Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:25-26
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. —1 Corinthians 15:25-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How many times have you stood over the grave of a recently departed friend or loved one? It hurts! When was the last time you tasted grief and separation from someone you dearly loved? Oh, my, that hurts deeply! I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful that the Bible identifies death as one of Jesus’ enemies. I am grateful that Jesus hates death and the damage and separation it causes. I rejoice! The LORD hates death even more than I do and came to earth and suffered death to destroy the evil one’s power over us in death. I am filled with joy to know that death ultimately will be destroyed when Jesus gives immortality and life to us so we can share in his glory forever! My Prayer… Holy Father, please triumph with life and mercy in the lives of those I know who are wrestling with emotional, spiritual, and physical illness and death. Triumph in their lives through your power and your grace. I look forward to the day, dear Father, when death is no more. LORD Jesus, I not only pray this in your name, but I ask you to speed this day of victory for all your disciples! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:24
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. —1 Corinthians 15:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Closing time! That’s when everything is counted, the doors are locked, and the final tally is made. Jesus is LORD of closing time. Even though he won the victory over death and sin while on the cross and with the empty tomb (Colossians 2:12-15), we’re still waiting to get swept up into his victory march. That day is coming. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus’ power, glory, and reign (Philippians 2:10-11). Every evil power will face destruction. However, the hearts that are yielded to God will be placed into his loving and mighty hands forever and share in his glory (Colossians 3:3-4). Our LORD reigns! My Prayer… Almighty God, Father of grace and mercy, I appreciate your tenderness and patience with me. However, Father, I am also comforted to know your power and might will exert itself fully upon the earth and against the powers of hell. I am heartened to know that Jesus will assert his rule and destroy everything false, malicious, evil, and wicked. Maranatha!* May that day, and our LORD Jesus Christ, come soon! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. * In 1 Corinthians 16:22, Paul uses the Aramaic phrase Maranatha, which is translated, “Come, Lord!”All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. —1 Corinthians 15:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The angels at the empty tomb of Jesus asked the women (Luke 24:5), “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” These words are also the angels’ words to us. Jesus is risen, and one day, so will we be raised from the dead: Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). He guarantees that God’s harvest of all people will one day occur. He is our assurance as believers and disciples that we, too, will be raised from death and death will no longer have a hold on us! We are God’s eternal children, and death cannot separate us from his presence or love (Romans 8:37-39). My Prayer… Father God, I praise you for your redeeming grace. I rejoice in your conquest over Satan and over his power to wound and destroy through death. I thank you for your power over the grave. Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and giving me the assurance of life forever with you. Please bless me, dear Father, with a life that reflects the power that you have now working in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray this. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. —Proverbs 10:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Wealth, especially wealth gotten through greedy and wicked means, proves to be of no lasting value. This rancid kind of wealth rots the heart of the one who gets it. Even when we have this rotten wealth, it cannot save us from our ultimate demise. Righteousness, however, is a far more precious treasure. True righteousness comes from God as his gift to us from his grace we received through faith in Christ Jesus. This righteousness transcends our mortality, is greater than any financial wealth we could accumulate, and saves our souls from death. My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for making me righteous in your sight through Jesus’ sacrifice and your grace. I want my enduring legacy to be my righteous character — character and righteousness you have given me — not my status, achievement, or wealth. I know my accomplishments will be forgotten after my earthly life is over, but I am fully convinced that the righteousness you develop in me will be a blessing and an influence for generations after I am gone and will be my accompanying treasure when I share with you in your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that as we trust him and share his blessings with others, he will ensure we have all we need and have even more so that we can help others. Notice what Paul told the Corinthians: Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). How can we be sure? Look at Jesus — his ministry, his life, and his provision. My Prayer… Dear Father, please forgive me for trying to find my security and hope in things other than you. I know there is no other source of hope, freedom, and security than you. Help me tear down every idol I may have erected that dilutes or distorts my trust in you. Open my heart to recognize places and times where I trust more in my efforts and resources rather than fully trusting in you and your graciousness. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:12-13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. So much of what and who we hold dear in this world can be touched by death, disaster, and decay. What do we have that is certain? To whom can we turn for assurance? Where do we find the power to live victoriously in good times and bad? In the LORD who gives us strength! With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can do everything and endure everything, with the help of God — Father, Son, and Spirit who give us strength! My Prayer… O LORD God, Father of all creation, we confess that our lives and the circumstances in which we live are beyond our abilities to control. We thank you for being present to comfort, protect, guide, and empower us. Because of your presence and strength in us and with us, we believe we can face each situation with confidence and assurance. Because you are with each of us, O loving Shepherd, we know we will have all we need to live victoriously for you until the glorious day we share with you in your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:19
