Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 15:24

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

—1 Corinthians 15:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Closing time! That's when everything is counted, the doors are locked, and the final tally is made. Jesus is LORD of closing time. Even though he won the victory over death and sin while on the cross and with the empty tomb (Colossians 2:12-15), we're still waiting to get swept up into his victory march. That day is coming. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus' power, glory, and reign (Philippians 2:10-11). Every evil power will face destruction. However, the hearts that are yielded to God will be placed into his loving and mighty hands forever and share in his glory (Colossians 3:3-4). Our LORD reigns!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, Father of grace and mercy, I appreciate your tenderness and patience with me. However, Father, I am also comforted to know your power and might will exert itself fully upon the earth and against the powers of hell. I am heartened to know that Jesus will assert his rule and destroy everything false, malicious, evil, and wicked. Maranatha!* May that day, and our LORD Jesus Christ, come soon! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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* In 1 Corinthians 16:22, Paul uses the Aramaic phrase Maranatha, which is translated, "Come, Lord!"All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 15:20

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

—1 Corinthians 15:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The angels at the empty tomb of Jesus asked the women (Luke 24:5), "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" These words are also the angels' words to us. Jesus is risen, and one day, so will we be raised from the dead:

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

He guarantees that God's harvest of all people will one day occur. He is our assurance as believers and disciples that we, too, will be raised from death and death will no longer have a hold on us! We are God's eternal children, and death cannot separate us from his presence or love (Romans 8:37-39).

My Prayer...

Father God, I praise you for your redeeming grace. I rejoice in your conquest over Satan and over his power to wound and destroy through death. I thank you for your power over the grave. Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and giving me the assurance of life forever with you. Please bless me, dear Father, with a life that reflects the power that you have now working in me. In Jesus' name, I pray this. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 10:2

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

—Proverbs 10:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wealth, especially wealth gotten through greedy and wicked means, proves to be of no lasting value. This rancid kind of wealth rots the heart of the one who gets it. Even when we have this rotten wealth, it cannot save us from our ultimate demise. Righteousness, however, is a far more precious treasure. True righteousness comes from God as his gift to us from his grace we received through faith in Christ Jesus. This righteousness transcends our mortality, is greater than any financial wealth we could accumulate, and saves our souls from death.

My Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for making me righteous in your sight through Jesus' sacrifice and your grace. I want my enduring legacy to be my righteous character — character and righteousness you have given me — not my status, achievement, or wealth. I know my accomplishments will be forgotten after my earthly life is over, but I am fully convinced that the righteousness you develop in me will be a blessing and an influence for generations after I am gone and will be my accompanying treasure when I share with you in your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.