Loving Jesus Style

  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: Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)   5  Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   Devotion: In a world that constantly urges us to seek more, Hebrews 13:5 offers a counter-cultural message of contentment and divine assurance. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" We find ourselves in a society that often measures success by the things we accumulate. Advertisements, social media, and even our peers can subtly make us feel inadequate if we don't constantly strive for more money, possessions, and accolades. However, this societal pressure often leads to a cycle of dissatisfaction. No matter how much we acquire, it's never enough. In stark contrast, Hebrews 13:5 offers a counter-cultural message of contentment and divine assurance, empowering u...

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) 6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Devotion:             These verses above are often quoted but have yet to be lived out. Why is that? One primary reason for this disconnect is that Christians more often conform to the world than we are transformed into Christ's ways. The world, through our media, tries successfully to get our eyes turned toward the stories that keep us anxious and unsettled. If Christians are not careful about what media we pay attention to, we can often fall prey to their schemes to keep us anxious and depressed.             One only has to pay attention to the statistics about anxiety an...

  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: Daniel 12:3 (NLT) 3  Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Devotion:             These words from the prophet Daniel should serve as a call to action for all those who seek God's wisdom and are determined to illuminate those around them. In a world where the wisdom of this world often guides leadership, the Bible warns us that this wisdom is not the true path to living. The writer of James clearly distinguishes between earthly wisdom and the heavenly wisdom we should urgently seek.             James says this about earthly wisdom in 3:14-16: “ 14. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16  For wh...

  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.          ...