Sabbath Psalms - My Portion, My Cup

Psalm 16:5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. (NIV)

Like a lot of people, I have felt overwhelmed lately, mainly because of the situations and circumstances of things at home and around the world. Watching the news, hearing political pundits, reading about wars and conflict, as well as worrying about the climate, have flooded my heart, mind, and soul with so much negativity that I sometimes wonder if it’s worth getting out of bed and being in the world. I feel sad and disappointed that human beings display so much hatred and hostility to one another which makes me occasionally think we’re in a downward spiral as far as civilization is concerned. It’s very hard to shake off these feelings and there are also moments when I feel angry at God for letting so many things spin out of control. 

However, I won’t give in or give up. I still believe there is goodness in the world and that through God’s grace, I will rise above these troubles and setbacks. Political leaders may posture and parade their pomposity, as well as their delusions of grandeur; nations may commit genocide and violently wage war with one another, but there will be a time when those who are guilty of these atrocities and such arrogance will be held accountable by the world, by history, and even by God. Powerful men may think they are above the law and can do what they want, but there is always a higher law and a more powerful God watching them, too. 

I like today’s highlighted verse from Psalm 16 because it reminds me that even I have limits. There are people and events that are beyond my control, so the portion that God gives me in life and the cup He expects me to drink are finite. Instead of focusing on things that I cannot change, I need to look at the people and places around me that need my support and help, who in turn can encourage and strengthen me. Instead of using up my emotional and spiritual energy on things that are beyond me, I need to give my attention to the needs in front of me. Rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, I should concentrate on what’s happening now in the portion of life that God has given me. As Jesus once said, “Stop worrying about tomorrow, there are enough concerns to be dealing with today.” (Matthew 6:34). 

Perhaps you are feeling the same burdens of concern and feel broken by recent events. Maybe you’re worrying about what lies ahead and are losing sleep because your mind won’t let go of your anxieties or grief. Please remember that you are only human which means you’re finite, frail, and limited, too. Let go of what you cannot change and let God help you concentrate on what is your portion of concern and your cup of compassion to help heal your community. That’s all God expects of you, so why not expect the same for yourself?

Point to ponder: How burdened am I by the world? Am I willing to be relieved and carried by God?

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we are overwhelmed by things way beyond our control and outside our sphere of influence. Help us to discern the things that we can do to make a difference personally, instead of burdening our lives by wishing we could individually change the entire world. In Christ’s Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Watching Us - Psalm 121:7-8

 

Psalm 121:7-8 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (NIV)

The mindfulness of God is something that I have grown to really appreciate over the years. His constant presence has helped me on many occasions to overcome times of adversity, distress, and tragedy that I thought I would never be able to endure. It wasn’t just that God sustained me during those critical times; He embraced the situation I was in and walked with me through the pain, fear, and confusion. God’s empathy with my sickness and sorrow reassured me; His quiet presence strengthened me and gave me the hope to begin again.

Some people think that God watches over our lives to catch us out and add to our list of sins, so that on the Day of Reckoning God can fully indict us of our defiance, disobedience, and dalliance with sinful choices and deeds. That would make God capricious, a deity who delighted in tormenting our souls and overshadowing our lives with fear. I don’t see that in this scripture. In this text, God watching over us is like that of a parent who is both concerned and aware of what their child is experiencing. Rather than being punitive, God is protective. Instead of being vengeful, God is mindful, so He watches over us with concern and compassion, awareness and love.

I hope that this watchfulness of God will help you through your current experiences; I pray that Gods’ mindfulness will also give you the strength to overcome whatever you are presently enduring.

Point to ponder: Am I aware that God lovingly watches over me? Am I ready to receive His love and compassion?

Prayer: Lord God, You have given us life to experience Your light even in times of suffering and despair. Help us to reach out to You in the midst of what we are presently experiencing, in order to receive and be embraced by Your love. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what’s happening at the church, just click on this link: www.erinpres.org

Today’s image is one of John’s Pentecost drawings called “New Spirit.” You can view a larger version at this link: New Spirit.

Quiet Times - Psalm 71:1

Psalm 71:1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. (NIV)

            The older I get, the more I understand my need for introversion. The world has become a frenzied, noisy, and greedy place that I find difficult to embrace or accept. I cherish quiet places and people, solitary moments and tranquil times more than ever I did. I look forward to taking refuge in God’s cloister of closeness, either by sitting in the back-porch reading, or resting on my bed while listening to classical music. Life doesn’t have to be hectic, filled with torturous timetables or burdened by trivial pursuits that consume my days. I seek God’s peace and look forward to His presence each day. I become a spiritual refugee in His arms; I rest my weary soul in His Son.

            I know that I have responsibilities, tasks, and obligations to fulfill. I understand the need to work and the attention that my vocation requires. I am aware that leadership involves supporting and serving people in many different ways. I embrace and accept all of those important things, but there is a deeper part of me that longs to be alone with God, to quietly surrender my spirit into His hands, and to purposefully ponder on what my personal connection to Christ really involves, and what it will become in Eternity. I am not seeking to escape from the world; I’m just taking refuge in the Creator of the World which is what I’m truly meant to be. The Bible tells us that the peace of God surpasses our understanding, so I guess I’m trying to find and embrace that peace above all else.

            It’s Monday and perhaps you have got a whole list of things to do, tasks to fulfill, and obligations to meet. I hope you succeed in accomplishing and completing all of them. However, may I suggest you add something else: take time to be with God on your own. Find a quiet place and rest in His presence. Seek refuge in His love and remain in His arms for a while. It will do you the world of good and be beneficial for your body, mind, heart, and soul. God bless you with his peace.

Point to ponder

Do I have a timetable for this week? Where can I place time to be with God?

