Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: Ephesians 2:20-22 (ESV) 20  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21  in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Devotion: What is a temple? In the ancient world, a temple was a sacred place where people worshiped a deity and experienced his or her presence. A temple was also a symbol of the deity's sovereignty and glory, as well as the identity and unity of the people who belonged to him or her. A temple was not just a building; it was a reflection of the relationship between God and his people. When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he uses the image of a temple to describe the church. He says that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, who proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. He says that Christ himself is the cornerstone...

Scripture: Ephesians 2:17-19 (ESV) 17  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18  For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Devotion:        Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like you don't belong or fit in anywhere? Maybe you have experienced rejection, discrimination, or isolation because of your race, culture, religion, or background. Maybe you have been hurt by people who were supposed to love you and accept you. Maybe you have wondered if God really cares about you and wants you to be part of his family. If so, you are not alone. Many people struggle with feelings of alienation and loneliness. But the good news is that God has a solution for this problem. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to preach peace to those who wer...

  Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-16 (ESV) 13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility  15  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,  16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility Devotion: Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like you don't belong or fit in? Like there is a wall between you and others that keeps you from enjoying true fellowship and friendship? If so, you are not alone. Many people struggle with feelings of alienation and isolation, especially in our modern world, where we are more connected online than offline. But the good news is that God has a solution for this problem. He has made a way for us to be...

  As I was poking around in the Haselton family history, I found the following: My grandfather determined that the Haselton family came over from Yorkshire, England, as members of a church pastored by Ezekiel Rogers. This was the year 1639, some 385 years ago. I found that the church Ezekiel founded still exists and is thriving. How is that possible? After all this time, I wondered how a church could be living for and serving Jesus. As I looked at their site for clues, I saw a full-page list of prayer concerns. It listed by name all the leaders of the nation, state, and local officials. What was listed last was the most revealing. It was a list of five petitions concerning the local church. Here they are: 1. That the church will have God's mission -to make disciples. 2, That the church will proclaim and live the absolute truth of the Bible 3. That the church will teach and live God's design for marriage and family. 4. That the church will reject ...

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-12 (ESV) 11  Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12  remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Devotion: One of the gospel's most profound transformations is that God, in his abundant grace, has united us in Christ. We, who were once distant, isolated, and without hope, have been brought close, reconciled, adopted, and given hope through God's grace and our faith in Jesus. This transformation is not just for us as individuals but also for us as a diverse community of believers from various backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and languages. Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians, who were mostly Gentiles, of their former condition before they knew Christ. They were called ...

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Devotion: One of the most profound aspects of the gospel is the stark contrast between grace and works. When we refer to 'works' in this context, we are talking about our human efforts to earn God's favor or salvation. These works are our futile attempts to impress God with our goodness or to meet his perfect standard. They can never save us, as we all fall short of God's perfect standard. In fact, works can even lead to pride and self-righteousness, making us believe we are superior to others or can boast before God. Yet, grace is not just a concept, it is a transformative force. It humbles us and exalts God, revealing our complete dependence ...

 A Devotional on Jeremiah 1:4-5 Have you ever found yourself pondering over your existence? Wondering about the purpose of your life in this vast world? Are you contemplating how you can make a meaningful difference? These questions often plague us, especially during times of uncertainty and hardship. But take heart, for God has a unique answer for each of us. He has a divine plan and a specific calling for your life. He knows you intimately and loves you deeply. He has chosen you for a special mission, just as He did for me. Rest assured, His plan is perfect, and His calling for you is sure. Jeremiah, a young man who lived in a time of great turmoil and trouble, faced challenges that may resonate with many of us. His nation, Judah, was under constant threat of invasion and destruction by the powerful Babylonian empire. Like many of us, Jeremiah felt inadequate and afraid to speak God's message to his people, especially in such a hostile and uncertain environment. But God rea...

Scripture: Romans 11:28-32 (NLT) 28  Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29  For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30  Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31  Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. 32  For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. Devotion: In this passage, Paul reveals a profound truth about God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. It's not just a historical account, but a living reality that directly impacts our lives today. He shows us how God's use of their disobedience and His mercy are not a distant concept, but a present-day truth we can experience. He reassures us that...

A Devotion on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice Always In his letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul issued a powerful command: 'Rejoice always' (1 Thessalonians 5:16). This is not a mere suggestion, but a directive that holds immense significance for our spiritual journey. The key to maintaining a constant state of joy, even in the face of trials, troubles, and temptations, lies in understanding that our joy is not contingent on our circumstances, but on our unchanging relationship with God. He is the wellspring of our joy, and His love, Salvation, strength, and eternal presence are our constant sources of rejoicing. No matter our challenges, we can find solace and joy in the Lord, our unfailing hope and help. Pray Continually Paul's instruction, 'Pray continually' (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “It is not in the moving of the lips, but in the elevation of the heart to God, that the essence of prayer consists’ (Lightfoo t ), and it is this that enables us t...

