“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).

Are there important things to remember? Yes! Our faith is not built upon wishful thinking, but upon the truth of what God has done. He has accomplished salvation for us, therefore, we ought not live as people who have no hope. Instead, live into the life of faith you have been given knowing that Christ has been raised from the dead and because He lives, you too live in Him.

Lord, this world denies things based upon lies. Help me see through the lies of this age that I may live in the hope of the resurrection that You give. Guide my mind to be assured in the truth of the never-ending glory You have revealed. Because Christ lives, I shall live. Because Christ was raised from the dead, I shall be raised. These things are a part of the truth You have revealed for all to see.

Lord Jesus, You are not some ancient figure as the some in this world now declare. You came back from the dead that we might have the abundant and eternal life that comes through faith. Lead me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life that I may abide in You and You in me forever. Remove all doubts and fears that I may faithfully and humbly live into this life that You have given. Amen.

“Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:11-12)

I have saved no one. I do not have a tally of those who have come into a saving relationship with the Lord because of any words I have spoken. Whether I or they, it is the moving of the Holy Spirit and the will of the Father that brings any to that eternal relationship made possible by grace. “Jesus saves” is a true saying. I am a part, but He is the Whole. Come then and do your part that God may be glorified.

It was never intended that the world would rest upon any one of our shoulders. It has always been intended that we, the created, would depend upon the Lord who is the Creator of all, Live in this relationship which the Lord has created and be content with the grace given you. Be thankful that He has opened your eyes and ears to see and hear the truth of the Gospel.

Lord Jesus, You have come that as many as believe would not perish but have everlasting life. Lead me in the goodness Your grace supplies that I may be a part of Your eternal kingdom. Let me not be caught up in the wicked schemes of the devil, but in the glorious truth of Your appearing. Guide me by Your grace to live the life to which You have called me that I may learn to be faithful in all things. Amen

“For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

We are whom we are. By the grace of God, we have been appointed in the time and place in which we find ourselves. Come then in the grace you have received and be a workman for the cause to which You have been given. Do not be as the world looking for places of self-appointment, but be content in what the Lord has given you that you may be pleasing in His sight.

Lord, the world is constantly looking for upward mobility. Guide me in the way of truth that I may be content with the grace You have given me. Guide me according to Your will that I would now and always abide in You and do those things You give me to do. Lead me according to Your grace that I may reflect the truth of Your presence in my life now and always.

Lord Jesus, You did not come as One who seemed superior in any way, but as a servant of all. You through whom all things have their being did not seek to be the center, but You are the center. Lead me in Your example that I would now and always humbly abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me to do those things for which I have been appointed with thankfulness and humility. Amen.

“Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also” (1 Corinthians 15:7-8).

The sin of pride is in all of us. We are whom the Lord has made and we are not our own. The freedom Christ gives through grace is not a freedom to do as we please, but to become whom the Lord is making us to be. Do not be caught off guard, nor think more highly of yourself, but think in terms of what the Lord has said. See all that He is and lift Him up above all things; including yourself.

Lord, help me see where I do have issues of the self above others. Let me learn to be content in You and in all situations. Guide me according to Your goodness to come into Your presence with thanksgiving and live the life You have given me to live. Lead me in the way of truth that I may learn from You and be guided through the grace You give to live the life You have created for me.

Lord Jesus, You came as a servant and modeled the godly life. Lead me in the example You have given to live for You and not for myself. Help me to see beyond myself and see those places where I place myself first. Guide me now and always that I would walk with You, doing what is pleasing to the Father. In all things, teach me how to praise, thank and worship You for all things. Amen.

“And that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:5-6)

When one asks for proof, they are often referring to the scientific method. One can prove nothing in history in this way. What has happened cannot be repeated. However, when one asks for witnesses, five hundred is something altogether different. We are all called to be a witness of the resurrected Christ through the reality of our lives being changed by His grace and mercy.

Lord, this age has become very demanding, wanting proofs and yelling you down when the answer you give is not to someone’s liking. Lead me, Lord, away from the cacophony of insanity this world yells to hear Your gentle voice speaking to me in the quiet times of my life. Guide me Lord according to Your goodness that I would abide with You, walk with You, and listen to You.

Lord Jesus, it really was no different in Your day. Even Paul who wrote this was, before that time, hostile and against You until You called him into Your service. Guide me, Lord, in Your goodness that I would walk with You in spite of the noise and confusion of this age. Help me to be one of Your witnesses living out the truth of the Gospel now and always. Lead me, Lord, that I would abide in You now and always. Amen.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The heart of the Gospel is that the Lord has done what needs to be done. We love to talk about it, think about it, ponder over it; but never lose sight of the simple fact that Christ has accomplished what needs to be done. This is the thing of first importance. Realizing that Christ has died for our sins, what then? Live in Christ and know that He has accomplished salvation for you.

