Life This Side of Heaven
Audible devotions for your day every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Join us as we rejoice in His grace, knowing from His Word that He loves us and forgives us, and confident that He is with us every step of the way – on this side of heaven. Devotions for real life.
Episodes
In Psalm 27, David says that the one thing he seeks in this life is to spend all his days in the presence of God. Why? "To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” Consider for a moment what that means. Like David, this is true for us, not simply as a future longing, but also as a present reality. And here's why.
Jesus told the disciples, “My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” I suspect that hearing these words made the disciples very happy just as they make you and me happy to hear them again today. But it’s also clear that what this means didn’t begin to fully sink in for the disciples until our Savior appeared alive to them again at...
It's understandable that you and I want to know what it will be like at the resurrection when Jesus comes. We look at ourselves and wonder what we will be like. What answer are we given? If you notice, Paul answers this question by pointing us, not to ourselves, but to our risen Savior whom we will then see face-to-face.
Episode Artwork in Public Domain (Armstrong1113149, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
In Acts, Peter addressed a crowd at the Temple. He told them, "You killed the author of life." As you and I hear these words, we're reminded that it wasn’t one particular person, such as Pontius Pilate or any of the other leasers of that day, or even the crowd standing before Peter that was solely responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross. It was our sins that also led Him to be there. However, Jesus' death wasn't an acc...
Does it feel like the rest of the world is looking up while you're looking down? Last Monday, the "Great North American Eclipse" took place. Chances are good that many of you may have been among those dawning special glasses and looking up to the sky. However, for those of you looking down at that moment, you may have noticed another incredible phenomenon. It's called a 360-degree sunrise! In John's first letter, the apo...
On the day that Jesus rose, the very next thing He did after announcing "peace" to the disciples was to show them His hands and side. These were the hands through which the nails had been driven. This was the side into which the soldier thrust his spear to ensure that Jesus was dead. Why would Jesus hang onto such a reminder of the painful sacrifice that He endured? Wouldn’t the disciples have been satisfied seeing, sim...
When it comes to Easter, Paul tells us about the eyewitnesses who were on hand and the historical facts of Jesus' resurrection. However, faith is more than acknowleging the fact that we have a living Savior. As the apostle goes on to point out, faith lays hold all that this precious fact brings with it - forgiveness of sins, life and salvation! Knowing this changes not only history, but your life each and every day right now.
At Easter, you may have shared a familiar greeting on Sunday morning. It’s called the “Paschal Greeting.” It goes like this: One person exclaims, “He is risen!” And it’s followed by the joyful response, “He is risen, indeed!” But, you know, the angel who announced our Savior's resurrection also included four more words that are easily overlooked, but which are wonderful, reassuring and too good to miss.
Luke alone records this remarkable detail from Peter’s denial of our Savior. It happened after all of the disciples abandoned Jesus. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit God ensured that this event was recorded for you and me to hear. They're a wonderful reminder that, even in the midst of our sin, crushing guilt and remorse, Jesus has not abandoned us.
Episode Art by Jan van't Hoff. Copyright www.GospelImages.com and licensed to Fre...
Did you know the words to “God Save the King”? It’s the national anthem of the United Kingdom and it’s also the royal anthem of many of the nations which form the British Commonwealth. Do you know the words? It’s a well known song around the world and it's actually a prayer. On Psalm Sunday the crowds cried out, “Hosanna!” Chances are good that you sang it last Sunday in church. And this too is a prayer – but it's a very different ...
“We’re not number one!” Have you ever gone to a game and seen someone holding one of those big foam hands with big X through and shouting, “We’re NOT number one!” Ya, me neither. So, imagine what must have went through the disciples' minds as He explained to them what it meant to be "first" and "greatest."
When confronted with our sins it's tempting for to want to bargain and made a deal with God. It always fails. But what God announced to Jeremiah, and fulfilled in His Son, is so much better. God has revealed a remarkable prize. No games, just grace!
Police wasted no time. The aviation team was called in. Using thermal imaging cameras they scoured the thick vegetation of the forested area below. Deputies on the ground rushed in. The pilot indicated to the officers below that they were now within 80 feet. Body cam footage showed the deputy drawing closer and closer with his arms fully stretched before him. What comes next in this story made headlines and may surprise you. It's...
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