Front Porch Confessional

We live in a time when so many things need to be redefined...LOVE is at the top of that list.  So when asking the question 'What is love," where do you turn?  John the disciple that Jesus loved, tells us what love is.

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

We all struggle with fear, and that is why Jesus wants to help us.  In this passage Jesus is realigning his disciples who have their focus on their circumstances and not him.

Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Pastor Paul is once again teaching us the truth of what it means to be in Christ.  So often when we think about this passage is out of context biblically and practically.  In this episode I dig into the deeper truth of what Paul is helping us understand.

Philippians 4:13  "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

This passage in Thessalonians kicked my butt...it's so good!  So often we get focused on what we say instead of how we are present.  Jesus shows us the way forward and invites us into his way of loving and living.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

I know that title is in your face...so is Solomon as he tries to help us understand what is wise and foolish. Run away from your vices and return to the one who knows you most.

Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

There are so many times in life that we feel stuck..what do we do?  What happens when it feels like the Lord has given us a "no."  Well, Mary the Mother of Jesus displays for us what it means to anticipate the glory of God and move forward.

John 2:5 "His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Am and blown away by the reality that even when things don't make sense, God is present and working things out far beyond my own understanding. 

Genesis 50:20  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today.

This passage in Galatians is SOOO good!  We tend to always start with ourselves and that's generally all we ever get.  Pastor Paul in the middle of a conversation with the Galatians catches himself to remind us of something so important.

Galatians 4:8-9 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

The truth of this passage should lead us to action...kingdom action.  If we don't embrace the 1st and greatest commandment, then we are really missing all of life, a loving life with our Heavenly Father.

Matthew 22:37 and he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Man this passage is so convicting and SO good!  Pastor Paul is reframing our pain in this world and trying to encourage us to have a balance.  The world is watching the way christians endure pain.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.