Sabbath psalms - Christ the King

Sabbath Psalms - Christ the King

Psalm 93:1 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. (NIV)

This Sunday is the last day of the Christian year when most churches celebrate Christ the King. It’s an annual reminder of whom we serve and to whom we belong. As Christians, we are called to be servants of God’s Kingdom whose main purpose in life is to enjoy God’s Creation and praise Him forever. It’s a time to be humble and meek, reminding us that we are not the center of the universe, no matter how great, powerful, or smart we may consider ourselves to be.

This celebration comes at the end of the Christian year to climatically remind us that when time finally runs out, for ourselves and for this world, Christ will be seen as He is: the King of all Creation and the Lord of all our lives. So, this Sunday, we are invited to gather as servants to praise the One Who has saved us from our sinful selves, given us an everlasting hope, and in Whose Name and service we seek to spread God’s love, share peace with one another, and heal our wounded world.

May Christ the King be with and bless you from this moment and forevermore. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms - Welcome Table

Psalm 146:7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. (NIV) 

I recently began working as a part-time interim pastor in a local Presbyterian congregation. It was nice to get back into ministry and I really appreciate the welcome that the church folks have given to my wife and me. We both look forward to being here for at least six months.

Every congregation has its own unique ministries and this one – First Presbyterian Oak Ridge – is no exception. The church folks focus on social justice issues and even in the few weeks that I have been here, they are teaching me a lot of new things.

One of them is called ‘The Welcome Table.’ It takes place each month in the Fellowship Hall. The congregation provides a hot meal to anyone who wishes to come along. They also have several tables of groceries that the attendees can pick up to take home with them after the meal.

Those who come along are very grateful for the meal that is given, and for the fact that the church members serve people at their tables, bringing plates of food to them, just as if it was in a restaurant. Rather than have people stand in line, the church members humbly serve as waiters to the recipients. This means that those who have food insecurity issues are not treated like clients but are respected as equals. And when everyone is served, the church folks bring their own plates of food to the tables, to eat and converse with those who attend. In this way, several friendships have grown between those who serve and those who receive

I like to think that this is how God welcomes us to His table, whether it be for Communion or just fellowship with one another. It’s a beautiful thought that God treats us all equally, doing it lovingly while maintaining respect and dignity for all of us who experience His blessings.

Point to ponder: How am I supporting food pantries and other food distribution missions?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for blessing us through times of insecurity and need. Help us to remember to share Your grace with others and treat one another as Your children. In your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms - Full of Creatures

Psalm 104:24 How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (NIV)

            Every summer, our family used to stay for a week’s vacation in the town of Ayr, which is on the west coast of Scotland. We would spend each day on the sandy beach with crowds of other families who traveled down from Glasgow during the July Fair holidays. Sometimes, however, it was too cold to go to the beach, so we walked to a park at the far end of the town called Belleisle. It was a long walk but when we reached the park, we went to our favorite place – a little zoo that had lots of different rabbits, guinea pigs, and ducks from all over the world.

            We fed the animals with tufts of grass and plant leaves that we found near the cages. The rabbits and guinea pigs rapidly ate what we offered and looked for some more, so my siblings and I scoured the edges of the path to find more green grass and leaves. We always came away from the park delighted because we had stood so close to the animals and enjoyed having them pull the food from our small hands as we fed them.

            Nearly six decades later, when I think about those halcyon days, it makes me wonder if this is why God created so many different kinds of animals on our planet. Instead of killing them for sport perhaps we’re meant to look after the animal kingdom and live alongside it, to delight in God’s works of creation and live peaceably with nature. We seem to be so intent on destroying things these days that I fear we’re actually dooming ourselves to extinction. So many species are lost in the animal kingdom each year because of human expansion and destruction.

If I remember the scriptures properly, God gives Adam and Eve the gift of dominion over other creatures, but not domination. In other words, we’re meant to be good stewards and work with nature rather than being greedy conquerors who ruin and destroy life on this unique planet. I hope and pray that it’s not too late for us to repent of our harmful ways and make the Earth a peaceable kingdom once more, as our Creator intended.

Point to ponder: How do I appreciate and support life on Earth?

Prayer: Loving Creator, this world should astound us, and the beauty of Your works should delight us. Forgive us for taking life on Earth for granted and being so destructive as a species. Open our eyes to the uniqueness of our planet and help us to become good stewards of this beautiful world. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Today’s image is one of John’s crayon drawings called “Fall Break.”

