WHAT BOTHERS YOU THE MOST?

SCRIPTURE:
“Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  
(1 Corinthians 15:55)

MEDITATION:
All of us have likes and dislikes.
We can see the differences in our preferences whenever there is an election.
Some are almost vehement about the candidate they like, 
and they make it obvious that they would never consider his or her opponent.

We see differences in our ‘likes’ regarding food, clothes styles, colors, 
teams, treatment of illnesses, and a myriad of other areas.
However, there is one thing that is probably 
the most democratic experience we will have, because we all participate in it.
Death is something we will all face.

Many consider it as something that happens to only other people. 
However the scriptures give us the truth that it will happen to ALL people.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 
so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will 
appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who 
are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

No person likes to grow old and think about the certainty of death, 
(which is the enemy of man and God).
However, the scriptures teach us that death will ultimately be destroyed forever.
In fact, it has already been defeated at the cross 
and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When a child of God dies, he experiences a permanent freedom from evil.
Believers will also be like Jesus after death.
So much of what we do while living on earth involves too much self.
We want everything the way we want it, and when we want it.
But when we become like Jesus, 
we will have perfect love that has no room for selfishness.

One of the reasons some cannot enjoy overcoming the fear of death 
is a fear of the judgment.
For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins 
with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of 
God? (1 Peter 4:17)
This verse tells us that believers and non-believers will be judged.
Believers will be judged by what they have done for the Lord, 
but non-believers will be judged about where they will spend eternity.

Eternity is a time frame that is hard to wrap our mind around, but we know 
with certainty that it will be much longer than the time we have lived on earth.
Jesus died to destroy the fear of death for those who belong to Him.
That is (or should be) why death has lost its sting and its victory.
However, those who do not belong to Him will continue to have a fear of death.

ACTION:
Has your fear of death been reduced significantly, or eliminated altogether?
If not, then perhaps Jesus is still waiting to be invited into your life.
If you are a believer who will be faced with a different judgment than 
non-believers, then start assessing your life and determine how much you are 
doing for the Lord.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us 
may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good 
or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

If you will have the love of Jesus when you step into eternity, 
then why not start preparing now, by allowing His love to flow through you?
God’s children should have 
a desire to eliminate selfishness and replace it with love.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance that those who belong to 
You will not be sentenced to an eternity of torment. Thank You Jesus for 
destroying the sting of death and ceasing its victory for those who belong
to You. Develop in me a newfound peace about death so that I can become
better focused on serving You. Create in me a new heart full of love and help 
me to eliminate any selfishness in my life. Teach me how to encourage and 
lift the spirits of those around me.”