June 17 devotional - Hope for the Weary

Isaiah 50:4a    The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.

            We all get weary at times and wonder what life is really about. Some of us are over-worked and under pressure much of the time. Others are over-worried and fighting depression. Some folks are lonely and barely manage to get through each day. Still, others find life hard to endure especially when family, friends, or loved ones are struggling, too.

            Being human means that we will experience good days and bad days, broken dreams and unfulfilled promises, hardships and perhaps even hostility. However, it’s good to know that we are pilgrims passing through this planet, heading towards something else, something bigger, and something better.

            Being human also means that we can appreciate beauty, kindness, love, and peace. We can be inspired by others, encouraged through their words, and comforted with their presence. In the midst of our worries and weariness, good friends and faithful people can make all the difference. The Irish often say that all people need is ‘a kind word and a smile’ – which are great gifts to receive and are wonderful blessings to share.

            When we take the time to read the scriptures, we often find verses and passages that reflect our current experiences. This reminds us that God’s Word is alive and relevant, with the potential to sustain us in times of trouble and encourage us in days of joy.

Questions for personal reflection

How am I feeling today? Am I willing to ask God to guide and sustain me with His Word?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing Your Spirit to be present with us each day. You know everything that we are experiencing; You understand all that we are currently going through. Encourage and sustain us; embrace and remain with 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 send him a message, please send an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is an old drawing of John’s called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: New.

Looking for Jesus - John 6:24

John 6:24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (NIV)

            Quite recently, I was seeking an old recording of a conversation that some friends of mine had at a radio station several years ago. One of them had just died and I was wanting to hear his voice again, as well as the remarkable story of his life. I hunted high and low in my home, my study, my garage, and church office, but sadly I didn’t come across the CD. I know that it is somewhere safe and I’ll probably discover it when I’m looking for something else. Until then, I’ll just have to rely on the memories that I have of my friend and the good times that we shared.

            At the end of today’s Gospel passage (John 6:22-24), the people are looking for Jesus, but He is nowhere to be found. The previous day, He had miraculously fed 5000 people, which made the crowd want to make Him their king. When they discovered that Jesus had gone, they set out on their boats and sailed up to Capernaum where He usually resided. I’d like to think that they were looking for Christ for all of the right reasons, but I suspect that human nature being what it is, they were mostly looking for more miraculous food.

            This made me reflect on my own search for Jesus. Have I been seeking Him for all of the right reasons, or do I have some selfish desires that I want Him to fulfill? Am I looking to Christ to straighten out my problems, overcome my difficulties, and fix my issues, or I am I just humbly seeking to serve Him because He is my Lord and King? I hope and pray that it is more to do with the latter.

Point to ponder

Am I looking for Jesus to do something in my life or am I seeking to do something for Him?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of our lives and the King of all Creation. We are supposed to be Your servants and faithful followers. Help us to seek Your will in all that we accomplish and experience today. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. You can also email John with your questions, feedback, and thoughts at Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘Jazz4Jesus.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Jazz.

Short devotion: The Royal Law - James 2:8

James 2:8       If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

       

Yesterday, in the Sunday School class that I teach, we were discussing the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s probably the best known story that Jesus ever told so, throughout the class, the participants offered their personal ideas and opinions about the parable. It was a good way to share our faith beliefs together, and even though it was a fictional story, Jesus told it in such a way that even thousands of years later the heart of its message is still as relevant today as it was in His lifetime.

I also like how James described the teaching ‘loving your neighbor as yourself.’ He called it ‘the royal law.’ This doesn’t mean that it was only meant for kings and queens, princes or princesses; James meant that this came as a command straight for the heart of Christ our King. In other words, it’s meant to be taken and practiced seriously by those who consider themselves to be disciples, followers, and servants of Jesus.

Throughout this week, we will all have many opportunities to ‘love our neighbors as ourselves.’ The real test will come in whether or not we respond to the needs our neighbors have, or whether we will be too busy, causing us to walk by on the other side and discard the royal law. The great Chinese scholar Confucius once wrote, almost five hundred years before Christ, “To see what is right and not to do it, shows a want of courage.” For the Christian, to see what is right and not to do it, shows a want of faith.

Questions for personal reflection

What hinders me from helping others in need when I see it? How do I justify my inaction?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, truly teach us Your ways so that we may practice our faith in loving and compassionate deeds. Keep us from being fainthearted, and encourage us to witness to You through our acts of kindness and care. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com.

 Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass Pentecost designs called ‘Sacred Spirit.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14024051194_10b3cce1ec_b.jpg

Short devotion: Sleeping Sheep - Mark 13:36

Mark 13:36     If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

There’s an old joke told about a Vatican priest rushing in to the Pope’s throne room in Rome and shouting, “ The Lord Jesus has returned to Earth! What will we do? What will we do?”

The Pope simply replies: “Look busy.”

I still laugh at that joke, but the older I get, I also understand the fundamental truth behind it. What if Jesus returned to Earth today, would we be ready or caught sleeping?

Because we live in a society where instant gratification and unhindered leisure are important to us, we may be caught off guard when Christ does return. We keep taking shallow short cuts with our faith and are constantly distracted from making a deeper connection to God via worship, meditation, prayer, and study. We want our theology to be thin and palatable; we want our Bibles to be read in short bytes and simple verses; and we want our worship to be convenient and passive, instead of challenging and passionate. In other words, we want a cozy, comfortable faith to soothe our spirits and anaesthetize our souls.

In John Bunyan’s amazing book, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress,’ the hero is called ‘Christian’ and he endures a harsh journey from the City of Destruction to the Gates of Heaven. Just before he reaches the end of the journey, he has to pass through a dangerous pathway where many fellow travelers are sleeping. They are sleeping because they have taken their faith for granted and will sadly never finish the journey, or enter into God’s Kingdom. Christian has to steel himself and summon all of his faith resources in order to overcome such a subtle temptation. Only by persevering faithfully, does Christian win the battle and get into Heaven. He is alert and awake for the Lord’s Return; he is heartily welcomed and cheerfully accepted into the Lord’s Domain.

Question for personal reflection

Am I ready for the Lord’s Return or am I guilty of falling asleep and taking Him for granted?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You could re-appear any day now and yet we live as though it won’t happen in our lifetime. Forgive us for disregarding the teaching of the scriptures and the challenges of the Gospel. Keep us alert and ready, as well as eagerly awaiting Your Promised Return. In Your Holy Name, we expectantly 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 John’s latest lectionary drawing called “Water and Spirit.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7259851996_ad06a17b9f_h.jpg