Life This Side of Heaven

Have you ever been shushed at the library? There are sometimes when you and I shouldn’t be talking. You shouldn’t talk in library. You shouldn’t chat at the opera. And it’s never a good idea to start a loud conversation at the movies. Chances are good that someone is going to turn around and go, “Shush!” But Peter discovered another one. We shouldn’t talk when God is speaking. We will miss what He...

Instead of rejoicing at the Transfiguration of our Lord, and taking it all in, Peter felt the need to state the obvious. He said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here.”  It’s not hard to imagine why he would have said that. Here’s the glory with which you and I will see our Savior in heaven. And to see Moses and Elijah there with Him must have been thrilling. But there’s more to it than...

Today is Ash Wednesday in the Church Year. It signals the beginning of the 40-day penitential season of Lent. With contrition we reflect on our sins and our need for a Savior. And the custom of having ashes smudged onto our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is a sobering reminder that one day, at the end of life, all that is left are the ashes. But you and I have a Savior who lifts us from the ash heap.

What an incredible conversation that took place at the Transfiguration. Up until this point, throughout the Old Testament, God’s people had spoken and sung about the incredible rescue He had brought them from their slavery in Egypt. As they crossed the parted waters of the Red Sea, it meant their freedom, their future, and their way to the Promised Land. But now, the exodus which Jesus was about t...

What’s a hand heart? It’s a gesture with you can make with your hands to signal your affection. To make the image even more dramatic, folks on social media will often make the gesture with their hands head up to the sky so that the sun can shine through and light up the shape of the heart. And here's a handy way for you and me to view the bright glory that was revealed in Jesus as the Transfigurat...

In Psalm 3, David invites us to find our delight where he has found his.  In Jesus, you and I can rejoice and sing with him, “I’ve found my delight.”

Does God truly deliver us from evil? We pray this petition regularly whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer. That being the case, what are we to make of those times when we do experience harm? How should we consider hearing the news from the doctor that we have cancer? What does this mean when the horror of war breaks out as it has now in eastern Europe? Has God not heard out prayer? Has God failed to...

In 1 Corinthians, Paul shares a quote that was familiar at that time: “Bad company corrupts good character.” The apostle challenges us to take a careful look at the company we keep.  It’s been said that it can affect our relationship with God. But more specifically, it does this by affecting our understanding of what God Himself has said to us in His Word.

Have you ever opened up a bag of chips and was frustrated to find that so much of it was just air? If you’re feeling that the chip makers are a little stingy with their salty snacks you’re not alone. Now, here’s another question. Ever get the feeling that sometimes all this talk of forgiveness is filled with a lot of air?

Every four years the Olympics take place. And every four years, new controversies erupt over the judging of those events. Of course, judging is necessary in an athletic competition. And there are times when judging is necessary in our lives as Christians. But, it's also important to avoid our own judging scandal. Thankfully, what Jesus is warning against here in Luke with these words, “Do not judg...

Jesus’ command to “Love your enemies” is a hard one to swallow. How do you love those people in your life, who, quite frankly, stink?

"Woe!" It’s not a word that shows up regularly in our conversation these days.  But it does show up a lot in the Scriptures. By contrast, the word "Whoa" seems much more familiar. And this also is included in Jesus' warnings in His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus opens our eyes to see the blessings that are ours through faith, that may well surprise us, and leave us saying, "Wow!"

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus assures you that without any doubt, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” In Christ, it is an accomplished fact.  It’s yours and mine right now and you and I are a breath away from the full enjoyment of it.

Are you hungry? Chances are good just asking that question may make you think of taking a break and having a snack. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount He said, “Blessed are you who hunger now.” However, instead a quick spiritual snack, what Jesus gives us through faith satisfies completely,

In this portion of our Savior's Sermon on the Mount, He spoke the familiar words that are often referred to as the "Beatitudes." That's because each phrase begins with the word, "Blessed." From time-to-time, that word is often mistaken for "happy." But that's a poor translation for this important word. You may, or may not, be happy now, but you are blessed.

One of the familiar encouragements of our culture tells us to look inward and draw strength from ourself. However, when you and I draw strength from ourself the time will come when it’s going to run out. By contrast, the strength we draw from God is inexhaustible. The prophet Jeremiah likens it to a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  How do you show someone that you love them? Chocolates, flowers, candy? Would any of these be enough to convince you of someone’s love for you?  And is it enough? However, this Valentine’s Day, consider how God has shown His love to you and me.

In 1968, the first 9-1-1 call was made in the United States. It's been said that "it was created with the advantage that ‘it is brief, easily remembered, and can be dialed quickly.’” David must have had something similar in mind here in Psalm 71 and in another of his other psalms.  He called upon the Lord and teaches us to do the same. In fact, he used words that are familiar, and heard often in 9...

You’ve got to be kidding? What Jesus instructed Peter to do must have seemed counterintuitive. In other words, it didn’t seem to make any sense. Have you ever found yourself questioning God's instruction? Have you ever been tempted to feel that you knew better, or had a better understanding of the situation?

“Oh, that’s real mature!”  Once kids start sticking their tongues out at each other, any helpful part of the conversation is over, and you can be pretty sure that whatever disagreement they’re having isn’t going to come to a constructive conclusion. That’s usefully when a parent steps in and calls time-out. And it’s almost what the apostle is calling for here in 1 Corinthians. What he does, instea...

“Not me, please don’t call on me …” Do remember the fear of being called upon in class? You’re not alone. So do a lot folks. Have you ever felt frightened that God has called upon you to share His love with your family and friends. You're in good company with Isaiah the prophet. At some point, he must have felt like that student in the classroom that hoped not to be noticed. However, take a look a...

When Isaiah heard the angels singing praise to God, he responded with an unusual confession.  He didn’t bow his head and say, “I’m a man with an unclean heart.” He didn’t say, “I’m a man with unclean hands,” or even “an unclean mind.” All of that would have been true as well.  But he mentioned his lips. But now, consider what often comes out of our mouths.

I’m almost certain that when I see Jesus on the Last Day, I’ll be crying. It won’t be from sorrow – far from it, but it will be crying. Before I explain, take a look at the "crying" described in these words from Isaiah. The angels cried out. Isaiah cried out. And on the day that when you and I come face-to-face with God we may well cry as well.

Essential workers. That’s a phrase that suddenly became a part of our common vocabulary a couple of years ago. Here in Luke, you and I get a glimpse of the nature of our Savior’s work. This included bringing aid to those who were afflicted by demons and others suffering from a variety of illnesses. But it also reveals work which, while in today's culture we may be tempted to think of secondary, Je...

Leading up to these words in 1 Corinthians, Paul has described just a handful of the gifts that God gives to His Church. Nevertheless, as Paul points out, none of them will remain. The time will come when they will pass away.  However, there are these three gifts from God that will remain: faith, hope and love.