Church Meeting Devotions: A New Path for a New Year

Ephesians 4:26b         "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”

At every wedding to which I have the privilege of conducting, I usually quote this verse from Ephesians. I say something like: “Each day do two important things – firstly say “I love you” to one another and secondly, never let the sun go down with anger or bitterness in your hearts because life is too short to hold grudges against each other.” After the wedding service a couple of guests usually come up and complement me on the practical advice that I’ve offered to the newly married couple.

There’s a lot of wisdom in what Paul had to write long ago. I try to practice what I preach, but sometimes I fail and allow grudges to ruin my week with my wife, my children or even my friends. I carry the burden of emotional pain and hold on to my hurt for too long. Instead of letting go of the trivial past, I nurse my troubles and pander to my bruised feelings.

With the coming of a New Year, there is always a golden opportunity to let go of past pain and instead to let God heal my hurts. I can begin again and throw off previous disappointments, broken promises, and harsh words. I can forgive myself and others through Christ, but only if I choose to let Him. I can start the New Year with an act of faith and allow myself and others a clean slate.

If I can do this, then surely you can too?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, at the threshold of this New Year there are many positive possibilities and fresh starts. Help us to embrace Your guidance and goodness, Your love and laughter, Your mercy and grace. Rid us of our anger and disappointment. Heal our hurts and subdue our hostilities. Grant us peace and a new path for a New Year. 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 last drawings for the year. It’s called “Star Messiah” and depicts the baby Jesus in the Bethlehem manger. If you would like to view a larger version of this drawing, please visit the following link:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5284738336_e85c5b850f_b.jpg

Church Meeting Devotions: Fulfilling Our Calling - Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1             As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

As per our usual custom, our family went to the movies on Christmas Day. We’ve done this for several years because we enjoy the atmosphere at the picture house, as well as the blockbuster of a movie that we choose to see.

This year, we chose “The King’s Speech,” which is definitely not a blockbuster but it may win more than a few Oscars. It’s about the story of King George VI of Britain who suffered from a terrible stammer. Each time he was called upon to make a public speech, his stuttering took over and ruined his presentations. When his older brother abdicated the British throne, George was thrust into the forefront of the British Empire and had to make many broadcasts. When war came to Britain in 1939, King George had to rally the nation. Without the determination of his Australian Speech therapist, the new king would never have been able to do this and the encouragement that the British public needed in the darkest days of war would never have been accomplished.

The movie is fantastic and I heartily recommend it to everyone. There is some cussing involved but it’s used to express the utter frustration that the king experiences with his stammer.

King George fulfilled his calling to which he was appointed. He never chose to do this, but when called upon to lead his people, he put duty first and set aside his own preferences. He was one of the most beloved rulers that Britain has ever known and his own daughter Elizabeth epitomizes all that was best in him, as well as her devoted mother.

We are all given a calling in this life. We may not be called to be kings and queens of the nations, but are we expected to live our lives as heirs to God’s Eternal Kingdom. This means that as Christians our lives are meant to be significantly different from those around us. Our faithful calling is Christ’s vehicle to a fallen world and a faithless culture. If we set aside Christ’s desire for us in His work, then all that we accomplish in this life are our own preferences instead of the purposes that God has in store for us.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we are all different and individual. Our backgrounds, cultures and influences over our lives are as varied as we are. Yet with all of our differences, You call us to that one sameness in You. Help us to cast aside our preferences and to carry with us Your purposes each day. 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 John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter scenes. It’s of the famous Glade Creek Grist Mill in Babcock State park, West Virginia. You can view a larger version of this drawing here: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5279354020_7a844bb3b2_b.jpg

(John’s images are available as signed, matted & numbered prints. If you would like one ($20 each, plus shipping) just send John an email.

Christmas Prayer for Our Troops

Almighty and Everlasting God, as we celebrate the birth of Your Son in this world and experience the peace He has to offer us today, we remember our troops at home and abroad who dedicate their lives to protecting our people on this planet.

