52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
54b "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.
55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
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What an incredible time it will be when Christ returns for His bride... It could be any moment! What a day that will be, finally made perfect in every way. Eternity with Christ in Heaven. Worshiping constantly, ever in adoration. No opportunity to sin, only perfect living in holiness. Thank you Lord Jesus for the victory! Maranatha!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
I Corinthians 14- Encouragement and Edification
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
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The prophesy here I have found is referring to the role of the pastor/teacher in our day. They encourage, exhort others to good works, proclaim the Truth, share what God has been teaching them from the Word and correct behavior/thinking at times. God does not want confusion or disorganization to characterize the Church. He left us here to be a light in the darkness so He requires that we have a good report among believers and un-believers alike.
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
Read More
The prophesy here I have found is referring to the role of the pastor/teacher in our day. They encourage, exhort others to good works, proclaim the Truth, share what God has been teaching them from the Word and correct behavior/thinking at times. God does not want confusion or disorganization to characterize the Church. He left us here to be a light in the darkness so He requires that we have a good report among believers and un-believers alike.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I Corinthians 13- Called to Show Our Love
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails;...
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I have a small note written in the margin of my Bible next to this section of scripture. It simply reads "Love is show in ACTION". It doesn't matter if you are showing love to you God, your spouse, your children, your friends, your coworkers or your neighbors. It will only be clearly communicated if it is displayed in our every action. That is a challenging statement, but "I can do all thing through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
We must lean on Him for strength and perseverance to successfully show Love in all our actions. Thank you Lord for the Spirit's power, Strength and incite! We are so blessed to be saved, how can we not show our love in return?
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails;...
Read More
I have a small note written in the margin of my Bible next to this section of scripture. It simply reads "Love is show in ACTION". It doesn't matter if you are showing love to you God, your spouse, your children, your friends, your coworkers or your neighbors. It will only be clearly communicated if it is displayed in our every action. That is a challenging statement, but "I can do all thing through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
We must lean on Him for strength and perseverance to successfully show Love in all our actions. Thank you Lord for the Spirit's power, Strength and incite! We are so blessed to be saved, how can we not show our love in return?
Monday, March 29, 2010
I Corinthians 12- Encouraged to Power
18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
...
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
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God's perfect plan for where I should be, how I should serve and what my gifts are is amazing. I haven't always known what I should do to serve, but He is always presenting me opportunities. I am nearly always blessed when I give up "my plan" to do what He is asking. It is especially comforting to know that God has placed me "just as He desired".
Lord help me to be soft to your prompting...but help me also to be more empathetic. Vs. 26 reminds me to pay more attention to those around me and celebrate with them, or work with them through tough times.
When was the last time you suffered with a sufferer?
...
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Read More
God's perfect plan for where I should be, how I should serve and what my gifts are is amazing. I haven't always known what I should do to serve, but He is always presenting me opportunities. I am nearly always blessed when I give up "my plan" to do what He is asking. It is especially comforting to know that God has placed me "just as He desired".
Lord help me to be soft to your prompting...but help me also to be more empathetic. Vs. 26 reminds me to pay more attention to those around me and celebrate with them, or work with them through tough times.
When was the last time you suffered with a sufferer?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
I Corinthians 10- Encouraged to Power
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
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How incredible a promise... NO Temptation is beyond what we can endure through God's Power. I have always been encouraged by vs 13, because it is a promise that there is a way of escape from sin. The only time it is not very encouraging is after I fail in my walk and sin. This verse reminds me that I am the only one to blame for my sin. It reminds me that I was not depending on the Spirit to give me strength to endure or even find that way of escape.
Even in those times though disappointed in myself, I see the hope that God will help in future times of temptation. I am reminded that the next time I face the temptation I can be victorious, but only if I lean on Christ's Power.
Thank you Lord for you willingness to save, and transport us from this dark world. Thank you for the ability to endure all trials and temptation if we lean on you!
I added in one additional verse this morning..."let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall". Lord help me to be humble, and even in times of victory remind me to fully depend on your provision to get me through the next trial!
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Read More
How incredible a promise... NO Temptation is beyond what we can endure through God's Power. I have always been encouraged by vs 13, because it is a promise that there is a way of escape from sin. The only time it is not very encouraging is after I fail in my walk and sin. This verse reminds me that I am the only one to blame for my sin. It reminds me that I was not depending on the Spirit to give me strength to endure or even find that way of escape.
Even in those times though disappointed in myself, I see the hope that God will help in future times of temptation. I am reminded that the next time I face the temptation I can be victorious, but only if I lean on Christ's Power.
Thank you Lord for you willingness to save, and transport us from this dark world. Thank you for the ability to endure all trials and temptation if we lean on you!
I added in one additional verse this morning..."let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall". Lord help me to be humble, and even in times of victory remind me to fully depend on your provision to get me through the next trial!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I Corinthians 9- Finishing Strong
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
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Discipline...in every sense of the word is not comfortable. There is the discipline we give (or receive) aimed at correcting our actions. This is typically a consequence for poor behavior, or incorrect attitudes. The other discipline, the one Paul is referring to, is much longer in duration and can be more difficult, more painful, more selfless, more Christlike...
But look at the goal, "I myself will not be disqualified". He is not talking about salvation here, it is his testimony to the world & Christ's followers. God has placed strict guidelines on those in Leadership of Christ's Church, and one slip-up can disqualify. I don't think Paul is talking about his personal loss here, but it is obvious from the context that Paul wants more than anything to have people commit their lives to Christ and grow in Him.
Where do you need more discipline? What are you doing to train your body & mind for Christ? Lord help me to finish strong!
Read More
Discipline...in every sense of the word is not comfortable. There is the discipline we give (or receive) aimed at correcting our actions. This is typically a consequence for poor behavior, or incorrect attitudes. The other discipline, the one Paul is referring to, is much longer in duration and can be more difficult, more painful, more selfless, more Christlike...
But look at the goal, "I myself will not be disqualified". He is not talking about salvation here, it is his testimony to the world & Christ's followers. God has placed strict guidelines on those in Leadership of Christ's Church, and one slip-up can disqualify. I don't think Paul is talking about his personal loss here, but it is obvious from the context that Paul wants more than anything to have people commit their lives to Christ and grow in Him.
Where do you need more discipline? What are you doing to train your body & mind for Christ? Lord help me to finish strong!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I Corinthians 8- Causing Others to Stumble?
12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
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This passage is a great reminder that we have a responsibility for our actions including how they are viewed by other people. Christian Liberties are an interesting topic... Most of them are cultural, as I see it. In Paul's day it was meat sacrificed to idols, today it could be drinking. There are plenty to chose from really, but what is important here is that we are conscious of how our actions are view.
If someone sees my actions and in turn forms a negative opinion about me, the Church or most importantly Christ, I have done a disservice to my Lord and Savior! That is exactly the opposite of what God left me here on earth to do. I need to be sharing Christ and living my life for Him.
Is there anything you do that could detract from Christ? We better be praying about those activities...
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
Read More
This passage is a great reminder that we have a responsibility for our actions including how they are viewed by other people. Christian Liberties are an interesting topic... Most of them are cultural, as I see it. In Paul's day it was meat sacrificed to idols, today it could be drinking. There are plenty to chose from really, but what is important here is that we are conscious of how our actions are view.
If someone sees my actions and in turn forms a negative opinion about me, the Church or most importantly Christ, I have done a disservice to my Lord and Savior! That is exactly the opposite of what God left me here on earth to do. I need to be sharing Christ and living my life for Him.
Is there anything you do that could detract from Christ? We better be praying about those activities...
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