Elders devotions: Chosen Servant - Isaiah 42:1-9

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 21:1-11

Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him and He will bring justice to the nations.”

Last night, at our church’s midweek Bible study, we began using some of the material that has been produced by the World Council of Churches for this year’s Christian Unity week. Much of the material has been written by Polish Christians and their theme for this year is ‘Change through Victory.’

Polish Christians have endured a lot of hardship over the last three centuries. Their land has been invaded and taken over many times by their enemies. Through all of the pain and suffering, powerlessness and oppression that the Poles experienced, the Church has still managed to keep faith alive in the hearts and minds of many Polish people.

The initial focus for the study begins with a look at Christ’s role as Servant. Time and time again in the Gospels, Jesus remarks that He came to serve God in the world and not to be served. In fact, today’s prophecy from Isaiah 42 was fulfilled by Christ centuries after it was written. Jesus was, is, and always shall be God’s Chosen Servant, in whom God delights and through whom justice will at last be brought to the nations of the world.

The Polish writers of the study see the role of the Church as being the Chosen Servant of Christ and that all of our programs and ministries, congregations and missions are meant to be the serving vehicles of Christ’s presence in the world. One day, we will gather together in Heaven as one complete body devoid of denominations and divisions, whose only identity will be that of everlasting servants of Christ.

Question for reflection (taken from the study):         In our community, what can Christians of different traditions do better together than in isolation to reveal the Servant Christ?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You served God completely by perfectly living Your Life, and by obediently sacrificing Yourself for our sins. We can never repay the debt that we owe, but we can rejoice in You by serving You both in this world and in the life yet to come. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully 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.

You can also read this year’s Christian unity material here.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called ‘Celtic Spring.’ It’s a stained glass design for a modern Celtic Cross featuring all the colors of a Scottish Spring. Signed limited edition prints are available. You can also view a larger version of the drawing at the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6717914679_f9d8753e34_b.jpg

Presbyterian Devotions: Angels to Help Us - Hebrews 1:14

Hebrews 1: 14             Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

I think it was Billy Graham who wrote in his excellent book “Angels” that when it comes to singing God’s praises in Heaven, former sinners who are saved will sing more loudly and joyously than any of God’s angels. The reason is simple: we, who are redeemed sinners, will have more to sing about.

I don’t know what you truly think about angels, but I like what is written here in Hebrews. Angels are sent to serve those who are saved. I don’t know what form that takes, but I must admit I have sometimes been in some unpleasant situations and serious accidents where I thanked God for watching over me, as well as my family and friends.

I also believe that because we are saved, the world feels threatened by our witness and so sometimes it’s hard to be a Christian in society. Whenever we stand up for what is right, we are called ‘judgmental.’ Whenever we seek justice for the powerless, we are berated for being political. And whenever we state that Christ is the only person through whom we can obtain everlasting salvation, we are called ‘narrow-minded’ and intolerant.

That’s where the protection of God’s angels is important. The devil may try to diminish the truth and effectively squash our faith, but there are angels around us who are doing battle for us each day, to help strengthen our spirits and bolster our confidence.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for the angels around us who serve us in many ways each day because we are saved by You. Thank You for their protection and presence, their influence and encouragement. Bless all our loved ones this day with the same divine help. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

(If you would like to look at Billy Grahams’ great book on angels, please click on and visit the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/3q7j263 )

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 one of John’s latest wildlife drawings. It’s called “Butterfly Banquet” and features a butterfly feasting on a marigold. If you would like to see a larger version of this drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5578139112_00aa478d99_b.jpg

John also has a limited number of 8x10 prints of this picture available. If you’d like one, contact him by email for more information.

Presbyterian Devotions: The Next Battle - Titus 1:9

Titus 1:9          He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Do you get the feeling that Paul was on the offensive when writing to Titus? When I re-read this passage, I realized that Paul wasn’t holding back or pulling any of his punches. He’s totally committed to Christ and completely concerned about the church. He’s making Titus understand the serious nature about the current conflict that the New Testament church was experiencing. For Paul, everything is black and white, wrong or right. There’s no middle ground; no room for compromise; no negotiating with the opposition.

As our current denomination sinks lower into a quagmire of its own making, I’m beginning to think that dialogue and conversation are at an end. The ordination debates which are bedeviling our presbyteries have been going on for thirty years. If, after three decades of in-fighting and the loss of 33% of our membership, we cannot see that we are going against the Holy Spirit, then dialogue is no longer of any value. The die has been cast and the numbers will soon be in. Those who seek to get their own way, rather than God’s way, can celebrate all they like, but know this: the conversation is over.

