Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ . From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Devotion: Paul paints a vivid picture of the Church as a living body, with Christ as the head and each believer as a vital part. Emphasize how speaking the truth in love helps you feel valued and motivated to grow together in faith. Growth in Christ is not only about knowledge or activity—it’s about relationships rooted in love and honesty. Truth without love can wound; love without truth can mislead. Together, they foster an environment where spiritual maturity flourishes. This passage reminds us that growth is communal, not solitary. The body “builds itself up” as each part does its work. That means you matter. Your gifts, service, and encouragement all co...

Scripture:  Ephesians 5:18-20 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery . Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit . Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . Devotion:           In Ephesians 5:18-20, Paul’s words call us into a life marked by spiritual fullness, worship, and gratitude. He begins by drawing a clear contrast: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” The apostle isn’t merely cautioning against the dangers of excess; he’s offering us something far richer—a life empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit . When we are filled with the Spirit, our hearts, minds, and actions are shaped by God’s presence, freeing us from the destructive patterns that can ensnare us and redirecting our energies ...

Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus Christ as Israel 's long-awaited Messiah and the authoritative King whose reign extends to all nations. Written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience , this Gospel systematically shows how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy and brings God's redemptive purposes to culmination. The Gospel is carefully organized into five major teaching discourses, each concluding with a variation of "when Jesus had finished these sayings" (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). This structure deliberately echoes the five books of Moses , presenting Jesus as the new Moses who authoritatively interprets and fulfills the Law. These discourses are: the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the Mission Discourse (10), the Parables of the Kingdom (13), the Community Discourse (18), and the Olivet Discourse (24-25). Matthew frames his narrative with the twin themes of God's presence with His people (" Immanuel —God with us" in 1:23) and Ch...

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:1b-3 (NIV) He said: “ The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir ; he shone forth from Mount Paran . He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes. Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction, Devotion: As we reflect on Deuteronomy 33:1-3, we encounter a powerful image of God’s enduring love and faithfulness for His people. Moses , nearing the end of his life, is blessing Israel and recounting how the Lord revealed Himself in majesty and glory, coming from Sinai, shining from Mount Paran, and surrounded by myriads of holy ones. These verses remind us that God does not remain distant or detached from His beloved children. He actively pursues, protects, and instructs those whom He loves. The reference to God “dawning over them from Seir” and “shining forth from Mount Paran” depicts His presence as a radiant light...

  Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV) 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Devotion: The call to "put on the full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:11-12 is both a powerful reminder and a source of comfort for every believer. Paul is not speaking figuratively here; he is urging us to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of divine protection as we navigate a world filled with unseen battles. It’s easy to think that our most significant challenges come from circumstances or the actions of others. Yet, Paul makes it clear: our true struggle isn’t against flesh and blood. Rather, it’s against spiritual forces that operate in the shadows, influencing the world around us in ways we may not always pe...

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Devotion: In a world overflowing with advice on fitness, diets, and physical wellness, it’s easy to measure value by what we see and feel. We are bombarded with messages telling us to invest time and energy in our bodies, believing this will yield happiness and fulfillment. While there is certainly benefit to caring for ourselves physically, Paul’s words to Timothy offer a deeper invitation—to prioritize spiritual training, a discipline whose rewards extend far beyond the here and now. Paul urges, “Train yourself to be godly.” Just as athletes commit to daily routines, discipline, and perseverance to improve their physical abilities, spiritual growth also requires intentional practice. This isn’t about rigi...