Presbyterian Devotions: Our Redeemer - Isaiah 63:16

Isaiah 63:16     However, You are our Father, even though Abraham does not recognize us or Israel know us; You are our Father, O Lord, and from ancient times Your Name is known as ‘Our Redeemer.’

Sadly, every now and then, some celebrity or famous person loses their life in a tragic or scandalous way. We are all shocked and saddened by this kind of event, especially if the person has died much younger than anticipated. Within days, we are all saturated with breaking news, special documentaries, and television biographies that sometimes unfairly criticize or sully the reputation of the dead person. Media frenzy ensues and the story is big until some other star passes away tragically. Then a new circus begins and the same old cycle of speculation and cynicism continues.

I used to wonder if that kind of thing happened beyond death. Is a person’s whole life totally revealed to everyone in eternity, with all of the shameful secrets and sinful events completely exposed? Are our reputations eternally sullied and our souls punished by God for our faithless and fruitless ways in life? As a teenager, those things used to worry me immensely; as a Christian, I now understand the beauty of God’s grace.

For thousands of years, the One, True, and Living God has been known as ‘Our Redeemer.’ He doesn’t have to, but He wants to redeem us from our sins and rescue us from the sickness of our secrets. In Isaiah’s time, the people thought that because they were so far away from Jerusalem, God didn’t have the geographical power to rescue and deliver them. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah realized that this wasn’t true. God wasn’t limited by time or space; geography or history could not bind or restrict His redeeming power. God didn’t have to, but God was willing to deliver His people yet again.

As Christians, we now know God’s great redeeming love through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. We are delivered from death and saved from our sins through the Cross at Calvary. Whatever we have sinfully done in the past, Christ has completely forgiven for all Time. Whatever shameful secrets have sullied us, Jesus has totally absolved. From of old, we have known His Name: Our Redeemer.

Question for personal reflection

How has Jesus been revealed to me as the Redeemer of my life?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we cannot thank You enough for restoring us to God’s favor by redeeming us with Your blood. We will always be eternally thankful for Your sacrifice on the Cross that has reconnected our souls with God for all Time. Help us to cheerfully and joyfully live each day as thankful redeemed people. 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 latest Spring drawing called “Dogwood Cardinal.” If you would like to view a larger version of the picture, please click on the following link: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6227/6998552941_3a75f0a757_b.jpg

Top Presbyterian Blogs: A Timely Reminder - Proverbs 6:23 & John 14:6

Proverbs 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.

Somehow this verse from Proverbs reminds me of Christ’s great saying: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)

It reminds us that in the midst of the unknown and uncertainties, Christ is our lamp, our light to show us the way to live our lives, so that we may one day enter God’s everlasting kingdom.

It reminds us that Christ’s teaching is all the truth that we need to know in our lives. If we follow His commands and apply His teachings, we will be content and know that we are doing what God wants of us.

And it also reminds us that by allowing Christ’s Life to influence our own, He will not only accept us, He will also correct us so that we will not stray from His embrace, His encouragement, and His empowerment to challenge our ways and positively change our lives.

Isn’t it wonderful that Christ is our reliable Guide, True Teacher, and great Lover of our souls?

Prayer:             Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last. Amen    Charles Wesley

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

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing in his “Bonnie Scotland” series of prints. It depicts the beautiful West of Scotland coastal town of Oban, which is also the Highland capital of Scotland’s Gaelic speaking people. The initial print of this drawing (#1 of 25) is currently being auctioned on Ebay. If you would like to view the details and see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/48uj8da

Presbyterian 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

Presbyterian Devotions: Jabbing Jesus - Acts 9

Acts 9:5           "Who are you, LORD?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.

I read an article today about a couple who decided to have an atheist wedding. They didn’t want God mentioned in the ceremony and no clergy person to conduct it. All they wanted was an event where they could publicly pledge their love for one another and be legally married.

How sad! I wonder if in years to come they will regret making that choice. And when old age, infirmity, and serious illness come their way, what will happen to their love? Will it just be gone forever?

The number of atheists is rising, but from what I’ve read it’s more of an anti-religious movement because people have been let down by the Church. Sometimes I think that more people would become followers of Jesus if Christians didn’t get in the way.

Next week, our denomination has its biennial General Assembly. I used to be very interested in the proceedings and policies, but lately I’m tired of all the decisions and divisions, ordination wars and theological fist-fights that take place every time the GA meets. I feel that Jesus is being persecuted by His own people and if the usual Presbyterian shenanigans go on, then no wonder atheism is increasing. If our politics, polities, and procedures are all that the world sees of Christianity, then we really do get in the way of Jesus.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, forgive us for being poor witnesses of the Gospel and half-hearted servants of Your Kingdom. Keep us from getting in Your Way by insisting on getting our own ways. Re-teach us the path of Truth and fill us with Your Holy Life. In Your Sacred 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 humorous snowman drawings. It’s called “Frosty the Vol Fan.” If you want to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4737362030_3014b24530_b.jpg