A New Land - Genesis 12:1

Genesis 12:1       The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

                It’s not easy being a first-generation immigrant. When you come into a new land as a foreigner, there are so many fresh things to learn that they begin to overwhelm you pretty quickly. New customs, methods, and ways bombard you night and day until you become exhausted or anxious about the move. You feel as though you’re in the wrong place and want to go back to where friends, food, and fun were all so familiar. You worry about the future and fret over how long it will take to acquaint yourself with the people, places, and patterns that everyone else seems to know. You feel isolated and vulnerable, insecure and valueless. It’s a hard day-by-day, month after month experience. It takes a lot of time, at least a couple of years, to begin to feel confident again. And even after decades of living in the new country, you’re always aware that you are an outsider, a foreigner, and an immigrant. It never leaves you or lets you go.

                When I read about the command that God gave to Abram, it makes me wonder if the patriarch went through some similar experiences. Perhaps Sarai didn’t want to move, or maybe Abram’s family tried to talk him out of it. He must have had a lot of faith in God’s words but I think there would have been some moments of doubt in his mind and heart. However, no matter what Abram, Sarai or the rest of their family felt, they eventually did get up and go as God commanded.

                Being called to another country and doing what God wanted started a new journey of faith in Abram and Sarai’s life, as well as for their descendants. By obeying God’s call, they put in motion the process of three major religions in the world – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. May we never forget that it all began with a family of immigrants moving to a new land.

Points to ponder

Have there been any immigrants in my own family? How did their choices affect my life today?

Prayer:                 Lord Jesus, we thank You for the history of Your people and for the obedience of Abram and Sarai. Their positive response to God’s call has given us the opportunity to have faith in You. Bless us with Your presence and lead us each day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

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

Devotions - Changing the Outcome - Revelation 9:20-21

Revelation 9:20-21     The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

 

When I read the Book of Revelation, I find some parts of it very sad. Today’s chosen verses make me feel that way because, according to John the Visionary, even after the terrible plagues and destruction that falls upon the Earth during the Time of Judgment, people will not repent or change their ways.

You would think that after losing a third of the planet’s population that people would wake up to reality and change their ways; instead they defiantly follow their own sinful ways and foolish paths. In Revelation, Christ’s Return is imminent and God’s wrath is being poured out upon the Earth, but humankind still persists in doing its own thing. In the Last Days idolatry, hedonism, immorality and dishonesty still abound. The human condition still wallows in its own misery despite what God is doing. It’s a last act of free will defiance and lifestyle libertinism. God is powerless to change the proud, stubborn hard-heartedness of sinful, stupid people.

That’s why I find reading Revelation so sad. Even when faced with the ultimate truth and End of Time reality, people are dooming themselves to damnation because they think that they know and are better than God. They tolerate all forms of wickedness and expect God to accept their ways. They brazenly ignore His warnings and reject any signs of Christ’s Return. They glorify themselves and end up in Hell because they do nothing to change their lives.

Yesterday, after Hurricane Irene had passed through the Eastern Seaboard, the Director of FEMA was asked if all of the warnings, evacuations and preparations had been unnecessary. The Director brilliantly answered, “You can’t change the outcome if you’re not ready.” In other words, without any preparations, more lives would have been lost.

My work as a preacher is to try to get people prepared for the End of Days. It gets harder every year because people are becoming more obsessed with their own lifestyle choices rather than choosing what God wants. Community tolerance has replaced Christ’s Teaching. Living for today has overcome looking for God. And getting our own way is more desirable to us instead of following The Way. As a sinful society, we are now more distant from God and more unready for Christ’s Return than we ever have been, despite having the scriptures and the truth of Christ’s Teaching available to us at any second of the night or day.

