Workplace devotions: Double Decker Deliverance - Psalm 119:65-72

Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 

 

Believe it or not, Psalm 119:65-72 is my favorite scripture from the Old Testament. When I first became a Christian in 1977, this passage had a wonderful affect on me and I have never forgotten what it meant for my life.

I was sitting on the top of a double decker bus at the front seat. It was my favorite position on the bus because I always enjoyed the view it gave me of the city of Glasgow. As I journeyed into work, which took about 25 minutes, I sometimes read from my Gideon’s pocket edition of the Bible. These used to be given out to 5^th grade classes in elementary school to every student before the days of political correctness and atheistic militantism.

Anyway, I was reading through the psalms consecutively and reached Psalm 119. I didn’t know that it had all those verses in it, so I read it slowly section by section. When I reached verses 65-72, I felt as though God was speaking to my spirit, especially verse 67: Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 

You see, I knew that I had gone astray in my teenage life and had rejected God. It was only when He afflicted my soul and constantly pestered me spiritually that my life began to turn around completely. When I read those words for the first time, I wanted to weep and laugh out loud at the same time, but being on a bus full of Glaswegians during the morning rush hour stopped me in my tracks. Instead, I underlined those verses in my Bible and have kept them written in my heart ever since.

We all wander from God at times and wonder how we’ll ever get back to being in a daily relationship with Him. God may afflict our conscience or our spirit relentlessly until we have no choice but to totally surrender to Him. From experience, let me tell you that it is both humbling and wonderful to finally let God be God in life. He changed mine in absolutely amazing ways; if you let Him, I know that He can do the same for you.

Prayer:                        O Lord, there are times when we wander from Your words and allow ourselves to be sinfully led astray from Your Son. We seem to separate our souls from Your Presence and distance our spirits from Your influence. But You relentlessly pursue us and afflict us constantly with Your loving, patient ways. Grant us the courage and the will to turn back to Your Son and be restored to Your everlasting love. In Christ’s 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, or if you have questions, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Broadway Lights.” It depicts a busy night-time scene from New York City. You can view a larger version of the drawing here:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5239799418_a5ec22450b_b.jpg

(John has a limited number(25) of signed and matted prints of this drawing available. The cost is only $20. If you would like one, please email him at the same address as above)

Office devotions: Christmas Losses

Psalm 119:50              My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 

Christmas can be a hard time for people who have lost their loved ones to death, especially if it occurs during the month of December. I can remember when my own Dad died in December of 2002. It was in the midst of all the preparations for Christmas and my heart sank because of my loss. I saw all of the decorations and listened to all of the carols, but my heart could not experience most of the joy. It was a sad time of year for me and even though years have passed since his death, I still feel part of my grief at Christmas.

However, like the psalmist of old, I also feel the comfort that God offers through His promises. Death does not have the final word and, through the shared hope of faith in Jesus Christ, my losses turn into victories and my grief can be transformed into gladness.

I know that the emptiness of grief is still there, but as time goes by, it is gradually being replaced with a fullness of Christ’s love that can overcome any joylessness that I temporarily feel. He is born within me each Christmas, so I renew and rededicate my life, my loved ones, and also my losses to Him. Jesus is my Comforter and Savior, Hope Bringer and Healer, my Shepherd and Lord.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, some of us are going through sad times and our hearts are heavy because of the losses that we still experience. We know that You weep with us and carry our cares. Help us to place our pain into Your palms and give over our emptiness to Your full embrace. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is a winter scene from John’s hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. It depicts snow falling on Sauchiehall (socky-hall) Street. A larger version of this “Snow on Sauchie” can be found at the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5251919500_14a1397bf8_b.jpg

Office Advent Devotions: Heart of the Holidays

Galatians 1:11            I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

There are so many fables and stories, customs and events attached to our current celebrations of Christmas that it is sometimes hard to distinguish what is real, important, and true. We spend so much energy and effort in promoting, upholding, and supporting Christmas traditions that we frequently forget the simple Gospel message at the heart of our holidays.

Most of the things that we do around this time of year have really no Gospel connection to the miraculous birth of Christ. We get so wrapped up with wrapping gifts up that we miss God’s message to the world: we can experience everlasting hope, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal peace with God through Jesus.

We can make ourselves ill with the burdens that we place upon ourselves. We can exhaust ourselves emotionally by trying to make everything perfect for everyone else. Instead of allowing Christ to be the Burden Bearer of our worries and the Perfecter of our peace, we busily battle our way through the commercial rush and allow peer pressure to dictate our lives.

