March 30 - Dying to Live

 Read today’s texts first: Judges 8; Psalms 42; 1 Corinthians 15

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
I like growing old! Being over the hill and on the way down is easier than going uphill.  It also means I’m
picking up speed towards a pretty cool final destination.

Today is my wife’s birthday. We won’t mention her age because apparently it’s a sensitive subject. I personally like this stage of life. Being over the hill and on our way down is technically easier than going uphill, so far. But if we are dreading death, the hope of a new life after this one should completely change our perspective.

At a recent family birthday party, we played “Loaded Questions.” One of the questions was, “which invention would you like to dis-invent?” My niece, Beth, answered, “the unflattering lighting in fitting rooms”, I answered “Facebook” (sorry, I prefer face-to-face), but my granddaughter, 7 at the time, had the most profound answer: “I would dis-invent deadness!” Well good news Kaitlyn - Jesus did just that!

Paul is urging the Corinthian church to defend the truth of Christ’s resurrection against those who deny it (15:12-14). His death was crucial in forgiving our past, but His resurrection life is crucial to our hope for the future. Because death is only a doorway to an eternal life without pain and suffering, then heading downhill means we are picking up speed towards a pretty cool final destination. Happy Birthday, Babe! Be encouraged with these words:

When our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die -- then at last the Scriptures will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” …. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless (15:54,55,58). 

“Thank You Lord for the life I’m enjoying now, but I can’t wait for the perfect life ahead when I will see You face to face!”