Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Devotion: Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, victories and setbacks. In Philippians 3:12-14, the apostle Paul gives us a powerful reminder: none of us has fully arrived yet. Despite all of his accomplishments, Paul admits he is still a work in progress, just like us. He writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this... but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Paul’s humility is striking. He doesn’t dwell on his past or become complacent; instead, he is determined to keep moving fo...

  Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:18-7:1 (NIV) And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Devotion: Reflection In these verses, Paul reminds us of the intimate relationship God offers: He calls Himself our Father and promises to call us His sons and daughters. This is not just a distant or formal relationship, but an invitation into God’s family. When we grasp the depth of these promises—that the Creator of all is our loving Father—it changes how we live. Out of gratitude, respect, and awe, we are called to respond by purifying ourselves from anything that contaminates or distracts us from Him. Purity is not about achieving perfection through our own strength, but about aligning our hearts and actions with God’s holiness. The call to "perfect holin...

  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. Devotion: These words from the apostle Paul are both a challenge and a comfort to those seeking to follow Christ. In his closing instructions to the church in Corinth, Paul compacts a lifetime of wisdom into just a few verses, calling his readers to vigilance, strength, courage, and above all, love. “Be on your guard”—Paul knows that faith is often tested. We face distractions, doubts, and temptations every day. To “be on your guard” means to be spiritually awake, attentive to the ways God is working and to the subtle pulls away from Him. It’s a call to live intentionally, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. “Stand firm in the faith”—Stability in faith doesn’t mean we never have questions or struggles. Instead, it means that when storms come, we root ourselves in God’s promises, trusting Him to ...

A Journey Through Suffering and Faith The Book of Job is one of the deepest and poetic books in the Bible, examining themes of suffering, faith, and divine justice. It is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament and is often seen as a significant theological exploration of the human condition. The Context and Setting The story starts by introducing Job, a wealthy and honest man from the land of Uz. Job is described as a man who is "blameless and upright," fearing God and avoiding evil. He has a large family, plenty of wealth, and good health. But, the peace in Job’s life changes drastically when a heavenly council meets, and Satan—the adversary—challenges Job's sincerity, claiming that Job’s faithfulness is only because of his prosperity. The Test of Faith God allows Satan to test Job's faith, first by taking away his wealth, children, and possessions quickly, and then by afflicting him with painful sores. Despite his great suffering, Job refuses...

  Love and Faith Scripture (NIV) Philemon   3-7 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Devotion Paul’s brief opening greeting pulses with the heartbeat of the gospel: grace and peace flow to us from the triune God. That isn’t mere formality—it’s the very promise of our new identity in Christ. We live under divine favor (grace) and in restored harmony (peace) with God and one another. Verse 4 unveils Paul’s devotional rhythm: thanksgiving in prayer. He doesn’t pray out of obligation, but out of delight. When we pa...

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV) And God placed all things under his[Christ’s] feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Devotion Paul concludes his grand opening praise in Ephesians by defining the church in cosmic terms: it is the body of Christ, embodying the very completeness of the One who sustains all things. In calling the church “his body,” Paul reminds us that every believer is organically joined to Jesus, sharing in his life, his mission, and his ongoing work of renewal. This metaphor carries three profound truths. First, Christ is the head—he directs, heals, and equips. As branches receive life and fruitfulness from the vine (John 15:5), so the body thrives when it remains connected to Jesus. Second, the church is not a loose network of individuals but a living organism. Each member matters, whether visible or hidden, celebrated or unnoticed. Your gifts, prayers, and ...