Author: Justin Oakes
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Living In The In Between (Part 1)
John 14:15–31 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 We are finally returning to our study of the Gospel of John. We have been several different places over the last few months. We lost track of the study when we had our baby, and when we returned it was right around Thanksgiving,…
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Devotion: Love That Obeys
Scripture: John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus connects love and obedience in a way that cannot be separated. Loving Christ is not simply a matter of emotion or confession; it is demonstrated through obedience. When we truly love Him, we desire to follow what He has said. Sometimes believers try to…
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Devotion: Living In The In Between
Scripture: John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Believers live in what might be called the “in-between.” We look back to the cross where Christ defeated sin and death, and we look forward to the resurrection and the new creation where everything will be made right. Yet today we…
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Devotion: Holding Possessions With An Open Hand
Scripture: “Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 God gives richly for our enjoyment, but never for our worship. Possessions are tools, not masters. When we begin trusting in wealth for security or identity, we have misplaced our faith. The…
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Devotion: Investing In Eternity
Scripture: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come…” — 1 Timothy 6:19 When we give, we are not losing. We are investing. Scripture speaks of real reward in the life to come. The sacrifices made for Christ are not forgotten. They are remembered and repaid. Too often we…
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Devotion: Rich In Good Works
Scripture: “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” — 1 Timothy 6:18 God does not condemn the rich for having wealth. Instead, He commands them to be rich in something better: good works. Wealth becomes a powerful instrument in the hands of someone who views…
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Contentment In A Culture of More: How To Steward Your Possessions Well
Main Text: 1 Timothy 6 Finishing the Stewardship Conversation We are finishing today our study on how to be a good steward. That is what we have been looking at for several weeks now, even with the interruptions of snow and everything else that came along. We have been considering how to steward well the…
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Devotion: The Trap of Desire
Scripture:“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare…” — 1 Timothy 6:9 Paul does not condemn wealth; he warns about the desire for wealth as a ruling ambition. When becoming rich becomes the goal of life, the heart is vulnerable to compromise. A snare is not obvious. It is hidden. It…
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Devotion: Godliness With Contentment
Scripture:“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6 Contentment is not the absence of ambition; it is the presence of gratitude. Paul reminds us that we brought nothing into this world and will carry nothing out. Everything we possess is temporary, and everything we enjoy is a gift. The beauty of creation,…
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Devotion: The Mind of Christ
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:16 “We have the mind of Christ.” Jesus died not only to forgive sinful deeds but sinful thoughts. And through the Spirit, He empowers transformation. You are not trapped in old mental patterns. You have been given new life. You have been given the Spirit. You have been given the Word. You…
