behold! I tell you a mystery. we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. for this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. when the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “death is swallowed up in victory.” “o death, where is your victory? o death, where is your sting?” [1 corinthians 15:51-55]

 

spend a moment in prayer – right now.

ask God to let you see with the eyes of your heart. ask him to “give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” (eph 1:17-18)  ask him to see with his eyes. ask to see him afresh and new! ask him to give you a vision of yourself in him that you may have never seen. and then, read this passage again.

pray.

 

what did you see? what did God show about himself?

declare that to him in praise – worship him!

 

what did God show you about yourself in Christ?

declare that to him in praise – worship him!

 

did your hope rise, did joy come, did a smile press its way into your face, did a tear touch your face?

whatever God poured out in you through your heart and mind because of his word – worship him for it today!

 

now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. amen. [jude 24-25]

 

~ john ryan