Life This Side of Heaven

Besides stringing together a long list of people, whose names are not easy to pronounce, have you ever wondered why Luke includes so many of them? All of the people he has listed were real people living at the time when John the Baptizer came preaching in the desert, preparing the way for our Savior. And all of this took place when God Himself in the flesh stepped into history to rescue you from your sins and for eternal life with Him. Episode photo from the Musée Saint-Raymond, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A lot of toys and gifts come and go. Some are based on passing fads. While popular for short while, they soon fade from the store shelves and rarely get touched at home. But have you noticed that there are some that never change? It’s worth knowing that this is also true of God and His gift to you of a Savior. God assures us in Malachi, “I the LORD do not change.” That’s incredibly reassuring.  Here's why!

Nothing beats a well-plowed road! That’s especially true if you’re planning to travel at Christmas. As you and I travel through this Advent season, John reminds us how true that is, but in a very special way.

As Christmas approaches, you may be facing medical difficulties. You may not be thinking so much about the baby lying in the manger as your loved one lying in the hospital. This may be the first Christmas when someone you love has died and won’t be at the table. You may not be looking forward to Christmas this year. Let’s admit it, it’s hard to look up when your eyes are filled with tears. But that’s exactly why God invites you and me to lift our heads. And it’s why these words from our Savior are specifically for you. Take a look at what’s on the horizon.

What do you want for Christmas?  Has anyone asked you that question this year?  In these days of shopping and sales, have you found yourself racking your brain and trying to figure out what to give your loved ones? In most cases, it comes down to discovering what that other person needs.  Well, if that’s the case, then you’re going to want to take another look at this passage from Paul in 1 Thessalonians. And here’s one tangible way you can do it.

Did you know that retailers are already bracing themselves for a blizzard of returns after Christmas again this year? The reality, though, is that they don't want those returns. All this, then, makes the words recorded by the prophet Joel, leap right off the page.  As you and I begin this season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, it’s important to know that we have a God who welcomes returns.  And not just any returns.  God wants you!

Today is Black Friday! It’s often assumed that the name “Black Friday,” originated with the profit that stores make as a result of all the shopping which takes place annually on this date. The thought is that businesses, working with tight margins throughout the year and operating at financial loss, or “in the red,” now begin to see things turn around.  With massive sales on the day after Thanksgiving, stores finally begin to show a profit which puts them “in the black.” As nice as that sounds, it’s not true. However, when it comes to debts and credits, we're reminded that this describes well another important Friday in history which we celebrate each year.

Notes go hereHappy Thanksgiving tomorrow!  I want to get that greeting in before the holiday itself vanishes. In recent years, Thanksgiving has become somewhat of a speed bump on the way to Christmas. However, speed bumps can be quite handy.

Have you ever looked up and noticed a pair of worn-out running shoes, with laces tied together, an hanging on the telephone wire or the power line above? Have you ever wondered why they’re there? When it comes to answering that question there doesn't appear to be a consensus. In Isaiah, the prophet tells us to "Lift your eyes to the heavens." And he reminds us that "the earth will wear out like a garment." When it comes to the pairs of shabby sneakers and flung footwear here's a way that they can serve as a handy reminder.

It's football season. It’s that time of the year that we tend to wring our hands and wish there were more people in worship. But take a listen to the writer of Hebrews. Instead of wringing our hands, he points out something that the sports industry remembered and that Christians seemed to have forgotten.

You can almost imagine wide-eyed disciples exclaiming to the Lord, “Look, Teacher!  What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” So, it must have come as a shock to hear Him tell them, “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” That must have been difficult for the disciples to hear.  And even today it brings sadness to some Christians who don’t fully understood why it stood in the first place. But wait until you hear what our Savior says has replaced it!

Have you ever heard of a “haboob”? They’re described as a large walls of dust that are created by strong winds from a collapsing thunderstorm. The thing about a haboob is that they are at one time both amazing and terrifying. It all depends on where you’re standing in the storm. The day of our Savior’s return will be much like that. As Daniel explains, it will be both amazing for some but unwelcome for others. In fact, it almost sounds like a storm. But the dust being moved that day won’t be the result of gusty winds, but our Savior's return in glory.

You and I are surrounded by promises that are made to us regularly from people we know and products we purchase.  After a while, we simply tune out and hardly even notice them. And that might also be true of one particular phrase we hear in Scripture. But as we sing in Psalm 146, you can be sure that God's promises are promises that last.

If I could put in my two cents, I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the account we hear in Mark, which we often refer to as “The Widow’s Mites.” It’s about a widow and her offering of two copper coins. While it’s often used as a stewardship text it’s really not a prescription for giving. It shows us something much more.

According to recent statistics, chances are pretty good that someone you know, may have had what's referred to as a "Near Death Experience." These individuals, having been resuscitated, gave descriptions of leaving their bodies, journeying through a tunnel, and seeing a bright light or being. Some have said that it provided them with assurance of God's love. So, what are we to make of these reports? Did you know that God has already given us certain proof and a far greater comfort and assurance already?

“Will this be on the test?” It's the question that teachers rarely want to hear. It often means, "What's the minimum requirement I must do to past the test. It's not too different than a question which was asked of Jesus here in Mark. In fact, it's one that still gets asked today.

Architectural models are remarkable. They’re often used to communicate different design aspects of the a and the purpose of its features.  They help people visualize the actual structure and get a glimpse of what’s coming in the future. Well, it may surprise you to know that God did something like that for us. It's even better when you realize that the work has been completed!

Last July, the Pew Research Center revealed what topics Americans talk about with family and friends. Guess where faith made it on the list of topics? However, with these words in Deuteronomy we're reminded how matters of faith and our relationship with God can become a regular part of comfortable conversation – at the dinner table, on vacation, car trips and so much more.

Many of the troubles we face are the same. We live in a world which is hostile to Christ but which also desperately needs to hear the Gospel. However, God reminds us that we’re not alone.  And on November 1, otherwise known as All Saints’ Day, we’re reminded of just how big Christ’s Church is!

It’s been called one of the saddest words in dictionary:  alone.  In fact, the first definition listed for it by the folks at Merriam-Webster is “separated from others.”  However on this day, and as we get ready to celebrate the events of the Reformation tomorrow on October 31, it just may be one of the happiest words you’ll ever hear! Episode art from just one of our Reformation Day cards you can download free and share with your family and friends. It's available at https://www.lifethissideofheaven.org/