Tag: short devotions

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 – Only the Lonely

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Psalm 148s

Psalm 148:18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. (NIV)

Like everyone else, I experience loneliness from time to time. It’s an odd feeling, especially when it occurs in a crowded room or when I’m with a small company of friends. I get lost in my own thoughts and feel isolated from everything or everyone around me. I know I can be a distant introvert at times, but loneliness goes beyond that. I feel as though I’m missing something or someone in my life and that there is some sort of primeval emptiness or existential gap.

Some theologians would say that I’m actually missing God and that the loneliness in my life exists because I’m really longing to be reconnected to my Creator. The chasm that exists between us makes me feel isolated and vulnerable, unprotected and all alone. I can’t do anything to mend the breach or bridge the gap, so I’m stuck on this side of eternity, missing my Maker and feeling forsaken.

And then something amazing happens. As I call out to God in prayer, His presence fills my heart. As I reach out to God like a child holding out hands to a parent, I am suddenly lifted up spiritually and embraced by God. The loneliness lifts and my isolation ends. I am restored to God’s favor and reconnected to His love. What the psalmist wrote all of those centuries ago turns out to be true: God comes near to all who call on Him.

Perhaps you’re feeling lonely, too. Maybe you’ve lost your confidence or purpose and end up feeling isolated, misunderstood, or even unloved. Whatever the case, please call on the Lord, even as you are reading this short message. If you do, then I firmly believe that God will draw near to you and allow His presence to touch your mind, heart, and soul with His love.

Point to ponder: When I feel lonely, do I talk to God? When I talk to God, does my loneliness lift?

Prayer: Lord God, when we experience loneliness or isolation, allow us the comfort of Your presence. Keep us from feeling forsaken and bring us closer to You. In Christ’s 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

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

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 – My Portion, My Cup

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

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

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions

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.

Sabbath Psalms – Welcome Table

church devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

Psalm 146sPsalm 146:7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. (NIV)

I recently began working as a part-time interim pastor in a local Presbyterian congregation. It was nice to get back into ministry and I really appreciate the welcome that the church folks have given to my wife and me. We both look forward to being here for at least six months

Every congregation has its own unique ministries and this one – First Presbyterian Oak Ridge – is no exception. The church folks focus on social justice issues and even in the few weeks that I have been here, they are teaching me a lot of new things.

One of them is called ‘The Welcome Table.’ It takes place each month in the Fellowship Hall. The congregation provides a hot meal to anyone who wishes to come along. They also have several tables of groceries that the attendees can pick up to take home with them after the meal.

Those who come along are very grateful for the meal that is given, and for the fact that the church members serve people at their tables, bringing plates of food to them, just as if it was in a restaurant. Rather than have people stand in line, the church members humbly serve as waiters to the recipients. This means that those who have food insecurity issues are not treated like clients but are respected as equals. And when everyone is served, the church folks bring their own plates of food to the tables, to eat and converse with those who attend. In this way, several friendships have grown between those who serve and those who receive.

I like to think that this is how God welcomes us to His table, whether it be for Communion or just fellowship with one another. It’s a beautiful thought that God treats us all equally, doing it lovingly while maintaining respect and dignity for all of us who experience His blessings.

Point to ponder: How am I supporting food pantries and other food distribution missions?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for blessing us through times of insecurity and need. Help us to remember to share Your grace with others and treat one another as Your children. In your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sabbath Psalms – Sowing Sorrowfully, Singing Joyfully

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

Psalm 126sPsalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

It was an old superstition. People once believed that if they planted their seeds positively, then something bad would happen to the expected crop. So, instead of looking forward to the harvest, they used to weep profusely as they sowed the seeds. They didn’t want to make the agricultural gods angry by taking them for granted, so they developed a rite of mourning at seedtime.

Obviously, the Hebrew children did this too, although instead of angering the local Canaanite gods, they didn’t want to offend the One True and Living God. The people of the land had been blessed in the past, therefore, they hoped that God’s promises would be fulfilled at harvest time, so long as the people remained faithful.

The farmers also knew that they lived less than perfect lives, so they planted their seeds with penitential tears. They sincerely believed that if God watched over them as they humbled themselves, then perhaps God would also take pity on them and bless them with a great growing season. The farmers didn’t take God’s compassion for granted, but when the harvest was bountiful, they were truly thankful – which is why we still celebrate Thanksgiving feasts as special days in our nation and around the world.