Prayer: Lord God, You created us to be and not to do. Help us to cherish Your presence and to refresh our souls in Your quiet and abiding love. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made most welcome 😊

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

Short devotion: Difficult Days - Psalm 61 v 2

Psalm 61:2    From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

            We all have times when Life seems overwhelming and our problems unsolvable. We get through each day with difficulty and hold on to our sanity by our fingertips. Trying and painful experiences affect us emotionally, whether they come through sickness or grief, insult or injury. In other words, there are times in all of our lives when everything just sucks.

            The Psalms are full of similar moments which is why, when we read them, we connect very quickly to what the writer felt, even though it all happened 3000 years ago. It seems that there is nothing new under the sun after all, so if we turn to the Psalms for guidance and assurance, comfort and grace, we will soon find a verse that fits our present emotional and spiritual needs.

            When King David wrote Psalm 61, he was in distress. He had work problems, family problems, people problems, health problems, and spiritual problems. Even though he was a powerful king, he still felt vulnerable and lonely, isolated and weak. He needed to know that God was with him and looking after him. He needed to experience the closeness of God in a way that would restore his faith, renew his hope, and reaffirm God’s love. As he worked through his dilemma by writing the words of the psalm, David eventually trusted in the Lord - his Rock, Strength, and Salvation.

            Whatever we are facing today, no matter how many or how large our issues and problems may be, we can also look to God through Christ for help and healing, salvation and love. Just as God watched over King David thousands of years ago, He still watches over us today. He is our Rock from on high; He is the source of all our strength.

            Question:      What issues or problems am I presently experiencing? Am I willing to seek God’s guidance and comfort to overcome them?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, we call You our Savior because You rescue us from so many different things, but especially our sinful and selfish ways. You understand us completely and know all of our present problems. Grant us the strength we need and the guidance we require to endure and overcome our chief concerns. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest winter drawing called “A Winter’s Night.” If you would like to view a larger version, click on this link: Winter.

Erin devotions: Joyful Dreams

Psalm 126 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It resonates with what I’ve experienced in my life. When I was a teenager and had no control over the sadness in my home life, I hated myself and my circumstances. This self-hatred took me away from my family and friends because I supplanted them with a love of alcohol. I put myself into danger and exiled my emotions, using beer, whisky, and wine to escape from my frustrations and fears.

Podcast version here

Bible Verse of the Day

Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.Then it was said among the nations,” The LORD has done great things for them."

And then I found the Lord and rediscovered my joy of Jesus that I had in my heart when I was in elementary school. I still struggled with alcohol for a while, but eventually I was able to let it go because I became addicted to God, Jesus and the Gospel. It was like coming out of a self-imposed nightmare and going into a God given dream.

Throughout my life I’ve seen people struggle with the same demons of drink and emotional attacks. I’ve tried to help them overcome their addiction and show them the joy of the Lord. I’d love to say that I’ve been successful every time, but sadly some people are more self-destructive than others and eventually they ruin their relationships, empty their emotions, and destroy their bodies. When that occurs, I feel heart broken because I know that things could have been so much different if they truly let Christ into their lives.

If you’re struggling with an addiction or an obsession, or you know someone close beside you who is, get help. Don’t leave it until it’s too late or ignore it, hoping that it will all go away. There are lots of good counselors and godly pastors, specialists and experts who could empower and enable you to overcome. With their help and Christ in your heart, you can turn those horrible nightmares into hopeful dreams. Seize the day and let that transforming moment begin in your life now.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us, so we can never hide or conceal anything from You. You are completely aware of our weakness and addictions, secrets and obsessions. Help us to find help and seek assistance in overcoming those demons of deception that want to destroy our hearts and happiness, our spirits and souls. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

'Who is God' tops Internet searches

News just in from Religion & Spirituality

According to Google Zeitgeist's second annual report, "Who is God" was the most searched question on the search engine last year. It was first in the "Who is . . . ?" category. As for "What is . . . ?," love came on top, AsiaNews reported Wednesday. All this confirms that existential questions play a hugely important role on the net. Google Zeitgeist looked at all the questions internet surfers placed in the search engine. The study indicated that most questions came from the United States, the country with the most developed Internet.

Rest of the story can be found here

Daily Devotional: Seeing Jesus - the work of the church is to bring others into God's Kingdom

John 12:21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."

This is one of my favorite verses from the Bible because it encapsulates the work of the church. Congregations can get caught up in building programs, financial campaigns, and missional projects, but in the end, if no one comes to see Jesus, then they’re busy doing nothing.

Churches exist to bring people to Christ. They have no other function. Christians can do as much good in their lives and strengthen their community through acts of kindness and well-being, but if no one comes to Jesus, then the deeds are empty of any eternal blessings. This is why it is so important to remember that our faith is missional. We seek others to tell them about Jesus. We try to fill our sanctuaries with those seekers of Christ, not to boost our numbers, but to get more souls into heaven.

Jesus was overjoyed when Andrew and Philip brought the Greeks to meet Him. It meant that His ministry was beginning to travel around the world. That’s why He says it was for this reason that He came. His ministry was to teach the world about God. His mission was to die for the world. On both counts, He succeeded, which is why He is elated at this point in His life. God’s plan of salvation is working. God’s Kingdom is being extended outside of Palestine.

So, the challenge for all of us today is this: what am I going to do or say today that will encourage others to seek and find Jesus? Who am I going to contact or meet today that needs to hear the Gospel? What am I going to do today to extend God’s Kingdom outside of my own personal world and bring it into someone else’s life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have called all of us to do Your bidding and to serve Your will. Grant us the courage to express our faith today to all whom we meet. Give us opportunities to talk about You, Your church, and Your mission, so that others may seek You, too. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.