Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: John 17:16-19 (NIV) They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. Devotion: These verses come from one of the most intimate moments in Scripture: Jesus praying for His disciples the night before His crucifixion . He is not teaching here; He is interceding. He is not giving instructions; He is revealing His heart. And what He asks for shows us what He treasures most for His people. Jesus begins by affirming a profound identity: “They are not of the world.” This is not a call to isolation but a reminder of belonging. The disciples — and all who follow Christ — derive their identity from Him, not from the world’s shifting values. Their purpose, hope, and future are rooted in the kingdom of God . Yet Jesus does not ask the Father to remove them from the world. Instead, He sends them ...

  Scripture: Isaiah 26.13 (NIV) Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished, you have done for us. Devotion: “ Isaiah 26:12 is a quiet, steadying verse tucked inside a chapter filled with both longing and hope. Israel has known turmoil, judgment, and uncertainty. Yet, here the prophet pauses to acknowledge a profound truth: every good thing, every moment of stability, every step forward has come from the Lord’s hand . This is not a denial of human effort. God’s people worked, built, fought, prayed, and persevered. But Isaiah reminds them that beneath all their labor was the sustaining grace of God. Their accomplishments were real — but they were not self-generated. God had been the One establishing peace, opening doors, strengthening their hands, and guiding their steps. There is deep humility in this confession, but also deep comfort. It means we do not carry the weight of life alone. The peace we long for — in our homes, our churches, our communiti...

  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:28-31 (NIV) God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness , holiness, and redemption . Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” Devotion: Paul ’s words to the Corinthians cut through every illusion of self‑sufficiency. Corinth was a city obsessed with status—intellect, eloquence, wealth, and social standing were the currencies of value. Yet Paul reminds the church that God works on an entirely different scale. God deliberately chooses what the world dismisses, overlooks, or devalues. He lifts up the humble, strengthens the weak, and brings His purposes to pass through people who know they cannot rely on themselves. This is not a rebuke; it is a profound comfort. God’s choice of “the...

Scripture: Galatians 4:7 (NIV) So you are no longer a slave , but God’s child ; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir . Devotion There is a quiet but profound shift that happens in the heart when we hear the words “no longer a slave.” Paul is not just offering a theological statement—he is announcing a new identity. Through Christ , God has taken you out of the realm of fear, performance, and uncertainty and brought you into the security of His family. Slaves obey out of obligation. Children respond out of love. Slaves wonder whether they are wanted. Children know they belong . Slaves work to earn favor. Children rest in the Father’s delight. When Paul says you are a “ son ” (a legal term in his day for one who receives full inheritance rights ), he is telling you that nothing about your relationship with God is partial or probationary. You aren’t “almost” His. You aren’t “working toward” acceptance. You aren’t hanging on by a thread. You are fully,...

An Overview of Paul's Letter to the Romans in the New Testament The Book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul , is one of the foundational texts of the New Testament , addressing both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome. Its primary focus is on the core doctrines of Christianity , emphasizing the universality of sin , the necessity of faith, and the transformative power of the gospel. Purpose and Themes Paul wrote Romans to present a detailed exposition of the gospel. He explains that all people, regardless of their background or heritage, are under the power of sin and in need of salvation. Paul emphasizes that righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or adherence to the law. The letter addresses themes of grace, justification, sanctification , and Israel's role in God’s redemptive plan. Structure and Key Content ·          Chapters 1-3: Paul begins by establishing that all humanity is sinful and separated from Go...

  Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 ( NIV ) As God’s co-workers , we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. Devotion: Paul’s words are urgent and compelling: “Now is the time of God’s favor.” Grace is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility. We are called not to receive it in vain—not to treat it lightly or ignore its transforming power. God’s grace is more than forgiveness; it empowers us to live a life that reflects Christ. The phrase “God’s co-workers” reminds us that salvation is not the finish line—it’s the starting point. We partner with God in His mission, living out His love and truth in a world that desperately needs hope. Grace equips us for this calling, but we must choose to respond. To receive grace in vain is to accept forgiveness without letting it change us or move us toward obedience . ...

Scripture: Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, Devotion: Psalm 144 places us in the heart of David ’s life as a warrior-king—surrounded by conflict, dependent on God’s strength, and longing for God’s peace. Yet in the middle of this battle-shaped psalm, verse 9 breaks through like sunlight: “I will sing a new song to you, O God.” It is a declaration of worship that rises not from ease but from struggle. David’s “new song” is not the product of a quiet life; it is the fruit of a life upheld by God amid pressure. A “new song” in Scripture is never merely a fresh melody. It is a renewed confession of God’s faithfulness. David has fought many battles, faced many enemies, and endured many disappointments. Yet each time God rescues, strengthens, or restores him, David finds a new reason to praise. The new song is a testimony: God has acted again. For us, the new song often emerges the same way. We do not write it...

