'Christ Jesus' Tagged Posts

'Christ Jesus' Tagged Posts

Daily Devotions

He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” vs. 30 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Paul sensed that one of the problems in the Corinthian congregation was that some of the people had begun to think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. He reminds them that when they were called to become believers they were all nobodies, and none of them was in any…

Daily Devotions

Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God….” vss. 8-9a Ephesians 3:1-12 Paul was well-versed in the scriptures and believed that he understood the nature and will of God, but an encounter with the Risen Christ wiped all that confidence from his…

Daily Devotions

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” vs. 19 1 Corinthians 15:15-20 Some of us grew up believing that the whole point of having faith in Jesus was to insure that we would have eternal life when we die. There was great joy when, on their deathbeds, people would accept Jesus as their personal savior and receive the assurance of new life with him in heaven. When such…

Daily Devotions

For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…” vss. 9-10a 1 Corinthians 15:6-11 Paul still had to pinch himself when he considered his calling to be an apostle–he knew he didn’t deserve it–that he was unfit because of his prior record as a persecutor of Christians. But he had no doubt about his call, and when…

Daily Devotions

He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’” vs. 29 Mark 8:27-33 There is little doubt that Jesus of Nazareth existed. Only die-hard skeptics continue to say that there never was such a person, that all reports of his existence are only fabrications. Even if we doubt the accuracy of some gospel accounts it seems obvious that he preached and taught in Galilee and Judea at some point in the…

Daily Devotions

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” vss. 20-21 Ephesians 3:18-21 As Christ dwells within us we are being rooted and grounded in love–and that’s not just pious talk! In Christ the energy of the universe is working within us for good, and we…

Daily Devotions

Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” vss. 31-32 John 12:27-33 John presents the basic outline of Jesus’ suffering and death in pretty much the same way as the other gospel writers, but the tone is entirely different. While the other three give the gruesome details of a horrible death, for John this is…

Daily Devotions

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison…” vss. 18-19 1 Peter 3:18-22 As early followers of Jesus reflected on his sacrificial death, it seemed absurd to believe that he had suffered only for the living. Instead they began…

Daily Devotions

John 1:15-18 “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” vs. 18 Through the centuries humans have been told that the study of religions will lead them to an understanding of God. And so we have done our work. We’ve dug into holy scriptures, listened to learned teachers, and probed deep into the intricacies of the world’s religions–and for the most part the search…

Daily Devotions

Luke 1:34-38 “Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then angel departed from her.” vs. 38 Mary’s act of trust has been a model for believers since the beginning, and is one of the reasons that millions of followers hold her in such esteem. “Let it be with me according to your word,” she responded and she became the mother of Jesus the Christ, a child whose…

Daily Devotions

Romans 16:25-27 “Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed…” vss. 25-26a There are a lot of secrets floating around at this time of year. Gifts are being purchased, buyers hoping that their choices match the secret desires of those they love. Children are wondering what’s in the packages that are…

Daily Devotions

Philippians 1:21-26 … “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” vs. 21  Paul had visited Philippi on his first missionary journey somewhere around 50 AD and managed to stay in touch with periodic letters, including this one written about 58 AD during one of his frequent imprisonments. He loved this little congregation and bares his soul as he openly shares with them deep feelings about living and dying. Many in our time have difficulty talking about the…