Work in Progress - Acts 23:11

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (NIV)

            When we think about Paul encountering Christ, we tend to recall the story of Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. However, in today’s passage, Acts 23:1-11, we discover that Jesus also visits Paul while he is languishing in a Jerusalem cell. After the rough treatment he received that day, Paul must have wondered if he was going to escape with his life. I think that he would have been worried about either being lynched by the angry mob or crucified by the Roman guards. In either case, his death would have ended his mission for Christ and someone else would have to become the flag bearer of taking the Gospel to the Gentiles.

            But God was not finished with Paul, so in a moment of reassurance and grace, Christ comes to Paul in the barrack cell and lets him know that his work will still carry on. “Take courage!” Christ says, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

            This would have been good news to Paul, though not because his life was being extended. Paul knew that the Gospel of Christ needed to be preached and heard in Rome at the heart of the Empire. Paul would do whatever he could to get there, which would involve a direct appeal to Caesar because he was a Roman citizen. It would be the pinnacle of his mission; it would be the top moment of his work for Christ.

            Sometimes we think that God has finished with us and our work for Him is over, but as long as we have life and faith, we can serve God in many important ways. We can pray for our churches; we can increase our Biblical knowledge, and we can continually share our faith in loving and effective ways with the people we encounter. All we have to do is to continue to take each daily opportunity that God gives us to serve Him faithfully, loyally, and effectively.

Point to ponder

What work of service has God given me to do in my church and community? Am I willing to continue that mission?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we each have different gifts and abilities which can serve and honor You throughout our lives. Help us to discern Your role for us in Your Kingdom. 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 questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest nativity drawings called ‘Gift of Good News.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Gift.

Daily devotion: Gospel Truth? - Galatians 2:5

Today’s readings: Judges 13:8-16 and Galatians 2:1-10

Galatians 2:5              We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

What is the Gospel Truth? Is it what I say it is, or what I show it to be? Is it what Paul declared it to be, or what he displayed in his life? Is the Gospel Truth what the Church expresses in its doctrines, or what a congregation practices in its mission?

Today, we are all struggling with the Gospel because there are so many different variations of its teachings and interpretations of its practices that one size doesn't fit all anymore. Christians are as diverse as the human population in the world; as each generation comes and goes, our faith evolves and expands into something different, something unexpected, and something new.

For long term Christians like me, this becomes an honest hardship because the Faith that I was attracted to almost forty years ago, has developed into something unimaginable for me. The spiritual safety barriers and sacred security fences that I had built and maintained are no longer there. The boundaries that I once bellowed about, have all been broken down and there’s nothing that I can do to change this. To even attempt it, would be like trying to rebuild the Berlin Wall in Germany – it just cannot be done ever again.

So what is Gospel Truth? Who decides? Has what Paul battled for been forsaken? Are we in danger of shaping our beliefs and molding Christ into our own idolatrous standards and ideas?

Of course, we are. We are only human and we need to create our own Christianity in order to cope with life. My Christianity is as different from your Christianity as my interests, pursuits, and goals are from yours. But that doesn't make our faith ineffective; instead it makes our beliefs relevant to both of us. Christ died for all of us – liberal and progressive, conservative and assertive Christians alike. In His wisdom, He created a multi-colored theological tapestry of all nations, which He calls The Church – therefore we are all made and shaped by Him – and that’s the Gospel Truth.

Questions for personal reflection

What personal beliefs do I hold strongly about Jesus? Do my deeds display those beliefs?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You have called us to Your heart independently and individually of each other. We each have something special to contribute to the Christian faith. Help us to see Your influence in how we all practice our faith. 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 or ask a question, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings. It’s called ‘Star of Gethsemane.’ In it, Jesus is depicted with eyes puffed up from crying and his face is covered with blood and sweat as He agonizes over accepting God’s Will. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/11183575774_4971232f95_b.jpg

Short devotion - Testimony Time - Acts 23:1-11

Acts 23:11       The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

It’s been too long a time since I heard a great testimony of faith. Presbyterians tend to be introverted academic people, so getting church members to testify is like trying to draw blood from a stone. It’s not that these people have no faith; it’s just that the age-old Calvinism inside their souls obstructs them from ‘showing-off’ about their personally held beliefs.

There are some Presbyterians, though, who could give their testimony at the drop of a hat. They are very confident about their beliefs, but sometimes their testimony lacks real credibility because vanity and assertiveness comes through. As extroverts, they do not see this in themselves, but those who hear and see them observe these things.