Christmas was never meant to be like that. The Holy Mass of Christ was supposed to be a sacred time when we allowed Jesus to be the Light of our world and the Healer of our sorrows. He came to show us that life can sometimes be a delusion, and that we often deceive ourselves with our busy-ness. We really need Him at this special time, not only to save us from our sins, but also to save us from ourselves.

The gladness and goodness of the Gospel at Christmas is a glorious God-given opportunity when we can truly experience a little of the joys of Heaven on Earth through welcoming Christ into our hearts and homes. After all, when everything is said and done and our finite lives draw to a close, it won’t be the fables, customs, and traditions of Christmas that will get us into God’s Eternal presence; it will only be Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King who can do that for us.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, as we advance into another season of food, festivities, fables and films which will strain our finances, remind us that faith in You and true fellowship with God are the most important parts of Christmas. Keep us from burdening our lives and loved ones with trinkets and tinsel, delusions and decorations that have no everlasting value. Remind us that You are the Heart of our holidays and the Center of our celebrations. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2010 Christmas drawings. It’s called “Christmas Candles.” You can view a larger version at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5119623018_6b4a062826_b.jpg

Workplace devotions: Advent - Musical Windows - Psalm 108 v 3

Psalm 108:3    I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

I love this time of year and especially the weeks that lead up to Christmas. No matter where I go, I hear Christmas music and carols everywhere. Christianity is a singing faith and I like to think that the songs and hymns we sing at Christmas are the musical windows of the church.

I know that some people think that there’s too much commercialism at this time of year and that the Spirit of Christmas is lost in a smorgasbord of feasting, fables, and fun. I used to think like that, but the more I experience Advent and Christmas, the more I understand the power of Incarnation and the actual presence of Christ in the world.

Every year we sing of Christ’s birth among the nations. Every Christmas someone is truly touched by the glad tidings of peace and joy. Every carol has the power to move the hearts of people, who have isolated themselves from church, and bring them back to joyfully praise the Lord. We see this actually happening in Christmas Eve worship services around the world. That’s why they are so crowded. People are attracted to our faith through the wonderful songs that we sing and play at this time of year.

So between now and December 25th, I’ll be singing, playing, and listening to as many Christmas carols as I can. My hope is that someone else will hear them and rediscover God’s joy to the world.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for the season ahead of us when many people across the nations will joyfully sing of Your glorious birth. Thank You for the musicians and vocalists who will inspire, delight, and please us with their talented gifts this Christmas. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully 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 John’s 2010 stained glass Christmas drawing. He calls it “African Nativity.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5064118966_784afd8a3a_b.jpg

John also has a limited number (25) of signed prints available. If you would like one, contact him at his email address.

Workplace Devotions: Above the Mountains - Psalm 104

Psalm 104:6    You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon, but it is on my bucket list. From what I’ve heard from other people, it is a remarkable and awe-inspiring place. Photographs do not do it justice and even documentaries on television do not capture the breath-taking grandeur of this wonder of nature. I’m looking forward to the day when I can stand at the edge of it and take in all of its majestic beauty.

It also amazes me that the whole region was once under the sea. I just can’t picture that in my mind and it’s staggering to think that the ocean covered most of it. Like the psalmist of old, the fact that the seas once engulfed what we call mountains causes me to humbly praise God’s infinite, creative power. When I think about the processes of creation and the intelligence behind such a glorious living design, I am over-awed and extremely thankful for God’s generosity and grace. He didn’t have to share any of it with humanity, but because He delights in our child-like wonder, God lovingly allows us to truly enjoy what He has made.

Prayer:                        Lord God, thank You for the dynamic process of creation and the majesty beauty that surrounds us. The natural world is full of wonderful places and creatures. We are over-awed by the complexity and variety of Life on Earth. We praise You alone for such a beautiful gift and we delight in all that You have accomplished. In Christ’s 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Fall drawings called “Fall Break.” It features a wee chipmunk feasting before hibernation. You can view a larger version online at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5087270293_ed11200126_b.jpg

Office devotions: Sacred Title - 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:3       Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

It’s one of those foundational beliefs that separates us from the rest of the religious world. I’m talking about the Fatherhood of God and the Sonship of Christ. It’s a distinction that Jews and Muslims will not accept. It’s a spiritual fact that distinguishes who we are as a people of faith.

