Sunday, February 17, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Lent Devotion: Coming Soon - Exodus 20:20
Exodus 20:20 Moses
said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you,
so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Sometimes I wonder when and where
the world started to go wrong. It may be that I’m getting older and just don’t
understand the times that we are living in. It could be that we’re all heading
down a road that will lead to the betterment of humankind: I don’t know. It
just seems to me that we’re becoming more self-centered, self-opinionated, and
self-motivated than ever before. Godless behavior and brazen ways have
captivated our people. There’s no more decency, respect, or courtesy. People do
their own thing, go their own way, and live their own lives.
We all love sin a bit too much these
days and this is breaking down our relationships, families, and communities. It
could be called amoral anarchy, religious recklessness, or fickle faithlessness.
Whatever it is, at some point we’re going to have to pay the piper and deal
with the consequences. There is no such thing as free freedom or cheap grace.
When Jesus returns, we will be judged for what we are doing or have done; His
Word will be final and there will be no appeal.
The
other day, I wrote a short poem as a reminder about what we as Christians believe
will happen. It’s called “Coming Soon.”
Coming Soon
There
will be a time
When
no one will ask,
“Is
Jesus real?”
There
will be a day
When
guns will be silent
And
humanity will heal.
There
will be a year
When
death is destroyed
And
pain will disappear;
For
there will be an hour
When
the world will say,
“Jesus
is here!”
Questions for personal reflection
Am I living my
life for myself or God? Do I really believe that Jesus will return to judge the
world?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, at times our world is
spinning out of control and we are fearful for its future. Instead of loving
God, many are devoted to sin. Instead of following Your way, many are making up
their own paths. Keep us and guide us, lead us and protect us in Your Holy
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 traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Celtic Cross drawings. It’s called “Celtic Sky.”
If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8427665601_07363c1307_b.jpg
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Grief devotions: A Mystery to Me - John 11:28
John 11:28 And
after Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside.
"The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for
you."
I’m
always puzzled by this story because of the roles that Martha and Mary play in
this event. In another Gospel passage, (Luke
10:38-42), Mary sits at the feet of Jesus while Martha is chided for
working in the kitchen. Mary is praised for her spirituality, whereas Martha is
lightly criticized for being too pragmatic.
And
then pain comes into their lives when their brother Lazarus dies, causing their
roles to reverse. It’s Martha who initially goes out to meet with Jesus while
Mary stays at home grieving. I would have expected Mary, the spiritual sister,
to run to Jesus first. It wouldn’t have surprised if Martha had stayed at home
grieving and still reluctant to go to Jesus. Something seems amiss here;
something important is happening in this story.
As
a pastor for many years, I have seen people undergo painful and very trying experiences.
I have sometimes seen church people fall to pieces and get angry with God when
something unexpected, unjust, and unfair happens to them. I’ve also seen people,
who have had hardly any church connection, come closer to God in the midst of
their pain, pressure, and problems. It’s a mystery to me why this happens and
today’s Gospel passage seems to show that no matter how spiritual people are,
they can still feel let down or hurt by God; and no matter how distant or
irreligious people are, they can still be comforted and brought nearer to God
in the midst of tragedy.
Questions for personal reflection
Have I ever felt
let down or hurt by God’s inaction? In the midst of my troubles, what keeps me
connected to Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Resurrection
and the Life, but we still experience tragedy and death in our lives. Sometimes
tragic circumstances hurt us and separate us from You. Forgive us of those
moments when our faith is sorely tried and we become distant from You. Embrace
us with Your Understanding and Love. 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 on today’s message,
please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest winter drawings. It’s called “Heavenly Lights”
and is a crayon drawing of the beautiful Northern Lights. If you would like to
view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8374305975_29c1420e90_b.jpg
Monday, January 14, 2013
Super Bowl 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
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Start devotion: Save Me, Shepherd - John 10:11
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
I
am a sinful creature and have gone astray at times. I meander through life and
muddle through each day. Sometimes I accomplish much; at other times, I waste
the opportunities that God has given me. The good that I want to do is
sometimes never fulfilled; the badness that I want to avoid plagues and overcomes
me. I am a sinner and a lost sheep. I need a Savior and a Shepherd.
Thankfully,
Christ is both. He guides me each day and saves me from the worst of my
choices. He forgives my failings and sets me on the right path. He is always there,
before me and behind me, beneath me and above me. He watches my daily walk and
corrects my foolish choices. He is the Savior of my soul and the Shepherd of my
life. Without Jesus, I would be lost to God forever; with Him, I find my way
back to God and can abide in His everlasting presence.
Perhaps
you are meandering through life and in a muddle right now. Maybe your New Year
resolutions have fallen by the wayside or your hopes have been quickly dashed. Perhaps
you feel like giving up because you have nothing left to give. Please don’t
despair. In our worst of times, Christ becomes the best of our choices. In our
moments of sorrow and fear, He becomes the center of our strength and faith. He
gives every part of Himself, so that we may experience every part of life with
God. With Jesus, we are not alone. In Him, we are kept safe forever.
Questions for personal reflection
Have I lost my
way? How can Jesus help me find my way back to God?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, being human is never easy.
There are so many decisions to be made and daily distractions to encounter,
that we sometimes end up losing our way, our meaning, and even our faith. Help
us to turn to You for direction; open our hearts and minds to Your Guidance.
Show us the Way, become our Truth, and let us experience the Life. In Your Holy
Name, we faithfully 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 Psalms Project drawings. It features a verse from
Psalm 128, interpreted as a Christ centered prophecy. If you would like to view
a larger version of the drawing, please visit the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8347771327_83aef164e7_b.jpg
Friday, December 28, 2012
Movie devotions: Les Miserables - Exodus 9:7
Exodus 9:7 Pharaoh
sent men to investigate and found that not even one of the animals of the
Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the
people go.
Like
most movie goers, I went to see the new production of “Les Miserables” on the
big screen. It’s part of a Christmas tradition with the Stuarts. On Christmas Day,
we go to the latest blockbuster in the morning and then sit down to dinner when
we get home. We usually discuss the movie at the table which helps us
strengthen our bonds of commonality and love.
“Les
Miz” was an amazing movie in so many different ways. The computerized special
effects made it appear as if it was actually being shot in the Paris of 1832.
Some of the songs were wonderful and the acting was first class. It was,
however, a bleak tragedy at times, and the amount of misery that was displayed
was harrowing.
I’ve
always been intrigued by the character ‘Javert’ and I thought that Russell
Crowe played him almost perfectly (Robert Newton has always been my favorite
actor to portray Javert). Javert is a police inspector who lives his life
devoted to the Law. Justice for him is served by applying the Law clinically
and perfectly. Javert has no compassion for anyone. He idolizes the Law and is soulless.
His lack of mercy and unswerving dedication to fulfilling the Law is what ruins
him in the end. He cannot abide being weak and cannot live with himself when he
allows the hero, Jean Valjean, one act of mercy. His dispassion destroys him,
causing him to leap to his death into the cold waters of the River Seine in Paris.
Both
Bible passages for today (Exodus 9:1-7 and
John 8:1-11) involve dispassionate
people whose merciless judgments lead to their subsequent destruction. When Pharaoh
stubbornly refuses to let the Hebrew go free after the death of livestock, he
is choosing to selfishly follow a hard-hearted path that will eventually lead
to the death of his son, the destruction of his army, and the end of his reign.
In
the Gospel, we come across religious fanatics who want to stone to death a
defenseless woman. They are self-righteously full of vengeance and seek to dispassionately
destroy a sinner in their midst, in order to preserve the illusion of
perfectionism in their religious community. It’s only when Jesus intervenes
with some home truths and close to the bone remarks that their attitude
changes. However, within a short time, the same kind of religious fanatics are
going to go after Jesus, baying for blood, and eventually seeking to have Him
crucified. The religious community perfection that they try to harshly maintain
will be destroyed within a generation.
We
are on the threshold of a New Year. We each will be faced with many different
choices. Some of them will be good, but at other times we will make mistakes.
Depending upon what we do, our good choices may outweigh our poor decisions,
but at the outset of the New Year, we need to be aware of this: all of our
choices have consequences.
Question for personal reflection
What are the
main choices that I have ahead of me in 2013? Am I willing to listen to Christ’s
Voice as the prime directive for my decisions?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, a new year lies ahead of
us and none of us knows what kind of journey we will experience. We have dreams
and goals, as well as choices and decisions that can bring goodness into our
lives and those of our loved ones. Guide us with Your wisdom; lead us by Your
love. 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 one of John’s Mackintosh Rose drawings. It’s called “Lo, How a Rose E’r
Blooming” in the style of the renowned Scottish art nouveau artist Charles Rennie
Mackintosh. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please
click on the following link:
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Church Staff Devotions: 84 Million - Exodus 1:12-13
Exodus 1:12-13 But
the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the
Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.
Sometimes
when people are oppressed because of their faith, they grow in numbers. Christianity
in China is a good example of this. In 1949 when the Communists took control of
China, there were only about 500,000 Christians in the nation. After
persecuting the church for more than sixty years, how many Christians are there
in China? 84 million.
It
appears that when Christianity is backed into a corner and almost annihilated,
it finds a new way out and grows. Perhaps at some future point in our decadent
and deviant Western society, we will see a real re-emergence of the church
because Christians will once again stand up for their beliefs, instead of embracing
the culture which is causing a passive church to wither and decay.
Long
ago, the Egyptians used a form of genocide in an attempt to wipe out the Jewish
community in their midst. It didn’t work because God’s will could not be
thwarted by mere politics, no matter how powerful the leader of the Egyptians appeared
to be. Moses was predestined to be born and become a great leader of his
people. God desired this, so human wickedness would not prevail.
In
years to come, missionaries will be sent from Africa and Asia, India and China
to Europe and the Americas in order to reclaim churches and Christians for Christ.
God’s work will not be undone and Christ’s words will always endure. Our role
in our churches today is to be faithful to God’s Word and serve Christ truly,
even when it is unpopular. If we do that then a people yet unborn may be
reclaimed for Christ and His Kingdom.
Questions for personal reflection
Has my faith
grown in times of adversity? Have I personally shared my Christian beliefs with
the upcoming generation?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, all over the world
people are praising Your Name and believing in Your Words. New churches are
springing up in hostile areas and Your mission is being accomplished across
this planet. Help us to strengthen our faith, in the good times as well as the
bad. 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 another of John’s 2012 Advent drawings simply called “Advent.” If you
would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8192865892_9d85b325b4_b.jpg
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