Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2  Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Devotion:             In this scripture we are introduced to the reason we can have peace with God. The author, Paul, begins the passage with the word “therefore.” To what does this word reference? Several commentators say that it has in view the entire argument of this letter from chapter 1 through chapter 4. These chapters discuss how we are made right with God. Paul here begins to explain what our faith accomplishes. It leads first of all to peace with God. Humans because of the fall are in a state of rebellion against God. Jesus came to remedy that situation through...

Scripture: Luke 5: 1-11 (ESV) On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him [Jesus] to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,  2  and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  3  Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  4  And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  5  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”  6  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.  7  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.  8  But when Simon Peter saw ...

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NIV) 16  But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18  And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Devotion:             Today, I want to encourage all my believing friends with these words from 2 Corinthians. Paul here is writing to a church that was not always living out their calling to be Christ followers. He is urging them here in these words to turn to God and when they do, they will be rewarded by the transformation of their lives into the image of Christ. The same will happen to believers today. Once we repent of the things that separate us from God we can be accepted and changed into people who truly follow the Lord.   ...

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) 23  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,  24  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Devotion:             As we celebrate Labor Day today let us spend a moment to meditate on the work we do and why we do it. Many people feel their work is not rewarding or satisfying yet they continue to go to work every day because they have bills to pay and mouths to feed. Paul is calling us to a higher purpose here in Colossians. While it is a fact that these words were originally written for slaves, they also are applicable to those of us who work for wages.             Indeed, it is a command that one is to work. Today work has a bad reputation as being boring and having little meaning. Most people, I am sure, do not regard their work as God ho...

  Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24 (NLT) 17  With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Devotion:             This scripture serves as a warning and instruction on how not to live as me...

Scripture: Philippians 1:6 (NRSV) 6  I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Devotion:             Paul the writer of this letter is expressing his belief that God would be faithful to the members of the church at Philippi. What is the “good work” that the members of this church had started? It is likely that he was referring to their being made increasingly into the image of their lord Jesus Christ. Our God will always finish what he starts. The beginning is our salvation. The ending is not until that glorious day when Christ returns for his church.             Just as these words were addressed to the ancient church at Philippi so we can appropriate them for our own church context. No church can exist apart from God’s direct instigation and provision. God helps each church and e...

Scripture: John 10:9-10 (ESV) .   9  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Devotion:             There are many books, internet videos, and even television preachers who promise to unlock the secrets to the abundant life. They insist that we are all destined for a materially rich life with no more worries about money or other material comforts. They cannot all be right. In fact, their claims are sometime contradictory and quite often unbelievable. So, how does one really have an abundant life? First, we need to determine what we mean when we say abundant life. The meaning of the Greek word for abundant here has two senses. First materially and second spiritually abundant. How can we determine which sense is meant here? Or are both senses in view...