The Porch (Video)

Do you think you need to clean yourself up before you approach God? In Matthew 8, we see a story about a man with leprosy who knew his only hope was Jesus. He approached God in his unclean state with faith, and Jesus healed him. Like the leper, we all have an incurable disease - sin. It kills us from the inside out and isolates us from God and his people. Christ alone healed the leper, and Christ alone can heal us from our sin. Will you try to clean yourself before you come to Him, or will you accept His radical love?

Sometimes it may seem like there is a battle of good versus evil. We see in Mark 5 that evil is not a battle for Jesus, He is sovereign over it. The 2,000 demons that were in the Gerasene Demoniac were no match for Jesus and His power. When we are caught in sin, it can feel like we are absolutely trapped. However, no sin struggle of ours is impossible for Jesus to overcome. Jesus wants to set you free – will you take Him up on His offer?

Sometimes it may seem like there is a battle of good versus evil. We see in Mark 5 that evil is not a battle for Jesus, He is sovereign over it. The 2,000 demons that were in the Gerasene Demoniac were no match for Jesus and His power. When we are caught in sin, it can feel like we are absolutely trapped. However, no sin struggle of ours is impossible for Jesus to overcome. Jesus wants to set you free – will you take Him up on His offer?

What keeps you from going all in with God? As we dive into Luke 18, we see that self-relaiance, fear of losing what we have, and not realizing what we will gain are some of the most common reasons we foolishly choose temporary treasures on Earth over God’s glorious riches he promises us. Following Jesus will cost you something, but not following him will cost you everything. Are you ready to go all in?

What keeps you from going all in with God? As we dive into Luke 18, we see that self-relaiance, fear of losing what we have, and not realizing what we will gain are some of the most common reasons we foolishly choose temporary treasures on Earth over God’s glorious riches he promises us. Following Jesus will cost you something, but not following him will cost you everything. Are you ready to go all in?

Taking a look at Jonah, we see how not to react to God's grace and how we should react to grace as believers. Jonah tried to run from the presence of God even though he was given specific instructions from Him. How often do we decide that our way is better and fight against what God wants for us? Or decide, like the men on the boat with Jonah, that we can work our own way back to God? It only makes it harder for us. But when we trust in God, who gave His Son for us, we come to know His love. We then respond by sharing grace with everyone around us. How will you react?

Taking a look at Jonah, we see how not to react to God's grace and how we should react to grace as believers. Jonah tried to run from the presence of God even though he was given specific instructions from Him. How often do we decide that our way is better and fight against what God wants for us? Or decide, like the men on the boat with Jonah, that we can work our own way back to God? It only makes it harder for us. But when we trust in God, who gave His Son for us, we come to know His love. We then respond by sharing grace with everyone around us. How will you react?

We live in a time where Christians blend into culture rather than standing out. But what does real faith look like — the kind of faith that we act on, not just using it as a get out of jail free card? As we see from the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, real faith is counter cultural, it's uncompromising, and it converts critics. As Christians, we are meant to stand out and go against the grain of what society says to bring God glory. We want people to ask us why we are different, and who Jesus is. Are you ready to stand out and go all in with Christ?

We live in a time where Christians blend into culture rather than standing out. But what does real faith look like — the kind of faith that we act on, not just using it as a get out of jail free card? As we see from the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, real faith is counter cultural, it's uncompromising, and it converts critics. As Christians, we are meant to stand out and go against the grain of what society says to bring God glory. We want people to ask us why we are different, and who Jesus is. Are you ready to stand out and go all in with Christ?

Where do you place your faith? In yourself? Your career? Your looks? As we go through the story of David, Goliath, and the Israelites, we see the difference between placing our faith in ourselves versus having faith in God. While misplaced faith leads to false confidence and fear, faith in God always prevails.