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:34 (ESV) 34  And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord ,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord . For I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.” Devotion The devotion to this awe-inspiring scripture, Jeremiah 31:34, profoundly reflects the transformative and awe-inspiring nature of God's love and forgiveness. It's an invitation for each of us to internalize God's word, allowing it to guide us not out of obligation but out of a deep, personal connection with the Divine. This new covenant is not just a contract; it's a relationship that changes us from the inside out.   In a world often overwhelmed by rules and regulations, Jeremiah 31:34 offers a different perspective. It suggests that the most enduring change comes not from external pressures but from an internal realization and acceptance of God's love and command...

Scripture: Deuteronomy  31:6  Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Devotion Deuteronomy 31:6 is one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible. It says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you." Moses spoke this verse to the Israelites before they entered the promised land, a time of great uncertainty and fear. They were about to face powerful nations and armies that seemed unbeatable. But Moses wanted them to trust God's presence and power, even when facing such formidable enemies and challenges. He also wanted them to find comfort in God's unchanging faithfulness and love, even when they felt alone and afraid. This verse is also relevant to us today. We may not face the same enemies and challenges as the Israelites, but we must still be strong ...

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) 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.” Devotion:  In the concluding words of the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter the Great Commission, a timeless directive that has propelled the church forward through the ages. Matthew 28:18-20 encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, a profound call to action that resonates with every believer’s heart and forms a crucial part of our faith journey.  Jesus begins by declaring, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This assertion of supreme authority sets the stage for the mission He is about to impart. It reminds us that the one who commands us is the sovereign ruler over all cr...

  Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV) 3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Devotion:                 These verses, like a soothing ointment, heal the weariness of our spirits and illuminate the path of hope for our grieving hearts. They speak directly to our present, a time when the fractures of our fallen world are yet to be healed, when the distance that sin has placed between our Creator and us is still a chasm. Envision, with eager anticipation, a world unmarred by sorrow, untouched by loss. Picture a reality where the sting of death is but a dis...

 Scripture: John 14:27 (ESV) : “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (ESV)   In this verse, Jesus speaks directly to His disciples during the Last Supper. He knows that soon He will face betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Yet, amidst these impending trials, He offers them a profound and transformative gift: peace. This peace is not just for His disciples, but for each one of us, a personal and intimate gift from our Savior.   The peace that Jesus bestows is not a fleeting or superficial offering. It transcends the peace that the world can provide, as it is not limited by time or circumstance. The peace of Christ is more than a mere facade of tranquility, more than a warm smile and a firm handshake on a Sunday morning. It's like a calm sea that remains undisturbed even in the midst of a storm. Once you have this peace, it becomes an inte...

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15 (ESV) 13  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. Devotion:  The Apostle John writes with a pastoral heart in his first epistle, particularly in the concluding affirmations of chapter 5. Verses 13 to 15 serve as a beacon of assurance, illuminating the path of every believer with the promise of eternal life and the confidence we can have in approaching God. Verse 13  begins with a profound purpose: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” This statement is not merely informative; it is transformative. It has the power to shift the believer’s per...

  Scripture: Psalm 121:7-8 (KJV) 7            The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8            The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. Devotion: Life's journey, with its uncertainties and challenges, often leaves us feeling vulnerable and anxious. Yet, in the midst of our travels, we find solace and strength in the promises of God, as beautifully encapsulated in Psalm 121:7-8. These verses offer a profound assurance of God’s unwavering protection and guidance, speaking directly to the struggles and fears each of us faces in our daily lives. As we delve into these verses, we are reminded that the Lord is not just a distant figure, but our Keeper, a vigilant guardian who neither slumbers nor sleeps. His watchful eyes are always upon us, shielding us against the myriad form...

  Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV) 15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since, as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts 17  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Devotion:             These verses offer a profound invitation and command to Christ's followers. They call us to let the peace of Christ arbitrate in our hearts, to be thankful, to let the word of Christ dwell richly among us, and to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Our journey through these verses begins with a powerful appeal to let the transformative...

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-6 (NIV) 1  Out of the depths I cry to you,  Lord ; 2      Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3  If you,  Lord , kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4  But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5  I wait for the  Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope. 6  I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.   Devotion: In today’s scripture, we witness the psalmist's emotional journey, crying out from the depths. They begin by expressing their desperation, their voice echoing from the depths of their soul. We all traverse through moments of darkness, pain, and uncertainty. In those times, we can turn to God, knowing He hears our voice and will act on our behalf. The psalmist acknowledges the weight of our sins, recognizing that if God kept a record, none ...