Life This Side of Heaven

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.

Mark tells us of a time when He visited His hometown. He had just come off the triumphs of calming the storm and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. And His teaching in the synagogue was breathtaking. But there was no celebration, no parade, no honored guests.

When you what God gave Paul to keep him from becoming "conceited" it may paint a strange picture of what he’s really saying. Today, whenever we say that someone is “conceited,” we usually tend to think they’re snotty or obnoxious, the kind of arrogant person you try to avoid at parties. ?But the apostle has even more in mind.

When it comes to sharing God's Word with a sinful, heart-hardened and rebellious world, does it ever feel hopeless – as if God has equipped us with a plastic hammer to drive in iron nails? Take another look at your tool belt.

Paul describes how the churches in Macedonia pleaded urgently for "the privilege" of sharing in the relief to their fellow-redeemed. There's a reason they responded in this manner and why this continues to be true among brothers and sisters in Christ today.

It would hard to imagine the home of Jairus, where his daughter had just died as being the scene of laughter, but the room was soon filled with it.