Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: John 11:25-26 (ESV) 25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Devotion: In these profound verses from the Gospel of John, Jesus makes one of his most potent declarations. Speaking to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This statement is not just a promise but a revelation of His divine nature and authority over life and death. It is an assurance that transcends the temporal constraints of our mortal existence, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe. The context of this passage is critical for understanding its full impact. Lazarus had died, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were in deep mourning. When Jesus arrives, Martha expresses her grief and faith, saying that if He had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus responds with this declaration, poi...

Scripture: John 9:1-7 (ESV) 9  As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2  And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3  Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4  We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6  Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7  and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So, he went and washed and came back seeing. Devotion: The story of the man born blind, as recounted in John 9:1-7, is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus' ministry. It's a profound reflection on the nature of suffering and divine purpose. As Jesus passed by, He encount...

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV) 6  The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work Devotion: The passage from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 speaks profoundly about the principles of giving and the attitude one should possess while giving. It begins with a straightforward yet powerful analogy: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." This imagery of sowing and reaping is deeply rooted in agricultural practices, where the yield of the harvest is directly proportional to the amount of seed sown. In a broader sense, it reflects a universal truth about life – the more w...

  Scripture: Philippians 1:18b-21 (NIV) Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19  for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Devotion: Paul, writing from prison, reveals a paradox—a tension that defines the Christian experience. He rejoices even in chains, knowing that God’s Spirit sustains him. His perspective transcends circumstances, pointing us to a profound truth: Life finds its ultimate meaning in Christ. Paul’s joy isn’t superficial; it’s rooted in something deeper—the prayers of fellow believers and the Spirit’s presence. He knows that even imprisonment serves a purpose. Our trials, too, can become conduits for God’...

  Scripture: Isaiah 59:14-15 (ESV)   14          Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away;                         for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.             15           Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself prey. Devotion: In the book of Isaiah, the prophet presents a vivid picture of societal degradation, where foundational virtues such as justice, righteousness, and truth have been usurped. This can be seen in the prevalence of corruption in government, deceit in business, and dishonesty in personal relationships. Isaiah 59:14-15 is a lamentation over a society that has lost its moral compass, where these societal ills ha...

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-36 (ESV) 34  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36  And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Devotion: At first glance, the words Jesus speaks in Matthew 10:34-38 seem startling and even unsettling. We often associate Jesus with peace and love, so the mention of a sword and division feels contradictory. However, these verses reveal a profound truth about the cost of discipleship and the Gospel's transformative power. This is a difficult text rarely preached in our churches' pulpits. Jesus clarifies a common misconception: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus's peace is not the absence of conflict or superficial harmony. Instead, a deep, abidi...

  Scripture: Romans 14:13 (ESV) 13  Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Devotion: In the diversity of the Christian community, threads of tradition, conviction, and preference weave together. Yet, sometimes, these threads snag, creating rifts and divisions. Paul’s words in Romans 14 remind us to tread carefully—to build bridges rather than barriers. Paul’s plea echoes across time: “Let us stop passing judgment on one another.” Judgment erects walls, isolating us from fellow believers. It whispers, “I know better,” and distances hearts. Consider moments when you’ve judged others based on non-essential matters. How did it affect your relationships? Instead of judgment, let's cultivate grace—grace that forgives, accepts, and understands—grace that brings us closer to each other and to God. Paul’s wisdom extends further: “Make up your mind not to put any st...