Podcast appearances and mentions of dane ortlund

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 24: www.ESV.org/Psalm24 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 23: www.ESV.org/Psalm23 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 22: www.ESV.org/Psalm22 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 21: www.ESV.org/Psalm21 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

In this episode of Practically Pastoring, Andrew, Tim, Delmar, and Jeff tackle two children's ministry questions that both require clarity, wisdom, and a willingness to have uncomfortable conversations.First, the guys discuss a 10 or 11-year-old boy who sometimes comes to church without his parents and regularly lingers after the service. His desire to get himself to church should be celebrated, but it also raises important questions about supervision, transportation, liability, and the church's responsibility for an unaccompanied child.The conversation explores how churches can create a clear plan without making the child feel unwanted. The guys discuss contacting the parents, gathering emergency information, assigning a trusted adult or family, providing safe transportation, documenting unusual arrangements, and looking beneath the logistical issue to understand why the child may be reluctant to leave.The second half of the episode turns to a youth pastor whose church introduced a newly hired female children's ministry leader as “Pastor.” He believes that conflicts with his complementarian convictions and with what he understood about the church during the hiring process.Rather than reopening the entire theological debate, the guys focus on the practical question: how should he move forward?They discuss the different ways churches and denominations define titles like pastor, elder, minister, and director. They also emphasize the need for a calm conversation with leadership, honest examination of personal convictions, and clarity about whether the disagreement involves terminology, church polity, theology, or a breakdown in the hiring process.The episode closes with a reminder that good intentions are not enough. Churches need clarity about who is responsible for children, what ministry titles mean, and how theological convictions are communicated and practiced.The Practically Pastoring Facebook Community now includes more than 1,400 pastors and ministry leaders asking real questions, offering practical wisdom, and reminding one another not to do ministry alone.Many of the questions discussed on the podcast come directly from the group, and questions may be posted publicly or anonymously.Search Facebook for the Practically Pastoring Facebook Community, join the conversation, and invite another pastor or ministry leader who needs people in his corner.Church Merch provides shirts, mugs, banners, promotional products, and more for churches and ministries. They offer high-quality products, quick turnaround, personal service, and a commitment to supporting gospel ministry.Visit promotionsguy.com/churchmerch.Church Merch, merch for your church.Preach26 is a conference for pastors and ministry leaders happening October 6 through 8 in The Woodlands, Texas.Attendees will connect with other ministry leaders and learn from speakers including Dane Ortlund, Brian McCormack, Hakeem Bradley, and more.The purchase of a ticket also enters attendees into conference giveaways, including a three-night getaway for two at Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming.Visit www.preach26.com and use the promo code PastorPod at checkout to receive two entries in all conference giveaways, including the Wyoming weekend getaway.In this episodeJoin the Practically Pastoring CommunitySponsor HighlightsChurch MerchPreach26

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 20: www.ESV.org/Psalm20 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 19: www.ESV.org/Psalm19 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 18: www.ESV.org/Psalm18 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

Trying to hold your family together. Worrying about your kids. Wondering if you've already messed something up. Most of us lug around fears, regrets, and what-ifs that never seem to let go. Pastor Dane Ortlund, author of Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven, explains why the Christian hope of heaven is more than a future promise—it changes the weight your heart is hauling right now. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

Trying to hold your family together. Worrying about your kids. Wondering if you've already messed something up. Most of us lug around fears, regrets, and what-ifs that never seem to let go. Pastor Dane Ortlund, author of Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven, explains why the Christian hope of heaven is more than a future promise—it changes the weight your heart is hauling right now. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 17: www.ESV.org/Psalm17 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

What is heaven like? For a lot of Christians, the honest answer is ... hopefully not what I'm picturing. Pastor Dane Ortlund, author of Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven, challenges some of our most common assumptions about eternity, arguing that the Bible's vision is far more tangible, physical, and alive than floating on clouds or singing forever. Turns out the story ends with a restored world—not an escape from one. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

What is heaven like? For a lot of Christians, the honest answer is ... hopefully not what I'm picturing. Pastor Dane Ortlund, author of Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven, challenges some of our most common assumptions about eternity, arguing that the Bible's vision is far more tangible, physical, and alive than floating on clouds or singing forever. Turns out the story ends with a restored world—not an escape from one. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 16: www.ESV.org/Psalm16 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

When life gets hard, most of us focus on getting through the next week—not ruminating on eternity. But pastor and author Dane Ortlund argues that heaven has everything to do with how we handle suffering, setbacks, and ordinary Tuesdays.The problem? Many Christians aren't actually looking forward to the future Scripture describes. Ask what the Bible says about heaven, and for a lot of us, things get fuzzy fast.Ortlund, author of Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven, tackles some of our biggest assumptions about eternity, the afterlife, and the world to come. What if the future for Jesus followers is far more concrete, physical, and compelling than you've been led to believe? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

