Front Porch Confessional

This passage blows my mind! The generosity of Jesus is overwhelming and should impact the way we live our lives.  Jesus prays for Peter and he prays for us, but are we aware of it? Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Man...if we're not careful we can play into a lie almost as old as creation itself, you can be god.  That's what satan distracted Adam and Eve with and it's what he still does today...that's where Solomon steps in a reframes it all! Ecclesiastics 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what Go...

This is now how most people think about their relationship with the Lord. Most of us our followers, but not lovers of the Lord, but that's what Pastor Paul is trying to explain to us. Colossians 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

There is so much bondage in this world, and in  the Spirit there is freedom.  The question is:  Where do we find freedom? Pastor paul is going to call us to confront this reality in us. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

I have to admit, I've never really thought about how costly kindness is...I mean God's kindness towards us cost Jesus his life.  This has massive implication for us and others. Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

There is a lot going on if our world right now...we need to wake up to what God is doing.  Like David, so many of us have gotten distracted from who we are and what God has called us to do...so we compromise.  We need to wake up! 2 Samuel 12:7a Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!

The Story of Jonah is there to cause us to confront ourselves...to see ourselves in the mirror.  We tend to be hypocritical in our mercy...we love to receive it, but to give it out is much harder.  Where Jonah failed, Jesus succeeds:-)  Jonah 4:2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I kn...

The story of Jonah is the story of all of us.  What may seem like punishment is actually mercy, but what do we do in light of that mercy? Jonah 1:17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Pastor Paul is guiding Timothy with wisdom that is so important for us.  Do we know what gifts God has given us?  What do we do with the gifts he's given?  What is preventing us from being all God has called us to be- Fan the Flame! 2 Timothy 1:6-7 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not...

God is listening!  There is a remnant  of faithful people who believe that what they do and what they say matters.  Faithfulness matters. Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

It's so amazing that Jesus reminds us over and over that we are not alone even though the suffering we experience in this world are overwhelming at times.  We are not orphans, we are known and loved. John 14:18-19 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live

We are not as strong as we think...David knows that and is trying to help us get honest with where we are and what we need.  What will you do when you realize you need the Lord to save you in every situation? Psalms 3:8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! 

We are easy to forget, and Isaiah knows it!  He is trying to wake us up and I think we need it! Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Pastor Paul is not content to let those he loves compromise with the culture.  Why are we ok with offending God and not the culture?  Paul is going to help us work through it if we will listen. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

This is one of those sections of scripture that we wish wasn't there...it's hard.  What do we do when the mercy of God is painful.  King David once again leads us to the heart of the matter. 2 Samuel 24:14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

I can't express enough how important this question is right now???  Everyone is listening to someone, and who you are listening to will lead you.  Pastor Paul is proclaiming to the church in Corinth...Beware! 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

How in the world can we be angry and not sin?  King David is on to something...something deeper that most of us don't want to admit. Psalms 4:4-5 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

Solomon is trying to help us understand what it means to be a good neighbor...it's a real thing! Proverbs 25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,  lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

Why do we fast? In fact, why do we do anything we do?  Our motivations matter but we tend to not be aware of them.  Isaiah, who is speaking  on behalf of God, will help us get a handle on it. Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free,  and to break every yoke?

It's not often when it's being a fool is ok, but anything for Christ is worth it. Paul once again is opening the door to a Christ-centered life, which looks opposite of the worlds. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

This passage in Jeremiah is so direct in dealing with he problems in our lives...where are you rooted, and who is feeding you??? Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of...

This is a questions for the ages...and one that God has a lot of interest in?  If God has spoken, why do we continue to ask him to speak?  If he is directing us and we are rebelling, what are we actually looking for?  These are the questions that God through his prophet Jeremiah will answer. Jeremiah 17:5-6 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from m...

Boy a title like that make us want to dig in!  Give me that scripture, until we find out what prosperity really is.  God, speaking to his servant Joshua prepares him for leadership and life in this passage. Joshua 1:8    Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

There are no words more precious to human ears and hearts than God loves you?  By why do we struggle to believe and receive it?  Well through this beautiful passage in Song of Solomon I hope to dig into that. Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Oh man...you and will give an account of all we've done in heaven to God!  That should stop you in your tracks.  Absolutely nothing is hidden, but what is Paul specifically talking about? Romans 14:12   So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.