Pandemic devotion: Do No Harm

 

Today’s Bible readings can be found at this link: Proverbs 16:1-16 & Romans 13:1-14

 Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. (NIV)

 For many months, I have been strongly advocating the wearing of masks in public places in order to diminish the impact of the present pandemic. By wearing a mask, I am, like millions of others, trying to keep the number of contagions down so that our hospitals do not get overwhelmed with emergency cases. At the moment, we are in the most dangerous phase of the pandemic, so hopefully more people will graciously adhere to the wise safety precautions that our best medical people are encouraging us to practice.

 Some folks I know question these precautions because it offends their self-dignity and personal liberty. I must admit that I don’t understand this because freedom always entails community responsibilities for the common good of the whole people. Also, from a Biblical point of view, we are commanded by Jesus to love one another and, in today’s highlighted verse, the Apostle Paul endorses that by informing the Christian church in Rome that love does no harm to a neighbor and is, indeed, the fulfillment of God’s law. So, because of this, I wear a mask and encourage others to do the same. As a Christian, I see no other way of respecting and fulfilling Christ’s command to love my neighbor.

 The good news about wearing masks and following safety precautions is that we have actually diminished flu around the globe. Usually at this time, the flu season deeply impacts our communities, but because more folks have been vaccinated and are following the 5 core safety precautions, the annual flu is having a tough time of being transmitted. So, the side effect of all our precautions is that flu cases are very low. Isn’t that wonderful?

 May God bless you and keep you all safe from this pandemic. May you all do your part in fulfilling God’s law by keeping the precautions and showing Christ’s love by doing no harm to your neighbors. Wear a mask, please. 😊

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be free from our fears by graciously accepting the God-given wisdom of our health and medical professionals. Keep them safe, too, as they constantly seek to help those who are the worst affected by this pandemic. May our loving actions and compassionate responsibility successfully diminish this contagion. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 Pastor John

Erin Presbyterian Church,

Knoxville, Tennessee.

www.erinpres.org

Short devotion: Sanctuary - Psalm 141:2

 

Today’s Bible readings can be found at this link: Psalm 141:1-10 & Acts 21:1-14.

 Psalm 141:2    May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (NIV)

 In ancient Bible times, people used to stand before the altar in the Temple and raise their hands as they prayed to God. It was a beautiful way to focus on what needed to be expressed and the scent of the incense, along with the rising smoke, made the person praying feel assured that their words were being carried up to God in the heavens. The sanctuary, therefore, became a holy place of safety and security, as well as of hope and faith.

 For most folks today, the loss of sanctuary is being keenly felt during this pandemic. That familiar and sacred space where we would gather to worship, as well as to pray, has been temporarily taken from us. It means that we’re left with a spiritual emptiness which cannot be filled with anything else. Some may say that the church building is not important, but that’s not true: sanctuaries have always been a part of our faith and it’s where we mostly encounter God’s presence with His gathered people. Like the psalmist of old, we need a sacred space where we can quietly sit or stand before God, expressing to Him our worries and issues, as well as our confessions and complaints.

 Hopefully, one day soon, we can gather again as a people of God in our sanctuaries. After Thanksgiving, our own sanctuary will open during the week for church folks to drop in and quietly pray. The sacred space is still there; the holiness of God can still be found in that peaceful place which is dearly missed and fondly loved by all of us.

 Point to ponder: What have been some of the most memorable experiences for me in the church sanctuary?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, even You found sanctuary in the synagogues You visited each Sabbath and the Temple that You attended during special feasts. We miss being together in our sanctuary, so please help us to find a safe and reassuring way to enter that dear holy place. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you want to see what’s happening at the church, visit the website at www.erinpres.org.

 Today’s image is one of John’s psalm drawings based on Psalm 85. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Psalm 85.

Short devotion: Pandemic Post - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)

 Throughout this pandemic, I have been collecting British stamps. I am doing this for two reasons: firstly, I’m gathering them in several albums to give to my grandson in years to come. I hope he appreciates the stamps as something that I personally put together for him during a time of crisis. Secondly, I needed something in the evening to take me away from the television and my obsession with the news. I was becoming overwhelmed and depressed with the situation which was affecting my faith and relationships. I thought that if I did something quietly and peacefully it would bring down my levels of anxiety and distress. It worked.

