Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV) And I, when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4  and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5  so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Devotion:             In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul speaks to us with a humility that pierces the heart, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” Paul’s approach was not with grandeur or eloquence, but with a simple, profound truth: the testimony of God. He continues, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jes...

Scripture: John 6:35-40 (ESV) 35  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36  But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” Devotion: In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” This profound statement is the cornerstone of our faith, a promise of spiritual suste...

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (MSG)             Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God -taught in these matters. Just love one another! You’re already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it. 11–12        Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you to live in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends. Devotion: In the bustling rhythm of life, the Apostle Paul’s words to the Thessalonians resonate with a timeless melody, urging us to live a life of love and quiet ambition. This 'quiet ambition' is not about worldly success or recognition, but about a humble and diligent pursuit of our responsibilities and re...

  Scripture: Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV) 7  The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8      The Lord will keep your going out, and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Devotion: In the quiet moments of reflection, we often find our hearts wandering to the hills, searching for help and solace. Psalm 121:7-8 offers us a profound assurance, “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” These verses are not just a promise of protection but a testament to God’s unending vigilance in our lives. The Lord’s guardianship is comprehensive, covering every aspect of our existence. He keeps us from harm, not just physically but spiritually, guarding our hearts and minds against the enemy's assaults. The psalmist uses the word “keep” repeatedly, underscoring God's active role in our preservation. It is not a one-time act, bu...

Devotion: One of the most common questions people ask about God is: What does he want from me? What is his plan for my life? How can I please him and fulfill his purpose? The answer to these questions is not a secret or a mystery. It is revealed in his word and in the scriptures that he inspired and preserved for us. One of the most beautiful and powerful verses summarizing God's will for us is 1 Corinthians 2:9. "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'" This verse tells us three amazing truths about God and his plan for us. First, it tells us that God has prepared something uniquely for each of us. He is not a passive or indifferent God who leaves us to our own devices. He is an active and loving God with a specific and personal plan for each of us. He has prepared something for us before we were even born, before the foundation of the world. He knows us ...

  He Forgives All Our Sins Scripture: Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV) 11           For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;             12           as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Devotion: These verses from Psalm 103 beautifully illustrate the magnitude of God's love and forgiveness. The psalmist uses the vastness of the universe and the infinite distance from east to west to help us grasp these divine attributes. God's love is described as "high as the heavens above the earth." It is immeasurable, unfathomable, and uncontainable. It's steadfast, unwavering, and unchanging. It's a love that is extended to each one of us who fear Him, those who revere and honor Him. It's a love that makes us feel valued and cherish...

  Scripture: Acts 18:9-11 (ESV) 9  And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11  And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Devotion Have you ever felt afraid to speak up for your faith? Have you ever wondered if God is with you in your struggles and trials? Have you ever felt alone or outnumbered as a follower of Christ? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. The apostle Paul faced many challenges and oppositions as he preached the gospel in different cities. However, he was not alone. He had the support of his fellow believers, who stood by him in his trials and encouraged him in his mission. He was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, and rejected by many people. He also faced internal conflicts, such as doubts, fears, and discour...