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. —1 Corinthians 15:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Wow! What a powerful and sobering thought. Our faith in Jesus’ resurrection and being joined with him forever is so crucial that all else pales in comparison. Our hope in Christ is not just for the here and now but also a hope that transcends life and breaks the shackles of death. If it doesn’t offer us this hope, then there is no hope. We have no good news to share. The world is lost in its morass of selfishness and sin. We are deluded and to be pitied. But then, because of grace, I do believe! I trust that you also believe! And that, dear disciple of Jesus, changes everything! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, we believe your victory over sin and death through Jesus’ resurrection also means our victory over sin, death, and hell! We trust that Jesus will raise us from the dead to share eternal life in your presence. We cannot fully put into our meager human words how much we look forward to being with you face to face, sharing in your glory, and praising your name forever. So, we entrust our hearts’ joyous thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit as your heavenly gift intercedes for us in groans, sighing, and emotions “too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26-27). In Jesus’ name, we praise and thank you for our hope. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. —1 Corinthians 15:3-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some truths are “first importance” truths. They are the heart of the matter, foundational, and immutable truths. We don’t have to doubt what those “first importance” things are as Jesus’ disciples. The Gospel of our salvation is built on the testimony of eyewitnesses to the historical events: Jesus died, Jesus was buried, Jesus rose from the grave, and Jesus appeared to his disciples, who were never the same after witnessing their resurrected Savior. Let’s not let anyone distract us from these core truths or crowd out their simplicity with other matters that some falsely claim to be essential. Our salvation is rooted in our faith and our participation in this simple yet powerful Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Romans 6:3-7). My Prayer… Dear God, I confess my faith in your saving work for me accomplished by Jesus. I believe that your Son and my Savior, Immanuel, Jesus of Nazareth, my LORD, was crucified by wicked men just as you had foretold long ago in the Scriptures. I believe Jesus’ dead and lifeless body was placed in a borrowed tomb. I believe you brought him back to life on the third day, just as you promised. I believe that those most destroyed by his death, those who knew him best, saw him alive again. I believe their lives were never the same. I believe, dear Father, that as I have confessed my faith in Jesus and shared with him in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism, my life is caught up with him in your salvation and victory over sin, death, and hell. I praise you for this grace. I thank you for this assurance. So, dear Father, I look forward to sharing in your glory when he returns for me. Thank you for my salvation. In Jesus’ name I live, rejoice, and wait in hope. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:2
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. —1 Corinthians 15:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What saves us? What God did for us in Jesus! Let’s commit to let nothing make us relinquish our trust and dependency upon that hope, that Gospel by which we are saved (1 Corinthians 15:3-7). No name, person, or message can bring us true salvation other than the person, work, and Gospel of Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:3-9). We don’t need to add anything else to it. We must never let anyone take anything from it. Let’s hold firmly to this faith as trust in God’s grace in Jesus! My Prayer… Father, I trust in no other god for you alone are God.. I trust in no other Gospel but the story of your love and grace in Jesus. There is no other Savior and LORD other than Jesus. As the old hymn so beautifully prays, “Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love to Thee.” In Jesus’ name, I fervently pray this. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 15:1
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. —1 Corinthians 15:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The pure Gospel of Jesus Christ is our hope, salvation, and foundation for faith. The first century apostles passed on this Gospel to early believers as eyewitnesses of Jesus. Many backed up their testimony with their lives. We must regularly remind ourselves of this early faith centered on Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-7). With such a pure and clear Gospel, we can joyously live the words of the old hymn, Rock of Ages: “Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy Cross I cling.” We take our stand with the apostle Paul when he stated to the Corinthians: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Corinthians 15:3-7). My Prayer… Almighty and Precious Father, I love you. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your love and grace, which you displayed so powerfully to me in Jesus. I know the basis of my hope and the foundation on which I build my life is the Gospel of your dear Son. Thank you for giving me something so simple, steadfast, and sure based on the eyewitness testimony, people willing to back up their words with their lives. In Jesus’ name, I thank you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.