Life This Side of Heaven

In Philippians, Paul concludes by saying, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." And it's the perfect verse for our final episode of Life This Side of Heaven.

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It may seem disconnected from our life to hear Paul tell us, “Do not be anxious about anything.”  Nice words, but they may seem as useful to you right now as all those Shakespeare classes back in high school English.  And they would be, if the apostle didn’t go on to say what to do instead.  If there’s something in your life that’s causing you to be anxious, it’s something to talk about with God.

In Philippians, Paul exhorts us to Rejoice!”  He isn’t advocating for any kind of forced smile or fake cheerfulness.  If that was the case, then Paul would be calling for you and me to pretend we have joy where no reason for it exists.  Then we’d be guilty to promoting that hyped up facade that Christians are so often accused of having – where we grit our teeth, put on happy face, and pretend that we don’t have struggles or concerns like other people.  That's not true. We do! No, what Paul is saying here is much more than simply ta...

Jesus’ parable of the Wicked Tenants is one that might leave us scratching our heads.  Why would the owner of the vineyard, after learning that they beat and killed his messengers, send his son.? Why would God send His Son knowing they would kill Him, the Word made flesh?  Why did the Father send Jesus knowing they would kill the messenger?

Why is it that we remember our sins so clearly?  It may have been hurtful words we let slip in a moment of anger decades ago.  Something we said or did in the past may still bring back crushing guilt and shame.  Why is it that we recall them in such vivid detail?  And why, when they come to mind, would they still cause us to ache years later – and even after we’ve repented and confessed them to God? You'll want to hear what David says about this in the Psalms.

Psalm 118:24 is one of those uplifting verses makes you smile just hearing it: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." It first perfectly on those days you feel like celebrating. But are there ever days when the sentiment in this psalm seems completely inappropriate? If that's the case then here's a "must hear" verse that's easily overlooked on those occasions as well.

In Psalm 91 we hear, "He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." How can the Psalmist say this when so often suffering and misfortune in the lives of believers would seem to indicate the opposite?  One of the best ways to answer this question is to hear how Jesus Himself, the Word made flesh, responded to this verse.

United with Christ.  It's not an achievement you and I work toward, it's a blessing that's ours right now! And in these divided times, it's not one not to be taken for granted.  It’s a precious gift from the Holy Spirit that’s ours through faith.  It’s anchored in the blessings we have received from our Savior.

Well, I have some news.  But I want you to know that it’s serious.  You need a get a new heart.  And a new spirit.  Wait, what? Well, now you get what Ezekiel means when he says that it’s serious. But what you and I can't do, God in love has!

Fresh pie fresh from the oven.  What could be better?  But there’s only so much of it.  You can cut into six slices or eight but it still comes out the same.  There’s a limit to it and then it’s gone.  It's tempting to think of God's love and mercy this way.  If that's the case, then we've probably become stingy at sharing it.  And we may despair that the sins in our life have caused both to run out.  But listen again to Solomon's words here in Lamentations.  It's both remarkable and reassuring.

When you and I are face a low time in our life, when it may look like things couldn’t get any worse, God reminds us we haven’t been abandoned and we are safe in His hands. And, surprisingly, the good God brings from a low time in our life may make it one of the best.

In Isaiah we hear him say, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." What does this mean? Isaiah explains. So, where do you and I pick up the search? God Himself gives us the answer!

In Psalm 116, the psalmist asks, "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?" That's a question you and I face as well. What is the best way to worship and give thanks to God for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that He has given to us in His Son? His answer may surprise you.

Note: Today's devotion is an encore of a popular message that was first published back in September 2020. I'm taking this weekend to complete a necessary update to the software I use to work with a new...

How many times should you shuffle a deck of cards?  Have you ever played a game of cards and wondered if the deck was shuffled sufficiently?  Does it seem like the same cards keep coming up again and again? If you’re like me, it might surprise you to hear that scholarly papers and entire books have been written on this topic. However, it turns out the answer has wide ranging impact. On the surface, Peter's suggestion here in Matthew may sound trivial.  He asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? ...

“On the lam.”  That’s a phrase that’s used to describe a fugitive.  Fearing punishment, our instinct is to run from God when we sin.  But our trespasses have a way of catching up with us.  More specifically, God has a way of chasing us down.  But it’s often in a way that’s surprisingly different than we imagine.

