Thursday, January 16, 2014

Church Staff devotion: Keeping It Together - Colossians 1:17

Colossians 1:17          He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

As a boy, I used to love making model aircraft. Most of my allowance was spent on buying small kits of plastic jets or World War 2 aircraft. Sometimes I even purchased model vintage cars, but those were usually very difficult to put together.

Gluing was always a problem, too, because I got glue all over my fingers and sometimes messed up the plastic parts by using too much adhesive. Too little glue meant that the kit would not stick together and gaps were seen all over the model. If I used too much glue, then the aircraft or car became sticky and my fingerprints were all over it. However, most of the time I persevered and felt proud of what I had accomplished when the model was finished.

Years later, I became fascinated with World War 1 biplanes and made many models of vintage aircraft as an adult. I still have them in box somewhere in the attic. If I’m ever blessed with grandchildren one day, I’ll probably bring them down to show and play with them.

I like what Paul has to say about Christ in this first chapter of Colossians. Jesus is the One in whom all things in creation hold together. I like the idea that Christ brings order to chaos and that through Him all of creation is sustained. It makes me feel that although life can be unsettling and confusing at times, Jesus is still here maintaining God’s goodness in the world and throughout the entire universe. That’s the Jesus that I love; that’s the Christ that I cheerfully serve: the Lord of all Creation Who keeps it together.

Questions for personal reflection

Are there current events in my life where I feel I have no control? Am I willing to allow Jesus to keep things together for me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, every day is a wonderful gift, and every moment of our lives are spent under Your watchful care. Remind us that no matter what happens or what we experience today, You are still in control of our ultimate destiny, and that through You all things hold together. 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 questions about today’s message, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com.


Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings called “Snow Mates.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/11891190784_39ee9cf9cf_b.jpg

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Opening Devotion: All Over the World - Colossians 1:6b

Colossians 1:6b          All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Every day someone somewhere gets to hear the Gospel for the first time and responds positively to it by opening his or her heart to Christ. It’s amazing to think that after almost two thousand years, Jesus’ words and ways are still relevant to someone in need of Him. In my own lifetime, I have experienced this for myself, as well as seeing hundreds of others discover the same. It’s a beautiful event in anyone’s life and, so long as churches continue on Earth, the Gospel will be preached throughout the world.

Some days I envy the Apostle Paul. He personally saw so many church start-ups that his soul must have been constantly overjoyed with hope. No matter where he visited or wherever he was being held as prisoner, he could both see and hear that the infant Church was growing all over. It must have been a remarkable age, but those kind of start-ups are not limited to the past. Christianity is still the greatest faith on Earth and in places like China and Africa, it is growing faster than ever. By the end of this century, there could be more Christians in China than Communists; I even think that the changes we are beginning to see over there, have their roots in Christian beliefs.

So, wherever you are today and whatever church you serve, know this: you are part of a worldwide movement that is still growing all over this planet because people are still hungry for the Gospel and are still turning to Christ for their answers to life itself!

Questions for personal reflection

How is my church connected to Christians around the world? What can I do to support and strengthen those connections?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for never ever giving up on the world. Thank You for Your amazing words, works, and ways that continue to change lives across this planet. Enable us to do whatever we can to continue Your mission in our communities and throughout the Earth. In Your 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 traqair@aol.com.


Today’s image is one of John’s latest Communion drawings called “Blood and Tears.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/11700133064_691aca8bcc_b.jpg

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Church devotion: All I Ever Need - Philippians 4:19

Today’s readings are 1 Samuel 3:11-21 and Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:19         And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

I love this verse. It speaks to my heart in so many different ways. Throughout my life, God has always provided for my needs, even when I was growing up in poverty. I like these words because there’s a beautiful reassuring promise behind them that comes from God. He is the Great Provider of all our blessings; He is still the Jehovah Jireh (from Genesis 22:14) who gives of Himself time after time, generation after generation, and person after person.

Because I believe in this promise, I know that whatever I am faced with today, God will look after everything I need. If I get too preoccupied with the things that I selfishly desire, then I will probably stray from His path. However, if I live by His promised word then I will find contentment with what I already have. To me, the secret to happiness is in accepting what God gives, instead of craving and clamoring for what I may selfishly want.

