Life This Side of Heaven

Going without a smartphone may make you feel cut off. Fellowship in Christ means you're always connected ... and no circumstance can take that away.

There are a lot of trendy posters, colorful plaques and murals with the word, "Believe." When it comes to faith, what does it mean when I say, "I Believe"?

When a son or daughter asks why they are not allowed to do something an exasperated mother or father might respond by saying, "Because I'm the parent!" Is that what God is doing in Leviticus when He restates the commandments and says, "I am the Lord"?

In the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan, take a closer look at the bruised and beaten man in the road and see if you recognize someone familiar. It will give you a whole new perspective on the question, "Who is my neighbor?"

Want to earn salvation? Jesus points us to the Law so that we can see it's impossible. Then He points us to the cross to assure us that He has done the impossible for us.

What reason do you have for doing good? What motivates you to want to be a caring person? Paul reminds us that we have the best motivation of all.

Gotcha! Is this how God deals with us? Is that what Jesus means when He says, "A man reaps what he sows"?

Far from being some dusty relic of the past, the Apostles' Creed is very handy today. Here's why.

God calls us to a harvest that is "from sea to shining sea" and beyond.

Jesus sent out a large group of unnamed followers on an important mission trip. They may not be named here in this text, but their names do appear in another very important place. And so do yours.

What do you do when someone you see is in danger of drowning in sin? Paul calls us to be spiritual lifeguards.

Following Jesus doesn't mean a soft, easy life or a bed of roses. However, life under the cross gives us a breathtaking view of His love.

"Give them what they've got coming!" James and John may have been thinking this. We may feel this way as well sometimes. But that's not what Jesus was thinking as He "set His face to go to Jerusalem."

"For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen." Scripture includes a number of "doxologies" like this in prayer and praise to God in both the Old and New Testament. What does it mean and why is included with the Lord's Prayer?

How much sin can I get away with ... and still be forgiven? At what concentration does it become a problem?

Wouldn't it be great if God showed Himself in a dazzling display of power? What a blessing it is that God reveals Himself in His Word which endures!

Living in this sin-filled world can leave us discouraged, exhausted ... and running in the wrong direction. God calls us back to Himself, reminds us we're not alone, and gives us strength.

There may be a difference between being "angry" and being "mad." We live in a world which is bit of both – but, in love, needs to hear what Jesus has done for it.

In Christ, we are now sons of God. That's the result of a whole new relationship that wasn't there before. And with this comes a very special privilege.

In a world shattered by sin we ask God to protect us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation.

While we were slaves to the Law, God Himself bought us back. He redeemed us.

While we were once "prisoners of the law," Paul warns us not to make ourselves prisoners once again. Instead, he encourages us to stand firm in the freedom which Christ has given us.

In Galatians, Paul says, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." It may sound like a phrase that needs to be updated. Or, is it?

"Guilt" and "shame" are two words that are often heard together. However, there is a distinction. God has rescued us from both. Today we will look at how God has taken away our shame.

"Guilt" and "shame" are two words that are often heard together. However, there is a distinction. God has rescued us from both. Today we will look at how God has taken away our guilt.

In this part of the Lord's Prayer we pray that our heavenly Father would give us strength to resist and overcome temptation from the devil, the world and our sinful nature.

In Psalm 16, David said, "I have set the Lord always before me." Peter reminds us that this also enables us to stand firm and not be shaken – throughout life and in the face of death.

Jesus' enemies were amazed that He claimed to God. What's even more amazing is that He became man to rescue you and me.

When feelings are mixed with faith, facts and fiction become blurred. The Festival of the Holy Trinity celebrates how God has revealed Himself to us in Holy Scripture.

What is a good work in God's sight? We often imagine that it must be something large and impressive. The answer may surprise you!

In a world that yearns for peace, it's often hard to find it.

Have you ever felt too sinful to talk to God? Unconfessed sin is a prayer-killer. Here's why this petition is such an important part of the Lord's Prayer.

Like and expanding balloon the Gospel went out in all different directions after Pentecost. But unlike a balloon, there's always more room to expand.

God's halt to the construction of the Tower of Babel in Genesis was not simply an order to "cease and desist." Actually, the real problem was even bigger than the tower.

At Pentecost we celebrate God's gift of His Holy Spirit? Who is the Holy Spirit? What does He do?

Guess who's coming to dinner? Hearing that might bring joy ... or panic. How would you feel if Jesus was returning today?

Jesus said, "Yes, I am coming soon." That's good! But, how soon is soon?

In the Lord's Prayer we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." What does this request include?

After the fall into sin, the Tree of the Life sounded like something we would never see again. What a surprise it must have been when God revealed them to John in heaven!

In our culture's growing individualism, unity seems like a difficult thing to come by these days. In God's Church the Holy Spirit creates it through His Word.

Did you know that God had you in mind personally when the Scriptures were recorded?

"Ask and you will receive." It's tempting to confuse Jesus' invitation with the offer of a genie in a lamp. But it's much better than that!

Is my name in the Book of Life? What does it say about me?

Forty days after Easter we join the disciples in giving thanks to God for our Savior's Ascension. Here's why!

Luke tells us, "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message." That tells you a lot about Jesus and the Gospel.

When God justifies, it's not a long drawn-out process. Joyfully, it occurs the moment we believe.

God may not always permit our plans to unfold as we had set in our hearts.

Jesus says, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." And it's a very special love.

Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the Easter victory that is ours. God gives us a clear view in His Word.

In the Lord's Prayer we pray, "Thy Will Be Done." But what is God's will?