Life This Side of Heaven

It's a sobering reality to be watching a favorite TV show, or a movie, and discovered that you're older than the actor playing the part of character you once thought was "old"? Paul describes a similar sobering experience when it comes to looking at God's Law. However, in this case, reality leads us to also discover something that's better than our imagination.

Last week, it was announced that amateur diver Shlomi Katzin, who was exploring the shallow waters off the coast of northern Israel, discovered something amazing – a 900 year-old sword. This weekend we celebrate the events of the Reformation which took in Europe over 500 years ago. And the discovery that was made then also has to do with a sword – the sword of the Spirit to be precise, God’s Word.

Here in Psalm 130, David prays words for a situation that’s not hard to imagine. He says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.” Chances are good you know what that experience feels like as well.

Cleaning, tidying, and organizing shows have really caught on in recent years. But there's a debate about whether such a process can ever be called "once and done." As our high priest, Jesus has not only cleansed us of our sins, but His sacrifice for us is truly "once for all."

In Hebrews, the writer describes for us how Jesus pleads on our behalf before the throne of God. His priesthood is perpetual! He uses a legal term to describe it as permanent. How does that work? And what does it mean for you and me and all who confess their sins and cling to Him by faith?

Here in Jeremiah, the prophet records God’s promise to return a remnant of His faithful people from their exile in Babylon. But it wouldn’t be a matter of simply welcoming them when they arrived. He would be the active agent in bringing them, gathering them up, and making sure they all entered the Promised Land. And this is also God's amazing promise for you and for me.

Sing … shout … let your praises be heard! These were the comforting, and exciting, words that Jeremiah was given to share with God’s people. And they should almost like the words of a cheerleader. But they're more than wishful thinking. It's an invitation to confident joy even now!

When David uses these Hebrew words “broken” and “crushed” to describe broken hearts and crushed spirits, here in Psalm 34 he’s using words that describe when something has been pulverized into powder. How can it ever be whole again?

“Thank God I’m not rich!” Have you ever included this in your prayers? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that most of us are shaking our heads right now and saying, “No.” But it may not have escaped our thoughts. When it comes to our salvation, the only thing we can say is, "Thank God!"

Here in Hebrews, the writer cheers us along. However, along with encouragement he also shares a useful reminder. He urges us to to trust in God’s promise of eternal rest and to hold on to it in faith. He warns us not to fall short of the finish.

In Hebrews, the writer describes the importance of encouraging one another in the faith. And then he explains that the reason for doing it is “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” What sin entices us to do is a little like the trick Tom Sawyer pulled on his friends.

Mark records the occasion of a fellow who came to Jesus looking for tips on how to inherit eternal life. And he complimented Jesus and addressed Him as “Good Teacher.” But instead of answering his question, Jesus first addressed the compliment by asking him, “Why do you call Me good?”

In many cases, instead of money being a symbol of wealth, it becomes a symbol of worth. God's Word points us to something for more substantial and satisfying.

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.

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

Do remember getting into trouble when you were a kid? Were you called in for a scolding? The best thing you could do was to look down at your shoes. God's blessing in Numbers assures us that, through faith, we can look up from our shoes and see the forgiving face that is looking upon us.

How bright is your flashlight? Probably not all that bright. You may also feel that's true of your witness to your family, friends and acquaintances. Take heart, it may be brighter than you imagine.

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!

In John’s Gospel we hear that Jesus told the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” John then tells us, “Jesus had been speaking of his death, but His disciples thought He meant natural sleep. So then He told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.’” So why would Jesus use this picture of Lazarus 'sleeping' when in fact He knew that His friend had died?

Most of us are familiar with the Emergency number 911. Not everyone is familiar with the "Call-Before-You-Dig" number 811. But how about 1271?

Children are cute and adorable. They’re also loud and unpredictable. However, as they say, "The only quiet church is an empty one." It may surprise you to know how much kids get out of church.

Were you ever embarrassed to have someone know that you had a sibling? Do you feel that way today? Jesus wasn’t ashamed to take on human flesh and become one of us in order to rescue us. Both the Savior and those being saved share this incredible bond in common. You and I are blessed with a Savior whose not ashamed to call us His brothers.

In 1881, Mark Twain’s classic, The Prince and the Pauper, was published. The story of role reversals is so popular that it’s become a staple of stories and movies for generations. Imagine exchanging rags for riches. Actually, you and I don't have to imagine it at all. Here's what God has done for us in His Son.

Having sinned, and now staring at each other, Adam and Eve could see something horrifying and dangerous that wasn’t there before – guilt and shame. As a result, they hid from God. They were truly "naked and afraid." However, as Scripture reminds us, apart from what our Savior has done this would also have been a good description of us.

It’s become common in recent years to strike out against God’s Word, and specifically the account of creation in Genesis and this term "helper," as the source for a culture which demeans women, casts them as inferior, and relegates them to secondary status. Sadly, that reflects the superficial understanding of Scripture that exists today. When you and I scrape away the misunderstanding that has been placed upon it, what God describes for us here is pure gold.

Instead of being sculpted in bronze and perched on a pedestal in some park, God is alive and enthroned in heaven. In Psalm 135, instead of marveling over a statue commemorating a dead hero, David rejoices in our living God. You and I, and who trust in the salvation that God has given to us in His Son, are the living monuments to our Savior’s love.

Here in Mark, Jesus talks about being... salty. In love, Jesus pointed out the necessity of ongoing repentance and self-discipline. It’s like having salt rubbed into an open sore. It stings – like iodine. But it fights the spiritual infection that can come with our own self-satisfaction that might also hurt or hinder the faith of others.

