Conflict Management

Matthew 12:25           Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

            Division and conflict ruin families, businesses, churches, and nations. Whenever two groups are pitted against each other, those who get caught in the middle end up being the real victims. For instance, in a hostile divorce, the children end up emotionally scarred for life. In a church conflict, things are never the same and old wounds get re-opened every time there is a difference of opinion. And among nations, where hostility arises, war usually follows and millions of people are displaced, ruined, and decimated.

            When Christ was challenged by the religious leaders of His day about His healing powers, He knew that they spoke out of envy and were trying to shut down His ministry. He confronted their lies, which negatively impacted the people, in order to set the record straight. He also reminded His critics that in causing a conflict they would end up destroying themselves, especially if they promoted false messages and expressed incorrect assumptions.

            In a divided community, Jesus came to restore God’s Kingdom among them and reunite the people under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to embrace a new understanding of God, which would heal their divisions and stop their conflicts. Sadly, however, His words went unheeded because those in control were afraid to give up their power over the people. It was left to His real followers to carry on His message, long after He was gone, and take the Gospel to other nations around the world.

            Perhaps you are in the midst of a conflict. Maybe it’s a family issue, a business concern, or even a global worry for you. Whatever is causing it, seek Christ’s peace first in your heart and then reach across the barrier or the gap that the conflict has created. It may be just the solution both of you are looking for, but you won’t know or realize it until you try.

Points to ponder

What conflicts are currently going on in my life? What is Jesus asking me to do about it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we call You the Prince of Peace and the Healer of the nations. Let Your Holy Spirit come into our present circumstances and help us to remedy any current conflict in our lives. Be with us and bless this day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is John’s latest Martin Luther King drawing called ‘Tasking the Dream.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: MLK2017.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. The church website can be viewed at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Leadership devotion: The Call - Matthew 10:1

Matthew 10:1             Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (NIV)

            As a Presbyterian, I firmly accept the priesthood of all believers. To me, this means that everyone is given a specific calling from Christ to do His work in their own community. His ministry is expanded by what we say and do as Christians among our families, other church members, and in the wider world. The credibility of Christianity rises or falls on how we express and display our faith to others.

            When I read about the calling of the First Disciples (Matthew 10:1-4), I remember that they weren’t perfect and they all had flaws. Some of them doubted, others denied Him, and even one betrayed Christ. Jesus didn’t choose them because they were holy; He called them because each one of them had the potential of advancing God’s Kingdom.

            No matter who we are or what we’ve done, Christ calls us continually to do His work and share His ministry. Some days we get it right; other days we fail. The good thing is this: Christ is still willing to call us, day after day, because He loves us completely, forgives us totally, and restores us thoroughly to God’s Kingdom.

            Think about your calling from Christ and as you do this watch and listen to a congregation from my hometown of Glasgow, Scotland sing the beautiful modern Scottish hymn called “The Summons.” You can watch it at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6IUalJ3sk

May Christ guide and bless you this day. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Church Conflict devotion - United in Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:20

1 Corinthians 12:20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (NIV)

            We live in a divided world and factional times. Partisan politics are hampering countries across the world from being united and strong. Sadly, warring nations still exist on our planet. Religious schisms and fervent fanatics are ruining our confidence in God. It seems as though we are on a precarious precipice, which is disintegrating each day through personal attacks, constant crossfire, and philosophical wars of attrition. Atrophy is setting in all around us, instead of a brave new world of a golden new age. We are at a crossroads – politically, religiously, and socially. Unless we start working together as one dominant species on one single planet, which is whirling through space, we’re going to end up destroying ourselves and the universe won’t even know we existed.

            Decades ago, I joined the church because I thought it was the best vehicle to change things across the globe. I still believe in that concept, especially when I see Christ’s Church around the world trying to make lives better. Strong, local congregations are the key to healthy, compassionate communities. Sadly, as Christians, we’ve struggled for so long against one another that we’ve missed precious moments and gracious opportunities to spread Christ’s love all around us.

            I think that the Apostle Paul also experienced this kind of divisiveness and disunity among faithful followers, which is why he initially wrote to several Mediterranean church plants. He could see a time when the broken Empire would need a strong, unified church. His emphasis on several parts within one body was meant to show the local congregations that no matter how diverse or different people were – female or male, Greek or Jew, slave or free – they all could work together to form an effective ministry and mission, which would honor Christ’s work and expand God’s Kingdom throughout many regions. That same collective understanding of who we are as Church, as well as maintaining a strong unity, is even more necessary today and essentially crucial for the healing of our broken, divided world.

