Front Porch Confessional

Oh man...that title would make many run away, but Solomon sees it as the way to wisdom.  If we can't think about death, we will never appreciate life. Ecclesiastes 7:4 A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

I love Ecclesiastics!  This book is fill with some much practical and honest wisdom.  In this episode I walk through this proclamation from Solomon that the husband and wife that God gives us is a reward.  That is really great news, but it can go really bad if our focus isn't right.  Ecclesiastics 9:9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has g...

This is a declaration for the generations...nothing is impossible for God, but how does that impact the way we live today? Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.

This is the question for the ages: Why would we abuse grace if it is freely given from God!  We really struggle with this and take advantage of it...Paul is pleading with us to stop. Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Is it good for our souls to be in tension with our sin..the and answer is: YES!!!  Paul is walking us through that tension.  He isn't settling into his sin, he's facing it. Romans 7:15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

As we begin in Isaiah we see a problem right away, a sickness....I have it at time, and so do you? What happens when our heads and hearts grow sick and weary to the truth of God?  We will either repent or run away. Isaiah 1:5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. 

What a wonderful truth that Jesus doesn't just love us in the end, but also in the normal mundane parts of life.  When these 2 realities start coming together we will experience heaven here on earth. John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the...

Who really shows up in your life?  Who are the people that are truly caring for you and wearing your burdens.  Solomon is showing us the way forward because true friends will bring life in this life. Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Solomon is so visual at times in the illustrations he putting forth to help our souls and lives connect with a greater truth.  This Proverb is one of the most blatant. Proverbs 26:11  Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

What we place our hope in matters.  So often it's tethered to things of this earth. Solomon is teaching us about the reality of this. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

The fact that God know your every thought and every way can feel kind of invasive, but what if that's one of the most loving things he does? Proverbs 5:21 For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondersall his paths.

We love the temporary...we're actually addicted to it.  So when it comes to our spiritual lives we tend to fall in the same trap.  Solomon is doing his best to wake us sons and daughters up to the wise life. Proverbs 3:35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

This Proverb has been so helpful to me, but it generally not considered!  Why do we keep depending ourselves and what is it doing to our bodies and souls? Proverbs 3:7-8 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

The older I get, the more I learn about the deeper truths of scripture...which is pretty cool!  This passage expanded my understanding of Jesus in a way that has brought me joy and comfort. Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Is there such a thing as Holy Anger...David is encouraging us to be angry,  but don't sin? How and how does Jesus show us the way? Psalms 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Man we hate weakness, but it's everything as it relates to find true life in Christ. Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Man, I don't know about you...but I wish (at times) that God could be bought off with good deeds.  As we come towards the end of Psalms 51 we see David works through this dilemma...and we need to as well. Psalms 51:16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 

We tend to think of our salvation as a one time moment in life, but David is trying to help us understand it so much bigger than that.  So what do we do? Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

This is a true true cry, a true confession!  David is showing us what is really important in this life.  When we run after the things of this world and realized they leave us void...what do we do?   Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

The core of Psalms 51 is address in verse 10...we have a holy God and an unclean human, what do we do?  David models for us the solution, but will we submit to this sacrificial act of repentance. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

I love this passage, but it is so much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.  Gods love and justice so beautifully orchestrated...but are we aware and living in light of it? Psalms 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Why do we do the horrible things we do?  Where did it come from?  This is what David is trying to discern in this repentant Psalm and this is what God is trying to help us understand as well.  God wants to meet us, but often we are unaware of where. Psalms 51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Our common confession should be: "Have mercy on us oh God."  We need to join David in this confession and let it change our lives. Psalms 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God,  according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

We find our security in all the wrong things, but what does it look like to not only understand the Love of God, but to live it. 1 John 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

Righteousness is right-living according to Jesus...but what does it produce.  There is a perfect plan that God designed and Satan is trying to destroy.  Let us grow in our understand of our Savior and Shalom. James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace.