Category: Devotions

Sabbath Psalms – The Lost Ring

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Sabbath Psalms – The Lost Ring

Psalm 36: 7     O Lord, your unfailing love is priceless! All of humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.

My wife Evelyn once lost her engagement ring. She had put some hand cream on her fingers and the ring must have slipped off. She left a message on my cell phone to let me know. It saddened both of us to think that something so significant could be lost.

We bought the engagement ring with my last tax rebate before I went to college to study to become a minister in the Church of Scotland. I can remember shopping for it in Glasgow’s Argyle Arcade where most couples in the city bought their rings. It was an exciting time for us and eventually we found the one clustered diamond ring that Evelyn liked, after wandering from store to store. It cost us every penny that we owned at the time, and through the years it had become priceless to us. Thankfully, a couple of days later, Evelyn found the ring on the carpet next to her exercise bike. That was a moment of relief and jubilation for both of us.

When the author of Psalm 36 writes about God’s unfailing love, he calls it ‘priceless.’ He cannot buy God’s love, nor can he compare it to anything else in the whole universe. It is the most valuable gift the psalmist has ever been given, so he just wants to sing out loud his praises to God.

As Christians, we also consider this to be true, for how can we ever put a price on what Jesus has done to offer us complete and everlasting salvation? Don’t we similarly value Christ’s atonement for our sins as priceless?

Point to ponder: What is the greatest gift God has ever given to me through Christ?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are priceless to each and every one of Your followers. We can never repay the debt that we owe You for pardoning our sins, redeeming our souls, and restoring us to God. Thank You for such wonderful, amazing, and priceless love. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Lead Kindly Light

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Psalm 043s

Psalm 43:3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. (NIV)

During the mid-1980’s a lot of people got interested in the reports of near-death experiences that seriously injured and gravely ill patients were having all over the world. Some critical event happened in each of their lives that made them feel they were finally dying. They felt as though they were floating above the surgeons, doctors, and nurses who were frantically trying to save their lives in an emergency room. As their spirits floated away, they were drawn to a pure white light, which attracted their souls away from their bodies into another realm.

Some of these NDEs, as they came to be known, said they met Jesus in the midst of the beautiful light, and He told them that their time to be with Him had not yet come. All of a sudden, their free spirits rushed back into their bodies, just as a defibrillator, or an adrenaline shot was being used by the health care professionals to resuscitate them.

Documentaries were made about the people who survived death, and they seemed to be changed. They no longer had a morbid fear or fascination with death. To them, it was only a short journey to a better and brighter place. I came across one such person in Scotland, and after she expressed what she had similarly experienced, it also explained to me her change of character and rediscovered devotion to the Lord.

As we go through life, we face many challenges and sometimes we are fearful of what death will bring. This is where faith endures at its best. This is the time when our relationship to God and union with Christ will at last be sealed forever. We will go on enjoying and experiencing this life as much as we can on Earth, but ultimately every journey, no matter how long, successful, or powerful it has become, will end in death. The difference for the Christian will be that directly after death, we will find that sacred abode of light and at last see Jesus face-to-face.

Ponder: How does my faith in Jesus prepare for and lead me into the future?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World, but You are also our Light to the Next World. Guide us each and every day, so that when our human journey ends, may we experience our eternal one begin at the twinkling of an eye, through the power of Your compassion, mercy, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Short devotion – Unity and Peace

Devotions

Spirit Peaces

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)

I can remember an old minister once preaching a sermon in which he said something like: “Twelve percent of the general population go to church on Sundays. Twenty percent of the general population would like to attend church on Sundays, but they don’t go because of the twelve percent who are already there.” His words stung the congregation because he was preaching the truth which was very hard to accept. The church members believed that they were God’s chosen people and followed the Lord faithfully. What they didn’t understand was that their zeal for the Lord and uncompromising ways actually turned a lot of people off from joining them on Sundays to worship Jesus.

It saddens me that decades later, the old minister’s words are still very true. In recent years, the witness of Christ’s church has been damaged by aggressive pastors and congregations who puritanically seek to forcibly impose their beliefs on the entire population. School boards are rife with tyrannical menaces who threaten teachers and other parents with their book bans and religious demands. Local politicians and their parties hypocritically pass bills in the name of God which Jesus would never support, especially when those policies marginalize and dehumanize other people with different beliefs, ideas, origins, and lifestyle choices.

