20 Jan February 7th Daily Devotion

 A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

CHRIST’S DEATH FOR YOU GIVES YOU LIFE FOREVER

1 Thessalonians 5:10 “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.”

It took Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross to give you a life that will never end.  Romans 14:8-9 says, “If (you) live, (you) live for the Lord; and if (you) die, (you) die for the Lord. So, whether (you) live or die, (you) belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”  Christ died for you to “live together with Him” forever.  Romans 8:35 asks a rhetorical question: “Who shall separate (you) from the love of Christ?” The next verses answer the question, “For (Jesus’) sake (you) face death all day long. . . in all these things (you) are more than conquerors through Him who loved (you). For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate (you) from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (your) Lord.”

Jesus died for you for you to live together with Him for all eternity.  Through your baptism you have been given a new life in Jesus Christ.  A life that cannot be taken away from you by anyone or anything here on earth.  Not even death itself can take it away from you.  Colossians 3:1-4 says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

“For (you) believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so (you) believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him . . . (and) (you if you) are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so (you) will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14,17)

Prayer:  Thank You Lord for the promise of the Gospel that whether I have died or am alive when Christ returns Jesus will take me to be with Him for all eternity.  Grant me by the power of Your Holy Spirit faith to trust in Jesus that I may live with Him now and through all eternity. In His holy name.  Amen.

For me to live is Jesus, To die is gain for me;

So when my Savior pleases, I meet death willingly.

For Christ, my Lord, my brother, I leave this world so dim

And gladly seek another, Where I shall be with Him.

My woes are nearly over, Though long and dark the road;

My sin His merits cover, And I have peace with God.

Lord, when my pow’rs are failing, My breath comes heavily,

And words are unavailing, O hear my sighs to Thee.

In my last hour, O grant me A slumber soft and still,

No doubts to vex or haunt me,

Safe anchored in Thy will;

And so to Thee still cleaving When death shall come to me,

I fall asleep believing And wake in heav’n with Thee!

(LSB 742)