Short devotions: Shifting Sands - Matthew 7:24

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 19:9-17 and Matthew 7:24-29

Matthew 7:24              “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” 

Sadly for all of us, we’re not listening to Jesus anymore and this may be why our civilization is crumbling. The world is broken, but the compassionate voice of healing and wholeness is being ignored. Christ’s words and ways have helped our churches and communities for centuries, even during the most troubling of times. To call God ‘Father’ was once a comforting expression of hope. To call Jesus ‘Lord’ was to place Him at the center of our lives. Unfortunately we have wandered so far from God and compartmentalized our faith so much that we don’t what’s right or wrong, real or unreal, or true or trustworthy anymore.

It’s obvious that society is becoming more fearful, injured, and wounded each year. Violence and greed, anger and anarchy, immorality and insensitivity are becoming the hallmarks of our sad generation and we are wallowing in a mire of wasted lives, wasted resources, and wasted potential. The sinking sands of our self-centered ways are ruining this beautiful planet, and the Church, which used to be the bedrock of wisdom, strength, and faith, has become a hapless caricature of what it once was, and at times a helpless creature to our restless world.

To replant our feet on solid ground, we’ve got to patiently hear Christ’s message again and faithfully apply His words. If we truly want the world to be healed and transformed, then that positive change has to begin within our own individual souls. We have to get right with God and get tight with Christ. We have to intentionally rebuild our hopes on the promises of God and the teachings of Jesus. Everything else is just shifting sands.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we have tried to be good Christians in the world, but sometimes we have been misled by our good intentions into building our faith atop of shifting sands. We have listened to ourselves too much and we have forgotten how to truly listen to You. Forgive our foolish and reckless ways. Lead us back to the solid rock of faith and hope, so that we may glorify You with our lives, our choices, and our ways. 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 one of John’s latest winter drawings. It’s called “Winter Mill” and features the Glade Creek Mill in West Virginia during snowfall. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6323857053_990bded2f2_b.jpg

John’s drawings are becoming collectible and make unique & inexpensive Christmas gifts. If you would like to view his entire collection online, please visit his website at www.stushieart.com

Life devotions: Memory Surfing - Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:13             Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Yesterday evening, when I was channel surfing the television, I came across one of my favorite musical movies. It was “My Fair Lady,” starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. They just don’t make movies like that anymore.

As I watched entranced by the ghosts on the screen, I started to quietly weep. It wasn't the story that was affecting me; it wasn't even the beautiful songs and music. It was something that I had forgotten from long ago.

You see, I can practically sing all of the words of “My Fair Lady.” When it was first released, my Mum and Dad went to see it. Soon after this, Dad bought the vinyl album of the musical and each evening for a couple of months, he played it again and again.

I closed my eyes last night and listened to the songs. As I did this, I was transported back to my home in Glasgow and I could picture my Dad pouring over massive engineering blueprints on his desk. As he looked at the drawings, he listened to the musical. My mother was sitting across from him, either reading a book or knitting a cardigan. My siblings were playing on the floor with toys or coloring with crayons. The room was warm and peaceful. As I re-experienced that beautiful moment, I wept. It was wonderful to go there again.

The wise writer of Proverbs talks about holding on to instruction because it is our life. Precious times are Life’s lessons that teach us about the sacredness of simple things. That forgotten memory is priceless to me because a large part of who I am today was borne out of those past experiences. Growing up may not have been easy and there was some pain and bitterness, but the beauty of just ‘being there and being here’ still teaches and affects me. I weep not for woe, but for the wonder of Life itself.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, life is precious and we each are part of a grand journey of personal experiences, wonders, and precious moments. We applaud and adore God for allowing us to live, to laugh, to sing, to weep, and to love. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Psalm drawings. It depicts a verse from Psalm 104 which is an ancient song about the wonder of God’s creativity and providence. If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5525542400_9d38e160ed_b.jpg

John’s Psalms art project can also be viewed as a slideshow at the following internet location:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/sets/72157603288751629/