When life gets hard, most of us focus on getting through the next week—not ruminating on eternity. But pastor and author Dane Ortlund argues that heaven has everything to do with how we handle suffering, setbacks, and ordinary Tuesdays.The problem? Many Christians aren't actually looking forward to the future Scripture describes. Ask what the Bible says about heaven, and for a lot of us, things get fuzzy fast.Ortlund, author of Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven, tackles some of our biggest assumptions about eternity, the afterlife, and the world to come. What if the future for Jesus followers is far more concrete, physical, and compelling than you've been led to believe? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 15: www.ESV.org/Psalm15 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 14: www.ESV.org/Psalm14 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 13: www.ESV.org/Psalm13 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 12: www.ESV.org/Psalm12 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 11: www.ESV.org/Psalm11 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 10: www.ESV.org/Psalm10 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 9: www.ESV.org/Psalm9 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 8: www.ESV.org/Psalm8 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 7: www.ESV.org/Psalm7 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 6: www.ESV.org/Psalm6 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 5: www.ESV.org/Psalm5 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 4: www.ESV.org/Psalm4 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 3: www.ESV.org/Psalm3 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 2: www.ESV.org/Psalm2 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

In this episode of Practically Pastoring, Andrew, Tim, Delmar, and Jeff tackle two questions that seem unrelated at first, but both get at the heart of pastoral health and long-term sustainability in ministry. The first question comes from a pastor who took a new associate role in a new state and is finding that while family life is going well, church life feels flat, disconnected, and hard to love. The guys talk through what to do when nothing is technically wrong, but something still feels off, and whether six months is enough time to know if a ministry fit is bad or just still developing. The conversation explores the difficulty of evaluating “vibes” when there is no obvious scandal, conflict, or doctrinal problem, only a nagging sense that the church feels bland and community is hard to find. Along the way, the guys discuss transition lag, projecting expectations from previous ministry settings, the unique challenge of associate pastor roles, and why the fact that a pastor's wife and kids are thriving should carry real weight in the evaluation. They also reflect on how friendships outside the church staff can become a lifeline in seasons when ministry itself feels isolating. In the second half of the episode, the focus shifts to vacation, time off, and whether churches actually create space for their pastors to rest. The guys compare different church approaches to vacation policies, sabbaticals, sabbatic Sundays, carryover days, and the difference between what is written on paper and what the culture of a church really encourages. The big takeaway is that healthy churches do not just offer time off, they create an atmosphere where pastors can actually use it without guilt or suspicion. This episode is a reminder that ministry health is rarely built on one dramatic decision. More often, it comes from honest evaluation, healthy rhythms, realistic expectations, and the willingness to address small issues before they become larger ones. If the church feels off, if the culture around rest feels strange, or if your soul is tired, those things are worth paying attention to before they harden into burnout. What we cover in this episodeHow to evaluate a ministry role when nothing is wrong but it still feels offWhy six months may be too early for panic, but not too early for honest reflectionHow transition lag and past ministry experiences can shape the way a new church feelsWhy a healthy family situation should matter in decisions about staying or leavingThe importance of finding community outside your immediate church staffWhy vacation policies need to be clear, written, and actually usableHow church culture can either support rest or quietly punish itWhat sabbaticals, sabbatic Sundays, and strategic time off can look like in real churchesWhy pastoral endurance requires more than just gritting your teeth and survivingSponsors mentionedChurch MerchMerch for your church, including shirts, mugs, speakers, banners, and more through Promotions GuyPreach26A conference for pastors and ministry leaders, October 6 to 8 in The Woodlands, Texas, featuring speakers like Dane Ortlund, Brian McCormick, Hakeem Bradley, and more. Use promo code PastorPod at checkout.

