Sunday Shorts: Her Ministry

Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Years ago, on Sunday mornings, my wife Evelyn and I would have a coffee at either McDonalds or a bakery. Evelyn enjoys talking to folks and over the years, she developed friendships with the people who worked there. She talked to and helped single mums who were working all day in the restaurant, trying to get their high school diplomas at night. She blethered (an old Scots word for 'talked') with the seniors who were regulars, shared family photographs and funny stories with them. She listened to young students who were working their way through college, giving them encouragement to fulfill their ambitions. Evelyn often went just to have a quiet read and a cup of coffee, but I know that she also enjoyed the community of workers she befriended over all those years.

            Evelyn did the same at the West Town Mall. She got up early (before 6am!) and did four laps of the Mall. I tried walking with her, but I couldn't keep up - she walks too fast - and I'm not an early bird either. She talked to all the people in the Mall like they were her best friends - the walkers, the security guards, and the cleaners. When one senior walker was diagnosed with cancer, she made him some cookies and sent a card. When another walker suffered bereavement, she comforted her with prayers and love. I'm not saying that my wife is a saint - although she must be, she's married to me - but what I am saying is that she has a ministry of her own which is quiet, unnoticed and just based on befriending, supporting, and serving the least among us. Over many years, she has quietly helped people in the congregations I served without drawing any attention to herself. She still does that today by writing and sending cards to folks she knows with words of encouragement, support, and love.

            The mission of each church is to do the same. Many people have been blessed by the personal ministries that church folks accomplish with their families, friends, church visitors, and even strangers on the street. These ministries are the least publicized of all, but do you know what? These small ministries are among the greatest in the eyes of God and the most beautiful in Christ's Kingdom. The best way to serve God is to serve others with faith, hope, and love, as well as respect, acceptance, and compassion.

            So, wherever you are today, take time to be interested in other people, especially those who serve you in stores, restaurants, petrol stations, cash registers, banks and supermarkets. They are all children of God's grace and just like you and me, they need to be appreciated, recognized, and loved.

Point to ponder: Who will I encounter today? How can I serve God by treating them respectfully?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus wherever we are today and with whoever we meet, may we see God's image in their faces and God's grace in their eyes. Instead of looking to be served, may we look for opportunities to serve quietly, faithfully and effectively. In Your Most Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Sabbath Psalms - Real Servants

Psalm 84:10    Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (NIV)

I remember a time when we didn’t have a custodian on duty at the church I served on Sunday mornings. This meant that I had to make the coffee because I was one of the first to arrive at the church. I also swept up the leaves at the front door, which usually collected in between Sunday school and worship. Some church members even joked with me when they caught me sweeping those leaves, asking if I had been promoted! It was all good fun, enhancing the friendship and fellowship at the church. It also helped me maintain a balanced perspective and kept my spiritual feet on solid ground.

I love the highlighted verse from today’s psalm because it reminds us that the practice of humility in God’s service is far more precious to Him than any fame or fortune, power or prestige. Whatever we do for the church, we are meant to do it humbly, firstly because we love God and secondly because we want to simply help others, so that they may be attracted to serving God as well.

When we think about Christ coming among us, we may be humbled and touched by the simplicity of Christ’s entrance into the world. He didn’t come to Earth surrounded by thousands of angels and glorified by rulers from all over the world. He wasn’t born into a family esteemed with riches and made prosperous through their power. His first abode was a wooden shack, usually reserved for animals. His life was endangered almost immediately by King Herod, and his family became refugees for a while. Rather than being recognized as the King of kings and Lord of lords, He was just a mere baby, unprotected and vulnerable, with no power or authority.

This is why serving the Lord at church should never be something that we undertake in order to fulfill our ambitions or build up our esteem. We serve the Lord because we are His servants. He calls and expects us to humbly do His will. He wants us to fulfill His ministries and missions, as opposed to our own dreams and desires. In other words, what we do at church is not to glorify ourselves, but to humbly worship God.

