Short Devotion: Peacemakers - Galatians 3:28

 

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

There has been a lot of controversial discussion about certain aspects of our common history in recent years. Sadly, it has created a great divide among us and caused both anxiety and hostility. One group fervently states that they have experienced centuries of injustice and inequality, so the other side should be made accept what they have done and repair any damage from the past, which may still unjustly affect the present generation. The other side does not accept these accusations, nor are they willing to apportion any blame to their ancestors and themselves, or even have the issue discussed in public forums or in school classrooms. Because there is no dialogue taking place, the wounds grow deeper and the division grows wider. Instead of being a compassionate community where freedom is known through liberty and justice for all, we have become fragmented and suspicious of one another, allowing fear to damage our freedom and ignorance to unsettle our society. 

In times like these, the role of the Church is to be Christ’s peacemaker, creating a safe place where such dialogue can happen, where opposite views can be expressed and heard, as well as being a sanctuary where unity and diversity can flourish. This is not a new concept – it is basic to the teachings of Jesus, as well as to be found in Paul’s ministerial letters. Just as it boldly states in our beautiful Declaration of Independence – we are all created equal by God –it is also expressed, according to Christian doctrine, that we remain equal in the eyes of God through Jesus – as the Apostle Paul wrote:

‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ This fundamentally means that more than any other group, we, as Christ’s followers, are meant to accept one another as equals and, therefore, to strive for that equality to be fulfilled in the Church, as well as to seek ways to accomplish that equality throughout our community, nation, and world.

This is not an easy task or a light burden, after all, Christ was crucified and Paul was martyred for daring to promote such a revolutionary peacemaking message in a time when power and oppression brutally suppressed any movement toward equality. But no matter how hard it is, to be faithful to Christ means applying His message, however controversial it may be, even in our present dilemma. As Christ’s followers, we follow His lead; as Christ’s disciples, we apply His truth. Like Jesus, we are peacemakers and pathfinders, seeking a solution to the sorrows among us, embracing dialogue and diversity, restoring justice and sharing compassion.

Q: How can I become a peacemaker in our divided community? How can the Church create a place and path that leads to unity and equality?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in our present difficulties, help us to turn to Your words and ways to find lasting solutions to peace, justice, and equality for everyone. Remind us that we are all equal in God’s eyes and will remain that way for the rest of our existence, both on Earth and in Eternity. In Your Holy Name, we ask for guidance, acceptance, and assurance. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what’s happening at the church, please visit our website by clicking this link: www.erinpres.org.

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

Peace Devotion: Perfect Peace - Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3      You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.

            We’re all looking for peace in our lives. Peace and quiet in order to rest. Peace in our households in order to get along. Peace at our work, so we can be effective as teams. Peace in our neighborhood, so we can sleep at night. Peace in our church, so we can minister to the larger community. Peace in our souls, so we can be renewed and re-strengthened by God.

            The old Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom,’ which is a complete peace. The perfect peace that Isaiah refers to in today’s verse is even greater than that – it’s a divinely gifted peace which blesses the body with health, the mind with clarity, the heart with strength, and the spirit with holiness. It’s what God meant us to experience when He first created us as human beings.

            As Christians, we look for that perfect peace in Jesus. He forgives us of our failures, restores us to God’s favor, and reshapes our lives so that we can serve God faithfully, cheerfully, and wisely. It’s a wonderful gift and something that we should always aspire toward.

            So, today, in the midst of yet another busy day, let’s seek God’s perfect peace by embracing His presence and placing our faith, hopes, and lives in His loving hands.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I currently need God’s perfect peace in my life? How may I seek this blessing from Christ?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we all need peace in our lives. We call You the Prince of Peace, so we pray that You will allow us this precious gift in our lives, our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and in our communities. 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 ask questions or make comments about this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. John appreciates your feedback J

Today’s drawings is one of John’s special Celtic Crosses called Seochan, which is a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Seochan.

peace devotion: Calming Troubled Hearts - John 14:1

John 14:1      “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

            We all suffer from troubled hearts and minds at times. We worry about our families and friends; we are sometimes anxious about our health or work; we are even concerned about our churches, communities, as well as the world that we live in. It just seems to be that we are all subject to trouble and suffer from worry, no matter who we are, what we’ve become, or whatever we’ve accomplished. As it once stated on an old t-shirt: ‘A person who has no worries, probably doesn’t understand the problem.’

            Looking back at the Gospels, you would think that the disciples who were with Jesus would have no problems; after all, if the Son of God is on your team, then you’re going to be successful and worry-free, right? Wrong! Jesus had to constantly tell His followers not to let their hearts be troubled. He knew that they were just human beings like us; He understood their fears and anxieties, their troubles and worries. They had given up everything to be with Him and yet, the closer that they approached Jerusalem, the more issues, troubles, and problems arose among them.

            This reminds me that faith communities, even with Jesus, are often subject to division and disunity, as well as fears and issues. There are no trouble-free guarantees concerning God’s work. The path will not always be smooth, nor will the skies always be blue. If anything, the whole of the New Testament expresses to us this commonality: our hearts will be troubled and our lives disrupted just because we do actually follow Jesus.

            Christ’s presence among His disciples, before and after His Resurrection, was meant to pacify their souls and calm their minds. He could do it for them, if they let Him. The same is true for us today. Praying to Christ is our antidote to worrying about life. The more we pray, the less we worry; however, the more we worry, the less we pray. Placing Jesus at the center of our concerns is the first practical step toward solving our problems and experiencing His peace.

Questions for further discussion

What problems are currently worrying me? Am I praying enough to put Christ at the center of them?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, we like to be independent and strong, effective and free to make our own choices, live our own lives, and deal with our own problems. Sometimes, Lord, worry diminishes our self-confidence and fear drains our strength. We forget to pray because we are afraid; we let go of Your words because we languish in our problems. Turn us to Your teaching and calm us with Your love. Strengthen us with Your wisdom and pacify us with Your presence. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian 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 Bible drawings with a verse from Psalm 62. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Psalm 62.

Prayer devotion: Peaceful Prayers - Luke 6:19

Luke 6:19      And the people all tried to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.

            No matter where He went, people crowded around Jesus. He was constantly mobbed with all sorts of people who were suffering from a multitude of diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses. His fame as a healer had spread around the Galilean region, so He was in great demand by people who needed His help the most. As He walked from town to town, the locals clamored around Him, begging Him for a miracle for themselves, their loved ones, and their friends. They even clawed at Him, believing that if they could just touch Him, they would be instantly healed.

            Sometimes I wonder if Jesus felt overwhelmed by all of this attention. He probably did, because we are also told from scripture that He sought isolated places to be in prayer with God. Popularity enabled Him to speak and preach to the masses, but it also had its negative side – that of being too much in demand, never meeting enough needs, and hardly getting any peace to Himself.

            Today, we can approach Jesus through prayer, allowing His Spirit to touch our weary and sick souls. We don’t have to wait until He passes by, or fight past crowds of other people. We can speak directly to Him and He will hear our pleas and prayers. In the midst of our too busy and burdened lives, we can still find consolation and peace, comfort and strength in Christ. All that we need to do is find a quiet place where we can focus on Jesus and allow His Presence to touch our spirits and His power to refresh our lives.

            Question: When was the last time I found a quiet place to pray to Jesus? When will I make time for that to re-occur?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, we all need You constantly. We all have worries and concerns, issues and troubles that frequently overwhelm, over-tire, and over burden us. Enable us to seek You prayerfully in a quiet place where we can talk to You openly, freely, and securely. 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, ask questions, or give feedback about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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