One of the most recorded pop songs of the last few generations points to a deficiency of love in this world and offers God some advice. However, as is the case, folks who find themselves telling God what they think He should be doing, often haven’t take the time to discover what He’s actually done and continues to do in our midst.  This cry has a wonderful reply.  It’s here right now in His Word.

Here in Romans, Paul states what should be obvious: “Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.”  But what he’s saying is more than slogans like “Law-abiding citizens have nothing to worry about.”  The apostle goes on to say, “He is God’s servant to do you good.” In an era in which the role of officers is taken for granted, or even maligned, take a closer look at why God has described them as His "servants" and calls for prayers on their behalf.

God told Ezekiel of what was to come and gave him the important task of sounding the storm warning of impending judgement.  This involved more than simply setting off a siren.  God also made clear His eagerness to rescue people from their sins.  The last thing He wanted was for them was to perish. For you and for me, just as it was for the prophet, we’re called not only to warn of God’s impending wrath for sins, but also announce God’s full and complete forgiveness for all who repent and look to Him for mercy.

When Jesus said to the disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” it would have made them recoil.  And it’s a bracing, bucket of water in the face for those who think that following Jesus means a life earthly blessings, ease and prosperity.  This was a reality check.  Following Jesus includes hardship, but it doesn’t end with it. Following Jesus means first the cross, then the crown.

Episode Art by Jan van 't Hoff, www.gospelimages.com via FreeBibleImages.org

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. " Is Paul adding even more things you must do to an already full laundry list of activities you have accomplish this week? If that’s true, then this verse is a burden and not a blessing. It may surprise you to discover that what apostle is describing is actually a remarkable gift from God that’s yours right now as you navigate the events of this coming day.

Jeremiah asked God if He is a deceptive brook. Is God unreliable?  Chances are good that most of us have been let down at some point in our lives by those we thought we could depend upon.  We counted on them, but they weren’t there when we needed them.  But can this ever be true of God?  Has there ever been an occasion in your life when you wondered, “Where is God when I need Him most?”

Jesus rejoiced as Peter confessed that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And said, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”  Faith which recognizes that Jesus is our Savior, the Son of the living God, is a gift from God Himself.  And now He went on to tell them something extraordinary – and truly reassuring.  Death doesn’t have any hold on those who confess Jesus Christ.

When Paul tells us that we’re all members of the body of Christ, each with our own purpose and function, it may sound simplistic.  But it’s not.  What Paul is describing is how God has brought life to once dead sinners, like you and me, whose lives have now become living sacrifices of worship. What Paul describes is God at work in us.

There are some things that look like they will endure forever.  That’s what makes it so shocking when they don’t. You and I may despair when those things that we thought would last forever crumble around us.  As the Israelites looked around them all they could see was the ruins which surrounded them. So, God them to look back. Was He simply telling the Israelites to cheer up remember the good-old days?  No, it was much more than that! God invites you and me to look back to His promise fulfilled at the cross. It's only then that we...

“This world is full of crummy people!”  That frustrated response was just one of many that followed a discussion on what many see as a growing problem today – a sense of entitlement. As easy as it is to recognize this "crummy" attitude in others consider for a moment how easy it is for you and me to slip into the same trap. However, here in Matthew, Jesus rejoiced over one woman's "crumby" behavior which recognized that God's grace isn't something to which we're entitled, but is instead His precious gift to us.

Psalm 34, verses 9 and 19, form the Gradual which we sung in church last Sunday and which we'll get to sing again over the next four weeks. It's that small portion of the Psalms in the liturgy which comes before the Gospel and which changes with the season. This gradual reminds us that for those who fear and trust in the Lord, even during the most fearful times in our times in our lives, we have nothing to fear.  David discovered this the hard way. But you might describe what came next as "The Call of the Redeemed."

Everyone Welcome!  Churches often add this line on their sign.  However, is it actually true?  Or is it only aspirational? The answer to that question becomes easy when we recognize that God Himself extends this hospitality.

We know how things turned out for the disciples as the nighttime storm blew in across the Sea of Galilee.  However, for the disciples they couldn't see how they were going to make it to the other side.  And for Peter, it almost looked as if everything was lost.  If you're facing a situation in your life where it's not clear if, or how, you're going to make it through, then you're going to want to have another look at this familiar event in Matthew.

