1 Corinthians 15:58 - Labor In The Lord Is Not In Vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58: Labor In The Lord Is Not In Vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers and
sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully
to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the
Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be
strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for
you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
How do you feel about the future? If you asked your neighbors
that question, what do you think they would say?
Floods, earthquakes, and fires have devastated certain parts
of our country and the world. Add to that the crumbling economies
and civil unrest in the third world, plus increased crime rates and
pollution in the West, and you have one big world mess. In light of all
this, the future does not look too bright.
For those who do not know Christ, the future looks even more
bleak. For Christians, however, the future holds a great deal of hope.
Did you know that Christians have great hope for the future?
Someday all believers will be given new bodies. Eternal life in heaven
with God will cancel out death and give us a joyful, permanent home
with God far better than anything we could experience here. Nothing
we do for God goes unnoticed - none of it is in vain (1 Corinthians
15:51-58).
No nuclear threat, no biological menace, no political coup,
no financial collapse can undo our hope for the future. Despite the
worldly problems we face each day, God has a plan for us and is in
control of everything.
Do not despair. No matter what the headlines say, keep your
eternal future in view and keep on doing the will of God. Anchor your
life in the hope of eternal life, promised by God and won by Jesus
Christ. Be encouraged. Find your hope in Christ. [The One Year Through
the Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman mod]
High in the Andes Mountains, a plant known as the puya
raimondii - or the Queen of the Andes - grows to more than 30 feet and can
live well over 100 years. But the plant flowers only once, and even
then only at the end of its life. At some point between 80 to 100
years of age in the wild, its massive spikes flower into a glorious
display, and then the plant dies. In other words, it takes a really long
time for anyone to see its stunning beauty.
Some investments are like that. They show little or no growth
for years, only to offer unexpected returns at an opportune time.
That isn't always the case in the Kingdom of God; sometimes our
investments of time, talent, and resources bear visible fruit quickly. But
often they don't. As with slow-flowering plants or slow-growth
investments, only patient endurance allows us to see the end and reap the
reward.
Because this is a common dynamic in the Kingdom, we need to
be extremely patient and persistent in our eternal investments. Our
prayers may not show many results for awhile, but they are still
accomplishing much. Our work may not seem productive at the moment, but it
will nevertheless produce much. Our attitudes may not seem to rub off
on those around us, but they eventually will. Our love may not
appear to make a difference, but as an expression of God's heart, it
certainly will. In itself, time is not a significant variable in
determining the value of a Kingdom investment.
Kingdom citizens must be tenacious. We must be willing to
hang on to a promise for decades, pray over a problem with
persistence, and keep sowing seeds of God's purposes and resources whether we
see results or not, knowing they will eventually bear fruit. After
all, they are His seeds, and He is the source of life. How could they
not? Everything He touches will eventually flourish, including us.
[The One Year Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
Keep walking. This may be the day your Jericho walls come
down.
We all face them. Strongholds with a strong hold on our
lives. Roadblocks to our joy. Obstacles in our marriages. Fortresses of
fear blocking us from peace. How can we bring down these walls that
keep us from the future God promises?
Remember the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho? Those
were some formidable foes and big barriers.
Max Lucado says the book of Joshua is in the bible to remind
us of one thing: God Fights For Us! We can overcome, because He has
already overcome.
We were not made to stand in the shadow of our walls and
quake. We were made to stand on top of Jericho's rubble and conquer. We
win, because God's already won.
Need a new battle plan for life? Keep walking, keep
believing. These may be your Glory Days. Max Lucado
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/1997/19970825-0000.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
