Loving Jesus Style

  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: Galatians 3:27-29 (ESV) 27  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Devotion: What does it mean to put on Christ? Paul uses this metaphor to describe the radical transformation that takes place when we are baptized into Christ. Baptism is not just a ritual or a symbol, but a powerful act of God, a divine intervention that unites us with Christ in his death and resurrection. Our old identity no longer defines us, but by our new identity in Christ. This new identity transcends all the divisions and distinctions that the world makes. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. These categories are not erased, but they are no longer the basis for our status, value, or belonging. We are...

Scripture: Romans 8:16-17 (ESV) 16  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17  and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Devotion: What does it mean to be an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ? It means that we have a glorious inheritance that awaits us in heaven. It means that we are part of God’s family and that we share in his love, his grace, his power, and his glory. It means we have a hope that surpasses anything this world can offer. And most importantly, it means that we are not alone. We have the Spirit of God living in us, confirming our identity as God's children and our destiny as co-heirs with Christ. But being an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ also means we share in his sufferings. We will face trials, persecutions, hardships, and temptations in this life. We will have to deny ourselves, take up our c...

Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)   And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them; they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Devotion: What is your ultimate hope in life? What are you longing for and looking forward to? Some people may hope for success, happiness, health, or love. But as Christians, our hope transcends all these earthly desires. Our ultimate hope is the eternal presence of God with us. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits those who belong to God. In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no more sin, evil, suffering, or death. All the things that cause us pain and sorrow will be gone. God himself will dwell with his people and be t...

  A Knock at the Door Scripture: Revelation 3:20 (NIV) 20  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Devotion: Imagine that you hear a knock at your door. You are not expecting anyone, and you are busy with your own plans. You wonder who it could be and whether you should answer it. You might be curious, annoyed, or afraid. You might ignore it or open it cautiously. Now imagine that the one knocking at your door is Jesus. He is not a stranger, but a friend. He is not a threat, but a blessing. He is not demanding, but inviting. He is not forcing, but waiting. What would you do? Would you welcome him or turn him away? Would you rejoice, or be ashamed? Would you make room for him, or keep him out? Would you share a meal with him, a meal of spiritual nourishment and communion, or keep him at a distance? Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. He wants to have ...

  Scripture: John 8:32 (ESV) 32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Devotion: Jesus said these words to the Jews who had believed in him but were still holding on to their traditions and laws. He challenged them to abide in his word, the trustworthy source of freedom from sin and death. He also exposed their false claim to be Abraham's children since they did not do the works of Abraham and wanted to kill him. He revealed that he was the Son of God, who came from the Father and spoke the truth that the Father had given him. What does it mean to know the truth? It is not just an intellectual knowledge of facts or doctrines but a personal and experiential knowledge of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). To know him is to love him, trust him, obey him, and follow him. It is a transformative journey, guided by his grace and power, and leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment in his mission and glory. How does the ...

  Scripture: Ephesians 2:20-22 (ESV) 20  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21  in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Devotion: What is a temple? In the ancient world, a temple was a sacred place where people worshiped a deity and experienced his or her presence. A temple was also a symbol of the deity's sovereignty and glory, as well as the identity and unity of the people who belonged to him or her. A temple was not just a building; it was a reflection of the relationship between God and his people. When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he uses the image of a temple to describe the church. He says that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, who proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. He says that Christ himself is the cornerstone...

  Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-16 (ESV) 13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility  15  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,  16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility Devotion: Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like you don't belong or fit in? Like there is a wall between you and others that keeps you from enjoying true fellowship and friendship? If so, you are not alone. Many people struggle with feelings of alienation and isolation, especially in our modern world, where we are more connected online than offline. But the good news is that God has a solution for this problem. He has made a way for us to be...

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Devotion:  In the concluding words of the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter the Great Commission, a timeless directive that has propelled the church forward through the ages. Matthew 28:18-20 encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, a profound call to action that resonates with every believer’s heart and forms a crucial part of our faith journey.  Jesus begins by declaring, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This assertion of supreme authority sets the stage for the mission He is about to impart. It reminds us that the one who commands us is the sovereign ruler over all cr...

  Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV) 3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Devotion:                 These verses, like a soothing ointment, heal the weariness of our spirits and illuminate the path of hope for our grieving hearts. They speak directly to our present, a time when the fractures of our fallen world are yet to be healed, when the distance that sin has placed between our Creator and us is still a chasm. Envision, with eager anticipation, a world unmarred by sorrow, untouched by loss. Picture a reality where the sting of death is but a dis...

