The Elephant in the Room
SCRIPTURE: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NASB)
In most social settings, when the topic of death is mentioned, folks get uncomfortable. The speaker may be accused of being maudlin, a “killjoy,” or even a “mood-buster.” While many TV commercials and other media frequently advertise for insurance companies that focus on funeral arrangements, (some of them have VERY BAD ACTORS, by the way), I have never heard anyone accuse those stations of being maudlin! It’s simply and rightfully deemed a part of life, for which everyone should prepare, both spiritually and financially.
While there is no shortage of news reports about souls living life recklessly, and their ofttimes accelerated date of demise, the Bible encourages us to have a sober mentality and deep respect for life’s transitoriness. We are, in truth, just pilgrims passing through this earth, says 1 Chronicles 29:15. In light of this stark reality, someone may comment, ‘Yeah, life’s fleeting? So WHAT?’ Well, we who have taken more than a cursory look at what the Spirit reveals in the Bible can confidently make three significant responses, in view of our temporal stay here: (1) We should purpose to make the best use of our time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16); (2) we can daily, monthly, and yearly seek to be revitalized by the truth that Jesus alone is the resurrection and the life, because those who stake their eternal destiny completely on His redemptive work on Calvary’s cross—even if they die—shall yet live (John 11:25, 26)! Thirdly, unlike those who reject Christ’s gospel, we who believe Him can rejoice that we do NOT walk through this life in spiritual darkness, being dead in trespasses and sins---Jesus PAID IT ALL! Oh, praise Him for His matchless GRACE! He has given us an understanding so that we may KNOW HIM who is true, and we are IN HIM WHO IS TRUE, IN His Son, Jesus Christ! He is the TRUE God and eternal life (1 John 5:20)! Saints need not EVER regard death as the proverbial “elephant in the room;” rather, use it as an opportunity to share the blessed hope given you by the Sin-Bearer, our exceedingly precious Lord Jesus Christ!
PRAYER: Father God, Thank You for Your awesome and incomparable sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary’s cross! We thank You that His indisputable resurrection makes those of us who trust in Him citizens of heaven. AMEN! AMEN!
By Denise Diggs
While there is no shortage of news reports about souls living life recklessly, and their ofttimes accelerated date of demise, the Bible encourages us to have a sober mentality and deep respect for life’s transitoriness. We are, in truth, just pilgrims passing through this earth, says 1 Chronicles 29:15. In light of this stark reality, someone may comment, ‘Yeah, life’s fleeting? So WHAT?’ Well, we who have taken more than a cursory look at what the Spirit reveals in the Bible can confidently make three significant responses, in view of our temporal stay here: (1) We should purpose to make the best use of our time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16); (2) we can daily, monthly, and yearly seek to be revitalized by the truth that Jesus alone is the resurrection and the life, because those who stake their eternal destiny completely on His redemptive work on Calvary’s cross—even if they die—shall yet live (John 11:25, 26)! Thirdly, unlike those who reject Christ’s gospel, we who believe Him can rejoice that we do NOT walk through this life in spiritual darkness, being dead in trespasses and sins---Jesus PAID IT ALL! Oh, praise Him for His matchless GRACE! He has given us an understanding so that we may KNOW HIM who is true, and we are IN HIM WHO IS TRUE, IN His Son, Jesus Christ! He is the TRUE God and eternal life (1 John 5:20)! Saints need not EVER regard death as the proverbial “elephant in the room;” rather, use it as an opportunity to share the blessed hope given you by the Sin-Bearer, our exceedingly precious Lord Jesus Christ!
PRAYER: Father God, Thank You for Your awesome and incomparable sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary’s cross! We thank You that His indisputable resurrection makes those of us who trust in Him citizens of heaven. AMEN! AMEN!
By Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
2022
January
Dissing Double MindednessCome-to-Jesus MomentNew Year, Same God!Is God Real?O Me of Little FaithNot Another Password!Lamb of GodA Tale of Two SongsGod WinksJesus Working Through MeA Real Friend with BenefitsGod is Trying to Tell Us SomethingEven the Lord, RestedGod’s Word to the RescueLiberty and ConscienceHaving a Made-Up MindMarch Like a SoldierThe Reality of UnityLostMiracle on the Roman RoadA Reference Point, Not a ResidencePromised TranquilityListening/Obeying ChristOf ValueHeart FlowThe Implications of “Won’t He Do It”
February
March
STANDING IN VICTORYSelf WillWho are you?Wait a MinuteNOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 1)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 2)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 3)God Given IdentityHe Knows Our Heart!Witnessing FalselyBut God; the Believer’s SemicolonGod’s Fingerprint – The Living WordHeart OwnershipDeception Among BelieversAn Extraordinary ManEven IfHe Saw the Best in MeNot Quite, Almost, Nearly \"NOPE!\"Jesus’ Teaching About WorshipTHE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part I)THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part II)Fruits of the SpiritDifferent Time but Same AgendaI Am the GreatestTrusting the FatherListen, God is Speaking to You
April
What’s in A Name?I’m DelightedWhat a Friend We Have in JesusGod Promises a Life of New BeginningsChrist Formed in YouSlow to SpeakThe Eternal God is Our RefugeHis Marvelous Grace and Omniscience!Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!WHEN FAITHFULNESS BARES IT\'S THROAT!Things Change in His PresenceESCAPE THE WOE!Declare the Lord’s Immutability!WAS THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS, A DONE DEAL?Jesus Needing a Drink
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