July 21 devotion - Olympic Christians

2 Timothy 2:5  Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. (NIV)

            In 2016, the international sports community decided to uphold the Olympic ban on Russian track and field athletes, which came as no real surprise. A culture of doping athletes in Russia had been going on for decades. The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sports probably had some political consequences, but under the circumstances, it was the correct thing to do. Leveling the playing field for all athletes ensured that all of the competing nations had an opportunity to gain medals. To win events by cheating dishonored the whole Olympic ideal, so, hopefully, that punitive ban of one of the major athletic countries in the world perhaps began a new phase of cleaning up all kinds of sporting events by seriously expelling the worst drug offenders.

            When Paul wrote to Timothy about passing on the Christian faith to the next generation, he emphasized the importance of following Christ’s teaching and adhering to His truth. Paul’s example of a successful athlete gaining a crown by keeping to the rules was his way of describing how important it is to live a life of faith by sustaining basic Christian standards. Paul was concerned that the younger generation of Christians might be led astray through following their own ideas and choosing their own options. As an Apostolic teacher, he wanted to ensure that Timothy would maintain the core principles of Christianity so that the faith would grow in strength and influence.

            Paul’s words to Timothy are still relevant in our lives and churches today. We have to be careful about what we believe and how we live our faith. The world needs Christ’s compassion, mercy, and love as much now as it did way back then. If we remain true to the teachings of Jesus and continue to follow His ways, we will have the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact in our communities and across this planet.

Questions for personal reflection

What are my basic Christian beliefs? How do I express them to others?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Enable us to follow Your Way, embrace Your Truth, and live Your Life so that we may encourage others to do the same. In Your Holy Name, we 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 today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Super Tuesday devotion - Running to Win - 1 Corinthians 9:24

1 Corinthians 9:24     Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

            It’s a big day in America because millions of people will turn out to vote in the Primaries. A lot of people are deeply concerned, including me, about how our elections are being manipulated by the media. Whether it’s from biased news coverage or prejudiced comedy shows, the outcome is the same: a dangerous polarization of the greater community which threatens to tear apart the fabric of freedom across the country.

            How we got here is anybody’s guess and I’m sure that the historians a century from now will know all the answers. What I believe we need to do as Christians is to ask God for healing to come to our nation after the main elections, and then work to restore a practical unity and commonality in our own communities. No matter who is elected, poverty, ignorance, and disease will still be around, so we will still have plenty of missions and ministries to undertake, accomplish, and fulfill.

            When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about running a race and winning a prize, he was talking about our individual faith journeys. We rush through life headed towards the finish line, but rather than keeping our eyes on death, we raise them up to look at Christ and see Him waiting for us beyond the end of the race. He is our ultimate destination; He is our ultimate prize.

            So, no matter where we end up at the finish of this election, our eyes need to go beyond the political temporal world and look up to the sacred everlasting kingdom. Of course, we need to be in the world to help our communities, but we also need to look beyond this life to the eternal faith community to which we ultimately belong. There is no point in running this race we call life, only to finish at a dead end.

Questions for personal reflection

How often do I think about life after my death? Do I know where I am headed?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, in the midst of all the important events that are happening in our lives and around the world, help us to keep focused on You. Remind us that we are Your servants and enable us to work in our communities by sharing Your love and compassion with other people. Lead us through life, so that we may always look ahead and still see 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 make comments or ask questions about today’s devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Sports devotion: Glory to God - 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31   So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

The legendary Scottish athlete and missionary, Eric Liddell (on whom the movie ‘Chariots of Fire’ is based) was once asked about how he mixed his faith with his sprinting. He cheerfully replied, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” It was a wonderful way to express his love of God and to give Him the glory for Eric’s athletic gifts. Whether he preached, served, or ran, Eric’s life was lived to the glory of God and he has been a great example of witness and encouragement to Christian athletes everywhere for almost 100 years.

