Sabbath Psalms - Map Reader

Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. (NIV)

It was in the Boy Scouts that I learned how to read and use a map. I can remember hiking in the Campsie hills above Glasgow, Scotland, with my Scout troop. As we climbed the hills, a deep fog descended around us. Before long, it seemed to me that we were hopelessly lost. As the mist slowly cleared, we began to see the landscape of the Campsies around us. During this time, our patient Scoutmaster unfolded a map and pointed out the various small streams and elevation markers that were drawn on it.

At first, all I saw were lines on a piece of paper which meant nothing to me, but as my Scoutmaster pointed to all of the trails, brooks, and peaks around us while carefully identifying them on the map, I began to make the connection. He knew exactly where we were, and he was teaching all of us how to discover our location and re-find our path. It was a wonderful lesson that I have never forgotten and to this very day, some fifty years later, I still enjoy looking at and reading maps wherever I go.

In today’s highlighted Bible verse, the ancient psalmist is asking God to show him the right path to take. The psalm writer, possibly King David, has reached a point in his life where he doesn’t know what to do or where to go. He needs God to indicate his location and show him the way ahead, so he prayerfully and sincerely asks for God’s direction. It’s a simple act of faith and trust which we can all experience many times in our lives. Thankfully, God hears our prayers for direction and is always willing to show us the path ahead. So, no matter who we are or what we are feeling, encountering, or experiencing today, it’s good to know that God is always aware of the life trail that we are on, and will always be our map reader and patient guide, even if we are lost or can’t see the way ahead.

Point to ponder

Where am I? What path does God want me to follow?

Prayer: Lord God, You have always been leading us through each day of our lives. Every moment is a sacred experience; every step is an act of faith. Be with us by guiding us on this great journey we call life and, when all of this is over, lead us upward and onward to Your Eternal Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Short devotion: Seeing God - 1 John 4:12

 

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (ESV)

 Throughout my many years in ministry, I’ve recognized that the invisibility of God is a problem for some people. Because He cannot be seen in person, they refuse to accept God’s existence. If He were to turn up one day and walk among us, then they would have no problem in believing that God is alive. Until that happens, however, they will simply not believe.

 But God isn’t invisible; His existence is seen in the lives of many people. As the Apostle John wrote long ago, ‘God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.’ This means that if we want to convince someone else that God is alive, then they need to see Him in us. If God’s love is perfected in us, then it should be apparent to others in our relationships and through our deeds. If we sincerely care for others, show compassion, and share love to the world, then we will display God’s existence. However, if we present to the world disdain, indifference, and dishonesty, then God will never be seen by those around us.

 So, perhaps next time when we hear from someone or read in a post that they don’t believe in God because He cannot be seen, let’s not argue or get into an online debate, Instead, let’s try to show God’s perfect love through what we say, write, or do because those will be more effective than scoring over others with theological or Biblical points.

 Q: Do I believe that God abides in me? Do others recognize this?

 Prayer: Lord God, help us to be open to Your love and grant us opportunities to show Your compassion to those we encounter today. In Your Holy Name, we pray. 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, click on this link: www.erinpres.org.

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

Short Devotion: The One Thing - Acts 16:29-31

 

There’s a story in the Bible in the sixteenth chapter of the Book of Acts where the great missionaries Paul and Silas end up in prison. During the night, an earthquake occurs and all of the jail doors suddenly open. It’s a great opportunity for all of the prisoners to escape and when jailer sees this, he tries to kill himself because he knows he will be held accountable and his family publicly shamed for allowing prisoners to escape. But Paul and Silas stop him from committing suicide and tell him all is well. In verses 29-31, we read these amazing words of response:

Acts 16:29-31 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (NIV)

At the heart of Christianity, there is one important issue that we all have to remind ourselves constantly: we need to be saved. We all do things that offend God – there is not one of us exempt from that, no matter how good, faithful, or religious we may be. Those offenses pile up throughout our lives, so unless we find a remedy to forgive us of those sins, we will be separated from God forever. We cannot rescue ourselves from this predicament; we need someone else to save us and there is only one person in history who can do that: Jesus.