 I rediscovered my boyhood joy of collecting stamps. The colors, the artistry, and the events depicted on the stamps – all brought back memories from my childhood and remembrances of historic celebrations and commemorations. It helped me to escape from the pressures of the present pandemic into a past world that I cherished. It has been a wonderful godsend to me and has kept me balanced, focused, and determined to get through this critical time.

 Stamps are really postal seals that are used by us to guarantee that a letter or package will be successfully sent from one place to another. Most of the stamps that I have collected have been purchased online from all over the world. It has been delightful to receive letters from folks on the other side of the planet who share this wonderful hobby. I’ve also realized that the stamps I collect have their own individual stories of messages and packages, letters and notes sent by people years ago. It’s amazing to think that something which began its journey in someone else’s life has ended up in an album that I will pass on to my grandson.

 When I read today’s Bible verses, I was reminded of the seal of ownership – the stamp of approval, if you like – which God gives to us through Jesus. And with the Spirit’s blessing within our hearts, we are guaranteed a better and brighter future to come. I like that idea, especially during this pandemic. It gives me hope for the years to come and peace throughout this present time.

 Q: What have I done during this pandemic to sustain me and bring me peace?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the greatest gift in our earthly lives and by God’s seal, we are stamped with Your love, grace, and approval. Help us throughout this present crisis and enable us to discover new or old ways to find hope, peace, and love. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and see what’s happening at the church by visiting our website at www.erinpres.org.

Midweek Devotion: Breakfast Buddies - John 21:12

 Here's today's short Midweek video devotion called "Breakfast Buddies," which is based on John 21 v 12. The text is below the video box. :)

John 21:12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. (NIV)

 One of the things that I miss dearly at the church is our monthly Men’s breakfast. About a dozen of us guys get together to sit down to a delicious breakfast which two of the group carefully prepare. We typically eat well and laugh well – sometimes at the pastor’s expense – and it is a great support group for all of us. Once this pandemic is over, I’ll be looking forward to be sharing breakfast with those guys in the church fellowship hall.

 I guess that’s why I like this post-resurrection story of Jesus having breakfast with the disciples. I can imagine that after their initial shock and surprise, they would share some laughter and light-hearted ribbing – probably at Peter’s expense – in order to rebuild their ties of friendship and faith. It seemed to be important to Jesus to share this moment with His friends. I think all of us will be happy to do something similar when we get through this present crisis.

 So, instead of dwelling on our current predicament, let’s look forward to those food and faith-sharing times when we will re-experience the laughter and love of friends in church together.

 Prayer: Lord God, You know how much we miss our church sisters and brothers and that we yearn to be in fellowship together. Please keep us safe throughout this pandemic and bring us to a time when we can thankfully be with one another gain. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Midweek devotion: Growing Up - Luke 2:40

A short video devotion based on Luke 2:40. How Christ's young life can help us with our issues today.

 

Luke 2:40 And the child Jesus grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (NIV)

I like this picture of Jesus that Luke’s Gospel describes which, in just one sentence, covers at least twelve years. He grew up strong, probably because Jesus helped his earthly Dad, Joseph, in the carpentry business. I can see him carrying bundles of wood, using heavy tools, and even sweeping the sawdust from the floor at the end of each day. I think he would have enjoyed that work and there are old legends of Christ creating perfect pieces of furniture for customers in Nazareth.

But as well as strength, Jesus was also filled with wisdom, which meant that He must have attended school, studying the scriptures at the local synagogue, filling His mind with the wisdom of the Jewish sages in the past. In years to come, this knowledge would enable Him to follow God’s path and help other people find God’s Kingdom.

Lastly, in this one verse we are also told that the grace of God was on Him. What was the use of all that strength and knowledge if He didn’t know how to use it compassionately, mercifully, and lovingly? Strength can be used to bully others who are weaker; wisdom can be employed to marginalize those less able, but when God’s grace is mixed in with them, strength is used to support others and wisdom finds ways to help others. So, when Luke describes how Jesus grew up, he is showing us how God shaped Christ’s life for His future ministry.

Dear friends, in the midst of this pandemic, we may wonder what it is going to take to get us beyond this crisis. I believe that Luke presents the formula for such a solution: strength, wisdom, and the grace of God.