We all lead different lives, come from different backgrounds, and end up in different careers. We are each uniquely created by God for a purpose that no one else can fulfill. What we do with our lives is important to the overall work of God’s salvation in the world. How we witness to Him in our homes, schools, and workplaces can either encourage or deter people from drawing closer to Christ.

Wherever you go today, whatever you do, and whoever you meet, try to be an encouraging witness for God. Whatever you accomplish or fulfill, give God the credit for allowing you the skills, gifts, and time to achieve your goals. In everything, give glory to God. In all that you are, glorify Him today.

Questions for personal reflection

What goals do I hope to accomplish this week? How can I give God the credit for what I do?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us into service for Your Kingdom here on Earth. May the gifts and talents, knowledge and skills that we possess be used to help others, promote Your ministry, and give glory to God. In Your Holy Name, we 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 on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one that John drew for this year’s World Communion Sunday on October 6^th. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/10084865584_cd09b3d8eb_b.jpg

Devotions: Pat Summitt - A Courageous Lady - Ecclesiastes 12:1

Ecclesiastes 12:1         Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"

Like everyone else in Knoxville, Tennessee, I was shocked yesterday to learn the sad news that our Lady Vols basketball coach has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Pat Summitt is a remarkable woman and an exceptionally talented coach. She has risen up from humble beginnings and is one of the most successful leaders in American College Sports. She is a fierce competitor and a magnificent teacher. Tennessee fans adore her and this news has rocked us all.

But Pat Summitt is a courageous person. Yesterday she went on television to broadcast the news to her fans everywhere, in order to personally tell them of her disease. As always, she did this with great dignity and resolve, letting her supporters, players, and team coaches know that she is determined to continue leading the basketball team, while fighting the disease that is progressing within her. In Pat’s words, she intends to do this “as long as the Good Lord is willing.”

I have no doubt that Pat Summitt will prevail. I am also certain that she will become an important spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Association. If ever a person was destined to become a national advocate to seek a cure for this devastating disease, Pat Summit is truly the one.  

Every true Tennessean and sports fan across the United States supports Pat in her new battle. And our prayers go with her in the hope that the Good Lord will extend her life and diminish this disease.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we pray for families everywhere who are experiencing the effects of Alzheimer’s in their homes and among their loved ones. We ask that You will surround them with supportive and compassionate friends. We pray also for Pat Summitt and thank You for her bravery and tenacity. Grant her the strength that she needs to continue leading her team and give her many opportunities to advocate on behalf of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Pat Summitt’s video announcing the news can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DsXfInhkF8

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 Knoxville picture called “Sunsphere City.” It features the world famous Sunsphere which is situated in the World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5095209018_cf3f00de0f_b.jpg

World Cup Devotions: New Life - Acts 5 v 20

Acts 5:20         "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." 

Yesterday I watched parts of the live concert that was taking place in South Africa to celebrate the World Cup. It was wonderful to see so many people of different cultures and colors coming together to party. Twenty years ago, this would not have been possible. New life has come to the South African people and it was evident in their music, dancing, and celebrations.

When I see joyful and energetic events like that, I wonder if Christ’s Church will ever get together across the world by ridding ourselves of our historical divisions and theological barriers. It would be wonderful to experience a global Christian event where Christ’s people all gathered at the one time to celebrate His Victory over sin and death. If we could have an international festival of faith, the whole world would see that Christ does indeed breathe new life across the globe. I know that one day this will happen when Christ returns, but wouldn’t it be tremendous if we could organize such an event here and now?

Perhaps we can begin this process by making worship on Sunday mornings a priority in each of our lives. If we could all focus our energy into praising God enthusiastically, then we could turn those hollow services on Sunday mornings into holy celebrations. That would be a new life worth preaching and presenting!

