Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5 (NIV) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God , and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Devotion: 1 John 5:1-5 delivers a powerful message about what it means to be an overcomer through faith in Jesus Christ . The passage begins by affirming that everyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God. This identity isn't just about believing; it's about entering into a transformative relationship with God. By loving the Father, we naturally love His children, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our love for God is de...

Scripture: Galatians 2:19-21 ( ESV ) 19  For through the law I died to the law , so that I might live to God . 20  I have been crucified with Christ . It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21  I do not nullify the grace of God , for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Devotion:             This is one of the most quoted passages from Galatians . It gives us great hope that Christ will come to live within us and save us by his great love for us. Indeed, such a hope is warranted, but there is more to talk about here. These words in verse 20 echo the words of Jesus when he advised his disciples to “take up their crosses and follow him.” ( Matthew 10:38 , Mark 8:34 , Luke 9.23 ) So we must take up our crosses and follow him.     ...

  Scripture: James 1:22-26 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom , and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Devotion: As followers of Christ , it’s easy to fall into the pattern of simply hearing the Word —listening to sermons, reading Scripture, enjoying worship, and feeling uplifted by the message. Yet James 1:22-26 calls us to a deeper commitment: not just to hear God’s Word, but to live it. The passage warns that if our faith stops at listening, we deceive ourselves. Real transformation begins when we let God’s Word take root in our hearts and guide our actions. True faith is not passive; it require...

  Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Devotion: In a world that constantly pushes us to seek more—more possessions, more recognition, more achievements—the words of 1 Timothy 6:6-8 offer a refreshing invitation to pause and consider the true source of gain. The apostle Paul reminds us that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” He points out a profound truth: our lives began with nothing, and when our journey here ends, we will take nothing with us. The material things we often strive for are fleeting, but the character we develop and the contentment found in walking with God are of eternal value. Contentment is not complacency or lack of ambition; rather, it is a posture of the heart that trusts God to provide what we truly need. Paul narrows this down to the basics: “But if we have fo...

  An Overview of the Old Testament Prophet and His Message Introduction The Book of Habakkuk is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible . It is unique among the prophetic books because it focuses on a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God, rather than direct messages to the people of Israel. Background Habakkuk lived during a time of great turmoil, likely in the late 7th century BCE , when the Babylonian Empire was rising to power. Judah , the southern kingdom of Israel , was experiencing violence, injustice, and corruption. Main Themes and Structure The book is structured around a series of questions and answers between Habakkuk and God: ·          Habakkuk's First Complaint : The prophet questions why God allows evil and injustice to go unpunished in Judah. ·          God's Response: God answers that He will raise the Babylonians ( Chaldeans ) t...

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-7 ( NIV ) "I lift up my eyes to the mountains —where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life." Devotion: Looking in the Right Direction The psalmist begins with a question we've all asked in moments of fear, uncertainty, or desperation: "Where does my help come from?" Notice he doesn't begin with an answer but with honest seeking. He lifts his eyes to the mountains—perhaps looking toward Jerusalem , where the temple stood, or scanning the horizon for approaching danger or deliverance. But the question itself is crucial. In our age of self-reliance and ...

Scripture: Romans 1:2-4 "...the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." Devotion: When Paul introduces the gospel in these verses, he immediately grounds it in history, prophecy, and the person of Jesus Christ. This is no new religion, no innovative philosophy dreamed up by human imagination. The gospel, Paul insists, was promised long ago through God's prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures. A Promise Kept How remarkable that the God who spoke through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the psalmists is the same God who fulfilled every promise in Jesus Christ. The gospel didn't catch God by surprise; it was His plan from the beginning. When we read the Old Testament with eyes opened by Christ, we see Him on every page—in the prom...

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV) I, Paul , as a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Devotion: Ephesians 4:1-6 calls believers to unity and a life that honors God’s calling. Paul, writing from prison , urges us to live "worthy of the calling you have received." This powerful charge isn’t about earning our place in God’s family —instead, it’s about responding in gratitude to the grace we’ve already received. Paul lists practical ways to demonstrate this: humility , gentleness , patience , and bearing with one another in love. These are not qualities we develop in isolation...

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16 ( NIV ) 16  This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths , ask where the good way is, and walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls . But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.   Devotion: Life often presents us with crossroads—moments when we must make choices that shape our future and define our character. It is in these moments that Jeremiah 6:16 calls out with clarity and wisdom: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” These words offer both a promise and a warning, urging us to pause, reflect, and make informed choices. Jeremiah spoke these words to a nation that had wandered far from God, forsaking His ways for paths of their own making. The “ancient paths” refer to the tried-and-true principles established by God—paths walked by th...

Introduction The Book of Nahum is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible. Written around the 7th century BCE , it primarily delivers a prophecy concerning the impending destruction of Nineveh , the capital of the Assyrian Empire . The book is attributed to Nahum , whose name means " comfort " or " consolation ," reflecting his message of hope for the people of Judah . Background Nahum’s prophecy comes at a time when Assyria was known for its cruelty and oppression of surrounding nations, including Israel and Judah. The fall of Israel’s capital, Samaria , to the Assyrians was still fresh in memory, and Judah lived under the shadow of Assyrian dominance. This context gives Nahum’s message particular significance as he foretells the fall of Judah’s powerful enemy. Structure and Main Themes 1.       God’s Justice and Power : The book opens with a poetic description of God’s character, emphasizing His justice, power, and sl...

  Dwelling in the Shadow of the Almighty "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler , and from the noisome pestilence . He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:1-4, KJV) The Secret Place of Divine Dwelling The opening verse of this beloved psalm presents us with a profound spiritual reality: there exists a "secret place" of intimacy with God Most High, and those who dwell there discover what it means to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This is not casual acquaintance with God, but dwelling—a word that speaks of permanence, habitation, and settled residence in the divine presence. The psalmist employs two magnificent names for God here: "the most High" ( Ely...

Scripture : Colossians 2:8 (NIV) See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Devotion: In Colossians 2:8, the Apostle Paul issues a direct warning to believers, urging them to remain vigilant against teachings and ideologies contrary to the gospel of Christ . He says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” This verse is as relevant today as it was in Paul’s time, reminding us of the subtle and often enticing philosophies that can pull us away from the truth found in Jesus . The world is full of ideas and perspectives—some ancient, some modern—that promise wisdom, fulfillment, or enlightenment. Many of these philosophies are built upon human traditions, cultural norms , or spiritual concep...

  Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Devotion: Life is filled with challenges that often leave us feeling weary and stretched thin. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, reminds us that while our physical bodies may succumb to pressures, aging, or illness, our inner selves can experience renewal and strength each day through God's Spirit . This passage speaks directly to those moments when the weight of our troubles seems almost unbearable. Paul calls these hardships "light and momentary," not to diminish our pain, but to shift our focus to a greater reality—one that endures far beyond what we see or feel toda...

  Scripture 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Devotion: Life in today’s world is filled with overwhelming demands, constant changes, and uncertainties about the future. We often find ourselves weighed down by anxiety—whether it’s worrying about our families, our jobs, our health, or the state of the world. Amid these pressures, 1 Peter 5:7 offers us a powerful invitation and a gentle reassurance: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” These simple words remind us that God does not intend for us to carry our burdens alone. Instead, He invites us to hand them over to Him, trusting in His deep, personal care for each one of us. The imagery of “casting” is striking. It’s not a tentative hand-off; it’s an act of surrender, like throwing something heavy onto strong shoulders. God doesn’t just tolerate our worries—He welcomes them. He wants us to be honest about the anxieties that keep us up at night or distract...