I think it is important to remember that when Paul wrote his revered letters to young Christian churches, he was dealing with similar problems and divisions. This is why he emphasized the need to promote the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace – church people were meant to be peacemakers and not peace breakers. Outsiders were supposed to be made welcome, attracted to the church, and not targeted by it for being different, alien, or foreign. The House of God was – and still is – big enough for everyone; the question we need to face is this: are our hearts and minds, as well as our faith, big enough to accept that?

Point to ponder: Does my faith attract other people to Christ? If not, what do I need to change about me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we call ourselves Christians because we want to be identified with You, Your teaching and truth, as well as Your ministries and missions. Help us not to get in the way of Your work; instead, change us to truly become people of Your Way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Gentle Shepherd

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Psalm 080sPsalm 80:11 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth. 

One of the gentlest people that I have ever known was a country shepherd. His family had been shepherds for generations, so it was natural for him to follow in their footsteps. He was a clever man who probably could have been a great teacher at college or university. When he spoke in church or community meetings, everyone listened. Whatever the issue or situation, it was obvious that he had given it a great deal of thought. He presented his ideas and opinions in a quiet, unassuming way. More often as not, whatever decisions were made, they usually included much of what the shepherd had expressed.

I guess working with sheep on the hillsides of Scotland, you get a lot of time to think clearly. And because things are generally quiet, you don’t have to raise your voice or get upset when making a point in public meetings. This shepherd knew the value of simple words with a quiet message which is why he was very effective when he shared his viewpoints.

I think this is why one of our most favorite images of Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We’ve seen countless images and stained-glass windows that depict Christ in this manner. The serenity of those pictures makes us feel secure and embraced. The Good Shepherd quietly loves us and gently calls us to Him.

Currently, some of us may be going through hard times or maybe we are stressed out and weary. We may feel frightened or confused about the issues we are facing. We may be angry or distressed at being hurt or disappointed. During these times, amid the clamor of the world, the gentle voice of peace and assurance comes to us from Jesus. He knows the issues; He understands our worries. He’s had time to think about them; and now He has gentle thoughts to express to our hearts and minds. If we also quietly take time out of our busy schedules, we will hear His voice. If we turn to Him now for help, He will gently speak to and shepherd us.

Point to ponder: What is stressing or worrying me now? Am I willing to quietly bring it to Jesus?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Shepherd of our lives and souls. Sometimes we deeply worry over our problems and think that there is no end to them. We often forget that our lives are in Your Hands because we are part of Your flock. Talk to us today about our troubles and gently show us the path towards peace, resolution, hope, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – The Singing God

Devotions, Psalm devotions

Psalm 007sZephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God, who is mighty to save, is with you. He will greatly delight in you, quieten you with His love, and then He will sing joyously over you.”

I can remember someone once asking me “why do Christians sing so often in their churches?” It puzzled him that we spend so much time in worship using music and songs to convey our praise and prayers. “If you omitted the music,” he continued, “everyone would get out of church at 11.30AM. It wouldn’t make any difference to God. He’s only interested in your prayers anyway.”

Obviously, this person hadn’t read the Bible. It’s full of songs and many passages are written lyrically. The scriptures are meant to be sung – joyfully as in the Psalms, or dolefully as in Lamentations; loudly like the Angels on the hillside, or quietly like Mary giving praise to God.

There’s even a verse in scripture, the one that we have today, which tells us that God Himself likes to sing! Music is an integral part of creation, heaven, and salvation. Song is a sacred vehicle of how we approach God, confess to Him, and praise His glorious Name. If we were to take out music from our worship, if we were to remove all of the singing, we would be left with something tedious, droll, and unfeeling.

Music captivates our hearts and connects with our souls, so that we may mystically and spiritually connect with God. One day, when all of His Son’s followers are gathered in eternity, we will hear the most beautiful voice and the most beautiful singing in all of creation, because that will be the sacred moment when God sings and rejoices with those who are saved.

Questions for personal reflection

In what ways do Advent songs and Christmas carols spiritually connect me to God? What do I think about God actually singing one day in Heaven?

Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for the gifts of music and song in the Bible and within our churches. We are grateful for the many ways which we can praise You through singing in church. We look forward to that wonderful moment in Your Kingdom when we will at last hear Your beautiful voice. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Godly Wonders

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Psalm 066sPsalm 66: 5 Come and look at what God has accomplished; how awesome are His works in our behalf!