We are sorry that war is still a part of our lives and that we call upon our young people to risk their lives for us, putting themselves in harm’s way for our freedom. We pray that You will enable us one day to put an end to war and truly experience peace on Earth, so that our Christmas celebrations will be full of joy.

We pray for our troops stationed both here and abroad. We ask that You bless, protect and preserve them wherever they are located. Help us to let them know how much we truly appreciate their service and give us opportunities to care for, encourage, and embrace them.

We pray for their families this Christmas who suffer from separation and distance at this time of year. Surround them with good friends and strong families. Be near to the wives, daughters and mothers, husbands, sons, and fathers who miss their loved ones.

We also remember those who have been wounded in action, who are recovering at home or in Veterans’ hospitals. We pray for their healing, recovery, and tender care. We especially remember those who are permanently injured whether emotionally, mentally, physically, or neurologically. May they be deeply cared for and honorably respected.

We pray for our military leaders and Commander in Chief who need to make tough and unenviable decisions. We pray that You will grant them guidance and discernment to act upon the fresh challenges to peace that occur around the world.

Finally, we pray for those service families who have an empty chair at their Christmas tables that will never be filled. In the midst of their loss, surround them with caring friends and loving people. Let the real sacrifices that they have made, and still sadly experience, be humbly honored and deeply respected by all of us. May we cherish the freedom that our troops have accomplished through the giving of their lives.

Hear us now as we silently pray for those who serve our nation today and as we quietly remember those who have actively served and sacrificed in the past.

Silence – lighting of red, white & blue candle.

In the Name of the Holy One Who made the Supreme Sacrifice for the world – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Church Meeting Devotions: Double Decker Deliverance - Psalm 119:65-72

Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 

 

Believe it or not, Psalm 119:65-72 is my favorite scripture from the Old Testament. When I first became a Christian in 1977, this passage had a wonderful affect on me and I have never forgotten what it meant for my life.

I was sitting on the top of a double decker bus at the front seat. It was my favorite position on the bus because I always enjoyed the view it gave me of the city of Glasgow. As I journeyed into work, which took about 25 minutes, I sometimes read from my Gideon’s pocket edition of the Bible. These used to be given out to 5^th grade classes in elementary school to every student before the days of political correctness and atheistic militantism.

Anyway, I was reading through the psalms consecutively and reached Psalm 119. I didn’t know that it had all those verses in it, so I read it slowly section by section. When I reached verses 65-72, I felt as though God was speaking to my spirit, especially verse 67: Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 

You see, I knew that I had gone astray in my teenage life and had rejected God. It was only when He afflicted my soul and constantly pestered me spiritually that my life began to turn around completely. When I read those words for the first time, I wanted to weep and laugh out loud at the same time, but being on a bus full of Glaswegians during the morning rush hour stopped me in my tracks. Instead, I underlined those verses in my Bible and have kept them written in my heart ever since.

We all wander from God at times and wonder how we’ll ever get back to being in a daily relationship with Him. God may afflict our conscience or our spirit relentlessly until we have no choice but to totally surrender to Him. From experience, let me tell you that it is both humbling and wonderful to finally let God be God in life. He changed mine in absolutely amazing ways; if you let Him, I know that He can do the same for you.

Prayer:                        O Lord, there are times when we wander from Your words and allow ourselves to be sinfully led astray from Your Son. We seem to separate our souls from Your Presence and distance our spirits from Your influence. But You relentlessly pursue us and afflict us constantly with Your loving, patient ways. Grant us the courage and the will to turn back to Your Son and be restored to Your everlasting love. In Christ’s Holy Name, we humbly 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 if you have questions, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Broadway Lights.” It depicts a busy night-time scene from New York City. You can view a larger version of the drawing here:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5239799418_a5ec22450b_b.jpg

(John has a limited number(25) of signed and matted prints of this drawing available. The cost is only $20. If you would like one, please email him at the same address as above)

Church Meeting devotions: Christmas Losses

Psalm 119:50              My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 

Christmas can be a hard time for people who have lost their loved ones to death, especially if it occurs during the month of December. I can remember when my own Dad died in December of 2002. It was in the midst of all the preparations for Christmas and my heart sank because of my loss. I saw all of the decorations and listened to all of the carols, but my heart could not experience most of the joy. It was a sad time of year for me and even though years have passed since his death, I still feel part of my grief at Christmas.

