Life This Side of Heaven

When families gather to enjoy supper, the words of Psalm 145:15-16 are often spoken as the table prayer before the meal. They remind us that our food comes as a gift from God’s hand.  But they may also raise some questions.

The key moment in any mystery movie comes when the summation takes place. The main character will describe the crime and then point their finger at the one who has been found guilty. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus noted that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the entire world. However, unlike the summation in a mystery movie, it doesn't end there. He goes on to point to the innocent ... the innocent suffering and death of our Savior in whom we have salvation through faith.

God knows that we are all unique individuals from different places, different backgrounds and different life experiences. We don’t look the same and we don’t sound the same. Those in Jerusalem who heard Peter on the Day of Pentecost didn’t cease to be individuals. But the events of that day remind us that remarkably, in Christ God has made us one.

What is your “heart language”? That term is often used to describe the language that a person speaks and understands better than any other.  It’s the language that you think in and which speaks to your heart. God knows yours.

With a remarkable vision, God showed the prophet Ezekiel that despite how hopeless their situation appeared, He would breathe new life into them with the coming of the Savior.  And this is remarkable good news for you and me as well. 

This week, as you and I celebrate Pentecost and the fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on all people, we hear Jesus say, “He will witness about Me.” However, you may be wondering, “What is there left to know about our Savior than we haven’t already heard and learned from His Word?” What exactly is it that the Holy Spirit does?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "The proof is in the pudding"? The world would like you to look with distaste at all that is around you, wrinkle your nose and push Jesus, the Gospel and salvation away. But God Himself has stepped forward to assure you of the forgiveness of sins and new life His Son has accomplished for you. Here's why David trusted God, and says in Psalm 34, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

Jesus prayed, “As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” Into the world! That sounds daunting, doesn’t it? The sheer magnitude of the task might leave us immobilized, much the same way one person might feel if they were to put on a pair of cleaning gloves and look out over an entire building. Where do you even start?

Sanctify isn’t one of those words that pops up in daily conversation. It means to “make holy.”  Okay, using one church word to define another church word may not help either. Sanctify means “to set apart.” Ah! Now, the picture becomes clear as we hear Jesus prayer that for you and me to be sanctified in the truth.

As Christians, there are times when we may feel like praying to God, and saying, “Take me out coach!”  Serving in this sin-filled world leaves us worn out, weary and exhausted. The bench starts to look pretty good. That’s why this part Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane may leave us bewildered and scratching our head.