Life This Side of Heaven

When a son or daughter asks why they are not allowed to do something an exasperated mother or father might respond by saying, "Because I'm the parent!" Is that what God is doing in Leviticus when He restates the commandments and says, "I am the Lord"?

In the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan, take a closer look at the bruised and beaten man in the road and see if you recognize someone familiar. It will give you a whole new perspective on the question, "Who is my neighbor?"

Want to earn salvation? Jesus points us to the Law so that we can see it's impossible. Then He points us to the cross to assure us that He has done the impossible for us.

What reason do you have for doing good? What motivates you to want to be a caring person? Paul reminds us that we have the best motivation of all.

Gotcha! Is this how God deals with us? Is that what Jesus means when He says, "A man reaps what he sows"?

Far from being some dusty relic of the past, the Apostles' Creed is very handy today. Here's why.

God calls us to a harvest that is "from sea to shining sea" and beyond.

Jesus sent out a large group of unnamed followers on an important mission trip. They may not be named here in this text, but their names do appear in another very important place. And so do yours.

What do you do when someone you see is in danger of drowning in sin? Paul calls us to be spiritual lifeguards.

Following Jesus doesn't mean a soft, easy life or a bed of roses. However, life under the cross gives us a breathtaking view of His love.

"Give them what they've got coming!" James and John may have been thinking this. We may feel this way as well sometimes. But that's not what Jesus was thinking as He "set His face to go to Jerusalem."

"For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen." Scripture includes a number of "doxologies" like this in prayer and praise to God in both the Old and New Testament. What does it mean and why is included with the Lord's Prayer?

How much sin can I get away with ... and still be forgiven? At what concentration does it become a problem?

Wouldn't it be great if God showed Himself in a dazzling display of power? What a blessing it is that God reveals Himself in His Word which endures!

Living in this sin-filled world can leave us discouraged, exhausted ... and running in the wrong direction. God calls us back to Himself, reminds us we're not alone, and gives us strength.

There may be a difference between being "angry" and being "mad." We live in a world which is bit of both – but, in love, needs to hear what Jesus has done for it.

In Christ, we are now sons of God. That's the result of a whole new relationship that wasn't there before. And with this comes a very special privilege.

In a world shattered by sin we ask God to protect us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation.

While we were slaves to the Law, God Himself bought us back. He redeemed us.

While we were once "prisoners of the law," Paul warns us not to make ourselves prisoners once again. Instead, he encourages us to stand firm in the freedom which Christ has given us.

In Galatians, Paul says, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." It may sound like a phrase that needs to be updated. Or, is it?

"Guilt" and "shame" are two words that are often heard together. However, there is a distinction. God has rescued us from both. Today we will look at how God has taken away our shame.

"Guilt" and "shame" are two words that are often heard together. However, there is a distinction. God has rescued us from both. Today we will look at how God has taken away our guilt.

In this part of the Lord's Prayer we pray that our heavenly Father would give us strength to resist and overcome temptation from the devil, the world and our sinful nature.

In Psalm 16, David said, "I have set the Lord always before me." Peter reminds us that this also enables us to stand firm and not be shaken – throughout life and in the face of death.