Point to ponder: Whatever I do in church, is it to make me feel good or to glorify God’s goodness?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we proclaim You as our King, making us Your subjects. Help us to recognize and accept that we serve You, so that You will be honored and glorified. Give us the heart of a humble servant and encourage us to attract others to serve You faithfully, too. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Short devotion: What is Ministry?

Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (NIV)

I love this Bible verse because it contains what ministry is all about. There are three main tasks that Jesus accomplishes here and throughout my many years of ministry I tried to fulfill them.

The first task was to teach the people about the Kingdom of God. This meant reading, sharing, and studying the ancient texts of the Jewish people. God had given them history, poetry, wisdom and prophecy through these texts. Christ’s task was to interpret those sacred words with a new understanding that would extend God’s blessing of salvation not just for the Jewish people but for the entire world.

Secondly, Jesus proclaimed the good news about God’s Kingdom which meant that He preached the word in local synagogues, as well as in marketplaces and homes. He preached to them the truth about God’s existence and how mindful God was of their lives. His preaching was radical because it turned their cozy spiritual world upside down where the poor were blessed and the powerful were rebuked, where the vulnerable were uplifted and the vain were undermined; where the weak were strengthened and the strong were diminished; where the first would be last and the least would be first in God’s eyes.

And the third task that Jesus was given was to heal broken people of their illnesses, injuries, and issues. He made the lame to walk and the blind to see. He liberated people from their demons and obsessions. He gave faith to the fearful and granted peace to the possessed. He healed hearts that were broken, minds that were mangled, bodies that were crippled, and souls that were enslaved.

So, this beautiful verse reveals to us all that Jesus set out to do: to teach the truth, preach the Word, and heal the people – three things that all who minister should also seek to accomplish.

Point to ponder: What kind of ministry has Christ called me to undertake and fulfill?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your ministry still continues in our world today. Grant us opportunities to share Your truth, spread Your Word, and offer healing to others. In Your Holy Name, we simply pray. Amen.

 

John Stuart is a retired Scottish pastor who now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

July 22 devotion - An Old Joke

John 10:4      When He (the Good Shepherd) has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

            Like most pastors, I’m often jokingly told that our jobs are easy because we only work one day a week. Usually, I laugh along with the person, who thinks this is exceedingly funny, but within my heart, I’m actually weeping for myself and other pastors. What most folks never realize is that we’re always working, always praying, always thinking about the church and the people, even when we’re supposed to be resting, vacationing, or having a day off. If people really want to tell the joke as pastors truly experience it, it should be told this way: Pastors are God’s biggest fools – they don’t even get time off for good behavior.

            Ministry is the one occupation on Earth that has one unique and important part of its function – ministry has eternal consequences. The butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker only deal with the here and now. Teachers, counselors, and therapists deal with life issues and personal choices. Business people, political leaders, and CEOs work with expanding their markets and lifetime events. Only ministry deals with the eternal side of things; only ministry outlasts them all.

            My main role, like that of many pastors, is to guide folks toward Christ so that in the midst of all of society’s noise, they can still hear His Voice calling them. It’s not a popular responsibility, which is why fewer folks are becoming pastors these days. It’s not something that you can equate with anything else either, because none of the other wonderful professions, vocations, or careers involve eternity.

            Perhaps next time, when you’re with a pastor and feel the urge to tell the old one-day-a-week joke, just set it aside; instead let her or him know how much you are blessed by that one day in the week, when the pastor tries to help you get closer to Christ so that one glorious day you can experience the joy, peace, and love that is everlasting.

Question for personal reflection

How often do I think about the eternal side of my life? Am I willing to let my pastor help me to seriously contemplate eternity?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, help us all to listen for Your voice, so that we may positively respond to Your calling. Enable us to embrace Your words, so that we can actually attach ourselves to Your Way, Truth, and Life. Bless all who seek to lead us to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions, make comments, or reply to this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings for the church kids, based on Psalm 23. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Shepherd.

