Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

THURSDAY JUNE 25


WORTH IT ALL

READ
1 Corinthians 15:36
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What you sow is
not made alive
unless it dies.
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By the end of the 4th century, followers of Christ were not longer being fed to the lions for the entertainment of Roman citizens. But the games of death continued until the day one man jumped out of the crowd in a bold attempt to keep two gladiators from killing each other.

His name was Telemachus. a
As a desert monk, he had come to Rome for the holidays only to find himself unable to tolerate the bloodlust of this popular pastime. According to the 5th-century bishop and church historian Theodoret, Telemachus cried out for the violence to stop but was stoned to death by the crowd. The Emperor Honorius
heard about his courageous act and ordered an end to the games.

Some may question Telemachus. Was his action the only way to protest a tragic blood sport? The apostle Paul asked a similar question of himself: "Why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?" (1 COR. 15:30). In 2 Corinthians 11:22-53, he chronicled some of his travails for the love of Christ, many of which could have killed him. Had it all been worth it?

In Paul's mind the matter was settled. Trading things that will soon come to an end for honor that will last forever is a good investment. In the resurrection, a life that has been lived in behalf of Christ and others is seed for an eternity we will never regret. ____________Mart Dehaan.

**Give us courage Father, to make and live by choices that show the
difference the love of Jesus makes in our lives. Help us not to
trade away eternal values for convenience and comfort.
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Now is the time to invest in eternity

************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Corinthians 15:30-38*************************
30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm,
by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our
Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought
with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the
dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have
the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And
with what body do they come? 36 Foolish one, what you sow is
not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not
sow that body that shall be, but mere grain__perhaps wheat or
some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he pleases, and
to each seed its own body.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
First Corinthians 15 is known by many as
the resurrection chapter, for it is a key passage that defends the
truth of Jesus' resurrection and the believer's hope of a future
resurrection, after which we well live forever with Christ. Other
accounts in the Bible of people who were raised from the dead
include the widow's son in Zarephath (1 KINGS 17), Jairus's daughter
(MARK 5), a widow's son (LUKE 7), and Lazarus (JOHN 11). In these
instances, however, those raised from the dead would later die of
natural causes.

[Dora]

Amen. Thank you. I feel encouraged to fight the battle today. God bless you.

[cimi]

God bless you too!!