John Calvin called them ‘the attestations of God’s witness to the world.’ Today, we would call them natural wonders, divine intervention, or even great escapes.

One of the challenges that Christians have in this world is how to show other people where God is present and working in our lives. Skeptics tend to think that we spiritually sugar coat the truth and wear Rose of Sharon colored glasses. Our reality is seemingly skewed by our stubborn hold on a two-thousand-year-old faith, which has entered into the realm of religious myth and fabricated fable for most post-modern day folks. The world of AI, Instagram, Youtube, and podcasts has no need for charming parables or a godly Gospel where blood and tears, as well as broken limbs and bread, redeem the world. If God has any awesomeness left to impress upon the present generation, then He’d better do it through cyberspace, iPods, anime, and cellphones. A sacred text is no longer needed, but a divine ability to safely text while driving would be a major plus.

And yet, despite all of our devices, sunrises and sunsets still attract us. Glorious mountains and the greenest of valleys captivate our souls. Christmas still touches something good, even within the least religious among us, and Easter annually fills us with new life, new beginnings, and new wonders.

We may become distracted by the latest gadgets and are constantly obsessed with the newest of trends, but God still walks and works among us, testifying to Himself in the most commonplace of natural events – the hearing of birdsong in the quiet of the morning, the rippling rhythm of a mountain stream, or the rushing of waves crashing on craggy rocks – they all witness to the power and glory, creativity and activity of a God who still cares for His creation and seeks to heal a broken world.

Point to ponder: Where do I experience God’s presence in my life?

Prayer: Almighty Creator, Your awesome works, words, and ways still reveal to us Your glory, power, and love. We seek Your divine blessings in each of our lives, for we pursue happiness and pleasure, satisfaction and harmony for our souls. Instead of being agitated and restless, help us to become anchored and restful. Instead of being distracted by complicated machinery, help us to become attracted to simple serenity. Instead of always doing, enable us to just be beings. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian Pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Map Reader

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Psalm 025sPsalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. (NIV)

It was in the Boy Scouts that I learned how to read and use a map. I can remember hiking in the Campsie hills above Glasgow, Scotland, with my Scout troop. As we climbed the hills, a deep fog descended around us. Before long, it seemed to me that we were hopelessly lost. As the mist slowly cleared, we began to see the landscape of the Campsies around us. During this time, our patient Scoutmaster unfolded a map and pointed out the various small streams and elevation markers that were drawn on it.

At first, all I saw were lines on a piece of paper which meant nothing to me, but as my Scoutmaster pointed to all of the trails, brooks, and peaks around us while carefully identifying them on the map, I began to make the connection. He knew exactly where we were and he was teaching all of us how to discover our location and re-find our path. It was a wonderful lesson that I have never forgotten and to this very day, some fifty years later, I still enjoy looking at and reading maps wherever I go.

In today’s highlighted Bible verse, the ancient psalmist is asking God to show him the right path to take. The psalm writer, possibly King David, has reached a point in his life where he doesn’t know what to do or where to go. He needs God to indicate his location and show him the way ahead, so he prayerfully and sincerely asks for God’s direction. It’s a simple act of faith and trust which we can all experience many times in our lives. Thankfully, God hears our prayers for direction and is always willing to show us the path ahead. So, no matter who we are or what we are feeling, encountering, or experiencing today, it’s good to know that God is always aware of the life trail that we are on, and will always be our map reader and patient guide, even if we are lost or can’t see the way ahead.

Point to ponder

Where am I? What path does God want me to follow?

Prayer: Lord God, You have always been leading us through each day of our lives. Every moment is a sacred experience; every step is an act of faith. Be with us by guiding us on this great journey we call life and, when all of this is over, lead us upward and onward to Your Eternal Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Christ the King

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Psalm 093sSabbath Psalms – Christ the King

Psalm 93:1 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. (NIV)

This Sunday is the last day of the Christian year when most churches celebrate Christ the King. It’s an annual reminder of whom we serve and to whom we belong. As Christians, we are called to be servants of God’s Kingdom whose main purpose in life is to enjoy God’s Creation and praise Him forever. It’s a time to be humble and meek, reminding us that we are not the center of the universe, no matter how great, powerful, or smart we may consider ourselves to be.

