Author: Justin Oakes

  • Devotion: Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind

    Devotion: Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind

    Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13 “Gird up the loins of your mind.” In ancient times, men wore tunics that would sometimes reach down to the knee. These tunics were great for every day tasks, but when it came time to do hard work, these knee-length garments could really get in the way (as many of you ladies…

  • Devotion: Amusement and Formation

    Devotion: Amusement and Formation

    Scripture: Philippians 4:8 The word “amusement” actually comes from the prefix “a-“, which means “no”, and “muse”, which means “to think”. The idea communicated in that word is “no thinking”, which is exactly what we seek to do with our entertainment. We want something passive that we don’t have to think hard about or put much…

  • Devotion: The Power of Meditation

    Devotion: The Power of Meditation

    Scripture: Romans 8:6 “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Meditation is what you think about when you are not required to think about anything. It’s your default drift. And that drift reveals what your heart treasures. If your mind habitually drifts toward worry, resentment, or pleasure-seeking, your life will reflect that. But if it…

  • You Are What You Think: Stewarding Your Mind for the Glory of God

    You Are What You Think: Stewarding Your Mind for the Glory of God

    Philippians 4:8–9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and…

  • Devotion: The Ingredient List

    Devotion: The Ingredient List

    Scripture: Philippians 4:8 “Think on these things.” Your mind is constantly receiving ingredients. The question is not whether something is going in—it is what is going in. Paul gives us a filter. True. Honest. Just. Pure. Lovely. Of good report. Virtuous. Praiseworthy. If you desire Christlike fruit, you must choose Christlike fuel. The Word of God…

  • Devotion: Glorify God In Your Body

    Devotion: Glorify God In Your Body

    Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” You were purchased at the cost of Christ’s blood. That is not meant to shame you — it is meant to free you. That means God loves you and cares about you enough to pay such a great price.…

  • Devotion: The Temple of the Holy Spirit

    Devotion: The Temple of the Holy Spirit

    1 Corinthians 6:19 reveals that our bodies are sacred temples of the Holy Spirit, signifying God’s constant presence and empowerment. We must honor this reality by caring for ourselves and reflecting His presence.

  • Devotion: United To Christ

    Devotion: United To Christ

    Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:15 “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” You are spiritually united to Christ. That means what you do in your body carries spiritual implications. When you do something sinful or not-so-wise, you are essentially bringing Christ into that moment. When you do something that is glorifying to God,…

  • Your Body Matters: Stewarding The Temple For God’s Glory

    Your Body Matters: Stewarding The Temple For God’s Glory

    A Culture Obsessed and Confused We live in a culture that is obsessed with the body. And yet, at the same time, we are unbelievably confused about it. Some people worship their bodies. They treat them as the highest priority. They sculpt them into a perfect image. They control every curve and contour. They spend…

  • Devotion: Raised For Eternity

    Devotion: Raised For Eternity

    Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:14 “God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” You are not destined for disembodied floating. You are destined for resurrection. The body you are in now will one day be glorified and raised. That reality should shift how you think about your physical…