Devotions for Teachers: A Living Covenant - Genesis 9:13

Genesis 9:13 “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the Earth.” 

Like most people on Earth, I love seeing rainbows. The colors are always fantastic and the whole experience is mystical, especially when the bow arcs across a dark gray sky and then gradually disappears as the rains move on. Sometimes a double bow will appear and once I saw three bows together. That always thrills the child within me and I feel blessed to having seen something naturally beautiful. I know that there are scientific reasons why rainbows occur and it all has to do with the refraction of light against droplets of rain. Whatever the cause, I still stop to look at rainbows and experience the wonder of it all.

I also understand the covenant that God made with the Earth when the first rainbow was produced after the Great Flood. That promise was made not just with people, but the whole of life on Earth. This tells me that God greatly cares for all of Creation and not just human beings. We are just one species of many creatures on Earth and God loves them all; after all, who among us doesn’t love the things that we have created and crafted with our own hands? Don’t we also sit back, enjoy, care for all that we have made?

Next time I see a rainbow, I will delight in its short existence and thank God for such a blessing. I will also remind myself that the rainbow is not just for me, but for every living creature under its vibrant arc.

Question for personal reflection

Where do I find God’s promises being fulfilled in my life? 

Prayer:        Lord God, thank You for the wonder and beauty that rainbows evoke in our hearts and minds. We also praise You for the Promise of sustaining the Earth with Your blessings and grace. We are grateful to be living on and enjoying a planet with an amazing variety of living things. Help us to help You take care of it all. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully 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 Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Power” and is a stained glass design of the Holy Spirit descending to the Earth. Symbols of flames and the rainbow permeate throughout the drawing. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7200604314_e1352d502e_b.jpg

Teacher Devotions: Turning Coffee into Trees - Psalm 24

Psalm 24:1      The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

There’s a new coffee shop in town called “Ja Verde.” It’s situated on the West End of Middlebrook Pike and its grand opening takes place on Saturday 27^th March. I was in there this morning having coffee with a friend and had a conversation with the manager.

“What does Ja Verde mean?” asked my friend.

“It’s a combination of Java and the Spanish word for ‘green.’”

“Why green?” I asked.

“It’s because we use our profits to plant trees. Last year we planted 10,000 trees. This year we hope to plant 12,000 trees.”

I think that is a wonderful project and worthy of support. Paul and Carly, the managers, are a young couple with global ideals. They want to make a difference in the world because they respect God’s Creation. Paul is actually a Theology graduate and believes that Christians should be conservationists and good stewards of the Earth.

Today’s verse from Psalm 24 is a timely reminder that the Earth belongs to the Lord and that includes everything within it. God allows us to live on this planetary jewel and fully expects us to take care of it. We have both the created capacity and a divine obligation to be caretaking conservationists of this beautiful world. Young people like Paul and Carly are doing their share. The challenge for us is to find opportunities where we can do something similar.

Prayer:                        Almighty God, thank You for creating this beautiful and unique planet. Help us to love the Earth and conserve its wonders through good stewardship and environmental care. Bless those who dedicate their lives and businesses for the renewal of the Earth. In Jesus’ 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, pleases end him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Tree of Life: Eden in the Fall.” A larger version can be found here online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/3951802007/sizes/l/

It is also on display at the Ja Verde Coffee Shop on Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville, about a mile west of Cedar Bluff.

Teacher Devotions: Earth Day

Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the Earth.

Today is Earth Day and all around the world various people are celebrating this new tradition by bringing attention to the plight of the planet. Some protest and environmental groups will be petitioning their governments to reduce carbon emissions and end global warming. Others will be celebrating the diversity of customs and costumes around the world.

I like the idea of Earth Day and I think that Isaiah gets it right when he reminded his people long ago that the Lord is the God of all the Earth. This means that we are just tenants and not owners of the globe. Kingdoms and governments may think they possess their own parts of the world, but God is the Sovereign of the whole planet. Everything belongs to Him.

I’ve started to boldly capitalize the letter ‘E’ in the word Earth. That reminds me that this planet is a precious jewel in God’s eyes and that we as human stewards should do our utmost to look after it. Respecting the environment, recycling our waste, and reflecting upon the wonders of this Earth is a good place to start. Life on Earth may be the most precious gift in the entire universe. It’s time that we chose to really respect that amazing gift of grace which our God has created.

Prayer: God who made the Earth, the air, the sky, the sea; Who gave the world its birth, please care for me. In Jesus’ Name. 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.