OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
Our Daily Bread for today is here. Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
The word of God is food to the spirit man. “Eat and digest” the word of the Lord for today and let its unchanging power nuture your faith and help in your daily walk to Christ.
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 22-24; 2 Corinthians 8
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:14
If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
Today’s Scripture & Insight: 1 Corinthians 15:12-22
When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 15 around ad 53-55, there were various erroneous views about the resurrection of the dead (see Acts 23:8; 26:8; 2 Timothy 2:17-18). Refuting false teachers who said there wasn’t any resurrection, the apostle affirms the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of believers as the cornerstone of faith in Him (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). At the heart of the gospel is Jesus’ atoning death and bodily resurrection: “Christ died for our sins . . . , he was raised on the third day” (vv. 3-4). His resurrection affirms the sufficiency of His sacrifice. God accepted Jesus’ payment for our sins by raising Him from the dead: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25; see 6:4-11). Paul warns, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Click Here to Read Previous ODB Devotional
ODB MESSAGE FOR TODAY
Even as country music legend Johnny Cash was approaching death, he was determined to keep making music. His final album, American VI: Ain’t No Grave, was recorded in the final months of his life. The title song, Cash’s version of a hymn by Claude Ely, gives insight into his final thoughts as we hear him sing of his hope of the resurrection. His famously deep voice, though weakened by his declining health, declares a powerful testimony of faith.
Johnny’s hope wasn’t simply in the fact that Jesus was resurrected on Easter Sunday morning; he believed that one day his own physical body would also be resurrected, and he’d rise again.
It’s an important truth to affirm because even in the days of the apostle Paul, people denied a future physical resurrection. Paul strongly critiqued their argument when he wrote, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).
Just as the grave couldn’t hold Jesus’ body, one day all those who have faith that He was resurrected “will be made alive” (v. 22). And in our resurrected bodies, we’ll enjoy all eternity with Him on a new earth. That’s reason to sing!
Reflect & Pray
What comfort does the hope of physical resurrection bring to you? How’s it an expression of faith?
Jesus, thank You for giving me the amazing hope of a future in heaven with You.
Our Daily Bread 2024 Devotional is written by Con Campbell and published by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Read more
Visit the ODB official website here: www.odb.org
Thank you for reading. This Devotional was shared via www.TheDevotionals.Com.NG
♥Blessed by this? Click here to Share This Devotional