Come to The Table - Revelation 3:20

Today’s Bible readings can be found here: Psalm 22:1-15 and Revelation 3:14-22.

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (NIV)

            Our church recently decided to set its overall theme for the coming year as “Come to The Table.” It’s a great idea and one which all of our people, teams, ministries, and missions can embrace, experience, and express in wonderful, effective ways. We are all looking forward to seeing how each team and ministry work this into their regular tasks and projects. By the end of the year, we hope to have grown in worship, discipleship, fellowship, and faith.

            As I was reading and reflecting on today’s New Testament passage, it struck that the very first invitation of asking someone to come to the table should be given to Christ Himself. In fact, in today’s highlighted verse, Jesus encourages us to do that. He says that if we open the door (of our hearts and spirits), He will come in and eat with us. In other words, Christ will come to the table where we are dining and join us for a meal. It’s a beautiful picture of our Savior which shows us that He is ready, willing, and wanting to be a participant in our lives, a faithful friend in all that we seek to do.

            So, to initiate our theme, we can all invite Jesus to come to the table of our lives, our faith, our church, and our homes. He will be delighted to do this – all we have to do is open the door and enjoy the meal together.

Point to ponder

Where is Jesus in my life? Am I willing to invite Him to come to the table?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, come to the table of our lives and join our celebration. Enable us to enjoy Your company, to listen to Your conversation, and to share spiritual food with You. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on any Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. Like Jesus, you’ll be made very welcome 😊

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

Pharaoh's Folly - Exodus 7:3-4

Exodus 7:3-4 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. (NIV)

            There are some parts of the Bible that both intrigue and disturb me. Take, for instance, today’s passage from Exodus 7. Moses is being told by God what to do in order to free his people. It requires a face-to-face meeting with Pharaoh. Moses is scared about the encounter, but God promises him two things: that the Egyptian ruler will receive him, but God will also harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not listen to what Moses has to say.

            I can understand God allowing Moses being permitted to see Pharaoh; what I have difficulty with is that Pharaoh does not appear to have any free choice in discussing the matter. And, because the Egyptian ruler hardens his heart and will not listen to what Moses has to say, the Egyptian people will suffer the consequences of several devastating plagues. From what the Bible is teaching, it seems to be that whatever the choices ancient rulers made, whether voluntary or involuntary, it was the nation that ended up suffering.

            For one of my own ancestors, this was tragically true. In the seventeenth century, when King Charles the First surrounded himself with sycophants and ignored the appeals and requests that came from his own Parliamentary leaders. A Civil War ensued and Charles ended up being executed by his own people for treachery. Ever since then, British sovereigns have never again been given an absolute monarchy. Too many people died in that Civil War for their rights to be a free and democratic people – which is something that their American descendants also fought for in 1776.

            So, what can we learn from the Bible and history today? This: there are always consequences to our choices, which may be good or bad, depending on whether we listen to sound advice from others, or just do things our own way.

Point to ponder

What mistakes have I made in my life by rejecting good counsel? What have I learned from those mistakes?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, not one of us is perfect and we are sometimes too stubborn for our own good. Help us to listen to those around us who lovingly offer us wise and sound advice, so that we may avoid the pitfalls of making bad and uninformed decisions. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s cat drawings called ‘Queen of the Nile.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Queen.

May 10 devotion - Someone Else

Exodus 4:13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” (NIV)

            When I read about how reluctant Moses was to do God’s bidding, it makes me smile. Getting people to volunteer in church for leadership or ministry roles can be just as hard, too. Some folks feel as if they’re not good enough; others think they have too much going on to be effective, while others hope that someone else will step forward to do the work. Year in and year out, volunteers are needed to continue Christ’s mission, but it seems lately that more folks don’t feel called to work for God.

