Life This Side of Heaven

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?

In Revelation Jesus says, "He who overcomes will inherit all this." But what Jesus is saying a lot more than, "Some day, all this will be yours."

Salvation is not a matter of food that goes into the stomach, but Good News that changes the heart.

When you were young, there was nothing quite like being comforted, and having someone brush away your tears. In Revelation we hear that the day will come when it is God Himself who will wipe away our tears.

Our Good Shepherd knows us well and it's in the Scriptures that we hear His voice.

Distortion of the truth of the Gospel is a real danger in every generation. Paul's warning of wolves is true, but so are Christ's promises.

It sounds like castles and flags. Actually, this request is whole lot more. Think of a ship at sea!

What does a Christian look like? The answer may surprise you.

It's not a poetic description solely of those moments at life's end. That's what makes this Psalm such a joy to hear throughout our life.

Psalm 23 is often heard at funerals. As a result, people sometimes don't want to hear it because it reminds them of the loss of loved ones and it makes them sad. But this Psalm is too good to pull out only at life's end.

What an awkward conversation! And yet, it was probably one of the most important ones that Peter had with His Savior.

"Fishers of men?" The disciples were having a hard enough time being fishers of fish. Jesus soon changed that and reminds us who holds the power of the catch.

The word "hallow" means "to make holy." You and I can't make God's name holy. It's already holy in itself. But how can we keep it holy?.

A Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns? It creates an unusual image, to be sure, but its meaning is also much more comforting than it sounds.

Did you know that the early Christians were known as followers of "the Way"? It's a very apt description when you think about it.

Is it possible to be sincere, but sincerely wrong? Ask Saul of Tarsus.

The image of Jesus that John describes in Revelation doesn't sound like the usual picture we have of Jesus. And yet, it is familiar from a very important event in Scripture and very comforting!

John tells us that our Risen Savior has made us to be "a kingdom and priests." Those words may sound strange at first our modern ears but it's an incredible announcement that's too good to miss.

It might be tempting to think that when we pray to Our Father "in heaven" that this means He is far away and distant from our day-to-day affairs. That would leave us muddling along down here on our own. But these words indicate much more than location.

Jesus' resurrection is a historical fact. Faith is the wonderful hope and trust we have now on the basis of this fact that we believe.

The first thing Jesus said to His disciples was "Peace be with you." Then He showed them His wounds. For their sake, and ours, the two actions are wonderfully linked.

Poor Thomas gets a bad rap. Think of how often you've heard him called "Doubting Thomas." Jesus removes any reason for doubt.

Join us each week from Monday to Saturday but don't miss the blessed opportunity to worship in Church on Sunday with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

When Mary saw Jesus alive she was so happy she grabbed on to Him and wouldn't let go.

"It must be nice to have a 'blind faith'" Is that true? It's not even close. Thankfully, you and I have much more than that.

What an amazing thing it is to hear Jesus say, "When you pray, say: 'Father.'"

When someone we love has fallen asleep in Christ we grieve ... in hope and joyful confidence of the resurrection on the last day. Our Lord's Easter victory assures it.

How does an empty tomb, and having a living Savior, assure me that He has atone for ALL of my sins?

Jesus didn't just say He would suffer, die, and rise again ... He did it! The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God. It also proves something else that provides amazing assurance.

"I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives." The world has seen its share of fakes and charlatans. Jesus isn't one of them. Here's how you know that Jesus is exactly who He claims to be - your Savior.

On this Saturday, between Good Friday and Easter morning, what does it mean when the writer to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus "tasted death" for us?

What does it mean for Jesus, and for you and me, when He cried out from the cross, "My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?"