“So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual” (1 Corinthians 15:45-46).

There is a progression and Paul points this out. There needs to be the death of Adam that the new life of one resurrected in Christ may become the new man. In the mystery of faith, what is before us is often not seen by those who have no faith. We do not do what we do to become, but do what we do because we are already becoming through the grace of the One who saves us.

Lord, this world is a mixed up mess and I hear many kinds of things. Help me to see and hear what You reveal that I would not be mixed up, but clear that You are the One who establishes the order of things. Guide me in Your goodness to simply live the life You have given me knowing that In You alone is all hope and that only by Your grace am I able to live into the new life You give.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who has overcome the old Adam and has made possible for us the way and life through Your death and resurrection. Grant that I would live into all that You offer and abide in You and You in me as You have spoken. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go that I would now and always live this new life by Your grace with the hope of eternity with You. Amen.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

These seemingly simple words relay thoughts so profound that we are barely able to grasp them. We may be guilty of thinking along the lines that this existence is all there is. We may think that it is a single line going forward. Think about the depth and breadth of God, His creation, and the promises He has given You. Know that there is more, much more ahead for His people.

Lord, teach me to walk again that I would walk with You in a new way. Teach me to see again that I would see in a new way. Teach me to think again that I would think differently. Teach me to live as You are preparing me to live. Fill me from the inside out with all that is needed for what is to come. Help me to trust You each step of the way, knowing You are accomplishing all that is needed.

Lord Jesus, You know anxiety. You know all of the difficulties of this age and those things that get in the way of faith. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth, that following You, I would learn and grow in preparation for all that is to come. Guide me to see that You have come, experienced death and the resurrection in order for those who have faith to follow You in the way of truth. Amen.

“There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:40-41).

We like to think that we are able to figure things out. This has accelerated in the so-called age of science. But the mysteries of the Lord are deep and all of eternity is not enough to explore the depths of the Lord. Do not fall into the trap of thinking you know it all, but ponder over the glory you see and marvel at what God has done knowing that you know only a small part.

Lord, return to me the joy of a child that I would marvel at all of these things that are around me. You have created all things uniquely and they should be marveled at, for they are a small reflection of Your glory. Take me back and forward at the same time that I may mature in faith and regain the wonder of a child as I view creation and all that You have done with hope and faith.

Lord, all things have always been in Your hands. Guide me according to Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this age knowing that the mysteries run deep, but deeper still is Your love for those whom You have made. Lead me, Jesus, in the way of salvation that I may live as Your lead, go where You lead. And live in the wonder of all that You are constantly doing. Amen.

“But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish”(1 Corinthians 15:38-39).

Every seed that God creates does what He determines needs to be done. Do not marvel that the Lord does these things. All of creation is a marvel of the mighty work of the Lord. Marvel that God has planted His seed in you that you may become like Christ. Do not worry about what you will become, but focus upon what He has given you, that you may become like Christ in every way.

Lord, lead me in the way I need to go, for You know what You have planted in me. Let me not focus upon what I can do, but upon what You are doing in me. Let me look to You always and not ponder how You do what You do, but marvel that You are always at work in creating the perfect creation of eternity, Lead me away from myself and ever more deeply into You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for all who come through You into the eternal promises You have given and made possible. Let me not linger over those things I do not yet understand, but help me pour myself into the very reality that is before me. Guide me in the upward way of salvation that I may now and always live into the life which You have set before me. Amen.

“But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else”(1 Corinthians 15:35-36).

Why do you worry about what God does? Who can tell the Lord what to do, let alone how to do it. God raises the dead and in this, He has raised you from the death of sin into the gift of grace which imparts true life. Come therefore and be not dead, but living. Live into the life which you have been given through Christ and live believing, not unbelieving. The seed already in you is always at work.

Lord, help me to not focus upon what is going on in me, but instead upon what You are doing. It is You who breathed Your Spirit in me and You who gives all life. Lead me in the way You show that I may walk humbly as Your creation. Let me not worry about death and life, but instead see that You have taken what needed to die and raised it to be what You have always intended.

Lord Jesus, Your act upon the cross is all that is needed. You, the Author and Finisher of faith have already done all that needs to be done. Guide me, Lord, in the way of salvation for I do not know the way, but You do. Keep my eyes upon You that I may not fall away, wander, or perish. Keep me close to You and teach me to hold You close to me. Empower me in all I do that it may be You who is at work in me. Amen.

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”  Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

It is not a matter of trying to be perfect, for if you could do this, you would not need a Savior.  It is a matter of working toward the goal of your salvation, which is to become like Jesus.  Pay attention to whom you associate.  Bad behavior is contagious.  Good behavior is hard enough in this world; one does not need a reason to fall into sin through the encouragement of others.

