Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV) 9  “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come Devotion:                     In this passage Luke has Jesus preparing his disciples for the persecutions that must surely come after Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus wants to both warn them (and us) of the dangers they will face for the sake of the gospel. While it is true that these words were addressed directly to the 12 Apostles there are plenty of lessons that 21 st century followers can take from thes

  Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11 (ESV) For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Devotion:             In this scripture, Paul is expressing his desire to be found worthy of attaining the resurrection with Christ. In the verses prior to these Paul has been reciting all his “religious” qualifications for gaining entrance into heaven. And he gives quite a list of them. However, Paul knows that none of those things will gain his desired resurrection with Christ.             What are we clinging to in hopes of being qualified for the resurre

  Scripture: Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 20  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me Devotion:             In this scripture we find Paul telling us that he has been crucified with Christ. This is puzzling to us today. Paul obviously has not literally be crucified. He is standing here making this declaration. What does this saying mean? The rest of the verse gives us some evidence about which Paul is talking about.             Paul is referring to his death to the sin nature as the author of the New American commentary says :” Elsewhere Paul used the expression “to die to” not only with reference to the law but also in relation to the self, sin, and the world. 19 2 In each of these cases Paul meant that his relationship to these entities—self, sin, world, law—had been so decisively altered by his union with Christ that they

  Scripture: Romans 6:5-11 (ESV) 5  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6  We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7  For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8  Now if we have died with Christ; we believe that we will also live with him. 9  We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Devotion:             The Apostle Paul in today’s scripture repeats the main idea several times. He does not want the reader to miss a particularly important fact of the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. The simple fact that Chris

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV) 5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Devotion:             Jesus being God in human flesh did some extraordinary things while he walked on this earth. He showed himself to be God in the flesh with many signs and wonders. His many types of healings were proof that Jesus was no ordinary human being. His signs of power in casting out

Scripture: John 3:16-17 (ESV) 16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Devotion:             Today we consider the best-known words in the entire New Testament. It is important to pay attention to what these words say because they are so familiar that they lose their meaning. I guess the old cliche applies here “familiarity breeds contempt.” So just what do these words mean to the modern reader that has not already been said by others?             First it is important to emphasize what they do not mean. They are not a license to run wild and do whatever we please because God in his infinite grace has already provided a way of salvation. They are not saying that we should eat, drink, and be merry, for when we die God will forgive us based on Jesus' life, death,

  Revelation 7:9-12 (ESV) 9  After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10  and crying out with a loud voice, salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11  And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12  saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.             Today we look with awe at the great crowd of the saved people in heaven. I have been writing about the resurrection. I thought it wise to examine the fruit of our resurrection at the end of time. This is the time when a great crowed of every nation, tongue, and tribe will gather to praise

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (ESV) 16  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Devotion:             We consider today how we become new creations in Christ. It is important to our daily walk with Christ that we get this right. A mistake here can lead to deadly eternal consequences. So, we must pay careful attention to what Paul is saying here in 2 Corinthians.             Paul is describing here how we are to view our fellow Christians now that we have been washed in the blood of Jesus saving power. We must no longer view fellow believers as fleshly creatures, but as new creations empowered by the Holy Spirit, Just as we regard Jesus himself no longer as flesh and blood. Even though Jesus and our fellow believers still appear to be flesh and blood

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (ESV) 16  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Devotion:             We consider today how we become new creations in Christ. It is important to our daily walk with Christ that we get this right. A mistake here can lead to deadly eternal consequences. So, we must pay careful attention to what Paul is saying here in 2 Corinthians.             Paul is describing here how we are to view our fellow Christians now that we have been washed in the blood of Jesus saving power. We must no longer view fellow believers as fleshly creatures, but as new creations empowered by the Holy Spirit, Just as we regard Jesus himself no longer as flesh and blood. Even though Jesus and our fellow believers still appear to be flesh and blood

  Scripture: John 6:38-40 (ESV) 38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day. 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” Devotion:             We have considered the wonderful truth that Jesus was raised and lives forever to be our advocate with God the Father. However, we must not forget the resurrection God has promised us mere mortals. Jesus in this brief passage promises us that we will be raised like him on the “last day” This is God’s will for us, and it is irrevocable. We have not only been saved for this life but also for the life to come. It is God’s will that we are to be raised with Jesus. All believers throughout history have received this promise.             There is n

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31, 33 (ESV) 31 “ Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah . . . 33  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.   Devotion:             The following is from my morning devotional: “They have taken the Lord out of his tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him,” Mary Magdalene said, and we can say this with her in times of doubt and questioning. Then there’s that last glorious chapter of Saint Luke, where Jesus says, “Why are you so perturbed? Why do questions arise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself. Touch me and see.” Yes, sometimes it is most surely an exercise of faith for us to see Christ, especially in each other. But it is through such exercise t

