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
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
No Comments