Like everyone else, I try to make resolutions at the beginning of the new year. Like most people, I fail to live up to my own expectations. This year I'm going to try something different. I've written a new e-book called "Happy New You," which contains 31 short daily devotions for the month of January. My plan is to read and reflect on God's Word each day and try to get closer to Christ right at the beginning of the year.
I believe that if I do this, then I will make God the focus of my 2014 journey. Would you like to join me? If so, then you can also do this by getting the e-book for your kindle, PC, Mac, or mobile device. The link to the book is contained in the box below.
God bless you all. May 2014 be a year where your hopes and dreams are all fulfilled in Christ!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Devotion for Teachers: Two Great Gifts - Galatians 1:3
Today’s
readings are Judges 2:7-15 and Galatians 1:1-10
Galatians 1:3 Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
If
I could give two precious gifts to the world this Christmas, they would be
grace and peace.
Grace
would be given, so that folks could forgive one another and allow their past
mistakes to remain in the past. Husbands and wives, parents and children,
brothers and sisters could set aside their differences and begin again.
Fractured feelings, persistent pride, and baneful bitterness could be gone
forever, replaced by love, kindness, and compassion. What a gift to give our
broken world!
Peace
would be given so that different groups could learn to dialogue with one
another; nations could recommit themselves to the betterment of humanity;
religions could turn their theological barbs and spears into plowshares for effectively
working against poverty, oppression, and injustice. Races across the globe
could respect the wonderful variety of God’s image in all people and work
together to eliminate bigotry and prejudice, humiliation and rivalry.
The
bad news is that I don’t have the ability or power to give those gifts to the
world; but the good news is this: Christ has already given those two great
blessings through His sacrifice on Calvary and obedience to God. The gifts of
grace and peace are already ours; we only have to find and apply them in each
of our lives to begin the worldwide celebration of God’s love to the world.
Questions for personal reflection
Where have I experienced
God’s grace and peace in my life? To whom can I share these great gifts during
Advent?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are both the
greatest gift and the greatest gift-bringer in the history of the world. You
came among us to grant all people everywhere the opportunity of being restored
to God’s favor and love, as well as His grace and peace. Help us to share these
blessings with the other people in our 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 on today’s message or ask a question, please send
John an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Christmas drawings called “Tree Window.” It’s a
stained glass design of a Christmas tree. If you would like to view a larger
version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/11164226093_863c950b18_b.jpg
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Teaching Devotion: Opening New Doors - 2 Corinthians 2:12
Today’s Readings:
2 Corinthians 2:12 Now
when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that
the Lord had opened a door for me.
Quite
frequently, I get asked to say prayers for church members, families, and
friends when they are considering changing jobs, careers, or homes. It’s very
humbling to be asked because it means that the person making the request trusts
me to pray for what’s best in their situation. Usually, I take time out that
day to say a short prayer and then on the day of an interview or a house
viewing, I pray as close as possible to the time of the event itself.
Sometimes
the person comes back to me with good news, so I can say a quiet ‘thank you,
God’ prayer later on. At other times, I hear nothing else, so I keep praying
for God to give guidance and open up the right door for the person.
I
guess that most of us do the same, especially for our loved ones and dearest of
friends. As we pray, we hope that God will indeed open doors and grant new
opportunities for the person concerned. Prayer becomes a vehicle of God’s
goodness, as well strengthening the bonds of faith and friendship between the
one who prays and the other who is prayed for. It’s a remarkably effective and
personal way to both practice and apply our faith on behalf of other people.
Questions for personal reflection
Has someone
asked me to pray for them? Is there someone that I can be praying for today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You taught us to pray
and showed us the value of being a praying people of God. Help us to make time
today to pray for others, especially those who are looking for new doors of
opportunity to be opened for them. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and cheerfully
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 about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s lighthouse drawings called “Guiding Light.” If you would
like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6225/6290707518_a96fd3c801_b.jpg
Friday, November 1, 2013
Teaching devotion: Many Prayers - 2 Corinthians 1:11b
Today’s readings
2 Corinthians 1:11b Then
many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us
in answer to the prayers of many.
I was reading another church’s
newsletter this morning. It contained a special ‘thank you’ note from one of
the members. He was expressing his gratitude for the many prayers that people
in his congregation had given to God, especially when he was undergoing some
serious and complicated surgery.
