Sabbath Psalms - Doing Good

Psalm 125:4 Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. (NIV)

            The great Jewish scholar of the 20^th century, Martin Buber, once said that atheists exist to show religious people how to be good. Their acts of charity and humanity are not done to please God or to fulfill a religious obligation. Atheists help others because they are genuinely concerned about the needs of vulnerable people and are not looking for any reward in return. Buber concluded that if religious people wanted to honestly help others, they should do it as if God didn’t exist, making themselves responsible for the wellbeing of their fellow human beings.

            It is a very challenging thought and if today’s verse is to be applied that way, it means that religious people should pray for those who do good in their communities no matter what religion they follow, or even if they follow none at all. Far too often we promote our own congregational or denominational missions and proudly revere them as badges of compassion and courage which honor our sectarian beliefs and churches. But what about the numerous good works that take place outside of our faith communities? Shouldn’t we also seek ways to support and honor them for what they positively accomplish? And, according to this highlighted verse, shouldn’t we be asking God to bless their good works too, liberating ourselves from the narrow notion that only God-fearing people can achieve things which please God?

            In our present broken and divided world, we need to change what we’re doing and see other people in a different light. Just because they don’t believe in what we believe, doesn’t mean to say that we should belittle their good deeds or castigate them for being atheists. They may be doing more to make the world a better place through their sincere compassion than we can with our rigid religious rules. As Martin Buber pointed out last century, they may still be able to show us how to be good and do good things in our community and the wider world.

Point to ponder: Which charities do I support outside my church?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, challenge our narrow-minded ways and grant us a new vision of where good is being done beyond our churches. Help us to be mindful of the good causes in our communities that could also do with our support and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

June 8 devotion - Global Gospel

Today’s Bible readings can be found at these links: Isaiah 47:1-9 and Colossians 1:21-29.

Colossians 1:28          Christ is the one we proclaim, cautioning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

            The Church exists to serve Christ and to let the world know about Him. We are meant to be servant-story tellers, who proclaim the words, works, and ways of Jesus through what we say and do. For almost two thousand years Christians have traveled all over the world to bring the Gospel to other people. Many wonderful miracles and effective missions have taken place over the centuries, causing billions of people to give their lives to Christ.

            We live in amazing times because we now don’t have to send anyone anywhere. Our technology carries the Gospel to people in other places, lands, and cultures. It’s a fantastic way of communicating Christ’s love to other folks. For instance, I send this message via Facebook to other Christians across the globe who are connected to the World Council of Churches. Each week, I receive messages, comments, and emails from folks in Africa, Asia, and South America. It’s wonderful to be part of a worldwide community of faith; it’s beautiful to see how God’s word inspires other folks.

            So the challenge for all of us today is this: how am I going to proclaim Christ to other people? How will I use the amazing technology at my disposal to spread the Gospel?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we live in wonderful times. We can communicate instantly with other people in other nations across this entire planet. We pray that You will give us opportunities to spread Your Gospel using our devices in effective, compassionate, and loving ways. In Your Holy Name, we serve and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please feel free to share this message. You may also send John feedback via email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Ministry devotion: A Tale of Two People - James 5:13

James 5:13     Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

            Yesterday morning, I was supposed to attend our quarterly Presbytery meeting which was being held at our beautiful John Knox Center. It’s always a delightful place to visit because of the wonderful scenery which surrounds the campground. However, God had other plans.

            As I was driving down the Interstate, I saw two people walking along the shoulder. Both of them were wilting under the tremendous heat of the sun. I thought that one of them was a woman and she seemed to be carrying all of her belongings in a rag bundle. After passing them, because I was in a hurry to get to Presbytery, I couldn't get the image out of my mind.

            I took the next exit and doubled back. By this time, they had stopped walking and were sitting on the metal railing in the shade. I eventually came around their way again and stopped the car on the shoulder beside them. They were relieved that someone had actually stopped.

            They hadn't eaten anything hot in two days. They were both unwashed, sunburned, and suffering from exhaustion. They had been on the road for four days and still had another six days journey ahead of them. They were heading to Arkansas but hoped to reach Nashville that day, whereas I was heading to the camp just a couple of miles up the road. As my exit came up, I decided to take them to get them breakfast and then drive them to Nashville.

            After they had eaten, I told them to go to sleep in the back of the car if they needed it. Within minutes, they were sleeping like babies. Nashville was almost a three hour drive and they slept all of the way until we reached the outskirts of the city. We stopped for coffee and lunch. I then took them to one of the biggest churches in the city, which has a large benevolence ministry. I knew that they would be well looked after. Today, they may be on a Greyhound bus traveling home. It my fervent hope and prayer that they get home quickly and safely to be with their families.

            As I drove back to Knoxville, I wondered if it had been a wasted day. I could have spent it at the Center enjoying the scenery and getting involved with a few theological tussles that us ministers like to provoke and participate in. And then I remembered the smiles on their faces when I stopped the car, as well as the laughter that we shared over lunch.

The day was not wasted; it was totally blessed.