This celebration comes at the end of the Christian year to climatically remind us that when time finally runs out, for ourselves and for this world, Christ will be seen as He is: the King of all Creation and the Lord of all our lives. So, this Sunday, we are invited to gather as servants to praise the One Who has saved us from our sinful selves, given us an everlasting hope, and in Whose Name and service we seek to spread God’s love, share peace with one another, and heal our wounded world.

May Christ the King be with and bless you from this moment and forevermore. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – My Portion, My Cup

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Psalm 016sPsalm 16:5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. (NIV)

Like a lot of people, I have felt overwhelmed lately, mainly because of the situations and circumstances of things at home and around the world. Watching the news, hearing political pundits, reading about wars and conflict, as well as worrying about the climate, have flooded my heart, mind, and soul with so much negativity that I sometimes wonder if it’s worth getting out of bed and being in the world. I feel sad and disappointed that human beings display so much hatred and hostility to one another which makes me occasionally think we’re in a downward spiral as far as civilization is concerned. It’s very hard to shake off these feelings and there are also moments when I feel angry at God for letting so many things spin out of control.

However, I won’t give in or give up. I still believe there is goodness in the world and that through God’s grace, I will rise above these troubles and setbacks. Political leaders may posture and parade their pomposity, as well as their delusions of grandeur; nations may commit genocide and violently wage war with one another, but there will be a time when those who are guilty of these atrocities and such arrogance will be held accountable by the world, by history, and even by God. Powerful men may think they are above the law and can do what they want, but there is always a higher law and a more powerful God watching them, too.

I like today’s highlighted verse from Psalm 16 because it reminds me that even I have limits. There are people and events that are beyond my control, so the portion that God gives me in life and the cup He expects me to drink are finite. Instead of focusing on things that I cannot change, I need to look at the people and places around me that need my support and help, who in turn can encourage and strengthen me. Instead of using up my emotional and spiritual energy on things that are beyond me, I need to give my attention to the needs in front of me. Rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, I should concentrate on what’s happening now in the portion of life that God has given me. As Jesus once said, “Stop worrying about tomorrow, there are enough concerns to be dealing with today.” (Matthew 6:34).

Perhaps you are feeling the same burdens of concern and feel broken by recent events. Maybe you’re worrying about what lies ahead and are losing sleep because your mind won’t let go of your anxieties or grief. Please remember that you are only human which means you’re finite, frail, and limited, too. Let go of what you cannot change and let God help you concentrate on what is your portion of concern and your cup of compassion to help heal your community. That’s all God expects of you, so why not expect the same for yourself?

Point to ponder: How burdened am I by the world? Am I willing to be relieved and carried by God?

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we are overwhelmed by things way beyond our control and outside our sphere of influence. Help us to discern the things that we can do to make a difference personally, instead of burdening our lives by wishing we could individually change the entire world. In Christ’s Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Needing to Sleep

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Psalm 127sPsalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat–for he grants sleep to those he loves.

God must love an awful lot of people on Sunday mornings, especially if He grants sleep to those He loves! Being a preacher, you get to see the whole congregation on Sundays, so sometimes watching folks fall asleep is a quick indicator that I’d better get the sermon finished and bring the message home quickly!

But sometimes people fall asleep because they feel safe, not bored. God’s House is a sanctuary to them, a place where they can feel secure, loved, and welcomed. Sometimes people fall asleep because they’ve endured a grueling week – hard work, worries at home, stress – all those qualities of modern life. Whatever the reason, being cradled in Christ’s arms at church is a beautiful thing and, after all, isn’t our Sabbath supposed to be a time of rest?

After a tumultuous week for everyone, some folks may also feel depressed by the election results and just want to hibernate for a while. That’s okay, too. Disappointment is hard to carry at times, so quietly withdrawing and taking time to decompress is probably essential for their well-being. If you feel that way yourself, please just take time to be embraced by God and replenish your spirit. Know that you are dearly and divinely loved, cherished by Christ and supported by His Spirit.

Point to ponder: Have I used up all of my energy recently? Am I willing to seek God’s love to refresh me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us as we are. You know all about our busyness, our energy highs and lows, our weary weeks and merry months. Thank You for accepting us as we truly are. Your Love touches our hearts, and we feel safe in Your arms. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.