Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

—1 Corinthians 15:57

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Life is ours! Death no longer holds us captive! God has given us victory through Jesus Christ our Savior and LORD. What else needs to be said?
 
"Praise God!"
 
"Hallelujah!"
 
"Thank you, Jesus!"

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for sending Jesus. Thank you, Almighty God, for raising him from the dead. Thank you for the assurance that his life is alive in me as I serve in you. Thank you that my life will not be lived in vain. Thank you for the assurance that I am going home to you in victory, forever! In Jesus' name, I praise you. 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 15:55

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

—1 Corinthians 15:55

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Death has the power to end our physical, human lives in this world. Death has the power to separate our loved ones from us in this world. Death has the power to discourage and defeat us. But we know the truth: Jesus lives victoriously over death! Because he lives, we know we will live with him. We believe that his victory over death is our victory over death. So, like Jesus, we mock death and its power ultimately to destroy us. Jesus has destroyed death and brought immortality to life in us through the Gospel. So we join the angels of heaven at Jesus' resurrection and mock death: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?" We've triumphed over death in Jesus' resurrection power!

My Prayer...

Father, I confess that the death of those I love still hurts me. I thank you that my separation from them will be only for a short time. I thank you, however, that death doesn't separate me for long from those I love and who love you. Thank you for giving me this victory, this assurance, in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for defeating death. I pray in your precious and triumphant name, Jesus Christ, my Savior and LORD. 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 15:54

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

—1 Corinthians 15:54

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

As Christians, even if our body dies, we don't! Our physical death just means that we will be given immortal bodies. Christ will raise us up and clothe us with immortality. Death will not have a hold on us because we are God's children. We will be like the glorious LORD Jesus and see him as he truly is. Victory will be ours. Death does not have the final word. Jesus does. And one day he will say to us, "Arise!"

My Prayer...

Father, I know that my physical earthly body is fragile. Dear Father, I know that no matter how good a shape I stay in or how careful I am about my health, I cannot stop the process of physical death in my body. But I am excited to know that even though my physical body will fail, you won't fail. Even though my human body is fragile, I know you are powerful and triumphant. Father, I look forward to the day of victory when death is swallowed up by the glory and power of Jesus' return for me and transformation of me. Until that day, dear God, I serve you with joy as I look forward to seeing you face to face. In Jesus' mighty 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.