Front Porch Confessional

We truly don't understand the compassion of God...if we did, it would impact the way we live our lives. Micah 7:19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

We are always trying to make up for the mistakes we've made, but that is not what our God requires.  He is loving, merciful, and pardons our sins.  If this is true (and it is), how will that impact the way we live our lives? Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he d...

We all live like orphans when the mercy of God has been extended to us.  How will living  into the mercy of God change our lives? Hosea 14:3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”

There is a time for belligerence.  These 3 men display what it means to be rooted in a faith that is costly.  But, it doesn't just happened out of nowhere...no, these men loved God and were willing to die for him. Daniel 3:16-18 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “ O Nebuchadnezzar , we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we...

Why do we want to wait for all the good stuff later, when much of it is promised today?  For so many of us we can only see earth and therefore can't see heaven.  Pastor Paul says "we're to be cited" if that is our reality. 1 Corinthians 15:19   If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Jesus is so gracious to us!  Here the disciples have failed and Jesus pauses once again to give them insight on how to live in the Spirit NOT the flesh. Mark 14:38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Weakness is not appealing to our culture, but it's what God is inviting us into.  What is at the core of what God through Pastor Paul is trying to communicate.  If we don't accept weaknes , then we don't need Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakne...

What happens when everything around us feels uncertain?  What is the responsibility of the Christian.  Paul focuses this young church and reminds them who we are and what we are to be. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

We are so prone to the old...but what about the new song he's inviting us into? Psalms 96:1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Who are we listening to?  It's a great question because it starts to help us understand what we are following.  Jesus lays out for us the right direction for our lives. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

How would your life change if you knew that Jesus knows your sins, is praying for you to overcome it through faith, and then commissioning you to strengthen others through your failures?  This is not the way we see it go (normally), but this is how it is.  It changed Peters life and it can change yours as well. Luke 27:31-32 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you...

I did it again...I tried doing things on my own.  Why is it that we reject the help of God when he so freely wants to give it to us?  Jesus let us know that The Helper is here and near and ready to help us do greater things than Jesus.  Why do we run from this help rather than finding life in it? Hosea 12:6 “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continual...

God hears us...he even hears us after we rebel and go our own way.  When we start realigning our hearts with us, we will find him.  Isn't that what we are all hoping for, to find God? To find his will and way for our lives?  Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.   You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 

We have so many plans, but so does God.  What happens when we realize that in the good and bad God is working things out for our good?  What happens when we realize that even when we rebel, he has not abandoned us? Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We have have a focus problem, and Pastor Paul wants to help us.  So much of what we spend time focusing on leads to death when the Spirit of God want to lead us to life and life to the full. Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

They way we love each other matters...it will actually point them to Jesus or away?  I believe we all need to wear the weight of what we say and do to one another.  It was a BIG DEAL to Jesus and it should be a big deal to us. John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This passage is so convicting...Paul is reminding us of what it means when we agreed with the Spirit to follow Jesus.  Does your life reflect the decision, because if it does it will be a weapon in the world. Philippians 1:27-28   Only let your manner of life be worthy[ h ] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one...

Jesus directs our attention...do you see the need?  We are a busy people and we are missing the very reason why we are here on earth.  It's his people and it always has been...but do we seen them or are we distracted? Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into...

We are blinded by our busyness and it's breaking Jesus' heart.  He has compassion on those who are helpless, hurting, and needing guidance.  He is inviting us in to his compassion for his people. Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

We are so afraid of our humanity, and God is not!  David, the man after God's own heart teaches us to protest God...to let him hear you woes. Psalms 13:1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

We are so indivigulized and Pastor Paul is pointing us to the reality of what it means to be a part of the family of God.  You are not alone.  What you do matters.  This is SO MUCH bigger than just you:-)  2 Corinthians 12: 26  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

We have a lot of plan and goals, but are they they Lords?  In this episode Pastor Paul is helping this young church and I move into a greater understand of God's sovereign plan. Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Man do we have our desires all mixed up...David is realigning us to a reality centered on the Lord. Psalms 37:4-5 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This is a key passage to unlocking where your heart and desires are.  Jesus loves you and wants to lead you into "life and life to the full," but we have to get honest with where we are at. Matthew 6:21   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It's  so counter intuitive to be a fool, but that is what Pastor Paul is inviting us into.  We think we are wise and so we miss Jesus. So be a fool in the world's eyes and you will start to see clearer. 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.