Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: Exodus 29:45-46 (ESV) 45  I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46  And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God. Devotion: One of the most amazing truths of the Bible is that God wants to dwell with his people. He is not a distant deity who watches us from afar, but a personal God who desires an intimate relationship with us. He created us for his glory and pleasure and invites us to share in his life and love. In the book of Exodus, we see how God rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai, where he gave them his law and his covenant. He also instructed them to build a tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, where he would manifest his presence among them. The tabernacle was a visible sign of God's grace and faithfulness, foreshadowing God's ultimate dwelling place with his people: Jesus Christ. ...

Scripture: Psalm 91:9-11 (NIV) 9  If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10  no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Devotion: One of the most comforting promises in the Bible is that God will protect and watch over those who trust in him. Psalm 91:9-11 says, "If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." This is not just an assurance, but a profound declaration of God's unwavering protection. It's a reminder that we are not alone or helpless in this world, but we have a loving and powerful God who cares for us and sends his angels to shield us from harm. But what does making the Lord our refuge and dwelling mean? It means more than...

  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: Psalm 51:15 (ESV) 15           O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise Devotion: Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance from King David, who had committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the murder of her husband, Uriah. David was confronted by the prophet Nathan and convicted of his sin. He cried out to God for mercy and forgiveness, and asked God to restore his joy and fellowship. This passage is a powerful example of the transformative power of God's forgiveness and the restoration it brings to our lives. Verse 15 is part of David's plea for restoration. He asks God to open his lips, so that he can declare God's praise. This implies that David's sin had silenced his praise. He had lost his ability and desire to worship God, because he knew he had offended God and broken his covenant. He felt ashamed and unworthy to speak of God's goodness and glory. But David also knew that only God could heal ...

  Scripture: Psalm 32:8 (NIV) 8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.   Devotion: God has a unique, tailor-made plan for your life and He longs to guide you in His ways. He is not a distant or indifferent God who leaves you to figure things out on your own. He is a loving and personal God who cares about every detail of your life and wants to bless you with His wisdom and peace. But how can you hear his voice and follow his direction? Psalm 32:8 gives us some clues. First, God says he will instruct you and teach you. This means that God wants to communicate with you through his word, the Bible. The Bible is not just a book of stories and rules; it is God's living and active word that reveals his character, his promises, and his will for your life. As you read, study, meditate, and memorize the Bible, you will learn more about God and his ways, and you will be able to apply his truth to your...

Scripture: Jonah 1:17-2:3 (NIV) 17  Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 2  From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2  He said: “In my distress, I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead, I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3  You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. Devotion: The story of Jonah is well-known to many of us. We know how he tried to run away from God's call to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh, how he boarded a ship that was caught in a storm, how he was thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish, and how he finally obeyed God and delivered his message. But do we ever stop to think about what Jonah felt and learned in the belly of the fish? The Bible tells us that Jonah pray...

 A Devotional on Jeremiah 1:4-5 Have you ever found yourself pondering over your existence? Wondering about the purpose of your life in this vast world? Are you contemplating how you can make a meaningful difference? These questions often plague us, especially during times of uncertainty and hardship. But take heart, for God has a unique answer for each of us. He has a divine plan and a specific calling for your life. He knows you intimately and loves you deeply. He has chosen you for a special mission, just as He did for me. Rest assured, His plan is perfect, and His calling for you is sure. Jeremiah, a young man who lived in a time of great turmoil and trouble, faced challenges that may resonate with many of us. His nation, Judah, was under constant threat of invasion and destruction by the powerful Babylonian empire. Like many of us, Jeremiah felt inadequate and afraid to speak God's message to his people, especially in such a hostile and uncertain environment. But God rea...

