Opening Devotion: Son Light - Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16           In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

            Quite recently, Evelyn and I had our front yard re-landscaped. The bushes were overgrown and the whole yard needed a major makeover. I’m not much of a gardener, so we hired two people to do the work. They labored for two days. On the first day, they dug out the old bushes and trimmed the trees. On the second day, they planted some new bushes and flowers, and mulched the whole area. We were both very pleased with the results.

            We also purchased some small white fencing to ‘prettify’ the whole garden, which looked terrific during the day. At night-time, however, something was missing. We bought solar powered globular lights and placed them in the mulched area. They were perfect! Their additional lighting has brightened the whole garden and added to our delight.

             I personally love the additional fact that the solar lights don’t need to be switched on, or have their bulbs replaced. They build up their energy during the day from the sun’s rays, and at dusk they turn on by themselves, giving the garden some extra charm. It makes the whole place look attractive and is very pleasing to the eye.

            As Christian people, we are supposed to reflect the love of Christ through our daily deeds so that others may be attracted to God. If we build up our faith resources through daily contact with the Son using prayer and scripture reading, then we will have the potential to make good choices and become better witnesses for Jesus. At times, the world around us can be a dark and frightening place, but with Christ’s light shining from His people, the world can be transformed into a place of healing and help, light and love.

Questions for personal reflection

How do I recharge my faith in Christ each day? How do I display His light through my daily deeds?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world and we are called to reflect Your brilliance through our deeds and choices, faith and lives. Help us to seek better and more consistent ways to reenergize our spirits and deepen our connection to You. Grant us opportunities this week to be compassionate and loving disciples of Your words and 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 or ask questions, please contact him by email at Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s crayon drawings called ‘Lamp.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Lamp.

Daily devotion: Gospel Truth? - Galatians 2:5

Today’s readings: Judges 13:8-16 and Galatians 2:1-10

Galatians 2:5              We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

What is the Gospel Truth? Is it what I say it is, or what I show it to be? Is it what Paul declared it to be, or what he displayed in his life? Is the Gospel Truth what the Church expresses in its doctrines, or what a congregation practices in its mission?

Today, we are all struggling with the Gospel because there are so many different variations of its teachings and interpretations of its practices that one size doesn't fit all anymore. Christians are as diverse as the human population in the world; as each generation comes and goes, our faith evolves and expands into something different, something unexpected, and something new.

For long term Christians like me, this becomes an honest hardship because the Faith that I was attracted to almost forty years ago, has developed into something unimaginable for me. The spiritual safety barriers and sacred security fences that I had built and maintained are no longer there. The boundaries that I once bellowed about, have all been broken down and there’s nothing that I can do to change this. To even attempt it, would be like trying to rebuild the Berlin Wall in Germany – it just cannot be done ever again.

So what is Gospel Truth? Who decides? Has what Paul battled for been forsaken? Are we in danger of shaping our beliefs and molding Christ into our own idolatrous standards and ideas?

Of course, we are. We are only human and we need to create our own Christianity in order to cope with life. My Christianity is as different from your Christianity as my interests, pursuits, and goals are from yours. But that doesn't make our faith ineffective; instead it makes our beliefs relevant to both of us. Christ died for all of us – liberal and progressive, conservative and assertive Christians alike. In His wisdom, He created a multi-colored theological tapestry of all nations, which He calls The Church – therefore we are all made and shaped by Him – and that’s the Gospel Truth.

Questions for personal reflection

What personal beliefs do I hold strongly about Jesus? Do my deeds display those beliefs?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You have called us to Your heart independently and individually of each other. We each have something special to contribute to the Christian faith. Help us to see Your influence in how we all practice our faith. 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 or ask a question, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings. It’s called ‘Star of Gethsemane.’ In it, Jesus is depicted with eyes puffed up from crying and his face is covered with blood and sweat as He agonizes over accepting God’s Will. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/11183575774_4971232f95_b.jpg

Church Growth Devotion - Witnesses to Our People - Acts 13:31

Acts 13:31       And for many days Jesus was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

As Christians, we are meant to be Christ’s witnesses to other people. We are called by God to mainly serve Jesus in our local communities, so that others may be attracted to Christ. In churches, congregations, and house groups around the world, Christians are constantly developing programs to go out into the world around them, bringing their neighbors the good news of salvation, and compassionately supporting them in times of trouble, distress, and suffering.

