Below are excerpts from Pastor Stuart's daily scripture meditations. Click the title of the excerpt to read the full article. To receive these articles in your email inbox, please click the link at the top of the page to subscribe.
Are You Moved With Compassion? | September 11, 2017
Today is Patriot's Day, a day to remember the wounds of 9/11/01. We can all remember where we were on that day and how our hearts went out to those who were trapped or who died rescuing people in the World Trade Center. While this tragedy remains fixed in our minds sixteen years later, we cannot simply look back as a point of remembrance as followers of Jesus. Days like this should move us with renewed compassion for the lost and hurting of our world.
For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives of the needy he will save.
Psalms 72:12-13 (NASB)
More Than... | September 12, 2017
During times of natural disasters or the announcement of personal "bad news," we are all tempted to put our eyes on the circumstances rather than the Lord. It is easy to become discouraged, depressed, and disillusioned when we have our eyes on the floods rather than the Lord. In this song, the author reminds us of an amazing truth.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice,
The floods lift up their pounding waves.
More than the sounds of many waters,
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty.
Psalms 93:2-4 (NASB)
Random Song Meditations | September 13, 2017
I often find myself pouring over the great hymnal of the Bible. There is rarely a time when I am not inspired by the powerful words of the songs in the book of Psalms. I can drop in just about anywhere and find instruction and inspiration as I think about how the writers were singing their prayers to Father God.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night.
Psalms 92:1-2 (NASB)
September 14, 2017 | Peace Or Anxiety?
I was recently having a conversation with a friend in which we were discussing, stress, anxiety, and fight or flight mechanism that is associated with our parasympathetic nervous system (the automatic part). As we were speaking, it occurred to me that many if not all of us struggle with this emotional, spiritual, and ultimately physical reality of being overwhelmed and over-adrenalized.
It amazes me that the Bible has addressed this for thousands of years, yet we still find ourselves overrun with a lack of peace. Here's what I mean.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
1 Peter 5:7-9 (NIV)