Perhaps testimonies are best expressed when they are situational and not contrived. In Paul’s case, from what we read in Acts 23, he testified to his faith in Christ because he was emboldened by the Holy Spirit to speak in a largely hostile situation. His life was on the line and he could have been torn to pieces by an angry religiously-fanatical gathering. Paul used the event to boldly speak of his faith in Christ’ resurrection, without boasting or vanity. It was a crucial moment to show his genuine Christianity to people, especially those who may have known and admired him before he actually became a follower of Christ.

I guess what I’m trying to write is that God gives us opportunities to testify about our faith in the experiences and situations that we find ourselves daily. Today, whether we are introverts or extroverts, there may come a special moment where positively expressing our beliefs to another person may be crucial in their lives. Let’s all hope and pray that when it comes, we will be ready.

Questions for personal reflection

When was the last time I heard someone give an effective Christian testimony? When was the last time I made my faith in Christ known to someone else?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You came into our lives through the words and testimony of another person. Our faith was transmitted to us through the effective witnessing of other people, whether they were family, friends, preachers or teachers. Remind us that we are also called to share our faith and testimony with other people. Help us not to shy away from those precious and crucial moments in our lives that will effectively, positively, and lastingly challenge and change other people. In Your Holy Name, may we continue to watch and 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 John’s Easter Sunday drawing for this year. It’s called ‘Rising Star.’ If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8605348590_4986139d69_b.jpg

Daily Devotion: A Lost Generation - Matthew 2:3

Today’s Bible readings:   Isaiah 9:8-15   and Matthew 2:1-6

Matthew 2:3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Herod was a bad ruler and a terrifying king. He murdered both his relatives and rivals. He terrorized his own people. He ruled with an iron fist and a heartless heart. He was an insecure and insane tyrant, so when he became disturbed about the news of the Messiah’s birth, the whole city of Jerusalem also became anxious and agitated.

The people were almost panicked because they knew what Herod was like. If the king was upset, then heads would soon roll. It must have been a terrifying time for the people of God, which was ironic because they were always hoping for the Messiah to be born. As the hymn writer once wrote: “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” That was about Bethlehem, but it could have been written about Jerusalem too.

These are also anxious days for the Church. Society seems to have gained the upper hand and many young people are moving away from the Christian faith in order to embrace a universal movement of peace, equality, and love. Those are high ideals and noble causes, but we’ve been down this road before in the 60s and 70s. Eventually those high ideals gave way to anarchy, irresponsibility, and immorality. The Hippie movement of 50 years ago, which started with so much happiness and love, degenerated into a despicable drug culture that ruined millions of lives.

Christ is moving among us, but not in the ways that our culture wants or society predicts. The Spirit of God is strong throughout the rest of the world and one day faithful men and women, who have given their lives to Christ in other nations and lands, will come again as missionaries to these shores to revive the Church, reclaim the people, and restore Christ’s Way, Truth, and Life to a generation that is presently lost, as well as to those yet unborn.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You see the turmoil in the Church and the restlessness across our nations. You’ve seen this all before in other lands and cultures, at other times and ages. Already, You are planting the seeds for a new generation of missionaries to come to our lost generation. We praise Your Name and pray for the time when the Church will be released from its cultural Babylonian captivity and re-brought into the Light of Your True Love. In Your Holy Name, we fervently pray. Amen.

John Stuart is presently 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Psalms project drawings. It depicts a verse from Psalm 37 – “Commit Your Way to the Lord.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3283895612_313bf65d2a_b.jpg

Short devotions: A Pre-Mission World - 1 John 2:8

1 John 2:8        Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in Him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

I’m going to stop using the term ‘post-Christian world’ and replace it with ‘pre-mission world.’ My reason for this is simple. Our Western Society seems to have turned so far away from Christ that we are now living at a time when people are growing up without knowing who Jesus actually is. Gone are the days when everyone was expected to know something about Jesus’ life; but now the time is ripe to raise new faithful leaders whose love of the Lord will attract future generations of seekers, who will be hungering and thirsting for Christ’s love and grace.

It’s almost as if we’ve come full circle and that the world which the First Christians experienced is similar to our own. Those original followers of Christ confronted many popular hedonistic views and eventually attracted people away from worldly immorality to Christian immortality. It’s my strong belief that we are now being called to do the same.

Instead of whining about the woes of today’s world, we need to thank God for this new mission. In the midst of their libertine and hedonistic ways, people still feel spiritually unfulfilled and empty. For those of us who remain faithful to Christ, this is a new opportunity to keep preaching the message of salvation. Empty people still need to be embraced by Christ; dissatisfied libertines still need to be led to the Gospel’s abundant life.

