Life This Side of Heaven

Wait a minute, did Jesus just call a woman a “dog” here in Matthew? Your feel your head snap back and you wonder, “Ouch, why would Jesus say that?” It’s seems surprising. But everything about this encounter is surprising.

How many of you have shared the fantastic news of salvation in Christ – only to find yourself rebuffed and God’s gift of grace dismissed? It’s painful, isn’t it? It's particularly painful when members of your own family brush aside your attempts to talk to them about Jesus. It’s hard to watch as they want nothing to do with God’s gift to them of His Son, their Savior. Paul had a somewhat similar e...

You're all wet! That’s the kind of thing you say to someone if you want to tell them, “You’re mistaken, misguided, foolish.” It's the kind of thing that someone might say to you and me when they hear we follow Christ. Actually, being all "wet" is good thing! Episode Cover Art courtesy of FreeBibleImages Used by permission.

In Romans, Paul quotes what has become one of the more familiar passages from Isaiah.  Centuries early, the prophet described the messenger of good news as having "beautiful feet." And in many cases, popular Bible Studies based on this theme will usually include a cover picture a clean, pedicured toes on a sandy beach. However, as evocative as that image is of a peaceful escape to tropic...

In our sinfulness, it’s easy to think that God has turned away from us, that He no longer hears our prayers, or our cries for mercy.  From time-to-time, it’s tempting to think that we’ve  said or done something so grievous, so sinful that now all is lost. And we may even find ourselves looking for some sign, any sign, not matter how small, that God might be listening. But God does hears confession...

Sometimes, in our fear and weakness, we may find ourselves questioning God’s ways. We may even doubt His love. In Job, the once-prosperous prophet watched as everything he had was wiped away as he suffers wave-after-wave of calamity.  His friends assume that Job must have done something to incur God’s wrath for all this to have happened. Job insists that’s not the case, but they’re not convinced. ...

In Romans, Paul rejoices to say, “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” However, what follows next is often misunderstood as a two-step process of what we must do as a condition of salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The apostle points us, not to ourselves, but to what Jesus has done and the salvation that God Himself has accomplished for us. Here's Good New...

In Romans, Paul describes a heartfelt desire to trade places with his brothers. However, it's not a covetous desire to be rich and have what they've got. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. He wanted his brothers to have what he has. However, what Paul couldn't do, Jesus has done ... and He's done it for you, me, and those who don't yet know it.

When it come to food swaps, God invites us, here in Isaiah, to take a closer look at what we’re consuming.  But even though He mentions such staples as milk and bread, what He has in mind is actually much more than just food.

It’s not hard to imagine how it would have sparkled the eyes of the disciples to hear Jesus begin a parable with the words, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” It's tempting to think of ourselves as Indiana Jones and the treasure being Jesus. However, you might want to hang on to your seat and have another look. Our Savior's words may be more amazing and comforting than you...

“Are There Any Defense Lawyers Who Have Never Lost a Case?” It's an intriguing question isn't it? However, it's more than that if it's your life that's on the line. So, Paul wants to introduce you to the only One who is undefeatable.

It was a heartwarming moment. And it brought a lot of smiles, laughter and applause. Whoever thought it was a promise that he would keep? Last summer, five years later and to the surprise of many, he kept that "pinky promise." Now consider what it means when Moses tells us that you and I have a faithful God.

Why doesn’t God just wipe out all the bad people out there? People often complain that the church is full of hypocrites. Why not just round them up and get rid of them, like weeds in a garden or a grain field? However, as Jesus explains, this can have disastrous results. He has a better idea.

It’s not surprising that we like to grumble. However, Paul points out that as Christians, we also groan. And in faith, we can even "pule."

Ancient Israel was hoping to shore up its hope. They were battered by Babylon, taken captive, and brought to live far from home in a foreign empire. However, instead of trusting God, both before and after this event, they were carving idols out of every rock and piece of wood they could find. Do you and I have idols today? Oh, yes, we sure do. So, God invites us to look around, and be reminded, th...

As Matthew points out, Jesus told His disciples many things in parables.  Although a good question might be, “Which things?” Whenever we hear Jesus’ parables, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of what He’s telling us. Take for example, the Parable of the Sower.

Save the planet? There are many good habits, useful steps, and things you and I can take to help preserve and conserve the precious resources we've been given. However, as shocking as it may sound, saving the planet isn’t one of them. Now, don’t get me wrong. As someone who loves the outdoors, care of God’s creation is something that I hope is important to all of us. However, there is only One who...

If you’re wondering if it will be nice day tomorrow to mow the lawn, the odds are good that you can count on that forecast you heard on TV before going to bed.  However,  if you’re planning to head to beach in two weeks, and want to know if it will be sunny, you may as well flip a coin. Now imagine how the people must have felt to hear Isaiah describe what God him store for them – and what they mu...

Have you ever wondered what makes Jesus rejoice? Chances are good that there are plenty of verses that come to mind when you and I consider all those things in which you and I delight and give thanks. But Matthew and Luke tell us of two occasions in which our Savior Himself rejoiced – and in both places it's for the same reason!

Just when you think you’re moving forward, it feels like your taking two steps back. So you try again, and again, and again! Talk about frustration! A few decades ago a game came out with this very name. But Paul describes a similar experience that’s familiar to all of us, and it’s not a game.

There's a specific new truck model set to arrive this Fall and last Spring one automotive group reviewed its features and asked the question, "Worth the wait?" Zechariah recorded a news release, 400 years earlier, describing the Savior who was to come. It was an announcement that would have filled the faithful with hope. No doubt, those who waited in each generation must have look around...

Are you a loser? I’ll bet even hearing that question makes you squirm a little.  It may even made you sit up, get defensive and maybe even little angry. After all, we live in a culture which it’s often said,“If you’re not winning, you’re losing.” However, sometimes it’s good to be a loser.

It’s tempting for us, as Christians to fall into the trap of thinking that we’re basically good people and point to all the laws we don’t break as proof.  But take a closer look. God’s Law doesn’t affirm what law-abiding people we are. It reveals our sin and our need for our Savior.

“He’s talking through his hat!” Have you ever heard someone use that phrase? It’s one that became popular in the nineteenth century. But it describes an action that's been around for a a lot longer than that and is still practiced today.

Do you know what the most frequently heard imperative is in all of Scripture? It may surprise you.  It’s not “Do not steal,” “Do not murder,” or one of the other commandments.