However, like the psalmist of old, I also feel the comfort that God offers through His promises. Death does not have the final word and, through the shared hope of faith in Jesus Christ, my losses turn into victories and my grief can be transformed into gladness.

I know that the emptiness of grief is still there, but as time goes by, it is gradually being replaced with a fullness of Christ’s love that can overcome any joylessness that I temporarily feel. He is born within me each Christmas, so I renew and rededicate my life, my loved ones, and also my losses to Him. Jesus is my Comforter and Savior, Hope Bringer and Healer, my Shepherd and Lord.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, some of us are going through sad times and our hearts are heavy because of the losses that we still experience. We know that You weep with us and carry our cares. Help us to place our pain into Your palms and give over our emptiness to Your full embrace. 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 a winter scene from John’s hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. It depicts snow falling on Sauchiehall (socky-hall) Street. A larger version of this “Snow on Sauchie” can be found at the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5251919500_14a1397bf8_b.jpg

Church meeting devotions: Where is the Joy?

Galatians 4:15a What has happened to all your joy?

Centuries ago, when there were no electric lights, people would bring their own lamps to evening events at their churches. Whenever a night time worship service was held, families would sit together in their own designated pews and one member would be the keeper of the light or holder of the lamp throughout the service.

The whole church would be lit up as people thronged together to worship God, but if a family was missing their pew would not only be empty, there would also be an area of dimness in that part of the church. Everyone would know who was missing and the church elders would seek the family out during the next week to see if illness or injury had kept them away from worship.

If people stopped coming to church altogether, then those areas of the sanctuary would be dim and dark. The worship at the church would carry on, but there would always be a joyless darkness in that pew until the family came back or a new family replaced them.

I’ve been a pastor for almost 25 years and throughout that time I’ve seen a number of families and friends come to and go from church in both Scotland and the United States. When the joy of worship and the gladness of faith dwindle in the soul of a person, it is sometimes very difficult to rekindle the light of Christ that once was there. That’s when Advent and Christmas give our churches great opportunities to reach out to families and friends, who have been missing from worship for a while, to welcome them back into the faith community. If we are truly glad to see them and reach out to them in a positively sincere way, then perhaps the joy of faith will be rekindled in their lives.

So let’s reach out and invite the people that we know in our communities to come and rediscover the joy of the Good News through the Christmas services, songs, and opportunities that we offer in our churches at this wonderful time of the year.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Joy Bringer to the whole world and there are people in our lives who need to reconnect with Your Holy Spirit. We pray that You will give us many opportunities to invite them to worship You this Christmas. Help us to reach out to them and allow them to reach back 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 comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings. It’s called “Winter Walk” and it depicts a snowy street scene from a city in Poland. You can view a larger version of this drawing at the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5219973282_9606857501_b.jpg

Church Meeting devotions: Embracing Advent

Psalm 115:2    Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?" 

Q:        What’s the best way to keep Christ in Christmas?

A:        Go to church on Sundays.

It always amazes me that so many people complain that Christmas just isn’t the same and yet they never seem to connect their spiritual emptiness with their lack of attendance at Church worship. If they are bombarded with commercial pressure for well over 60 days, then they are bound to be overwhelmed, especially if they don’t take time out to be with the Lord and His people during the season of Advent.

Over the years, I’ve sadly watched young parents crucify themselves emotionally and financially in order to make Christmas perfect for their children. I’ve seen families get frantic and fight over details about who is hosting Christmas dinner this year. And I’ve looked at beleaguered workers and sales people practically killing themselves in order to boost their figures in the last month of the year. In the midst of so much pressure, it’s so much easier to let go of God and miss the point of the whole celebration.