Some people and pastors think that this is not important and in the interests of political correctness and language equity, they would rather that we stop calling God “Father” and instead use the neutral term of ‘Creator.’ The difficulty with this is that the First Christians, who died for their faith, saw this as a basic belief that distinguished Christ from other would be Messiahs and spiritual leaders.

We may think that this distinction is unimportant in a modern cosmopolitan world. We may be able to compartmentalize our beliefs into acceptable cultural phrases to suit the world. We may be able to do all of these things and change ourselves, but we will never be able to change that basic eternal and sacred relationship that Christ has with God. Jesus is His Holy Son and God is His Almighty and Everlasting Father.

The apostle Paul knew this fully, understood it, and proclaimed it in his wonderful letters. Christ in the Gospels continually referred to God as Father and even Daddy (Abba). If this wasn’t true, then Christ was deceiving Himself and His followers. And how could He even call out for mercy upon those who crucified Him, with the famous words: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” if this was not the case?

The Fatherhood of God maintains who we truly are as Christians. If we reject it, then we are molding God into our own acceptable form and shape. The word for that is idolatry.

Prayer:                        Father God, we glorify Your Son Jesus Christ in ways that the world does not understand and in words that our Western society finds hard to accept. You sent Your son to the world to show us how committed You were and are towards granting eternal salvation for those who truly believe in Your Son. Help us to once again tear down the barriers of our own making and to cherish You as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and all compassion. In Your Holy Name and by Your Sacred Title 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Apple Harvest.” If you would like to see a larger version of the print, please click the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5039769485_3a9d88d5a5_b.jpg

Pastor Stuart has limited edition, signed, and matted prints available.

Workplace devotions: Comic Book Christian - Acts 20

Acts 20:3b       Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, Paul decided to go back through Macedonia. 

Have you seen the new movie “Salt” starring Angelina Jolie yet? It’s actually a very good and highly entertaining film. It’s the usual spy thriller about lies, love, and deception. Jolie plays an American spy who ends up being double-crossed and chased by the NYPD, FBI, CIA, and the Secret Service. The KGB are also after her and the whole movie is about how she avoids capture and manages to save the world from a nuclear war. Yes, it’s a bit far-fetched and could never happen in real life, but it’s a movie, so what do you expect?

When I read about the Apostle Paul and all of his escapades in the Book of Acts, I am constantly amazed at how he survives. He’s blinded, beaten up, and imprisoned. He’s almost lynched and has to escape mobs in various cities. He’s hunted down by religious fanatics who take a divine oath to kill him. He survives an earthquake and is shipwrecked. Wow! Any one of those incidents would have wiped me out, but Paul perseveres and continues to preach all across the Mediterranean.

I guess you could call Paul the New Testament’s answer to a comic book hero. Nothing brings this man down. He is so confident about his faith in Christ that he is willing to face danger wherever he goes.

It makes me wonder what Paul would be doing today if he was still on Earth. How many escapades would he have to face in order to preach the Gospel? How many times would he upset the Church by not conforming to the culture? Which lands would he dare to take the Gospel to? Israel? India? Saudi Arabia? The USA?

But Paul is not here and so the responsibility of taking the Gospel to the world is in our hands. It makes me wonder what faith adventures and witnessing opportunities God will bless us with this week. Will we accept the mission that Christ gives us, or will it seem too hard or impossible to carry out? Maybe when we are given the chance to share the Gospel, we should ask ourselves inwardly: “what would Paul do?”

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Paul as a pioneer of the Gospel. He led an incredible life and we are so fortunate to have records of his journeys, as well as the letters that he wrote. We know that we can never be totally like Paul, but we pray that we can fulfill the opportunities that You give us to witness to Your Gospel. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s drawing of the road leading up to the Plantation on Pawley’s Island. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4891285135_f7ee928fc9_b.jpg

Office Devotions: Revival, not Survival - Psalm 80

Psalm 80:18 Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your Name. 

Survival or revival? Emerge or resurge? Churches today have to seriously work out where they want to be in 5-10 years time, if they want to survive the first half of this new century. It’s no use keeping on for the sake of holding on. That’s just wishful thinking and more churches are closed because of good intentions or clinging to nostalgia. We live in a new age, with new ideas. We need to learn to adjust or become as dust.

Now I’m not advocating syncretism, where the Church falls to its knees and allows the current culture to totally shape it. That would be a betrayal of Christ and a march towards insignificance, which would eventually lead to irrelevance and extinction. I’m talking about revival or rebooting the Church from within its own ranks, in order to make better disciples of Christ, greater messengers of His Truth, and more practical followers of the Faith.

