Front Porch Confessional

We have all focused on things other than the Lord...it's no wonder why we have a stressed out culture. David is refocusing us on the truth that will set us free.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

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 delights in steadfast love.

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 serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.[c]18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

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 weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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.