The Church prepares us for Christmas in meaningful, traditional, and time-honored ways. The four Sundays in Advent are worship vehicles to bring us closer to God in peaceful, priceless, and precious ways. Instead of wondering what Christmas is all about and turning it into a nightmare, we honestly and simply need to get with God’s program and make Advent a spiritual adventure where we refocus our lives on Christ.

The Gospel Truth is always this simple. We don’t need to put Christ back into Christmas; He is already there. We need to put ourselves back into Christ – Church gives us that wonderful opportunity every Sunday.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, keep us from the merciless busy-ness of Christmas and lead us to the stillness of God’s Kingdom. Protect us from going overboard in order to please other people and enable us to make and take time to please You. Give us a heart to be in worship on Sundays and open our souls to Your Holy Presence. In your Sacred Name, we sincerely 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 part of John’s New Yorker series. It features Central Park in winter, surrounded by the city’s buildings. If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/5141644080_1b3f84222c_b.jpg

You can also view John’s latest drawings at any time on his art blog, which you will find at http://www.stushieart.wordpress.com

Church Meeting Devotions: Faith Works - Galatians 3:11

Galatians 3:11            Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." 

I love being a New Testament person. Christianity offers hope to a world that constantly ruins its relationship with God. Our faith in Jesus justifies us before God and we are saved through the sacrificial acts of Christ.

Before I became a Christian, I rejected God entirely. I wanted to live life in my own way and do everything I desired. Everything that helped me get what I wanted was deemed ‘good’ by me; anything that hindered my desires being fulfilled was ‘bad’ in my books. I was a very selfish, self-centered person. I lived for myself and couldn’t care less about the world.

But the more that I did what I wanted, the less appealing life became. Filling myself with alcohol emptied my soul. I was lost to God, my family, and my friends. I was so self-centered that I wanted to commit suicide and be done with life. A dark shadow engulfed by spirit and I became bitter.

And then Jesus came into my life and I discovered a new joy, a better way, and a hunger for God. Instead of being controlled by alcohol, I surrendered my heart to Christ. Instead of being bitter, my life became better. And instead of heading down a dark spiritual alley which would lead to suffering, death, loneliness and hell, I began walking on a new path which would lead to salvation, redemption, life and heaven.

Perhaps you are going through a rough time or you have recently made foolish decisions that have negatively impacted your life. Maybe you feel lost and alone, overwhelmed and unloved. It sounds trite and naïve, clichéd and unreal, but from my experience the act of truly giving your heart to Jesus changes things for the better and reveals a new, hopeful and better path for your life.

I invite you then, to become a New Testament person, to be forgiven of the past, supported through the present, and restored to a future everlasting relationship with God.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we are reclaimed for God through Your sacrifice. You alone in the entire universe have the authority to forgive our sins and restore us to God’s favor and love. Help us to share this message of gladness and joy with our families, our friends, our neighbors and colleagues. 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 passage, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest 2010 winter pictures. It’s called Snowy Church and you can view a larger version at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5124746046_df27bb0793_b.jpg

Church Advent devotions: Heart of the Holidays

Galatians 1:11            I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

There are so many fables and stories, customs and events attached to our current celebrations of Christmas that it is sometimes hard to distinguish what is real, important, and true. We spend so much energy and effort in promoting, upholding, and supporting Christmas traditions that we frequently forget the simple Gospel message at the heart of our holidays.

Most of the things that we do around this time of year have really no Gospel connection to the miraculous birth of Christ. We get so wrapped up with wrapping gifts up that we miss God’s message to the world: we can experience everlasting hope, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal peace with God through Jesus.

We can make ourselves ill with the burdens that we place upon ourselves. We can exhaust ourselves emotionally by trying to make everything perfect for everyone else. Instead of allowing Christ to be the Burden Bearer of our worries and the Perfecter of our peace, we busily battle our way through the commercial rush and allow peer pressure to dictate our lives.

Christmas was never meant to be like that. The Holy Mass of Christ was supposed to be a sacred time when we allowed Jesus to be the Light of our world and the Healer of our sorrows. He came to show us that life can sometimes be a delusion, and that we often deceive ourselves with our busy-ness. We really need Him at this special time, not only to save us from our sins, but also to save us from ourselves.

