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.

A Small Gate - Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (NIV)

            My parents’ home in Scotland had its own front garden. My Dad planted a hedgerow to divide it from our neighbors and placed a green picket fence all around it. To get to the front door of their house, you had to walk through the small wooden gate in the fence. My Dad never oiled the hinges on the gate, so it creaked noisily each time it was opened. I think he did this deliberately as an early warning signal to let him know that someone was approaching the front door. Every time I visited my parents, the creaky gate was a welcome sound to me and a homecoming ritual that I always enjoyed. Even though they are long gone and I am now living in a different continent, I can still hear that gate being opened as I muse on it in my mind.

            When Jesus spoke of the narrow gate in Gospel times, He was clearly teaching His followers to seriously focus on the path He was laying before them. If they wandered from His teachings or even redefined His way, they would miss the narrow gate which was meant to open them to a life beyond death and an eternal existence. Christ cautioned them about being too broad-minded or too casual about their faith. If they followed the world, they would pursue a wide path which ultimately led to destruction. However, if they remained attentive and focused on Jesus, they would keep on His single path and enter through His narrow gate which, according to Jesus, only a few would truly experience.

            In these post-modern times, people are both encouraged and enticed to follow their own destiny, their own path, and their own ideas. The culture of self has overtaken the community of faith which sadly means that many will miss the narrow gate. As a pastor, an important part of my calling is to show people where that gate is and help them to walk through it. If I’m too busy doing my own thing, going my own way, and making my own path, then I will be guilty of leading people astray. However, if I maintain my focus on Jesus, His way and His words, then I can confidently remain at the gate and faithfully help my folks through it.

Point to ponder

Am I allowing the world to distract me and divert me on to a different path? How can Jesus help me to find and walk through His narrow gate?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us on Your path and lead us through Your narrow gate. Prevent us from becoming careless about our faith and lost in our own ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called “Banner.” If you would like to view a larger version, double-click this link: Banner.

Short devotion - Spanish Lesson - Mark 7:8

Mark 7:8 “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

            Christ’s teaching influences my whole life, but some parts of the Gospels directly relate to what I do as a Presbyterian minister. Much of the criticism that Jesus had for the religious clerics of His time still applies today and I confess to struggling with denominational practices and New Testament tenets. I inwardly flinch when I read about Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees because I see myself doing similar things like them. This, in turn, causes me to question whether or not I am guilty of holding on to human traditions, rather than keeping God’s commands.

            Years ago, I can remember discussing this with a Roman Catholic friend who was training to become a priest. The conversation took place in Valladolid, Spain and we were talking about our denominational differences and what was personally important about our religious traditions. At the end of the discussion, my friend said to me words I will never forget, which still influence me today: “No matter what our differences are, John,” he said, “I am a Christian first and a Roman Catholic second.”

            Can you imagine what kind of a positive and effective influence we would have on the world if church people everywhere became Christians first and their denominational choice second? A lot of the religious wounds on Earth would be healed and we could begin to fix our broken world. For me, this means that the challenge I face is to be a better Christian than a Presbyterian, and to continually become a better disciple of Christ than a pastor. And in the end, is that not what Christ expects of me, as well as all of us who follow His ways?

Point to ponder

Do people see me as a Christian or something else?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we all want to be Christians at home, in church, in school, in our workplaces, and wherever else we go. Help us to grow closer to You in such a way that our faith will be honestly and positively displayed to those around us. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

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

Ministry devotion: An Old Joke - John 10:4

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 less 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, 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.

Devotions: Great Expectations - Luke 9:46

Luke 9:46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

Pastors are funny people. Whenever they get together, they tend to be a little territorial, so that when a colleague asks - “How is the church doing?”  - the answer is normally given in numbers attending worship, expanding the worship building, and church finances. I guess that a better question to ask would be: “What is your church doing?” To answer that question, numbers and stats are not the key element – it would have to be answered in terms of ministries and missions, programs and events.

Also, in times of economic difficulty pastors, including me, are quick to blame outside influences for their inside troubles. Conservatives blame the progressives for diminishing membership numbers; progressives blame conservatives for ineffective community participation. Differences occur and arguments take place. Whatever the issue, it usually has its roots in one side wanting to be more dominant, powerful, and relevant than the other. It’s really just the same argument that the disciples had walking behind Jesus: who or what is the greatest.