Sabbath Psalms - Real Servants

Psalm 84:10    Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (NIV)

I remember a time when we didn’t have a custodian on duty at the church I served on Sunday mornings. This meant that I had to make the coffee because I was one of the first to arrive at the church. I also swept up the leaves at the front door, which usually collected in between Sunday school and worship. Some church members even joked with me when they caught me sweeping those leaves, asking if I had been promoted! It was all good fun, enhancing the friendship and fellowship at the church. It also helped me maintain a balanced perspective and kept my spiritual feet on solid ground.

I love the highlighted verse from today’s psalm because it reminds us that the practice of humility in God’s service is far more precious to Him than any fame or fortune, power or prestige. Whatever we do for the church, we are meant to do it humbly, firstly because we love God and secondly because we want to simply help others, so that they may be attracted to serving God as well.

When we think about Christ coming among us, we may be humbled and touched by the simplicity of Christ’s entrance into the world. He didn’t come to Earth surrounded by thousands of angels and glorified by rulers from all over the world. He wasn’t born into a family esteemed with riches and made prosperous through their power. His first abode was a wooden shack, usually reserved for animals. His life was endangered almost immediately by King Herod, and his family became refugees for a while. Rather than being recognized as the King of kings and Lord of lords, He was just a mere baby, unprotected and vulnerable, with no power or authority.

This is why serving the Lord at church should never be something that we undertake in order to fulfill our ambitions or build up our esteem. We serve the Lord because we are His servants. He calls and expects us to humbly do His will. He wants us to fulfill His ministries and missions, as opposed to our own dreams and desires. In other words, what we do at church is not to glorify ourselves, but to humbly worship God.

Point to ponder: Whatever I do in church, is it to make me feel good or to glorify God’s goodness?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we proclaim You as our King, making us Your subjects. Help us to recognize and accept that we serve You, so that You will be honored and glorified. Give us the heart of a humble servant and encourage us to attract others to serve You faithfully, too. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Short devotion: Serving the Kingdom - Romans 16:17-18

 

Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people. (NIV)

Like most good folks, I’m fed up with those who are constantly causing division and strife across the world. They seem to think that being aggressive and uncompromising are badges of success and medals of glory. They attract both belligerent and ignorant people, who sadly become their followers and pawns, leading them away from God because they are idolized and lauded as having no faults. This is a slippery slope and something that good Christians should totally avoid. To be manipulated by smooth words and flattery is to be led into deception and destruction. It’s one of the oldest sins that there is, and it is one of the deadliest for our souls.

We need to remind ourselves that we solely belong to God’s Kingdom, so we serve Christ first and foremost. The devil effectively uses nationalism to pull people away from churches and set up their own patriotic pseudo-religion. It’s alarming to see good, hard-working, and honest people being led away by a pied piper, but it’s happened many times throughout history, so it’s not really surprising.

Jesus teaches us that God’s Kingdom is above any and all nations. It’s God’s community on earth where aggression, self-centeredness, and arrogance have no place. Speaking out against those things may lead to persecution and rejection, but that’s what the true cost of discipleship and service in God’s Kingdom entails. Faith, real faith, not a manufactured or manipulated faith, is required for true followers of Christ which means loving our neighbors and not hating them, helping the marginalized and not hindering them, supporting aliens and foreigners in our midst, not shaming or condemning them. It’s a hard task for those who are Kingdom builders, but it’s the only true way to expand Christ’s community and faithfully serve our Lord Jesus.

Q: Am I a Christian in God’s Kingdom or something else?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we try to live for You and are commanded to share Your love. Protect us from those who use deception and division to increase their power and popularity. Shape us into the Christians we should be. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask. Amen.

 

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

June 2 devotional - A New Day

Isaiah 45:6      From the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

            I’m usually awake before each sunrise, so I get to watch the sun’s red glow permeate slowly across the morning sky. It is a peaceful and sacred time which helps me get into the right frame of mind for my daily work. Soaking in a sunrise enables me to embrace the day ahead by allowing me some quiet time to collect my thoughts and plan out my working hours.

            Today’s chosen verse also reminds me that each day comes as a gift from God as another opportunity to praise and serve Him in all that I seek to accomplish. My life belongs to God, so whatever I do, it should reflect both His goodness to me and my glory of Him. I don’t always get it right, but when I do, I draw nearer to God and deepen my relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Then, when sunset occurs at the end of the day and I rest my head upon my pillow, I can smile as I pray and thank God for all that I’ve experienced and completed.