The gladness and goodness of the Gospel at Christmas is a glorious God-given opportunity when we can truly experience a little of the joys of Heaven on Earth through welcoming Christ into our hearts and homes. After all, when everything is said and done and our finite lives draw to a close, it won’t be the fables, customs, and traditions of Christmas that will get us into God’s Eternal presence; it will only be Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King who can do that for us.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, as we advance into another season of food, festivities, fables and films which will strain our finances, remind us that faith in You and true fellowship with God are the most important parts of Christmas. Keep us from burdening our lives and loved ones with trinkets and tinsel, delusions and decorations that have no everlasting value. Remind us that You are the Heart of our holidays and the Center of our celebrations. 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 2010 Christmas drawings. It’s called “Christmas Candles.” You can view a larger version at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5119623018_6b4a062826_b.jpg

Church Meeting Devotions - Advent - Musical Windows - Psalm 108 v 3

Psalm 108:3    I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

I love this time of year and especially the weeks that lead up to Christmas. No matter where I go, I hear Christmas music and carols everywhere. Christianity is a singing faith and I like to think that the songs and hymns we sing at Christmas are the musical windows of the church.

I know that some people think that there’s too much commercialism at this time of year and that the Spirit of Christmas is lost in a smorgasbord of feasting, fables, and fun. I used to think like that, but the more I experience Advent and Christmas, the more I understand the power of Incarnation and the actual presence of Christ in the world.

Every year we sing of Christ’s birth among the nations. Every Christmas someone is truly touched by the glad tidings of peace and joy. Every carol has the power to move the hearts of people, who have isolated themselves from church, and bring them back to joyfully praise the Lord. We see this actually happening in Christmas Eve worship services around the world. That’s why they are so crowded. People are attracted to our faith through the wonderful songs that we sing and play at this time of year.

So between now and December 25th, I’ll be singing, playing, and listening to as many Christmas carols as I can. My hope is that someone else will hear them and rediscover God’s joy to the world.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for the season ahead of us when many people across the nations will joyfully sing of Your glorious birth. Thank You for the musicians and vocalists who will inspire, delight, and please us with their talented gifts this Christmas. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully 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 John’s 2010 stained glass Christmas drawing. He calls it “African Nativity.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5064118966_784afd8a3a_b.jpg

John also has a limited number (25) of signed prints available. If you would like one, contact him at his email address.

Church Meeting devotions: The Problem with Phinehas Psalm 106

Psalm 106:30-31        But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked.
 This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.

At first glance, it looks like Phinehas is a mighty hero in the annals of Hebrew history. After all, his loyalty to God is commemorated in a psalm written centuries later after the event which put him in the psalmist’s Hall of Fame.

But what exactly did Phinehas do to achieve this glorious status from God? He killed a man and a woman in their own tent with a spear. You can read the gory story in Numbers 25. It reads more like a scene from a horror movie rather than a mighty act for God.

Sometimes the Old Testament scares the heebie-jeebies out of me. If God is so angry, violent, and wrathful, what chance do I have of surviving His judgment after I die? I have sinned so many times and offended Him with my sinful words and ways that I fully deserve His wrath. What hope do I, as an unholy person, have against a Holy God?

None, except for the fact that I am a New Testament person, who wholly depends upon Jesus Christ to save me. Without Him, I am bound for Hell. With Him, I am restored to Heaven.

If you truly give your heart to Jesus, you can also experience the same.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, save us from ourselves, our sins, and God’s wrath. Forgive our fallen and unfaithful ways. Redeem us by Your blood and restore us to God’s everlasting favor. 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, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest Fall drawing called “Autumn Mill.” It depicts an old Appalachian Grist Mill surrounded by the colors of Fall. A limited number of signed prints are available from John. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1247/5117638642_806c993f72_b.jpg

Church Meeting Devotions: Money Matters

2 Corinthians 8:3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

It’s Stewardship season in many churches across the country. Before the end of the year, congregations try to anticipate what their budget will be for the next year. In these tough economic times, it’s hard to estimate what people will actually give of their money. Time and talents are sometimes easier to share with the church rather than income and resources. Sadly, when people hold back or cut back on their giving, the work of the church is deeply affected.