The purpose of any church is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. This involves learning about God in worship and Bible study. We build up our knowledge of God’s words and ways, so that we will be confident about what Christ is saying and doing in the local community. We then find practical ways of applying what we learn, so that we can be effective witnesses who care about the critical needs of others. Every community has its different groups of people in need, which is why there are so many different churches in the world. Churches don’t exist to peddle a competitive Christianity. They are alive in order to augment, embrace, and support the constant work of the Holy Spirit, both at home and abroad. We are all called together to be Christ’s witnesses to our people.

Questions for personal reflection

What ministries and missions, both at home and abroad, do I feel called to support? How am I witnessing for Christ in my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You have called us into the service of Your Kingdom through the positive words and ways of other people. We are a part of Your Church because someone led us to You through their commitment, service, and devotion. Enable and encourage us to find similar ways to attract other people to You through our witnessing and support. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Mandala” and is a stained glass design of the Holy Spirit as a dove. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8696570270_10fdb48c7d_b.jpg

Daily devotions: Proclaiming Our Beliefs - 1 John 1:3

1 John 1:3        We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Driving back from church yesterday, I heard a good quote on a radio talk show. The presenters were talking about faith and one of them said: “Don’t tell me what you believe; let me watch you for a while and then I’ll tell you what you believe.” That was a profound statement and is something that I’ll personally try to remember on my daily walk with God in the world.

The First Christians had a similar problem. They preached a new and radical message that wasn’t easily listened to or accepted by the people of their day. Whether it was Jews in Judea or Greeks in Greece or Romans at Rome, the First Christians had a problem of credibility (coincidentally, credibility comes from the Latin word “Credo” which means “I believe.”). No one really knew who they were or who this Christos was that they followed. They heard them preach on street corners and proclaim Christ’s name in synagogues, temples, and market squares. They heard rumors that Christians were insurrectionists, anarchists, and even cannibals. Christ’s message only became effective when other people saw what the Christians actually did in their daily lives. When people saw that their faith was genuine and that Christians did in fact love one another, that’s when Christ’s message began to be accepted.

The challenge for us today is much the same. Do our lives and actions proclaim the same beliefs in Christ that our lips and words express?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we constantly say that we believe and follow You, but do our lives proclaim something different? Forgive us when we fail to be effective and genuine witness to Your presence and love in our lives. Remind us that our faith is always being broadcast to our families and friends, our neighbors and colleagues through what we do rather than just by what we say. 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 devotion, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s Easter pictures from 2011. It’s called “Death by Dali” and is based on Salvador Dali’s famous crucifixion masterpiece “Christ of St. John of the Cross.” If you would like to see a larger version, please visit the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5630260156_4cd6a2e7b5_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: I See the Moon - Psalm 89

Psalm 89:37    It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." "Selah"

As a kid, I always enjoyed looking up at the moon. I could see it clearly from my bedroom window and sometimes I would stay up late into the wee small hours of the morning, enjoying its shape, movement, and brilliance. Occasionally, I would recite a child’s prayer about the moon:

“I see the moon and the moon sees me.

God bless the moon and God bless me.”

Forty five years later, I’m still fascinated by the radiance of the moon. I realize now that it has no light of its own, but it reflects the light of the Sun to Earth. I think that’s why it’s called a “faithful witness in the sky.” So long as the Sun exists and the moon is still orbiting around the Earth, it will faithfully reflect sunlight to us.

