March 30, 2016: SOAP #2309:

Scripture: 1Corinthians (NIV) 15:54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Observation: Many people have suffered through extremely hard times and then come into a place of great success in which they became very thankful for the hard times. The path to the victory was through the hard times. Their troubles were swallowed up in their blessings!

Women go through much pain in child bearing, but all is forgotten as their little bundle of joy is laid in their arms. The pain is swallowed up in the joy.

Until Jesus comes and calls the church to be with him, the only way to enter heaven is through the doorway called “death.” Some deaths happen in a clean environment; others in filth. Some deaths happen in a peaceful setting; others in violence. Some deaths happen quickly; others take days or weeks, even years. Whatever the dying process, those who are born again can all have the assurance that death will be “swallowed up in victory!”   The struggle will be forgotten in the rejoicing.

Application: So “until then my heart will go on singing.” I know “it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” “When we all get to heaven” “everybody will be happy over there!” “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!”

Prayer:   Lord, for you there must be two very special days in the life of each of your children—the day they made you the Lord of their life and the day they pass through death’s door into your presence! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!