Lord, You have commanded that we learn to obey all that You have commanded. You have also done all that is needed for salvation. In between these two is the reality of life in this age. Lead me to walk between the law, which is good, and the salvation You have accomplished, which is my hope. In this place, as far as I am able, help me to live in the law. Beyond that remind me that it is You who accomplishes all that needs to be done.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world in order that all who believe might be saved. Guide me in the goodness of the law and of Your salvation. Lead me to know that in You alone is all hope and glory. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of the freedom You have purchased that I may abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me, O Lord, and teach me to follow You in all of Your ways. Amen.

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

There is the Gospel which is the same in all places and at all times. We do not figure out how to be saved, but learn that Christ has died that we may be joined with Him in His resurrection. Do not be caught up in the speculations of those who are trying to figure things out, but come to the One who is the Creator of all. In Him is the light and life of all men and the promised salvation we all need.

Lord, help me to not get caught up in the speculations of those who say many different things. Help me to hear the Gospel You have delivered unto us once for all. Lead me in Your goodness that I may now and always abide in the hope You have given. Give me an ear to hear what others say, but to not be lead astray by the speculations that are put before Your Good News of salvation that is in You alone.

Lord Jesus, in Your goodness and according to the Father’s will, You have accomplished for all who believe the salvation we all need. Help me follow You on the narrow road and live the life You have given me to live. Guide me now and always according to the Father’s will that I would become whom You are making me to be. Give me ears to hear and a heart to serve You always. Amen.

“But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner” (1 Corinthians 14:38-40).

Good order is a principle that reflects what the Lord has created in creation. We are not just individuals seeking to gain for ourselves notoriety, but creatures of our God and King. Seek to work harmoniously with all in the building up of the body of Christ. Seek to live in accordance with God’s will for your life and know that in the Lord alone is your core and being.

Lord, help me in the struggle between self and the reality of who I am in the communion of saints. Guide me to use what You have given me, not bound by human traditions, but willingly and freely. Lead me by Your Spirit in the harmony that You are creating in the body of Christ. Let me not stray from where You have placed me, but willingly and freely serve you alongside others.

Lord Jesus, You died to set us free from the sinful compulsion to see ourselves rise above the pack. Guide me to be whom You are making me to be knowing that only in You is there hope and an eternal future. According to Your guidance, lead me in the goodness You are creating to work alongside all others whom You are calling by grace to be the church where You have placed us. Amen.

“ Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.” (1 Corinthians 14:36-37).

Everything comes from the Lord. Do not be misguided in your thinking. It is not the other way round. We do not figure this out, but live into what the Lord gives us. Salvation is from Christ and we live in the salvation He gives. The last part of the Great Commandment was to learn to obey all that He has commanded. Recognize that it is all coming from the Lord and that You have been given a great gift.

Lord, let me not become caught up in the insanity of this age which thinks of self first. Help me to see that in You is all hope and the promise of salvation. Guide me in the way of goodness that I would now and forever realize that it is what You are doing in me and not what I am doing in You that matters. Clear my thinking to see the one-way character of these things and live under Your direction.

Holy Spirit, speak to me that I may speak. When You do not give me words to speak, keep me silent. In all things, lead me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope, for You have come to bring understanding to my mind. Be the One who leads me in all things and guide me according to Your goodness to see that through You comes all that I know about salvation. Amen.

“The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.  If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.”  (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

Well now, doesn’t this speak against what our society has become?  The legalists run with this and it become a battle point and place of confusion.  Meditate upon what the Lord is teaching us and come back to the place where we look to Him and see that each takes their own place in His kingdom.  By this, hear no word of legalistic wrangling.  The Lord calls whom He calls and for His purpose, be they male or female.  But in this, let no confusion enter into your midst.

Lord, what a battle there has been in the church over these things.  The wicked one enters and stirs the pot.  Lead me to see what You are doing and to celebrate what You are accomplishing.  Let me not be hindered by the words of men, but be encouraged, uplifted, and strengthened by the truth that You are saving all who turn to You.  Lead me, Lord, in the way I need to go.

Lord Jesus, the liberation of women would not have happened if You had not come and set the course in a different direction.  In You, there is neither male nor female.  Help me understand through the confusion of the wicked One that You are still Lord and still leading through the morass of this age.  Guide me to keep my eyes upon You now and always for the sake of Your kingdom.  Amen.