We will be changed ...

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 
1 Corinthians 15:52

What kind of seeds are in this picture?  How would you describe them?  Small?  Earth-tone?  Irregular in shape?  There’s nothing about them that catches the eye; if they weren’t bunched together, we would walk pass them without a notice.  If only we could see their potential, though, what they would become ...

The Apostle Paul said our earthly bodies are like these seeds: though we are wonderfully made, we weaken and die.  Yet that’s not the end of our story; that’s not the final act.

Instead, we live and die boldly: living in the assurance of eternity and dying in the confidence of change.  Though our bodies are “sown” like seeds that fall to the ground, we will yet rise up with spiritual bodies, in power and glory, imperishable.  For we will bear the likeness of Christ, who has already risen from death and been seen by many.

How do we know the glory that awaits?  Simply this: God always does what he says he will do.  To Abraham he promised a blessing and a seed, both fulfilled in person of Jesus Christ.  To Moses he promised to call forth another prophet like him, a promise kept in Christ.  To David, he promised a descendant as king forever, again fulfilled in this Son of God.  And through the Psalms and the prophets God foretold so many things about the Messiah – details about his birth, his life, his death and his resurrection – all of these promises kept also in Jesus the Christ.

And now through Paul, God makes yet one more promise: we will rise.  We know we will be raised to life with new, glorious bodies, because the God who speaks hope through his servants – from Abraham to Paul – is both able to keep his promises and faithful to keep his promises.

The seeds in the picture above?  They will rise up to be roses.  Not small, but bountiful.  Not earth-tone, but deep red petals on bright green stems.  Individually and beautifully sculpted, each one.  They will be changed.

So will we.  We have his Word.

Where, O death, is your victory?
   Where, O death, is your sting?  1 Corinthians 15:55

[Click here to see the daily reading in 1 Corinthians 15:42-58.]

Mark 5: 17-20

 Go to People Like Yourself

I am not able to identify with brain surgeons or international diplomats. How about you? It would be most uncomfortable to be forced into a situation where it was essential to rub elbows with the very rich and famous, as I would have nothing in common with them. Having to mingle with a world class physicists or mathematician would be awkward at best.

Put me in a room with psychologists or teachers on the other hand, and I would be in heaven, so to speak. There would be endless topics of discussion and subjects for me to pick their brains about, and then sit back and ponder as I formulated my next inquiry.

We all have a sense of comfort when with those we have things in common with. Why then do some Christians feel the need to push their beliefs on those who do not have an ear for what they proclaim? Perhaps it is all in the approach, not empathizing with the other person considering their background or paradigm (set of ideas used for understanding something) can bring out negative feelings. No one wants to be preached to about a subject they feel uncomfortable with. It is unlikely we are going to change the lifestyle of another through proclamation. Most humans thrive on relationships. We do not hear what others have to say until we first know they care.

If any of us are going to make a difference in the life of another, we must meet them where they are as Jesus did. He humbled himself. He dwelled among sinners and lepers. He broke bread with the undesirable and spoke to those shunned by their communities. Jesus lived the life of a poor man, and dwelled amidst those like him.

Jesus modeled the perfect, sinless life. We cannot even think about comparing to him, but we can grow where we are planted, spreading the seeds of love and compassion, as we reach out to those near to us. We need not travel the world to make a difference. Often we can simply "Just Walk Across The Room."

Read/Listen to Mark 5: 17-20

Review the Book “Just Walk Across the Room” by: Bill Hybels

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

God Makes the Seed Grow

Paul is explaining in this text that he may have planted the seed of faith in the followers, and Apollos watered that seed, but it was God who made it grow.  Paul points out that he and Apollos were merely using the gifts God gave them to serve others.

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:8-9)

The reason for this statement was to point to God as the one to be worshiped and the one to whom all thanksgiving and praise belongs. Some in Corinth were beginning to give undo homage to Paul and Apollos, they were splitting into factions and pledging their loyalty to a man instead of God.  This practice was splitting the Church in Corinth.

I learned this lesson the hard way.  Many years ago, as a new Christian, I felt a real connection to the pastor at my church.  He was young and dynamic and very personable.  My husband and I developed a real friendship with him and his family.  When he announced one Sunday that he was accepting a call at another church, we were devastated; but some learned that this had to happen.  It was God’s will as many of us in the congregation were attending church for the wrong reasons.

For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Read the selected text, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, here.  Listen to the audio recording here.