Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 15:52 “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.”

This Christmas decoration is just beautiful.  I imagine the idea is that the angel is announcing the birth of Christ.  It is a nice thought, though in fact there were no trumpets on the scene, at least recorded in the Scripture.  There was certainly a multitude of angels in the sky above the shepherds praising God, perhaps in song.

The trumpet in our verse today has a very special meaning.  Sounding it will signal the resurrection.  It does not say who will blow this trumpet, perhaps an angel, but it will be heard all over the world.  When it is blown, those believers who have died will receive their new incorruptible bodies.  Those believers still living at the time will also be changed.  Death will forever be swallowed up in victory!  What a day that will be!

Sometimes when I read in God’s Word about what is to come, I wonder how it affects me TODAY.  This passage about the resurrection and our new bodies has everything to do with today.   These words were written so that knowing this truth I stay steadfast, immoveable, and that I would always be about the work of the Lord (verse 58).  Looking towards the resurrection and eternity convinces me that my work for the Lord is never futile or in vain.

I enjoy all kinds of music and musical instruments.  But one day I will hear a trumpet sound that will  announce the end of time.  It will be the sweetest sound ever!

Scripture for Today:  I John 3:2  “Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

I remember these old fashioned polaroid pictures.  It was fun to be able to see the picture right away without waiting for the film to be developed.  Of course, with digital photography, one sees the image instantly.  But back in the day, there was a certain anticipation seeing the picture slowly come to life before one’s eyes.

In the spiritual realm, our lives are like that slowly developing photograph.  Those who belong to Jesus are God’s children.  We know we are His by the assurance of His Spirit.  He is our Photographer and He is slowly developing a certain image in us, the image of His Son.  One day, the photograph of our lives will be completed and the clear image of Jesus will be seen.

It is a long process lasting a lifetime.  The rate of development seems to change daily.  There are days where His image in me is clearer than in others.  Some days, the photograph is dark and fuzzy.  Those are the days I am not walking with Him.  He does not continue His developing work in me without my cooperation and obedience.

One day, His development in me will be complete.  He has promised this in Philippians 1:6.  When the work in me is complete, I will be like Him.  A more beautiful image will just not be possible!  What a fantastic hope this is!  When I think on this truth I am more motivated to cooperate with Him in obedience.  Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me today!

Scripture for Today:  Matthew 6:20-21  “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I saw this man on the beach this morning, very intent on his search.  He must feel that what he finds with his metal detector is worth all his effort.  I imagine he will be finding plenty of coins dropped by beach-goers and maybe a lost watch or two.

The verse today talks about treasure without actually defining it.  It is treasure that is found here on earth and it is temporal.  That is a pretty broad category as one day everything on this earth will pass away to make way for the new earth (Matt. 24:35).  My husband and I have dealt with moths destroying clothes, rust messing up the paint job on cars and we have been victims of theft.  We tell ourselves it’s just things.  Luke 12:15b says, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  And yet, we all have the tendency to store up things.  We treasure what is not going to last.  And unfortunately, my heart gets turned away from what has true value.  I am distracted by the superficial desire for more and better things.

So what has true value?  What are those treasures we are to store up in heaven?  Probably not gold, the streets will be paved with it.  And certainly not precious stones as that is just building material for the gates.  We do know that there will be crowns for our faithfulness that we will lay at the feet of Jesus.  Perhaps the true treasure is being in His presence.  That is a treasure I can enjoy today!