When Judgment comes, we will only have Christ to thank or ourselves to blame. The final destination for our everlasting souls will depend upon how much we’re willing to change and how ready we will be.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, the Bible gives us many strong warnings to repent of our sinful choices, to change our godless ways, and to prepare ourselves for Your Return. Sadly many of us will not heed Your uncompromising words and will fool ourselves into Hell. Our pride will make us push back against any challenge to our ways. Our love of self will set us adrift from Your salvation. Forgive our foolishness, O Lord, and reclaim our souls before it is too late. In Your Holy Name, we fearfully and faithfully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is John’s latest simple digital glass drawing from the Book of Psalms. It features a verse from Psalm 108. If you would like to view a larger version of the picture, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6081117737_388de7259d_b.jpg

Free Devotions: Questioning God - Acts 9

Acts 9:13         "LORD," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”

There are times when I would love to be like Paul, but in my heart I know that I’m more like Ananias. God tells him to go and heal Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor of the Early Church. Ananias balks at the very idea and even questions God’s command. He’s saying to God, “Are You sure about this? Perhaps You haven’t heard about this terrible man?”

That’s me all over - questioning God’s work and ways instead of listening to His voice and following His instructions. There have been many occasions in my life when God has presented me with new and difficult situations and I’ve ended up praying to God and expressing my concerns: “Are You sure about this? Will it work? Do You really think this person can do that?”

I’m certain that I’m not the only person or pastor who goes through this. Like Ananias, I eventually surrender to God’s will and trust in His wisdom. After all, God knows everything, so He must know what is right for Him, His Kingdom, and Christ’s Church.

Perhaps God is inviting You to a new opportunity, a different journey, or an untried spiritual path. Maybe like me, you question God and feel unsure. Pray and ponder over the possibilities. Seek Christ’s guidance and grace. If you truly do this and take time to think about it, God will show you His way. In the end, it’s His work in the world that’s important.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we often question Your ways and words. We are sometimes challenged by Your teaching because we know it will change our lives. Help us to accept the callings that You give us and lead us on the path that You have chosen for us. 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 drawing is John’s latest Independence Day artwork. It’s called “Home of the Brave.” You can view a larger version of the image online at the following link:  http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4753108411_2f3ec14382_b.jpg

4 Minute Devotions: Beginnings

In the beginning, this New Year was made by God. His will sustained the Earth as it revolved on its axis and continued to orbit the Sun. As midnight struck across our planet in the different time zones, God’s Word and Will kept the Universe in being, whilst the people of our world celebrated the beginning of 2009.

In the midst of all our festivities, we may have been too preoccupied to thank the Founder of our feast. Some of us may have whispered short prayers for our families, our friends, our work, and our prosperity. We may have quietly voiced our fears and insecurities to God in a glancing thought; or we may have left words of grief, regret, and disappointment unspoken.

Genesis1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

Whatever we may have felt at midnight, this morning sees the beginning of a new day. As the sun rises in the East, a new dawn is ushered in quietly, naturally, and routinely. At the start of this day, we are reminded that both in the Old Testament and New Testament light is given a prominent place. The darkness of a chaotic cosmos is enriched with the goodness of a star-filled universe. And the desolate darkness of fearful and finite humanity is given the faithful and everlasting light of Christ.

As we set aside 2008, we either gladly or reluctantly let go of the past, in order to begin a new journey. We place both our fears and faith into God’s Hands; we let in the light of Christ to heal our hearts and help our hopes. We step over the threshold of a New Year, looking for God to guide our way and let Jesus join us on this fragile, wondrous, and personal journey that we call Life. We pray that in the beginning of this year, God’s Word will continue to sustain the universe, this world, and our spirits.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for sustaining the Earth and for continuing life on this little planet. As we enter this New Year that we call 2009, we seek to place You at the center of our days, experiences, and events. Be with us in the midst of the blessings or banes that will come our way. Strengthen us for the ordeals and tasks that lie ahead. Grant us faith and patience, perseverance and fortitude throughout this holy and sacred, unique and unknown year. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.