Life This Side of Heaven

“Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!” If someone comes up, and wants to talk all about the ending a book that you’re both reading, it might spoil it for you if they give it away. So, you may interrupt them and say, “Wait, wait … Don’t tell me.” However, what God had John record for us at the end of the Scriptures is so good it will have you saying, "No, Don't Wait .. Please Tell Me!"

As the red hot molten lava shot up into the sky and flowed down the mountainside, rocks and ash began to rain down along with it. A couple were among those who had to flee and leave everything behind. They lost everything … well, almost everything.

Is it possible to be familiar with the truth but still not understand it? Can you be aware of the facts but still not fully grasp what they mean? Surprisingly, yes! Want a handy way to understand the Scriptures and a handy distinction which brings clarity? Try using the letters SOS.

In Mark, one of the teachers of the law came to Jesus with a question. He asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Essentially, he asked Jesus to boil it down for him into something short and sweet. Jesus gave Him a useful, and eye-opening answer and went on to bring us the sweet, perfect and eternal forgiveness we have with Him now through faith.

It's inspiring to hear when someone in the grocery store is surprised to learn that someone else has paid their bill. But it's absolutely jaw-dropping to hear what Paul describe for us here in Romans.

In many cases, famous companies have important trade secrets. And a great deal of care goes into keeping it that way. But here in Jeremiah, God announces the New Covenant of our salvation. It's not a secret and He wants everyone to know it. And He points out how the details of this precious good news are open and available for everyone here in His Word.

It's a sobering reality to be watching a favorite TV show, or a movie, and discovered that you're older than the actor playing the part of character you once thought was "old"? Paul describes a similar sobering experience when it comes to looking at God's Law. However, in this case, reality leads us to also discover something that's better than our imagination.

Last week, it was announced that amateur diver Shlomi Katzin, who was exploring the shallow waters off the coast of northern Israel, discovered something amazing – a 900 year-old sword. This weekend we celebrate the events of the Reformation which took in Europe over 500 years ago. And the discovery that was made then also has to do with a sword – the sword of the Spirit to be precise, God’s Word.

Here in Psalm 130, David prays words for a situation that’s not hard to imagine.  He says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.”  Chances are good you know what that experience feels like as well.

Cleaning, tidying, and organizing shows have really caught on in recent years. But there's a debate about whether such a process can ever be called "once and done." As our high priest, Jesus has not only cleansed us of our sins, but His sacrifice for us is truly "once for all."

In Hebrews, the writer describes for us how Jesus pleads on our behalf before the throne of God. His priesthood is perpetual! He uses a legal term to describe it as permanent. How does that work? And what does it mean for you and me and all who confess their sins and cling to Him by faith?

Here in Jeremiah, the prophet records God’s promise to return a remnant of His faithful people from their exile in Babylon. But it wouldn’t be a matter of simply welcoming them when they arrived. He would be the active agent in bringing them, gathering them up, and making sure they all entered the Promised Land. And this is also God's amazing promise for you and for me.

Sing … shout … let your praises be heard! These were the comforting, and exciting, words that Jeremiah was given to share with God’s people. And they should almost like the words of a cheerleader. But they're more than wishful thinking. It's an invitation to confident joy even now!

When David uses these Hebrew words “broken” and “crushed” to describe broken hearts and crushed spirits, here in Psalm 34 he’s using words that describe when something has been pulverized into powder.  How can it ever be whole again?

“Thank God I’m not rich!” Have you ever included this in your prayers? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that most of us are shaking our heads right now and saying, “No.” But it may not have escaped our thoughts. When it comes to our salvation, the only thing we can say is, "Thank God!"

Here in Hebrews, the writer cheers us along. However, along with encouragement he also shares a useful reminder. He urges us to to trust in God’s promise of eternal rest and to hold on to it in faith. He warns us not to fall short of the finish.

In Hebrews, the writer describes the importance of encouraging one another in the faith. And then he explains that the reason for doing it is “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” What sin entices us to do is a little like the trick Tom Sawyer pulled on his friends.

Mark records the occasion of a fellow who came to Jesus looking for tips on how to inherit eternal life. And he complimented Jesus and addressed Him as “Good Teacher.” But instead of answering his question, Jesus first addressed the compliment by asking him, “Why do you call Me good?”

In many cases, instead of money being a symbol of wealth, it becomes a symbol of worth. God's Word points us to something for more substantial and satisfying.

Have you ever taken a panoramic picture with your camera or smartphone? Following Paul's introduction, the opening twelve verses of Ephesians provide us with a panoramic view of our salvation accomplished for us by our God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It stretches across eternity and provides a view which is both breathtaking and reassuring.

How can you and I make daily use of our Baptism? Wait, what? Yes, you heard right – daily use of your baptism.

Do remember getting into trouble when you were a kid? Were you called in for a scolding? The best thing you could do was to look down at your shoes. God's blessing in Numbers assures us that, through faith, we can look up from our shoes and see the forgiving face that is looking upon us.

How bright is your flashlight? Probably not all that bright. You may also feel that's true of your witness to your family, friends and acquaintances. Take heart, it may be brighter than you imagine.

I haven’t got any trophies and you’ll never see my face on a box of Wheaties. I am … common. Nevertheless, I’ve got something to boast about!

In John’s Gospel we hear that Jesus told the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” John then tells us, “Jesus had been speaking of his death, but His disciples thought He meant natural sleep. So then He told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.’” So why would Jesus use this picture of Lazarus 'sleeping' when in fact He knew that His friend had died?