            As we embrace this new day, let’s look for the opportunities that God gives us to share our faith with others through Christ’s compassion, care, and love. If we set out to do this, then the people around us may come to know of God as our Living Lord.

Prayer:            Lord God, thank You for the gift of another day. You know all that we seek to accomplish; You understand all that we need to do. Help and guide us to do whatever we can to accept, support, and encourage others, so that we may serve You effectively, positively, and lovingly. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please feel free to share this message. You can also contact him via email at Traqair@aol.com.

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

Belonging to God - Mark 12:7-8

Mark 12:7-8 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So, they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.”

            The greed of the tenants in Christ’s parable (Mark 12:1-12) causes them to lose their rationality and humanity. They want to possess the cultivated land for themselves, so they conspire to rid their community of any outsiders. Their selfish attitude makes them narrow-minded and eventually defeats their purpose. Instead of owning a fertile vineyard, they end up destroying their own inheritance; instead of being successful, they meet a miserable and justifiable end.

            When Jesus first told the story, He aimed it at His religious contemporaries. They were so focused on their own power and control, they forgot that the land and the people belonged to God. They thought it was both their religious and patriotic duty to keep themselves isolated and pure from any outsiders, but God had other plans – plans that would expand His compassion and grace way beyond any physical or spiritual borders that were being imposed. In His own way, Jesus was warning His oppositional contemporaries that their attempts to maintain their elitism and isolation was doomed to failure. God had moved on from their narrow views; Jesus had come to save the entire world, not just one nation.

            When I read passages like this, it reminds me that the world belongs to God. The whole planet is His vineyard and we are merely tenants who are charged with its upkeep and sustainability. If we think that we can carve out our own place and be disconnected from the rest of the Earth, we are deluding ourselves and sustaining a lost cause. The whole world belongs to God, not just some of it, so our true and utmost allegiance must belong to Him, too. If we fail to recognize this, then we will end up like the selfish tenants – left with absolutely nothing.

Point to ponder

Do I honestly put God first in my life? If not, what is obstructing me and how can I remedy that?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we call You the Savior of the World and the King of all Creation. Constantly remind us that this world belongs to You and that we are only tenants here, whose lives are meant to serve You and Your purposes, and not our own. In Your Holy Name, we humbly 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 one of John’s latest Nativity drawings called “Roomless.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Roomless.

Labor of Love - 1 Thessalonians 1:3

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

                In every church that exists, 20% of the members usually end up doing 80% of the work. Their commitment to Christ and the congregation is a wonderful gift to the faith community. The hours, days, weeks, months, and years of service make a huge difference in the life, ministry, and mission of the entire congregation. Whether it comes from elders or deacons, team leaders or volunteers, their gifts of time, talents, and resources are both essential to the continuing work of the church, as well as being an effective witness of God’s presence, care, and love.

                When the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, he wanted to commend them for their faithful, loving, and hopeful service to Christ. They were dedicated to spreading the Gospel and also devoted to the well-being of their people. They supported other churches with their gifts and exemplified what it meant to be a Christian in their own community. Paul’s positive words would have encouraged them to be and do even better for the Lord. His commendations were powerful and have been so effective that the churches still survive in the area after more than nineteen hundred years!

                Every one of us who belongs to a church has both the potential and opportunity to faithfully and effectively serve God through the ministries and missions, projects and programs our congregations undertake. All we have to do is personally volunteer and cheerfully give of ourselves, our time, and our resources to build up the church and make our world a better place.

Point to ponder

Am I willing to give my church more of my time and resources? Am I waiting to be asked or ready to volunteer on my own?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as Christians we are Your hands and feet, hearts and voices in the world today. Help us to see where our gifts and time could be used effectively in our faith communities. Grant us opportunities to serve You through Your body, the Church. In Your Holy Name, we 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 most welcome 😊

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

Super Bowl devotion - Team Spirit - Zechariah 4:6

Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (NIV)

            Sunday’s Super Bowl is an annual gladiatorial contest between two mighty teams whose players become warriors on the football field. Both sides use all of their strengths and skills to overcome the other, and the outcome is usually decided by either some clever point-winning strategy or an element of luck. Whatever the final result, the football athletes on the gridiron will have given their best for their team.