Perhaps you are starting something new, beginning a new job or business, or going to a new college or location. Maybe you’re apprehensive about the future and hope that things will turn out well. Take time to bring God into this venture and humbly commit Your ideas, goals, and work to the Lord. You may not have to weep sorrowfully these days, but if You honor God at the outset of what you’re seeking to do, God’s approval will eventually come.

Point to ponder: Am I attempting something new in my life? If so, how have I sought God’s blessing?

Prayer: Lord God, You know everything about us and are fully aware of all our plans. We humbly seek Your approval and guidance in all that we hope to begin and accomplish. In Your Holy Name, we dare to hope and humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sabbath Psalms – Full of Creatures

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Psalm 104sPsalm 104:24 How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (NIV)

Every summer, our family used to stay for a week’s vacation in the town of Ayr, which is on the west coast of Scotland. We would spend each day on the sandy beach with crowds of other families who traveled down from Glasgow during the July Fair holidays. Sometimes, however, it was too cold to go to the beach, so we walked to a park at the far end of the town called Belleisle. It was a long walk but when we reached the park, we went to our favorite place – a little zoo that had lots of different rabbits, guinea pigs, and ducks from all over the world.

We fed the animals with tufts of grass and plant leaves that we found near the cages. The rabbits and guinea pigs rapidly ate what we offered and looked for some more, so my siblings and I scoured the edges of the path to find more green grass and leaves. We always came away from the park delighted because we had stood so close to the animals and enjoyed having them pull the food from our small hands as we fed them.

Nearly six decades later, when I think about those halcyon days, it makes me wonder if this is why God created so many different kinds of animals on our planet. Instead of killing them for sport perhaps we’re meant to look after the animal kingdom and live alongside it, to delight in God’s works of creation and live peaceably with nature. We seem to be so intent on destroying things these days that I fear we’re actually dooming ourselves to extinction. So many species are lost in the animal kingdom each year because of human expansion and destruction.

If I remember the scriptures properly, God gives Adam and Eve the gift of dominion over other creatures, but not domination. In other words, we’re meant to be good stewards and work with nature rather than being greedy conquerors who ruin and destroy life on this unique planet. I hope and pray that it’s not too late for us to repent of our harmful ways and make the Earth a peaceable kingdom once more, as our Creator intended.

Point to ponder: How do I appreciate and support life on Earth?

Prayer: Loving Creator, this world should astound us, and the beauty of Your works should delight us. Forgive us for taking life on Earth for granted and being so destructive as a species. Open our eyes to the uniqueness of our planet and help us to become good stewards of this beautiful world. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s crayon drawings called “Fall Break.”

Sunday Shorts – Such is Life

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Sunday devotions

Ordy 28BsMark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

It’s a question that we all ask at some time in our lives: “How can I overcome death and obtain everlasting life?”

When I was eighteen, I overdosed on tranquilizers and almost died. I was saved by three friends, to whom I will forever be indebted. I spent three days in hospital to get my stomach cleaned out to check if my organs were still working. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I could have permanently damaged my kidneys and other vital organs, which would have meant that I would have unavoidably died days later. Thankfully, and providentially, that did not happen. My life had been spared by the quick action of my friends and the medical emergency team at the hospital.

Through being so close to death, it made me think about Life. I was faithless at the time, so if I had died, I could have been lost to everyone forever. I did not know this because I held a childlike belief of God in my heart. However, when I later turned to the scriptures to learn more about God, I was startled by some of the forthright views of Christ because sometimes His words stung me.

I no longer dabble with death or take my life for granted. My attempted suicide has given me a different perspective from most people. Life is something to be cherished, but it is also a gift of God that shouldn’t be wasted or squandered. The purpose of life is to give it back to God. Everything that we accomplish, all of our achievements, and every resource that we own, are nothing compared to the riches of God’s grace and everlasting love. That’s why Jesus asked the young man in this much told story to give up his wealth and esteem – for when he is old and dying, the young man is going to have to give them up anyway.

Health and wealth won’t last forever, but faith and love do. If we want life – a real abundant and everlasting life – then we are also invited to surrender ourselves to God through Jesus Christ.

Point to ponder: What is the purpose of my life and how can Christ make it more abundant?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, each day You challenge us to give up our lives and place them in Your hands. In other words, You’re asking us to have faith in You by surrendering ourselves to Your Church and Kingdom. Help us to do this willingly so we may realize that our lives are gifts from the Lord, which we will eventually give back to God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s crayon drawings called “Cosmic Surfer.”