Have you had someone discourage, or even deter, you from doing something? Here in Mark’s Gospel, the disciples wanted to pour a some cold water on something they thought needed to stop. However, Jesus Himself Jesus threw cold water on that idea.

It may raise our eyebrows to hear James, and Peter, encouraging us to "cover over a multitude of sins.” But, doesn’t that sound like simply hiding the problem? Is James really saying that by doing this you and I can mask a multitude of transgressions and pretend they’re not there – lurking underneath?

When James describes the prayer of a righteous person, this righteousness isn’t some goodness and wholesomeness of our own that we may like to imagine. If that was the case no prayer would even be heard, let alone powerful.

“Same old, same old.” Have you ever heard that phrase? In Numbers, Moses describes for us a case of “same old, same old” among the complaining people of Israel. In love, God showed them that it's good some things remain the "same old, same old." Thankfully, and remarkably, He does the same thing for you and me today.

Do you remember your first time on the monkey bars when you were a kid? Monkey bars consist of a frame with evenly placed steel rungs on which kids can swing from one bar to the next – much the way a monkey swings from branch to branch in the jungle. As a small child, did you ever find yourself getting stuck half-way? David describes "fretting" in much the same way, but he does give the solution.

Do you aspire to be …a GOAT? Apparently, this was an ongoing debate among the disciples. And when our pride kicks in, chances are we my find ourselves caught up in this debate from time-to-time. In love, Jesus tells us that we've got it backwards and points to something much better!

When Jesus told the disciples about His coming suffering and crucifixion, it would have be hard not to understand what He said. If they had any questions they knew they were free to ask Him about it just as they had on other occasions in the past. However, this time, as Mark points out, “They were afraid to ask Him about it.” A closer look at the context reveals why. It's the same temptation that faces us today.

In James, he tells believers to be mindful of their surroundings and what lurks in their midst. It’s easy to settle into the way the sinful world lives and lose sight of its dangers. But then he points us to our protection, our salvation and safety in Christ.

Wisdom is often one of those things you wished you had earlier in life. That’s because it’s often accumulated over time. But the great thing about God’s wisdom is that He gifts it to us in His Word.

At the time of Jeremiah the truth was being trampled by the false prophets who sought to take his life. When the prophet brought his complaint to God, the Lord braced him and said, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?” At first that may sound silly. How can a man compete with a horse?

In Psalm 31, David's phrase describing God's ‘shining face’ may sound more like a happy parent cradling their newborn in their arms, or a parent beaming with pride at their child’s piano recital. And while the word certainly does include this element of joy, it’s much more than a happy glance in your direction from God. In fact, it’s used in Scripture in much fuller way that may have imagined.

What do you do when things seem to get worse, not better? Where do you go when the situation you’re facing looks bleaker, not brighter? At times like, while it's tempting to focus on the weakness of our wobbling faith, God's Word directs us to the strength of our Savior.

It may sound like hyperbole at first when James says, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” But consider how true that is. Today, with the arrival of social media, it only takes a few short sentences, a mocking meme, or the click of a mouse to forward on angry words to inflame thousands more.

James uses this nautical example to illustrate how something as small as our tongue, like a boat’s rudder, can change the direction of our conversation. It can make all the difference in our relationships with those around us – from either ‘smooth sailing’ to crashing hard upon the rocks.

Did you know that when Jesus arms were being stretched out onto the cross, and as the nails were being driven in His hands, He considered all of this worth it – worth it to save you, to redeem you, to restore you to right relationship with God and rescue you for eternity. That’s how deep and unwavering Jesus’ love is for you. How can you know this?

“If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times…” Have you ever heard that phrase? If you did, you were probably in trouble, right? You just know the whatever came next wasn’t going to be good. But what if it was not only good, but very good?

If things in our lives are not going the way we hope, does that mean that God has turned a deaf ear toward us? Or even worse, if God doesn’t seem to be answering our prayers in the way we think He should, does this mean He’s working against us?

Last weekend, local news outlets reminded listeners about what would be open and what would be closed on Labor Day. That’s often the case for federal holidays. Running out to store, and then discovering it’s closed, can be inconvenient. When Jesus traveled to the Decapolis, a group of folks brought a friend for whom much of the world was closed – and not just on federal holidays.

God’s Word gives us a very dynamic picture of faith. It’s living and active we rejoice in His mercy and as the Holy Spirit moves us service to our neighbor. And like a store, with its doors open for business, it’s bustling with activity!

Our sinful nature constantly leads us to minimize sin. It tries to assuage our conscience by convincing us that if the infraction is negligible, then so is the guilt. Then, instead of being terrified by our sins, we look pat ourselves on the back and look for comfort in those commands we feel we’ve kept. But that's a little like looking for comfort in a broken tow chain. Thankfully, God's Word points us instead to real comfort in our Savior.

A robotics engineer in France did something recently for his 16-year-old son that can only be described as extraordinary. He made him a suit. However, it’s not the kind of suit you might first imagine. By sending His Son into the world, to take our sins and infirmities upon Himself, and giving His life in our place on the cross, God has given to you and me a remarkable suit. However, it's also not the kind of suit you might first imagine. And just wait until you hear the promise that comes with it.

The possibility of a comeback for the people of Judah in Isaiah’s day must have looked ludicrous. The people were fearful and anxious of what was to come next. There are times when your own life may feel that way. The idea of better days ahead may even seem a little “against the odds.” Into a situation not unlike this, Isaiah came with what must have seemed to be unlikely announcement. It's the promise God also shares with you and me today.

Sports safety experts note that it's important to wear a helmet that is appropriate for the particular activity you’re involved in. When it comes to living this Christian life, Paul says, “Take up the helmet of salvation.” But there's a reason why he couples this with the call to take up with it, "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."