1 Corinthians 15:57 - The Vital Need for A Relationship with Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT): But thank God! He
gives us victory over sin and death through our
Lord Jesus Christ.
COMMENTARY PEARLS
Victory In Jesus
Haydn, the great musician, was once asked
why his church music was so cheerful. He
replied, "When I think upon God, my heart is so full
of joy that the notes dance and leap, as it
were, from my pen, and since God has given me a
cheerful heart, it will be pardoned me that I serve
Him with a cheerful spirit."
Haydn had discovered the secret to
lasting joy: "I think on God." Looking at our
circumstances won't bring us lasting joy. It may even make
us depressed or angry. But when we "think on
God" - when we turn our minds and hearts to His
power and His love for us, we can't help but be
joyful. Paul said, "Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2).
Discouragement flees in the face of joy.
Every day brings battles and temptations.
But the strength we need for conquering them
comes from Christ. We can do like the little girl
who said that when the devil came knocking with
a temptation, she just sent Jesus to the
door!
Jesus promises fullness of joy to those
in His presence. When fear, discouragement, or
loneliness begin to creep in, there is one logical
place to run. Draw near to Jesus, and allow His
joy to overflow within you. [Hope for Each Day
by Billy Graham]
Deflect Despair
There is a story about Martin Luther
going through a period of discouragement and
depression. For days his long face graced the family
table and dampened the family's home life. One day
his wife came to the breakfast table all dressed
in black, as if she were going to a funeral
service. When Martin asked her who had died, she
replied, "Martin, the way you've been behaving
lately, I thought God had died, so I came prepared
to attend His funeral."
Her gentle but effective rebuke drove
straight to Luther's heart, and as a result the great
Reformer resolved never again to allow worldly care,
resentment, depression, discouragement, or frustration
to defeat him. By God's grace, he vowed, he
would submit his life to the Savior and reflect
His grace in a spirit of rejoicing, whatever
came.
When was the last time you praised God in
the midst of despair? Don't wait until you "feel
like it," or you'll never do it. Do it, and then
you'll feel like it!
There is one certainty regarding every
trial you will face: God is still in control. You
haven't encountered the one problem He can't fix.
Seas still part and mountains still crumble at
His command. [Hope for Each Day by Billy
Graham]
CLOSING PEARL
The Day That Death Died.
During an interview with a magazine
editor a few years ago, actor Bradley Cooper
reflected on his fathers death and how it caused
him to address his own mortality.
He said All of a sudden I was like,
Oh, right, Im going to die too. ... I was
like, Okay. This is death. And this is going to
happen to me one day.
Its true. One out of every one person
will die. Yet something significant happened when
Jesus rose from the grave.
Easter was the day that death died,
because Jesus died. When Jesus died on the cross, He
conquered sin. When Jesus rose from the dead, He
defeated death.
He said, I am the resurrection and the
life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even
after dying (John 11:25 NLT). Death died when
Christ rose.
Now I dont have to fear death as a
Christian
Thats all because Jesus died on the
cross and rose from the dead.
He took upon Himself the judgment of the
Father that we should have faced so that we can
have the hope of eternal life.
If you were to die today, do you have
complete confidence that you will go to Heaven? Do
you know that your sin is forgiven? Have you
asked Jesus to come into your life? Hes just
waiting for your invitation. He is just a prayer
away. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
GREAT PRAISE SONG
One Day (When We All Get To Heaven)
First Dallas Choir & Orchestra | May 30, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_q2xxKeLiI
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
1 Corinthians 15:57 - Victory in Jesus!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060125-1033.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
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
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
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
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
