Life This Side of Heaven

Paul describes God’s gift to us of faith as a shield. That’s because as terrifying as the adversary’s accusations are, each and everyone of them is rendered useless when they meet God’s own forgiveness and the righteousness you and I wear right now by faith.

Do you remember when you were a kid, and you would slide your feet into the same well-worn pair of sneakers for practically every sport or activity? Then, you may be amazed to see the size of the shoe department if you step into any large sporting goods store today. There’s a specific shoe for almost any activity you can imagine. But here in Ephesians, Paul describes footwear you won’t find on the shelf. These have been crafted by God.

There are some sports that are played sitting down – kayaking, bobsledding, automobile racing. However, when it comes to other sports, like basketball or football, you need to be up on your feet. In a similar way, Paul describes the protective gear that God has given to protect us from the enemy, and with which stand ready.

The protective gear that Paul describes here in Ephesians is specific to the dangers you and I face. The apostle not only tells to don the right protective gear, but he describes precisely what kind of hazard this gear is designed to deflect. And the phrase he uses is “the devil’s _schemes.” _Recognizing this will help us see why the equipment God has given us is more than up to the task – and how to use it.

Do you wear glasses? The Israelites soon found themselves with blurry vision. However, it wasn’t because they needed glasses. They lost their focus when it came to God’s law. And the same condition remains prevalent among many today. The reality is that by having this blurred vision of God’s commands, we risk losing sight of God’s grace as well.

During this time of the COVID you and I have learned to experience, in a unique way, what it means again to yearn for God’s house. Our church, be it large or small, reminds us a little of the Temple where God came to dwell among His people in the Old Testament. However, that Temple was replaced when our Savior came, God in the flesh. Knowing this enables us to sing with real joy, this familiar verse of David from Psalm 26. We can sing it whether we find ourselves worshipping in person or even online at this time.

One popular way parents can help their children overcome the sizzling heat of summer is a game called, "Fill The Bucket." The dynamics of marriage, that Paul describes here in Ephesians, has a lot in common with this game.

Do you have any man-made rules or traditions at your church? You may be thinking to yourself, “No way!” But think about that again. I’ll bet you do. However, what we do with them can make all the difference.

Back in the early 2000s, a wedding trend emerged called “Trash the Dress.” Newlyweds dirty up and destroy their gown while making sure that it’s all caught on camera. But what Paul describes for us here in Ephesians, is a little like watching one of those “Trash the Dress” home videos in reverse. In face, in Holy Baptism, we've been given a whole new dress._ _

Have you ever thought of what you might do if you were God? It's tempting to look at the world around us, see its imperfections, and conclude that “Things could be done better – if I were God.” Would it?

Our lips may say one thing while our hearts say another. Let’s face it, talk is easy. It was that way in Isaiah’s day, at the the of the disciples, and it's still that way today. But, thankfully, you and I have a Savior who shows us His love and keeps His Word.

It surprises us to hear that not everyone wanted to hear what Jesus had to say, and surprisingly, John tells us that even included some of His disciples. But by God's grace, and in faith, we rejoice with Peter to hear from our Savior the words of eternal life.

Ask any child who has ever wrestled with a friend or an older sibling. Once you have your arm twisted behind your back, the next thing you’re asked is, “Say Uncle! Do you submit?” Needless to say, that’s hardly the way the term "submit" is used here in God’s Word. However, what it does mean might surprise you.

What would you say to something that can lower stress, increase confidence, enhance your memory, boost your immunity, and be a form of cardiovascular exercise? And what would you say if I told you it’s absolutely free? Wondering what it might be? It’s singing! It’s no surprise, then, to hear Paul’s encouragement to sing. In fact, it’s an exhortation heard throughout the Scriptures. But in this case, the apostle points very specific benefits above and beyond those already mentioned.

Have you ever looked on the bottom of your hairdryer, or your toaster, to see that it has been tested for safety? Here in Ephesians, Paul calls us to do something similar when it comes to what we encounter each day in our walk with God.

