417: Coming Clean With God

Hello, my friend. We make mistakes, don’t we? We make stupid decisions, some of use more than others. We sin. And God, in his kindness, has given us a tool to deal with it. To resolve the regret or shame left behind by those bad decisions. He has given us confession. 

Hello, friend. Thank you for joining me this week. If you’ve missed some episodes or are just tuning in for the first time, this is a great place to start. We’re talking about what happens when grace happens, something I didn’t fully understand until I was years into ministry. I pray you understand it today.  

Hi, friend. Welcome to the Encouraging Word Podcast. This week’s episode brings us to a story you’ve probably heard; you may even hear it this Holy Week. In John chapter 13, we read about Jesus washing his followers’ feet. This passage is often referred to when teaching about service or humility. But it also offers something else very important—how to respond to someone who hurts you. 

Hello, friend. Thanks for joining me. In today’s episode we see how God not only forgives us—every sin, even those we never know we commit—but also invites us into his family. You are more than forgiven, my friend. You are beloved.

Hello, my friend. I hope you’re having a good day. Today’s Encouraging Word brings us one of Jesus’ most tender invitations: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” You need not wonder if you’ve out-sinned God’s grace, friend. You can rest. 

Thank you for joining me on the podcast today, friend. In this episode we’re going back to the Old Testament, to the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. Whether this story is new or familiar, I pray it reminds you that God is always at work and has a plan to rescue you. 

Hello, my friend. I hope you’re having a good day. I know Christmas was months ago, but I hope you’ll indulge my Dickensian illustration in today’s episode. The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge paints just the right picture and reminds us that the abundant grace of God has the power to un-Scrooge the most stubborn hearts.

Hello, friend. Welcome back to another Encouraging Word. In Luke 23 we read the account of Jesus appearing before Pilate, of Pilate finding no evidence to charge him, and the crowd demanding the release of another prisoner in exchange for Jesus. It’s a remarkable—and literal—picture of what Christ has done for us. He who was blameless took the place of he who was condemned. 

Hi, friend! Thanks for joining me today on the podcast. The world invites us to work hard, achieve, and prove our worth – society kind of demands we do. The problem is, no one can tell us how much is enough. How many accomplishments or good deeds does it take to offset our blunders and bad days? We'll find the answer in Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Hello, friend! I hope you’re doing well.  In today’s Encouraging Word, we’re taking a look at the first appearance of grace in Scripture, and you might be surprised where it shows up. But the message is unchanged: grace is not up to the one receiving it. It’s up to the One giving it.