The next battle, and perhaps final battle, is going to take place over the unique Lordship of Christ. Universalism is creeping into our churches and some people, as well as pastors, no longer hold to the essential Reformation tenet that Christ is the Only Savior of the World. They say things to conceal it like: ‘we cannot limit God to what He can do’ or ‘God’s grace knows no boundaries’ or ‘we cannot fully know what God decides.’

In other words, Christ’s role as Savior is set aside and His Cross only offers limited atonement. Jesus is diminished and other religions are given equal respect. The fact that the First Christians were surrounded by many religions and hundreds of pagan gods and yet they still maintained that Christ was the Only Way, Truth, and Life will pale into insignificance in a worldwide religious rush to embrace one another spiritually, worshipfully, and religiously. Any Way, any Truth, and any Life will be acknowledged, tolerated, and accepted as our beloved denomination finally surrenders to appeasement and apostasy.

The conversation is over. The battle is at an end. The war to win wayward souls back to Christ has just begun.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, Your Church has been constantly attacked from within, even from the early days when Paul was teaching and preaching. After this ordination battle is over, Your unique Lordship will be under attack. Help us to learn from this battle to remain resolute, faithful, and true. Grant us the courage to stand up, speak out, and to state unequivocally that You are the One and Only Savior of and in the world. In Your Holy Name, we adamantly pray. Amen.

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 from one of my Holy Week images from 2010. It’s called “Son Down” and depicts Christ Crucified at Calvary. You can view a larger version of this image at the following link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4442496002_fab6cfb6ac_b.jpg

Presbyterian Blogs: Turning Away - 1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:15           Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

I’ll say this about Paul: he didn’t believe in pulling any punches.

As I read through this personal first letter to Timothy, I get the impression that Paul was very direct when it came to dealing with issues of faith. He didn’t beat about the bush or dance around the issue. He went straight to the heart of the problem and dove deep into the center of the enemy’s stronghold. If some people left the church to fulfill their desires, he let them go. He wasn’t the type to stand still and wring his hands. He wasn’t into bemoaning and bewailing the fact that some people couldn’t maintain their faith. He just spoke the truth and boldly stated what needed to be said: that they had turned away to follow Satan.

I wonder how Paul would have survived in today’s church world. That kind of blunt, direct, and candid way of speaking is nullified, diminished, and discouraged in our current ecclesiastical circles. Paul would be labeled as a narrow-minded, intolerant bigot whose words were reckless, rancorous, and disrespectful. He would be categorized as a cold-hearted conservative whose words went against the all embracing love of Christ.

But if Paul was all of these things, then why did Christ choose him on the road to Damascus? If Paul was such an odious and ornery buffoon, why did the resurrected Jesus appoint him as His Apostle to the Gentiles?

Perhaps the answer is this: Paul became Christ’s chosen servant because the Gospel confronts us into making a bold decision to give our hearts to Jesus and His Kingdom, instead of Satan and the world.

Prayer:             Lord Jesus, keep reminding us of Your message of repentance and love. Keep challenging our ways and rebuking our wrongs. Deliver us from delusions that would separate us eternally from You. Protect our souls from passively accepting the world’s ways instead of Yours. 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 or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest waterfall prints. It features the well known Running Eagle Falls in the Glacier National Park. If you would like to view a larger version of this drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5514129374_ac4e954bbc_b.jpg

Presbyterian Blogs: Deserving Our Good - Proverbs 3:27

Proverbs 3:27             Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

How do you know who deserves your good? It’s a strange question to ask, but it’s one that a lot of churches are asking these days.

In Knoxville, many churches subscribe to what’s called “Charity Check.” It’s an online service which provides information on people who ask for help. It lets churches see how much a person or a family has received from different local congregations over a period of 3-5 years. Sometimes the charity given amounts to thousands of dollars. This alerts the church to two things: a) that the person is in a long term serious situation or b) that the person is actually milking the system.

In both cases, the good given depends upon the circumstances. Money may be requested, but sometimes advice is only given. In the cases where charity abuse is suspected, the request is declined. That might sound harsh or judgmental, but it’s actually good stewardship of available money. Most Christian agencies work this way – our congregations are at long last beginning to catch up.