Sometimes, advertising includes false claims and unfulfilled promises – nothing more than empty words. Here in Ephesians, Paul gives us the heads up not to be fooled by spiritual programs and promises that are also little more than empty words.

If someone asks you, "What type of bird is that sitting on your fence?" you can tell them, "It's a mugwump." What's that? It might make you wince to know that there’s a little bit of mugwump in all of us.

Throughout the Old Testament, the phrases “a pleasing aroma,” and “an aroma pleasing to the LORD,” are used repeatedly. God Himself used those words to describe the faithful offerings and sacrifices that were made. They foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice to come that God Himself would make for the sins of the world – and for you and me.

Have you noticed that there’s a lot of rage out there these days? It may be surprising to know that it was common in Paul's day as well. However, the apostle goes on to point out how God brings about a change in our lives that brings calm.

Stealing was as common in Paul’s day as it is today. Our sinful nature continually looks for what it hopes it can get away with. And it’s easy to overlook all that’s included in the familiar commandment, “You Shall Not Steal.” But Paul’s words here in Ephesians are more than just a warning. They’re also a welcome and constructive reminder of how we may give thanks to God, our Savior, and serve our neighbor.

The apostle Paul must have done some climbing as well as he uses this term, foothold, here in Ephesians. However, he uses the term, not to point out an important help, but a hazard.

Here in Ephesians, Paul wants you to know about a piece of clothing that looks really good on you. It should, it was given to you by God.

There’s no denying that it’s exhilarating to see the high moments in the life of Elijah, but it’s useful to also witness this low point, when the prophet was at his weakest.

Here in Ephesians, Paul describes the real peril that we face as Christians if left untethered in a world of false teachers who purposefully, and deliberately, proclaim deceptive doctrine. What has God given, then, to protect us and safeguard the clear teaching of His Word?

God had promised His hungry people that He would rain down bread from heaven. When the Israelites looked outside in the morning, and saw what God had prepared for them, they asked, "What is it?" Moses then told them what it was and what to do with it. God has given us a miraculous meal in the Lord's Supper. And a good question to ask as, we go up to the altar to receive it is, is also this same question: "What is it?" God tells us what it is and what we are to do with it.

The Israelites may well have felt forsaken by God as they languished in slavery in Egypt. Had He forgotten about them? There are times in our own lives where you and I might feel the same. Under the weight of our problems and the stress we face in this world we may wonder if God even hears our cries. He does. You can be sure of it. And here's where He shows it.

When God promised bread to his hungry people in the desert He responded with the remarkable promise to rain down bread from heaven. But this gift also came with instructions.

Have you ever been completely blind-sided by the unexpected? Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming!” Moses and Aaron may have felt that way when they heard God's response to the people's grumbling shortly after receiving freedom from slavery in Egypt.

Do you ever find yourself longing for the good old days? Do you ever long for a time in your past when it seemed that life was better? It’s fun to think of time which was happy and stress-free – when life was better. But what could explain the grumbling of God’s people in the wilderness?

“If you’ve got your health you’ve got everything.” It's a familiar phrase. There’s no denying the importance of good health, and something our Lord invites us to include in our prayers, but it's not likely a phrase our Savior would use – at least not in the way that we might use it.

There’s a wonderful word that shows up repeatedly in the New Testament. In order to get the correct meaning in English we usually translate it as a phrase. It means, “take courage, take heart.” It was the first thing that Jesus said to the terrified disciples on the Sea of Galilee. But coupled with what follows, it's much more than simply a call stop trembling.

Despite how often we may hear something repeated, not everything is based on fact. However, here’s something that should spark our interest and really fire up our imagination. It’s not based on wishful thinking or science fiction. It’s based in God’s promise.

Over the generations, Hollywood studios have turned to ever-increasing and larger movie formats. The goal is to use widescreen presentation, with highest-resolution imagery, to give audiences the best possible picture. All of this sounds like this might have intrigued the apostle Paul. Listen to his prayer here in Ephesians.

