The Porch (Video)

Comparison. Whenever we play that game, we lose. Why? At the root, it just means we aren't trusting God, and Saul stands as a reminder of that. Taking a look at him and David in 1 Samuel, we see how badly comparison can hurt us, and also how to avoid it. If we keep our focus on God instead of ourselves, we can enjoy what the Lord has given us now, and not play the comparison game.

God works out the bad for our good -- we know this. It's a foundational truth. And it's clear in Romans 8:28-30. Paul shows us that God works everything for our good, and that good is God's end goal for us. What is that good? He's conforming us to look more like Christ every day. And the best is yet to come. He has called us, justified us, and glorified us. In the midst of trials, we can have joy because of God's work in our lives. Glory is coming and that gives us hope.

God works out the bad for our good -- we know this. It's a foundational truth. And it's clear in Romans 8:28-30. Paul shows us that God works everything for our good, and that good is God's end goal for us. What is that good? He's conforming us to look more like Christ every day. And the best is yet to come. He has called us, justified us, and glorified us. In the midst of trials, we can have joy because of God's work in our lives. Glory is coming and that gives us hope.

Continuing through Romans 8:18-27, Paul shows us that creation longs to be restored from the curse of being disconnected from God. Our source of greatest hurt is sin, our broken relationship with God, but our source of greatest hope is the resurrection, restoration from Christ. And the day will come when Christ returns and this earth will be made new, but until then our greatest source of help is the Holy Spirit, who is waiting with us, guiding us through life until that day comes. God never leaves us; He is always by our side.

Continuing through Romans 8:18-27, Paul shows us that creation longs to be restored from the curse of being disconnected from God. Our source of greatest hurt is sin, our broken relationship with God, but our source of greatest hope is the resurrection, restoration from Christ. And the day will come when Christ returns and this earth will be made new, but until then our greatest source of help is the Holy Spirit, who is waiting with us, guiding us through life until that day comes. God never leaves us; He is always by our side.

It changes everything if you know who you are according to God. Continuing the Romans series, we take a look at Romans 8:14-17 which shows us how our behavior points to whom we belong, that we're God's children not His slaves, and the benefits of being sons and daughters of God. If you embrace being a child of the King of Kings, nothing marks you more than that, we are heirs with Christ, and we have access to God as His children. His love is so great for us, we can trust Him, knowing everything He asks of us is for our benefit.

It changes everything if you know who you are according to God. Continuing the Romans series, we take a look at Romans 8:14-17 which shows us how our behavior points to whom we belong, that we're God's children not His slaves, and the benefits of being sons and daughters of God. If you embrace being a child of the King of Kings, nothing marks you more than that, we are heirs with Christ, and we have access to God as His children. His love is so great for us, we can trust Him, knowing everything He asks of us is for our benefit.

Who is in the driver's seat of your life? You or God? Studying Romans 8:5-13, Paul explains that there's a fight for the driver's seat of our minds - our flesh, our sinful nature, is fighting against the Holy Spirit in us if we believe in Christ. And whoever wins that fight, determines our destination. Sin leads to death, but fixing our minds on the things of God leads us to life and peace. It's up to us to designate a driver. If we choose to walk with the Spirit, and fill our minds with the things of God, we start to do the things of God and not the desires of our flesh. Who will you choose to drive your life?

Who is in the driver's seat of your life? You or God? Studying Romans 8:5-13, Paul explains that there's a fight for the driver's seat of our minds - our flesh, our sinful nature, is fighting against the Holy Spirit in us if we believe in Christ. And whoever wins that fight, determines our destination. Sin leads to death, but fixing our minds on the things of God leads us to life and peace. It's up to us to designate a driver. If we choose to walk with the Spirit, and fill our minds with the things of God, we start to do the things of God and not the desires of our flesh. Who will you choose to drive your life?

Each year we tell ourselves, "This is going to be my year!" And each year we find ourselves saying "Next year is really going to be my year!" What is it in us that knows what is good and still doesn't do it when we set goals for ourselves? As we kick off the Romans 8 series, Walk by the Spirit, we see Paul explain that even though we know what is good, we are sinful by nature. We must depend on Christ moment by moment to do anything good. We can't do it on our own; only through Christ are we covered in righteousness. Join us on this journey as we start Romans 8 where Paul clearly outlines the Christian faith and Christian life.