Psalm 48 v 1 reminds us that “Great is the Lord and He is greatly to be praised.” Ministry and mission, church and service are not about how great we are or about the success of our accomplishments. Christ’s greatness is what we are meant to proclaim, whether by preachers in the pulpit or through members doing mission in the community. Our differences are just varieties of the same ministry, given to us by the same Savior, and expected of us by the same Lord.

 It’s not about us; it’s all about Jesus.

Question for personal reflection

What does my church do for Christ in my community?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are meant to be at the center of everything we do at, for, and by the church. Our deeds are supposed to glorify You. Our tasks are meant to honor You. Help us to displace our egos and replace them with 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.

Today’s image is one of John’s Easter drawings called “Redeemer Rabbi.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5262/5813805303_784c8ccd1d_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

Devotions - After 25 Years - Proverbs 14:15

Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. 

At the end of this week, I will have been a pastor for 25 years. I was ordained on April 30^th, 1986 and began my pastoral duties on May 1^st. I was the first graduate of my class to be ordained in Scotland and I have tried to serve God well in the congregations to which I have been called.

Throughout the last quarter of a century, I have sadly seen Presbyterianism decline in both Scotland and the United States. I have made my views known on this from both the pulpit and through the devotions that I continue to write. I have seen the caliber of pastoral ministry diminish and divinity degrees being discredited. I have watched churches die and ministers burn out. I have tried to keep the churches under my care alive and growing. I have tried to be faithful to God’s word in preaching and pastoring, even when this has become unpopular.

I feel that I have failed. I feel that the words I have written, the sermons I have preached, and the studies I have led have not changed anyone or anything. People believe anything and Presbyterians are headed down a dead end street. There’s nothing I can do to reverse this and so I feel like the weeping prophet Jeremiah, who preached the Word of God faithfully to a people who believed in anything but the Word of God.

A new dawn is beginning for the Presbyterian Church which will see its demise in this century. By the time I retire professional pastors, denominational seminaries, and parish congregations will be relegated to the ecclesiastical history books. They will be replaced by part-time preachers, online courses, and community centers. Dinosaurs like me will eventually become extinct, along with denominations. Independent, post-denominational, charismatic and missional fellowships will grow because the True Word of God will be not only preached but practiced by all of the people. It will be a time of renewal and revival, but at least three generations will be lost because the large majority of them will believe anything but the Word of God.

So, on Sunday, I’ll be commemorating 25 years of ministry, but I won’t be celebrating it. It will be low key, simple, and for me very, very sad.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, when did we go off track and wander so far away from the Truth? How long will we stay on this dead end path that leads to nowhere? Why are we so afraid of our cultural peers? What makes our generation so certain that we have it right and every preceding one for two thousand years has been wrong? How long, O Lord, will it be before the Church awakens from its slumber and shakes off its dust? In Your Holy Name, we lament and 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.

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Effective Preaching

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

I’ve been preaching for more than thirty years and throughout that time, some people have asked me how can I stand up before other people and preach the Word. They often tell me that they are terrified of speaking in public, so they wonder how I do it week after week.

The secret is twofold: firstly, preaching is not public speaking. Making a speech before your business associates or presenting a project to a group of peers is entirely different. That’s part of a marketing transaction or a management structure. You present what you know and hope that everyone buys into the product. The success of the presentation is based upon how effectively you manage to persuade potential customers or team members. It’s a sales pitch and although some Christian writers would have us believe that preaching is the same, it isn’t.

And that brings me to secret number two: effective preaching depends upon the presence of the Holy Spirit, not the oratory of the preacher, nor the content of the sermon. I’ve heard some life changing sermons given by the meekest of preachers. They have not been dynamic or extroverted, but their words have been endowed by the Holy Spirit. True preachers do not believe in themselves; instead they have confidence in God and present their sermon through the power of Christ living in them.

So this Sunday, when your pastor steps into the pulpit, or stands behind a lectern, or walks across the sanctuary floor to present his or her sermon, open your hearts and minds to this important question: what is the Holy Spirit communicating to me through this sermon? I guarantee that if you have confidence in seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance at that time, you will be richly rewarded through what the preacher offers with the sermon.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we thank You for the power of preaching through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds this coming Sunday to what You want us to hear. Help our preachers to seek Your favorable and guiding presence as they set out to preach God’s Word to God’s people. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor 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.