It’s wonderful to read those kind of
notes. Not only does it help the person express his gratitude to God and His
people, it also encourages others to use prayer as a means of obtaining God’s
help in different situations. As the Poet Laureate Lord Tennyson once wrote, “There is more wrought by prayer than the
world dreams of.”
Perhaps you or someone close to you
is going through a hard time, or some sort of crisis – whether medical,
financial, or relational – is presently occurring. Never underestimate the power
of prayer, especially when those prayers are sent up by a whole host of people.
At the wee church that I serve, we employ an email prayer chain so that
whenever someone is in hospital or experiences something troubling, the
majority of our people are quickly notified and the praying begins.
Even Mahatma Gandhi had this to say
about the efficacy of prayer: “Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement. Properly
understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.”
Questions for personal reflection
What type of
prayers do I usually bring to God? When have I seen prayer work in my life?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You taught us how to
pray and You also showed the power of prayer. As Your followers, help us to
make prayer a regular part of our lives. Encourage us to see prayer as a sacred
means of being spiritually connected to You. In Your Holy Name, we 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 of today’s message, please
send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest bulletin drawings. It’s called “Mackintosh Poppy”
and has been drawn for Remembrance Day (Nov 11th) of this year. If
you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/10594576655_b2f63d3fe3_b.jpg
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
9/11 devotion - Always Remember - Psalm 30:2
Psalm 30:2 O
LORD, my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.
I always find 9/11 difficult. I grieve
the world that we once knew, and tragically lost on that day of infamy. All of
our lives have changed and nothing is as it was before. 9/11 altered everything
and no matter how many times people or politicians say that we need to carry on
just as we once did, we cannot ever go back to a pre-9/11 existence.
I usually start this day quietly and
think about the past. At some point I go to visit the graveyard next to my
daughters’ High School. Some wonderful church friends are buried there,
including one who died on 9/11.
It was nice and quiet this morning as I
walked on the dew covered grass next to the gravestones. I thanked God for the
people I had known whose names are carved on the headstones. It was both a very
realistic and surrealistic moment in time, where reality and eternity meshed
together. I came away smiling because of the fond memories that I inwardly
recollected. And I reminded myself, yet again, to bring some flowers next year.
They say that time heals, but really
what they mean is that eventually some experiences from the past grow distant
like waves retreating from the shore. Despite this, I know that I shall see
those dear friends again in His Garden. My soul is at peace with that wonderful
thought.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this fateful day,
draw to near to us who remember the world as it once was. Walk with us as we go
down hallowed and fearful paths. Heal our memories and grant peace to our weary
souls. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and quietly pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin
Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. 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 John’s 9-11 drawing for this year. It’s called “Always Remember.” If
you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/9725769218_18af60e748_b.jpg
Monday, August 19, 2013
Teacher devotion: Grace - Home and Abroad - Romans 11:5-6
Romans 11:5-6 So
too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by
grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be
grace.
Yesterday, we celebrated Rally Day
in our wee church. It’s a special Sunday because it officially kicks off the
new Church year with regard to discipleship. A lot of good people put in a lot
of time and work to make the whole venture successful. Breakfast and buttons,
classrooms and coffees were all prepared for this annual occasion.
God is so gracious to us! Many
families and members turned out, not just to enjoy breakfast, but to also get
actively involved in discipleship. It was wonderful see people of all ages make
an initial commitment of their time to learn more about God, to share their
spiritual experiences, and to make strong connections with their peers. At
Erin, we all want to grow in hope, faith, and love. God has graciously made all
of this possible, so we are truly thankful to Him for allowing us such a
blessing.
Grace is a wonderful gift in any
church, congregation, or community. Later on, during the worship service, we
were reminded of the hostility and violence that our Egyptian brothers and
sisters are currently experiencing. Their churches are being burned and their
Christian faith is being severely challenged. Compared to what they are
presently enduring, we are so blessed with peace, fellowship, and love. The
challenge that we now have today is this: how
can we prayerfully support and care for the Coptic Christians in Egypt? What
can we do, in the midst of our blessings, to ease their distress and rebuild
their faith communities?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to remain committed
to growing more in faith, so that we can support those whose faith is being
attacked. Keep us focused on strengthening our congregation and churches, so
that we may support, send aid, and stand with other Christians around the world
who are facing real persecution in their lives. 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
or ask a question about today’s devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is from one of my collectible card drawings called “Cat’s Eye Moon.” If
you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/9420111961_5c2249a355_b.jpg
Monday, August 12, 2013
teacher devotions: God is for Us - Romans 8:31
Romans 8:31 What,
then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be
against us?
