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Today's Devotional

The Sting Has Been Taken Away

April 1, 2026 ●
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
1 Corinthians 15:55–57
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Listen ToDevotional

A father and his young son were driving down a quiet country road on a beautiful spring afternoon. Suddenly a bumblebee flew through the open car window. The little boy froze with fear because he was deathly allergic to bee stings. Seeing his son’s terror, the father quickly reached out, caught the bee in his hand, squeezed it, and then released it. When the bee began buzzing around again, the boy panicked once more.

The father calmly held up his hand. Embedded in his skin was the stinger. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore,” he told his son. “I’ve taken the sting for you.” The bee could still buzz, but it could no longer harm the child. The danger had already been absorbed by the father.

This simple moment beautifully illustrates the gospel. Death still buzzes around us in this fallen world. We see sickness, funerals, and grief, and it can make us fearful. But for the believer, the sting has already been removed. Jesus Christ stepped in and took the sting of death upon Himself at the cross. Through His death and resurrection, He defeated sin and the grave. Death may still come physically, but it no longer has the power to destroy the child of God.

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Additional Resources
Action Step / Assignment

Read 1 Corinthians 15 and reflect on Paul’s explanation of the resurrection and the believer’s victory over death.

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Application

When fear of death or uncertainty arises, remember that Christ has already taken the sting for you. Rest in the victory He secured through His death and resurrection.

Victory Verse

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" — Job 19:25

Additional Verses
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Daily Scripture Reading

Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.

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Pastor Burns' Study Notes

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This Week's Radio Program

Week Eighteen  •  May 3, 2026

Trust in Him
Trust in Him

Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)

In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.

This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.

Listen to Past Programs

Trust in Him Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 2) Week Sixteen  •  Apr 19, 2026
Trust in Him Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 1) Week Fourteen  •  Apr 5, 2026
Trust in Him Trusting God in the Storms (Pt. 3) Week Twelve  •  Mar 22, 2026
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Trust in Him Trusting God in the Storms (Pt. 2) Week Eleven  •  Mar 15, 2026
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Trust in Him Trusting God in the Storms (Pt. 1) Week Nine  •  Mar 1, 2026
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