In Today's Reading:
Spiritual gifts; resurrection of Christ; collection for the Jerusalem saints
It is a triumphant fact that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (I Corinthians 15:3-4). For the Christian, death is not the end of life but only the beginning of a magnificent, eternal future with our wonderful Lord. We shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (15:51-52).
Paul concluded his glorious thoughts on the return of the Lord Jesus by saying: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (it is always profitable) (15:58). While Paul wrote of a joyful eternity with Christ, the Apostle John wrote of the coming judgment for all unbelievers. I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it. . . . And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. . . . And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Christians have the utmost confidence that, if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you (Romans 8:11).
Our threefold purpose for living is to become the person that God planned for us to be so we may accomplish His will for us on earth and be prepared for the triumphant splendor of heaven. Concerning heaven, the words of Jesus have brought precious comfort to millions when He said: Let not your heart be troubled. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And . . . I will come again, and receive you unto Myself (John 14:1-3).
Word Studies:
14:10 signification = meaning; 14:11 barbarian = foreigner; 14:20 in malice be ye children = in doing evil, be as harmless as a baby; 14:27 by course = in turn; 15:9 meet = worthy, fit; 15:20 slept = have died; 15:33 evil communications corrupt good manners = evil companions or associations ruin or defile good character; 15:40 celestial = heavenly; terrestrial = earthly; 16:2 gatherings = collections; 16:13 stand fast in the faith = remain true to the Lord; quit you = act, be courageous; 16:15 addicted = devoted; 16:22 Anathema = accursed; Maranatha = our Lord is coming!
Cross References:
For I Corinthians 14:21: See Isaiah 28:11-12. I Corinthians 15:3-4: See Hosea 6:2. I Corinthians 15:25: See Psalm 110:1. I Corinthians 15:27: See Psalm 8:6. I Corinthians 15:32: See Isaiah 22:13. I Corinthians 15:45: See Genesis 2:7. I Corinthians 15:54: See Isaiah 25:8. I Corinthians 15:55: See Hosea 13:14.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Kathy Hicks · Staff: Mary Kay Wagner Government Officials: Gov. Richard Codey (NJ) and Gov. Tim Pawlenty (MN) Country: Tibet (population unknown) (province of China) in eastern Asia · Major language: Tibetan · The Chinese government is still committed to promoting atheism, while at the same time, officially permitting Lamaism (a form of Buddhism) · No religious statistics are available, but at one time all were Lamaists · Lamaism was all but exterminated by Chinese invaders in the 1950s, but it is now permitted under strict control Prayer Suggestion: God wants to be exalted through you (Psalm 46:10).
Memory Verse for the Week: John 5:24