The Only One Who Conquered Death

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said he could “escape from anything, except your memory.” 

Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died and he did not escape. No trickery there. Harry Houdini did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape. Jesus came out of the grave and He arose. Praise God, Jesus is alive! 

ACTION POINT:

Who in your circle of friends doesn’t know Jesus? Pray for them right now, that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Only One Who Ever Chose to Die

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Did you know that there has only been one person who ever chose to die? Only one. 

"Oh," you say, "Suicide bombers choose to die. Other people choose to die. People who die by their own hand choose to die. People who give themselves for others choose to die." 

But really no one has ever chosen to die except Jesus. Why? Because He was the only One who didn’t have to die. Some people may choose to die a little sooner, but nobody has ever truly chosen to die except One—the Lord Jesus Christ. 

It wasn’t nails that held Him to the tree. It was the silver cords of love and the golden bonds of redemption that held Jesus Christ to that cross. 

ACTION POINT:

The fact that no one has ever chosen to die but Jesus, may be a new concept to you. If so, it’s probably new to someone else as well. Share it with someone today!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Peace with God—Because of the Cross

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“... having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:20 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there? 

At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted. 

At the cross, sin was not overlooked. Sin was atoned and paid for. 

God’s greatest righteousness confronted man’s greatest wickedness, and righteousness won! Peace was attained through the blood of the cross. 

Thank God for the cross! Thank God for Jesus! 

ACTION POINT:

During this time of year, as you celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, take a few moments to praise Jesus for the power and hope you have because of His resurrection.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Moving His Son Into King’s Row

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The kingdoms of this world are being moved around like checkers, but soon God is going to move His Son into King’s Row and say, “Crown Him King of kings!” 

How many times have you prayed, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”? 

Do you think God’s will is being done on earth as it is in heaven? Look around at the crime, rape, murder, child abuse, and blasphemy. Do you think that’s God’s will? Of course not. 

Do you think Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray a prayer that will not be answered? God is going to move Jesus into King’s Row and say, “Crown Him King!” 

ACTION POINT:

Read Psalm 2. What does the Psalmist tell the kings of this world to do? Pray now that God will work in the hearts of the world leaders.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Jesus in All Sixty-Six

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“ He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The thing I love about the Old Testament is the thing I love about the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament both are the inspired Word of God. Don’t get the idea that the Old Testament has a message different from the New Testament. All of the Bible is about Jesus. If you read the Bible and you don’t find Jesus, you better go re-read it. 

Somebody may ask if you have read the four gospels, and you can answer them, “I’ve read all sixty-six!” 

From Genesis to Revelation, 

• It has the same villain – Satan. 

• It has the same hero – Jesus. 

• It has the same purpose – to present salvation in no other name but Jesus. 

ACTION POINT:

Read Isaiah 53. What are the prophecies that were fulfilled in the life of Christ?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Pursuing Salvation By Faith

30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;

31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.

32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

33 as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."  - Romans 9:30-33

You can't obtain it by works!!

You can't buy it with money!!

I'm speaking of salvation that comes from God!!

Salvation that is freely given by faith in Christ!!

Sin separated man from God!

Sin brought God's wrath on man!

God demanded restitution for man's sin but none could satisfy that demand!

So God sent forth His own Son, born of a virgin, leading a sinless life, tempted by Satan, killed on a cross and raised from death to eternal life.

He is seated now at the right hand of God waiting to come and receive a His Church.

5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. - Romans 11:5-6

20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. - Romans 11:20-21

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,

31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.

32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. - Romans 11:29-32

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. - Romans 11:36

"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.  - Psalm 75:2

Wait…and Listen for God to Speak to You

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth.” Psalm 29:3 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Some people think it’s a waste of time to simply sit at God’s feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodsman is wasting time when he sharpens his axe. 

In his booklet “Tyranny of the Urgent,” Charles Hummel wrote, “When we fail to wait prayerfully for God’s guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him….Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy….The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord, Who knows our limitations.” 

ACTION POINT:

Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase “voice of the Lord” is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers