Life This Side of Heaven

If the storm is approaching, an emergency weather radio will announce the sobering advice:  “Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a building if at all possible.”  In other words, you don’t want to be outside. You want to be in. In Ephesians, Paul points us the shelter God provides in life's storms and what it means to be "in Christ."

Sometimes it's tempting to think that we “chose” Jesus – like picking a suit off the rack, perhaps even a Savior we alter to fit us. But, when it comes to your salvation, the apostle Paul tells us it’s actually the other way around. And that's remarkably reassuring.

God gave to the prophet Amos a remarkable illustration of the danger Israel's sin had brought upon itself. He showed him a plumb line. A plumb line has the effect of making it obvious when something is uneven and about to fall. God's Law has this useful effect in our lives as well. But God does more that point out the danger. He also points us to the remedy – His Son.

Shake it off, like sand from your flip flops at the beach. It can be discouraging when those with home we share the faith toss it back at us and want nothing to do with it. However, don’t let the hostile reception you may receive, cloud the great joy and privilege you’ve been given.

Early in the Gospel, Mark tells us about a short-term mission trip on which Jesus sent the disciples to share the Good News. And he records the packing list that Jesus gave them. However, you may scratch your head as you read that same packing list in Matthew and Luke. It sounds different. Is it?

Jesus is good with His hands. That’s not something we tend to think about very often, but it’s true.

Mark tells us of a time when He visited His hometown. He had just come off the triumphs of calming the storm and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. And His teaching in the synagogue was breathtaking. But there was no celebration, no parade, no honored guests.

When you what God gave Paul to keep him from becoming "conceited" it may paint a strange picture of what he’s really saying. Today, whenever we say that someone is “conceited,” we usually tend to think they’re snotty or obnoxious, the kind of arrogant person you try to avoid at parties. ?But the apostle has even more in mind.

When it comes to sharing God's Word with a sinful, heart-hardened and rebellious world, does it ever feel hopeless – as if God has equipped us with a plastic hammer to drive in iron nails? Take another look at your tool belt.

Paul describes how the churches in Macedonia pleaded urgently for "the privilege" of sharing in the relief to their fellow-redeemed. There's a reason they responded in this manner and why this continues to be true among brothers and sisters in Christ today.

It would hard to imagine the home of Jairus, where his daughter had just died as being the scene of laughter, but the room was soon filled with it. 

Jesus’ order for doing things may often seem “off” to us. He doesn’t do things in the order that people would expect. But our healing Savior knows our most urgent need.

In Jeremiah, the prophet describes a time in which God did allow all of this come crashing down to make room for something much better. And there are times when God may allow things to come crashing down around us for this reason as well.

When it comes to waiting in this life it often means how long you can tap your feet before you start going crazy. However, the Hebrew word for “wait” means much more. And it's the reason why Jeremiah says that waiting for the Lord is good.

In Lamentations, Jeremiah recorded some of the most uplifting words of encouragement. However, was the prophet wearing "rose-colored glasses” when he penned these words?

How could God let this happen? Doesn’t Jesus know what I’m going through? Doesn’t He care?   The disciples may have felt this way in the midst of the storm. Have you ever been faced with the same questions?

“Never bring a knife to a gunfight.” Have you ever heard that phrase? It’s become one of those familiar and stock phrases used in action movies. Since then, the phrase itself has gone on to become a familiar idiom to highlight the importance of being well-equipped. Paul may have something similar to this in mind here in 2 Corinthians.

“Don’t let your circumstances define who you are.” That’s advice that Paul could well have shared here in 2 Corinthians. Paul’s history is like our own – a true rags to riches story.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul notes, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” And there is real urgency in his words. It’s a sober reminder that this time of grace won’t be around forever. At the same time, it's also a reminder that there is a tremendous opportunity before us that won't come around again.

As Paul points out, it wasn’t easy being an apostle. At the same time, it's not easy in our culture to be a Christian. When it comes to sharing your Savior with family, friends and neighbors, and all the difficulties that come with it, have you ever been tempted to ask, "Why do I even bother?"

What can you do when everything in your life feels like it’s out of your control? It’s a terrifying experience. We like it when our days roll along without surprises and just as we had planned. We may even take that to be an indication that God must be really pleased with us. If we take enjoying a good life to mean to that God is please with us, then what else can it mean if all of that suddenly c...

Have you ever heard a sermon on a Sunday morning that uses a vivid illustration that sticks with you long after you’ve heard it? Now you get an idea of why Jesus used so many parables when He taught and preached. In fact He used _a lo_t of parables for this reason.

Our Savior’s reign and rule isn’t outwardly amazing.  In fact, it appears quite small and even insignificant.  However, its results are magnificent.

So Jesus told them, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.”  That doesn’t sound like much, but listen to what He points out next. Like seeds growing on a farm, in this low-key, unostentatious, un-showy way, God Word's Word is planted – and in this way He grows His kingdom.

Sadly, for many, the Christian life is thought of as little more than matter of rules and regulations.  Instead, as Paul points out, it’s the free and joy-filled life that comes in grateful response to the salvation God has given to us in His Son.