Loving Jesus Style

  Summary of the Book of Exodus The Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, serves as a foundational text for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. From the Christian perspective, it reveals God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and redemptive plan while offering timeless lessons on obedience, worship, and trust. Exodus begins with the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, oppressed by a Pharaoh who feared their growing numbers. Despite their suffering, God remained faithful to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He raised up Moses as His chosen deliverer. Moses, born under the threat of death, was providentially saved and raised in Pharaoh's household. After fleeing Egypt, he encountered God in the burning bush, where God revealed His name as "I AM" and commissioned Moses to lead His people out of bondage. Through Moses, God confronted Pharaoh with ten plagues, each demonstrating His power over Egypt's gods and culminating in ...

  Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-26 (NIV) “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Devotion: These verses invite us to reflect on God's unparalleled greatness and majesty. The rhetorical questions posed by the Holy One emphasize God's uniqueness—no one can be compared to Him, and no one equals His power and glory. This is not just a distant concept but a truth that has profound implications for each of us personally. As we lift our eyes to the heavens, we are reminded of the vastness and complexity of the universe. Each star, brought forth and named by God, showcases His intimate involvement with creation. This imagery reflects our Creator's meticulous care and infinite power. The starry host, which seems infinite to us...

  Scripture: Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Devotion: Isaiah 1:17 stands as a timeless call to action. In this verse, the prophet Isaiah urges us to embody the principles of justice, compassion, and righteousness. These words are not merely suggestions but divine imperatives that challenge us to transform our faith into tangible deeds. To "learn to do right" implies a journey of continual growth and understanding. Doing right is not always instinctual; it requires conscious effort and learning. We are called to educate ourselves, cultivate a spirit attuned to God's will, and discern what is just and righteous in our daily lives. "Seek justice" is a powerful directive. Seeking justice means actively pursuing fairness and equity in all our dealings. It calls us to address systemic injustices, stand against oppression, and advocate for those who c...

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is a significant day in the Christian liturgical calendar that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples. This day is observed during Holy Week on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. The term "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word "mandatum," which means "commandment." This is in reference to the new commandment that Jesus gave His disciples: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34, NIV). The origins of Maundy Thursday can be traced back to the early Christian church. The observance of this day has been an integral part of Christian worship since the first centuries after Christ's ascension. It serves as a poignant reminder of the humility, service, and sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus during His final meal with His disciples. During the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples' feet, symbolizing humility and service. This event is recorded in the Go...

  Scripture: 143 (NIV) A psalm of David. Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness, come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level gro...

  Finding Hope Amidst Despair Psalm 102 is a heartfelt lament of someone in deep anguish, pouring out their soul before God. It is a powerful reminder that we can turn to God for comfort and hope even in the darkest times. The psalmist begins by crying out to the Lord, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee" (Psalm 102:1). This plea for God's attention is not a mere formality but a desperate call for help. The psalmist feels abandoned and alone, facing overwhelming sorrow and distress. Their pain is so intense that they describe their days as consumed by smoke and their bones as burned like a hearth (Psalm 102:3). As we reflect on this, we can acknowledge that we, too, have moments where we feel utterly forsaken, where our troubles seem insurmountable. Yet, Psalm 102 teaches us that we can draw closer to God precisely in these moments of profound despair. The psalmist does not shy away from expressing their suffering; instead, they lay it all befor...

  Numbers 6:24-26 (N IV) “ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ Devotion: Devotion: The words in Numbers 6:24-26 are often referred to as the Aaronic Blessing, a benediction God gave to Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons on how to bless the Israelites. These verses encapsulate a profound sense of divine care and favor, making them timeless and ever-relevant for believers seeking solace and assurance in God's promises. The blessing begins with the phrase, "The Lord bless you and keep you." This is more than just a wish for good fortune; it invokes God's direct action in our lives. To be blessed by the Lord means to receive His favor, which encompasses all aspects of our existence, spiritual and physical. To be kept by Him means to be preserved and protected from harm. This assurance of divine guardianship is comforting in times of uncertain...

  Seeking God's Forgiveness and Renewal Psalm 51 is a profound scripture that captures the essence of repentance and the yearning for divine forgiveness. Written by King David after his transgression with Bathsheba, this psalm is a humble plea for mercy, purification, and the restoration of a broken spirit. David begins with an earnest appeal to God's mercy: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1). He acknowledges his sins and the gravity of his actions, displaying a deep awareness of his failings. This recognition is the first step in repentance, as it requires an honest and open heart to confront one's wrongdoings. n verse 2, David continues, "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." The imagery of washing and cleansing is significant; it symbolizes a desire to be made pure and whole again. David's plea reflects a profound understan...

  Scripture 38 (NIV) A psalm of David. A petition. Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath, there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long, I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie. I am like the de...

    In a world where Biblical Literacy is at an all-time low. Yet Bible sales are through the roof. I bring you this series of short summaries of the books of the Bible. I hope to bring clarity to the Bible over the next several months. I seek to show the beauty and majesty of the Bible as a rule for life and faith and a sure guide to salvation. The Beginning of Creation and Human History The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is not merely a narrative but a profound and foundational text that reveals the origins of the world, humanity, and God's covenant with His people. It is divided into two main sections: the primeval history (chapters 1-11) and the patriarchal history (chapters 12-50). In primeval history, Genesis begins with a majestic account of creation, in which God creates the heavens and the earth in six days and rests on the seventh. Light, sky, land, sea, vegetation, celestial bodies, animals, and humans come into existence. Adam and Eve, the ...

  Scripture: Psalms 32 (NIV) Of David. A maskil. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and b...

The penitential psalms are a collection of seven psalms from the Bible, traditionally attributed to King David, that express sorrow for sin and seek God's mercy and forgiveness. These psalms—6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143—are often recited during Lent and other times of penance and reflection. They offer a profound insight into the human condition, acknowledging guilt, pleading for divine compassion, and promising amendment of life. Revered for their emotional depth and spiritual resonance, they remain a central part of Christian liturgical and devotional practices. Let us begin with  Psalm 6. (NIV) For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the de...