Life This Side of Heaven

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness." It would be a stretch of the imagination to say that that a pressed shirt and a bar of soap are second in importance only to our salvation in Christ. However, God instead points us to the "washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

Is it possible to become more enamored with the proclaimer than the proclamation itself? It was a problem in Corinth in Paul's day. It may also be a problem in ours. God directs our attention beyond the messenger to the message – to show us His Son and salvation.

Jesus invitation to His first disciples came with the words, "Come, follow Me." It’s an incredible invitation. No doubt these men had heard Jesus preach and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. But think for a moment what those words mean. In effect, Jesus was now telling them, “Walk this way.”

“Why does life seem to wipe its feet on me?" Sometimes, the darkness of living in this sin-filled may make it feel like the clouds are never going to pass. And you can be sure the enemy likes to point to them and tempt you to believe that God has forgotten you. But God Himself assures you that's not the case.

"I've got this." Have you ever heard this phrase? It means, “I’ve taken this on … I know what to do and I can do it.” Of course, it all comes down to the one who is saying it.

Have you ever assembled a bicycle or a piece of furniture for Christmas or a birthday? Did you check to see that you had all the parts? Are you and I missing anything as we look forward to the day when we will see our Savior face-to-face?

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves." Really? Thankfully, you and I have a God who helps the helpless.

It doesn’t take long for the word to spread when you’ve got something good to share. Take a look at Andrew and his brother, Simon.

In 1993 an amazing experiment took place in space that attempted to reflect sunlight and shine it back down on the part of the globe that is sitting in darkness. Sound impossible? In Isaiah, God promised His Servant would shine the light of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Have you ever wondered why John the Baptizer used the words that he did to point out our Savior? After all, John could have just said, “Hey everyone, look –there’s Jesus!” God reveals His Son by telling us who He is and what it He came to accomplish for us.

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

Did you make any New Year's resolutions this year? How is that going? As one writer asks, "Why is it with such good intention ... improving our lives seems so elusive?”

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "God Works In Mysterious Ways." God's thoughts are truly higher than our thoughts. However, God shows His great love for us in His Son and has revealed Himself in His Word.

In your baptism, you were connected with everything that Jesus has accomplished for you. In your baptism, you died with Him. In your baptism, you were raised with Him. Through faith in Christ, and in the gift of mercy God has poured out upon You, you are more alive than ever.

On the surface, baptism looks like pretty ordinary stuff – someone applying water to someone else. Cute, worthy of a few snapshots, but nothing spectacular going on here. But here’s where a closer look reveals something far greater than imagined.

"Here's someone who needs no introduction." That's what announcers often say on television ... just before they announce their guest. Before they invite them on stage they list everything that sets them apart. God introduced our Savior in Isaiah, and described Him and His work, centuries before Jesus stepped into the water at the Jordan River.

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.

Where's Jesus? Imagine Joseph and Mary asking each other that question at the end of a days's travel. This was one of those frightening life moments. You and I may have a few of those now and then. With a new year underway, knowing where Jesus may be found isn't a hypothetical question. We need to know exactly where He is where and to look.

It's Theme Thursday and we're looking at Famous Sayings That Aren’t In The Bible. Here's one: "This Too Shall Pass." It's a phrase that's often thought to be from God's Word, but you won't find it in the Scriptures. However, what God has promised is even better.

At twelve years of age, here was Jesus at the Temple, hearing and asking questions. But here also was Jesus, the teacher, amazing everyone with His understanding and answers. Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with Mary and Joseph. The day would come when Jesus, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, would return to Jerusalem to be sacrificed for our salvation.

A seal is a symbol of ownership. It was used on property and letters to bear witness to their validity and legal standing. God Himself, who has called you to faith by the Gospel, has marked you with a remarkable seal which gives real comfort and assurance. You are His.

When the Wise Men came to worship Jesus, it wasn't the "Silent Night" calm of the stable. And as You and I begin this new year, it may already be filled with straining challenges and difficult circumstances. By God's grace, His Word still leads us to Christ.

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.

What is God doing right now? That may seem like an unusual question. He daily forgives our sins. He hears our prayers and He answers them according to His will. He upholds and sustains the world He created, and so much more. But God is also at work in a unique way that we may not always recognize.

Throughout Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, we heard just some of the many promises God spoke through the prophets concerning the coming of our Savior. And now, we hear the familiar refrain in Scripture, "And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet." We have a God who keeps all His promises.

For you and me, one week after Christmas brings us to the beginning of a new calendar year. For Jesus, one week after Christmas brought Him to the day He was circumcised and given His name. By His grace, these two events tie together nicely.