            I understand how they feel. After more than thirty years in ministry and attending thousands of meetings, I wonder how effective or essential those meetings have been. In the short term, each one of them has been important; in the eternal scheme of things, however, perhaps not so much.

            Moses didn’t want to respond to do God’s work. He felt it was a mistake and that someone else more qualified could do it. But God doesn’t make mistakes and He personally sought out Moses for the task. No matter how inadequate or reluctant Moses felt, God would not be thwarted. Moses was the right person, so God wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer.

            Perhaps you’ve been asked to do something special in your church or have been invited to consider a leadership role in your congregation. Maybe you feel unqualified or overstretched, so you would like to say ‘no,’ and have someone else fulfill the call. However, before you reject the invitation, honestly ask yourself this question: “Is this something that God wants me to do?” If it is, then no matter how inadequate or how burdened you feel, know this: God does not make mistakes and He will help you to fulfill the role.

Point to ponder

What can I do for my church? What is God presently asking me to undertake and accomplish?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Your ministry and mission continue in our congregations, communities, and around the world. You call on Christian people to be part of Your work on Earth. Help us to hear Your invitation and cheerfully accept what You need us to do. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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 one of John’s latest Pentecost drawing called ‘True Spirit.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click on this link: Spirit.

Ministry 101 - A Letter to Young Pastors

Ministry 101

Ministry is never easy, but it can be made less difficult with good practices. As a pastor for almost thirty years, I've usually had to learn things the hard way. One of my major concerns is for the young ministers who are just starting this wonderful, but often arduous journey. They are full of energy and enthusiasm, ideas and innovations that hopefully will bless the churches that they serve. Some of them, however, will not find it easy and may even think about giving up ministry altogether.

I offer these eight short points to anyone just starting out in ministry, not because I have perfected the art of being a pastor, but because I wish someone had helped me when I began to serve God by ministering to His people.

1.       Manage your time.         You will be constantly interrupted in the things you want to do for the church by people, events, and circumstances beyond your control. Setting up a rough timetable for the week, perhaps on a Sunday evening or a Monday morning, is a good place to start. It’s also a very good idea to work out an hourly timetable for each day. When I enter my office on workdays, I make a rough draft of what I hope to accomplish over the next 6-8 hours on an hourly basis.

2.       Internalize less!               This is absolutely crucial to surviving ministry. Not every criticism or push back against your ideas is personal, but they will be if you cradle them internally. It took me years to learn this. I would have prevented a lot of heartache, emotional turmoil, and stress if I had taken criticism as suggestive and not combative. As pastors, we tend to think that God gives us the unique visionary gift that our churches need. This is not the case. God works through all of His people. Just because someone voices a different opinion does not mean to say that they are castigating you as ineffective or unimportant. Learn to be a team player and actually encourage others to make suggestions – it's far more productive and emotionally refreshing.

3.       Nurture the people.       The people of the church are the flock that you are called to care for. You serve God best by helping His people and getting to know their names. People support pastors who actually care about them. Take time to talk with folks before and after worship on Sundays. Be there to reassure them during times of crisis and illness. Celebrate their successes and joyful moments. For introverted pastors, this can be very difficult, but know this: it’s absolutely essential. The people are your business – let them know that you truly care. If you have a church breakfast, dinner, or picnic, then work the tables and go round each small group or family. Avoid sitting by the wayside or being on your own – it makes folks mistakenly think that you're distant, aloof, and uncaring.

4.       Improve things.                                When I was a young tenderfoot pastor, I thought that a large part of my work was to change things. I had learned a great deal of new ways of worshipping, study, and practicing ministry in seminary that I was determined to use in order to re-shape the congregation into my own satellite seminary. This was totally wrong. The congregation had its own culture, traditions, and ministries that had been in existence for several generations. I learned very soon that I had to honor that history and culture in order to be accepted.

I now believe that pastors are not called to change things; instead, we're called to improve things. This may involve making improvements to the physical structure, as well as the spiritual soul of the congregation. It takes time, determination, and strength to do this, but in the end the goal of every pastor should be to leave the church in a much better condition, than when we first were called to it.