We cannot do this on our own. We need to invoke and implore the Holy Spirit to come among us, to release us from survival mode and put us into Revival. It would mean that every church member of every congregation would truly re-commit their lives to Christ. That should be the ambition of every church in existence. Christ’s message is timeless and has stood the test of two thousand centuries of opposition. If we truly relied upon the Word of God as our Way of Life then the Church that would emerge would be full of people who were constantly resurging their Christian faith.

Today is a good day to start. Now is the right moment to reboot our beliefs and refocus on our faith. It’s time for all of us to seriously place Christ at the center of our existence. If we honestly do this today, then we will seek new opportunities to share our revived faith with our friends, families, and even strangers. And that, after all is said and done, is why we are divinely blessed with life, love, and faith in the first place.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, revive our commitment and connection to You this day. Open our hearts to the blessing of Your Holy Spirit and allow our minds to accept Your Way, Truth, and Life. Empower and enable us to become effective, relevant, and useful disciples in our congregations and communities. In Your Holy Name, we expectantly 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 autumn drawings of the Smoky Mountains. It’s called “Fall in Leaves” and is currently on exhibit at Erin Church. You can view a larger version of the drawing at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4877571660_cc7d070bb8.jpg

25 limited edition signed prints are available from John.

Workplace devotions: Restoring Hope - Psalm 71

Psalm 71:20    Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

This is one of those verses that makes the Book of Psalms such great scripture to read during troubled times. Each of us goes through bitter moments in our lives that make us question God. We languish in emotional wildernesses of sadness and regret, which causes us to wonder what life is all about.

During those morose moments, we turn to God to comfort our spirits and refresh our faith. We see in Christ’s suffering a God who is not distant and alienated from our troubles, but who is at the heart of our pain and anguish. He seeks to restore our lives through His love and lifts us up from the depths of our despair. We may temporarily lose our grasp of God, but He never loses His hold of us.

Perhaps you are experiencing a time of sadness or fear; maybe you are undergoing a very trying time. Hold on to hope and receive the blessings of this verse. Claim it as your prayer each day and allow God, through Christ, to restore balance and blessing, faith and favor to your life. Remember, you are precious in His sight and He wants His goodness and love to overflow in your heart and mind, your life and experiences. God will restore your life again; from the depths of the earth He will again bring you up.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, you alone fully know what goes on in our hearts and minds. You understand the burdens that we carry and You are aware of the heartbreaks in each of our lives. Allow Your Holy Spirit to come down among us and lift us up to God’s love. In Your Sacred Name, we earnestly 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 Knoxville featuring the two city bridges in downtown Knoxville at dawn. You can see a larger version of the drawing at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4823079492_0bca604219_b.jpg

(John has prints available of this drawing. Contact him by email if you are interested in purchasing one. The cost for an 8x10 inch signed print with an 11x14 matte is only $20.)

Office Devotions: Questioning God - Acts 9

Acts 9:13         "LORD," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”

There are times when I would love to be like Paul, but in my heart I know that I’m more like Ananias. God tells him to go and heal Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor of the Early Church. Ananias balks at the very idea and even questions God’s command. He’s saying to God, “Are You sure about this? Perhaps You haven’t heard about this terrible man?”

That’s me all over - questioning God’s work and ways instead of listening to His voice and following His instructions. There have been many occasions in my life when God has presented me with new and difficult situations and I’ve ended up praying to God and expressing my concerns: “Are You sure about this? Will it work? Do You really think this person can do that?”

I’m certain that I’m not the only person or pastor who goes through this. Like Ananias, I eventually surrender to God’s will and trust in His wisdom. After all, God knows everything, so He must know what is right for Him, His Kingdom, and Christ’s Church.

Perhaps God is inviting You to a new opportunity, a different journey, or an untried spiritual path. Maybe like me, you question God and feel unsure. Pray and ponder over the possibilities. Seek Christ’s guidance and grace. If you truly do this and take time to think about it, God will show you His way. In the end, it’s His work in the world that’s important.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we often question Your ways and words. We are sometimes challenged by Your teaching because we know it will change our lives. Help us to accept the callings that You give us and lead us on the path that You have chosen for us. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is John’s latest Independence Day artwork. It’s called “Home of the Brave.” You can view a larger version of the image online at the following link:  http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4753108411_2f3ec14382_b.jpg

Office devotions: Hoots Mon! - Psalm 61

Psalm 60:4      I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. 

