Together in Christ: 'Our Life-giving Future' — Revelation 7:15-17
Thursday, December 19, 2024
[One of the twenty-four elders around the throne of God said about those who had come out of the great t... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'Our Life-giving Future' — Revelation 7:15-17
Thursday, December 19, 2024
[One of the twenty-four elders around the throne of God said about those who had come out of the great tribulation, "God] who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
— Revelation 7:15-17 NLT
Key Thought...
What a beautiful look into our future that Jesus gives us in the book of Revelation! God is our glorious Father. Jesus is the Lamb Who was slain for our sins and is now our loving Shepherd. We are God's children, and when Jesus comes, we will never be hungry or thirsty again. God will shelter us from the scorching heat of the sun. The Lamb Who now reigns on the throne for us will lead us to life-giving refreshment and joy. God will wipe every tear from our eyes and welcome us to our eternal home with Him.
This is our secure, life-giving future with God. While times may be difficult, we can be patient as we wait. Our glorious day with Jesus will come. We can be confident in our future because we are joined to Jesus' triumph over the grave and His return for us. We are assured of sharing with Him in His coming glory! And, when we doubt these truths, let's take heart and remind each other of what Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians struggling with doubt:
May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. [1]
For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and God reconciled everything to himself through him. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.This includes you, who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. [2]
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. [3]
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. [4]
Our lives are joined to Jesus in the closest possible way so that we can look forward with anticipation, joy, and confidence to His coming!
[1] Colossians 1:11-14.
[2] Colossians 1:19-22.
[3] Colossians 2:12-15.
[4] Colossians 3:1-4.
Today's Prayer
O, Father, how can I ever thank You and praise You enough for all the incredible blessings that You have given me now and that will only get better and more glorious when Jesus comes? Dear Holy Spirit, please continue Your work in me until the Lord Jesus comes. Loving Savior and Lord, I thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins and Your victory over sin, death, and hell through Your resurrection. I look forward to Your coming with great anticipation, joy, and confidence. Thank You, God! Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Romans 6:1-14
2 Timothy 2:1-14
Verse of the Day for Thursday, December 19th, 2024
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
—Proverbs 12:19
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Tell the truth the first tim... View MoreVerse of the Day for Thursday, December 19th, 2024
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
—Proverbs 12:19
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Tell the truth the first time, then you won't have to remember what you said." This truism by the famous Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, is good medicine for us today. Telling a lie seems gratifying at the time, but it nearly always catches up with us and gives us the added burden of trying to remember what we said and why. Truth endures; a lie is a momentary illusion that ends up in a trap filled with burdens.
My Prayer...
Holy and Righteous Father, please forgive me for lying, exaggerating, and withholding the truth when the truth needs to be told. I yearn for my heart and my lips to be invested in forever — your forever — so please help me as I seek to tell the truth with holy integrity. In the name of Jesus, I ask for your help. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Together in Christ: 'In the Blink of an Eye!' — 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'In the Blink of an Eye!' — 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
— 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NLT
Key Thought...
Jesus warned that we cannot know the exact time when He will return but that we should always be ready and expecting His coming in glory. [1] The Lord's return should not be a distressing surprise to any of us who trust Him as our Savior and Lord. We should "eagerly look forward to his appearing." [2] Paul's words to Corinthian followers of Jesus in today's verses tell us why we should anticipate the Lord's coming: [3] Jesus' coming for us in the glory of the Father and the heavenly angels means that we will share in His glory and go to be with Him forever! [4]
However, our mortal bodies are not suitable for our forever future with Jesus. [5] So, when the Lord returns, the "wonderful secret" Paul shares "will happen in a moment, in a blink of an eye." Jesus will transform our bodies from mortal to immortal and from perishable to imperishable, for both the living and the dead. [6]
Our verses for today have at least two incredible implications for our most precious relationships:
Our relationship with Jesus will only get better, richer, deeper, and more transformational. [7] Nothing can break this relationship, and we will become more like our Savior until we fully share in His glory. [8] So, let's hold onto our relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord no matter what this life brings, because our relationship is eternal and bound for a glorious reunion! [9]
Our relationships with others we love who are "in Christ" will be forever relationships when we are reunited with the Lord and each other at His coming! These relationships will only be better and more glorious as we are transformed to be more completely like the Lord. [10] This means we should cherish and deepen these relationships here on earth and lead others to Jesus so they can share in our assured hope of glory! [11]
[1] Matthew 24:36, 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8.
[2] 2 Timothy 4:8.
[3] Some people talk about this as the rapture; however, "rapture" is not a word used in the New Testament. While it might be an apt description of the event, the Greek word used consistently is parousia, which means "coming" — 1 Thessalonians 4:15 NIV; 2 Peter 1:16. In this case, the emphasis is in Jesus' coming in glory — Matthew 16:27; Luke 9:26 NIV; Colossians 3:3-4.
[4] Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
[5] 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50.
[6] In addition to our verses for today, see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
[7] 1 John 3:1-3.
[8] 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:3-4.
[9] Romans 8:18-39.
[10] 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:1-3.
[11] Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:13-17.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, Who dwells in glory, thank You for the assurance that my future is bound up with Jesus' glorious future. Holy Spirit, please help me deepen my relationship with Jesus as You continue transforming me to be more and more like Him. Use me to lead others to know Him as Savior and Lord so they can share with Him in His glory when He comes. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-12
Romans 8:15-39
Verse of the Day for Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the bod... View MoreVerse of the Day for Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
—1 Corinthians 12:18-20
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The Apostle Paul reminds us that God assigns our roles in the Body of Christ. Several principles interact with God's choice:
First, be faithful in what God has given us to do — until we are faithful in and with little things, he will not entrust us with big ones (Luke 16:10-13).
