Loving Jesus Style

  Introduction The concept of a divine council, often referred to as the "heavenly host" or "divine assembly," is a recurring theme in ancient Near Eastern literature and has made significant appearances within Jewish canonical and non-canonical texts. This worldview offers profound insights into early Jewish thought's theological and cosmological perspectives, stimulating intellectual curiosity. This essay delves into the various aspects of the divine council as presented in Jewish canonical texts such as the Hebrew Bible and non-canonical sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocrypha, and Pseudepigrapha. The Divine Council in the Hebrew Bible Genesis and the Elohim The notion of a divine council is subtly introduced in the Genesis creation narratives. The plural form "Elohim" used in Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness," has sparked considerable scholarly debate. Some scholars argue that this plural lang

 I am exploring theologically the Divine Council Worldview out of curiosity and have made these discussions a way of thinking out loud. I welcome responses and thoughts on this matter. Here we go... The Divine Council Worldview: A Scholarly Exploration Understanding Ancient Perspectives on the Heavenly Assembly The divine council worldview is a fascinating and complex theological concept found in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Israelites, Canaanites, and Mesopotamians. This worldview posits that the heavens are not solely governed by a single deity but rather by a pantheon or assembly of divine beings, often chaired by a supreme god. This essay delves into the nuances of the divine council worldview, examining its origins, features, and implications on religious thought. Origins and Historical Context The concept of a divine council, deeply ingrained in ancient civilizations' mythologies and religious practices , is a testament to the shared understanding among variou

  Scripture: John 16:33 (ESV) 33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Devotion: These powerful words from Jesus offer comfort and courage in the face of life's challenges. They remind us of the peace we can find in Him and the victory He has won. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace," Jesus said to His disciples, preparing them for the trials they would face. He didn't promise them a life free from trouble, but He did promise them peace. This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ. It's a peace that transcends understanding, a peace that comes from knowing we are in the hands of the One who has overcome the world. "In this world, you will have trouble." Jesus acknowledges the reality of suffering in this world. He doesn't sugarcoat it or avoid it. But He doesn't leave us th

Scripture: Psalm42:1-2 (NIV) 1  As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?   Devotion:             These verses from Psalm 42 express a deep longing for God, a thirst that can only be quenched by His presence. The psalmist illustrates this intense desire with the imagery of a deer panting for water. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Just as a deer longs for water, especially in times of drought, so our souls long for God. This is not a casual or passing desire, but a deep, persistent longing that comes from within our very being. It's a recognition of our need for God, our dependence on Him for sustenance and life. "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" The psalmist's thirst is not for a distant or abstract deity, but for the living God. He yearns f

Scripture: Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV) 23  The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24  Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Devotion: These verses from Psalm 37 provide a comforting assurance of God's guidance and support in our lives. "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him." This is a beautiful picture of God's guidance. Delighting in the Lord means finding our joy and satisfaction in Him, making Him the center of our lives. When we do this, He directs our steps, making our path firm, providing stability and direction. "Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." Life is full of challenges and obstacles that can cause us to stumble. But this verse assures us that even when we stumble, we will not fall. Why? Because the Lord upholds us with His hand. He is there to catch us, to support us, to help us get back on our feet.

  Scripture: Job 1:21 (ESV) 21  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Devotion: This verse comes from the story of Job, a man who experienced immense suffering yet remained faithful to God. Despite losing his children, wealth, and health, Job responded by worshiping and acknowledging God's sovereignty. "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart." Here, Job acknowledges the transient nature of earthly possessions. We come into this world with nothing, not even the clothes on our backs, and we will leave with nothing. Everything we have, whether it's our homes, our cars, our jobs, or our relationships, is a gift from God, given to us for a time. "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away." Job recognizes that everything he had was ultimately God's. If God chooses to give, it is His right. If God chooses to t

Scripture: Romans 12:18-21 (ESV) 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Devotion: These verses from Romans provide a powerful guide for interacting with others, even those who may be against us. The Apostle Paul begins by urging us to live at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on us. This is a call to cultivate peace in our relationships, to seek reconciliation, and to avoid unnecessary conflict. Paul then addresses the issue of revenge. He encourages us not to take matters into our own hands but to leave room for God's powerful wrath. This is a reminder that vengeance belo

Scripture: Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Devotion:             These verses from Romans powerfully declare God's unshakeable love. The Apostle Paul, who faced numerous trials and tribulations, is convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love. Paul lists a series of opposites - death and life, angels and demons, the present and the future, powers, height, and depth - to underscore the all-encompassing nature of God's love. It's as if he's saying, "Bring on anything you can think of; nothing can separate us from God's love, a love that surrounds us completely, leaving no room for fear or doubt." This love is not general, abstract love. It's the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lo

  Scripture: John 11:25-27 (ESV) 25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27  She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” Devotion: These verses from the Gospel of John capture a profound conversation between Jesus and Martha, Lazarus's sister. In the face of death and despair, Jesus reveals Himself as the resurrection and the life. "I am the resurrection and the life." With these transformative words, Jesus declares His power over death. He is not just a healer or a teacher, but the very source of life itself. He promises that those who believe in Him will live, even though they die. This is a promise of eternal life, a life that transcends physical death. But Jesus doesn't stop there. He also promises that "whoever lives by