5.       Sabbath Taking is a Must!            Always take a day off each week! For years I neglected to do this, vainly thinking that I was required to be at the church 24/7/365. My health deteriorated; my relationship with my family was almost wrecked; and my effectiveness gradually diminished. In other words, I learned the hard way of how not to be an effective pastor because I felt guilty or undeserving of taking a day off. Nowadays, I take Tuesdays off and everyone in the congregation knows it. I may read, relax, go fishing, do drawings, or absolutely nothing at all. It is a wonderful gift of a weekly Sabbath.

      By the way, taking Saturdays off doesn't count as a day off. Mostly everyone else has a Saturday and even a Sunday off from work, so don’t delude yourself into thinking that a Saturday is your day off to be with family. Also, I take Tuesdays off because Mondays don’t work for me. There’s always some carry over from Sunday that needs to be dealt with on Monday. Waiting until Tuesday puts me in a better frame of mind to actually rest and be thankful!

6.       Teach!                  You spent a lot of years at Seminary learning about theology, ecclesiastical history, and the Bible. You are a great resource for the people of the church to learn about the Christian faith. If you have time on Sunday mornings, teach a Sunday school class – it will keep you on your toes and may even provide a last minute example or illustration for your sermon! Use different seasons on the Church Calendar to set up a short series of midweek or even online classes – Lent and Advent are great opportunities to do this. Teach a small group at the church or in a coffee house using scripture or a new book worth studying. Preaching a series on Sundays is a great vehicle for expressing your beliefs, but teaching in a classroom actually provides you with important feedback, faith-sharing moments, and even fellowship.

7.       Read!                    One of the luxuries that we have as pastors is that our folks expect us and allow us to do a lot of reading. This is essential to our well-being, as well as our leadership potential. Christian Books, e-books, blogs, online newsletters and magazines are more available to us now than at any other time in the history of ministry. We have a greater opportunity of widening our experiences and knowledge than pastors in previous generations. Enjoy this great gift and remember, if you want to effectively lead, you need to constantly read!

8.       You are called by God.                  Never, ever forget this greatest of all gifts in your life. God has called you to ministry because He knows your potential and has a purpose for you to fulfill. Every pastor that I have ever known has gone through times of crisis, despair, and doubt. It's very easy to self-denigrate your own ministry, especially when times are tough economically or denominationally. It is essential to remember each day that the greatest Being in all of the universe has called you to do His work, be part of His Son’s ministry, and fulfill the Great Commission. You are not just a child of God’s grace, which is a beautiful thing in itself, you are also a chosen, called servant, which is a wonderful thing to know. Circumstances and people, crises and problems may cause you to question your work as a pastor, preacher, teacher, and minister. But in all of these things, know this for certain, you are called by God and He has not made a mistake!

I hope that these personal thoughts and short points may help you on your new journey. If I can help you or pray for you as a fellow pastor at any time, please don’t hesitate to send me an email at traqair@aol.com.

God bless you for accepting His call. May God grant you the desire of your heart and fulfillment of your plans.

John Stuart

Erin Presbyterian Church,

Knoxville, TN 37932

USA.

Bible devotions: 84 Million - Exodus 1:12-13

Exodus 1:12-13          But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. 

Sometimes when people are oppressed because of their faith, they grow in numbers. Christianity in China is a good example of this. In 1949 when the Communists took control of China, there were only about 500,000 Christians in the nation. After persecuting the church for more than sixty years, how many Christians are there in China? 84 million.

It appears that when Christianity is backed into a corner and almost annihilated, it finds a new way out and grows. Perhaps at some future point in our decadent and deviant Western society, we will see a real re-emergence of the church because Christians will once again stand up for their beliefs, instead of embracing the culture which is causing a passive church to wither and decay.

