Welcome to the JCPC Daily Reflections Blog. Reflections are daily devotionals authored by JCPC pastors, staff and members and provide insight, guidance and comfort to help you make it through each day. If you’d like to receive Reflections each day via email, provide your email address.
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
-Matthew 25:23
As a child, my first introduction to what a Steward is was in reading and watching Lord of the Rings. The Steward of Gondor was intended to watch over the kingdom until the return of the King. Tolkien was fond of biblical imagery, implying we are stewards of the kingdom only until the return of our own King, Christ. And although I started flying often as a young kid, I didn't connect that title and responsibility to Stewardesses. And soon after I began flying, their title was changed to Flight Attendants. And while I appreciate the inclusion intended in that new title, like many modern words, it loses the meaning of the older word.
This Sunday, the youth group tackled the idea of Stewardship, in preparation for our annual giving time in the church. We discussed Stewards and Stewardesses. They care for the airplane, the galley, the bags, the pilots, and passengers. They do not own the plane. They care for it and its passengers. If we are stewards of the earth, its people, and the resources on it, we are not owners, but caregivers. Our students understand well the concept of caregiving. They all have clothes, cars, bedrooms, phones, and various personal belongings. They think of them as their own, but they all voiced that they have clear expectations and rules set forth by their parents about how they use and care for those items.
Stewardship is a relationship of care-giving and nurture, one of trust that is rooted in love and generosity, but also in rules and expectations. What a gift and responsibility to be a steward of an entire kingdom. And so we are, as brothers and sisters in God's world. When seen this way, our care and generosity must be our common and most important purpose as we await the return of the King. Our youth are ready to be generous of their time, talents, and treasures. I hope we will all match their enthusiasm and joy this year.
Prayer for Today
Lord, help me to see my life as service to the King and the Kingdom, a steward who is good and generous and eager for your return. Amen.
"We are the World" was a song from 1985 recorded by many of the most famous pop music artists at the time. It was a part of the "USA for Africa" effort to raise money for famine relief. The song went to number one on the charts and raised $44 million. I think it was one of the highlights of the 80s.
This Sunday is "World Communion Sunday." Christians all around the world will be celebrating communion that day as a reminder of our unity as the body of Christ. Here at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, we have the privilege of gathering with the three other churches who worship on this campus each week. These are Casa Brasil (Brazilian/Presbyterian), Crossings Community Church (Korean/Presbyterian), and World Healing Ministries (Indian/Pentecostal). At our 11:00 a.m. worship service, we will have our own "We are the World" moment as we come together to worship God. Our service will be in English, Korean, and Portuguese (our Indian congregation also worships in English.) The Rev. Lindsay Armstrong, Executive Director of the New Church Development Commission of our presbytery, will be bring an inspirational message called "Be Opened." Lindsay has preached here at JCPC before.
Our music will combine songs with guitar from Casa Brasil, a solo from a member of the Korean church, as well as music from our own Chancel Choir. We will also have our 9:00 a.m. service, however the other congregations will only be there at 11:00 a.m.
Not only will we be worshiping together at 11:00 a.m., we will then gather in our Great Hall for a great feast with food from each of our congregations. The church will provide fried chicken, salad, and drinks. We are asking members of JCPC to bring either a side dish (last name A-L) or a dessert (last name M-Z). Food from Brazil, Korea, and India will also be shared. I am already getting hungry just thinking about it. In addition, musicians from Casa Brasil will be sharing some lunchtime music.
So, please make it a priority to be here this Sunday - we need you here! And invite your friends to this unique worship service. I know you will be blessed by coming.
Prayer for Today
Thank you, God, for "so loving the whole world" that you sent Jesus -- your only son, to save us from our sins and brokenness. Thank you for the rare privilege of gathering with those from around the world, who are now our neighbors and friends -- our brothers and sisters in Christ. May our time together be both blessed and a blessing to others - one example to our community of how you intend the people of your world to get along. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
On Sunday, I shared at our Pancake Breakfast about an opportunity for you to share with us during the Advent season. We are assembling a Johns Creek Presbyterian Advent devotional. This booklet will contain brief submissions that can be used to help us all keep our focus on Jesus Christ in the midst of what is always a busy time of year.
I shared this video as a part of our conversation on Sunday as an invitation for how you might share with those in our church and others in our community about the impact that the "Best Night Ever" has had on you over the years.
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" -
"a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' " Mark 1:1-3
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:39-41
You are invited to create a written reflection with scripture, original art, share recipes from family rituals or traditions, poetry or song lyrics, or family activities to do together during the Advent season. We are asking for all submissions to be turned in by November 1. We will print these booklets and have them available during the Advent season.
Open our hearts to how we can share the message of Jesus coming into the world as a baby and the impact that his life has had on ours. Guide us to how we can tell this story to those around us. In Christ's Name, Amen.
I hope that you were able to worship with us yesterday during our Festival of Hymns. Music can move us to places deep in our souls like no other medium that I know. I thought the choir, Justin, Heidi, and Laura were remarkable in their worship leadership and I want to thank them.
Gray crafted a sermon which highlighted some of the personal tragedies that are the backdrop of our great traditional hymns. I was incredibly moved by the stories of personal loss and tragedy as well as the faith in God which permeate these hymns.
A common critic of Christianity is that it promotes a type of pie in the sky theology that isn't grounded in the hardships of life. On the contrary, our Festival of Hymns witnessed a faith in a God who meets us where we are in order to save, redeem, and sustain us.
The popular author/speaker Brené Brown has something to say about Christian faith that I want to share:
From the sounds of it Brené would make a good Stephen Minister!
I'm looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday at our World Communion celebration.
Prayer for Today
Gracious God, may peace flow like a river through our souls and throughout our lifetime so that no matter what our lot may be; whether we are heavy with our sorrows or caught in trials that make it difficult to understand the strain, we will catch a glimpse of your amazing grace and in the stillness of clarity profess, it is well with my soul.
I'm inspired by country singer Tim McGraw's song "Live Like You Were Dying." In it he describes some of the exciting "bucket list" things a man did after receiving some bad news about his health. He also chose to love and forgive people more freely-speaking to them more tenderly. The song recommends that we live well, as if knowing our lives will end soon.
This song reminds us that our time is limited. It's important for us to not put off for tomorrow what we can do today, because one day we'll run out of tomorrows. This is particularly urgent for believers in Jesus, who believe that Jesus may return at any moment (perhaps in the very second you're reading this sentence!). Jesus urges us to be ready, not living like the five "foolish" virgins who were caught unprepared when the bridegroom returned (Matthew 25:6-10).
But McGraw's song doesn't tell the whole story. We who love Jesus will never run out of tomorrows. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. -John 11:25-26. Our life in Him never ends.
So don't live like you're dying. Because you're not. Rather, live like Jesus is coming. Because He is!
How will you live today like Jesus is coming soon? How does knowing He could return any day affect your choices?
Jesus, I look forward to the day You'll return. May I use the time I've been given to honor You and to serve others well.
Prayer for Today
Lord, make me an explorer. Send me to new places in your word with fresh perspective and closer proximity. Amen.
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
-Psalm 119:18
Jupiter has fascinated us for hundreds of years, observable by the naked eye and later by telescope. It is massive and beautiful, one of many parts of the heavens that declare God's majesty. And since those days of the first telescopes, we have been fascinated by that red spot, a swirling and beautiful centuries old storm. And yet, as a matter of distance and limited perspective, its wonder has never been fully known to us. But recently, we had the chance to draw closer, and much was revealed.
If you think of Jupiter as a swirling gaseous ball of reds and yellows, you're not alone. And yet, perhaps the most beautiful part of this heavenly body was hidden from our sight... till the Juno spacecraft from NASA soared above Jupiter and took pictures of its fiercely blue coral-like swirls at the northern pole (images above). If the known clouds of Jupiter are its mesmerizing fire, its newly discovered pole is the equally captivating cascading waterfall. We drew closer and our eyes have been opened by our new perspective and proximity to new wonder and beauty and a fuller picture of what Jupiter is.
There are many scriptures that tell us that when we draw close to God, God draws close to us, and that when we draw close to God's Word, God is revealed. If the scriptures we love are a burning fire of singular beauty and depth for us, imagine what it would be like to soar back over them and see a new perspective of rushing water and greater depth in that discovery. We often read God's word in worship. But when did you last draw closer, change perspective, seek to see more, and come away with fuller understanding? If you're a youth, a young adult, or an adult of any age, when did you last attend Bible Study or draw closer? The school year just started. We'd love to help you draw closer and explore.
Prayer for Today
Lord, make me an explorer. Send me to new places in your word with fresh perspective and closer proximity. Amen.
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Psalms 96:1, NIV
I am really looking forward to our next "Fifth Sunday" worship service which is a Hymn Festival. We have asked our church family to suggest hymns we might sing in worship this Sunday. I have been working with our music staff to build the whole service around hymns. Almost every part of our worship service will be based on a familiar hymn - so plan to sing a lot!
We will also share the stories of a few select hymns which give background to the life circumstances surrounding their creation. The stories are moving and inspirational.
In preparing for this service, I came across this explanation as to why hymns are so important to worship:
The purpose of hymns is to enable as many Christians as possible to identify with their faith experiences, to enjoy the spiritual insights, to experience the sustaining reality of God's love which belonged to the hymn writers and which are expressed in the words and music of their great hymns (James Sydnor)
There is great value in hymn singing. When we sing hymns, Christians can . . .
- Express their feelings and their ideas
- Tell others what they believe
- Experience closer fellowship
- Be instructed in the fundamentals of their faith
- Be sustained in daily life
Hymns are more than just singing a good tune - they nurture us as we worship God. Please plan to be there this Sunday and invite someone to join you!
Prayer for Today
"Speak Lord, for your servant hears..." (1 Samuel 3:9 & 10).
Try it this way: Ask God a question. Then breathe in your longing for God's guidance... Breathe out stress and hurry.
"The Lord is my Shepherd... I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).
Try it this way: Breathe in to entrust yourself to Jesus... Breathe out to let go of wanting _______.
I have often heard the phrase, "God is as near as your every breath." What does that mean for you? How often do you notice your breathing throughout the day? When it's so quiet, that it's the only sound you hear... or when it's more pronounced like when you are exercising (on purpose or when you are trying to hurry). I would invite you today to be more aware of your every breath, and when you do remember that God is near to you.
Below are some breath prayers.
They are prayers that help you focus on your breathing while you pray. Take these prayers with you as you continue your day, remembering God's spirit abides in each of us.
"The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life!" Job 33:4
Prayer for Today
"Speak Lord, for your servant hears..." (1 Samuel 3:9 & 10).
Try it this way: Ask God a question. Then breathe in your longing for God's guidance... Breathe out stress and hurry.
"The Lord is my Shepherd... I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).
Try it this way: Breathe in to entrust yourself to Jesus... Breathe out to let go of wanting _______.
One spring after a particularly dreary winter during which she helped a family member through a long illness, Emma found encouragement each time she walked past a cherry tree near her home in Cambridge, England. Bursting out at the top of the pink blossoms grew blossoms of white. A clever gardener had grafted into the tree a branch of white flowers. When Emma passed the unusual tree, she thought of Jesus's words about being the Vine and His followers the branches (John 15:1-8).
By calling Himself the Vine, Jesus was speaking of an image familiar to the Israelites in the Old Testament, for there the vine symbolized God's people (Psalm 80:8-9; Hosea 10:1). Jesus extended this symbolism to Himself, saying He was the Vine and that His followers were grafted into Him as branches. And as they remained in Him, receiving His nourishment and strength, they would bear fruit (John 15:5).
As Emma supported her family member, she needed the reminder that she was connected to Jesus. Seeing the white flowers among the pink ones gave her a visual prompt of the truth that as she remained in the Vine, she gained nourishment through Him.
When we who believe in Jesus embrace the idea of being as close to Him as a branch is to a vine, our faith is strengthened and enriched.
Prayer for Today
Jesus, thank You for helping me to remain in You. May I find the peace, hope, and strength I need today. Amen.
