Presbyteriann Devotions and Podcasts: A Real Challenge

The podcast for today’s devotion can be heard at the following link:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/stushie/A_Real_Challenge.mp3

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing

Wow! Now there’s a verse of scripture that takes a lot of doing! I grew up in a large family -4 boys and 2 girls- so there was a lot of competition for our parents’ attention in my household. Without complaining or arguing, none of us were ever heard or seen, and unfortunately it became a character flaw that I have carried with me to this very day.

But let’s stop and think about what Paul was trying to inspire in the young Philippian church. Those new Christians lived in a very busy town that had established itself as a powerful place. Old ways and old money kept the merchants happy; new groups and new faiths were frowned upon and even harassed. The first Christians in that town had to deal with a lot of public hostility and suspicion, so if Christ’s church was going to succeed, then His followers would have to be patient, compassionate, and passive in order to let the gospel take root in the hearts of the Philippian people. If the Christians complained about the harassment or persecution, they would have appeared to have been churlish and thin-skinned. However, if they put up with the discomfort and prejudices, and still acted justly and kindly to those who offended or hurt them, then Christ’s message would eventually win over the hearts and minds of the people in the town. Paul’s words must have been effective because a strong church was established at Philippi.

Sadly, there are a lot of churlish Christians in our society who seek to get their own way and bring the message of Christ into disrepute. Instead of being united in Christ’s love, Christians can be very divisive, argumentative and totally inadequate as witnesses to God’s Kingdom. This is why Paul’s words strike at the very heart of our lives and faith. If we were to sincerely apply them in our homes and churches, then the world would be totally conquered by Christ’s compassion and God’s love.

So here’s the challenge for all of us this weekend: let’s try to do everything without complaining or arguing. Instead, let’s do everything agreeably and with compassion. It will be interesting and perhaps life-changing to see how this all turns out.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we must disappoint You with our disagreements and sadden You with our complaints. Challenge us with Paul’s words this weekend and encourage us to apply them with our families, friends, neighbors and church 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 drawing is one of John’s wild bird drawings of an American Barred Owl. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click here: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5325073573_ce80eaec50_b.jpg


All of John’s drawings can be found on the Web at his art site at http://www.stushieart.wordpress.com/

Signed, numbered and matted prints are available for only $20 each (plus shipping if necessary). They make unique gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and new homes. Just contact john by email and he’ll be delighted to help you.

Presbyterian Devotions: Everything We Need

This is one of those blessed verses that we all need to read and hear during uncertain times. Peter reminds us, in a cheerful way, about the grace of God and how He uses His divine power to sustain our needs.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Podcast version here

Most of us worry about our future, and with the stock market crash, some of us have lost substantial amounts in our savings. Others of us are working for businesses that are teetering on the edge of liquidation. And there are some of us who are getting ready to go out into the marketplace, to look for or start a new job. In times like these, faith becomes a priceless commodity through the promises that God makes in the Bible.

Peter states that God has given us everything that we need for life. It’s not everything that we want, but it is all that we need. As we get through this recession, we may come out of it as more thrifty people. We may have a better understanding of what is necessary for our lives, and what are luxuries. It may be tough on all of us for a while, but God’s promises are always fulfilled. His divine power has given us everything we need for life. That’s an assurance that God will sustain His people through these times.

But God also adds a blessing to this promise. Peter talks about being given godliness through our knowledge of God. In other words, as we experience God’s blessings, we increase our understanding of who God is; and as we grow in understanding, we become more confident of His assurances, blessings, and promises. Having faith in Christ and knowing who God is, gives us tenacity, strength, and wisdom for the years ahead. People without faith are left to get through these times on their own. People with faith are carried and supported by God to better days, better times, and better, more meaningful and purposeful lives.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life.

Prayer: Lord God, we are all subject to fears and worries, anxieties and concerns, especially about the future. We thank You for the blessings of Your words and the promises of scripture. Assure us that Your presence and power is all that we need for life. Help us to share this message with those who need to be most reassured throughout these times. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.