Loving Jesus Style

3  if the foundations are destroyed , what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3             Perhaps at no other time in the history of the United States of America have we lived in a time when we needed this word from God more than right now. We live in a time where the wheels of justice turn so slowly. Whether it is in the inner cities where we see a police officer or two take the law into their own hands, or when we see rioters burning buildings and tearing down statues and monuments seemingly at random. We are living in dark times. Our leaders are seemingly not up to the task of restoring law and order on the streets of some of our largest cities.             All while our country is facing a pandemic that is killing off our neighbors at an astonishing rate. Endangering our neighbors and ourselves with its deadly effects. It seems to pass quickly through the popu...

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20              16  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  17  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  18  And Jesus came and said to them, “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.”  [1] Devotion             I have been convicted in my sprit by this verse and the Holy Spirit. When I was much younger, I memorized this piece of scripture. But I now confess to you all that I have not lived it out. While there is nothing wrong with memorizing scripture. ...

Turn the other cheek Matthew 5:38-42 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39  But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [1] Devotion             In the times which we find ourselves, following Jesus command to turn the other cheek is extremely difficult. For example, how is it possible to turn the other cheek when someone is looting your store or worse yet burning it down. Should not one defend one’s own property.             However, the commands of the sermon on the mount are d...

The Assembling Ourselves In A Covid-19 World Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 24  And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. [1]             For a number of weeks now we have been meeting via Facebook instead of in person for worship. While we can do the externals of worship i.e.. singing, praying, and preaching. There is still something missing. All the externals are present, but the internals of worship are missing. And indeed, will remain missing until we meet in person again. Now I realize that meeting is impossible, to assure everyone safely and that we don’t spread this virus from spreading because of our worship together.             This is not the first time in our nations history that chur...

Scripture: Lamentation Ch 3:19-24 I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,          the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.          I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—                         the feeling of hitting the bottom.                   But there’s one other thing I remember,                         and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: 22–24  God ’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,                         his merciful love cou...

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers join in imitating me and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, wh...

Good Friday 2020 Luke 23:38-46 38  There was also an inscription over him, “This is t he King of the Jews.” 39  One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42  And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43  And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 44  It was now about the sixth hour and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45  while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46  Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. [1] Devotio...