Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: Psalm 145:17 (ESV) 17           The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. Devotion: How do we know that God is good? How can we trust that he has our best interests at heart? How can we see his kindness in the midst of a broken and hurting world? The psalmist answers these questions by declaring that the Lord is righteous and kind in all his ways and works. This means that everything God does is consistent with his perfect character, holy justice, and tender mercy. For instance, when we experience a beautiful sunrise, we witness God's kindness in providing us with a new day. He never acts out of malice, caprice, or indifference. He never violates his own standards or promises. He always does what is right, fair, and loving, providing a reliable source of goodness in our lives. This truth gives us hope and confidence in every situation. We can rely on God's goodness when we face trials, ...

  Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2(NIV) Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Devotion: We all, as human beings, make mistakes and fall into sin at some point in our lives. No one is perfect, except Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again to give us new life. But how do we respond when we see a fellow believer struggling with sin? Do we judge them, ignore them, or condemn them? Or do we follow the example of Christ, who came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance? Remember, we are all equally vulnerable to sin, and it is our shared humanity that calls us to respond with empathy and understanding. Paul tells us in Galatians 6:1-2 that we who live by the Spirit should restore those caught in sin gently and humbly, without being self-righteous ...

Scripture: Romans 11:28-32 (NLT) 28  Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29  For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30  Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31  Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. 32  For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. Devotion: In this passage, Paul reveals a profound truth about God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. It's not just a historical account, but a living reality that directly impacts our lives today. He shows us how God's use of their disobedience and His mercy are not a distant concept, but a present-day truth we can experience. He reassures us that...

  Scripture: Psalm 121:7-8 (KJV) 7            The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8            The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. Devotion: Life's journey, with its uncertainties and challenges, often leaves us feeling vulnerable and anxious. Yet, in the midst of our travels, we find solace and strength in the promises of God, as beautifully encapsulated in Psalm 121:7-8. These verses offer a profound assurance of God’s unwavering protection and guidance, speaking directly to the struggles and fears each of us faces in our daily lives. As we delve into these verses, we are reminded that the Lord is not just a distant figure, but our Keeper, a vigilant guardian who neither slumbers nor sleeps. His watchful eyes are always upon us, shielding us against the myriad form...

  Scripture: Micah 6:8 (ESV) 8  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you        but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Devotion:             In this short but powerful verse, God himself speaks these words through the mouthpiece of His prophet, Micah. God has just finished telling the people that He does not need their animal and oil sacrifices, no matter how vast the quantity. The people he addressed had mistaken ideas of what God required from them in their worship. God had told and shown them all through their history of walking with Him that He cared more for the state of their souls than all the sacrifices they could offer Him.                   Don’t we make the same mistake today? It seems the church always stresses the form and c...