Kindle Devotions: Five Minutes with God by John Stuart

My latest devotional e-book is published today. It's called "Five Minutes with God" and contains 52 short devotions. The devotions can be used as personal daily meditations or opening devotions at church meetings. They can also be used as discussion starters for small study groups.

Each devotion is inspired by a Bible verse and includes a personal reflection, story, or description of the context of the verse. Questions for reflection/discussion are also part of the devotion, which finished with a community prayer.

Throughout the book, examples of my artwork can be found, all of which relate to the chosen devotion. I enjoyed writing this book and believe its my best work to date. Click on the boxed link below to check it out on amazon.com. At only $1.99, it's a great spiritual investment, especially for busy Christians!

The book is published for Kindle and Kindle fire, but I-Pad, PC users, and tablets owners can download the free Kindle app to read it on their own mobile devices too!

Opening devotion: Everyone Will Be Saved - Acts 2:21

Acts 2:21 ‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

I want everyone to be saved. That’s why I preach the Gospel on Sundays and write these messages which are read all over the world. I want people to know the joy of Jesus that I have experienced in my life. I want them to embrace His ways and live by His words. I want them to overcome their fears through their faith in Him. I want them to know that we’re not alone on this planet, but that God has created all of us for a divine purpose on Earth and an eternal life in Heaven. I want everyone to be saved – no matter who they are, where they have come from, or what they have done.

Jesus means everything to me. He saved my life when I was self-destructive. He cured me of my alcoholism. He gave me a purpose when I was intent on wasting why life. He turned me around from my faithless ways and saved me from myself. I owe Him everything and it’s a wonderful feeling to be completely indebted to the Lord. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without Jesus. He saved me and I want everyone to know of that salvation.

No one is past redemption. No one has done anything so bad that Christ cannot forgive them. No one who seeks Him is ever turned away. Everyone who calls on His Name will be saved. If I was dying today and had one last wish, it would be this: that everyone that I have ever met, known, or loved would be completely saved by Jesus Christ. This is why I preach, just like Peter; this is why I write, just like Paul.

Questions for personal reflection

What does being saved by Christ feel like to me? How can I share this with the others in my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Savior. Thank You for coming into this sinful broken world to save it from itself. Thank You for dying on the Cross, so that we may claim salvation through Your blood. Thank You for the Gospel which continually brings the Good News of salvation to all people throughout the world. 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 make a comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings for Holy Week. It’s called “Sin Bearer” and features a bloodied and bruised Christ carry His Cross to Calvary. If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8598112375_a26a7810f0_h.jpg

Church Leadership devotion: After Easter - Exodus 33:13

Exodus 33:13 “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

We had a beautiful Easter service yesterday at church. It always good to see many people with their families worshipping God. Because I’m an ‘Easter person,’ I get energized by the whole day.

The day after Easter is quietly different. The celebrations are over and life continues with its own routines. It’s not an anti-climax or depressing; it’s just different.

This is a good time to renew our connection to God. Hopefully, the energy and enthusiasm of the Easter worship experience have given many people a new start to their lives. Spring is bursting with life all around us, so why not make this delightful time a precious moment of spiritual growth when we reconnect to God?

Today’s passage from Exodus 33:7-14 reveals to us Moses’ need of being reconnected to God in the midst of the Wilderness Wanderings. He felt the burden of leadership upon his shoulders and even although he had a special prominence among the people of God, he still needed to know that God would be constantly with him, guiding his decisions, and supporting his choices. The great thing about Moses’ prayer is that God answered it perfectly: "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Whatever your plans for the rest of this week, or indeed for the rest of the year, may you know the blessing of God’s Presence and the joy of His rest.

 Questions for personal reflection

Is there something really important currently happening in my life? Have I asked God to be beside me throughout it?

Prayer:            Lord God, thank You for the wonder of Easter and the spiritually refreshing blessings that we have experienced. Be with us now and guide us; carry us through our present circumstances and help us to make good choices that benefit us, as well as glorifying You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Easter drawings. It’s called “Rising Star” and depicts the wonderful moment of Christ’s Resurrection. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8605348590_5eb2124c1e_h.jpg

Youth devotion: Vital Vision - Acts 2:17

Acts 2:17         ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.’

            Currently, some of our young people are going through the process of Confirmation. Our Youth Leader is doing a wonderful job with them and I’m attending the classes, more as an observer and adviser. As always, when I enter into a church teaching situation, I end up learning more about what I believe. Our young students bring vitality to the faith that we share, and I receive new insights into what they believe and what’s important to them.

            Last night, they composed a new statement of faith based upon what Presbyterians call the ‘Great Ends of the Church.’ Through their minds and with their ideas, I experienced a new understanding of what Church is all about and what it will become to future generations. Instead of being anxious and worried, I was both moved and impressed by what they wrote together. At their Confirmation service, which will take place on the Day of Pentecost, our congregation will use their Statement of Faith in our morning liturgy. Here is what they have brilliantly written:

At Erin Presbyterian Church, we will seek to be God’s people by:

·         Declaring that Jesus Christ is the Savior for all people.

·         Caring for and providing a strong community of faith for all of God’s children.

·         Taking care of godly praise.

·         Keeping the message of God alive.

·         Encouraging the fair treatment of all people everywhere.

·         Showing the world God’s grace.

I think that the future of the Church is in very good hands, don’t you?

Questions for personal reflection

As a teenager, what were my views and vision of the Church? How have I fulfilled that vision in my life?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of our young people and for the vitality that they bring to our churches. May their thoughts and ideas be aligned to Your future vision of the life, ministry, and mission of the Church to come. 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 or ask a question concerning today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Holy Week drawings. It’s called “Eye of God” depicting Christ crucified. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8489798601_5bcd371d9b_h.jpg

Six hundred and counting....

Just sold my sixth hundred devotions book on Amazon overnight...:)

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

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