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Now I (Paul) would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you-unless you have come to believe in vain.

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit 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 has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them-though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

 

What a glorious reminder Paul is making to the church in Corinth. He is trying to encourage them in the mist of strife and disagreements from member to member, neighbor to neighbor, one relative to another. Any of this sound familiar? As we live in both the religious world and the secular world it is at times challenging to keep ourselves calm and charitable when we are trying to live our lives in the best manner that we each can comprise. Paul lays it all out before us, Jesus came, he was buried and rose form the dead. Alleluia! Paul knows that the Lord’s grace has been upon him in preaching his message.

 

We have just celebrated Easter Sunday with all the passion of our Lord and his miraculous resurrection. Let us continue to carry this wonderful story of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for us to the world in any way we can muster.

 

Let us pray-Be near us Lord God, as we encounter others along our paths, at work, school and our neighborhoods. Let us first show your love and be examples of your unwavering kindness to all. Amen.

 

Cindy Dougherty

beachspch@aol.com

 

Alternative verses - Song of Songs 5:9, -6:3, Psalm 16

 

Prayers Concern - As the warmth of springtime is upon us, pray for farmers and other food producers that they may have bountiful crops to share with the world in need.