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You brought new life into a deeply divided and dead world. Your message has touched millions of lives across the centuries and we are blessed with Your Spirit in the Church. Empower and encourage us to enthusiastically worship and praise You, especially on Sunday mornings when we meet with our faith communities. 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 image is a drawing called “African Cross” which John created for his daughter Lauren’s mission trip to Tanzania. Since then, it has been used by several African seminaries, conferences and congregations throughout Africa. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2554574595_18e55d4243_b.jpg

Free Daily Devotions: Infinite Value - Mark 12 v 16

Mark 12:16     They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"     "Caesar's," they replied.

It’s amazing what some people will pay to own something of a famous person. Earlier this morning, I was on Ebay looking at trading cards. I came across one that is described as ‘the holy grail of sports cards.’ It’s a 1952 autographed card of Mickey Mantle when he played for the Yankees. There are only 29 of these cards in existence and this one is in near mint condition.

The asking price? A mere $115,000. If you don’t believe me, then you can view it here: Mickey Mantle. Not bad for a mere portrait and inscription. I would have to sell half of my house to buy it, so I guess I won’t be adding it to my collection.

When I read this morning’s Gospel passage (Mark 12:13-17), I couldn’t help but smile. I wondered how much the Pharisees and Herodians would have valued the denarius if it had Christ’s portrait and a “Love One Another” inscription on it. They probably would have thrown it back in Jesus’ face. They were looking for a reason to trap Him and make Him look foolish in the eyes of the people, but they ended up with egg on their faces and left bewildered and amazed.

The story also makes me wonder what price I would be willing to pay for my salvation? A denarius? A dollar? $115,000? How much is God’s grace, Christ’s forgiveness, and everlasting life worth to me? Even everything that I own could never be enough to pay for those gifts of infinite value. I need Christ to inscribe the word ‘forgiven’ on my heart. I need His blood to cleanse me of my unholiness. I need Jesus  to sacrificially offer Himself on the Cross at Calvary in order to be completely and eternally saved, and so does everyone else.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, there are many things we own in the world that become valuable possessions and priceless items in our lives. But no matter what we have or even covet, they are nothing compared to our salvation through You. When all of our possessions, money, trading cards, and treasures have turned to dust, Your Cross will outlast and outshine them all. Thank You for the everlasting gift of salvation. We are indebted to You forever. 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 taken from John’s Psalm collection. It depicts Christ on the Cross in the style of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The written verse comes from the 86^th psalm. A larger version of the drawing can be viewed here: Psalm 86.

Lent Devotions: Out of Deep Waters - Psalm 18

Psalm 18:16    He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

For a couple of summers I used to help out for a week at our Presbytery’s Outdoor Camp Site at John Knox. I was friends with the director at the time and he invited me to go canoeing for a week with the middle schoolers. We went all over East Tennessee and North Carolina trying out various rivers and rapids. It was a wonderful time and I came back fitter and leaner than I had been in years.

The next summer I went back to the camp to do the same thing, but this time my friend was unable to lead the group. I spent most of the week driving the minivan or transporting the canoes to predetermined locations. I did get to go canoeing a couple of times during which I almost drowned.

The group was headed down a fast flowing river and all of a sudden my canoe overturned. Both I and the other leader ended up beneath the canoe and struggled to reach the surface. I remember thinking for a brief second that this was it. Green reeds were flowing around me and I was being buffeted and bashed by the strong current. My greatest fear was getting a foot stuck under a rock, so I leaned back in the water and let myself float to the surface. Within seconds I was gasping for air and dragging myself and the canoe back to the river bank. The other leader was already there.

When the psalmist writes about God drawing him out of deep waters, he’s talking about a salvation experience. His life is full of trouble and his foes are all around him. His faith in God assures him, so that when the worst does come, he knows that the Lord’s presence will help him endure and overcome the crisis. He is completely confident that he will be delivered from death and rescued from despair.

