Loving Jesus Style

  Dwelling in the Shadow of the Almighty "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler , and from the noisome pestilence . He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:1-4, KJV) The Secret Place of Divine Dwelling The opening verse of this beloved psalm presents us with a profound spiritual reality: there exists a "secret place" of intimacy with God Most High, and those who dwell there discover what it means to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This is not casual acquaintance with God, but dwelling—a word that speaks of permanence, habitation, and settled residence in the divine presence. The psalmist employs two magnificent names for God here: "the most High" ( Ely...

Scripture : Colossians 2:8 (NIV) See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Devotion: In Colossians 2:8, the Apostle Paul issues a direct warning to believers, urging them to remain vigilant against teachings and ideologies contrary to the gospel of Christ . He says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” This verse is as relevant today as it was in Paul’s time, reminding us of the subtle and often enticing philosophies that can pull us away from the truth found in Jesus . The world is full of ideas and perspectives—some ancient, some modern—that promise wisdom, fulfillment, or enlightenment. Many of these philosophies are built upon human traditions, cultural norms , or spiritual concep...

  Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Devotion: Life is filled with challenges that often leave us feeling weary and stretched thin. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, reminds us that while our physical bodies may succumb to pressures, aging, or illness, our inner selves can experience renewal and strength each day through God's Spirit . This passage speaks directly to those moments when the weight of our troubles seems almost unbearable. Paul calls these hardships "light and momentary," not to diminish our pain, but to shift our focus to a greater reality—one that endures far beyond what we see or feel toda...

  Scripture 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Devotion: Life in today’s world is filled with overwhelming demands, constant changes, and uncertainties about the future. We often find ourselves weighed down by anxiety—whether it’s worrying about our families, our jobs, our health, or the state of the world. Amid these pressures, 1 Peter 5:7 offers us a powerful invitation and a gentle reassurance: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” These simple words remind us that God does not intend for us to carry our burdens alone. Instead, He invites us to hand them over to Him, trusting in His deep, personal care for each one of us. The imagery of “casting” is striking. It’s not a tentative hand-off; it’s an act of surrender, like throwing something heavy onto strong shoulders. God doesn’t just tolerate our worries—He welcomes them. He wants us to be honest about the anxieties that keep us up at night or distract...

An Overview of the Message, Themes, and Structure Introduction The Book of Micah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament , attributed to the prophet Micah of Moresheth . Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (approximately 8th century BCE), a period marked by political turmoil and social injustice in both Israel and Judah . The book comprises seven chapters and presents a compelling message of judgment, hope, and restoration, balancing warnings against sin with promises of redemption. Historical Context Micah’s ministry took place during a time of national crisis. The northern kingdom of Israel faced imminent destruction at the hands of the Assyrians, while Judah was threatened both externally and internally. Social inequalities, corruption among leaders, and neglect of the covenant were rampant. Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah , spoke into this context, addressing both Samaria (Israel’s capital) and Jerusalem (J...

  Romans 12:3-6 (NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Devotion: Romans 12:3-6a reminds us of the beautiful diversity within the body of Christ and calls us to humility and unity as we use the gifts God has given each of us. Paul encourages the Roman believers—and us today—to resist the temptation to think too highly of ourselves. Instead, we are urged to view ourselves with “sober judgment,” understanding that our abilities, talents, and spiritual gifts are not of our own making, but are graciously distributed by God for the goo...