website at www.stushieart.com