            As Christians, we are also meant to give the same commitment and devotion to the local congregation that we have joined. Our gifts and talents, as well as our faith and support, enable the whole church to continue the ministry and mission God has appointed. When we worship and work together, we are also given the added bonus of having the Holy Spirit in our midst. The Spirit’s powerful presence directs our ways and gives us the focus we require to be effective and purposeful in the church, across the congregation, and throughout the community. Without the Spirit, we are just a religious club; with the Spirit, we become disciples of Christ and servants of God’s Kingdom.

            In the Great Game of Life, the victory has already been won by Christ; all we have to do is to align our lives with His, so that more people can be brought into this important commission that Jesus has asked to undertake and fulfill.

            So, whatever plans you have for this weekend, which may or may not include the Super Bowl, plan also to be in church with God’s people to thank Him for Christ’s victory and also to be ready to serve His Son, Jesus our Lord.

Point to ponder

How do I share my gifts and talents with Christ’s church?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have called us to serve You in the world through the Church that You established. Encourage us to joyfully take up the opportunities of faith and fellowship, worship and service that You offer us each week. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to offer feedback on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Celtic Cross drawings called ‘Son Light.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Cross.

New Year devotion: Serving God - Ephesians 6:7-8

Ephesians 6:7-8          Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

We all have good intentions at the start of the New Year. We think about what we would like to do and accomplish, and maybe even dream about making fresh starts and fulfilling our long-term goals. It’s a great time of year to think about the future rather than dwell on the past. As we cross over this new threshold, we all hope for something good and significant to happen in our lives. It could be the birth of a whole bundle of blessings; it could be the start of something special.

            As a pastor, I like to use this time to seriously contemplate what God wants me to do with this year. I think about the path that the congregation is taking and try to work out how I can enable and encourage the good folks to find new ways and opportunities of supporting the church and serving Christ in our community. Each year is different from the past and God usually adds new folks, new missions, and new ideas to the whole process. It’s a large part of my ministry to see that God’s chosen people are placed in positions to be effective servants of Christ. If I can manage to do that well, then God’s work will be glorified and the congregation’s ministry will flourish.

Question for personal reflection

Do I feel called to a special ministry and mission in my congregation and community? Am I willing to talk to my pastor about it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all blessed to be Your servants. We each have unique backgrounds and gifts that are useful to Your continuing ministry. Help us all to pray about where You want us to serve You in our churches and 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 a question or make a comment about today’s message, please contact him by email at traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings. It’s called “Winter Cardinal,” and it features a beautiful red cardinal perched on a winter branch during snowfall. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/11634466773_6186ee6629_b.jpg

2010 Devotions: Leaving Our Nets - Mark 1 v 18

Mark 1:18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

When I was a pastor in Scotland, I loved working with the local fishermen. They were a hardy breed of manly men. They were coarse and rustic, weather beaten and strong. Each week they put their lives at risk looking for a bounty of fish. They worked long hours and in conditions that were sometimes terrifying. Whenever there was a storm at sea in the middle of the week, I used to pray constantly for their safety. On Friday afternoons, I gave thanks to God when I watched the fleet of fishing trawlers return home.

The faith of these fishermen was amazing to experience. Because they put their lives on the line week after week, they had a stronger connection to God than most everyday folk. I guess when you face death each day, then you find God a lot more closer to you. Whenever the church needed help or support, the fisherman families were amongst the first to volunteer. They were the heart and soul of the parish church and, throughout the years that I spent with them, I came to admire and respect their fearless faith and total commitment to God.

I think I can understand why Peter and Andrew, James and John left their nets to go and follow Jesus immediately. Fishermen are ‘all or nothing’ kind of people. Being timid or half-hearted just isn’t a part of their personality. It takes a great deal of courage to be a fisherman and they boldly go where angels fear to tread water. I think Jesus knew this when He asked the Galilean fishermen to follow Him. If they joined His team, then they would give their hearts and minds, souls and strength to His ministry and mission. There would be no half-measures and there would be no holding them back.

We are all called to become disciples of Christ, but sometimes we let other things get in the way. Instead of leaving our nets behind and walking on with Jesus, we keep a hold of them and drag them with us. Christ needs us to let go of the past, so that we can let Him lead us on to a more faithful future. If we truly want to serve Him, then it’s all or nothing.

Prayer:                 Lord Jesus, You called fishermen to Your ministry because You knew that through their commitment You would be able to build the Church. Thank You for choosing them and for selecting us. Help us to give You our all, so that You may become everything to 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.