At the moment, we’re looking for someone to rescue us from the plight of this pandemic. Or we need someone to boldly lead us through this unparalleled time. But even if someone discovers a cure or a leader emerges in a time of crisis, it still leaves us separated from God. No matter what happens in the world, there is still a gap between us and God. If we ignore it, we doom ourselves. If we currently set it aside and promise to get back to it, we run the risk of doing too little, too late.

In this age of uncertainty, the right time to get right with God is now – as you are reading or viewing this message. And God, who is always gracious, makes it easy for us – all we have to do is to confess to Him in prayer that we’ve messed up, made mistakes, and selfishly sinned. After that, we can ask Jesus to forgive us of our past and place our lives, hearts, and souls into His hands. If we simply do that, then we are showing God that we believe Jesus is our Savior and instantly the gap will be bridged and the breach between us will be closed.

It sounds too good to be true and too simple to be effective and yet here’s the reality: it works.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to close the gap between ourselves and God. Save us from being separated forever and restore us to God’s gracious love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Thank you for viewing and reading this message. May God bless all of your hopes and dreams. Bye for now 😊

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to read more about the church, please visit the website at www.erinpres.org.

Beautiful Words - Isaiah 40:1

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

It is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible and it has helped countless numbers of people throughout the centuries. It speaks to our hearts, especially when we are going through hard times, unexpected issues, or disturbing moments. It causes us to fully depend on God in situations or crises that threaten to overwhelm. When we read or hear these words being uttered, God is letting us know that He is control and that our lives are very important to Him.

We tend to think about comfort as being something that a loving parent will offer a crying child. We visualize it as a time of consolation between lovers or friends, especially when disappointment has touched their lives. We also look to our leaders to provide comfort in times of natural disasters. Their presence allows us to believe that we can overcome the troubles that beset us; their caring words enable us to feel better about our ability to endure. All of these examples can be applied when God seeks to comfort us as His children, friends, and people.

Perhaps you are experiencing a difficult time right now. Maybe you’re anxious about what lies ahead of you. Perhaps you are worried about the future, a family member, or an issue that never seems to go away. Please allow God into that situation, so that He may all of His love, wisdom, and comfort to help you get through this unsettling time. Let Him speak words of comfort to your heart; let Him cause His love to overflow your soul and bring peace to your mind.

Point to ponder

What is my greatest issue right now? Am I willing to let God comfort me?

Prayer: Lord God, in moments of stress, pressure, or disappointment we become very human, anxious, and frail. Fill us with your strength and love; let Your mercy and comfort heal the hurt within us. Be near to us, so we may receive Your compassion and wisdom. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

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

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

Faith Sharing devotion: Mighty Acts - Psalm 145:4

Psalm 145:4    One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

            While reading this verse today, I started wondering what mighty acts of God have happened during my lifetime, which could be told to the upcoming generation.  I was born in 1957, so perhaps what I’ve experienced as mighty acts may not be so great to the next generation. I can list several things: the success of the Civil Rights movement under Dr. King; the Peace Accords in Northern Ireland; the tearing down of the Berlin Wall; the rebuilding of New York after 9-11; the restoration of the Gulf Coast after Katrina; the invention of cell phones; the major medical breakthroughs in the fields of cancer and disease research; the progress of space exploration. There are many more that I have surely forgotten; there are other major events that I have not recalled.

            In the Faith community, the mighty acts of God are harder to pinpoint because they have a major effect on individuals and small groups, rather than being noticed on a world-wide scale. I have known people to be cured of cancer through the power of prayer. I have seen people so moved by the words of Christ that their lives have changed. I have watched the people of God embrace those who are deeply hurt by loss and tragedy. I have seen the spiritual nurturing of young children who have grown in the Christian faith. I have been with people as they pass over from this world to the next, quietly surrendering themselves to the Almighty will of God.

            God’s mighty acts can be seen and found wherever there are people on Earth. He has never abandoned us to the evil that mankind often does, nor has He ever forsaken us in the midst of our troubles. His mightiest act was to send His Son Jesus Christ into our world to save us from our sins, to heal us of our hurt, and to restore us to God’s favor. Above all else, this mighty act of salvation through Jesus, is the one amazing event that I want to tell constantly to the next generation. In my humble opinion, there is no other greater story, there is no other mightier act of God.