John Calvin, the Father of the
Presbyterian Church, used to finish his lectures with the above verse. In the
midst of the Reformation, which brought about a hundred years of war all over
Europe, John Calvin encouraged Reformed pastors to remain resolute and focused.
He knew that for Protestantism to survive, the clerical leaders had to be
faithful and courageous. Many of them would be hunted down, imprisoned, and
even killed. Calvin used this verse to inspire them with the knowledge that God
was on their side.
Five hundred years later, we appear
to be at the beginning of a new Reformation in the life of the Presbyterian
Church. Throughout ‘mainline’ Christianity, a lot of huge changes are taking
place. At the moment, no one knows what shape we will take or where we will be
in the next decade. A lot of guessing and envisioning is going on, which in
turn is creating a great deal of anxiety among pastors and members alike.
No matter how it ends, the smartest
thing is to be faithful and endure. John Calvin recognized this five hundred
years ago, just as Paul did when he wrote the original verse to the persecuted
Roman Christians almost two thousand years ago. Both Paul and Calvin did not
know what the outcome of Christianity’s troubles would look like, but they both
believed that God was in control, shaping Christian history and reforming the
Church, just as He had intended. If God could do that centuries ago, then
surely He is still doing the same today? After all, if God is for us, then who
can be against us?
Questions for personal reflection
What makes me
anxious about today’s Church? Where do I see God at work in today’s Church?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Church is Your Everlasting
Bride. During these troubled times for Your Church on Earth, remind us of Your
Love for Her. Help us to see what You are doing through the Church and allow us
to fervently join You in that holy work. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin
Presbyterian Church
in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about
today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is John’s latest drawing for his Psalms art project. It’s based on a
verse from Psalm 137. If you would like to view a larger version, please click
on the following link: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/9426814170_b4797dbe53_b.jpg
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Devotions for Teachers: Struggling - Romans 3:20
Romans 3:20 Therefore
no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather,
through the law we become conscious of sin.
We all struggle with sin. There is not
one of us who lives life perfectly, so in God’s eyes, we are unholy, imperfect,
and just not good. We can justify our sins and make excuses for our mistakes,
but that just compounds the difficulties in our lives and our relationship with
God.
Most of us just want to be happy and
hope that God understands when we fail Him. We want to be loved and tolerated,
accepted and embraced by God, without being challenged or changed. We want our
choices to be approved and our lives to be given an A+, but that’s a sinful
delusion and selfish way of dealing with life. We are not at the center of God’s
great universe; we are not God’s sole focus in the world. We are sinners who do
unholy, unworthy, and ungodly things. We are careless creatures who cast God
aside when He gets in the way of getting what we desire, and living the way
that we want.
Thankfully, God knows us better than we
actually understand ourselves, which is why He sent us His Son to die for our
sins, in order that all things could be redeemed, reconciled, and restored
perfectly to Him. Great sinners like ourselves need a Great Savior. Who else
but the Holy Son of God can forgive our sins and bring us back to God? In all
of the universe, there is Only One; in All of Creation, there is just One
Savior: Jesus Christ.
Questions for personal reflection
What is my most
repeated sin? How can Jesus forgive me, and empower me to overcome that persistent
sin?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive our foolish and
imperfect ways. Pardon our sinful and unholy words. Challenge our lives and
change us for the better. 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 a questions about today’s message, please send
him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Devotion for Teachers: Called to Belong - Romans 1:6
Romans 1:6 And
you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Yesterday, we had a couple join our
church during the worship service. They have been coming to our congregation
for over a year. They were brought to us by God through the Creative
Expressions ministry that our church presents. Their teenage daughter is talented
and she enjoys being involved in our theater groups. It is a joy to have them
all become part of who we are; it is wonderful to give them a place where they each
feel that they belong.
Throughout the week, we all meet
people who are just trying to get through life. They struggle with keeping
their families together, holding down a job, or advancing their careers. At
times, we all feel isolated and vulnerable, overwhelmed and alone. We wonder
what life is all about and question whether it has any real meaning. During
those ‘ontological’ moments, having a church family can fill the emptiness we experience.
Being part of a faith community and finding a place where we belong, can bring
about a great deal of well-being to our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies
and souls.