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:34 (ESV) 34  And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord ,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord . For I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.” Devotion The devotion to this awe-inspiring scripture, Jeremiah 31:34, profoundly reflects the transformative and awe-inspiring nature of God's love and forgiveness. It's an invitation for each of us to internalize God's word, allowing it to guide us not out of obligation but out of a deep, personal connection with the Divine. This new covenant is not just a contract; it's a relationship that changes us from the inside out.   In a world often overwhelmed by rules and regulations, Jeremiah 31:34 offers a different perspective. It suggests that the most enduring change comes not from external pressures but from an internal realization and acceptance of God's love and command...

  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: Psalm 130:1-6 (NIV) 1  Out of the depths I cry to you,  Lord ; 2      Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3  If you,  Lord , kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4  But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5  I wait for the  Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope. 6  I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.   Devotion: In today’s scripture, we witness the psalmist's emotional journey, crying out from the depths. They begin by expressing their desperation, their voice echoing from the depths of their soul. We all traverse through moments of darkness, pain, and uncertainty. In those times, we can turn to God, knowing He hears our voice and will act on our behalf. The psalmist acknowledges the weight of our sins, recognizing that if God kept a record, none ...

  Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) 11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Devotion: Jeremiah, a prophet who lived in a tumultuous era of Israel’s history, serves as a beacon of hope for us today. The people of Judah had strayed from God, indulging in idolatry and disobedience. As a consequence, Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, overtook Judah and Jerusalem, leading to their exile (Jeremiah 25:1-11). This reminds me of a time when I felt distant from God due to my own mistakes, but His faithfulness and love brought me back. Yet, even in their captivity, God remained faithful. He had a plan for His people that extended beyond their immediate circumstances. Jeremiah 29:11 was written specifically for those in exile, but its promises resonate with us today. This verse is a reminder that God's plans are always for our welfare, even in the midst of challenging situations. Thought...

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Devotion: These verses serve as a humbling reminder of the vastness of God's wisdom compared to our own. They encourage believers to trust the Lord's more excellent plan, even when it diverges sharply from human expectations or desires. This passage is not merely about the difference in perspective; it is about the difference in essence. The heavens are not just above the earth; they are different altogether. Similarly, God's thoughts and ways are not just above ours; they are fundamentally different. The context of these verses is of utmost importance. They are not standalone declarations but part of a larger discourse that speaks of God's generosity and His eagerness to pardon. The chapter opens with an inv...

  Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) 5      Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6      In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.   Devotion:                The proverb we are considering today is perhaps familiar to most believers. However, we should not let familiarity prevent us from seeing the Scripture with fresh eyes. I have deliberately chosen the Old King James version, a unique perspective that offers a fresh interpretation, to aid us in examining this proverb in new and intriguing ways. This translation of the familiar passage will slow us down, inviting us to consider each word and the thoughts the writer wants us to catch.   The first line of the passage starkly contrasts our culture's demands with the Lord's command. It encourages us to depend on the Lord’s words and ways without reservation, in dire...

  Scripture: Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV) 1  Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.   Devotion:                    David, the author of Psalm 62, exemplifies unwavering faith and trust in God for salvation. His words resonate with the church community today, reminding us of our profound gift in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. David's faith, though rooted in a different time, is a beacon of inspiration for us all as we, too, await God's chosen time to reveal His salvation to the world. David never had a particularly easy life. His older brothers probably made him do all the most menial tasks around their property. As David grew up, he showed great courage and resilience as he relied on God for his rest and salvation.          ...

  Why? Scripture: Psalm 42:5 (NIV) 5  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.   Devotion:                The words above are the refrain to this psalm and Psalm 43. That is only part of the evidence that these two psalms were originally one psalm. This refrain occurs twice in Psalm 42 in verses 5 and 11 and at the end of Psalm 43 in verse 5. What is the psalmist trying to convey in these two psalms?                 The writer tries to convey his and our constant need for God. In Verses 1-4 of Psalm 42, we hear of the psalmist's need and desire to seek and find God. Finding God is for the writer is just as necessary as finding water is for the deer and other animals of the forest. The fact that, for whatever reason, the psalmist is incapable at the moment of co...