As Christians, we are meant to be faithful witnesses of Christ’s Light on Earth. Some people believe that this means we’re meant to show Christ’s love to everyone. But it’s more than just that – we’re also meant to reflect the Truth of Christ, which sometimes conflicts with what the World will tolerate. Loving the World does not mean embracing its sins or condoning society’s errors. Being the light of Christ and His faithful witnesses calls us to wholly reflect His Teachings and Truth, as well as His Compassion. Love without Christ is just a temporary feeling; love with Christ’s Truth is an everlasting faith.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we try to be Your faithful witnesses in the world, but sometimes we allow ourselves to be people pleasers and acceptable appeasers, rather than messengers of Your Gospel and servants of Your Kingdom. Grant us the gift of discernment and help us to truly know what You would have us speak, do, and share with the people of our world. 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 original drawings called “Moonrise Van Gogh.” It’s a nighttime depiction based upon Van Gogh’s famous “Field of Crows.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4136822951_b576335e31_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Sending Rain

Matthew 5:45b: He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

It’s been a wonderful summer for growing plants in Tennessee this year. We’ve had plenty of rain and no droughts. It’s a welcome change from what we usually experience and the whole place around Knoxville looks greener than I’ve ever seen it. It also means that I’ve got to mow the lawn more often, but I don’t mind it. It’s nice to see the green grass instead of the usual burned out brown straw that covers my lawn at this time of year.

I also heard someone say the other day that ‘if a person can’t grow tomatoes this year, then they can’t grow them at all.’ It makes me wish that I had planted some at the beginning of the year. Knowing me, if I try to grow them next year, there will be a drought!

I like what Jesus has to say about the sun shining and the rain falling on both the righteous and unrighteous. He’s reminding all of us that God has no favorites and that through His mercy, He showers blessings upon people whether or not they deserve them. We tend to be more judgmental and critical, but Christ is telling us that for grace to be grace, it has to be applied where it is least expected. In other words, God gives every opportunity for souls and spirits to grow under His care. I guess that means that if we cannot grow spiritually under the goodness of His grace, then we cannot grow our souls at all.

Therefore, let’s try to find opportunities of applying God’s grace with the people we meet today. Let’s do it where it’s least expected and totally undeserved. In doing so, we may rediscover the joy of God’s grace that we also don’t deserve.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words challenge our ways. You show us how God operates graciously in the world. Help us to find opportunities to witness to that great gift and the ability to share it with others. 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.

Effective Resistance: Why American Christians need to be serious about their faith, in order to help persecuted Christians around the world

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(NIV)

Peter’s first letter was written at a time when Christians were being persecuted throughout the Roman Empire. Christianity was a fledgling faith and because it was beginning to spread all over the Mediterranean, civil and religious authorities sought to target it and crush it out of all existence.

Peter’s letters were written during the persecutions of Nero, the infamous emperor who reputedly fiddled while Rome burned. Christians were arrested and publicly executed. Even Peter, the Big Fisherman, was eventually crucified during these persecutions. His letters were important because they contained warnings of what Christians were going to experience and what the faithful community had to endure.

In our cozy Western society, Christians are more often ignored as opposed to being persecuted. But in other places throughout the world, followers of Christ are being hunted down and harmed, arrested, tortured, and executed. Yesterday, our Sunday School class was watching a video clip about a Pakistani girl who was assaulted and raped for being a Christian. Despite her unjust beatings and painful victimization, Safeena still holds tenaciously to her faith. She understands what it means to really suffer as a Christian. She knows what it is like to stand firm in the faith.

For most of us, we are going to be busy this week attending to our own homes, work, and life. Persecution is not something that we will experience, however our spirits will undergo satanic attacks and we will be faced with a plethora of temptations. For the sake of Christ, and for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters around the world, we need to be strong, resolute, and faithful. If we are going to continue making a difference in our communities and societies, then we’ve got to start taking our faith seriously. It will require a revival of faith in our hearts and a focused application of Christian beliefs in our homes. In order to help Christians in other lands, we will have to change the world. We change the world a small bit at a time at a time – and that change begins with us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we hardly ever suffer for our faith and we often forget the price that other people pay to witness effectively as Christians in communities throughout the world. Help us to understand that this is not a game or a pastime. Keep us from diminishing Your words, or trivializing Your ways through our indifference and inaction. By the power of Your Holy Name, we make these prayers. Amen.