 Scripture: John 14:27 (ESV) : “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (ESV)   In this verse, Jesus speaks directly to His disciples during the Last Supper. He knows that soon He will face betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Yet, amidst these impending trials, He offers them a profound and transformative gift: peace. This peace is not just for His disciples, but for each one of us, a personal and intimate gift from our Savior.   The peace that Jesus bestows is not a fleeting or superficial offering. It transcends the peace that the world can provide, as it is not limited by time or circumstance. The peace of Christ is more than a mere facade of tranquility, more than a warm smile and a firm handshake on a Sunday morning. It's like a calm sea that remains undisturbed even in the midst of a storm. Once you have this peace, it becomes an inte...

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15 (ESV) 13  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. Devotion:  The Apostle John writes with a pastoral heart in his first epistle, particularly in the concluding affirmations of chapter 5. Verses 13 to 15 serve as a beacon of assurance, illuminating the path of every believer with the promise of eternal life and the confidence we can have in approaching God. Verse 13  begins with a profound purpose: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” This statement is not merely informative; it is transformative. It has the power to shift the believer’s per...

  Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV) 7  “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye? 5  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Devotion:             In today’s culture, perhaps the one unforgivable sin is judging another person, especially concerning matters of sin. Yet, we are all human and struggle with our own imperfections. This scripture reminds us to approach others with empathy and understanding rather than judgment. Rather than instructing us to forego all judgment, it is a...

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:16 (ESV) 16  And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever. Devotion:             Today’s scripture verse, the pinnacle of the prophet Nathan’s oracle about King David, holds profound significance. Consider the historical context: imagine how David and his contemporaries in 1,000 B.C. would have perceived these words. Would they have assumed that David’s descendants would always occupy the throne and rule over Israel? This seems likely. Yet, the reality that the kingdom would be divided soon after David’s death, with no direct lineage of David to rule, might have led them to believe that this prophecy had failed.             Other prophets throughout the ages saw this and bemoaned that David’s offspring were not worthy to occupy the throne. They might have thought that God would...

  Scripture: Acts 2:1-4 (ESV) 2  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Devotion:             Today, as we gather in the church, we commemorate the significant event of the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the disciples. Just as Jesus had instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrived, we too are reminded of the importance of patience and readiness for the Spirit's work in our lives. On the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Jesus' words were fulfilled as the Spirit descended upon them. The full extent of their newly found power woul...

  Scripture: Acts 20:35 (ESV) 35  In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Devotion:             These words from the Book of Acts serve as a direct challenge to each one of us in the church community. As followers of Christ, we bear a significant responsibility in our current society, where the number of needy people can be overwhelming. We often find ourselves, like the lawyer in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, trying to limit the number and kind of people who qualify for our “compassion.” However, this scripture reminds us that it is our duty, as followers of Christ, to help the weak and needy, regardless of their number or circumstances.             Confronted with this scriptural truth, we ...

  Scripture: John 13:34-35 (ESV) 34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Devotion:             The words of this scripture passage flow from the apostle John as quickly and frequently as any other word he ever wrote. Love is one of the overarching themes in John’s writings. From his gospel to his letters, John consistently writes of the necessity for Christians' lives to be marked by love for one another. The words John writes here are a quote from the lips of Jesus. Jesus knows the law of the Torah and is undoubtedly aware that in Leviticus 19: 18, we are commanded to love one another. So, in what sense is this a new command?             The Leviticus command is that we love on...

Scripture: 1 John 4:18 (ESV) 18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Devotion:             This scripture proclaims a truth that is not just relevant, but crucial in today’s culture. If there is one quality that is desperately needed in America today, it is true biblical love. We seem to have forgotten how to love and trust one another. Such love and trust are not just the glue that holds society together, but the very foundation on which it stands. This decay of love for one another has occurred gradually over many years. The Covid pandemic really accelerated this loss by instilling fear and caution in our interactions, telling us that every person we met was a potential carrier of the disease and should be avoided.             Fear drove us to extraordina...

  Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) 28  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Devotion:             Today, we delve into a passage that may resonate with many of us. It's a conversation with Jesus, where He shares His wisdom about the rewards of following His path. We all carry our own unique burdens and worries each day. But Jesus, in His infinite compassion, assures us that by embracing Him, we can find rest from these heavy loads.             This burden-sharing Jesus speaks of in this passage was a revolutionary teaching for the Jewish people of His time. They were used to the scribes and other religious leaders adding spiritual tasks and burd...

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-11 (ESV) 6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Devotion:             The final creed/hymn we will examine is found early in the letter to the Philippians. Theologians have described it as a hymn of kenosis, a term that means self-emptying. This hymn was likely a familiar part of the early Christian liturgy, and its inclusion ...