The Macedonian Christians were not wealthy. They had limited finances in troubled times, but when their hearts were given to Christ and their lives were kindled by the Holy Spirit, they cheerfully wanted to give to the church, even beyond what was expected of them. When Paul writes about them, he does so with a great deal of pride and pleasure. The Macedonians were a great example to the rest of the young Mediterranean church. Their enthusiasm in giving acted as a wonderful motivator for other Christian communities to go all out and do more than their fair share of pledging and giving.

Today, we are all faced with the same exciting challenge. Christ’s work in the world is needed as much now as it ever has been. Our faith is connected to our finances and our beliefs are indicated by our bank books. If we feel insecure about our resources, then we may be also insincere about our faith. If we hold back our money, then what else are we holding back from God?

Cheerful, considerate, and generous giving can release us from our financial worries and money woes. In doing so, we show that we do not depend upon the dollar or pin our hopes to the pound; by giving honestly, sincerely, and cheerfully, we liberate ourselves from the chains and burdens that a love or obsession of money can trouble us with, and show our true devotion to the Lord.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in financial worries and cash concerns. Sometimes we live beyond our capacity to give. Sometimes we burden ourselves by borrowing more than we can afford. Teach us the biblical principles of money management and help us to release our resources to You and Your church. 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 John’s latest night time drawing of Knoxville’s Sunsphere at the World’s Fair Park. A larger version of the drawing can be viewed at http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5095209018_cf3f00de0f_b.jpg

(John has a limited number (25) of signed and matted prints for sale)

Opening devotions: Confidence Restored

2 Corinthians 7:4       I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

I flew to California last Friday to conduct the wedding of a young couple. The bride has been a member of the church that I serve for many years. She was originally part of the youth group when I came to Erin. I was delighted to do the wedding and it turned out to be a wonderful occasion. I was glad that I had the courage to go.

Maybe that last sentence intrigued you, after all how much courage does it take to conduct a wedding? Well let me put it this way: I hate flying.

The last time I was on a jet, I had a terrible experience with turbulence and by the end of my journey, my nerves were totally shot. I vowed never to go on an airplane ever again and haven’t been flying for several years. I had resolved to being tied to the land and only going places where I could drive or catch a train. Then I received two invitations to conduct weddings in South Africa and California. I couldn’t do the 24 hour flight to South Africa, but after giving it much thought and prayer, I decided to take the five hour flight to California. I reckoned that if my experience was much the same as before, then when I returned home, I would no longer take to the skies ever again.

The flights were wonderful and I enjoyed the whole experience. To keep me occupied and distracted, I listened to podcasted sermons from preachers that I admire on all my flights. Some turbulence scared me, but it did not ruin my flying. I felt supported by God and upheld in prayer. My confidence is now restored and I am greatly encouraged. Next time that I have to do it, I will be ready to fly.

Perhaps my fear of flying is nothing compared to your own anxiety or worries. Maybe you have many real and serious problems to contend with. I hope that you can discover God’s presence in the midst of all that troubles you and that Paul’s words will help you to endure and overcome them. May you be greatly encouraged about the future and find that in your time of crisis, God cares enough to lead you through it to a future of greater gladness and joy.

Prayer:                        Lord God, You know everything about us and we fully depend upon Your favor and patience. We need Your love and care to get us through tough times and our current crises. Bless us with strength and confidence to overcome all that we face. Grant us healing and peace for the days to come. In Christ’s 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 John’s impressionistic drawing of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at dawn. You can view a larger version of the drawing here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/4506588885_3aaff840ee_b.jpg

Church Staff Devotions: Above the Mountains - Psalm 104

Psalm 104:6    You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon, but it is on my bucket list. From what I’ve heard from other people, it is a remarkable and awe-inspiring place. Photographs do not do it justice and even documentaries on television do not capture the breath-taking grandeur of this wonder of nature. I’m looking forward to the day when I can stand at the edge of it and take in all of its majestic beauty.

