Life This Side of Heaven

On more than a few occasions, Jesus cautioned the disciples to, so to speak, “be careful out there.”  But, thankfully, He did much more than simply issue words of warning.

Joy! And not only joy, but as Luke points out, “great joy”! At Jesus ascension, the disciples had just watched as Jesus was taken up, physically, before their eyes into the clouds. It would be tempting to think that they would be sad. But Luke explains in Acts why this was an occasion for great joy – for them and for you and me.

Hope and power. Those are words that we hear a lot in Scripture. Paul touches upon both of them in Ephesians when he describes our Savior’s ascension and what this means for you and me.  And just listen to the excitement with which the he shares this good news. However, chances are good that when you heard this verse, it didn’t have you sitting on the edge of your seat. That has a lot to do with h...

It was forty days after His resurrection. Jesus had shown Himself alive to the disciples and He used this time to make clear what it means that you and I have a rise and living Savior. Now on this day, Jesus, in the presence of His disciples, ascended bodily into the glory of His Father, just as He promised –to prepare a place for us in heaven. Here's an event that impacts our lives – and every pa...

The word “obedience” gets a bum rap in our culture. When people hear it they usually think of those things that they’re kept from doing. However, as you and I grow in Christ and abide in Him, keeping His Word, and following His will, becomes the very thing that the new man the Holy Spirit has created in us desires. In fact, it’s such joy that Jesus wants you and me to have it as well.

Peter doesn’t even try to list all of the prophets from the Old Testament, but he does point out what each and every one of them has in common – one purpose and one message. Here’s the cast of all those whom God sent to testify to His plan to bring real forgiveness of sins to everyone who trusts in His Son. That includes you and me.

There are times when you and I may find ourselves retreating to the comfort zone and the illusion of boundaries that don’t exist.  Someone may come to church who doesn’t look like the rest of us. But God calls us to step out of the box and see what we actually have in common .. our sins and our Savior who has come to bring His grace to all of us.

If you sang Psalm 150 in worship last Sunday, as many of our congregations did, you were blessed to sing this phrase a lot – Hallelujah! Just under half of the words in Psalm 150 are hallelujah!  Here's a word that shows up regularly in worship during this Easter season and throughout the year. But it's not a generic word for praise. It's very specific and it's a real privilege to sing and say it.

You and I amazingly wealthy when it comes to God’s love in our lives. In fact, we have this love from God in an inexhaustible supply. However, there are times in our lives which might lead us to become tight-fisted and stingy with sharing it.

Not long after Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation,” Luke gives us a beautiful example of what this looked like. This close-up view of what took place is especially handy for you and me today as we consider the opportunities before us to share what our Savior has done for those in our midst.

Referring to Himself as the vine, and you and me as the branches, Jesus said, “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit.” The fruit includes our outlook, our actions and our attitudes. These give evidence to the rest of the world of God’s work in our lives.  But consider for a moment any number of factors that can challenge that. 

When it comes to grapevines, there’s a name for almost every part of the plant. Now, the reason I said that there’s a name for almost every part of the plant is that there doesn’t seem to be a name for those dried up tendrils that are left over from last year’s vine. But they can serve as a good reminder of the importance of remaining connected to Him in faith.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus shares a now familiar and beloved Bible image. He said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” However, unless you grow grapes, or have lived near vineyards, the full impact of that picture may not be apparent.

In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd Psalm, we hear those comforting and familiar words, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me." However, the Hebrew word that David uses here may surprise you.

Listening to our conscience is a good thing. It’s a little like paying attention to the check engine light on your car. But what about those times when, you know you’re forgiven, but you’re still crushed and guilt overwhelms your heart? 

Do you remember plucking the petals off a daisy to determine if you are loved? It's a fun game to determine if you're feeling whimsical and want to determine how your crush thinks of you. However, think of how often we may use a similar practice to gauge God’s love for us over the course of a week.

Long before they became largely ceremonial, and the preferred location for time capsules locking in treasures from the past, cornerstones actually played an important part in the construction of a building. When Peter and John were hauled before the Hight Priest, the rulers and the elders to explain how the crippled man at the Temple Gate was healed, he quoted this familiar verse to them from Psal...

As much as you and I like to think we know ourselves well, God knows us better. Does that sound intimidating? Consider this, Jesus knows you perfectly ... and still He loves you.

Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd.” If you’re like me, that’s the beloved image that often pops into your head. But Jesus didn’t simply slip on a pair of overalls for a nice picture. He came to do the 'hands on' work of a shepherd.

Nothing in all of creation brings refreshment and restorative peace like this. It's something you can have today and it's something which will certainly make you look forward to the weekend. Can you guess what it is?

When’s the last time you really kicked up your feet in joy? Before you answer that question, notice how much easier it is to come up instead with all the obstacles that would keep you from doing it. Leap for joy! Why would we do that?  

John reminds us that as God's children we look forward to the day of the resurrection when when we too shall rise, as our risen and living Savior has, and see His face.  And by His Holy Spirit, we rejoice even now to reflect His saving love to those in our midst.

In our Baptism, you and I are not simply called children of God.  As John exclaims, “That is what we are!”  It’s no small blessing that Jesus calls us his “brothers” and that you and I get to pray, “Our Father.” You and I belong together in this family.

The disciples were having a hard time processing all of the events of our Lord’s crucifixion and the empty tomb. But on Easter morning, it was our risen Savior Himself who appeared before them, turned the lid and popped the top, so to speak, and opened the Scriptures.

Jesus is with us and reminds us, “Peace be with you.” This is what this Easter victory is all about.  We have a risen and living Savior, by whose death and resurrection, sin and death have been conquered. There is nothing in this life that you and I will ever face apart from Him. Still have any doubts?