If you’re feeling lonely today, then
please think about seeking a regular community of Christ’s people. Allow
yourself to be called by Christ to a congregation where you can find meaning
and purpose for your life. Permit the Holy Spirit to break down any
self-imposed barriers or individual anxieties that you may have about fitting
in. Let Jesus do for you what He does best: let Him reach out to you and lead
you; let Him restore you and love you.
Questions for personal reflection
Am I currently feeling
isolated and alone? Will I allow Jesus to help me find a sacred place where I
can belong?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely
and understand all that we are currently feeling. Take us by the hand and lead
us each day. Open our hearts and minds to the blessings of Your Gospel. Allow
us to seek and find a community of faith where we can truly belong. 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 traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is John’s latest summer drawing, simply called “Sunflower.” If you would
like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9286182601_90208dc399_b.jpg
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Epic Mini series - The Bible - Acts 26:10
Acts 26:10 And
that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I
put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I
cast my vote against them.
The History Channel’s award winning
mini-series “The Bible” was one of the
most successful TV series ever watched. Its stunning special effects and great
cast of actors and characters made the whole show compelling from beginning to
end.
Sales for the recently released DVD have been rocketing and
because of this success, the producers intend to make a new series called AD –
After the Bible - which will tell the story of the First Christians and the
persecutions that they endured. I hope that this proposed series is just as
successful, because a lot of Christians today don’t really know (or even want
to know) about the harsh conditions that our Faith ancestors experienced.
In today’s passage from Acts 26, the
apostle Paul continues to witness before the Roman authorities. He candidly
tells them of his murky past and how he once persecuted the sect that he now
embraced. It was a courageous thing to do because any of the rulers could have
refused to listen to his testimony and just send him on to the Emperor in Rome.
Eventually Paul would reach the Eternal
City, as Rome was once called, and make his appeal before Nero. Such audacity
would cost him his life and he would be martyred about the same time as Simon Peter,
the Big Fisherman, was crucified during Nero’s persecution of the Christians.
As we go about our own business today,
we should perhaps stop for a moment and consider the price of the Faith that we
freely embrace. Without the courage, tenacity, and perseverance of those First
Christian martyrs like Peter and Paul, we would never have known about Christ’s
Life, Ministry, Teaching, and Resurrection. May we also remind ourselves that
it is our duty to be positively faithful and to also persevere in the midst of
a pervading secular culture, which is sadly becoming more indifferent to
Christianity as each decade passes. The witness to Christ that we display
today, may indeed become the foundation of faith that will be needed in the
future.
Questions for personal reflection
What do I know about
the First Christians? How has their strong faith affected me?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for the
faithful cloud of witnesses who laid down their lives in order to spread the
Gospel and expand Your Kingdom. We are grateful for their perseverance in times
of persecution and suffering, which enabled them to endure and overcome their
unjust and cruel treatment. Keep us mindful of their loyalty to You, and enable
us to faithfully witness to Your words and ways in our own current community,
culture, and civilization. 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 about today’s message,
please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
You
can view and even purchase a copy of the Bible mini-series DVD at the following
link: http://amzn.to/17DSfTu
Friday, June 14, 2013
History devotion: Daniel and Alexander - Daniel 11:3-4
Daniel 11:3-4 Then
a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. After
he has appeared, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four
winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the
power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to
others.
250 years before Alexander the Great
began his conquest of the mighty Persian Empire, the prophet Daniel spoke about
him in a vision. For some people that might just be coincidental, but for most
Bible believers, it’s the amazing way that God works throughout history.
People tend to think that history is
largely circumstantial, just a random sequence of events that keeps marching on
from one generation to another. But if we are Christians and believe that God
has actually created Time and Space, then isn’t it more than possible that God
grants prophets like Daniel visions, dreams, and clues about what is yet to
come? In fact, a large portion of what we read about Christ in the Gospels had
already been prophesied and alluded to before He was even born in Bethlehem.
Why does God do this? For two basic
reasons:
a)
to
show us that He is in control of Time and History;
b)
to
prepare His people for what is yet to come.
As we spin across the Milky Way on this third
rock from the sun, we may think that we are inconsequential in a universe that
is teeming with billions of galaxies, as well as billions upon billions of
stars. And yet, when we consider that our beliefs are centered upon the Creator
of the Cosmos, who sent His Only Son to die for the people on this paltry
planet, we should quickly understand that we are not alone, nor are we
unimportant to God. Alexander the Great’s empire may have gone forever and he
is turned to dust, but Christ’s Kingdom remains on Earth and we await His
prophesied return.
