Life This Side of Heaven

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "God won't give you more than you can handle." Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your circumstances and the world around you? It may, indeed, be more than you can handle. Knowing this can be very useful.

The courtroom is creation itself. The witnesses ... are the hills and the mountains. Here's a trial like no other. And the outcome is stunning!

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!

Have you ever watched a cat chase a light shining on the floor? Simply by moving a flashlight beam along the carpet, you can watch your cat chase it relentlessly. Did you know that the devil likes to play a game just like this one with you and me?

When you confess your sins, do you ever feel like you're reliving the same set of events over and over again?

In Paul’s day, just as in ours, there were at least two distinct groups who look at what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross and concluded, “It doesn’t make sense.” How is it possible that Jesus suffering and death could possibly bring us forgiveness of sins and eternal life? But the apostle is unflinching it his declaration, “We preach Christ crucified” as revealing both the wisdom and the...

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness." It would be a stretch of the imagination to say that that a pressed shirt and a bar of soap are second in importance only to our salvation in Christ. However, God instead points us to the "washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

Is it possible to become more enamored with the proclaimer than the proclamation itself? It was a problem in Corinth in Paul's day. It may also be a problem in ours. God directs our attention beyond the messenger to the message – to show us His Son and salvation.

Jesus invitation to His first disciples came with the words, "Come, follow Me." It’s an incredible invitation. No doubt these men had heard Jesus preach and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. But think for a moment what those words mean. In effect, Jesus was now telling them, “Walk this way.”

“Why does life seem to wipe its feet on me?" Sometimes, the darkness of living in this sin-filled may make it feel like the clouds are never going to pass. And you can be sure the enemy likes to point to them and tempt you to believe that God has forgotten you. But God Himself assures you that's not the case.

"I've got this." Have you ever heard this phrase? It means, “I’ve taken this on … I know what to do and I can do it.” Of course, it all comes down to the one who is saying it.

Have you ever assembled a bicycle or a piece of furniture for Christmas or a birthday? Did you check to see that you had all the parts? Are you and I missing anything as we look forward to the day when we will see our Savior face-to-face?

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves." Really? Thankfully, you and I have a God who helps the helpless.

It doesn’t take long for the word to spread when you’ve got something good to share. Take a look at Andrew and his brother, Simon.

In 1993 an amazing experiment took place in space that attempted to reflect sunlight and shine it back down on the part of the globe that is sitting in darkness. Sound impossible? In Isaiah, God promised His Servant would shine the light of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Have you ever wondered why John the Baptizer used the words that he did to point out our Savior? After all, John could have just said, “Hey everyone, look –there’s Jesus!” God reveals His Son by telling us who He is and what it He came to accomplish for us.

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

Did you make any New Year's resolutions this year? How is that going? As one writer asks, "Why is it with such good intention ... improving our lives seems so elusive?”

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "God Works In Mysterious Ways." God's thoughts are truly higher than our thoughts. However, God shows His great love for us in His Son and has revealed Himself in His Word.

In your baptism, you were connected with everything that Jesus has accomplished for you. In your baptism, you died with Him. In your baptism, you were raised with Him. Through faith in Christ, and in the gift of mercy God has poured out upon You, you are more alive than ever.

On the surface, baptism looks like pretty ordinary stuff – someone applying water to someone else. Cute, worthy of a few snapshots, but nothing spectacular going on here. But here’s where a closer look reveals something far greater than imagined.

"Here's someone who needs no introduction." That's what announcers often say on television ... just before they announce their guest. Before they invite them on stage they list everything that sets them apart. God introduced our Savior in Isaiah, and described Him and His work, centuries before Jesus stepped into the water at the Jordan River.

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.

Where's Jesus? Imagine Joseph and Mary asking each other that question at the end of a days's travel. This was one of those frightening life moments. You and I may have a few of those now and then. With a new year underway, knowing where Jesus may be found isn't a hypothetical question. We need to know exactly where He is where and to look.

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "This Too Shall Pass." It's a phrase that's often thought to be from God's Word, but you won't find it in the Scriptures. However, what God has promised is even better.