Loving Jesus Style

3  if the foundations are destroyed , what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3             Perhaps at no other time in the history of the United States of America have we lived in a time when we needed this word from God more than right now. We live in a time where the wheels of justice turn so slowly. Whether it is in the inner cities where we see a police officer or two take the law into their own hands, or when we see rioters burning buildings and tearing down statues and monuments seemingly at random. We are living in dark times. Our leaders are seemingly not up to the task of restoring law and order on the streets of some of our largest cities.             All while our country is facing a pandemic that is killing off our neighbors at an astonishing rate. Endangering our neighbors and ourselves with its deadly effects. It seems to pass quickly through the population. Many of whom are ignoring the guidelines set out by our government to help us stay safe. These folks belie

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20              16  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  17  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  [1] Devotion             I have been convicted in my sprit by this verse and the Holy Spirit. When I was much younger, I memorized this piece of scripture. But I now confess to you all that I have not lived it out. While there is nothing wrong with memorizing scripture. In fact, it is highly recommended. We must take an additional step of doing what the scripture requires of us.             To see how this might look to God, let us se

Turn the other cheek Matthew 5:38-42 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39  But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [1] Devotion             In the times which we find ourselves, following Jesus command to turn the other cheek is extremely difficult. For example, how is it possible to turn the other cheek when someone is looting your store or worse yet burning it down. Should not one defend one’s own property.             However, the commands of the sermon on the mount are difficult to follow during the best of times. And these are definitely not the best of times. Jesus, however, is not interested in

The Assembling Ourselves In A Covid-19 World Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 24  And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. [1]             For a number of weeks now we have been meeting via Facebook instead of in person for worship. While we can do the externals of worship i.e.. singing, praying, and preaching. There is still something missing. All the externals are present, but the internals of worship are missing. And indeed, will remain missing until we meet in person again. Now I realize that meeting is impossible, to assure everyone safely and that we don’t spread this virus from spreading because of our worship together.             This is not the first time in our nations history that churches have closed down due to a pandemic. In the pandemic of 1918 through 1919 houses of worship were closed. Not having