God is doing something new among us. We are living in a pre-mission world. The challenge that we face today is the same that the First Christians encountered long ago. Are we willing to undertake this mission? Are we willing to be sent into the world?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You call us to a new mission. Whilst the world revels in its darkness, we see that Your Light has not been diminished. We pray that You will prepare our hearts and minds for this fresh opportunity of reaching out in faith, hope, and love. Grant us the courage to care for those who don’t care for us. Give us opportunities to witness to the real joy of serving You and Your Kingdom in our churches, communities, and countries throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we eagerly 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 drawing is one of John’s most popular pieces from the past. It’s called “A New Earth” and depicts Christ standing over the Earth. If you would like to view a larger version, please visit the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2432537217_e82364bff8_b.jpg

John also has signed copies of this drawing available.

Advent Conspiracy - An Advent Devotion - Jeremiah 31 v 12

Jeremiah 31:12          They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD--the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

My wife Evelyn and I are not giving each other gifts for Christmas this year. We’d rather go out for coffees together, have lunch a couple of times, and maybe go to the movies rather than spending money on something that we don’t need or will hardly ever use. We’ve also decided to use our ‘giftless’ money to help some people in developing countries by sponsoring their businesses.

We do this through KIVA, a wonderful organization that seeks to help people around the world by giving them grants and loans to sustain their farms, stores, and businesses. Thus far, we’ve managed to help about 20 people in Africa, Asia, as well as both central and South America. It’s a gift that keeps on giving and I highly recommend it to everyone who reads this (you can find more information about KIVA on their website at http://www.kiva.org.

As I was watching CNN this morning, I saw a segment about the new Advent Conspiracy movement that is spreading throughout the Christian world. I went to the website a couple of days ago via a Scottish blogger. The purpose of this movement is to draw people’s attention to the fact that we spend about 450 billion dollars each year which 45 times the amount it would cost to give everybody in the world clean drinking water. Half of the people who die in developing countries every year are killed by drinking contaminated water.

The Advent Conspiracy group is trying to encourage Christians to review what they spend at Christmas. Instead of fretting and stressing out over Christmas presents, they want us to emphasize a real Christmas presence in our lives. If we cut down on our frivolous spending and became more intentional with our charitable giving, we could do a lot to solve the world’s problems. The old prophecy of Jeremiah would be fulfilled for the world could become a well-watered garden with people who sorrow no more.

You can watch the Advent Conspiracy’s thought provoking video at the following YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU. You can also see it on their website at www.adventconspiracy.org.

Believe me, once you watch it, Christmas will never be the same again…in fact, it will become a lot better!

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, keep us from being overwhelmed by stress and fatigue this Christmas. Help us to focus upon a real Christian presence in the world, instead of worrying about Christmas presents. In Your Holy Name, we pray for change. 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.

Daily Devotions: Spanish Eyes

Romans 15:24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Spain is a beautiful country. I’ve visited it twice and enjoyed every day that I was there. During my first visit, I traveled northwards from Madrid to San Sebastian and covered half of the country by coach and train. On my second visit, my wife Evelyn and I stayed for a week on the Costa del Sol, just below Valencia on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. It was also a very beautiful region and I got to practice my Castilliano Spanish in many stores, cafes, and restaurants.

It’s always been my intention to go back to Spain to visit the Andalusian South. I’d also like to see Gibraltar and look across the Mediterranean and see the coast of Africa. I might also include heading West to visit Portugal. My Dad loved to visit Portuguese ports when he was a merchant seaman.

Whether I’ll get there or not depends upon how much of a priority I make this goal. It could just be paella in the sky as far as my life is concerned.

Paul also had the intention to visit Spain, but he never made it. When he was writing to the Roman church, he hoped that he could visit them on his way westwards. He did make it to Rome, but in chains. He never reached Spain because he was executed by the emperor Nero when the Christian community was first executed.

I like the fact that Paul had plans for his future, even in the midst of his trials. It reveals the optimistic side to his character. He had dreams and goals for extending the influence of Christianity and sharing the Gospel from one side of the Mediterranean to the other. And in Paul’s lifetime, that meant covering the whole civilized world. What a marvelous goal!

Today, we are given many opportunities to share the Gospel throughout our own individual worlds and all cross the globe. We can share our faith and pray for the people we meet today, but we can also send prayers and devotions like this one to everyone we know across the internet. That way, we will be fulfilling part of Paul’s mission and Christ’s ministry to the entire world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Paul’s enthusiasm, faith, and mission. He lived his life sharing the Gospel with all kinds of people from everywhere. His faith sharing has come down to us through the scriptures. Help us to spread this mission and ministry amongst our own individual communities. 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.