Perhaps you are seeking to be happy in all the wrong places or with all the wrong things. Maybe envy and entitlement sour your ability to be content. As the old hymn states, perhaps it’s time to ‘count your blessings’ rather than list your wants. After all, when the scriptures tell us that ‘God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus,’ what more could we ever ask for?

Questions for personal reflection

What do I truly need in my life? How can God enable me to experience it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You came into the world to give us the one thing that we need in all of our lives: salvation. Our time on Earth is fleeting, but our existence through You can be made everlasting, so there is nothing in this world that ever be important beyond our deaths. Show us how to be happy with our needs being met by God, instead grumbling over what we do not have. In Your Holy Name, we happily pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings called “Snowfall at Cades Cove.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/11845624695_bf354f217a_b.jpg


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Short Meeting devotion : A Tale of Two Birds - Philippians 2:13

Today’s readings are: 1 Samuel 2:1-11 and Philippians 2:12-30

Philippians 2:13         For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. 

Every morning that I commuted to church, I used to take great delight in spotting two beautiful large birds. The first was a red-tailed kite which perched atop an old dead tree, constantly surveying the fields alongside the motorway for small prey. It was, in my opinion, a remarkable bird and often looked both majestic and regal from its high perch.

The second bird was a large grey heron, standing alone in a small pond, continually looking for small frogs or fish to catch and eat. Its beautiful sleek features and feathering always impressed me as I drove by its pond on my way to church.

Recently, the habitats for both birds have been destroyed. The kite’s dead tree was chopped down to make way for a whole new set of ugly office buildings; the heron’s pond has been almost drained and totally devastated by new ‘upgraded’ landscaping. I was both deeply saddened and very annoyed at these changes, as well as being concerned about how both of these birds would cope.

The red kite changed its perching place to another set of trees on the other side of the motorway. It still manages to catch enough prey to feed itself and has adapted almost completely to its new situation. Sadly, the heron still stands on what’s left of the pond and is looking tired, bedraggled, and hungry. If it doesn’t adapt by finding a new pond, I fear it will die.

The two birds have reminded me of what happens to churches when changes affect their work and mission for God. If they get trapped in the past, then they will be hopelessly put in a futile position and subsequently die. If, however, churches manage to cope with change and make the right qualitative adaptations, then they will evolve and live. If they allow God to work within them for His constant purposes in an ever-changing world, they will thrive; if they remain unmoved and unconcerned about what’s currently happening, they will be starved of people and eventually close. The same choice is basically theirs: adapt or expire.

Questions for personal reflection

What changes are currently affecting the church I belong to? Is it adapting or expiring?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but the world we live in constantly changes. Show us what You are doing in the midst of all these cultural variations and enable us to effectively continue our work for 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 about today’s message or ask a question, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s bird drawing called “The Lone Grey Fisherman.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:


Thursday, January 2, 2014

New Year reflection: Serving God - Ephesians 6:7-8

Ephesians 6:7-8          Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

We all have good intentions at the start of the New Year. We think about what we would like to do and accomplish, and maybe even dream about making fresh starts and fulfilling our long-term goals. It’s a great time of year to think about the future rather than dwell on the past. As we cross over this new threshold, we all hope for something good and significant to happen in our lives. It could be the birth of a whole bundle of blessings; it could be the start of something special.

            As a pastor, I like to use this time to seriously contemplate what God wants me to do with this year. I think about the path that the congregation is taking and try to work out how I can enable and encourage the good folks to find new ways and opportunities of supporting the church and serving Christ in our community. Each year is different from the past and God usually adds new folks, new missions, and new ideas to the whole process. It’s a large part of my ministry to see that God’s chosen people are placed in positions to be effective servants of Christ. If I can manage to do that well, then God’s work will be glorified and the congregation’s ministry will flourish.

Question for personal reflection

Do I feel called to a special ministry and mission in my congregation and community? Am I willing to talk to my pastor about it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all blessed to be Your servants. We each have unique backgrounds and gifts that are useful to Your continuing ministry. Help us all to pray about where You want us to serve You in our churches and communities. 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 ask a question or make a comment about today’s message, please contact him by email at traqair@aol.com.


Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings. It’s called “Winter Cardinal,” and it features a beautiful red cardinal perched on a winter branch during snowfall. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/11634466773_6186ee6629_b.jpg