Questions for personal reflection

How can I contribute to the unity of my local church? How can that unity help my local community?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Holy One of God in whom our faith should be united. Gather us together in our local congregations, so that we may effectively undertake and fulfill Your mission in our local communities, as well as around the world. In Your Holy Name, we serve and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com. John is always delighted to receive your ideas, suggestions, and messages.

Today’s image is one of John’s Holy Week drawings for 2016 called “Betrayed.” If you want to view a larger version, please click on this link: Betrayed.

Faith devotion: Faithful Promises - Isaiah 12:2

Isaiah 12:2      Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

            We all go through fearful and unsettling times. Sometimes, those moments occur when we’re worried about our families or friends; at other times, we may be concerned about our careers or work projects; there may also be times when our health declines or something accidental occurs in our lives. Whatever the circumstances, we feel frail and vulnerable, unprotected and absolutely human.

            When we are fearful, it helps us to understand that God is always faithful. His words and promises from the past become relevant and meaningful to us, especially when we read them in times of trouble or crisis. God’s Spirit reaches to us from the pages of the Holy Scriptures and across the centuries to let us know that He is with us, standing beside us, or even carrying us through painful moments and worrying times. Grace and love are the great gifts He bestows upon us; compassion and comfort are blessings that will sustain us, enabling us to endure and overcome whatever assails us.

            Today’s verse from Isaiah 12 is a beautiful promise that can help us get through our present difficulties and personal problems. As Christians, we receive these words through the blessings of our Savior Jesus Christ, who forgives our sins, guides us through life, and restores us to God’s everlasting favor. Our faith is focused on Him, because in Him we have everything that we will ever need in this life and the next.

Questions for personal reflection

What presently troubles or worries me? How can God’s promise through Isaiah help me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of our souls and the Light of our lives. In You and through You, we experience God’s grace, love, and compassion. Thank You for allowing us to come to You with our prayers and problems. Thank You for being with us every day. 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 comments or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2016 drawings for Holy Week. It’s called ‘The Beginning.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Beginning.

Holy Week devotions & prayers

For the past three years, I've written a special daily devotional book for Holy Week. Each book contains poems, prayers, and devotionals exclusively written by me. I wrote for Christian folks who may be too busy at work, school, or other places to join in the traditional services and masses that take place during Holy Week.

The books can be read on a daily basis, which helps the reader cultivate a sense of the sacred in her or his life during Holy Week. The following books are all available for those interested in Holy Week devotions.

 

Starting a Small Group Bible Study - Coffee House Conversations

          All over the land, Christian folks are meeting together in their favorite coffee places, sharing their faith and ideas, and studying Bible passages together. I’m writing a series of simple Bible study books for such groups called “Coffee House Conversations.” My hope is that these books will make it easy for committed Christians to organize regular groups of their church friends and other folks, for faith conversations and the sharing of their spiritual experiences.

          These books contain seven Bible studies each, 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 participants share their faith, as well as their questions, ideas, and comments, in an amiable way.

         

          Each study should last between 45 to 60 minutes. Different people may lead and enable each study – the format is simple and easy to employ. Currently, I've written three study books, with the promise of more to come. You can view each book online by clicking the following links:

Church devotion: Fools for Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:18

1 Corinthians 1:18     For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NIV)

            There are some Christians today who believe that the Cross was accidental and not a part of God’s plan. They say that Christ’s message of love is what is important now, and that to pin our faith on being forgiven through Jesus’ agonizing death is to worship a God that is vindictive, violent, and vile.

            Paul would call them foolish and that they will end up perishing because they cannot accept the purpose of the Cross. I agree with Paul because if I accept that Christ’s death was purely accidental, then God is powerless and not worthy of worship. It would also mean that Jesus was just a foolish preacher who got caught up in his own rhetoric and deserved to be killed by the authorities. Christ would become just another was a self-centered religious simpleton instead of a selfless Savior.

            For those of us who accept the power of the Cross as being predestined by God, we embrace an understanding that we are sinners who need to be saved from our sins. We don’t ever want to be separated from God and we don’t want to be cast aside forever. We claim the power of the crucified Christ, whose body was broken for our mistakes and whose blood was shed for our transgressions. In other words, without the Cross there is no forgiveness, and without Christ being nailed to that Cross, there is no hope of life after death. We would rather be fools for Christ on this side of life than fools for all of eternity on the other side of death.

Question:        What does Christ’s Cross mean to me? How has it shaped my faith?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the world and the Redeemer of our souls. Your life was predestined by God to end in a sacrificial way. You accepted God’s will to be crucified, so that we can be forgiven of our sins and restored to God’s favor. Thank You for not abandoning us; thank You for loving us so much that You willingly sacrificed Your Life. 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 questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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