So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, Adam, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Christ. Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man. But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised first; then when Christ comes back, all his people will be raised.
1st Corinthians 15:22-24
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
In Touch - 04/06/06
Did you catch the not very subtle distinction the Apostle Paul makes in these verses?
First he says, “Everyone dies … all of us are related to Adam…” The scriptures say, “…it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27). The scriptures say, “…all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard … the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Because of our relationship to Adam, we inherit the sin nature and along with it, our death sentence.
Second Paul says, “… all who are related to Christ … all His people…” Do you notice the distinction? The new life … the resurrection life … is reserved for those who have invited Christ into their lives; asked Him to forgive them of their sins; asked Him to be Lord and Savior.
“… when Christ comes back…” He is coming for His own. Is your name listed among His own in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
THE WATCHFUL EYE
The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night.
The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121: 5-8
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 04/05/06
You may be familiar with the line from the old hymn: “His eye is on the sparrow, I know He watches me.”
I am privileged to be a school bus driver for about fifty middle and high school kids. As I drive, I have to keep an eye on the road, watching for traffic situations which may arise quickly and unexpectedly. I also have to regularly glance in the mirror on the bus and let the kids know I am watching them and will catch them if they are misbehaving. I am sure I miss more than I catch.
God is not watching us to catch us when we sin. He will see when that happens. No, His purpose in watching is to protect; to keep you from harm; to keep you from evil; to preserve your life. It is a comfort to know that “The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”
The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night.
The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121: 5-8
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 04/05/06
You may be familiar with the line from the old hymn: “His eye is on the sparrow, I know He watches me.”
I am privileged to be a school bus driver for about fifty middle and high school kids. As I drive, I have to keep an eye on the road, watching for traffic situations which may arise quickly and unexpectedly. I also have to regularly glance in the mirror on the bus and let the kids know I am watching them and will catch them if they are misbehaving. I am sure I miss more than I catch.
God is not watching us to catch us when we sin. He will see when that happens. No, His purpose in watching is to protect; to keep you from harm; to keep you from evil; to preserve your life. It is a comfort to know that “The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
TOO BUSY
But the time is coming—in fact, it is already here—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:32-33
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 04/04/06
When we struggle with the trials and tribulations of life we can have confidence in God’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. We, on the other hand, get so busy with the cares of this world that we leave Jesus.
We promise to give God first place in our lives … make Him the priority. He is Lord and He is on the throne of our hearts. Then situations come along … the to-do list of our daily lives gets longer and longer and we allow God to get pushed off the top of the list. Our quiet time … Bible study … prayer time … worship … church attendance slip out of the position of priority. When you get that busy, “… scattered … going his own way, leaving me alone…” you are simply too busy.
When you find you have left Jesus, you need to re-order your priorities. You may be busy doing good things but the best thing you can do is return to Jesus.
John 16:32-33
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 04/04/06
When we struggle with the trials and tribulations of life we can have confidence in God’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. We, on the other hand, get so busy with the cares of this world that we leave Jesus.
We promise to give God first place in our lives … make Him the priority. He is Lord and He is on the throne of our hearts. Then situations come along … the to-do list of our daily lives gets longer and longer and we allow God to get pushed off the top of the list. Our quiet time … Bible study … prayer time … worship … church attendance slip out of the position of priority. When you get that busy, “… scattered … going his own way, leaving me alone…” you are simply too busy.
When you find you have left Jesus, you need to re-order your priorities. You may be busy doing good things but the best thing you can do is return to Jesus.
Monday, April 03, 2006
SAFETY NET
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:1-4
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Upper Room - 04/03/06
In our struggle with sin (Romans 7:14-25), are we using God’s grace as a safety net? The high wire performer has confidence in his skills; his many hours of practice; his numerous successful previous passes across the wire; yet uses a safety net in his performance. Is that our attitude when we take the risks of a life in sin?
The Apostle Paul advises us, “Of course not!” The new life of the born again believer should be dead to sin and “the glorious power of the Father” can enable us to live without sin.
The high wire performer never wants to fall into the safety net. He wants to stay high above the crowd. So too should be the life of the believer. We know the safety net of grace is there but our motivation is to stay high above the life of sin.
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:1-4
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Upper Room - 04/03/06
In our struggle with sin (Romans 7:14-25), are we using God’s grace as a safety net? The high wire performer has confidence in his skills; his many hours of practice; his numerous successful previous passes across the wire; yet uses a safety net in his performance. Is that our attitude when we take the risks of a life in sin?
The Apostle Paul advises us, “Of course not!” The new life of the born again believer should be dead to sin and “the glorious power of the Father” can enable us to live without sin.
The high wire performer never wants to fall into the safety net. He wants to stay high above the crowd. So too should be the life of the believer. We know the safety net of grace is there but our motivation is to stay high above the life of sin.
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