It also amazes me that the whole region was once under the sea. I just can’t picture that in my mind and it’s staggering to think that the ocean covered most of it. Like the psalmist of old, the fact that the seas once engulfed what we call mountains causes me to humbly praise God’s infinite, creative power. When I think about the processes of creation and the intelligence behind such a glorious living design, I am over-awed and extremely thankful for God’s generosity and grace. He didn’t have to share any of it with humanity, but because He delights in our child-like wonder, God lovingly allows us to truly enjoy what He has made.

Prayer:                        Lord God, thank You for the dynamic process of creation and the majesty beauty that surrounds us. The natural world is full of wonderful places and creatures. We are over-awed by the complexity and variety of Life on Earth. We praise You alone for such a beautiful gift and we delight in all that You have accomplished. In Christ’s Holy Name, we cheerfully 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 Fall drawings called “Fall Break.” It features a wee chipmunk feasting before hibernation. You can view a larger version online at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5087270293_ed11200126_b.jpg

Church meeting devotions: Chilean Miners Rescue - Psalm 103 v4

Psalm 103:4    Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion

Today the whole world is watching a miracle take place. The Chilean miners, who have been trapped underground for 69 days, are beginning to surface and our whole planet is rejoicing. It’s a remarkable feat and a wonderful testimony of human determination. The engineers who constructed the escape vehicle, with help from NASA, should be given a Nobel prize for their accomplishments.

I watched the first miner come out of the pit on live television. It was deeply touching to see his wife and young son embrace him. They have held out for hope for so long and for once it was wonderful to see a real happy ending to what could have been a terrible tragedy. I’m sure that many people across that mining community and throughout Chile are giving thanks to God in their churches today.

The whole event reminded me of the individual faith journey that we must all go through when we each personally experience death. Jesus has secured for His followers an escape from oblivion so that our souls can emerge from the pit of the grave and be reunited with all of our loved ones who are also believers. Just as the gathered crowd around the first rescued miner sang, clapped, and rejoiced as he resurfaced, so there will be great joy in heaven as each one of us joins God’s people in His Eternal Kingdom. And just like the miner who enthusiastically embraced the Chilean President for never giving up on them, we will also run to Jesus to give Him our personal thanks for saving us for all eternity.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for saving us from death and for the gift of eternal life. We could never have achieved this for ourselves and we look forward to the sacred moment when we will be able to embrace You in heaven. Thank You also for the saving of the Chilean miners and for supporting their families throughout this critical time. May they be truly blessed as they are reunited with all their loved ones. 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.

Church Staff devotions: Faith Teachers - Psalm 102 v28

Psalm 102:28  “The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”

I think that my favorite type of Christians are the Sunday School teachers in every church who give of their time, talents, energy and enthusiasm in wonderful ways that spiritually enrich young lives and help them grow in faith. It’s a tremendous gift and I am thankful to God that in all of the churches that I have worshipped and served, the Sunday School teachers have been excellent role models and reliable people.

When I reflect upon my own journey of faith, I quickly realize that my knowledge of God and faith in Christ were seeded long ago by Sunday School teachers. What they taught me from the Bible took root in the depths of my soul, so that when I was at the lowest point in my life, my faith sprung up and enabled me to overcome addiction, alienation, and attempted suicide.

Therefore today, I give thanks for both my own Sunday School teachers and the gifted and dedicated people who continue Christ’s teaching ministry by presenting, sharing, and explaining to the youngsters in their classes.

Personal Reflection Question:          Who were the teachers of faith in my life that influenced me spiritually?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You taught people all about God and especially took time to positively influence and personally bless the young ones who were brought to You. Thank You for being patient with them and showing us how important it is to teach the next generation about real faith. Bless the teachers of our churches whose faith-inspiring ways plant seeds in the hearts and minds of our children that will help them in the years to come. 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, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.