  Scripture: Romans 10:14-15 (NIV) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news !” Devotion: Romans 10:14–15 is Paul’s sweeping reminder that the gospel is never meant to sit still. It moves—from God’s heart to Christ ’s work, from Christ’s work to the apostles’ witness, from their witness to the church’s proclamation, and from that proclamation into the ears and hearts of those who have never heard. The chain is intentional. The mission is relational. The calling is shared. Paul’s questions are rhetorical, yet they strike with force. No one can call on Christ without believing. No one can believe without hearing. No one can hear without someone speaking. And no one speaks unless they are sent. In other words, ...

  Psalm 100 :4-5 ( NIV ) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Devotion Gratitude is the doorway to God’s presence. Psalm 100 reminds us that worship begins with thanksgiving. Before we ask for anything, we are invited to acknowledge all that God has already done. When we “enter His gates,” we step into a sacred space where our hearts align with His goodness. Thanksgiving shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance of His grace. Praise follows thanksgiving. It’s not just about saying “thank you” but about declaring who God is—good, loving, and faithful. These attributes never change. In a world where circumstances fluctuate and promises are broken, God’s character remains steadfast. His goodness is not dependent on our situation; His love is not conditional; His faithfulness is not temporary. It ...

The book of Acts , authored by Luke as the sequel to his Gospel, chronicles the explosive growth of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome through the power of the Holy Spirit . This historical and theological narrative demonstrates how the resurrected and ascended Christ continues His work through His apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, as the gospel spreads "to the end of the earth" (1:8). Acts reveals God's sovereignty in building His church and fulfilling His promise to include Gentiles in the people of God. The Foundation: Pentecost and the Jerusalem Church Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles waited in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. At Pentecost (chapter 2), the Spirit descends with power, enabling the disciples to proclaim the gospel in various languages—a reversal of Babel's judgment and a sign of the gospel's universal scope. Peter's sermon demonstrates that Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecy...

Scripture: John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth . Devotion John 1:14 is one of the most breathtaking sentences in all of Scripture. In a single verse, the apostle John gathers the mystery of the Incarnation into a truth so simple a child can repeat it, yet so deep the church has marveled at it for centuries: God became human and lived among us . The eternal Word—the One who spoke creation into being, who existed before time, who is light and life—did not remain distant. He stepped into our world with all its beauty and all its brokenness. He took on flesh, not as a disguise, but as a real human life. He entered our story from the inside. John says He “dwelt among us,” a phrase that literally means “He pitched His tent with us.” It echoes the Old Testament tabernacle, where God’s presence rested among His people in the wilderness. ...

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses , let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus , the pioneer and perfecter of faith . For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Devotion: Hebrews 12:1–3 gives us one of the most vivid pictures of the Christian life in all of Scripture. The writer imagines our journey of faith as a long-distance race—not a sprint, not a casual walk, but a steady, determined run that requires endurance. And right from the start, we are reminded that we do not run alone. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses,” the saints who have gone before us, cheering us on with their lives of faith a...

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” — Jeremiah 29:7 ( NIV ) Devotion: Jeremiah 29:7 is one of the most surprising commands God ever gave His people. Israel was living in Babylon —far from home, surrounded by a culture that did not share their faith, their values, or their hopes. They longed for escape. They prayed for a quick return. Yet God’s word to them was not, “Hold your breath until this is over,” but rather, “Settle in. Plant gardens. Build homes. Raise families. And seek the good of the place where you are .” It is a call to faithful presence . God’s people were not to withdraw in resentment or despair. They were not to fight for dominance or retreat into isolation. Instead, they were to bless the very place that felt foreign and uncomfortable. They were to pray for it, work for its flourishing, and trust that God could use them—even there—to shine His lig...

Scripture: Psalm 116:7 ( NIV ) Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Devotion: Life often feels like a constant race—pressures, deadlines, and unexpected challenges can leave our hearts restless. In this verse, the psalmist speaks to their own soul, commanding it to return to rest. Why? Because God has been good. Rest isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. True rest comes when we remember God’s faithfulness. The psalmist had faced trouble and sorrow, yet they pause to reflect: The Lord delivered me. He heard my cry. He showed mercy. Gratitude becomes the doorway to peace. When anxiety rises, speak to your soul as the psalmist did. Remind yourself of God’s goodness—answered prayers, protection, and grace in hard times. Rest is not found in circumstances but in trust . The same God who carried you before will carry you now. Today, take a moment to breathe and give thanks to Him. Let your soul settle in the truth that you are loved, cared for, a...

  The Gospel of John The Gospel of John stands apart from the Synoptic Gospels as a profound theological meditation on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Written by the apostle John , likely in the final decade of the first century, this Gospel presents Jesus as the eternal Word of God who became flesh to reveal the Father and offer eternal life to all who believe. Prologue: The Word Made Flesh (1:1-18) John begins not with a genealogy or birth narrative but with a cosmic prologue that declares Christ's eternal pre-existence and deity. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (1:1). This Logos , through whom all things were created, became flesh and dwelt among us. The prologue establishes the Gospel's central theme: Jesus is God incarnate, bringing light into darkness, grace and truth to humanity. The Book of Signs (1:19-12:50) The first major section presents seven miraculous signs demonstrating Jesus's divine...