We all go through times when circumstances threaten to engulf our lives and overwhelm our days. We feel as if we’re emotionally drowning and our anxieties make us feel totally insecure. That’s where faith plays a key role in overcoming our troubles and winning the struggle. For the psalmist, it was the presence of the Lord that saved him; for us Christians it is the Spirit of Jesus who rescues us.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You know everything about what we are going through today, this week, and at this time. We rely upon You to be our strength when we are weak, to be our Guide when we are lost, and to be our Savior when we are in trouble. Hear our prayers and heal our lives. In Your Holy Name, we ask. 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 taken from John’s waterfall series and is called “Appalachian Spring.” You can view the rest of the series online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/sets/72157622666059885/detail/

4 Minute Devotions: Band Aids

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

The current economic situation gives us a wonderful opportunity, as Christians, to show our support to those who have greatest needs. We have a faith that not only gives us comfort in times of despair, but it also grants us the confidence not to be enslaved by our worries, anxieties, or fears. If Christians are insecure about life, then what is the point of our faith?

Last night, when I was watching the College Football Game for a while, I marveled at the Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. It wasn’t his playing that captivated me, but the fact that below his eyes he had placed two black band aids which read John 3:16. To the whole watching audience, Tim Tebow was using the broadcasted game to tell others that he was a Christian.

To some people, this might have looked like a piece of religious arrogance, but to me it reflected Christian confidence. He was going out to battle for his team and whether he lost or won, he was using the opportunity to let others know about his faith.

During this time of recession, a lot of people are going to have their confidence down-sized and their resources diminished. That’s when the church can step in to offer the opportunity of faith, compassion, and care. It’s a perfect time to witness for the Lord. It’s the right occasion to show others what God can do.

So today, let’s think about our families and friends, neighbors and colleagues who are going through tough times. And let’s also have the confidence to step up to the mark and offer them the friendship, understanding, and support that they need.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, these are tough days for all of us and many people are fearful about their future. Help us, as Your servants, to show them how faith works through good deeds, acts of compassion, and complete confidence in You, Your power, and Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Pace Yourself

We are all at the starting line of 2009, ready to begin a New Year. How will we pace ourselves for what we will encounter?

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

One winter, when I was in High School, I became a member of the Cross Country team. It was much harder than I anticipated. I usually practiced long distance races on the level playing fields at the school and easily outran my peers. For some reason, I could last longer running around the track about fifteen or twenty times.

My coach had taught me how to pace myself by breathing well and maintaining a regular rhythmic pace around the track. So long as I worked on those two things, I kept winning the long distance races at our school.

But cross country running was entirely different. I had high expectations for myself and when I joined other runners from Glasgow in a country park for a three mile race, I thought I would easily finish in the top ten. As soon as the starter fired the gun, I set off at my usual pace and then I encountered something that upset my breathing and rhythm: hills and valleys all across the park.

I was so used to running on a level track that it never crossed my mind to prepare for a different kind of track. Going down hill, my legs went faster than expected and broke my rhythm. I struggled to pound up the hills and it affected my breathing. About halfway around the course, I was totally winded and had to stop. Some of my school team mates, whom I had consistently beaten on the level track, galloped past me. By the time the race was over, I had come in 125th! So much for my own high expectations.

We all stand at the starting line of a New Year, anxiously waiting to see how it will turn out. We all have high expectations and make many resolutions to ensure that we will accomplish our goals and fulfill our ambitions. We expect a level track, but there will be hills and valleys, crests and troughs, highs and lows along the way. That’s when our perseverance, faith, and hope in the Lord will be crucial to our successes and failures.

This year, let’s take and make time to put Christ at the center of our lives and to give God the glory for all that we achieve. Let’s not take our blessings for granted; rather let us accept them humbly and apply them meaningfully in ways that will both honor and please the Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we know that You are our Savior and Teacher; we ask that You become our Leader and Guide throughout 2009. No matter what we face or encounter, keep us safe in Your hands, and enable us to accomplish much in our homes, at our work, and through our churches, to the glory of God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.