Questions for personal reflection

What are my plans for today? Am I willing to let God’s plans change those of my own?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us in Church World to become part of the Real World. 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 or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Emmaus Window.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/13905769187_8b7a246e57_b.jpg

Gospel devotion: All Over the World - Colossians 1:6b

Colossians 1:6b          All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Every day someone somewhere gets to hear the Gospel for the first time and responds positively to it by opening his or her heart to Christ. It’s amazing to think that after almost two thousand years, Jesus’ words and ways are still relevant to someone in need of Him. In my own lifetime, I have experienced this for myself, as well as seeing hundreds of others discover the same. It’s a beautiful event in anyone’s life and, so long as churches continue on Earth, the Gospel will be preached throughout the world.

Some days I envy the Apostle Paul. He personally saw so many church start-ups that his soul must have been constantly overjoyed with hope. No matter where he visited or wherever he was being held as prisoner, he could both see and hear that the infant Church was growing all over. It must have been a remarkable age, but those kind of start-ups are not limited to the past. Christianity is still the greatest faith on Earth and in places like China and Africa, it is growing faster than ever. By the end of this century, there could be more Christians in China than Communists; I even think that the changes we are beginning to see over there, have their roots in Christian beliefs.

So, wherever you are today and whatever church you serve, know this: you are part of a worldwide movement that is still growing all over this planet because people are still hungry for the Gospel and are still turning to Christ for their answers to life itself!

Questions for personal reflection

How is my church connected to Christians around the world? What can I do to support and strengthen those connections?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for never ever giving up on the world. Thank You for Your amazing words, works, and ways that continue to change lives across this planet. Enable us to do whatever we can to continue Your mission in our communities and throughout the Earth. 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 traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Communion drawings called “Blood and Tears.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/11700133064_691aca8bcc_b.jpg

Church Growth devotion: Just a Generation Away - Judges 2:19

Today’s readings: (click on links)

Judges 2:16-23

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

Just a Generation Away

Judges 2:19    But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

I've heard some people say that we are just one generation away from the end of Christianity. I really don’t believe that, however I do understand the sentiment.

Every church has the responsibility of passing on the faith to the next generation. If any congregation wants to survive, it needs to take this seriously. For instance, during this year, 4000 new churches will open; however, 7,000 churches will close. There are many reasons which cause church closings, but amongst the most common is the reluctance or inability of an older generation passing on the faith to an upcoming one.

One of the saddest closures that I ever experienced in Tennessee occurred when an older white and wealthy congregation closed its doors. The reason? The community where the church resided was now full of immigrants, but instead of handing over the church to a brand new generation of local worshippers, the original members shut down the building and ended its ministry. I believe that was shameful and very unfaithful, but perhaps the present community is a whole lot better and stronger without those kind of ‘Christians’ anyway.

The challenge of continuity that all congregations face depends upon how willing church members are at both inviting and welcoming new people to church. If it’s all left to church staff or ‘someone else,’ then the church will plateau and growth will stagnate. However, if the good folks in the pews take up this challenge and encouragingly invite families and friends, colleagues and neighbors to church, then the congregation has a much greater opportunity of continuing its Christ-given mission.

Questions for personal reflection

When was the last time I invited someone to church? Who could I presently invite?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, the Church belongs to You. You call our congregations into being in order to present a faithful witness of Your Gospel and Kingdom in our communities. Help us to care about being dedicated to You and give us opportunities to invite others to Your church where we serve. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest chess drawing called “Opposites.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/10336642203_97a3010332_b.jpg

Gospel Devotion: Weeping Savior - Luke 19:41

Luke 19:41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

There is no doubt that Jesus loved His own people. He wanted them to receive Him gladly, not to boost His reputation or esteem, but so that they could be showered with God’s blessings of forgiveness and everlasting love. He wept over Jerusalem because He knew that He would be rejected and arrested, tortured and crucified. He wasn’t weeping for Himself; Jesus was weeping for His people. In all of their wonderful history, God’s chosen people would make the greatest mistake of their spiritual lives. Instead of recognizing the Messiah, they would rail against Him. Instead of accepting the Anointed One, they would kill Him.

This week, a report from the Pew Center has revealed that Protestant Christianity is in decline and that atheism/secularism is increasing across American society. Almost one third of our young people have no belief in God at all, which means that our society will go through some major changes in the decades to come. People will miss out on the Gospel message and a whole generation will potentially no longer have a strong connection to Christ. Perhaps at that time, Jesus will be weeping again not just for Jerusalem, but for a whole world that will culturally crucify Him once more. The vital question for the Church at that time could be: will it be a time to lament of the past, or will it become a brand new mission field? Only those churches that presently preach, teach, and live out a strong connection and personal commitment to Christ may only be around to answer that question.

Questions for personal reflection

How committed to Christ am I? What am I doing now to strongly pass on my Christian faith to the next generation?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You love Your people and You delight in Your Bride, the Church. You know the issues that we face today and the drifting away of our young people from our churches. Help us to deepen our relationship with You, so that the next generation may see an authentic and realistic Christianity that will draw them closer to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is presently 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 Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest autumn drawings. It’s called “Smoky Mountain Morning” and features the fall colored misty mornings that take place in the Smokies at this time of year. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8065671923_a367e2217c_b.jpg