Questions for personal reflection

When and where have I seen God’s mighty acts in the world during my lifetime? When and where have I personally experienced His mighty acts in my own life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for being present in the world and in our own lives. We seek Your guidance and look for Your presence each day. Help us to see God’s mighty acts in the world, as well as the ones we can experience in our everyday lives. 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 or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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

Gospel Devotion: Two Old Words - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

1 Thessalonians 5:9   For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For some people, the biblical words ‘wrath’ and ‘salvation’ have no meaning in their regular lives. They go about their daily routine, not giving a second thought to God, or of the Christian understanding that one day everything will come to an end. They probably think that Doomsday beliefs are for deluded fools and, as for a God who punishes people for their sins, that’s just a negative way that the outdated Church uses to control people with fear.

If I was going to dissuade folks from the need to believe in Christ, I think that I would tell people that what they do doesn't matter, nor will it ever count against them, and that life beyond death is given to everyone. I think that I would convince people that sin doesn't exist anymore and that God loves to indulge us. I would tell them that Christ’s blood had nothing to do with the forgiveness of sins and that His execution was just an historical accident – He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I would finally tell them that we are gods and all the God that we ever need to be, that humankind is the pinnacle of existence, as well as the greatest beings who will ever live.

If I told them all those things, then words like ‘wrath’ and ‘salvation’ would have no meaning, and I could add to that list words like ‘church,’ ‘prayer,’ ‘faith,’ and even ‘Christianity.’

But if I did that, then I would be a vile liar and a peddler of untruth. I would be guilty of leading people astray and away from the Gospel. I would be damaging their souls and wounding their beliefs. If I stayed in the church and preached those things, I would be a heretic. If I left the church and said those things, I would be apostate. However, for some people, those last two words, ‘heretic’ and ‘apostate’ have no meaning in their regular church lives….

Questions for personal reflection

What does God’s wrath mean to me? How do I interpret the word ‘salvation’?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You never said that following You was ever going to be comfortable or easy, so keep us from trying to make our faith cozy and bland. Forgive us, Lord, for following our own ways instead of Yours. 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 make a comment or ask a question about today’s devotion, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Celtic drawings. It’s called “Celtic Mandala” and features a Celtic Cross surrounded by many other Christian symbols. How many can you find? If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/12126875254_8e9f12c2a7_b.jpg

Short devotion: Boston Bombings - Acts 8:35

Acts 8:35         Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

On the day after a terrorist tragedy, it’s very difficult to talk or write about the good news. All of us were shocked by what we heard and saw on the news bulletins from Boston. It’s unbelievable to think that someone would deliberately target men, women, and children in a desperate and wicked attempt to make their message known. It was a despicable act of cowardice and there is only one eternal destination for the perpetrators of such a satanic act: hell.

The good news is that the people of Boston reacted magnificently in the midst of this painful tragedy. The first responders ran towards the injured without any fear of being caught up in a second explosion. Marathon runners who were dazed and shocked were carefully looked after by medics and passers-by. The wounded and fallen were instantly treated by skilled professionals who have worked all night long with those who are in a critical condition. And the residents of Boston – homeowners, apartment dwellers, and store keepers opened up their places to help anyone who had nowhere to stay or who had to walk for miles in order to get home.

Today, churches are open all over the city for people to congregate and pray. Even the Museum of Art has freely opened its doors so that people may come in to find a quiet place for contemplation, renewal, and peace. As human beings, we have an amazing capacity of overcoming this kind of evil through the support, kindness, and compassion that we bestow upon those who are shocked, saddened, and sorrowful in the worst of events and times.

Boston will recover its poise and its passion for life. The people of that great city have a great sense of what freedom and liberty are all about. They will not surrender to the terrorists, nor will they give up on their hopes, dreams, and ambitions. They are good people just like us; the good news is that they will survive by embracing, healing, and encouraging one another.

Questions for personal reflection

What did I initially think and feel when I heard the news about these bombings? How can I support the people of Boston today?