Long ago, the Egyptians used a form of genocide in an attempt to wipe out the Jewish community in their midst. It didn’t work because God’s will could not be thwarted by mere politics, no matter how powerful the leader of the Egyptians appeared to be. Moses was predestined to be born and become a great leader of his people. God desired this, so human wickedness would not prevail.

In years to come, missionaries will be sent from Africa and Asia, India and China to Europe and the Americas in order to reclaim churches and Christians for Christ. God’s work will not be undone and Christ’s words will always endure. Our role in our churches today is to be faithful to God’s Word and serve Christ truly, even when it is unpopular. If we do that then a people yet unborn may be reclaimed for Christ and His Kingdom.

Questions for personal reflection

Has my faith grown in times of adversity? Have I personally shared my Christian beliefs with the upcoming generation?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, all over the world people are praising Your Name and believing in Your Words. New churches are springing up in hostile areas and Your mission is being accomplished across this planet. Help us to strengthen our faith, in the good times as well as the bad. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is another of John’s 2012 Advent drawings simply called “Advent.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8192865892_9d85b325b4_b.jpg

Daily Devotion: The Gift of Teachers - Mark 1:22

Mark 1:22       The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 

I love teaching the Faith and I am proud to be called a ‘teaching elder.’ I’m told that it’s one of my strengths and I appreciate the people who are willing to allow me to lead Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and retreats both in and outside the congregation. I am also humbled by the many people around the world who use my studies online, read these devotions, and buy my books. Teaching the Faith is a privilege and I thank God for each opportunity that He gives me to do this.

I also admire teachers in our schools and colleges. They are often overworked and underpaid for what they do. For each generation to be successful, it needs dedicated teachers. For each profession to progress, it relies upon the research and imagination, hard work and determination of its teachers. To me, there is no greater profession in the world than that of teaching, because all that we accomplish depends upon who teaches us and what we are taught.

Jesus was an amazing teacher. His theological insights and grasp of God made Him exceptional in the eyes of His community. He taught with absolute authority because He was absolutely confident about who He was and what God wanted Him to accomplish. I would love to have sat at His feet to listen to Him tell stories, give lessons, and answer questions. It must have been astounding.

Christ’s teaching has survived two thousand years and His insights are still relevant to our lives today. Billions of people on Earth are affected by His life, His ministry, and His teaching. We have been blessed with an amazing Teacher in our lives and His words will lead us back to God’s kingdom. The challenge that we have today is this: how can we share what we have been taught by Christ?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we thank You for the teachers and professors, lecturers and speakers who have taught us many things and through whose wisdom and dedication, we can accomplish much with our lives. We thank You also for the teaching of the Church which carries on Your ministry and mission in the world today. And we praise You for being the Greatest Teacher in our lives and that one day we will get to thank You personally, face to face. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the teaching elder at 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 drawing is one of John’s Lent Cards for the Church kids at Erin. It’s a depiction of Christ carrying the cross, with the words “Take up your cross and follow Me” at the bottom. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6950845059_375b3a1ca5_b.jpg

Lent Devotions: Always Around - Matthew 26:11

Matthew 26:11   The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian, I attended a Youth Fellowship program at a church where most of my friends worshipped. It was at the other side of town which meant that I had to get two buses to travel there.

Most of the young people there belonged to the same mid-week evangelical Gospel club that I attended in the heart of Glasgow. There were a few who didn’t and they remained skeptical about giving your life to Jesus. One young guy always used today’s verse as his spiritual barrier from accepting Christ as his Savior. He argued that Jesus was being insensitive and uncaring when He stated that the poor would always be around.

“Instead of just healing the sick,” he often argued, “why couldn’t Jesus get rid of poverty? Helping the poor would have made Him my Savior in my life.”

It was hard to argue against that statement. We really didn’t know then that the Church is truly engaged in the world trying to alleviate poverty every day. We also didn’t understand what Jesus was really saying: ‘help the poor as much as you can because they’ll always be there, but also make and take time to honor me.’

