Daily Devotional
Are You Afraid to Die?
“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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
April 8, 2023
Ponder This
A woman and her two children were in their garden enjoying a beautiful day when a big bee sat on the little boy and stung him. The little boy began to cry, and the sting began to swell. Then the bee began to buzz around the little girl, and she was terrified. By this time the little boy had quieted down, and the mother said to the little girl, “Darling, don’t be afraid. Come over here and let me show you something. Look closely at your brother’s arm. Do you see the stinger that’s there? When that bee stung little brother, he left his stinger.” Did you know that a bee does that? He can’t sting but one time. She continued, “Now sweetheart, that bee can’t hurt you because he left his stinger in little brother. He may buzz, and he may frighten you, but he can’t hurt you.”
The sting of death was taken by Jesus Christ. Death cannot hurt you. Death may frighten you, but Jesus has taken the sting out of death and the gloom out of the grave.
- What feelings arise for you when thinking about the reality of death?
- How does the hope of Christ lead us to grieve differently, even though we’re sad someone has died?
Practice This
Pray and tell God any reasons you are afraid of death. Take some time to look up and reflect on Scripture passages that speak to the hope followers of Jesus have after death.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