Questions for personal reflection
What historical
event or period in history captures my attention? Where do I see the hand of
God operating there?
Prayer: Lord God, You are in control of time
and space, as well as history and geography because You created everything. We
know of Your existence through the wonderful works of creation that surround
us, all over this planet and throughout the entire universe. We thank You for
the great gift of Life and we praise You for Your oversight of who we are, what
we do, and of what we have yet to experience. Be with us and bless us forever.
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 him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s Scottish drawings. It features the Abbot’s House on the
grounds of the medieval ruins of Crossraguel Abbey, near Maybole, Scotland. If
you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4750541985_53ed2bfa13_b.jpg
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Devotions for Men: Trust in the Lord
Devotions for Men:
Trust in The Lord
My new Kindle e-book of devotions has been published today.
It contains 60 short devotions for Christian men. It can be read individually
as a daily devotional for two months, or used in weekly meetings and Sunday
school classes for over a year. It’s also an excellent ice-breaker/discussion
starter for men’s coffee house groups.
Each devotional takes about five minutes or less to read.
Every devotional has a Bible verse, one of my art images, a devotion, questions
for reflection, and an individual prayer at the end. At only $1.99, it’s a
great investment in the spiritual lives of men from any church, career, and
situation.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Pentecost devotion: Traditional or Transitional? - Acts 15:8-9
Acceptance is currently a big issue in
the lives of many churches around the world. It involves a serious review of
what is acceptable to the 21st century Christian community. It’s an
important component of who we are and how we effectively witness to the wider
world around us. Every generation has to wrestle and struggle with this; every
congregation has to work through these tough issues.
Sometimes we get so busy defining the
rules and regulations that we neglect to see where the Holy Spirit is actually
working in our communities. We get so caught up in the theological civil war
that is going on, that we forget about the healing work that the Holy Spirit is
ministering to a much greater broken world.
This is not new or unique to our current
generation. It happened in the First Century in Jerusalem where the Christian
Church was initially started. The fifteenth chapter of Acts reveals to us the
dilemma between Traditionalists and Transitionalists. Some Jewish Christians insisted
that all male Gentile converts needed to be circumcised. Others, like Paul and
Barnabas, fiercely argued that Christianity had progressively moved on from
adhering to Jewish traditions.
Eventually, it was Peter who settled the
dispute which threatened to divide and destroy the Young Church. Instead of
looking back to the past or seeking a new paradigm, the Big Fisherman reminded
everybody to look for the Holy Spirit and to seek to come alongside wherever
the Holy Spirit was working among the people. Grace and salvation, acceptance
and mission were meant to be discovered, encouraged, and supported wherever, whenever,
and however the Holy Spirit chose. It was not a matter of keeping up with
tradition; it was essential to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.
As we celebrate Pentecost this coming
Sunday in our churches, congregations, and Christian communities, we should ask
ourselves these important questions: where is the Holy Spirit working in my
community? How can I serve alongside the Holy Spirit in my community?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to seek Your
Presence in our communities. Enable us to truly know Your works and to support
them fully. Grant us a new spirit of discernment and give us the courage to
face the challenges and apply the changes that we need to embrace and employ.
In the Sacred Name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin
Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to comment on today’s
message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings called ‘Caingis.’ Caingis is
the Gaelic word for Pentecost, so the image features the Holy Spirit descending
to Earth at dawn beside a Celtic Cross. If you would like to view a larger
version, then please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/8724021938_12912b6f54_b.jpg
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Devotion for Teachers - Really Good News - Acts 13:38
We all do things that we later regret.
We all make mistakes that can’t be rectified. Each of us lives with guilt on
our consciences and shame in our hearts. We are human and fallible, prone to
failure and imperfection. It’s a sad and sinful part of who we are; none of us
are perfect and not one of us is free from sin.
Left to ourselves, we would have no
opportunity of being reconciled to a holy, sacred, sinless, and perfect God.
The great fact of history is this: we are not left to ourselves.
Through Jesus, we can be forgiven; by Christ, we can be reconciled to God.
Some people talk about the Church as
being outdated, old-fashioned, and irrelevant, but so long as people are
selfish, sinful, and foolish, the Church will never become irrelevant. Every
day, hundreds of thousands of people across the world discover Jesus as their
Savior. Every night, billions of people ask for forgiveness and seek His favor.