Prayer:            O Lord, embrace the good people of Boston with your love and strength. Be with the first responders who treated those with serious injuries and those who have been terrified by these explosions. Be with the families who are anxious about their loved ones and comfort them in the midst of their fears. Bless the police and investigators, granting them the ability to know the causes of these explosions quickly and to act appropriately. O Lord, be with all the Bostonian people. 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 traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is of a drawing that John created called “Boston Bound.” It features the Boston Skyline as seen from the bay. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6143/5948796658_990048bfef_b.jpg

Free Daily Devotions: Hidden Surprises - Psalm 42

Psalm 42: 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long,” Where is your God?"

They say that life is full of hidden surprises and this morning that turned out to be true. One of the contractors dug through a hidden gas main at the church, causing an emergency. Within minutes, fire engines and utility trucks swarmed into our parking lot. Local businesses were all shut down and for about an hour everything was intense. An explosion could have occurred at any time, but thankfully the professionals managed to cap the pipe and quickly repair it.

This all happened because the pipe was not where it was supposed to be. A painted yellow line was meant to indicate where the pipe actually was, but it turns out that the gas pipe was twelve feet away from the line. Someone somewhere had made a serious miscalculation, which could have resulted in a fatal explosion. If the pipe had been properly located, this mistake would not have occurred. Knowing where the pipe actually rests is crucial to our church building expansion.

The writer of Psalm 42 must have been deeply troubled and tormented. His painful experience causes those around him to question whether or not God actually existed. The inevitable question of ‘where is God when it hurts?’ must have crossed his mind, so he dug deep into his soul to find an answer. And that’s where he found God, right at the heart of his suffering, right in the midst of his pain.

We each go through ‘dark nights of the soul’ and faith crises. In the midst of heartbreak, illness, and sorrow, it’s very easy to lose our hold of God, But, as one of my Hebrew professors used to say, “It’s not our grasp of God that is important, but that God still has a grasp of us.” In other words, knowing where God is located is not as crucial as God knowing where we are.

Prayer:             Lord God, life is full of hidden surprises and we seek Your presence every day. It helps us to know that You are with us, no matter what we experience or endure. Reveal to us of Your whereabouts this day and remind us that Your knowledge of us is far more important than our knowledge of You. In Christ’s 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 John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s digital glass drawing of his Psalm’s series. It depicts Psalm 42. A larger version can be viewed online here: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3311065206_fe9bd5545f_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Still Amazed

Psalm 66: 5 Come and look at what God has accomplished; how awesome are His works in our behalf!

John Calvin called them ‘the attestations of God’s witness to the world.’ Today we would call them natural wonders, divine intervention, or even great escapes.

One of the challenges that Christians have in this world is how to show other people where God is actually present and working in their lives. Skeptics tend to think that we spiritually sugar coat the truth and wear Rose of Sharon colored glasses. Our reality is seemingly skewed by our stubborn hold on a two thousand year old faith, which has entered into the realm of religious myth and fabricated fable for modern day beings. The world of Wii, Guitar Hero, Twitter, and Facebook has no need for charming parables or a ghastly Gospel where blood and tears, broken limbs and bread redeem the world. If God has any awesomeness left to impress upon the present generation, then He’d better do it through cyberspace, ipods, and anime. A sacred text is no longer needed, but a wicked ability to text while driving would be a major plus.

And yet sunrises and sunsets still attract us. Glorious mountains and the greenest of valleys captivate our souls. Christmas still touches something good even within the least religious among us, and Easter annually fills us with new life, new beginnings, and new wonders.

We may become distracted by the latest gadgets and are constantly obsessed with the latest trends, but God still walks and works among us, testifying to Himself in the most commonplace of natural events – the hearing of birdsong in the quiet of the morning, the rippling rhythm of a mountain stream, or the rushing of waves crashing on to craggy rocks – they all witness to the power and glory, creativity and activity of a God who still cares for His creation and seeks to heal a broken world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we call You the Son of God because Your words and ways reveal to us the grace, peace, and love of God. We seek those divine blessings in each of our lives, for we pursue happiness and contentment, satisfaction and harmony for our souls. Instead of being restless, help us to be restful. Instead of being distracted, help us to become attracted. Instead of always doing, enable us to become beings. 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 called “Sunrise Communion.” The artist is also John Stuart, the author of this blog. To see the original drawing on the web, visit the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/3378486522/sizes/l/in/set-72157614915206379/