Prepared For The Resurrection?

The Holy Bible

^{21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.}

(The New Living Translation – 1 Corinthians 15:21-23)

Thoughts:

Living in the part of the world where I live, we are used to the idea of being prepared for hurricanes, should one become a threat to our area. We have written plans on the type kits we should have prepared to just take off with, should we hear of a threat, and we have our escape routes all mapped out ahead of time. No doubt many of you have similar scenarios in your respective areas. Many of us do well with these, and we are therefore ready when the call comes, others sometimes die a horrible death because they become trapped in their environment by the terrible storms, due to their lack of readiness. I find it interesting that many non-Christians take these preparation efforts so seriously, especially when they are basing their actions on the weather man’s word, and on something that he/she has no control over. However, when it comes to believing the Word of God, we are often told by these non-Christians about the many fallacies they see in the book. Lord Jesus, oh that they may realize in time, that the same God who steers the currents that control hurricanes, winter storms or any other type of natural disaster, is the same God that inspired the Word of God, and who stands firm on His Word and its promised actions. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on these verses wrote: “There will be an order in the resurrection. Christ himself has been the first-fruits; at his coming, his redeemed people will be raised before others; at the last the wicked will rise also. Then will be the end of this present state of things. Would we triumph in that solemn and important season, we must now submit to his rule, accept his salvation, and live to his glory.” So friends, I realize that we don’t care to think about morbid things like the end of our life, but I want to remind you that the decisions you make today will result in whom you will serve here on this earth, and with whom you will spend eternity. As in the case of natural disasters, how prepared are you for your eternal peace? If you feel a tugging in your heart to straighten up your spiritual life, please use information in the Footnote as your guide for help. One of these resources would love to pray with you and guide you into a peace that surpasses all understanding, I especially would love to help!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, my friends are I are crazy about, and super concerned about tomorrow, next year and especially about retirement. We become super excited about preparations and readiness for hurricanes or other such disasters. Yet, unfortunately, we spend little time in our readiness for eternity. I realize that there is so much hype about the various ‘feel-good’ programs, that we are generally not anxious about preparation for such things as death, but I thank You Lord for reminding us in Your Word today about the reality of this life-event, and the good, bad, and the ugly about what our outcome will be, based on our decisions today. Please forgive me for my littleness in not sharing this enough with my lost loved ones, in an effort to help them be as prepared for eternity as they are for all other milestones in their lives. Please touch the hearts of those who are ready (Christians) so that we might not only stay closer aligned with Your will for our lives here on earth, but enabled to help others who have not yet prepared themselves of this inevitable life event. Please tender the hearts of the non-believer today dear Jesus, and encourage them to accept You as their Lord and Savior, for without salvation, eternity with You is impossible. Lord, You are good and Your mercies endure forever. I ask this all in Your precious and wonderful name, believing that You will touch the lives of Your children (Christians) to better prepare for this important resurrection day, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL!