Loving Jesus Style

The book of Acts , authored by Luke as the sequel to his Gospel, chronicles the explosive growth of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome through the power of the Holy Spirit . This historical and theological narrative demonstrates how the resurrected and ascended Christ continues His work through His apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, as the gospel spreads "to the end of the earth" (1:8). Acts reveals God's sovereignty in building His church and fulfilling His promise to include Gentiles in the people of God. The Foundation: Pentecost and the Jerusalem Church Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles waited in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. At Pentecost (chapter 2), the Spirit descends with power, enabling the disciples to proclaim the gospel in various languages—a reversal of Babel's judgment and a sign of the gospel's universal scope. Peter's sermon demonstrates that Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecy...

Scripture: John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth . Devotion John 1:14 is one of the most breathtaking sentences in all of Scripture. In a single verse, the apostle John gathers the mystery of the Incarnation into a truth so simple a child can repeat it, yet so deep the church has marveled at it for centuries: God became human and lived among us . The eternal Word—the One who spoke creation into being, who existed before time, who is light and life—did not remain distant. He stepped into our world with all its beauty and all its brokenness. He took on flesh, not as a disguise, but as a real human life. He entered our story from the inside. John says He “dwelt among us,” a phrase that literally means “He pitched His tent with us.” It echoes the Old Testament tabernacle, where God’s presence rested among His people in the wilderness. ...

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses , let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus , the pioneer and perfecter of faith . For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Devotion: Hebrews 12:1–3 gives us one of the most vivid pictures of the Christian life in all of Scripture. The writer imagines our journey of faith as a long-distance race—not a sprint, not a casual walk, but a steady, determined run that requires endurance. And right from the start, we are reminded that we do not run alone. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses,” the saints who have gone before us, cheering us on with their lives of faith a...

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” — Jeremiah 29:7 ( NIV ) Devotion: Jeremiah 29:7 is one of the most surprising commands God ever gave His people. Israel was living in Babylon —far from home, surrounded by a culture that did not share their faith, their values, or their hopes. They longed for escape. They prayed for a quick return. Yet God’s word to them was not, “Hold your breath until this is over,” but rather, “Settle in. Plant gardens. Build homes. Raise families. And seek the good of the place where you are .” It is a call to faithful presence . God’s people were not to withdraw in resentment or despair. They were not to fight for dominance or retreat into isolation. Instead, they were to bless the very place that felt foreign and uncomfortable. They were to pray for it, work for its flourishing, and trust that God could use them—even there—to shine His lig...

Scripture: Psalm 116:7 ( NIV ) Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Devotion: Life often feels like a constant race—pressures, deadlines, and unexpected challenges can leave our hearts restless. In this verse, the psalmist speaks to their own soul, commanding it to return to rest. Why? Because God has been good. Rest isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. True rest comes when we remember God’s faithfulness. The psalmist had faced trouble and sorrow, yet they pause to reflect: The Lord delivered me. He heard my cry. He showed mercy. Gratitude becomes the doorway to peace. When anxiety rises, speak to your soul as the psalmist did. Remind yourself of God’s goodness—answered prayers, protection, and grace in hard times. Rest is not found in circumstances but in trust . The same God who carried you before will carry you now. Today, take a moment to breathe and give thanks to Him. Let your soul settle in the truth that you are loved, cared for, a...

  The Gospel of John The Gospel of John stands apart from the Synoptic Gospels as a profound theological meditation on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Written by the apostle John , likely in the final decade of the first century, this Gospel presents Jesus as the eternal Word of God who became flesh to reveal the Father and offer eternal life to all who believe. Prologue: The Word Made Flesh (1:1-18) John begins not with a genealogy or birth narrative but with a cosmic prologue that declares Christ's eternal pre-existence and deity. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (1:1). This Logos , through whom all things were created, became flesh and dwelt among us. The prologue establishes the Gospel's central theme: Jesus is God incarnate, bringing light into darkness, grace and truth to humanity. The Book of Signs (1:19-12:50) The first major section presents seven miraculous signs demonstrating Jesus's divine...