So, who deserves our good? Those in crisis; those who are vulnerable; and those who have a real need. It’s up to us to use the gifts of discernment and the information available to make sure that the money which is collected and distributed is given to those who have a genuine need, and not those who are driven by greed.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You once stated that the poor are always with us and that we should do for them whatever we can. Help us to help the real poor and grant us the discernment to do this wisely, compassionately, and faithfully. 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 or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Psalm series. It depicts a verse from Psalm 70. If you would like to see a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3524347556_7a6e6fea63_b.jpg

Presbyterian Devotions: Tainted Past - 1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:13           Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 

It’s hard to imagine that Paul, the great hero of the New Testament church, was once a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. This must have been part of his testimony when preaching to the Jewish communities and Christian churches located in the Mediterranean coastal towns. Both groups would have known about his reputation and could have rejected him because of his past – the Jews saw him as a traitor; the Christians suspected him of being a spy.

Paul didn’t hide his past either. It was an important part of who he was. He referred to his past because people would see how much he had changed. His testimony brought glory to Christ for the changes that He had wrought in Paul’s life. Before meeting Christ on the Damascus Road, Paul thought that he knew everything about God and had served Him faithfully. After personally encountering Jesus, Paul’s life was never the same.

The question that we should ask ourselves today is this: how has my life changed since I came to personally know Jesus?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, just as You did to Paul, You come into our lives to challenge our ideas and change our ways. Things are totally different when we give our hearts to You. Help us to make those changes real, lasting, and effective. Let our living testimonies bring glory to You. 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 or ask a question about it, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s drawing based upon the famous Sinai Icon of Jesus. He calls it “Christ Icon.” If you would like to view a larger version of this image, please click on the following link:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5457191479_6bdca8084f_b.jpg

PCUSA devotions: Nearer to God - 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:16             For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Understand this: Jesus is coming back at a time that we least expect. Will we be ready?

Probably most of us go through each day from one event, experience, or hour until the next without giving any thought to Christ’s Return. We are so far removed from the time of Paul that we go about thinking something like: ‘well, if Jesus has waited almost 2000 years to return, He probably won’t get here in my lifetime.’ We forget, though, that unlike Paul, we are now 2000 years nearer to that incredible day when Jesus arrives to finally judge the Earth.

This is why changing our present lifestyles is so crucial: honestly ask yourself this: if Jesus arrives today, will I be ready? Will I be taken or forsaken? Will I go to heaven or hell?

Some people turn off when preachers talk like that. They stick their heads in the sand and go into denial about what’s going to happen. They think that if they shut it out from their minds, it won’t ever occur. All they want to listen to is Pollyanna preaching and read happy-go-lucky theology. They don’t want to accept that their time, civilization, culture and society will be no more when Christ returns.

So for those people, let me reiterate: Understand this: Jesus is coming back at a time that we least expect. Will we be ready?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, free us from fooling ourselves and for filling our lives with trivial pursuits. Remind us that we each have everlasting souls and that the destiny of those precious souls depends upon the faith choices that we make on Earth. Keep us from making the colossal mistake of setting aside Biblical truths and replacing them with cultural philosophies. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s latest “Scotland in Winter” prints called “Bonnie Dunkeld.” It depicts the beautiful town of Dunkeld covered in snow. You can view a larger image of this print at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5393592425_c5a7d357f7_b.jpg

Presbyterian Devotions: Confidence Restored

2 Corinthians 7:4       I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

I flew to California last Friday to conduct the wedding of a young couple. The bride has been a member of the church that I serve for many years. She was originally part of the youth group when I came to Erin. I was delighted to do the wedding and it turned out to be a wonderful occasion. I was glad that I had the courage to go.

Maybe that last sentence intrigued you, after all how much courage does it take to conduct a wedding? Well let me put it this way: I hate flying.

The last time I was on a jet, I had a terrible experience with turbulence and by the end of my journey, my nerves were totally shot. I vowed never to go on an airplane ever again and haven’t been flying for several years. I had resolved to being tied to the land and only going places where I could drive or catch a train. Then I received two invitations to conduct weddings in South Africa and California. I couldn’t do the 24 hour flight to South Africa, but after giving it much thought and prayer, I decided to take the five hour flight to California. I reckoned that if my experience was much the same as before, then when I returned home, I would no longer take to the skies ever again.

The flights were wonderful and I enjoyed the whole experience. To keep me occupied and distracted, I listened to podcasted sermons from preachers that I admire on all my flights. Some turbulence scared me, but it did not ruin my flying. I felt supported by God and upheld in prayer. My confidence is now restored and I am greatly encouraged. Next time that I have to do it, I will be ready to fly.

Perhaps my fear of flying is nothing compared to your own anxiety or worries. Maybe you have many real and serious problems to contend with. I hope that you can discover God’s presence in the midst of all that troubles you and that Paul’s words will help you to endure and overcome them. May you be greatly encouraged about the future and find that in your time of crisis, God cares enough to lead you through it to a future of greater gladness and joy.

