Verse of the Day 1/21

Verse of the Day 1/21

1 Corinthians 15:51-52   But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵² 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.   New Living Translation (NLT)

We've had some good news recently in relation to the COVID virus, a vaccine has been created which will hopefully prevent the deaths of thousands of people across the world.  That is good news but we as Christians have better news to share, for those of us who know Jesus as Savior, even if we die, it is not the end, at Christ's return all those who call on Him will be transformed "in the blink of an eye" to live forever.

Today's verse were shared with me by a friend as part of a devotional from Max Lucado.  He writes, "  God's view and our view of death tend to be different. We see death as the end; God sees it as a beginning. From God's viewpoint death is not permanent. It is a necessary step for passing from this world to the next. From God's perspective death is a small price to pay for the privilege of sitting at his table. The Scripture says, "Flesh and blood cannot have a part in the kingdom of God…This body that can be destroyed must clothe itself with something that can never be destroyed" (1 Corinthians 15:50, 53).  In other words, we must die for our body to be exchanged for a new one. So from God's viewpoint death is not to be dreaded; it's to be welcomed."

What caught my attention as I read this was his reference to "the table of grace" and as God would have it, as I was reading this the song "The Table of Grace" by Philips, Craig and Dean"  began to play on the music station that I have on in the background in my study.  Here are some of the word from that song.

Hear the good news, you've been invited  No matter what others may say,  Your darkest sins will be forgiven  You will always have a place.    At the table of grace the cup's never empty.  The plate's always full and it's never too late.  To come and be filled with love never ending  You're always welcome at the table of grace.    So come weak, and heavy hearted (heavy hearted)  Don't try to hide your earthly scars.  In His eyes, we all are equal (yes, we are)  Don't be afraid, come as you are.  (Philips, Craig & Dean)

Read the passage below.  Picking up on our thoughts on faith yesterday, faith is the victory that through Christ, overcomes the world - including death.

Thanks Doyle for sharing the devotional.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Corinthians 15:50-57 New King James Version (NKJV)

Our Final Victory

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 ^[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^[b] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your 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.