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

Teacher devotions: Prayers for Peace - Isaiah 19:24

Today’s Bible readings are: Isaiah 19:18-25 and Matthew 8:1-4

Isaiah 19:25                The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."

For as long as I can remember, peace in the Middle East has been the goal of every Western political leader, as well as of the United Nations General Assembly. The wars between Egypt, Israel and Syria have been going on for thousands of years. The major disruptions that have occurred in that troubled region affect the well-being of the whole world. But no matter what political deals or mandates from the United Nations are made, without God’s blessing they will never be sustained or bear any fruit.

I’m intrigued when I read the prophecies of Isaiah that were written over 2,500 years ago. They could have been spoken this morning and gone to press this afternoon. The Biblical truth is that there will always be divisions in that area of the world until God finally resolves the problem. In the same chapter of Isaiah, the prophet writes about God sending a Savior and Defender to rescue all of the people from that area – Egyptians, Israelites, and Assyrians. As Christians, we know Who that Savior and Defender is: Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God.

This also means that we, as Christians, should be constantly praying for peace in the Middle East by the conversion of all the people in that area to Christianity. If Christ has to become their Savior and Defender, then they will have to know Who He is and what He can do for them. For almost two thousand years, Christian churches, monasteries, and congregations have existed in those regions. It’s time that we supported them with our prayers, asking God for an almighty movement of the Holy Spirit to sweep over the region, in order to open the heart, minds, and souls of all the people to the life, work, teaching, and ministry of Christ.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, our world and its leaders are constantly seeking ways to bring about a lasting peace in the Middle East. Although their aspirations and work is important, we know that within our hearts that only Your Presence can truly affect the whole region. We ask You, as the Prince of Peace, to send forth Your Holy Spirit among the churches of that area. Enable and empower them to promote Your teaching and to expand their faithful communities so that salvation, peace, and faith may be rediscovered by all Middle Easterners. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s psalm drawings. It comes from Psalm 80. If you would like to view a larger version online, then please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3615925254_87ab8df8b0_b.jpg