Prayer:                        Lord God, You know everything about us and we fully depend upon Your favor and patience. We need Your love and care to get us through tough times and our current crises. Bless us with strength and confidence to overcome all that we face. Grant us healing and peace for the days to come. In Christ’s 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 impressionistic drawing of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at dawn. You can view a larger version of the drawing here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/4506588885_3aaff840ee_b.jpg

Presbyterian devotions: Faith Teachers - Psalm 102 v 28

Psalm 102:28  “The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”

I think that my favorite type of Christians are the Sunday School teachers in every church who give of their time, talents, energy and enthusiasm in wonderful ways that spiritually enrich young lives and help them grow in faith. It’s a tremendous gift and I am thankful to God that in all of the churches that I have worshipped and served, the Sunday School teachers have been excellent role models and reliable people.

When I reflect upon my own journey of faith, I quickly realize that my knowledge of God and faith in Christ were seeded long ago by Sunday School teachers. What they taught me from the Bible took root in the depths of my soul, so that when I was at the lowest point in my life, my faith sprung up and enabled me to overcome addiction, alienation, and attempted suicide.

Therefore today, I give thanks for both my own Sunday School teachers and the gifted and dedicated people who continue Christ’s teaching ministry by presenting, sharing, and explaining to the youngsters in their classes.

Personal Reflection Question:          Who were the teachers of faith in my life that influenced me spiritually?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You taught people all about God and especially took time to positively influence and personally bless the young ones who were brought to You. Thank You for being patient with them and showing us how important it is to teach the next generation about real faith. Bless the teachers of our churches whose faith-inspiring ways plant seeds in the hearts and minds of our children that will help them in the years to come. 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.

Presbyterian 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.

Presbyterian Devotions: Bride of Christ - Acts 27

Acts 27:31       Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."

“I don’t need to go to church in order to be a Christian.” If I had a dollar for every time I’ve read or heard something like that, I’d be thousands of dollars richer. People honestly believe that church isn’t necessary for them to be good Christians. All they need is a simple straightforward belief that Jesus loves them and that because He’s a universal cosmic good guy, He will let them into heaven – no questions asked. Church becomes irrelevant because it robs the individual of their freedom to do what they want. As long as they can go directly to Jesus, He will understand and let them away with everything and anything.

Unfortunately, that popular misconception eternally separates more people from God than anything else in modern times.

So why did the First Apostles form the Church? They, of all people in history, should have been granted exemptions because they personally knew Jesus. And yet they didn’t skip church to go and do other things. They didn’t take their faith for granted nor did they cheapen Christ’s Grace by doing what they wanted.

You see, they understood that the Church is actually the Bride of Christ. They knew that the Church was Christ’s closest companion in His ministry to the world. To be part of the Church meant being baptized into the faith, participating in communion, and worshipping together with Christ’s followers. It was not an individual spiritual pursuit or personal religious journey. Being a part of Christ’s Kingdom meant being involved with Christ’s Community of faith – the Church.

I think that this is why Paul’s statement to the Roman soldiers and sailors on the doomed ship has a deeper significance for us today. It’s not just about a ship wreck, it’s about staying on board and being together during a crisis. Without remaining on the ship and heeding God’s word, the passengers and crew would not survive the storm. The same applies to us today – without being in church and remaining with Christ’s people through these turbulent times, salvation cannot be guaranteed.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we know that salvation belongs to You alone, and yet You also established the Church to be the vehicle of Your gospel and the means of bringing people to You.  Bless Your Church on Earth with a renewed sense of purpose. Help us to dedicate our lives to Your service and glorious Kingdom. 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 new Christmas 2010 drawings. It’s called “Church in Snow.” A larger version can be viewed online at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5023390336_1c9c7da679_b.jpg

Presbyterian Devotions: Sharing the Gospel

Acts 26:28       Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 

I really admire Paul. He never wasted an opportunity to tell the people that he encountered about Jesus and how to be a Christian. Even when he faced leaders and governors, kings and an emperor, he used the meeting to talk about Christ and not his own precarious situation. That’s what makes Paul such a hero in my book. His Christianity is undaunted by circumstances; his faith in Jesus never falters.

This is why I also admire the Christian Church in China. Each day, Christians over there face harassment and opposition, injustice and imprisonment, and yet they keep meeting secretly for Bible studies, worship, and prayer. They are remarkable Christians and put us Western church goers to shame. If we were faced with one percent of the opposition that Chinese Christians encounter on a daily basis, we would back down and make our faith private. We consider it as being impolite and even bigoted to share our Christian beliefs with others of different faiths; Chinese Christians cannot afford that philosophical luxury – nor would they ever want to.

