6 Sep, 2006
Sting of death!
‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin killed by stingray
by Brian Cassey
CAIRNS, Australia - Steve Irwin died doing what he loved best, getting too close to one of the dangerous animals he dedicated his life to protecting with an irrepressible, effervescent personality that propelled him to global fame as television's "Crocodile Hunter."
The 44-year-old Irwin's heart was pierced by the serrated, poisonous spine of a stingray as he swam with the creature Monday while shooting a new TV show on the Great Barrier Reef, his manager and producer John Stainton said.
News of Irwin's death reverberated around the world, where he won popularity with millions as the man who regularly leaped on the back of huge crocodiles and grabbed deadly snakes by the tail.
His signature was an explosion of exclamations in his thick Australian drawl, typically "Crikey!" when in awe, "Gorgeous!" when showing off some reptile's charms or "Danger! Danger! Danger!" when even he knew it was wiser to keep a distance from an aroused animal.
photo & story courtesy duluthsuperior.com, 9/4/06
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
Mystery and Victory
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 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 shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
What does God's Story teach us about facing the sting of death?
First of all, these verses are sort of difficult to understand in the ESV translation, so you might want to read them in another translation like the NLT. Click on: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2015:50-57;&version=51;
In this passage, Paul is talking about the future resurrected bodies of believers and the return of Christ.
Any followers of Jesus who are alive on earth when this happens will not experience death but be instantly transformed! A heavenly trumpet blast will introduce God's new heaven and earth. Can you imagine how incredible this second (that's all it will take!) will be?
These believers will be united with all of Christ's followers who have already died and everyone gets to enjoy new eternal bodies - without disabilities - ready for eternal life with God's family in Heaven!
How is this possible? Because Jesus Christ is alive! Without the resurrection of Christ, the sting of our sin would be eternal death.
Steve Irwin was helpless against the deadly barb of a stingray piercing his heart.
You and I would be helpless and face eternal death in hell if Jesus had not taken the sting of sin for us. He willingly allowed his body to be to be pierced upon the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. When Jesus rose from the dead, He guaranteed victory over sin and death!
If we receive God's gift of forgiveness by trusting Jesus to be our Savior, we don't have to fear death. Jesus overcame it and as His followers, we will do the same!
You can take that to heart! It's part of God's Story of love!
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- If your story already includes Jesus in your life as Savior, take a few minutes right now and express your gratitude, love, commitment and celebration to God!
- If you are reading this and you recognize that you have not yet invited Jesus to come into your life as Savior and remove the sting of your sin, let God change your story right now. You can begin your personal relationship with God by simply expressing yourself to God through prayer right now:
Dear God, I know that my sin has separated me from You. Thank You that Jesus Christ died in my place and rose again to be my Savior. I turn from my sin and trust Jesus to forgive me. Come into my life and lead me. Thank You for giving me a relationship with You forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Great news! If you are choosing to follow Jesus with your life, your life story has just changed now and forever! Please contact us at http://3story.org/start/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid= to let us know so that we can send you some helpful resources to help you grow spiritually!
- Another lesson learned from the death of Steve Irwin is that we should stay away from whatever is deadly. Though Jesus has removed the eternal deadly sting of sin, you will live with greater joy and serve Him more effectively if you avoid anything that is harmful to your daily abiding in Christ.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?
- Look again at this quote from today's story: News of Irwin's death reverberated around the world, where he won popularity with millions as the man who regularly leaped on the back of huge crocodiles and grabbed deadly snakes by the tail. Pray every day for Jesus to fill you with His compassion and courage, so the story of His death and resurrection can be reverberated around the world.
- The story of Steve Irwins's death will be in the news all week. It could give you many opportunities to use today's DAILYBIDE to connect your story and God's Story to their stories.
- May 2008 [8]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
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- December 2007 [20]
- November 2007 [19]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [20]
- July 2007 [18]
- June 2007 [19]
- May 2007 [18]
- April 2007 [13]
- March 2007 [17]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [9]
- December 2006 [6]
- November 2006 [15]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [14]
- June 2006 [4]
