Daily Devotional
Do You Have Hope?
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:20
April 17, 2022
Ponder This
I was at a funeral. The beautiful flowers were there. I walked around looking at the flowers, and I saw one beautiful bouquet. You could tell it was done by the grandchildren. This was an elderly man, a saint on this earth, a dear member of the church. And on the floral offering it said, “To Pop-Pop.”
And I stood there, as is the pastor’s habit as people come by, and I saw that precious widow, who’d walked with her husband for more than a half a century and was a lady of great faith. She was not in despair. She walked up and laid her hand on his sleeve and touched him, patted it a couple of times and turned and walked away. And I thought to myself, “Is that it? Is that all there is to life? Pop-Pop is gone? Her husband is gone?” No! Death does not have dominion! Christ is risen! Those who have fallen asleep in Christ have not perished. He is alive.
- How have you experienced the hope that comes from Christ when losing a loved one?
- How does the resurrection give us hope not just for the future, but for today?
Practice This
Make a list of the ways the resurrection provides hope for followers of Jesus.
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.’”