I think Mother Theresa of Calcutta said it best when she talked about helping the poor and serving Christ. “Do something beautiful for God,” she often declared when she addressed church conferences in other countries. In other words, we can help the poor as much as we are able and feel good about ourselves, but when we do it for Christ, we have the added bonus of pleasing God.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, each week You present us with opportunities to help people in need and to serve You. Enable us to do both of these together, as ministry and mission, as well as outreach and worship. 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 Psalm drawings. It depicts Psalm 115 and features the verse where God is described as the Maker of Heaven and Earth. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6855709255_a7d20b81df_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Ministry of Parties - Proverbs 22:9

Proverbs 22:9    A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 

We have a Fellowship team at our church which has sometimes jovially been called the “Ministry of Parties” because of all the social events that the team organizes. To some people, it may appear that way, but I know the work of the people involved. They don’t organize parties – they strengthen the church through caring for others.

Many of the ministries that the Fellowship team fulfills are immensely beneficial to the whole congregation, but one that constantly impresses me is when the team provides food and support for those of our church or community who are grieving, ill, or going through hard times. The care that is expressed through calls, cards, and meals is a wonderful example of generous giving and gracious living. The love that is outpoured to those in need is something that the recipients never forget. It’s truly being the Church in the world and is one of the best ways to witness to Christ.

Perhaps there are people in your church or neighborhood, at work or school, who need a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a hand-written card, or a simple meal. Look for the opportunities that God sends your way to be generous with your food, your fellowship, and your faith. If you respond positively, it will make a tremendous difference in your own life, as well as in the lives of others.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You came into the world to heal the broken, comfort the lost, and support the weak. Each week, You grant us opportunities to apply our faith in generous ways that will help those in need. Grant us the courage to fulfill those moments of potential blessing with our faith, gifts, and support. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest Appalachian drawing. It’s of the famous Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church which is situated in the Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click the following link:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5784883406_f850e09961_b.jpg

John also has a limited number of signed & matted prints available of this scene. If you are interested in purchasing one, contact John at traqair@aol.com for details.

Daily Devotions: The Call - Acts 6 v 2

Acts 6:2           So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

On the 30th April of next year, I will have been an ordained minister of word and sacrament for 25 years. I cannot believe how quickly those years have come and gone. Sometimes I wonder if my faith would have been more influential had I taken another path. At one point in seminary, I thought about becoming a teacher of religious studies in a Scottish High School. I even entertained a notion of lecturing at college level, but the call to be a parish minister was strong and I happily ended up in a yoked/linked West of Scotland parish.

Over the last 25 years, I’ve noticed a decline in biblical knowledge and scriptural literacy across society and in the communities that I have served. That’s sad because with the invention of the internet, there has never been a time when more biblical material, lessons, and studies have been widely and freely available to the general population. It’s almost as if we’ve taken the Bible for granted and don’t feel the need to add it to our daily schedules.

I’ve also seen a movement away from professional clergy. Seminaries are experiencing a large fall in student numbers and they’re also producing fewer parish or congregational ministers. The outcome of this is two-fold: the people begin to scatter without a shepherd, and society begins to believe in anything but Christianity.

In the future, we’re going to need more ministers, not less. We need to seriously raise up a new generation of young people who are willing to commit their lives as shepherd-servants in parish churches and local congregations. Without such a solid base, our faith communities will fracture and decline, leaving our people without hope in Christ. If and when that happens, then I believe that a new Dark Age era will evolve where only the fittest and strongest will survive. It is one of my most heartfelt prayers that this will never happen.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, right from the very start of Your Church, Your Holy Spirit set apart ministers of word and sacrament to help people grow in knowledge about the scriptures and You. Without them, our faith would never have flourished and the world would never have known Your everlasting hope. We pray for the next generation and fervently ask that You will raise up new shepherds amongst us to lead the coming generations on Your Way, Truth, and Life. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently 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 Scottish prints. It is called “The Beast of Stalker Castle” and depicts a Highland cow grazing beside one of the ancient Stewart castles. If you would like to see a larger version of the print, please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4689401461_5d1c18680b_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Commitment and Celebration