  Psalm: 27:13-14 (ESV) 13     I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14     Wait for the Lord ; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord ! Devotion: These verses from Psalm 27 powerfully declare faith and hope. The psalmist's unwavering confidence in seeing the Lord's goodness, even amid trials and tribulations, serves as a beacon of inspiration for us all. "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." This is a bold statement of faith. It's not wishful thinking or a vague hope but a confident expectation. The psalmist will surely experience God's goodness here and now, in the land of the living, in the form of His blessings, His grace, and His love. The second verse calls us to patience and courage: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Waiting is often one of the hardest things we do

Scripture: Psalm 23:4 (KJV) 4      Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me,   Devotion: This verse from Psalm 23 is a profound testament to the psalmist's unwavering faith and indomitable courage. It narrates a journey through the darkest valley, yet it also resonates with hope, comfort, and fearlessness, inspiring us to emulate such steadfastness in our own lives. Even in the face of the 'valley of the shadow of death', a symbol of extreme danger or distress, the psalmist boldly declares, 'I will fear no evil.' This resolute declaration serves as a powerful encouragement, strengthening our resolve in the face of our own challenges. This fearlessness comes not from the psalmist's own strength, but from the presence of God. "For you are with me," the psalmist says. This is the source of his courage. He knows that God is there with him

Scripture: Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV) 11           For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;             12           as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Devotion: These verses from Psalm 103 beautifully illustrate the magnitude of God's love and forgiveness. The psalmist uses the vastness of the universe and the infinite distance from east to west to help us grasp these divine attributes. God's love is described as "high as the heavens above the earth." It is immeasurable, unfathomable, and uncontainable. It's steadfast, unwavering, and unchanging. It's a love that is extended to each one of us who fear Him, those who revere and honor Him. It's a love that makes us feel valued and cherished. Then, the psalmist speaks of God's forgiveness. Our transgressions and sins are removed as far as the East is from the West. This is a v

  Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) 8  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Devotion:             In these verses, Peter warns us to be vigilant and sober-minded. He paints a vivid picture of our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion on the prowl, seeking someone to devour. This imagery is a stark reminder of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in. However, Peter doesn't leave us in fear. He provides us with the strategy to overcome – resist the devil and stand firm in our faith. Resistance implies action, not passivity. It means actively guarding our hearts and minds, immersing ourselves in God's Word, and living out our faith in obedience to Christ. Standing firm in our faith is not a solitary act. We are part of a global family of believers, all

  Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) 6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Devotion: We often encounter situations in our lives that cause us anxiety and worry. Whether it's financial struggles, health issues, relationship problems, or the uncertainty of the future, these verses from 1 Peter remind us of two important truths: God's sovereignty and His care for us. First, we are called to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand. This is a call to recognize God's authority over our lives and the world around us. It's about understanding that our plans, worries, and lives are under His control. When we humble ourselves, we acknowledge that God is greater than our anxieties and that He has the power to overcome them. Second, we are encouraged to cast all our anxieties on Him. This is not just a suggestion, but a command. It's

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) 18  Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; Therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Devotion:      In our fast-paced world, waiting can be one of the hardest things we do. Whether it's waiting for a prayer to be answered, a season of life to change, or the manifestation of a promise from God, the waiting period can often feel unbearable.      But Isaiah 30:18 offers us a different perspective on waiting. It tells us that God longs to be gracious, rise up, and show us compassion. The original Hebrew word for 'longs' in this verse is 'chakah,' which means 'to wait or to long for.' This word implies a deep, patient longing, not a restless or anxious waiting. So, God is waiting, too. He is waiting to show us His grace, compassion, and justice.      This verse reminds us that our waiting is not in vain. It is not a passive, empty time,

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh, will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit, will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Devotion: In these verses, Paul warns us against self-deception and complacency. He reminds us that our actions and choices have profound consequences, both in this life and the next. To sow to the flesh is to indulge in the temporal, often selfish desires that lead to spiritual decay and, ultimately, destruction. This stark reality should be a caution, urging us to be mindful of our actions and their potential outcomes. In contrast, to sow to the Spirit is to cultivate a life that is pleasing to God, o

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. [1] Devotion: This verse is a heartfelt plea from the Apostle Paul for unity within the body of Christ. It reminds us that despite our differences, we are called to be one in Christ Jesus. The church in Corinth faced divisions, and Paul’s words are just as relevant today as they were then. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity; it means harmony. Like a symphony orchestra, we each play a different instrument, contributing our unique sounds to create beautiful music. In the same way, our diverse gifts, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and appreciated, and when brought together, they create a harmonious unity, united by our common faith in Christ. To be “perfectly united in mind and thought” is to have the mind of

  Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians Scripture: Colossians 1:10-12 (NIV) 10  {S}o that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11  being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12  and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Devotion: What does it mean to live a life worthy of the Lord? According to Paul, it means to please him in every way, to bear fruit in every good work, such as showing love and kindness to others, growing in the knowledge of God, to be strengthened with his power, to have endurance and patience, and to give joyful thanks to the Father. These are not easy tasks, but they mark a mature and faithful Christian. How can we achieve these goals? Not by our own efforts or wisdom, but by the grace and guidance of