So, here is something to personally ponder: what strengths do we have and what knowledge do we possess that could be enhanced by the grace of God?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, Your life is a true example of someone who was shaped by God to serve Him with strength, wisdom, and grace. Help us to be open to God’s will at this crucial time. May we serve Him and one another with all of our power and knowledge, mixed in with God’s grace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Midweek Devotion - Anxious Times

We live in anxious times, so what can this moment teach us about our loved ones and other folks who struggle with anxiety every day? A short devotion on Philippians 4:6-7.


Anxious Times from John Stuart on Vimeo.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

For some people, anxiety is a chronic illness which paralyzes them emotionally and exhausts them physically. They struggle with everyday tasks and try their utmost to combat feelings of unworthiness and insecurity which riddle their thoughts and tramp over their hearts. When they try to express what they are enduring, other folks don’t understand and say trite things like “Don’t worry about it. You’ll get over it. You can do this.” Instead of helping, it only makes anxiety-sufferers feel worse; instead of healing them, it hinders their well-being.

Living under the threat of a pandemic has perhaps given a lot of us a better understanding of what anxious people experience every single day. We feel lost with no clear sense of direction. We fear the worst will happen and some of our dreams at night have become pandemic nightmares. We don’t feel empowered or in control anymore because this crisis is way bigger than anything we have ever encountered. We feel inadequate and don’t know when or how this will end. We are experiencing anxiety and those who know this feeling every day can now say to us, “Welcome to my world.”

Today’s Bible verses from Paul may give some hope and reassurance to most of us. We can take these words and find the right amount of encouragement that we need to endure. When all of this is over, we may be in a position to thank God for an end to our dilemma, but our family members and friends who have chronic anxiety may not feel the same way.

Perhaps, then, if we use this time of pandemic as a life-teaching moment, we will be more empathetic to our loved ones who go through this kind of anxiety each day. And instead of saying trite words to make us feel better, perhaps just a sympathetic nod, a listening ear, and a more patient heart may offer some real support to them in the future.

Q: What have I learned about anxiety during this uncertain time? How may I use this to help others?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, these are times that try our souls and weary our spirits. We are deeply worried about the future and very concerned about what is yet to come. Help us to reflect on our present anxiety and teach us to become aware that this feeling of dread is what others among us experience every day. Bless them with the strength to endure and enable us to give them the empathetic support they really need. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Devotion - Ancient Words - Psalm 27

A short devotion based on Psalm 27 v1 to help us through this crisis.

Mid-week devotion - Looking Ahead

A short devotion on Psalm 22 v 31 and how it can help us through this time.

Overcoming - Mark 9:23-24

Overcoming our fears and restoring hope in a time of pandemic.

Pandemic Purpose - Mark 9 v 5

Mark 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (NIV)

For most of us, being at home is like house arrest. We want to go places and be with people elsewhere, but we cannot because we’re trying our best to help others. We end up sitting around after our work, probably watching old movies, checking out the fridge, or cleaning out stuff that we’ve gathered or kept in boxes way too long. Perhaps there are some moments when we don’t know what to do with ourselves, so we just end up trudging through the day as best as we can and then go to bed early. We’re on pandemic imprisonment and we don’t like it.

But what if God wanted us to use some of this time to grow closer to His Son Jesus? What if this was the opportunity to fully read that Gospel or Old Testament book that we’ve always promised ourselves to do? What if God, who really loves His Son, wants us to listen to Him now? Wouldn’t that transform our spirits? Wouldn’t that give us something to aim at or spiritually deepen?

Usually, we are so busy that we never really stop to listen to Jesus. We bring Him into our lives whenever there’s a crisis or something that we want from God. Now that we’re in a crisis, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves what does God want me to do in this strange time?

So, go on. Read that book from the Bible. Study that passage that has always intrigued you. Choose a Gospel and read it from beginning to end. The insight that Christ gives you may also change you, but then again is that not why God says to the three disciples on the mountainside and also ourselves: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we waste a lot of our lives by focusing on unimportant things. During this pandemic help us to change that. Encourage us to meditate on Your Word and allow us to use this opportunity to grow closer to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

PS – if you would like to find a Bible online, the best ones to be freely found are at this great link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Today’s image is John’s latest Pentecost drawing called “Spirit 2020.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit2020.

Video devotion - Clean Hands - Psalm 18:20