Loving Jesus Style

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: Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) 17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Devotion             This profound proverb holds a universal truth that resonates with all of us. It encapsulates the essence of true love and loyalty, which are not just desirable but essential for our survival and growth as human beings. As social creatures, we thrive in loving, trusting relationships. When we are deprived of these connections, whether by choice or circumstance, we often find ourselves making unwise decisions. In times of adversity, it is this love and support that can provide us with the reassurance and comfort we need.             An essential but unstated truth of this proverb is that just as we need to be loved even in personal crises and adversity, we must be available to love and accompany others in their distress. This require...

    Let's delve into the words of Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV), a scripture that speaks of unwavering faith in the face of adversity.   17           Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,                         the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food,                         the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,             18           yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Devotion:             These words from ...

  Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV) 9  Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. 10  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Devotion:             The wisdom of the author of Ecclesiastes resonated with me deeply in an incident that occurred about 12 years ago. I was walking with my dog and loyal companion, Marcy, on a chilly winter morning. A patch of ice sent me tumbling, and I lost consciousness upon impact. Marcy, sensing the urgency, dashed back to our apartment building and found someone to assist me. Thanks to the timely help of a dog and some kind strangers, I made a full recovery after a brief hospital stay.             The wisdom of this ancient writer continues to hold true in our modern society, manifesting in various ways. We...

Scripture: Isaiah 31:1 (ESV) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses,                         who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong,                         but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!   Devotion:             Let us turn to the prophet Isaiah for more wisdom. This scripture warns those who seek to rely on the strength of military power alone to provide safety. No one who trusts in weapons of war to bring peace will prevail in the long run. Today, our world seeks a mighty fighting force equipped with the latest war-making technology and machinery. Those who seek protection from...

Scripture: Proverbs 18:10 (ESV) 10           The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Devotion:             The towers humankind has erected in the modern era are genuinely impressive. They stand so tall and strong. Yet, as we were shown on September 11, 2001, they are vulnerable to sudden destruction. I remember watching the news that day, feeling the shock and disbelief. So, it is with all towers of human invention, whether concrete and steel or ideas and plans. Our towers are weaker than we imagine. Today’s proverb underscores this weakness and urges us to run to the Lord for safety in times of trouble or danger.             Let us reflect on the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis in the Old Testament. Humans sought to make a name for themselves, and because of God’s direct...

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:15 (ESV) 15  And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. Devotion:             The writer of Ecclesiastes offers real, down-to-earth wisdom. Today, we see him extolling the virtues of joy and contentment. The writer seems to be saying that these are God-given gifts to all people if they will receive them. The writer admits that we have to toil in perhaps not the most pleasant tasks. At the end of the day, however, God rewards all His children with joy and contentment in their eating, drinking, and relaxing.             In the 21st century, however, we are told that joy and contentment are for fools. Meaning is to be found not in passive enjoyment but in activities of all kinds. Eating...

Scripture: Romans 4:18-21 (ESV) 18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse. 21  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Devotion:             Today, we consider the wrath of God. In our churches today, you will not hear this topic preached from our pulpits very often if at all. This is due in part to the prevailing spirit of this age, which believes God has no justification for being fill...

Scripture: Proverbs 9:9-10 (ESV) 9            Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.              10           The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.   Devotion             Today, let us consider a proverb. These sayings form an important part of our scriptures. However, they are often overlooked by modern readers because they are seen as meant for a different age. When we look closely at them, we find that their meaning is not dated but strikingly applicable to our current times. In the scriptures God promises that he will give wisdom to all who ask for it, and He will give wisdom generously to those who ask. Therefore, let us take a few minut...

  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (ESV) 18  Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20  and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21  So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22  whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23  and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. Devotion:             Here, in this scripture passage we find Paul urging the Corinthian church to seek wisdom from God. The church has fallen to the temptation to believe that they are wise because they follow the teaching of one of the Lord’s servants instead of Christ himself. It is easy to fall victim to this f...

Scripture: James 1:26-27 (ESV) 26  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  27  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Devotion             Here in today’s scripture the author of James gives a prescription for what ails the church in every generation. The church so easily loses track of its reason for existence. We as a church are in constant danger of losing our collective minds over trivia, and neglecting the important work of loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves with all our being. Jesus kept the main thing, the main thing throughout His ministry. He shut down all attempts by others to speak about matters that did not concern Him.             For the c...

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8 (ESV) 6  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—  8  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Devotion:             We humans are weak, frail, and prone to sin. How is it that God, who we believe is a good and kind God, would allow such faults as these in His special creation? Why would His rescue plan be to become incarnate only to die a humiliating death on the cross? A logical and philosophical answer to those questions would require more knowledge and skill in reasoning than exists on planet earth today. So why bother tackling them in a short 500-word blog post? Because the simplest answer can be found in today’s scripture quotation.          ...

  Scripture: Psalm 39:4-5 (NIV) 4  “Show me, Lord , my life’s end and the number of my days let me know how fleeting my life is. 5  You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.   Devotion:                   Our psalm for today contains some very sobering, yet very wise thoughts about life and death. Just as life is full of ups and downs so the psalms help us face these changing seasons of life in the same way God prepares us for the change of seasons in the weather. As much as we think life should be all play and no work. The author in these verses reminds us there will be a time when we will have passed from this life into death.             The writer of this psalm encourages God to show us, and us to look at...

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-6 (NLT) 1  Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. 2  For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. 3  Trust in the  Lord  and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4  Take delight in the  Lord , and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5  Commit everything you do to the  Lord . Trust him, and he will help you. 6  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.   Devotion:             Psalm 37 has forty verses. However, its main idea is summarized nicely in the first several verses. This psalm is categorized as a wisdom psalm because it mainly seeks to educate the reader or hearer about the ways of the Lord. It provides an optimistic outlook on life. The Lord provides us all of what is needed for enjoyment, happiness, and ...

  Taste And See Psalm 34:8-14 (NIV) 8  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9  Fear the Lord , you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11  Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord . 12  Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13  keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.   Devotion:               The 34 th psalm dispenses wisdom to those who will listen and obey its teaching. As Christians we can take the first lines as referring to the institution of the Lord’s supper. We come to the Lord’s banquet seeking communion with Jesus in a new way. Old Testament listeners would ...