Things didn’t go according to plan at a wedding in Scotland yesterday. A tame owl had been specially trained to carry the wedding rings and land on a perch beside the outside altar. It was supposed to be a wonderfully synchronized event. However, the piper began playing just as the owl was signaled to fly. A scared lapwing shot out of the bushes and the owl chased its prey up into a tree. The lapwing escaped but the owl remained perched on a branch. The wedding rings were still attached to its legs!

As one of my Scottish friends wrote: what a hoot! Eventually the owl was coaxed down from the tree and the ceremony continued. If Robert Burns had been around, I guess he could have penned the immortal lines: “the best laid schemes of owls and pipers gang aft agley.”

When the psalmist wrote about taking refuge in the shelter of God’s wings, he wasn’t literally saying that God had wings. He was using a metaphor to describe his absolute confidence in God’s protection. In the midst of his personal troubles and crisis, he had the utmost faith in God’s guidance and deliverance. Even if all of the psalmist’s plans went haywire, he would be still be assured of God’s grace and love.

To me, this is what makes faith so important –it gives us a hope in God that He will not abandon us, and a love from God that can never be extinguished.

Prayer:                        Lord God, thank You for allowing us to take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Thank You for granting us unlimited grace and everlasting love. In the midst of our problems and worries, we constantly rely upon Your Presence and Guidance. In Jesus’ 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s drawing of Dunure Castle in the West of Scotland parish where he used to minister. You can view a larger version of the drawing at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4718989531_b55884b457_b.jpg

Workplace Devotions: Stephen's Sacrifice - Acts 7

Acts 7:60         Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “LORD, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian Church. Initially, he was chosen to be a deacon who looked after the widows and orphans in the faith community. The Holy Spirit inspired Stephen to become a street preacher, which in turn, led to his death by stoning. He was an incredible young man and a zealous servant for Christ. He knew what had to be done and what needed to be preached. He didn’t balk against peer pressure or the religious authorities. Christ’s message had to be broadcast in brave and dauntless ways. If it meant being unpopular, harassed, or persecuted, Stephen didn’t flinch. He was both faithful and fearless at the same time. To him, to live was Christ, and to die was gain.

Sometimes I’ve had to preach an unpopular message which has upset people in church. From time to time, I’ve endured criticism for preaching the Gospel. It would be far easier to give in to cultural pressures and say what people want to hear, but then I would be pandering to my own narcissism and become guilty of leading the people astray.

I’m not perfect and I make mistakes, but I don’t believe that Christ made any mistakes and that the young Christian Church, along with its martyrs like Stephen, was more in tune with Christ’s message than we are today. The world is busy telling us that we need to change or we will die. Christ’s Gospel states that people need to change or they will perish. The two messages are poles apart. If we ever forget that the Church is Christ’s Bride and is not the World’s Partner, we will be in danger of discrediting Christ’s ministry and dishonoring His Way.

So what’s it going to be folks? Will we become so enamored by the world that we will embrace its ways, or will we remain loyal to Christ and preach His message with our lives, no matter how unpopular, unworldly, and unacceptable that might be to our present culture?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we are fallible people and imperfect followers. We want to be Your servants and devoted disciples. Challenge us today and change those things in our lives that hinder the impact of Your message upon our choices and deeds. 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 drawings called “Poppy Dawn.” If you would like to view a larger image, you can see it online at http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4713447758_ce72edb0f3_b.jpg

Office Devotions: Family Gathering - Acts 7

Acts 7:16         Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.

The wee stillborn baby that I baptized last week was buried in his family’s cemetery. Generations of his relatives have been laid to rest in that hallowed place. It was very touching to see his wee white coffin being given its sacred place in such beautiful surroundings. His precious life within his young mother’s womb was both valued and honored by the whole family. At some future point, a little white cross or a stone angel will probably mark where he is resting.

Graves are witnessing sites to previous generations. I know of many families who reunite once a year at family graveyards to honor the past lives of their loved ones. I think that this is a wonderful thing to do, because it keeps the continuity of past, present, and future generations linked together.

When the bodies of Jacob, Joseph, and his brothers were taken back to Shechem, they were identifying themselves as true descendants of Abraham. They were also laying a perpetual claim to the land and fulfilling God’s promises. This is why Moses and the Hebrew children headed back there four hundred years later. This is also why the Jews laid claim to the land and re-inhabited it in 1948. Israel exists as a nation today simply because God’s promises are always fulfilled. Abraham’s foresight in purchasing the land thousands of years ago validates the existence of the Israeli nation today, not just according to the scriptures, but also through Middle East inheritance customs.