Second, if we don't use what he has given us, it will be taken away from us (Matt. 25:14-30).
Third, we reap what we sow — sinful or irresponsible behavior can create consequences that limit the effectiveness of our service, ministry, and use of our gifts (Galatians 6:7-8).
Bottom line: Let's be faithful to what God has given us. Let's serve him when given new opportunities using the gifts he has blessed us with and the opportunities he places before us. Let's honor him with our choices so that Satan cannot use our failure to interfere with our service to others and our faithfulness to the Lord!
My Prayer...
Dear Father and Lord of heaven and earth, please help me see my opportunities to serve in your Kingdom using the gifts you have given me. Please grow my effectiveness in your service so that I can bring you glory and bless others. In Jesus' name, I thank you and pray this. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Together in Christ: 'Comfort Beyond the Frustration, Anger, and Grief from Death' — John 11:20-23
Monday, December 16, 2024
When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'Comfort Beyond the Frustration, Anger, and Grief from Death' — John 11:20-23
Monday, December 16, 2024
When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask."
Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again."
— John 11:20-23 NLT
Key Thought...
What do we do for brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost loved ones to death?
When we look at John chapter 11 and Jesus' journey to be with Martha and Mary after their brother Lazarus died, we can learn some important ways to help those around us who are grieving. When we lose someone we love who is a follower of Jesus, we have one solid bedrock truth we can share with their loved ones. While this bedrock truth is not something we should probably share first, it is the truth on which we build everything we say and do! What is that truth? There is resurrection for their loved one! [1] Their physical body may have died, but because of their faith in Jesus, they are with Jesus. [2] We will all be reunited when Jesus returns in glory, and we will all share together in the joy of the Lord's victory and our reunion with believers from all times and places. [3] In grief, our hope and confidence are in this future that we have in Jesus!
That said, we probably don't need to lead with cheerily sharing these things with them from afar — social media, text, phone, or letter. At least not initially. Jesus didn't send a message from far away. He didn't send a messenger to tell Martha and Mary of His sadness, grief, and anger. [4] Jesus waited a few days, then He went in person to comfort and bless them. While we cannot know all the reasons He delayed, we can notice that He did not rush His conversations with Martha and Mary, nor did He have the conversations from afar. He went in person. He not only empathized with their grief and anger, but He also demonstrated his grief, anger, and love. Bodily presence, listening, and loving are often the three most needed things for someone in grief. Those in grief don't need greeting card slogans or refrigerator magnet trite-isms in the face of their profound loss. They need our loving presence and empathic listening.
What do we say?
Usually, not much at first. We love them. We demonstrate that love through practical and loving actions, especially listening and affirming their sorrow and perhaps doing essential chores for them. Notice that Jesus didn't reprimand Martha and Mary for their frustration with Him not being there to stop Lazarus from dying. [5] Instead, Jesus wept with them in their sorrow! [6] God does not need us to be His defense lawyer in moments like these. Instead, God wants us to be His loving, supportive, listening presence. The collection of psalms reminds us that God allowed and even condoned people being honest, even brutally and angrily honest, with Him in their sorrow, grief, loss, and pain. Our grieving friends need to know that nothing can separate any of us, including their loved ones, from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus. [7] That promise never to forsake us includes our times of anger and frustration with God in our grief!
Eventually, God will open the door for us to remind our grieving friends about the truths of our first paragraph and the promises for our futures in glory. That reminder usually waits while the person expresses grief, anger, sorrow, loss, disappointment, and frustration. Our being there to love them during this time helps them know God is not abandoning them. As time passes, however, we can say the powerful truths to them that Jesus said to these sisters:
Your loved one will rise again with Jesus and share in His glory. [8]
Even now, your loved one is in the presence of Jesus; their physical body may be dead, but the living part of them isn't. [9]
God made clear that they and those of us who follow them in death as disciples of Jesus will be raised and given immortal bodies far more glorious than we can imagine. [10]
Jesus will welcome them into His presence, dry the tears from our eyes, and reunite them with all who have died in Christ. [11]
We will be with the Lord and each other in glory forever. [12]
Until then, we can take comfort in Jesus' victory over death and ask for the comforting and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to sustain us. [13]
[1] John 11:23.
[2] John 11:25-26; Philippians 1:18-23; Romans 6:5.
[3] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
[4] The message of the Gospel of John is that God loved us so much that He came to us Himself in Jesus — John 1:1-18.
[5] John 11:21, 32.
[6] John 11:35.
[7] Romans 8:35-39.
[8] John 11:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
[9] John 11:25-26; Philippians 1:18-23; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.
[10] Romans 8:18; 1 Corinthians 15:35-55; Colossians 3:1-4.
[11] Revelation 7:17, 21:4.
[12] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
[13] John 14:15-23; Romans 8:35-37; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.
Today's Prayer
Father, I ask for Your help, Jesus' love, and the Holy Spirit's compassionate concern as I seek to bless those walking through grief. Guard me against using trite sayings and throwaway platitudes that can wound the person I am trying to comfort, strengthen, and bless. May my words be what You want to be said. May my demeanor reflect the kindness and strength of Jesus. May my presence be loving, tender, supportive, helpful, and encouraging. Holy Spirit, please do Your work of comforting the brokenhearted through me. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Philippians 1:18-26
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