Life This Side of Heaven

How should you and I react when a friend, or someone you know, claims to have died, seen what’s waiting on the other side, come back and brought a message? Would this help to bring others to faith? Jesus says it won't. However, He does make it clear who and what does.

It’s sad to think that so many Christians mistakenly go through this life waiting, and wondering, if they have eternal life.  Thankfully, faith doesn’t mean holding our breath and crossing our fingers.  Instead, we can breathe a sigh of relief and use those fingers and point to what Jesus has done for us on the cross.  Faith is the joy of hearing and trusting God’s promise that because of what Jesus has accomplished for us at the cross, we have forgiveness of sins this very day.

Where is the best gain to be found in 2026? You may be thinking, “Wait, we’re not even finished with 2025! But analysts are already making predictions of where the greatest gains are be found for the coming calendar year. But Paul points out the two areas that often fall under the radar. They’re not actually stocks, but wow, do they ever brings dividends!

Is life a game? It may feel that way depending on how we approach our leaders and our finances. It may even resemble one game in particular when it comes to how we approach our relationships with one another. But once again, take a look at how God's Word reveals where the victory is to be found.

Artwork by Sebastián Espinoza, Sketchfab, Creative Commons 4.0

Is life a game? On Monday we noted how it can almost seem that way when it comes to how we approach politics and relate to our leaders. And yet, Paul tells us to pray for our leaders and all those in authority. (Be sure to check out Monday's devotion.) It can also seem this way when it comes to how we approach our finances. And it can cause a lot of fights. But have a listen to the caring words that our Savior shares with us.

Artwork courtesy of Unsplash

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 get along with others.  But in all of them, take a look at how God reveals where the true victory is to be found. This...

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 one involving a person.

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 in Christ.

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. However, what may seem like little more than pleasantries are actually what this letter is all about.

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 for God be seen in our love for others.

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 a closer look at hope.

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 at all three - beginning with faith.

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 it's extraordinary!

Episode art: NASA/dima_zel, CC BY 4.0

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 gratitude, a meaningful way to show thanks for having such a gracious Redeemer? Guess what? You are!

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 look at what Jesus has revealed in the Lord's Prayer. The answer to your prayer is more remarkable that you imagine.

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 regulations which were falsely held as being necessary in addition to Christ, and the danger this presented. But it's not just a warning. Paul presents us with wonderful reassurance and even prescribes what we can do ab...

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-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When we hear the account that Luke describes for us, in the home of Mary and Martha, we hear that Mary listened to Jesus and Martha was distracted. Therefore it's tempting to assume that the message is for us to be less like Martha and more like Mary.  But that sounds like little more than a teacher snapping a ruler on their desk to get the attention of daydreaming pupils.  What Jesus did in love this day for Martha, and for you and me, by inviting us to hear His Word is to see the big picture and His lov...

What does Paul mean when he talks here in Colossians about that “which is lacking in regards to Christ’s afflictions?”  Is there something missing that we should know about?  Even worse, is there something that you and I need to do to 'finish the job' of salvation?  No, thankfully, not even close.  So what is he telling us here in this passage?

It may surprise us to hear that Sarah chuckled when God told her that she and Abraham would have a son. You can be sure that this laughter was tinged with joy. But it may also have been mixed with impatience. After all, this wasn’t the first time God gave them this promise. Have you ever listened to the promises of God, and His mercy, and thought to yourself, "I've heard that before"? The Good News is that His promise of mercy still holds and it's still true.

"A life worthy of the Lord." If these words here in Colossians are a goal that you must achieve, then you’ll always live a life of uncertainty and fear wondering, “Am I doing enough?” Or, in defeat, you’ll turn away from this passage completely and beat yourself up as a failure. But in this passage, Paul is actually praying that you will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, so that you may rejoice in the life He has given to you in His Son. Here's the life that through faith you live, and keep on...

When it comes to our hope as Christians, it’s based on the solid promises given to us in God’s Word –or as Paul puts it, “that you have already heard about in the word of truth.”  It’s not simply the vague wish for better days ahead.  It’s the unshakeable assurance that you and I have a God who loves us, who has redeemed us from our sins, who is with us right now, and who has prepared a place for us with Him in heaven.

Who was the one who first shared the Gospel with you?  Who was it who told you about God’s love for you in sending you a Savior?  Who’s that person in your life who told you about Jesus?

It must have been exciting as the disciples Jesus sent out, to go into the villages ahead of Him and proclaim the Gospel, returned from their travel.  They were more than excited, they were exuberant!  Luke tells us, “The seventy-two returned with joy.”  And they marveled to tell Jesus, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”  It was certainly was a great day to celebrate – but not for the reason that the disciples had given. You and I have many reasons to rejoice during life, or we may be struggling to find even one at this time, but God has gi...

As Jesus proclaimed the Gospel, Luke tells us that He “appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” And He coupled it with an insightful observation and useful instruction. In light of the declining number of pastors, in congregations across the denominational spectrum, it's helpful and uplifting to hear what our Savior has to say about it.

Christians may not want to admit it, but it’s not always living Christ-centered life in a world that persecutes it for us.  Or, to put it another way, it’s hard to smile and show the fruits of the Spirit when you’re getting kicked in the teeth. But take a listen to the encouraging words of God that Paul shares with us when we're weary.

Luke tells us that as Jesus was passing through villages, on His way from Galilee down to Jerusalem, a young man came up to Him and said, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  Like many today, the man here in Luke may have had his own dreams for Jesus, what it would mean for him, and where it might take him. As a result, he may have been surprised, even shocked, by Jesus' response.