Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 18
Friday


THE END?

READ:
1 corinthians
15:50-58
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But thanks be to
God, who gives us
the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
__1 Corinthians 15:57
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Everything in this world eventually comes to an end, which at times can be disheartening. It's the feeling you get when you read a book that's so good you don't want it to end. Or when you watch a movie that you wish would go on a little while longer.

But all things__good and bad__do come to "The End." In fact, life ultimately does come to the end__sometimes sooner than we expect. All of us who have stood by the casket of a loved one know the painful emptiness of a heart that wished it wasn't over yet.

Thankfully, Jesus steps into the fray of terminal disappointments, and, through His death and resurrection, He interjects hope for us. In Him "the end" is a prelude to a death-free eternity, and words like "it's over" are replaced by a joy-filled "forever." Since our bodies are not an eternal reality, Paul assures us that "we shall all be changed" (1 Cor. 15:51) and reminds us that because of Christ's conquering work we can confidently say, "O Death,... where is your victory?" (v.55).

So let not your heart be troubled. Our sorrow is real, but we can be filled with gratitude because God "gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.57). __Joe Stowell

``````````````````Lord, keep our eyes and hearts fixed not on the
```````````````temporary joys or disappointments but on the victorious
``````````````````realities of eternity. Thank You for Your death and
``````````````````resurrection that guarantee our forever future.
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In Christ, the end is only the beginning.

************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Corinthians 15:50-58************************

50 Now this I say, brethren,
that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does corruption inherit
incorruption, 51 Behold, I
tell you a mystery: We shall
not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed__ 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
incorruptible, and we shall
be changed. 53 For this
corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this
mortal must put on
immortality. 54 So when this
corruptible has put on
incorruption, and this
mortal has put on
immortality, then shall be
brought to pass the saying
that is written: "Death is
swallowed up in victory."

55 "O Death, where is your
sting? O Hades, where is
our victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin,
and the strength 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 labor is not in vain in
the Lord.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In the normal cycle of life on earth, people are born, grow to
adulthood, get old, and eventually die. But one day we will have
new bodies and life eternal. On that glorious day when Jesus returns
and the dead are resurrected, God will transform our bodies__they
will no longer be corruptible. Today's reading contains the exciting
prophetic witness of our being changed "in the twinkling of an
eye" (v.52). In view of this, no service for the Lord should ever be
perceived as performed in vain (v.58).

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!