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (ESV) 13  Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14  knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. Devotion:             This scripture contains a wonderful promise for those who believe in Jesus. Paul first quotes Psalm 116:10 which he restates from a believers point of view. This gives everyone who believes a basis for speaking that which they have heard about the Lord. Because we can be certain of the resurrection, we have boldness to declare that the dead will be raised to new life with Christ.             Talking about Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection with those who do not yet believe in him should be second nature for those of us who are called Christians. What we have heard and read about Jesus should encourage us to share the wonderful, good news about our s

  Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV) 20  Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Devotion:             We continue our look at the resurrection of Jesus today with a prayer of blessing from the author of Hebrews. The prayer starts out by calling on God as the “God of peace”. Here the writer is urging us to see God as a God who works peace between nations of the world and between all people. We see that there is a clear lack of peace in the world today. War both between nations and between competing world views are ever present in our news reports. This is happening because the world has rejected our wonderful God of peace and turned to idols instead.             This same God of peace has done the ultim

  Scripture: Acts 13:28-33 (ESV) 28  And though they found in him [Jesus] no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29  And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30  But God raised him from the dead, 31  and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, w ho are now his witnesses to the people. 32  And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus. Devotion:             In this scripture we find in brief form the Gospel message. Luke is the author of these words that Paul spoke to Jewish listeners in the Synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. In these words, Paul is outlining what was done to Jesus by the people when he was crucified in Jerusalem, and what God did just three days later by raising Jesus from the dead. Paul also gives us information that is not include

  Scripture: Acts 2:22-24 (ESV) 22  “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24  God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Devotion:             In todays meditation on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and its meaning in the 21 st century we find an early recitation of the gospel. Luke, the author, uses the voice of Pater to begin setting forth the truth of Jesus’ life on this earth. He tells of the miracles, signs, and wonders Jesus performed and which the original hearers of Peter’s words would have been familiar. This indicates to us that the name and actions of Jesus were well known among the people in the weeks following

 Lord Jesus Christ, Make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love. Where there is injury, let us offer pardon. Where there is discord, let us build peace. Oh Divine Lord, you taught us that those who work for peace are called the children of God. Help us to persist in establishing justice and truth as firm and lasting foundations of peace. Lord, you offer us peace as a gift and peace as a responsibility that we must realize with your help. Give us the grace to reach for peace, to have attitudes of peace, that our words may be of peace, and that our works be works of peace. Then, may we build the peace that we and our nations need. Amen

  Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Devotion:             Today’s scripture encourages us in our daily walk with Christ. Paul proclaims that our new life in Jesus has already begun in some sense. Therefore, we are to seek the things that are from heaven since we have already won the victory over sin and death. This is true whether we feel particularly victorious or not. We are called to be seekers after Christ. We must receive from him the ultimate prize a new life with Christ in heaven.             This scripture reinforces the truth we must confess. That Christ has been raised from the dead and is in heaven waiting for us to ar

  Scripture: Romans 10:8-9 (ESV) The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Devotion:             In this scripture we have a most wonderful promise of God. It gives us assurance of our salvation. If we but confess Jesus is Lord with our lips and believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we are saved. There is no confusion in these words. We can trust in them. We must rely on them because they contain the promise of our salvation.             You may wonder why this passage does not mention Jesus death on the cross. Surely the crucifixion is important to our salvation. Indeed, it is important because it was necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. However, if Jesus is not raised from the dead then the crucifixion of Jesus is just a sad event in history, and we are st

  Scripture: Romans 6:8-11 (ESV) 8  Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9  We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Devotion:             In today’s scripture we find Paul writing about dying with Christ that we may live in him. At first this is hard to grasp with our minds. But we must wrestle with this saying until we get the idea that we cannot truly live for Christ unless we have first died to our old self.             This is what Christ talked to Nicodemus about in John chapter 3. One cannot be born again unless one dies to one’s self first. Each of us has a sin nature that must be put to death in order to really follow after Jesus. We can look at Jesus’ death and resurrection as a p

  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 (ESV) 54  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:                           “Death is swallowed up in victory.”             55           “O death, where is your victory?                            O death, where is your sting?” 56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain.   Devotion:             Today, as we think about the resurrection, I want to focus on what Christ’s resurrection gives to us mere mortals. We cannot imagine, I think, just what our new life in Christ will look like. We are too earth bound and sin oppressed to really know the glory that will be ours once we have been cha