Life This Side of Heaven

It’s important for you and me to hear God’s Word of sin and grace, how Jesus’ death and resurrection has won for us forgiveness of sins, that He is with us even in death, and the assurance we have of everlasting life. With the same joyful anticipation that we discuss our plans for a family trip one day, it’s good that the day of the resurrection also becomes a familiar and comfortable part of our...

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?

It’s Theme Thursday! And today we’re looking at “Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible.” Here’s a popular phrase that brings a smile and a wonderful sense of solidarity: “We are all God's children.” However, because it is sufficiently vague, it can be understood in two different ways – one which finds its basis securely in Scripture, and another which is completely false and denies God’s Word.

Imagine if you could travel back in time exactly one year to April 1, 2019. If you could visit yourself last year, on this day, how would you describe what life is like on today in 2020? Would you believe it? Or would you dismiss it as an April Fool’s Day joke? In the same way, don't let looking foolish discourage you when you're sharing the Good News of God's great rescue with those you love. Her...

Does God still do amazing miracles ... I mean a "stop-the-presses" kind of miracle – like raising Lazarus from the dead? Yes he does! Would you like to see an example? Take a look in the mirror.

The people lamented, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” There was nothing left to resuscitate. How could it get any more hopeless? But God showed Ezekiel an amazing vision with a wonderful promise. And if the guilt of your sins has ever left you feeling that there is no longer any hope for you and your forgiveness, you will want to hear this.

Think of how often faith is presented as one chest-thumping victory over the next. The believer is portrayed as a superhero who is confident, neither stumbles nor falls, and is never troubled in conscience. However, as much as you and I may aspire to this image it’s a little like the boy who runs about the house with a towel around his neck and imagines that he’s a superhero. The reality is that y...

Despite these dark days of concern that have come upon us, there have also been rays of light which remind us of what’s important. In fact, it's times like these that can help us to recognize the value of those things that please the Lord.

It’s Theme Thursday! And today we’re looking at “Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible.” There’s a phrase that’s popular among today’s Christians that you won’t find in the Bible: “Give Your Heart To Jesus.” It sounds spiritual enough but it puts the spotlight in the wrong place. The focus of the Gospel is not that you and I have given our heart to Jesus. The Good News is that Jesus has given Hi...

If you notice, when Jesus healed the blind man he heard our Savior's words. He didn't see Jesus until later. That’s a lot like you and me. You and I haven’t seen Jesus but we have heard His words in Scripture. He has opened our eyes to see, not only the darkness of our sin, but also our salvation. And the day will come when we will also see Him face-to-face.

In Psalm 122, David said, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" The truth us, until recently, going to church may have been one of those things that we allowed ourselves to take for granted. These words from David remind us how precious an opportunity it is to worship together and prepare us for the time when we will be blessed to do it once again.

Jesus and the disciples came upon a man who was blind from birth. Like many at that time, the disciples assumed that if something bad like this happened to a person, they must have had it coming. Now you may be thinking, who among us would ever say, “Sick people are ill because they’re bigger sinners than everyone else”? But, surprisingly, we often have no problem falling into the trap of believin...

Does God need to be forgiven? God is often accused of being cold, uncaring – and even cruel. On a larger scale folks often wonder why God would permit so much of the suffering that we see around us. We see the devastating effects of sickness as well as storms and disasters. When you and I are engulfed in grief it’s easy not to notice how quickly the devil shows up on our doorstep. He's often succe...

On this day in Samaria a lone woman made her way to the well to get water. John tells us that it was the sixth hour, high noon, when the sun would be blazing overhead. Who would come to the well at this hour? Someone who was hoping not to run into anyone else – or at least anyone she knew. But here's Jesus, who made it a point to be there at that very moment, and who knew her thirst for sin. He ca...

It’s Theme Thursday! And today we’re looking at “Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible.” Here’s a phrase that may be more popular in some circles than others: “When praises go up, blessings come down.” It’s said to be based on Psalm 67. However, if you look at this psalm you won't find this premise. Instead of a barter for blessings or a trade for treats, it's actually a wonderful mission prayer...

Rejoice in our sufferings? Who does that? Well, the apostle Paul to be specific. In fact, the word which is translated as “rejoice,” Romans 5:2, actually means “boast.” And you don’t boast about something unless it’s a good thing. So what does the apostle mean?

There’s also a tendency to attach all sorts of legends to saints and Patrick is no exception. Probably the most famous legends that surrounds St. Patrick is the story of how he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. But, to be fair, in real life Patrick would have worked tirelessly to drive out the the one snake that is a constant menace throughout the world. It's something he would have done it wit...

"Truth or Consequences." What an unusual name for a desert town in New Mexico! However, this name might have been a good name for the spot in the desert where the Israelites grumbled against God ... if things had turned out differently. Instead, it's a comforting reminder of God's power and presence in our lives.

“Here’s a present for everyone!” Do you remember those gifts when you were a kid? Let’s be honest, it was tempting to hear that phrase, “Here’s a present for everyone,” and immediately tune out because you it didn't sound like something that specifically included you. And maybe that’s how it sounded when you first heard these words spoken to Abram in Genesis. But take another look. Now notice how...

Nicodemus came to Jesus to learn more about the kingdom of God. Our Savior said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” In other words, unlike so many activities, entrance into the kingdom of God is not a Do-It-Yourself project. And that's a good thing!

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at "Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible." One familiar phrase that you may hear occasionally is, "When God Closes A Door, He Opens a Window." The phrase implies that if an opportunity to fulfill one of your goals ceases to exist, another opportunity will soon be made available. In the end, the hope is that God will always enable us to achieve our hopes and...

In this verse from John’s Gospel, Jesus assures and says, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world.” Jesus didn't come to slap a condemned sign on us. That sign went up a long time ago. What makes God’s sending His Son into the world so amazing is He did this, as Jesus goes on to say, “to save the world through Him.” Jesus came to take the condemned sign off of you and me and...

The familiar words of our Savior in John 3:16 are often understood as meaning, “Wow, God really, really loves the world. He loves it SOOO much.” But this little word, "so," actually connects it to His words that follow. It's the kind of little word that leaves us on the edge of our seat, wanting to hear more, and discovering the second half of the verse which tells us the amazing answer to the que...

Why would they want to look at a snake up on a pole? The rebellious Israelites must have really scratched their heads when Moses told them that this was God’s remedy for their deadly snake bites. Now, here's an even better question: "What does this bronze snake on a pole have in common with our Savior that Jesus would compare Himself to it?"

One moment you feel like you've made 'progress.' The next day, you feel like you've slid right back to where you started. If you feel like your life is an endless game of "Snakes and Ladders," step back this season and hear the Good News of what Lent is all about.