Midweek Message - Living in Love

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

As part of the history class that I took in High School, I had to study the origins of World War 2. Our class spent several weeks focusing on FDR’s Presidency and how he motivated the American people to deal with the Great Depression, as well as leading them through the dark days of the global war. We also had to learn his exceptional words - which are still often quoted - from his first inaugural speech in 1933: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’

There’s no doubt that we are living in anxious times. Most of the good folks I know are fearful of the future because uncertainty has robbed them of their confidence. Others feel that partisan politics have become an extreme problem and that we are heading toward a severe conflict which will divide our communities, our congregations, and our families. The longer this insecurity continues, the deeper our divisions; the more our unfettered concerns grow, the fewer connections we will have with one another. Fearing our fears will erode our trust; fueling our fears will break our nation.

All this has happened before. Centuries ago, when Christians were actually being persecuted and the survival of the church was questionable, old men like the Apostle John called upon the community of faith to face their fear by replacing it with love. To be fearful was to punish yourself with anxiety; to be faithful was to replenish yourself with love. John fully believed that our lives were meant to be focused on love and not overwhelmed with fear.

Today, Christ’s Church, as always, has the remedy to reduce our fears and relinquish our anxieties. The Spirit of Christ within us has the power to overcome the spirit of spite outside us. Fear is a manipulator which imprisons our souls with lies; faith is a motivator which frees our spirits with love.

May you bring all your fears to Christ and exchange them for His love.

Prayer: Loving God, help us to live lovingly rather than existing fearfully. Enable us to follow Jesus faithfully and share His love generously. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Short Devotion: Perfect Love - 1 John 4:18

 

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

As part of the history class that I took in High School, I had to study the origins of World War 2. Our class spent several weeks focusing on FDR’s Presidency and how he motivated the American people to deal with the Great Depression, as well as leading them through the dark days of the global war. We also had to learn his exceptional words - which are still often quoted - from his first inaugural speech in 1933: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’

There’s no doubt that we are living in anxious times. Most of the good folks I know are fearful of the future because Covid has robbed them of their confidence. Others feel that partisan politics have become an extreme problem and that we are heading toward a severe conflict which will divide our communities, our congregations, and our families. The longer this uncertainty continues, the deeper our divisions; the more our unfettered concerns grow, the fewer connections we will have with one another. Fearing our fears will erode our trust; fueling our fears will break our nation.

All this has happened before. Centuries ago, when Christians were truly being persecuted and the survival of the church was questionable, old men like the Apostle John called upon the community of faith to face their fear by replacing it with love. To be fearful was to punish yourself with anxiety; to be faithful was to replenish yourself with love. John fully believed that our lives were meant to be focused on love and not overwhelmed with fear.

Today, Christ’s Church, as always, has the remedy to reduce our fears and relinquish our anxieties. The Spirit of Christ within us has the power to overcome the spirit of spite outside us. Fear is a manipulator which imprisons our souls with lies; faith is a motivator which frees our spirits with love.

May you bring all your fears to Christ and exchange them for His love.

God bless you all.

Pastor John.

www.erinpres.org

 

Such a Small Word - Mark 12:33

Mark 12:33 To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (NIV)

            One of my favorite groups from the Seventies was a band called ‘Lindisfarne.’ They had some great hits and their best album (yes, I am that old) was called ‘Fog on the Tyne.’ I recently added the album to my playing list from Amazon and listening to it took me back to those wonderful days of my High School years.

            In my opinion, one of the best tracks on the album is called ‘January Song,’ which is about how we all need one another, no matter who we are, what age we have become, or where we live. The lyrics contain a very simple verse, which still speaks to me today:

‘And love is such a small word
For something that is so vast,
But in it lies the future
The present and the past.’

            When Jesus was having a conversation with the teacher of the law in today’s Gospel story (Mark 12:28-34), I think He was trying to convey something similar. Christ was impressed by what the law teacher said in reply to His statement about the Greatest Commandment. The cleric appeared to completely understand what Jesus was expressing. Love of God and loving one another are meant to be combined – it is such a small requirement, and yet it contains everything that we truly need to live faithful, meaningful, and joyful lives on Earth.

Point to ponder

How many people do I truly love? How does that love include God and make the world a better place?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we all need Your love and need to learn to love everyone. We want to make a difference in our lives, so help us to spread Your love wherever we can and with all whom we meet this day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

If you would like to listen to Lindisfarne’s ‘January Song,’ you can do so at this Youtube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5QLKft_a7A

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

Today’s image is the album cover from Lindisfarne’s ‘Fog on the Tyne.’

Heart of God - 1 John 3:1

1 John 3:1        See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. (NIV)

            Like most of us, there are times and days when I rely on God’s love more than anything else. When I become weary or anxious, I need God’s assurance to pull me through those moments. When I feel depressed or confused, I lean on God’s understanding to help me find His light. And when I’m angry with myself or out of sorts with the rest of the world, I greatly require God’s peace to abide in my heart and mind.

            In today’s Bible verse, the apostle John tells us that we are God’s children. What a wonderful blessing! God calls us His children not because we’re perfect or saintly, but because Jesus has claimed that title for us. He has taken away the consequences of our sin and restored us to God’s delight and pleasure. Christ has become our elder Brother, who is willing to guide and bless us as His younger siblings, especially in our times of loss and grief, loneliness and isolation.

            I don’t know about you, but today I need God to be very close to me, to embrace and encourage me, and to hold and help me. Without God, life at times would be both unmanageable and unbearable. With Him beside me, I can stumble through the darkness and eventually come into Christ’s light.

            Wherever you are today and whatever you are going through, please know this: You are a child of God’s grace and love. You are not alone. His Spirit is with you and you are dear to God’s heart.

Questions for personal reflection

What am I feeling today? How can God help me?

Prayer:            Loving God, we thank You for Your Presence in our lives, especially when our minds are troubled and our feelings are unsettled. Allow us the gift of Your peace in our hearts and souls. Help us to know that we are loved by You, so that our spirits may be uplifted. In Christ’s Name, we make this heartfelt prayer. 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 psalms drawings. It’s based on a verse from Psalm 51. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Psalm 51.