Episode Art courtesy of Sweetwater Publishing via FreeBibleImages.org CC BY-SA

Two-factor Authentication (2FA) requires users to verify their identity using two separate methods before gaining access. This usually involves entering a password and then a code is sent to your phone.  If either one is missing, you haven’t done what is required and you won’t get in. In Romans, has Paul just told us we need to complete a "two-factor authentication" if want access to eternal life? Is he really saying that Jesus has done His part, now it’s up to us to do ours to complete the work?  Actually, with these words Paul wants you to take g...

What would you say “If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?  The truth belongs to seven billion people.” That's the tagline to a summer blockbuster movie about the possibility of alien life. In interviews leading up to the movie's release it was interesting to see how excited folks can get imagining the even the possibility of such an event. Now consider the exciting reality of our Savior’s actual arrival and His promise to come again. You and I have some incredible news to share!

Chances are good that you have a family member, a spouse or a child, or someone you love, who isn’t a believer.  It brings great sorrow to know that they don’t share the same comfort in difficult times, mercy, joy, the certainty of the resurrection and promise of everlasting life. Regrettably, not all Christians are comfortable talking about and sharing this common plight.  So, it’s a blessing that the Holy Spirit led the apostle to share this very personal insight into his own sensitive struggle. And we can see how our Savior's patience and compassion shapes our resp...

“Enough is enough.”  Have you ever found yourself saying that?  It’s what you might say when you’re confronted with a difficult situation.  You may have reached your limit.  You’re fed up. As you consider your sins, your daily shortcomings and failure to trust God, have you ever wondered if Jesus feels that way about you? If you have, then you're going to want to hear this.

Episode Art by Jan van ’t Hoff, Gospel Images CC BY-NC-ND via freebibleimages.org

God uses an image here in Isaiah that brings to mind a food stand in a market place. So, imagine yourself at a farmer’s market.  It’s a sunny Saturday morning. Your mouth waters as the abundance of colorful fresh produce is stacked up on the stands before you.  But in this picture that God describes it’s not blueberries, fresh cantalopes, peppers and squash. It's better! And the cost is covered.

In Matthew, Jesus describes a merchant looking for fine pearls who, when finding one, sells everything he has to purchase it. It's tempting to think that you and I are the merchant in this story, with the priceless gift of God's pardon in our possession. The problem with that, though, is that you and I didn’t purchase it. Jesus did.  No, you and I aren’t the merchant in this story.  But hold onto your hat as you hear what you are!

Episode art by Roxrsch, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Giga Pearl as displayed on gilded...

It might surprise you to know that Paul has a protest song here in Romans.   But what’s he’s protesting isn’t the military machines of nations battling nations.  He’s protesting the relentless attacks that the Adversary brings against you and me.  The devil wars against our spirit, showing us our sins and bringing charges against us in order to make us doubt God’s love and forgiveness. But listen to what you and I can sing and shout in response.

Why does a loving God allows troubles in the lives of His children?  That’s not usually a question you ask unless you, or someone you love, is knee deep in difficulty. Paul addresses these concerns, here in Romans. It doesn’t do any of us good to pretend that the Christian life is free of adversity and affliction.  But here's something incredible to recognize even in the midst of them. It's an incredible promise from God.

Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you?  For a moment you find yourself gasping for breath. It’s a terrifying feeling.  But there are other times, and different circumstances in our lives, in which you may have the wind knocked out of us. There are times in our lives when you and I are left gasping to recover from news we’ve just received.  We may not find it only hard to breathe.  We may even find it difficult to pray.  But listen to who Paul tells us comes to our aid.

The idols and false gods you and I create for ourselves are not rare.  They’re as common as they come. But at some point they crumble away. God, our Rock, is not simply rare. This Rock is unique! However, it's more than simply a statement of fact. There's a wonderful reason He wants you to know this.

Episode Art: Rare earth oxides of gadolinium, praseodymium, cerium, samarium, lanthanum, and neodymium. Photo courtesy of USDA Agricultural Research Service. Public Domain.

Photographers point out a common dilemma called “focus hunting.”  It's likely you've experienced when you pulled out your camera or held up your smartphone to take a picture. However, it’s not just a problem for shutterbugs.  Here in Romans, Paul brings out attention to a spiritual difficulty that’s very similar.  It surrounds the issue of suffering. However, what he says next will help to clear things up and keep the big picture before us.

In Psalm 136, says, "His steadfast love endures forever." He states this again, and again – in every single verse, 26 times in all.  Is that too much?  Wouldn’t once be enough?  You may be thinking, “I get it.”  But can you ever hear this too often?