Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among those who may not share our beliefs, that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Devotion: Ensuring our lives reflect our faith is a lasting challenge, especially in today's culture. In 1 Peter 2:11-12, we are reminded of our position as 'foreigners and exiles,' which calls us to live differently from the world around us. This metaphor emphasizes that our true home is not in this world but in the kingdom of God. Just as a foreigner or exile in a strange land adheres to different customs and values, we are called to follow the customs and values of God's kingdom. Peter urges us to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against our souls. These desires, often cultivated by society's norms, can lead us away from...

  The End of the Wilderness Journey Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and completes the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses. It consists of a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Here are the key themes and sections of the book: Introduction and Historical Review Deuteronomy begins with a powerful historical review of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land. Moses recounts their experiences, including their disobedience, the wandering in the wilderness, and the battles won with God's help. This review serves as a poignant reminder of God's faithfulness and the people's need to remain obedient, connecting us to the Israelites' journey. Laws and Commandments Moses reiterates the laws given to the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of following them. He covers various aspects of life, including worship, justice, and social responsibilities. Key topics ...

  Scripture: Psalm 118:14 (NLT) The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.   Devotion: Psalm 118:14 encapsulates the profound beauty of relying on the Lord for strength and joy. It serves as a declaration of faith that resonates deeply in believers' hearts, reminding them of the ultimate source of their power and triumph. When the psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is my strength and my song," it acknowledges that our true power does not come from our own abilities or efforts but from God's divine presence. This realization is both humbling and liberating. It frees us from the burdens of self-reliance and opens our hearts to the boundless possibilities that arise when we trust the Lord. Strength, in this context, is not merely physical or mental fortitude; it is a spiritual resilience that enables us to withstand the trials and tribulations of life. When we face personal, professional, or spiritual challenges, the Lord fortifies us, provi...

  Scripture: Psalm 145:3-4 (NLT) Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Devotion: In the heart of Psalm 145, we find a profound declaration of God’s greatness. David, the psalmist, extols the Lord with unwavering admiration, recognizing His unparalleled worthiness to be praised. This reverence is not just a fleeting sentiment but an eternal truth that transcends generations. “Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” These words resonate with the awe that fills our hearts when we contemplate the vastness of God’s power and presence. It is a call to acknowledge that God’s greatness exceeds our understanding. His deeds, creation, and love are immeasurable and beyond human comprehension. He is not just great but the greatest, deserving of our highest praise. As we meditate on these verses, it becomes cl...

  Here is a special bonus devotion. It commemorates 300,000 visitors to my blog. I hope you enjoy. Blessings, John The Lord is My Strength and My Song Scripture: Psalm 118:14 (NLT) The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.   Devotion: Psalm 118:14 encapsulates the profound beauty of relying on the Lord for strength and joy. It serves as a declaration of faith that resonates deeply in believers' hearts, reminding them of the ultimate source of their power and triumph. When the psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is my strength and my song," it acknowledges that our true power comes not from our own abilities or efforts but from God's divine presence. This realization is both humbling and liberating. It frees us from the burdens of self-reliance and opens our hearts to the boundless possibilities that arise when we trust the Lord. Strength, in this context, is not merely physical or mental fortitude; it is a spiritual resilience that enables us to withsta...

  A Journey Through the Wilderness Introduction The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It is named for the census of the Israelites that begins the book, but it covers a much broader scope, detailing the Israelites' journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Structure and Content The Book of Numbers is divided into several key sections: The Census and Organization (Chapters 1-10) The book begins with a pivotal event: a census of the Israelite tribes. It provides a numerical overview of the community and serves as a strategic tool for organizing the people for their journey and battles. Due to their unique role in religious duties, the Levites are counted separately. The Israelites are then organized strategically around the Tabernacle, with specific instructions on camp arrangement and the responsibilities of various groups tribes. The Journey and Rebellion (Chapters 11-20) As the Israelites depart from ...

  Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Devotion: Faith can sometimes feel like walking in the dark, trusting that there’s a path beneath your feet. Hebrews 11:1 paints a beautiful picture of what faith really is—an assurance and a conviction. Assurance conveys confidence in God's promises, while conviction reflects an unwavering belief even when there is no visible evidence to rely on. This verse invites us to see beyond what is tangible, beyond what our eyes can perceive. Faith, a transformative force, reminds us that it doesn’t hinge on circumstances or proof. It is rooted in who God is and the reliability of His word. Abraham stepped into the unknown because of his faith. Noah built an ark long before the rain came due to his trust in God. Their faith wasn’t passive—it moved them, inspiring action even when the future was uncertain. To develop this kind of f...

  Leviticus, the third book in the Old Testament, is part of the Torah, which includes the first five books of the Bible. The book is named after the Levites, a tribe God chose to serve as priests in Israel. Their role was crucial in the religious and social structure of the Israelites, and the book of Leviticus reflects their duties and responsibilities. It talks about laws and rules for worship, sacrifices, and daily life, and despite its initial complexity, it helps us understand critical spiritual principles in the Bible. Leviticus has several sections that focus on different parts of religious and community life: Sacrificial Laws (Chapters 1-7) These chapters explain different kinds of offerings and sacrifices like burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each offering has a specific purpose, such as being sorry for sins, giving thanks, or seeking peace with God. The rules tell us how to make these offerings and what kind o...

  Scripture: Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Devotion: In our daily lives, we encounter moments that test our patience and challenge our ability to respond with grace. Proverbs 19:11 speaks profoundly to the transformative power of wisdom and the grace of patience. This ancient proverb reminds us that wisdom is not merely an accumulation of knowledge but a reflection of our character, demonstrated through patience and understanding. It gives us hope that we can grow and change through the practice of these virtues. To possess wisdom is to embrace patience. Patience allows us to pause, reflect, and understand the circumstances before reacting impulsively. This patience, derived from wisdom, enables us to navigate conflicts and misunderstandings with a calm and composed spirit. Through patience, we can see beyond the immediate offense and recognize the human frailty behind it. As Proverbs 19:11 suggests,...