Office Devotions: Chinese Checkers

Isaiah 62:1     For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.

We hear a lot about religious terrorists and faith fanatics in the news, but how often do we hear or read about religious persecution and prisoners of faith? You will perhaps remember that I boycotted the Chinese Olympic Games because just miles from the glorious athletic stadiums, a Chinese Christian called Alimujiang Yimiti, had been arrested for distributing Bibles and leading a house church. Whilst the world was in awe of the athletic games, this good man was languishing in a Beijing cell for sharing the same Gospel that we believe in.

Well, after spending two years in prison, even although the Chinese Communist government had promised to be more tolerant of Christians in order to host the Olympics, Alimujiang has been sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment and hard labor. He was found guilty of ‘providing state secrets to overseas organizations;’ in other words, because the West had knowledge of his arrest and imprisonment through organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, he was unjustly and inhumanely imprisoned.

I will not keep silent about this. The Chinese Communist government is one of the most heinous, inhumane, and wicked authorities that has ever existed. Our Western leaders placate and appease them because we are financially indebted to China, but these militaristic monsters and religious persecutors should be exposed for what they are and excluded from the United Nations, the Olympic Games, and other international organizations and sports until they free the thousands of Christians like Alimujiang Yimiti.

I will continue to pray for his freedom, but I will also pray for the downfall of the cowardly Communist regime in China. I will not keep silent or remain quiet till China’s righteousness, through the courageous Christian Church, shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a blazing torch.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, our faith is so secure and cozy compared to that of Christians in other lands. We take so much for granted and forget that each day our brothers and sisters in the faith are being harassed, arrested, unjustly tried, and inhumanely imprisoned for the same beliefs that we profess to have. Liberate the souls Lord that are languishing in prison for You. Bring down the bad governments that bully, berate, and beat up Your people. 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.

Office Devotions: Garden of Grace

Matthew 26:50a Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

Podcast version here

Sometimes when I pray to Jesus, my heart is so full of the many ways in which I have disappointed Him. I’ll remember a harsh word that I’ve recently spoken, or a promise that I’ve cast aside, or even a person that I’ve unintentionally hurt.

I call myself a Christian, but I frequently fail to live up to the high expectations that both the Lord and the world have of His servants. And when my mistakes really burden me, I feel as though I’ve betrayed what Christ should mean to me and I’m sorry for being such a poor example to others.

When I read the story of Judas’ betrayal today, and I reflected upon it, I know that had I been there in the Garden of Gethsemane, I could have walked in Judas’ shoes. His greed and insecurity, his pride and bitterness, his act of betrayal and disloyalty could all have been mine. I feel as though I’ve failed my Lord and I don’t deserve His love.

And then a surprising thing happens: I re-read the scripture and I see an amazing moment of Christ’s grace. He doesn’t condemn Judas, or strike him down dead. Jesus doesn’t convict or judge His betrayer. Instead, He calls Judas “Friend.”

Through this revelation, the grace of God overflows and overwhelms my soul. I can ask for forgiveness and be restored because Christ still calls me, “Friend.” I don’t have to dwell on past disappointments or mistakes. I can come to the Lord humbly and sincerely. I can receive His pardon because He is still willing to accept me as His friend.

Whatever burdens we are carrying; whatever past failures there have been in our lives; whatever mistakes we have made or disappointments that we have created, know this: Jesus can forgive them all because no matter what we have thought, said, or done, He is still wiling to call us “Friend.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all have been Judases in our lives and we are sorry for our sins. Come to us this day and cleanse us of the past. Restore us to Your present favor and lead us towards Your everlasting Kingdom. 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.

Office Devotions: Mardi Gras or Mighty Grace?

Psalm 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His Holy Name.

Today is Shrove Tuesday and usually our church gathers this evening for a Pancake Supper. It’s a great time of food, fellowship, and fun. Pancakes and sausages are served to our families, and then we have a sing-along. We often sing old spirituals like ‘O When the Saints,’ ‘Down By the Riverside,’ and ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.’

I love the party atmosphere at the church and I think it’s a much better tradition than the brazenness of Mardi Gras parades and Fat Tuesday fiascoes that take place all over the world. People go overboard and turn the whole celebration into a drunken orgy, instead of taking time to gather together for one last community meal before Lent begins.

A lot of Christians ignore the feast because of the all night partying that is sadly associated with it, but I believe that our families and kids should get the opportunity to experience the religious side of the celebration and show that faith can be full of fun.

Wherever you are today, take time to praise God for the life we have, the food we eat, the friends we know, the families we love, and the faith that we cherish. Mardi Gras then becomes a feast of Mighty Grace, which is something more worthwhile and everlasting than anything that New Orleans, Rio, or anywhere else has to offer this day.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for this day of celebration where we cast off our sins and look forward to Your coming sacrifice. We praise You for the forty days of faith that begin tomorrow with Ash Wednesday and end on Easter. Help us to prepare our hearts and homes to welcome You as our Resurrected Savior and Everlasting Lord. 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.