So, here’s the challenge for us today: if God grants us an opportunity to share our faith with the people we encounter, whether it be in the street, at our work, in our homes, or even online via Facebook and Twitter, will we boldly witness for Christ or fearfully choose to ignore it?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we will encounter and meet up with many people today, some of whom You have placed on our path so that we might share Your Love, Your Gospel, and our faith with them. Keep us from being afraid and help us to apply our faith in loving and effective ways. 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 of Graystone Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. When John and his family first came to Knoxville, he preached there for six weeks. In October, Graystone celebrates its 120^th anniversary. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link:  http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5002097480_6095c74e91_b.jpg

Presbyterian devotions: I See the Moon - Psalm 89

Psalm 89:37    It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." "Selah"

As a kid, I always enjoyed looking up at the moon. I could see it clearly from my bedroom window and sometimes I would stay up late into the wee small hours of the morning, enjoying its shape, movement, and brilliance. Occasionally, I would recite a child’s prayer about the moon:

“I see the moon and the moon sees me.

God bless the moon and God bless me.”

Forty five years later, I’m still fascinated by the radiance of the moon. I realize now that it has no light of its own, but it reflects the light of the Sun to Earth. I think that’s why it’s called a “faithful witness in the sky.” So long as the Sun exists and the moon is still orbiting around the Earth, it will faithfully reflect sunlight to us.

As Christians, we are meant to be faithful witnesses of Christ’s Light on Earth. Some people believe that this means we’re meant to show Christ’s love to everyone. But it’s more than just that – we’re also meant to reflect the Truth of Christ, which sometimes conflicts with what the World will tolerate. Loving the World does not mean embracing its sins or condoning society’s errors. Being the light of Christ and His faithful witnesses calls us to wholly reflect His Teachings and Truth, as well as His Compassion. Love without Christ is just a temporary feeling; love with Christ’s Truth is an everlasting faith.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we try to be Your faithful witnesses in the world, but sometimes we allow ourselves to be people pleasers and acceptable appeasers, rather than messengers of Your Gospel and servants of Your Kingdom. Grant us the gift of discernment and help us to truly know what You would have us speak, do, and share with the people of our world. 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 original drawings called “Moonrise Van Gogh.” It’s a nighttime depiction based upon Van Gogh’s famous “Field of Crows.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4136822951_b576335e31_b.jpg

Presbyterian devotions: The Problem with Paul

Acts 21:4b       Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 

I honestly don’t know what to think or do with this verse. On the surface, it appears as though Paul, in deciding to continue his journey to Jerusalem, was blatantly ignoring the Holy Spirit’s counsel. At a deeper level, it seems as if the local church members and the itinerant church missionaries were given two separate agendas from the Holy Spirit. I can’t reconcile either of those scenarios in my mind because the outcomes would be hard to accept (a) that Paul sometimes ignored the Spirit in favor of his own opinion or (b) that the Spirit tests the mettle of the Church by giving opposing views.

Maybe I think too deeply; but I honestly believe that each verse of scripture is the inspired Word of God, so what kind of lesson was the Spirit inspiring when Luke wrote this account?

After pondering it for a while, I believe this to be the case: Paul was fallible and headstrong at times. He wasn’t perfect and sometimes his zeal for the Lord clouded his decision making. Even although he was a devoted follower of Christ, Paul still had his moments. He was a major influence in shaping our faith, but he wasn’t perfect. Pride and ambition, zeal and fanaticism caused him to make mistakes. He was a sinner, not the Savior.

For me, this does two things. Firstly, it shows me how authentic Luke’s account actually is – he writes about Paul, warts and all. If this was all make-believe, then Paul would come across as a theological Superman, who could leap tall temples and stop all opposition to his views. Secondly, it points me towards my own failings of being self-righteous, headstrong, and too zealous at times. Just because I’m a pastor doesn’t mean to say that I’m the only one in the congregation who is granted a vision by the Holy Spirit. I also need to listen to what the Spirit expresses through the local congregation.

As usual, the Spirit teaches all of us great lessons through seemingly insignificant verses.

Prayer:                        Holy Spirit, help us to become more attentive to Your voice and leadership in our lives. Grant us the gift of truly discerning Your guidance over every aspect of our lives and enable us to faithfully follow and sincerely serve Christ our Lord. In His 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 Winter 2010 drawings. He calls it “Choir Practice.” You can view a larger version of this print at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4935124072_ebb48302b6_z.jpg

Presbyterian 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