Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: John 10:9-10 (ESV) .   9  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Devotion:             There are many books, internet videos, and even television preachers who promise to unlock the secrets to the abundant life. They insist that we are all destined for a materially rich life with no more worries about money or other material comforts. They cannot all be right. In fact, their claims are sometime contradictory and quite often unbelievable. So, how does one really have an abundant life? First, we need to determine what we mean when we say abundant life. The meaning of the Greek word for abundant here has two senses. First materially and second spiritually abundant. How can we determine which sense is meant here? Or are both senses in view here.             My answer is that both senses are in view. First, the s

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) 10  I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought Devotion:             In our culture and also in our churches this is a time of great division. People just do appear to have either the interest or intent to agree on just about anything. This is not a new phenomenon; this is the very problem that Paul is addressing in the Corinthian church way back in the first century. The things we divide over have changed, but the basic fact that people seemingly cannot get along remains the same. While we can understand perhaps the culture devolving into a mass of disagreements it should not be so in the church of Jesus Christ.             As a church we are called to unity. Jesus in his prayer for the disciples in the upper room in the gospel of John chapter 17 calls his first discip

Scripture: Jerimiah 17:7-8 (NIV) 7  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”   Devotion:                         Today’s scripture begins with a declaration of blessing. The one blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord. The Hebrew for trust is batach. It means to rely on, or rest in. It should encourage us to be dependent on the Lord for all our needs. These verses show a contrast to the verses just preceding them in which those who do not trust in the Lord are seen as being like a desert shrub attempting to eek out an existence without access to life giving water.                         As believers in the Lord, we are to know the life-giving presence of the Lord in every season of life. We can depend on God to supply all our

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV) 18  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  19  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  20  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms  21  far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  22  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,  23  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Devotion:             Let us consider these words of encouragement from the Apostle Paul. First of all, notice that this is a prayer. Actually, it is a selection from a larger prayer that if you have time you can look up and read. In this

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV) 13  Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming .   14  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance  15  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  16  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Devotion:             This scripture passage begins with the word “therefore” this word ties the coming verses to all that has preceded it in this chapter of Peter’s letter. Peter has been telling us of the great salvation we, as Christians, have when Jesus returns at the last day. Peter is going to give us some commands about how we are to live our lives in the verses to come.             First, Peter tells us how we are to mentally prepare for living. We are to have our minds sober which means more than just not drunk. It refers to a mind that is actively seeking after God’s will. Aw

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-12 (NIV) 10  Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you searched intently and with the greatest care  11  trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.  12  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. Devotion:             Peter here is addressing his original audience and us to help us to remember that the salvation we have been provided in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is a very great gift. He begins to explain that all the people in the Old Testament times sought to know how and when the savior would appear. The Greek verbs for searched and greatest in verse ten b

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV) 6  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,  7  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  8  Though you have not seen him, you love him. though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,  9  obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Devotion:             Today, we come to Peter’s explanation for trials in the life of the Christian, and what is the proper reaction to trials on the part of the believer. Peter begins by saying that the Christians should be rejoicing in their trials. He explains that these trials are needed in order to prove their faith genuine. All of verses six and seven are one long complex sentence. The various parts of this sente

  Our Great Hope 1 Peter 1: 3-5 (KJV) 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Devotion:             Today we begin to look at the letters of Peter. The letter opens with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. Peter gives us a wonderful statement of the power of God. God not only provides for our needs right now he can be trusted to keep us even until the end of time. Peter uses very intense wording here at the beginning of his letter. The letter was written to believers in the area today that is the modern-day nation of Turkey.             In addition to thanksgiving, this letter fr

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) 15  He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  16  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  17  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  18  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  19  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  20  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Devotion:             Those of us who call ourselves Christians often take Jesus for granted. We may sometimes mouth words of thanksgiving for the gift of salvation. Seldom do we spend time meditating on just how wonderful a gift Jesus was to us, and indeed the entire world both believers and non-be

Scripture: John 14:15-17 (NRSV) 15  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.  17  This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. Devotion:             Today we are going to take a look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. I have written nearly 500 blog posts and never mentioned the Holy Spirit. It is past time to remedy that situation. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians is the subject of much debate in the church from its earliest years until now. What follows is my interpretation of the ministry and work of the Spirit in the lives of Christian people.             In today’s scripture, Jesus is promising to send the Spirit to be  in  the disciples after he ascends to the Father. Jesus claims that the Spirit has been 

Scripture: John 15:12-14 (NIV) 12  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14  You are my friends if you do what I command. Devotion:             Jesus is speaking in today’s scripture. He is giving his disciples their marching orders for a life without him personally being there to lead them. Jesus stresses love as the primary identity for a disciple. They and by extension us are told repeatedly in the gospels and letters that we are to love one another. It is repeated over and over again. The only reason I can think of for this constant repetition is that it must be of primary importance to Jesus that we love one another.             Therefore, we should not let repetition dull our senses. Instead let us concentrate more fully on what Jesus is insisting that we do for him and for each other. The word love only occurs 287 times in the New Testament alone. There must be something

Scripture: James 4:1-3 (NIV) What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?  2  You desire but do not have, so you kill You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.  3  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Devotion:             Our world today is remarkable for the amount of quarreling and fighting that goes on in it. People everywhere are caught up in battle. The experts say we are in a “culture war” with no end in sight. When we read today’s scripture passage from James, we realize that perhaps ours is not such a unique situation. The world in James’ day seems to have been marred by the same issues we experience today. The people to whom James originally addressed this letter appear to have been just as self-centered as the people of today are. They were willing to fight and even

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10 (NIV) [S]uppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Devotion:             Today I am writing for those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus is looking for you. Just like the woman in the parable above Jesus is searching for you everywhere. For our Lord desires that none should be lost but that all should come to repentance and new life in Him. Stop and think of the privilege we have. That we humans should be sought out by the Creator of the Universe. Why does the Almighty seek us out? We may never know the full answer to that question this side of heaven, but we should be comforted that God considers us of inesti

  Dear Readers: I am leaving in a few hours to visit my son and daughter-in-law and James my first grandson. Therefore, there will be no devotionals until next week. May the God of peace bless you each day with his word. Pray for my trip if you would be so kind. Peace and blessings, John Haselton Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (ESV) 14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  15  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Devotion:             In this scripture we see Paul writing some very personal words of encouragement to his son in the faith, Timothy. While they were certainly words addressed to a particul

Scripture: Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Devotion:             Have you ever tried putting together furniture out of a box? Let me assure you that it is not for the faint of heart. The directions sometimes seem to be written in another language, but with perseverance and a little luck the project turns out like it is supposed to. I feel that way with my Christian walk sometimes. I wish God luck in putting me together. I have so many faults and defects. It feels at times like there are missing pieces that I can't possibly be complete without. God, however, knows what I need to be complete in him and is persistent in the task. Therefore, I can say with Paul that God will bring me to completion in his time.             God is like that with all his people though. Those who have put their trust in Jesus can be assured that they will be made whole and complete in the end

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT) 3  If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4  Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. Devotion:             Why does it seem that we have such a challenging time convincing people of the truth of the gospel message that we communicate? The Apostle Paul supplies us with a clear answer in today’s passage. Satan the enemy of God and God’s people is behind the fog which surrounds some people when it comes to hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. Our message is plain and simple; however, the devil likes to make it seem complicated and difficult to comprehend. Is there no hope of making any progress against Satan’s schemes?             The only remedy for this situation is prayer. We m