Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV) You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4      Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.               In today’s scripture Isaiah is showing what is necessary to live and have peace of mind. These words are full of comfort and the tender compassion of our God. God knows that in this world our minds will be distracted and drawn away from full contemplation on God. The enemy of our souls has done a masterful job organizing modern life to be full of shiny objects that capture our attention. Our screens, particularly our phones, often draw us in and set our minds on the latest news or gossip.               Living a life centered on Christ is becoming more and more difficult each day. The news of the day seems so urgent. We have shooting at a school, the first ever indictment of a former President of the United States, and the hundreds of stories of local interest

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV) 16  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Devotion:             The older I get the sicker I become. This is true of my friends as well. Time is not kind to our bodies. No matter how well we take care of them they just seem to wear out. We waste away as Paul puts it in the scripture above. I hope that I am not sounding overly pessimistic here. However, it is a simple fact of biology that no one lives forever. Even my 102-year-old aunt who it seemed might live forever. Is at last succumbing to the deterioration of her body.             But Paul points out in this passage that our inward being is

Scripture: James 1:12 (NIV) 12  Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Devotion:             All over the world people are being put through various trials because of their faith in Jesus Christ. James begins his letter with words of encouragement to these suffering saints. Here he promises the crown of life to those who go through trials for Jesus’s sake and come out the other side with their faith in Jesus intact.             We in the U.S.A. have been very fortunate that for the most part persecution for our faith has been relatively rare and few have had to resist to the point of giving their lives for their faith in Christ. There are still many countries in the world where to be openly Christian can bring imprisonment or even death.             However, being open about your faith in this country is becoming more dangerous by the day it se

  Scripture: Romans 12:14-21 (NRSV) 14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17  Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18  If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Devotion:             Here in Romans chapter twelve, we run across a series of instructions on how to live the Christian life. They are not as random as they appear a

  Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV) 8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and he God of peace will be with you. Devotion:             As Paul is wrapping up his letter to the church at Philippi he lays before them some very practical words of advice. Paul’s words echo down the centuries as they speak to us today as words of encouragement and advice. Perhaps his words are needed now more than ever before. In our time we have so many different and downright dangerous patterns of thought competing for our attention in this culture it is hard to imagine a worse time in which to live.             First, Paul instructs his readers to think about things that are true. No concept has undergone such a vi

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20 (NRSV) 15  Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16  making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17  So do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18  Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19  as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20  giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Devotion:             In the above scripture we see the apostle Paul instructing the believers at Ephesus to take care that their manner of life conforms to the gospel. The Ephesians are not to live as unwise people but as wise. They are to live according to the wisdom that God himself provides, so that they will live in a way that pleases God. The people are to be connected to the source of all wisdom. That they may walk in wisdom as a

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) 22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Devotion:             In these words, Paul is telling the Ephesians that they must get rid of their old sinful nature because it will profit them nothing as they embark on their Christian life. Today we are faced with a similar issue. We as individuals and churches have accumulated many ways of acting in the world that are not pleasing to God. Yet we accept these things without question and live according to them. We lust after the pleasures in this world system and think we deserve to do and practice these things. Without considering if they are beneficial to our walk with Christ.             The cure for our sinful inclinations is provided in today’s scripture. We are to become aware of the ways

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Devotion:             These words of the prophet Jeremiah are often quoted but seldom understood in their context. They were written to a people recently exiled to Babylon. These exiles would have wondered what was to become of them. They had been sent to live in a strange land where they did not know the culture or the language of their captors. Some might have thought that the God they thought they knew who had promised their ancestors many wonderful promises had abandoned them.             The Lord sends his words through the prophet to this dejected and depressed people. It is a word of hope and promise. The Lord speaks to the people telling them to seek the welfare of the land in which they find themselves. He declares that they are to take heart and believe that what seems to be a terrible defeat will one day be tur

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12 (NLT) 12  “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Devotion:             Sometimes we make Christianity too complicated. In this verse, Moses instructs the people of Israel in the simple (yet difficult to do) way to please God. To walk in the ways of our God we must walk in the way of love. Our love must be a love of total devotion seeking to bring glory to the name of our God. This is where our fallen human nature gives us problems. As the apostle Paul would write centuries later, “ 15  I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15 ESV)             We can all echo Paul’s sentiment. All of us have failed at loving God. Loving others consistently is a difficult assignment. We fail miserably at Jesus’ command

Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV) 25     Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26     My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Devotion:             The scripture I have chosen for today helps us get our priorities straight. Our culture today places too much emphasis on our present circumstances. The culture assumes that God does not exist, therefore, we must grab all the enjoyment we can today. The psalmist paints a different picture. His writing declares that God not only exists, but He is the most important thing in this life and the next.             This brief passage from a much longer psalm has much to teach us in our 21 st  century world. So often we fall short of being as devoted to God and the things of God and we suffer for it. We as Christians should live as God’s beloved children upon this earth. We must live with our eyes fixed not on how much or many material blessings we c

Scripture: Romans 12:9-13 (NLT) 9  Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  10  Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.  11  Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  12  Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.  13  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Devotion:             In this passage, Paul gives thirteen exhortations to the church at Corinth. I suppose it is possible that an interpreter could make them into thirteen full length sermons pretty easily. However, that is not my desire here. I want to simply examine these sayings, individually and together to give us the big idea that Paul is trying to convey to us as modern readers of this letter.             Our passage begins with the statement that our love for others must be real. Who, in this context, is Paul spea

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24 (ESV) 24  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Devotion:             The writer of Hebrews is giving some practical advice in this brief teaching. It is meant to direct us in the way of mutual love and goodness. During my lifetime of church attendance, I can say that I have been stirred up to love and good deeds by my fellow worshipers only very seldom. And worse yet I can think of very few times I have been willing and able to stir up others.             Yet, this teaching is one that we should be practicing within the church more and more. The culture around us is very draining on one who tries to live for the Lord. There are more things that stir us up to anger or apathy than to love and good works. If we are going to be encouraged in our walk with Christ, the encouragement is going to have to be from our fellow travelers on the pilgrimage to heaven.             We are advised, in these verses, to consider how we

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-2 (NLT) 1  “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! 2  Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Devotion:                   Here in Isaiah. we have an invitation to join God in his everlasting kingdom. A place where we can find refreshment and satisfaction of all our needs. These words are meant to be an encouragement to us on our journey through life. They are timeless words that speak to everyone in any age that comes across them. They promise good things to those people who are willing to listen to these words of promise from God.             What does the Lord promise to those willing to listen to him? The promise is of food and drink, not only for our bodies, but also for our souls. Anyone who eats the food that the world

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  7  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Devotion:             As we approach the midpoint of the Lenten season we begin to meditate on the death of Jesus Christ. There are many lessons we can draw from the death of our Savior in this season. Today’s scripture points to one of those lessons. In this passage, Paul directs our attention to the fact that we were not deserving of Jesus saving love for us, he died for us anyway. He saw us as worth any price because he created us. We are made in the image and likeness of God. However, broken and distorted by sin that image has become.             Paul goes on to state how unusual it is that someone would die for someone else. Indeed, such sacrifi

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5 (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5  and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Devotion:             This passage of scripture was written as an encouragement for the Roman church. That church faced many difficulties and persecutions from the government and society at large. Paul knew that if they tried to live without hope in the saving love of Jesus, they would never make it. He knew that human beings cannot survive long without a source of hope. It is still true that today we desperately need hope

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  4  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. Devotion:             Paul, with these words introduces us to another amazing attribute of our God. Paul begins following a Hebrew formula of praise to God. (See Exod. 18:10; Ruth 4:14; 1 Kgs 1:48; Pss. 28:6; 41:13) He is extending an offering of praise for our God. This serves as an introduction to the entire letter. Paul offers the Corinthian believers an optimistic view of their relationship with God and himself. Here he sets the tone for this epistle. He introduces God as a God of compassion and comfort.             Paul then expands on the theme of God being a God of comfort for his first century readers and by extension us. We should rejoice in the fact that our God is a God of comfort and encourageme

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 (NRSV) 6  And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Devotion:             The writer of Hebrews in this verse seeks to alert his readers to something that might seem obvious at first glance. Of course, believing in God is necessary to please him. How many of us, only seem to have faith in Jesus though? If our faith were truly tested how many of us could stand up to the testing? May we this day consider ourselves deeply and make a firm commitment to follow Jesus no matter the cost to family, job, or even to life itself.             We think of those in the Bible who were commended for their faith. In the passage that this quote is taken from we consider four shining examples of faith. These were given as examples of the kind of faith that God would like to see in us. Our list begins with Abel who by faith offered an acceptable sacrifice to God. The

Philippians 4:5b-7 (NRSV) The Lord is near.  6  Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Devotion:             Paul, here is offering a list of commands he wants to impress upon his readers. He begins by the affirmation the God is near to us. How great a comfort we can find in these four little words. If we really believe that God is near to us, then we can do everything with confidence that the promise we heard at Christmas of Immanuel (God with us) is really true in our day to day lives regardless of the season of life we are currently experiencing. Living as if God is present with us always calms our fears and eases our anxiety.             This leads us to the command to “not worry.” O how difficult we find it is to do this command of the Lord. It is very much human nature to wo