Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: Proverbs 15:23 ( NIV )   A person finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is  a timely  word!   Devotion:   In  our daily  lives, conversations are more than  mere  exchanges of information; they carry the power to encourage, comfort, and guide those around us. The wisdom in this verse calls us to mindfulness about the words we choose and the moments we  speak  them.   Think back to a time when someone spoke a word to you, just when you needed it most.  Perhaps it  was a friend who offered encouragement when you were discouraged, or a colleague who spoke appreciation after a challenging project. Those moments stick with us because  a timely  word can lift burdens and bring light into difficult seasons. The joy described in Proverbs 15:23  isn't  just for the recipient— it's  for the giver, too. When we offer words that heal, inspire, or clarify, we  participate ...

  Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit . Devotion: This verse is both a prayer and a promise. Paul reminds us that God is not only the source of hope—He is the God of hope . Hope isn’t something we conjure through positive thinking or favorable circumstances; it flows from God Himself. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, this truth anchors us: our hope is rooted in His character, not in our situation. Notice the progression in this verse: trust leads to joy and peace, which in turn lead to overflowing hope. Trust is the starting point. When we choose to rely on God—believing His promises even when we can’t see the outcome—He fills us with joy and peace. These aren’t fleeting emotions; they are deep, sustaining gifts that guard our hearts amid trials . Then comes the overflow. Hope doesn’t just trickle in; it abounds through the power of the...

  Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ . From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Devotion: Paul paints a vivid picture of the Church as a living body, with Christ as the head and each believer as a vital part. Emphasize how speaking the truth in love helps you feel valued and motivated to grow together in faith. Growth in Christ is not only about knowledge or activity—it’s about relationships rooted in love and honesty. Truth without love can wound; love without truth can mislead. Together, they foster an environment where spiritual maturity flourishes. This passage reminds us that growth is communal, not solitary. The body “builds itself up” as each part does its work. That means you matter. Your gifts, service, and encouragement all co...

Scripture:  Ephesians 5:18-20 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery . Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit . Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . Devotion:           In Ephesians 5:18-20, Paul’s words call us into a life marked by spiritual fullness, worship, and gratitude. He begins by drawing a clear contrast: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” The apostle isn’t merely cautioning against the dangers of excess; he’s offering us something far richer—a life empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit . When we are filled with the Spirit, our hearts, minds, and actions are shaped by God’s presence, freeing us from the destructive patterns that can ensnare us and redirecting our energies ...

Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus Christ as Israel 's long-awaited Messiah and the authoritative King whose reign extends to all nations. Written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience , this Gospel systematically shows how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy and brings God's redemptive purposes to culmination. The Gospel is carefully organized into five major teaching discourses, each concluding with a variation of "when Jesus had finished these sayings" (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). This structure deliberately echoes the five books of Moses , presenting Jesus as the new Moses who authoritatively interprets and fulfills the Law. These discourses are: the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the Mission Discourse (10), the Parables of the Kingdom (13), the Community Discourse (18), and the Olivet Discourse (24-25). Matthew frames his narrative with the twin themes of God's presence with His people (" Immanuel —God with us" in 1:23) and Ch...

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:1b-3 (NIV) He said: “ The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir ; he shone forth from Mount Paran . He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes. Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction, Devotion: As we reflect on Deuteronomy 33:1-3, we encounter a powerful image of God’s enduring love and faithfulness for His people. Moses , nearing the end of his life, is blessing Israel and recounting how the Lord revealed Himself in majesty and glory, coming from Sinai, shining from Mount Paran, and surrounded by myriads of holy ones. These verses remind us that God does not remain distant or detached from His beloved children. He actively pursues, protects, and instructs those whom He loves. The reference to God “dawning over them from Seir” and “shining forth from Mount Paran” depicts His presence as a radiant light...

  Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV) 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Devotion: The call to "put on the full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:11-12 is both a powerful reminder and a source of comfort for every believer. Paul is not speaking figuratively here; he is urging us to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of divine protection as we navigate a world filled with unseen battles. It’s easy to think that our most significant challenges come from circumstances or the actions of others. Yet, Paul makes it clear: our true struggle isn’t against flesh and blood. Rather, it’s against spiritual forces that operate in the shadows, influencing the world around us in ways we may not always pe...

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Devotion: In a world overflowing with advice on fitness, diets, and physical wellness, it’s easy to measure value by what we see and feel. We are bombarded with messages telling us to invest time and energy in our bodies, believing this will yield happiness and fulfillment. While there is certainly benefit to caring for ourselves physically, Paul’s words to Timothy offer a deeper invitation—to prioritize spiritual training, a discipline whose rewards extend far beyond the here and now. Paul urges, “Train yourself to be godly.” Just as athletes commit to daily routines, discipline, and perseverance to improve their physical abilities, spiritual growth also requires intentional practice. This isn’t about rigi...

  Scripture: 15:5-6 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. Devotion: Jesus’ words in John 15:5-6 invite us to reflect on our deep need for connection with Him . He describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches, painting a vivid picture of dependence, intimacy, and life. Just as branches cannot survive apart from the vine, we cannot flourish spiritually or produce true fruit unless we are rooted in Christ. It’s tempting to think we can manage life on our own, relying on our strength or wisdom . Yet, Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we “can do nothing.” When we stray from His presence—even unintentionally—our lives begin to wither. The fruit we long for—love, joy, peace, patience—does not grow by sheer effort but through...

Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12 Devotion: Epiphany invites us to linger with the Magi —those mysterious travelers who saw a light in the sky and recognized it as the beginning of something God was doing in the world. They didn’t know all the details. They didn’t have a map. But they had enough light to take the next step, and they followed it. Their journey reminds us that God often leads us the same way, not with a floodlight that reveals every turn, but with a star—just enough guidance to move forward in faith. Epiphany is the celebration of God making Himself known, not all at once, but in ways that draw us closer, step by step. The Magi also show us what it means to seek Christ with intention. They traveled far, endured uncertainty, and asked hard questions. Their search was active, not passive. And when they finally found the Child, they didn’t simply observe Him—they worshiped Him. Their gifts were expressions of devotion, humility, and trust. Epiphany invites us to bring...

  An Overview of the Last Book of the Old Testament Introduction The Book of Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible and is also part of the Hebrew Bible. Written by the prophet Malachi , whose name means "my messenger," this brief book addresses the spiritual and social challenges facing the Jewish community after their return from Babylonian exile , likely in the 5th century BCE. Structure and Main Themes ·          God’s Love for Israel: Malachi opens with a reminder of God’s enduring love for Israel, contrasting it with His rejection of Esau 's descendants ( Edom ). This sets the stage for the people's accountability to God. ·          Corruption of the Priesthood: The prophet rebukes the priests for their neglect and dishonor of God through improper sacrifices and failure to teach the law faithfully. Malachi calls for a return to sincere worship and rever...