1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son,...
1 day ago • 1 min read
1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. Read the context When I tell someone I'm hoping for something, it usually doesn't come true: I hope the Bengals go 17-0. I hope I find a million bucks. Christian hope is not so uncertain. When Peter...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Acts 2:29-32 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Read the context...
4 days ago • 1 min read
John 20:26-29 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Read the...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 16:9–11 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; — my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Read the context The living can do very little in a graveyard. You can plant flowers or clean a tombstone, but you can't stop the decay below ground. God can. Long...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 6:8–10 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. Read the context Death is a cruel boss. It always wants your attention... You're always working to avoid it... and there's no payoff! Jesus died once so that death would no longer be in charge. Since he left...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 25:6–9 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy — the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Read the context Death is the great equalizer. The richest man who ever lives might have a fancier tomb, but death covers every life. It blankets over this world like an overcast day....
8 days ago • 1 min read
John 20:14–16 [Mary] turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Read the context You react differently when you hear your name. In a crowd...
9 days ago • 1 min read
1 Cor. 15:3–6 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 Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Read the context The resurrection was not a hidden fact....
10 days ago • 1 min read