Lent Devotions and readings - A 40 Day Journey of Renewal

My latest Lent devotional e-book has just been published on Amazon. It contains daily devotions, prayers, suggested Bible readings, and reflective questions for every day of Lent. It's a simple and beneficial way to keep Lent, in order to become prepared for Holy Week.

Click the link below to check out a copy. Other links for different countries can be found here:

In US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGREW2M

In UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BGREW2M

In Canada  http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01BGREW2M

In Australia  http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B01BGREW2M

.

Family Devotion - An Old Photograph

Romans 12:12      Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (NIV)

            I’m looking at an old photograph on my church desk. It’s a picture of my Mom in her early twenties. She has black raven colored hair, large beautiful eyes, and a lovely smile. She’s wearing pearl earrings, as well as a decorative Isle of Man brooch on her jacket collar. I think the photograph may have been taken on her honeymoon with my Dad because they went to the Isle of Man after their wedding.

            My Mom looks young and beautiful, happy and joyful. She’s just married the man she loves and both of them are on the threshold of a lifetime together. She has no idea of the hardships yet to come, but her face looks bright and hopeful. The years ahead will be bleak at times and our whole family will be scarred emotionally and mentally, but we will survive and become supportive of one another, even though we’re scattered and separated by thousands of miles.

            The photograph reminds me that my Mom was once young and strong, filled with hope and happy to be in love. That memory consoles me and takes away most of the pain and bitterness that I have carried for far too long. I know that my brothers and sisters, whom I dearly love, feel the same way.

            Despite her illnesses and deep depression, my Mom never lost her faith. She still prayed to God in her lucid moments and clung to her beliefs. This also comforts me because as I get nearer to the completion of my own life, I know that I shall see her again, just looking like she is in the photograph. This is what Christ has given us – a hope that perseveres and love that never ends.

Questions for reflection

Is there someone in my life that I look forward to seeing in God’s Kingdom? How does that hope affect my faith and relationships today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the faith that You have given us and the hopes that we share. We look forward to the day when we shall be with You in God’s Kingdom and reunited with all of our faithful loved ones. 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 make a comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Lenten Cross drawings called ‘Lent Changes Everything.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Lenten Cross.

Small group Bible Study - Enjoy Life by John Stuart

Many Christians are now regularly meeting in local coffee houses to study God's Word, share their faith, and discuss their spiritual ideas. I'm writing a series of light conversational Bible study books, which will enable small groups to meet for 45 -60 minutes each week, or even once per month, to build up their friendship, fellowship, and faith.

The theme of this first book is called "Enjoy Life." More conversational books will follow in the series.

This book contains seven Bible studies which can be used by small groups or individuals for Sunday School, Coffee groups, or house meetings. The purpose of each study is to help folks share their faith, as well as their questions, ideas, and comments in an amiable way.

Lent Devotions Books by John Stuart

Devotions for Lent are becoming more popular among Christians of all denominations. The following e-books contain 40 daily devotions for Lent and can be used individually, in a small group, or family setting. These Lenten devotional books are all available on Amazon. Just click on the boxes and you'll be taken to the home page for each Lent devotional book, with a description of its contents.

             

My latest Lenten devotional book, "A Path for Pilgrims,' will be published soon.

Church Meeting devotions: Divine Gift - Acts 13:39

Acts 13:39       Through Christ everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the Law of Moses. 

            One of the greatest gifts of Christianity is that people, even the wickedest among us, can be forgiven by God. This allows all of us to begin our lives again and make a new start. Many of us have past regrets and have made terrible mistakes. We carry the burden of our guilt within us, and sometimes even punish ourselves for being so foolish, corrupt, and sinful. To be human, is to be frequently wrong. To be forgiven, is to be set free from the past.

            Our beautiful world and wonderful planet is full of broken, guilty, and remorseful people. Much of the disappointments we experience or cause, are deeply rooted in our sinful nature. We all could be better people; we all could make better choices; we all could do better things with our lives.

            Christ gives us a gracious opportunity to begin again, no matter who we are, no matter what we’ve done; no matter what age we are, and no matter what hurt or damage we have caused. He sacrificed Himself for our sins and, as Paul preached long ago, ‘everyone who believes is set free from every sin.’

            Today, I rejoice in the eternal fact that I am forgiven. I hope that you can also receive and experience this greatest of all gifts from God. As the poet, Alexander Pope once wrote: ‘to err is human; to forgive, divine.’

Personal questions for reflection

What is currently my biggest regret? Have I truly asked Christ to forgive me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are our Divine Savior and Gracious Lord. We know the wrong that we have done and the disappointments we have created. Forgive our past mistakes and foolish choices. Allow us the opportunity to begin again and to re-start our lives by being connected to You. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully and humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Northern Delights.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Northern.

Advent Devotions 2015: Love Came Down Among Us

I've just completed my 20th devotions e-book for Kindle readers. It's called "Love Came Down Among Us." The book contains 27 new daily devotions, beginning on the First Sunday in Advent (Nov 29) all the way through to Christmas Day.

Each daily devotional includes a suggested scripture passage, a highlighted Bible verse, a short devotion, questions for reflection, and concludes with a prayer. Each day also has its own unique artwork, drawn by me.

Hundreds of people use my e-book devotions each year. The cost is only 99 cents, which is both a bargain and a great investment for every reader.

The devotions can be used on a personal basis, with a small group, at church staff meetings, or even for special family devotions.


You can view and purchase the e-book by clicking the following image. Enjoy !

Church devotion: A Chosen Instrument - Acts 9:15

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”

            I am very wary of pastors and people who dismiss the teachings and letters of the Apostle Paul, usually because they disagree with what he has written about Christianity. Modern day folks may not like what he expressed 1900 years ago, but they conveniently reject him all too easily, forgetting that Paul himself was chosen by Christ, as God’s chosen instrument, to take the Christian faith beyond Judea and the Jewish faith.

            Paul’s critics seems to think that their own ideas are either better or equal to his own. I have yet to come across any one of them who has advanced the Christian faith as effectively as Paul did. God did not just choose him arbitrarily; God selected Paul for His own divine purpose of seeing the Gospel being preached and the Church being planted all over Europe, even at the very heart of the Roman Empire.

            In my opinion, this means that Paul’s teaching and writings are full of important messages, lessons, and purposes for Christians, no matter where they live, what church they belong to, or in whichever century they exist. If we commonly say that God doesn’t make mistakes, then the choosing of Paul was not an error either. The apostle’s life and letters should be very important to every one of us, especially if we call ourselves ‘Christian.’

Questions for personal reflection

Do I take the teachings of Paul seriously, or am I apt to dismiss his ideas as outdated and irrelevant? Why did God choose Paul in the first place, and how has that decision affected me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, when You confronted Paul on the Damascus Road, You were setting into motion a major movement in the history of Your Church. Without Paul’s conversion and his teachings, much of who we are as Christians today would not be possible. Remind us that You deliberately chose him to carry out God’s divine purpose, and that selection has even affected us today. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.