Luke 10:20 (Jesus said,) “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Our not-so-wee church made a brave decision last Sunday morning. We agreed to ask the bank for a $500,000 line of credit so that we can begin the much needed renovation and construction work in our building. It was an almighty leap of faith for our congregation, but through the presentations of our campaign and construction teams, we now all share the belief that this is what we are meant to be doing.

It’s the biggest decision and commitment that our church has made since the present building was opened in 1955. Over the next three years, we are going to raise over $1,000,000 so that we can upgrade the church campus and have an attractive site that will bring in more people for Christ.

Sunday was also a beautiful moment in the life of our church because of two important things. Firstly, we were making a commitment to the future well being of our congregation. Most of us will not be around to see the fruits of our endeavors, so this is an almighty act of faith by this present generation. And secondly, we were gratefully showing God that we have been truly blessed by His Son’s work and ministry amongst us.

In years to come, our church will become stronger and more influential in our resident community. Hopefully, we will look back and understand that this was the moment when didn’t glorify ourselves but chose instead to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord. This is a special calling, and I believe that we are both humbled and honored to be given such a privilege from Christ.

When the disciples came back to Jesus from their own winter ministries, they were full of stories about how God’s authority had been channeled through them to overcome evil spirits. They were amazed at the powers they had been given and wanted to boast about their victories. Jesus, however, reminded them to rejoice in being saved and of the fact that God had given them a place in heaven. This was infinitely worth more than any power to subdue earthly devils.

I believe that Christ is telling Erin church to do the same. We can express and boast about how much we have done and of what we are going to do, but the real rejoicing and glory belong to God. This Capital Campaign is not just a commitment, it’s a celebration of the fact that our not-so-wee church called Erin is also known in heaven and blessed by God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the calling that You have given to all of our churches. Help us to celebrate this blessing and to glorify You through what we give from our resources, as well as expressing our faith by what we do each day. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish 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.

Daily Devotions: Real Results

1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?

Podcast version here:

The apostle Paul went through some really tough times. Apart from being persecuted and hunted down by his enemies, he was also heavily criticized by members of the churches that he had established and developed. It must have been hard for him to receive such complaints, especially when he believed that the Corinthian church’s strength had much to do with his own work for the Lord. I guess that they must have forgotten how much they owed to Paul for bringing them out of obscurity and into the light of steady growth.

This passage makes me wonder what are the results of our own work in the Lord? How many people have been blessed or touched by our words and acts of Christian faith? If we were to take the faith component out of each of our lives, what kind of gaps would there be? We will probably never know, but it is perhaps something that we each should personally ponder: how effective and influential is my faith? What are the results of my work in the Lord?

Yesterday, I received an email out of the blue which touched my heart and reminded of the importance of this devotional work that I do for the Lord. I’d like to share the email with you. I’ve left the spelling and grammar uncorrected because I want you to experience the email the way I did.

Dear Sir John Stuat,

Thank you for your message in Hebrews 10:33 which conforted me

I have read this in Uganda/ Africa having fled my country due to insecurity but am alive with my wife and children now refugees many things have been destroyed but we were not distroyed.

God bless you

Kakule Kisunzu

I do not know who Kakule Kisunzu is, but I am both humbled and delighted that something I wrote a while back has helped him and his family. To me, that is a wonderful result in this work that I try to do for the Lord.

So the question for all of us is this: what are the results of our work in the Lord?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, through Paul’s ministry You have reminded us that our faith is not something that we keep to ourselves. As Christians we are meant to share Your teachings and influence others to come to You. May we take the opportunities that You give us each day to reach out to those who do not know You. May we also see the results of our work in You. In Your Holy 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 him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.