As a part of God’s creation, the rainbow was given to serve as a reminder of a gracious promise. But here’s the interesting part. Although we're blessed and comforted by it, the reminder isn’t actually meant for you and me.

Following the flood, God announced a gracious, one-sided, promise to Noah. Under no obligation to do this, why would He announce that He has bound Himself to this covenant?

By feeding the crowd, Jesus would have calmed people who were both anxious and hungry. He provided them with a meal that they would certainly savor. And it would also put them in mind of God's mercies to them in past. Jesus, the Bread of Life, continues to do these things for you and me this very day.

I'll be the disciple were looking forward to the rest to which Jesus had invited them. Do you ever wonder if they might have groaned in disappointment when they saw the crowd waiting for them on the shore? Were their plans spoiled? Perhaps not. It might be worth a closer look at Jesus' invitation.

“Will the skyscrapers outlast the pyramids?” That was the provocative title of a BBC article a number of years ago. Okay, now to be interesting, let’s add a third category to that question. What about God’s Church? It’s not as frivolous a question as it may sound.

Does God ever feel … far away? Does God seem distant from what’s taking place in your life right now? Does it seem as if He’s not hearing your prayers?

Grafting is an agricultural practice in which a shoot, or branch, is placed on another tree so that they may live together and grow. But can a graft bring life to a tree that is lifeless, to stump that is dead? God answers that question here in Jeremiah and tells us of the extraordinary Branch He promised which now brings life.

I’m sure most of you have seen the stirring pieces of artwork which depict a brave shepherd rescuing a sheep from on a dangerous, rocky precipice or caught in a patch of thorns. But how about a swimming pool?

The Lord bless you. Was God being sarcastic? Was He giving instructions to Moses on how to insult his fellow Israelites? Not hardly! However, it shouldn’t surprise us that the adversary wants us to take this incredible declaration of God's love, which bring such comfort, and turn it into an insult.

Peer pressure can lead us to do things we would never imagine. In order to keep up appearances, we may allow ourselves to incur an awful debt. Herod Antipas soon discovered this. The remarkable thing is that John the Baptizer came to point Herod, and you and me, to the One who came to bring us out from under our debt of sin.

When Herod Antipas heard of Jesus, and the message of repentance He had given to the disciples to proclaim, it sounded eerily familiar. He mistakenly thought that John the Baptizer had been raised from the dead. He must have thought to himself, "This can't be good." After all, he had had John executed. However, here's the One who had come to take away our sins. He, too, would be executed. But for you and me, and all who are called to repentance and faith in Him, news that our Savior has been raised from the dead is ALL good!

If the storm is approaching, an emergency weather radio will announce the sobering advice: “Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a building if at all possible.” In other words, you don’t want to be outside. You want to be in. In Ephesians, Paul points us the shelter God provides in life's storms and what it means to be "in Christ."

Sometimes it's tempting to think that we “chose” Jesus – like picking a suit off the rack, perhaps even a Savior we alter to fit us. But, when it comes to your salvation, the apostle Paul tells us it’s actually the other way around. And that's remarkably reassuring.

God gave to the prophet Amos a remarkable illustration of the danger Israel's sin had brought upon itself. He showed him a plumb line. A plumb line has the effect of making it obvious when something is uneven and about to fall. God's Law has this useful effect in our lives as well. But God does more that point out the danger. He also points us to the remedy – His Son.

Shake it off, like sand from your flip flops at the beach. It can be discouraging when those with home we share the faith toss it back at us and want nothing to do with it. However, don’t let the hostile reception you may receive, cloud the great joy and privilege you’ve been given.

Early in the Gospel, Mark tells us about a short-term mission trip on which Jesus sent the disciples to share the Good News. And he records the packing list that Jesus gave them. However, you may scratch your head as you read that same packing list in Matthew and Luke. It sounds different. Is it?

Jesus is good with His hands. That’s not something we tend to think about very often, but it’s true.