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 1: www.ESV.org/Psalm1 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 150: www.ESV.org/Psalm150 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 149: www.ESV.org/Psalm149 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 148: www.ESV.org/Psalm148 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

Forgive Us Our Debts Matthew 6:9–12 Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn't know Jesus. Most people spend their lives trying to prove they're good enough or trying to hide the parts of themselves they're ashamed of. Jesus offers something radically different: a God who already knows your worst, still loves you completely, and invites you to stop pretending and simply come home. Sermon Summary In this message, Coleton continues through the Lord's Prayer by focusing on one of the most uncomfortable—and most freeing—requests Jesus teaches us to pray: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Matthew 6:12) Many people assume confession is something spiritually immature Christians do. Once you've followed Jesus long enough, you shouldn't need to confess very often. Coleton challenges that assumption by showing that Jesus teaches the exact opposite. The mark of spiritual maturity is not pretending you've stopped sinning. The mark of maturity is becoming increasingly honest about your sin because you've become increasingly confident in the Father's love. Coleton begins with a simple story about a child being told to own up to a mistake. Owning our failures is difficult, but it is one of the clearest signs of maturity. The same is true spiritually. Jesus invites His followers into a regular rhythm of confession—not because God is angry with them, but because He wants them to experience His grace again and again. Tyler Staton captures this beautifully: "One of the biggest mistakes we've made in the modern church is to reimagine spiritual maturity as the need to confess less... A maturing community is a confessing community—not a church without sin, but a church without secrets." Before explaining why confession matters, Coleton highlights three important observations from Jesus' prayer. Three Things Jesus Wants Us to Notice About This Prayer 1. Confession is not the first thing Jesus tells us to pray. Jesus does not begin the Lord's Prayer with confession. He first teaches us to call God Father, to worship Him, seek His Kingdom, and ask Him for our daily needs. That order matters. God isn't waiting for us to clean ourselves up before He listens to us. He isn't withholding His love until we've confessed every failure. Coleton illustrates this with his son Teddy. He would never refuse Teddy breakfast or a hug until Teddy apologized for everything he did wrong the day before. Healthy relationships don't work that way, and neither does God's relationship with His children. Confession is something we practice within the security of being loved—not something we do to earn God's love. 2. Jesus assumes we will sin. Jesus doesn't say: "If you've sinned..." He simply teaches us to pray: "Forgive us our debts." Jesus assumes every disciple will continue battling sin. If we struggle to keep diets, New Year's resolutions, or promises to ourselves, how much more do we struggle to meet God's perfect holiness? The prayer keeps us humble by reminding us that every believer continually depends upon God's grace. 3. This prayer comes with a warning label. Perhaps the most sobering part of the prayer is this phrase: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Coleton describes this as the "fine print" of the prayer. Every time we pray these words, we're asking God: "Forgive me the same way I've forgiven others." That should cause every Christian to examine their heart. If we refuse to forgive those who have hurt us, we're asking God to respond to us with that same unwillingness. Jesus is exposing whether His grace has truly transformed us. Grace received always becomes grace extended. 1. Jesus Wants Us to Confess So We Experience the Father's Love Many people think confession is primarily about focusing on their failures. Jesus says it's actually about experiencing God's kindness. Coleton points to one of Jesus' greatest stories—the Prodigal Son. The Father runs first. Before the son ever finishes confessing... The father runs. He hugs him. He kisses him. The embrace comes before the confession. Luke 15:20–24 "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion... he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him..." The son's confession lasts only a few words. The father doesn't interrogate him. He doesn't demand every detail. He doesn't shame him. Instead he interrupts him with celebration. The robe. The ring. The feast. The party. The father's joy completely overshadows the son's failure. Coleton explains that this is exactly how Jesus wants us to picture confession. Confession isn't crawling toward an angry God. It is stepping into the embrace of a Father who already loves His children. He summarizes confession in three movements: Step into the Father's affection. Acknowledge your sin. Receive the Father's joyful forgiveness and move forward. The Father never brings the son's past back up. Even when the older brother tries to, the father defends him. That is the heart of God. Bible Passage Luke 15:20–24 2. Jesus Wants Us to Run Toward God Instead of Away From Him Sin naturally produces hiding. Adam and Eve sinned, and their first instinct was to hide. We still do the same thing today. We hide behind excuses. We curate better versions of ourselves. We pretend. Jesus wants to completely reverse that instinct. Instead of hiding from God, He wants us to run toward Him. Coleton emphasizes that God is the safest person in the universe to bring your worst mistakes. There is nothing you can confess that surprises Him. Nothing that makes Him love you less. Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: "You are a sinner, a great, desperate sinner; now come... to the God who loves you... He wants you as you are... You can hide nothing from God... with Him, you can dare to be a sinner." That phrase becomes the heart of this section: "Dare to be a sinner with God." Instead of pretending, come honestly. God promises mercy. Bible Verse 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 3. Jesus Wants Confession to Break Sin's Power Over Our Lives Hidden sin grows stronger. Confessed sin begins to lose its grip. Coleton turns to David's words after his own failure. Psalm 32:3–5 David describes the physical and emotional weight of hidden sin. His strength dried up. His bones wasted away. But everything changed once he confessed. Coleton summarizes it simply: Sin in our hands leads to death. Sin placed in God's hands is put to death. Many believers spend years trying to conquer sin through sheer determination. Jesus offers a different way. Bring it into the light. Ray Ortlund says: "We don't overcome sin by heroic willpower, but by confessing them to death." Tyler Staton compares confession to visiting a doctor. Healing begins when we're honest enough to identify what's actually wrong. Confession is not humiliation. It's the pathway to healing. Bible Passage Psalm 32:3–5 4. Jesus Teaches This Prayer Because Our Debt Cannot Be Paid Any Other Way Jesus deliberately uses the language of debt. Sin creates a debt we cannot repay. Many people instinctively believe they can balance the scales. If they simply become nicer... Serve more... Give more... Work harder... Surely God will overlook the bad. Jesus completely rejects that way of thinking. He doesn't teach us to pray: "Help me work off my sins." Instead He teaches us to ask for forgiveness because forgiveness is the only solution. We cannot erase our own debt. Only Jesus can. Coleton reminds the church that admitting this requires humility. Many people cannot admit they need mercy. But everyone who does finds more grace than they ever imagined. Pete Greig writes: "There is more grace in God than there is sin in you... Pray 'forgive us our sins'... and He'll forgive you. Just like that." This is the gospel. Our debt isn't reduced. It's erased. 5. Jesus Wants Us to Ask for Forgiveness Because God Loves Forgiving People The final point may be the most beautiful. God doesn't reluctantly forgive. He delights to forgive. Forgiveness isn't something we convince Him to do. It is something He loves to do. Coleton quotes Dane Ortlund, who reminds us that Christ finds joy when sinners come to Him for mercy. Jesus endured the cross because He delighted in making sinful people clean. Coleton uses a helpful illustration. Imagine asking a bank to forgive every debt you owe. It would seem impossible. But imagine someone had already paid every dollar you owed. Walking into the bank would suddenly become an act of confidence, not desperation. That is exactly what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Our confidence isn't in ourselves. It's in the One who already paid our debt. Ray Ortlund summarizes this beautifully: "God welcomes people who keep coming back to Him for more and more and more mercy... He isn't tired, and He isn't tired of you." Because Jesus has already paid the debt, believers can continually come before the Father with confidence, knowing forgiveness is always available. How Can We Practice This Prayer? Coleton closes by giving practical ways to make confession a regular rhythm of life. 1. Pray the Lord's Prayer exactly as Jesus taught it. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." 2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal hidden sin. One of the Holy Spirit's ministries is conviction—not condemnation. Ask Him to lovingly reveal areas that need repentance, and respond with humble confession. 3. Pray Psalm 51 regularly. Allow David's prayer of repentance to become your own. 4. Pray the tax collector's prayer. "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." Jesus said this humble prayer resulted in the man going home justified before God. 5. Practice the Prayer of Examen. Spend time each day reflecting on God's presence, reviewing your day, confessing sin, and receiving His grace before ending the day. Final Challenge Coleton closes by reminding the church that confession is not weakness. It is evidence of confidence in the character of God. Every time believers confess their sins, they discover once again that God is even kinder than they imagined. Jesus teaches us to pray this prayer not because He wants us to dwell on our failures, but because He wants us to continually experience the riches of the Father's love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the transforming power of His grace. The Christian life is not about hiding your sin better. It is about bringing your sin into the light where God's mercy is greater than your failures every single time. Discipleship Group Questions Which of the five reasons Jesus gives us for practicing confession impacted you the most, and why? Coleton said that spiritual maturity is marked by more confession, not less. How does that challenge the way you normally think about spiritual growth? Are you more likely to hide your failures from God or run toward Him with them? What keeps you from being completely honest with Him? Jesus teaches us to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Is there someone you need to forgive? How does remembering God's forgiveness toward you help you extend forgiveness to others? Which of the five practical ways to practice confession (the Lord's Prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal sin, Psalm 51, the tax collector's prayer, or the Prayer of Examen) would be most helpful for you to begin practicing this week, and why?  

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 147: www.ESV.org/Psalm147 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 146: www.ESV.org/Psalm146 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 145: www.ESV.org/Psalm145 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 144: www.ESV.org/Psalm144 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 143: www.ESV.org/Psalm143 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 142: www.ESV.org/Psalm142 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 141: www.ESV.org/Psalm141 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 140: www.ESV.org/Psalm140 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 139: www.ESV.org/Psalm139 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 138: www.ESV.org/Psalm138 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 137: www.ESV.org/Psalm137 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 136: www.ESV.org/Psalm136 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 135: www.ESV.org/Psalm135 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 134: www.ESV.org/Psalm134 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/