I know what the score of the Super Bowl will be in 2020 before the game begins. And that's not all. God's Word gives us the certainty of knowing some marvelous things as well.

There's a real temptation to want to leave the Christmas story with Jesus in the manger - a moment frozen in time. But the importance of our Savior's incarnation doesn't end at the stable.

Tomorrow in church the candles will be lit and the tree will be sparkling. Christmas is such a wonderful festival that we set aside twelve days to celebrate it. There's so much good news that it's not a day – it's a season!

Have you returned any gifts yet? The temptation of our culture – now that Christmas Day has passed – is to pack baby Jesus off, and the Good News of the season, and exchange it all for the latest toy that catches our attention. But John wants you to know that God's great Gift is a keeper.

Happy Boxing Day! Has anyone shared this greeting with you today?

He's here! Today, you and I hear the happiest news that could ever ring in our ears! Merry Christmas!

Have you opened your Christmas gifts yet? How did you react when you saw them? How do you react to Isaiah's news this day, "To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given"?

Would you like peace and happiness for Christmas? Are you sure? Or, are you afraid of being disappointed?

Here's a great song to hear on the radio during these days leading up to Christmas. God also puts a Christmas song in our heart as we look forward to our eternal home with Him.

It's easy to overlook the marvel of a baby hearing its parents for the first time in a quiet nursery. It's just as easy to overlook how blessed we are to hear the amazing word that our Savior has come. However, it's more than sweet...it's remarkable!

It's Theme Thursday. Some say that Christmas these days is focused too much on presents, presents, presents. As we've seen, with a little tweaking, we can change that phrase to better resemble what the season is all about. We've been blessed to look at 1)God's present, and 2)how He presents it. Today, we rejoice in 3)His presence!

It's fun to go out and see the all Christmas decorations. Some towns even have contests and special categories by which to judge them. Jesus asked the people who came out to see John, "What did you go out into the desert to see?" And He gave them three categories by which they might have judged him.

The apostle Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always." But what if you don't feel like you want to rejoice? What if your spouse died this year and this is the first Christmas time without them? What if you have experienced the loss of a child or the death of a friend? You may even feel like skipping church entirely this year. Please don't. Our Savior's birth gives you even more reason to find a good seat in worship. Here's why.

Do you remember how, when you were little, you were the first one out of bed on Christmas morning? James wants to rouse you and me with the same joy as we wait patiently for that day of His second coming. In fact, it's because of our Savior's first coming that we can look forward to it in real joy - and in patient anticipation.

"I'm not feeling the Christmas spirit this year." Have you heard someone say that this year? Have you said it yourself? St. Paul invites us to step back and then puts his finger on what will truly make the difference.

Should a Christmas tree have decorations with many different colors or should they be monochromatic? Here's a discussion that's sure to create a fun debate ... but it can also be handy reminder of what God has done for us in the Christmas gift to us of His Son.

There are all different way to present a gift. You can wrap it in colorful paper or foil or put it in a stylish gift bag. But see at how God presents the precious gift of His Son, our Savior.

John the Baptist must have made for quite a sight. It's certainly not an image you might expect to find on a Christmas card. But his message is a good one to hear as we get ready to celebrate our Savior's birth.

John the Baptizer called the people to recognize their need for a good top-to-bottom cleaning. He told them, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Repentance includes our sorrow for sin and confessing and turning away from them. But in faith, John calls us to turn in faith to our Savior who has come to forgive us and make us clean Himself.

In light of their sins, the descendants of David were like a tree which would soon be stumped. Now the question had to be, "How will God ever fulfill the promise He made to send a Savior?" – since He promised He would come from David's line. It seemed as if these Christmas plans were dashed. Isaiah tells us what makes God's gift of mercy so remarkable! In fact, it's even worth singing about.

The Advent season can be peaceful and filled with joy. And at the same time it can be filled with shadows and fear, stress and discouragement. Think of it like riding on a bus. Paul has some great advice for the trip.

Some things turn out even better than first recognized. While most people around us may have heard of Jesus they not realize fully who He is and what He has done for them – and continues to do today. Advent is terrific time to hear of the incredible love that God has for us in His Son.

It's Theme Thursday. Some say that Christmas these days is focused too much on presents, presents, presents. With a little tweaking, we can change that phrase to better resemble what the season is all about. On this, and the next two Thursdays, we will look at 1)God's present, 2)how He presents it, and 3)His presence!

Introductions at parties are a often a big part of these days leading up to Christmas. Whenever we introduce someone we usually tell everyone their name and the special association we have with them that makes them special. In Jeremiah, God Himself shares with us an incredible introduction.