Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 15:19

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

—1 Corinthians 15:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wow! What a powerful and sobering thought. Our faith in Jesus' resurrection and being joined with him forever is so crucial that all else pales in comparison. Our hope in Christ is not just for the here and now but also a hope that transcends life and breaks the shackles of death. If it doesn't offer us this hope, then there is no hope. We have no good news to share. The world is lost in its morass of selfishness and sin. We are deluded and to be pitied. But then, because of grace, I do believe! I trust that you also believe! And that, dear disciple of Jesus, changes everything!

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, we believe your victory over sin and death through Jesus' resurrection also means our victory over sin, death, and hell! We trust that Jesus will raise us from the dead to share eternal life in your presence. We cannot fully put into our meager human words how much we look forward to being with you face to face, sharing in your glory, and praising your name forever. So, we entrust our hearts' joyous thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit as your heavenly gift intercedes for us in groans, sighing, and emotions "too deep for words." (Romans 8:26-27). In Jesus' name, we praise and thank you for our hope. 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 - 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.

—1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Some truths are "first importance" truths. They are the heart of the matter, foundational, and immutable truths. We don't have to doubt what those "first importance" things are as Jesus' disciples. The Gospel of our salvation is built on the testimony of eyewitnesses to the historical events: Jesus died, Jesus was buried, Jesus rose from the grave, and Jesus appeared to his disciples, who were never the same after witnessing their resurrected Savior. Let's not let anyone distract us from these core truths or crowd out their simplicity with other matters that some falsely claim to be essential. Our salvation is rooted in our faith and our participation in this simple yet powerful Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Romans 6:3-7).

My Prayer...

Dear God, I confess my faith in your saving work for me accomplished by Jesus. I believe that your Son and my Savior, Immanuel, Jesus of Nazareth, my LORD, was crucified by wicked men just as you had foretold long ago in the Scriptures. I believe Jesus' dead and lifeless body was placed in a borrowed tomb. I believe you brought him back to life on the third day, just as you promised. I believe that those most destroyed by his death, those who knew him best, saw him alive again. I believe their lives were never the same. I believe, dear Father, that as I have confessed my faith in Jesus and shared with him in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism, my life is caught up with him in your salvation and victory over sin, death, and hell. I praise you for this grace. I thank you for this assurance. So, dear Father, I look forward to sharing in your glory when he returns for me. Thank you for my salvation. In Jesus' name I live, rejoice, and wait in hope. 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 - 1 Corinthians 15:2

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

—1 Corinthians 15:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What saves us? What God did for us in Jesus! Let's commit to let nothing make us relinquish our trust and dependency upon that hope, that Gospel by which we are saved (1 Corinthians 15:3-7). No name, person, or message can bring us true salvation other than the person, work, and Gospel of Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:3-9). We don't need to add anything else to it. We must never let anyone take anything from it. Let's hold firmly to this faith as trust in God's grace in Jesus!

My Prayer...

Father, I trust in no other god for you alone are God.. I trust in no other Gospel but the story of your love and grace in Jesus. There is no other Savior and LORD other than Jesus. As the old hymn so beautifully prays, "Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love to Thee." In Jesus' name, I fervently 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.