Lord God, I am to love my neighbor, but that does not mean I need to be influenced by those who willingly and freely sin.  Help me to strike a balance in these two things, to be willing to love all of those around me while also being cautious about who is in the inner circle of friends who influence me.  Guide me toward the goal of being like Jesus knowing full well that apart from Him I can do nothing.

Lord Jesus, You have fulfilled the law.  You know all that needs to be done.  I can only seek to be like You.  Holy Sprirt, help me to always do my part, but also know that I need You every step of the way.  Lead me to walk the path You set before me and live into the life to which You guide me.  Help me overcome temptation and walk upright in Your sight.  Amen.

“I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die”(1 Corinthians 15:31-32).

If all we seek are the pleasures of this world and if this life is all we have, then live with abandon. But the hope of the resurrection sets us on a different course. We did not create ourselves and we do not live for ourselves. So then, do not be carried away by the lusts of this life, but seek the new life which has been given through Christ our Savior. Know that in Him is true and everlasting life.

Lord, that which is temporary, in this age, and available is so tempting. Why should I forgo what is before me? Yet, I know that these temporary things are distractions, for they never satisfy. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of what feeds my soul. Lead me in the way of truth that I would see that this life is preparation for what is to come. Guide me in the goodness of Your eternal truth.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way into all goodness through Your mercy. Help me, I pray, to see through the nonsense of this age and know that in Your goodness I may overcome those things which distract me and keep me from the prize of salvation which is in You alone. Not for glory, but by Your truth  lead me wherever I may go, knowing that You alone are the author and finisher of my faith. Amen.

“Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? Why are we also in danger every hour?” (1 Corinthians 15:29-30)

We often fixate upon what we do not know. If there is no resurrection from the dead, then all is hopeless. Yet we worry about ourselves and about those whom we love. Does not God know those who are His? Has He not cared even for the sparrow that falls to the ground? Trust in the One who was crucified and by the power of God, resurrected from the dead, for He has already overcome.

Lord, guide my worries and fears away from the fickle circumstances of this world and into the glorious light of Your presence that I may not doubt. Help me at all times to see that it is You who is at work. In You alone is there hope and a glorious future. In You is all life, even eternal life. Lead me, O Lord, and I will follow You. Help me, Lord, and I will be helped here, now, and forever.

Lord Jesus, when You said it is finished, it was the final word to sin and death. Guide me, Lord, according to Your goodness to see through the fears and aggravations of this world to place my hope upon You. Keep me in Your will that I may live according to Your promises. Through all things, Lord Jesus, may I see You there before me clearly at all times and follow You alone. Amen.

“For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.  When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:27-28).

All authority and power belong to the Lord.  It is He who has made all things.  Therefore, know that the Lord has created the order of the universe and He will, after this age has run its course, subject everything to Himself, even Trinity.  Yes, the mystery is great, but the reality is eternity.  Be one who is willing to be subject to the King of kings and Lord of lords and live the life for which you have been created.

Lord, although the mystery is deep, yet I am able to grasp that there is rebellion not only in others living in this age, but also in me.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see through the darkness of this age and learn to live the life of obedience to which You have called me.  Let me learn how to honor authority and be willing to be subject to those who are in authority over me.

Lord Jesus, You have come as a servant to all.  Yet the time will come when who You are will be revealed as the King of glory.  With this simple understanding, help us to realize that You are a friend, as You have said, but also the King of all creation who will subject all things to God the Father of us all.  In the freedom You have given, guide me, Lord, now and always in the way of truth.  Amen.

“For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that will be abolished is death” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).

Who are the enemies of God?  As we look at history we see the many ways evil has taken on life and accelerated.  The Lord allows all to unfold for His purpose, but never think the Lord is not Lord of all.  He is bringing all things into subjection to His perfect and immutable will.  Trust the Lord of the harvest who will even conquer death, which is the last enemy to be overcome.

Lord, there are many things I do not understand.  Help me to live out the first commandment and trust You above all things.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that all hope for all people is in You alone who has made all things.  Lead me according to Your goodness to see through the evil of this age and know that our hope has always been in You who has and will overcome all that goes against Your power and authority, even death. Lord Jesus, because You rose from the dead, we shall rise from the dead at the appointed time. Help me, I pray, to see through all of the things of this age which get in the way of knowing the simplicity of truth that You have already overcome death that those who trust in You may have hope.

Lord Jesus, through Your death and resurrection You have paved the way of everlasting life.  Lead me in the truth of what You have done that I may now and always live according to Your perfect will.  Lift me up and into the life of one who follows You.  Guide me in Your Spirit to listen and obey.   In all things, help me to know that I am in You and You are in me.  Amen.