Loving Jesus Style

  The Rise and Fall of Kings                 The book of 1 Kings, found in the Old Testament of the Bible, narrates the history of Israel during the reign of its early monarchs, beginning with King David’s final days and extending to the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. It highlights themes of leadership, divine judgment, and the consequences of rejecting God. Transition from David to Solomon              1 Kings opens with an aging King David, who faces challenges in securing his succession. Adonijah, one of David's sons, attempts to seize the throne, but David designates Solomon as his successor. Solomon's reign is marked by wisdom, prosperity, and grand accomplishments, including the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a centerpiece for worship and a symbol of Israel's covenant with God. Solomon's Wisdom and Achievements Solom...

  I Wait For The Lord Scripture: Psalm 130:3-6 (ESV) If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. Devotion: Waiting is one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines for many of us. In our fast-paced world, we are conditioned to expect instant answers and immediate results. Yet, Psalm 130:3-6 teaches us a profound lesson about waiting on the Lord with hope and trust. The psalmist acknowledges the depth of human iniquity when he says, “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” He paints a picture of a God who sees all and knows all, yet chooses to forgive and to love. This forgiveness is not only a source of awe but also the foundation for hope. The act of waiting described in this psalm is not passive or filled...

  Scripture: Psalm 57:7-11 (NIV) My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Devotion: David's words in Psalm 57:7-11 echo the profound resilience and unwavering trust in God that can inspire us in our own lives. Despite being pursued by enemies, David doesn’t let fear or despair rule his heart. Instead, his steadfastness is rooted in his commitment to praising God—a reminder that worship can be a powerful response to trials. The phrase “Awake, my soul!” feels like a call to action, stirring us to rise above our circumstances and align our hearts toward God’s greatness. David doesn’t reserve his praises for private moments alone; h...

A Biblical Account of Leadership, Triumph, and Human Struggle The Book of 2 Samuel is one of the historical books of the Old Testament, providing a narrative of King David's reign, Israel's second king. It offers deep insights into leadership, the repercussions of human choices, and God's covenant relationship with His people. The Rise of King David 2 Samuel begins with David mourning the deaths of Saul, the first king of Israel, and Jonathan, Saul's son and David's close friend. David is then anointed king over Judah, while Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, becomes king over Israel, resulting in a period of civil war. David’s strong leadership and divine favor ultimately unified the nation under his rule. David’s Triumphs and the Ark of the Covenant David's reign is marked by military victories and the consolidation of Israel's power. A significant achievement is the capture of Jerusalem, which becomes the political and spiritual capital of Israel. David...

  Scripture: Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Devotion:      Hosea 6:6 unveils the heart of God—a yearning for mercy and genuine acknowledgment rather than hollow rituals. This Scripture is a poignant reminder that faith is not meant to be a performance, but a relationship steeped in compassion, humility, and truth.      God’s preference for mercy over sacrifice challenges us to rethink our priorities. Sacrifices, particularly in the Old Testament, were acts of obedience and devotion, intended to connect humanity with the divine. Yet, when rituals become detached from the spirit of love and genuine repentance, they lose their true significance. Mercy, however, reflects the essence of God’s character—a grace that reaches out to those in need and restores the broken. It calls us to embody kindness in our interactions, to see others as God sees them, and to extend forgi...

  Scripture: Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV) The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Devotion:      In the midst of life’s uncertainties, Lamentations 3:25-26 offers a gentle reminder about the nature of God and the posture we are called to adopt in our spiritual journey. These verses invite us to embrace hope, seek God earnestly, and wait patiently for His salvation.      To hope in the Lord means to tether our expectations to His perfect character rather than the shifting sands of earthly circumstances. The hope described here is not fragile optimism but a confident trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. Even when life feels overwhelming or our prayers seem unanswered, believing in His unwavering love allows us to stand firm.      Seeking the Lord is an active pursuit, a heartfelt desire to know Him more deeply. It’s not ...

A Journey of Leadership, Faith, and Transformation Introduction The book of 1st Samuel, part of the Old Testament in the Bible, tells the story of Israel's transformation from a group of loosely organized tribes to a united kingdom under their first kings. It introduces us to three significant figures: Samuel, Saul, and David. Through their lives, 1st Samuel reveals lessons of faith, obedience, and the consequences of human choices. Hannah’s Prayer and Samuel’s Calling The story begins with a woman named Hannah, who desperately wants a child. She prays to God and promises to dedicate her child to His service if her prayer is answered. God hears her, and she gives birth to Samuel. True to her promise, Hannah takes young Samuel to the tabernacle to serve under Eli, the priest. As Samuel grows, he hears God calling him one night. At first, Samuel doesn’t realize it is God speaking, but with Eli’s guidance, he listens and becomes a prophet. Samuel's prophetic role, a si...

  14  Now it was The day of Preparation for the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15  They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16  So he n Delivered him over to them to be crucified. Scripture: John 19:14-16 (ESV) Meditation:             Today, we are witnessing protests against our current sitting president because, as the protesters claim, Donald Trump has positioned himself as a king. This accusation is as unfounded as it was in Jesus' day. While it's important to remember that Donald Trump is a political figure and not a religious one, the protesters are mistaken in opposing his policies. The reality is that Trump has focused on securing our homeland against those who would harm us and has nearly eradicated all illegal immigration i...

  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Devotion: Victory is a concept that resonates deeply with all of us, whether in spiritual battles, personal struggles, or professional challenges. In 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, Paul reminds us that true victory is a gift from God, achieved through Jesus Christ. This victory is not temporary or circumstantial; it is eternal, overcoming even the sting of death itself. It’s a triumph that gives us the confidence to face life’s uncertainties with unwavering faith. Paul’s exhortation to “stand firm” is not a call to passive endurance but to an active, immovable commitment to Christ. The world will try to sway our convictions, presenting distractions, doubts, and discouragement...

  Scripture: Job 37:1-5 (NIV) “At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. Devotion: In these verses, Job's friend Elihu reflects on God's mighty and awe-inspiring voice, creating a vivid image of divine power and majesty. This passage encourages us to contemplate the greatness of God, the Creator, who commands the heavens and the earth with His voice, unleashing thunder and lightning across the skies. The voice of God, as described here, is not merely sound but a manifestation of His authority and action. It serves as a reminder that God's ways are beyond human comprehension; y...

  A Story of Loyalty, Love, and Redemption The Book of Ruth, found in the Old Testament of the Bible, is a concise yet profoundly impactful narrative that emphasizes themes of loyalty, faith, and divine providence. Its four chapters trace the journey of Ruth, a Moabite woman, as she faces loss, expresses devotion, and experiences eventual restoration. Setting the Stage: Tragedy and Migration The story begins in the time of the Judges, a turbulent era in Israel's history. A famine forces Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons to leave Bethlehem and settle in Moab. There, the sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. However, tragedy strikes when Elimelech and his sons die, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law widowed and vulnerable. Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi Naomi, grief-stricken, decides to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the famine has ended. She urges Ruth and Orpah to remain in Moab and remarry. Orpah parts ways with Naomi, but Ruth clings to her with u...

  Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV) For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Devotion: Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 is a profound reflection on the depth of God’s love and the power it has to transform our lives. He begins by humbling himself in reverence to the Creator, acknowledging the divine source of all families and communities. This act of kneeling before the Father reminds us of the significance of submission in our spiritual lives—a pos...

  Scripture: Psalm 71:19 (NIV) Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Devotion: In this beautiful verse, the psalmist marvels at God's boundless righteousness, which stretches beyond comprehension, reaching the heavens. It serves as a reminder that God's greatness is unparalleled, surpassing all human understanding and accomplishment. When we pause to consider the works of God—the creation of the universe, the acts of deliverance, and the unyielding love shown to humanity—we, too, are left asking, "Who is like you, God?" Psalm 71:19 invites us into a posture of awe and worship. It calls us to recognize that earthly limitations do not bind God's righteousness, but rather that it is eternal and infinite. This righteousness is both comforting and challenging. It reassures us that God is incapable of injustice and embodies goodness, truth, and mercy in His nature. His deeds reflect this characte...

  Guidance for Christians The Book of Judges is a testament to God's unending mercy and the cyclical nature of human faithfulness. As the seventh book of the Bible, it recounts the turbulent history of Israel following Joshua's death, during a period when the nation lacked centralized leadership. Judges illustrate the recurring cycle of sin, repentance, and redemption, showcasing the consequences of disobedience and the power of God's deliverance. Theme The overarching theme of Judges is God's faithfulness despite human failure. It illustrates the consequences of turning away from God, while highlighting His willingness to rescue His people when they repent. The book depicts Israel's spiritual decline in the absence of godly leadership, serving as a poignant reminder for believers about the importance of nurturing a strong relationship with God. The cyclical pattern seen throughout the book is: ·         Sin: The Israelites turn away from God and ...