In the eternal scheme of things, the world is already outdated and will become
old-fashioned and irrelevant beyond the gates of Heaven.
With Jesus as our gracious Savior, today
is the continuing first day in the rest of our eternal lives. That’s what I
call really
good news – now let’s go out and share it with other people…J
Questions for personal reflection
What has been
the gravest mistake of my life? How has Jesus forgiven me?
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 from a new series of church banners that John is currently designing.
This drawing is called “Banner 01.” If you would like to view a larger version,
please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8706417998_4c1a0953e9_b.jpg
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Teaching devotion: Vital Vision - Acts 2;17
Acts 2:17 ‘In
the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and
daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men
will dream dreams.’
Currently, some of our young people
are going through the process of Confirmation. Our Youth Leader is doing a
wonderful job with them and I’m attending the classes, more as an observer and
adviser. As always, when I enter into a church teaching situation, I end up learning
more about what I believe. Our young students bring vitality to the faith that
we share, and I receive new insights into what they believe and what’s
important to them.
Last night, they composed a new
statement of faith based upon what Presbyterians call the ‘Great Ends of the
Church.’ Through their minds and with their ideas, I experienced a new
understanding of what Church is all about and what it will become to future
generations. Instead of being anxious and worried, I was both moved and
impressed by what they wrote together. At their Confirmation service, which
will take place on the Day of Pentecost, our congregation will use their
Statement of Faith in our morning liturgy. Here is what they have brilliantly written:
At
Erin Presbyterian Church, we will seek to be God’s people by:
·
Declaring
that Jesus Christ is the Savior for all people.
·
Caring
for and providing a strong community of faith for all of God’s children.
·
Taking
care of godly praise.
·
Keeping
the message of God alive.
·
Encouraging
the fair treatment of all people everywhere.
·
Showing
the world God’s grace.
I
think that the future of the Church is in very good hands, don’t you?
Questions for personal reflection
As a teenager,
what were my views and vision of the Church? How have I fulfilled that vision
in my life?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift
of our young people and for the vitality that they bring to our churches. May
their thoughts and ideas be aligned to Your future vision of the life,
ministry, and mission of the Church to come. 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 a
question concerning today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Holy Week drawings. It’s called “Eye of God”
depicting Christ crucified. If you would like to view a larger version, please
click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8489798601_5bcd371d9b_h.jpg
Monday, January 14, 2013
Team devotion: Light is Essential - John 11:10
John 11:10 “It is when he walks by night that
he stumbles, for he has no light.”
Like
most people in the US, I’ve been watching the football play-offs. I always get
excited at this time of year when the best teams begin to emerge from a long
and busy season. Some teams peak just before the play-offs and miss out on the
wild cards each year. Others excel and when it comes to the elimination rounds,
some unexpected team just seems to beat everybody’s expectations to reach the
Super Bowl.
As
I watched the games, it dawned on me that without modern lighting, none of
these games could be played at night. The great spectacle of the Super Bowl
would have to be played early in the day which would diminish the whole
occasion. As soon as dusk occurred, the game would be over, without the illumination
of the great lights above and throughout the stadiums. Teams would stumble in
the dark and players would be injured. Television broadcasting would be hopeless
and even the view from the blimp in the sky would be like looking into a dark
crater. Without light, the game would quickly end and the whole event would not
be worth watching or even playing.
Light
is essential to our modern lives; it’s also a necessary part of our spiritual
growth. Without the light of Christ in our world, would life itself be worth
living? Wouldn’t the darkness overwhelm our spirits and diminish our existence?
When Jesus comes into our lives, He brightens our spirits, enlightens our
minds, and dazzles our souls. His light brings meaning and purpose, direction
and encouragement to our situations, experiences, and moments. He is the Light of
our world, our souls, and our hearts. If we stumble in the dark, He raises us
up back into His light; if we fall into despair, He is ready to take hold of us
and lead towards God’s everlasting Kingdom.
Questions for personal reflection
When has Christ’s
light helped me in my life? Where do I see His light in the world today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the
World and the Lamp for our souls. You direct our paths and give us guidance each
day. Help us to follow Your light, so that we may see the way ahead that You
have planned for us. 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 on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Psalm project drawings. It’s a crucifixion
interpretation of a verse from Psalm 129, done in an Art Deco style. If you
would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8354865975_5fee871f1c_b.jpg
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