In years to come, when Old Mortality catches me, I’ll either be buried or cremated depending upon what my family decides. It would be nice to be laid to rest somewhere that future generations could gather together and say that this is where the Stuarts in America began. However, for me the real reunion and final family gathering that will mean so much more will be that glorious day when Christ gathers His followers to Himself and we become part of that great Christian family of faith, hope, and love in His Kingdom forever. Now that’s a family gathering  I am really looking forward to!

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the sacred resting places of our people and loved ones. Thank You for the family reunions that take place each year at churches and graveyards all over the world. And we praise You for that coming glorious day when we will be gathered together in the Heavenly realms to be with You and all our loved ones forever. 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 pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing of an old Dutch Windmill in winter. If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1300/4705518404_6b5427a32f_b.jpg

Workplace Devotions: Spirit Wisdom - Acts 6

Acts 6:10 …but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. 

Eric Alexander was the most wise and spiritually gifted pastor that I have ever known. He used to preach at the St. George’s Tron Church which is situated right in the heart of my old hometown of Glasgow in Scotland. The church is located at one of the busiest junctions in the city and when Eric was preaching there, it was hard to find a parking space within walking distance of the church.

He was a powerful preacher and I can remember being in his church one lunchtime on Good Friday. My wife Evelyn was with me and we were both reduced to tears as Rev. Alexander graphically portrayed the agony and loneliness of Christ on the Cross. He was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and the doleful tones of his Scottish accent just added to the power of his sermon. It was a life-changing experience for the both of us, as well as many others who had given up their business lunch to hear the preacher.

I also firmly believe that Stephen from the Book of Acts must have been a powerful and Spirit inspired preacher in his day. From today’s scripture we read that no one could ‘stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.’ It must have been both remarkable and challenging to hear him preach. He was utterly devoted to Christ and fully open to the Spirit’s bidding. Stephen must have known that the religious authorities would try to shut him down, but he still persevered; he still valiantly preached the truth.

In today’s highly sophisticated and technologically driven world, preaching might seem outdated and redundant to some people. However, whenever and wherever a preacher is truly inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, lives are still challenged and changed.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, today we thank You for the preachers that have impacted our spirits and changed our lives through their wisdom and the presence of the Holy Spirit within them. Keep raising new preachers among us who will grow in wisdom and be truly touched by God’s powerful presence in their lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently 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 drawings of Tybee Island Lighthouse near Savannah, Georgia, USA. You can view a larger version of the drawing at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4698463366_0495982384_b.jpg

Office Devotions: Finding Forgiveness - Acts 3

Acts 3:19         Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD.

We all make mistakes and need to forgive ourselves of past foolishness. Not one of us is perfect and, if you’re anything like me, sometimes the guilty burden of past events is hard to live with.

We’ve all said or did wrong things that have hurt or disappointed other people. We’ve all made selfish choices that we later regret. And we’ve all taken sinful paths that leave us empty and disillusioned, unfulfilled and dissatisfied with life. Failing is a part of being human and falling into sin is a daily event.

Forgiveness, on the other hand, is an important part of God’s daily grace. We can be liberated from our unloving ways through the presence of Jesus in our lives. When Peter urges his people to repent, he’s offering them a divine opportunity to be forgiven of what they collectively did to Jesus. He’s inviting them to confess their mistakes and seek God’s grace. If they choose to do this, they will be restored to God’s favor and given the glorious opportunity of beginning again.

That’s the kind of message that I need to hear each day. If I had to carry the burden of past mistakes, I would never be able to get through another day. Christ’s sacrifice allows me to come to Him to ask for, seek, and find forgiveness. Jesus restores my soul and refreshes my spirit each day. I can even forgive myself because He forgives me first.

I don’t know what kinds of heavy burdens you carry in your heart and mind, but this I do know: repentance works. If you truly ask Jesus today to forgive your past mistakes, He will completely pardon you and you will be renewed. This is one of God’s greatest promises. This is how Godly grace works.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we all have sinful secrets and have committed shameful choices in our lives. The past burdens us and we are made miserable by our own stupidity. Help us this day to turn to God, to repent of our ways and seek Your forgiveness. Restore us to God’s favor and refresh our lives from this time forth. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely 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.