Life This Side of Heaven

Is life a game? It may feel that way sometimes. And it can’t denied that there are some similarities. This week we’re going to take a look at three different passages that may have been read in church last Sunday. And with a little imagination, it’s not hard see correlations to some well-known toys and games – whether it comes to our view of politics, how we approach our finances, and even how we...

Is it possible for something, or someone, to be so lost that there is no hope?  There are times when it may seem that way.  When it comes to the rescue that is ours through faith in Christ, Paul assures you that's never the case. Photo credit: Google Maps

There are some people whom others might considered a lost cause. Certainly that was the case when the Pharisees sneered at some in the crowd who had come to hear Jesus preach. In many cases, it continues today. Jesus knew that those listening to His words could easily relate to the joy and relief that comes when someone finds a lost coin.  So Jesus went on to share another “lost” story, but this o...

This week we’re going to look at three passages from Scripture which all have to do with location and being lost.  Here’s the very nature of the Gospel.  As Jesus puts it clearly in Luke, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” And in Holy Scripture, God's remarkable Word, He reveals this rescue.

If you’re tempted to skip Paul’s opening greeting in Philemon, to the heart of the matter, you’re actually going to skip the heart-to-heart nature of what this letter is all about.  Listen to the heart-healthy blessings that come when you and I share God’s forgiveness with each other.  

On Monday, we took note of how Paul rejoiced and told Philemon, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.”  And now, he goes on to share with him this prayer.  He says, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith." There's a remarkable blessing that comes when you and I share God's mercy...

Have you ever watched a movie in which one of the characters is reading something out loud for everyone else to hear.  It might have been an important letter, a story, or the reading of a will?  Inevitably, as the characters grow impatient, someone blurts out, “Skip the pleasantries and get to the good part.” And it may be tempting for us to do that when we're reading Paul's letter to Philemon. Ho...

Thank God for influencers! The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.”  And the word he uses puts us in mind of those who have a real influence in our lives. 

God surrounds us each day with opportunities for sharing His love … and for letting others see it.  Now, the last part of the sentence may sound at first like “virtue signaling.”  The Pharisees were famous for this. They were good at showing how much they ... loved themselves. On the other hand, living in a world which seldom sees love, you and I are blessed with opportunities of letting our love...

We live in a world where folks often try to move up to a better place at the table or a more comfortable seat on the plane. It's tempting to follow that lead. However, You and I are blessed to have a Savior who was swapped places with us so that we can a seat at His heavenly banquet. And this reshapes how we live right now.

On Monday, we looked at faith.  And on Wednesday we zoomed in for a closer glimpse at hope.  Faith is about right now.  Hope is about tomorrow.  Today, we take a closer look at God's gift to us of love and discover the reason why it's the greatest of all of them.

Faith, hope and love are often described as virtues, a series of behaviors we develop over time with practice. While that's true, it's easy then to miss what Paul has to say about them here in this verse. All three of these are precious gifts. Specifically, their God’s gifts to you and me. And while they’re connected, each one of them is unique. Last Monday we talked about faith. Today, let’s take...

Perhaps you’ve been to a wedding in recent weeks or watched one take place in a movie. If so, you may have heard the familiar reading from 1 Corinthians 13:13 in which Paul says, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." However, this passage is more than aspirational poetry. These are precious gifts from God. Join us as we take a closer look...

Despite forest fires often being referred to as "an act of God," statistically they're more often the result of human activity– whether through carelessness, arson or even poor forestry management. Here in Luke, our Savior describes what is clearly, and without any doubt, an act of God. In fact, it's this amazing act of God that has resulted in our rescue.

"None of them received what had been promised"? That sounds like the basis for a case in small claims court! So what does the writer to the Hebrews mean when, pointing to such Old Testament figures as Abraham and Moses, shares this passage with us as words of encouragement?

Here in Jeremiah, you can hear the understandable anger in God’s words with respect to the harmful misinformation coming from the false prophets. In fact, in loving concern he flags for us the danger it presents. This continues to be true today. In love, He redirects us to His Word and the remarkable and rock solid assurances contained therein.

When God tells you and I not to worry, you can be sure that what’s He’s telling us is much more than simply, “Don’t Panic!” He's got something much better in mind for us to be doing.

Here in Hebrews, the writer tells us that Abraham “was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”   But what he describes isn’t a fanciful dream of something you may possibly live to see one day.  No, here’s a city that you will see.

Last April, headlines used the word “extraordinary” to describe the results of a study made of a distant planet known as K2-18b.  Using the powerful James Webb telescope, it was suggested that it shows potential signs alien life! God told Abram to look at those same stars – not in the hope of finding possible life out there, with the certain promise of new life He would bring to us right here. And...

Have you ever wished that you could do something important, meaningful and lasting? As a Christian, have you ever wished you could do something great … for God?  Not as a way to earn salvation.  You and I could never do that.  That’s why God sent His Son to be our Savior and rescue us from our sins by His death for us on the cross.  No, nothing like that.  But simply as a way of living a life of g...

Is Christianity “pie-in-the-sky”? Sometimes, it's trendy to hear Christianity decried as being so focused on what's above that it's less concerned with the down-to-earth issues of everyday life. It might come as a welcome surprise, then, to hear what Paul had do say about this centuries earlier here in Colossians.

Here in Ecclesiastes, Solomon sounds almost curmudgeonly. When he looks at what's often extolled as important in this life he exclaims, “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” But the reason Israel's king sounds this cautionary note is to let us know that what God brings to you is so much more.

Have you ever found yourself struggling with prayer and wondering whether God is even listening? Have you ever prayed for one thing but received something else? Have you ever prayed for one set of circumstances in your life, one outcome, but found yourself in the midst of another?  It’s right about then that you may feel like walking away and concluding that prayer is pointless. But have another l...

Should we be alarmed by what Paul warns here in Colossians? Well, consider a report released last June highlighting the global trade in unapproved and counterfeit medicines. If those results sound alarming, then you’ll understand why Paul was so concerned for the Christians in Colosse. He wanted them to be fully aware of counterfeit Christianity in their midst, offering supplement rituals and regu...

Several years ago, the most expensive piece of artwork went on auction in New York. The bidding left people gasping as the price skyrocketed and setting a record. As astonishing as that may sound, the bidding account that Moses describes here in Genesis surpasses it easily.  However, it wasn't a painting, but people, on the block. Episode Artwork: Salvador Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci MGRANAI, CC BY...