Loving Jesus Style

    Scripture: Mark 10:42-45   When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John . Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be  slave  of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   Devotion:   Mark 10:42-45 presents us with one of the most countercultural and profound teachings of Jesus. In a world that often equates greatness with power, influence, and the ability to command others, Jesus turns expectations upside down. The disciples had been debating about who among them was the greatest, but Jesus gently redirects their hearts by redefining true greatness. He points out that while worldly leaders “lo...

  Scripture: Psalm 15:1-3 (NIV) LORD , who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; Devotion: Psalm 15:1-3 asks a timeless question: “LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?” In other words, who is worthy to live in a close relationship with God, to experience His presence intimately and walk with Him daily? The psalmist gives a clear answer—not by listing rituals or outward performances, but by pointing to the character of a person’s heart and actions. The one who may dwell with God is “the one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.” This is not a call to flawless perfection, but to integrity. To be blameless is to seek consistency between what we believe, what we sa...

  Summary of the Gospel of Luke Luke's Gospel presents Jesus Christ as the divine Savior of all humanity, emphasizing God's universal offer of salvation while maintaining meticulous historical detail and literary artistry. Written by Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of Paul , this Gospel traces Jesus ' life from His miraculous conception to His ascension , demonstrating how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy and inaugurates God's kingdom through His ministry, death, and resurrection. Structure and Themes Luke organizes his narrative around Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where the redemptive purposes of God reach their climax. The Gospel begins with detailed infancy narratives (chapters 1-2) that parallel the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, establishing Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah and Son of God . Luke's careful historical anchoring—referencing Caesar Augustus , Quirinius , and other figures—underscores the theologi...

  Scripture: 1 John 5:13 (NIV)   I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.   Devotion:    This verse is a powerful reminder that our faith in Jesus Christ is not just a hope, but a guarantee—an unshakable promise from God Himself. The apostle John wrote these words to strengthen the confidence of early Christians and to encourage them to stand firm in their faith, even in times of uncertainty and doubt.   When life feels unpredictable or burdens seem heavy, it is easy to question our standing with God or wonder if we are truly saved. John addresses this very human tendency by reassuring us that belief in Jesus Christ is the only requirement for eternal life.  It’s  not about our performance, our perfection, or our ability to measure up;  it’s  about trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. The knowledge that we have eternal life is meant to be a sou...

  Scripture: Luke 10:21-22 (NIV)   At that time, Jesus , full of joy through the Holy Spirit , said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth , because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my  Father . No one knows who the  Son  is except the  Father , and no one knows who the  Father  is except the  Son  and those to whom the  Son  chooses to reveal him.”   Devotion:   I n Luke 10:21-22, we find a rare glimpse into the emotional life of Jesus—He  is described as being  “full of joy through the Holy Spirit.” This joy wells up as He praises His Father for the mysterious, gracious way God reveals truth. Jesus rejoices not because of worldly success or recognition, but because God’s revelation is not limited by human wisdom or intellectual achievement. ...