Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: Luke 10:17-20 (ESV) 17  The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18  And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Devotion:             The words we read above are the conclusion to the story that began in verse 1 of this chapter in Luke. Jesus chose and sent seventy-two of his followers out two by two into the land to proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, and free those oppressed by the devil and his demons. The followers come back with a glowing report. Their mission was a success. The sources of oppression that plagued the people had been defeated. ...

  Scripture: Romans 13:8 (NIV) 8  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Devotion:             Today’s world is awash in debt. From the trillions owed by our federal government to millions owed by consumers on credit cards and student loans, we have become a nation of debtors. It seems that to be in debt is the new thing to do. If you go too far into debt one can, always seek out bankruptcy protection and wipe it all away.             Jesus does not forbid lending and borrowing. In Matthew 5:42 we read “ 42  give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Jesus only instruction for regarding what to do if one fell into debt was to pay it off as soon as possible. Worldly debt is a tool to be used wisely and skillfully to make life more e...