Growing in Grace

Growing in Godliness

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Have you ever felt stunted in your growth as a Christian? 

Are you waiting, praying or hoping for the Lord’s transformative work to be evident in your life?

Are you tired of battling with the same old struggles?

Do you long to experience the fruitfulness that you believe is possible in Christ? 

Philippians 2:12-13 presents us with interesting tension regarding our growth in the Lord. We are called to “work out” our salvation, yet it is God who works in us. 

In this article, we’ll explore how these two truths fit together. 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 

Do you feel the tension? 

As I read these verses, two words come to mind: Method and Mystery. 

We will tackle the mystery first. 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

There’s no doubt that God is at work in the heart of the believer, even giving the initial faith needed in order to be restored, by grace, to God. And, without an abiding relationship with the Lord, there is no spiritual growth. In fact, there’s simply no spiritual fruit at all. We can clean up our lives a bit and we can put on a show (both for a little while) but true spiritual growth and fruit require the work of the Lord. 

And, here’s why this is a mystery. We don’t often see God working in our lives. We may not even “feel” that He is working. We may believe that He works in us, but typically, we don’t realize we are growing even as we are growing. 

It often takes looking back—after months or even years—to recognize that God has been growing us. 

In many ways, it’s similar to watching our children grow. We don’t see the incremental fractions of inches as they grow taller with each passing day, but when we look back over the 10 years from 6 to 16, we are overwhelmed by the growth in their lives. 

So, where does the method fit in? 

As the Lord works in our heart, He begins to change our desires. Our appetite for the world and its pleasures wane. Our hunger and thirst for righteousness grows. If we are a part of a strong local church, we begin to see opportunities to grow offered by the church or observed as we watch other believers engage in spiritual disciplines as they work out their faith. 

As we begin to engage in new habits: Bible study, prayer, worship, serving, evangelizing and more, the Holy Spirit uses these disciplines of the faith to bring growth that we never expected – growth that we could not manufacture. 

Picture it like this….A few years ago, I had the opportunity to ride an electric bike through Acadia National Park in Maine during the beautiful fall season. As I climbed on my rented e-bike, I expected to turn on the motor and simply start speeding around. But I quickly learned that I had to start pedaling before the motor would kick in and allow me to soar through the scenic trails and empower me to climb the steep hills.

It was a powerful illustration to me about the way God works to grow us. The Spirit’s power gives us new desires but in order to realize the growth, we must step out  in faith acting on new rhythms in our lives.  Much like the motor on the e-bike carried me, the Spirit empowers our new rhythms as He uses them to grow us in godliness. 

The Lord works in our lives through various circumstances. But, there is a satisfying and blessed work that He does when we show up, trusting in Him and His ways and seeking Him with the disciplines that His Word commands. 

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 

As we learn about disciplines we have not yet practiced, they may sound hard. It may even feel like work as we start the practice of new habits. But, those habits soon become delightful rhythms and we realize the rewards of their practice – knowing God and growing in godliness. 

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”2 Peter 1:3-4 

Our God is good. His ways are perfect. He has given us all we need for life and godliness as we walk with Him. Spiritual disciplines are a means to walk in those good gifts and they are the path to an abundant life in Christ. 

Book Recommendation: “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald Whitney


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The Word & Work of God

Psalm 131, Finding Contentment

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Finding Contentment – Psalm 131 

Have you ever heard the story about John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men in American history who, when asked how much money he would need to be satisfied, famously replied, “just a little bit more.”

Although we marvel at his answer, isn’t it indicative of our human condition? We seem to have an insatiable appetite for more. We have a scarcity mentality, even when we live in abundance. And, if we don’t want more of something, then we want something different than what we have. If we are honest, discontentment often rules our hearts.

If we are honest, discontentment often rules our hearts.

But David, in Psalm 131, shows us a different way. He gives us a picture of contentment and reveals the path to that satisfied state.  

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 131

The picture is easy to grasp: a weaned child content to be with his mother. I imagine this child in a restful state, gazing at his mother, completely relaxed in her arms, not asking for anything from her but satisfied to simply be in her presence, trusting in her devotion and feeling completely whole and secure in her care. 

Although the idea communicated by David here is simple and easy to grasp, the challenge comes because it must be played out in the day to day disciplines and the unexpected moments of our lives. Charles Spurgeon said of this Psalm that, “It is one of the shortest Psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn. It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ.”

“It is one of the shortest Psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn. It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ.”

David shows us that the secret to this contentment lies in the surrender of personal pride and self-dependent striving. It is a total reliance on God’s sovereign power and will, entrusting our lives to His loving care and believing that our peace is found in relying on His purposes rather than in fighting against His ways in pursuit of our own agenda.

Simply put, we must live as though God is God and we are not. 

In rejecting our pride, we must be aware of our lowly state. Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit” remind that the Kingdom of heaven is for those who recognize their dependence on the Almighty God. 

We do not get to this place on our own. The Holy Spirit must open our eyes to see the Lord’s beauty and perfection and, by contrast, see our sinful, broken state and our neediness for salvation. 

This is not just a realization for the moment of salvation. This fight for humility (the opposite of pride) is ongoing and lived out in the realm of repentance and meekness before God and others. 

And, while repentance is key in rejecting our pride, true humility, before God, goes beyond that and reflects a trust in the Lord that results in submission to His ways instead of striving to make our own path. 

We also see that David has stopped trying to make sense of the things that are beyond his ability to understand. He is content to trust in the Sovereign Providence of a good God who has been merciful and gracious to him.  

We, likewise, are called to trust the Lord in the scope and timing that He has ordained for our endeavors. This confronts our desire and our striving to know more, do more, be more and calls us to simple faithfulness in the ordinary rhythms of a life lived for the Lord’s glory. He calls us to steward well what He has given, working within the confines of our human limitations and trusting in His good plans, not our own. 

So in our rejection of pride and striving against God, we embrace humility as we recognize God’s Sovereign Providence and we submit to His ways through daily actions of repentance and dependence on Him.  In this, we find our satisfaction in Him. 

It is in the Gospel that we find the ultimate reason to reject our pride and striving. 

We are humbled by the perfect obedience of our Savior and we clearly see how short we fall as we study his life and his teaching. And, by His death and resurrection, we find the answer to our striving as He has done the work that all of our striving could never achieve.

It is in embracing Christ in the Gospel, that we find our satisfaction. Resting in Him is the place of true contentment.

It is in embracing Christ in the Gospel, that we find our satisfaction. Resting in Him is the place of true contentment. 

While we will still struggle with pride and striving in this world and while contentment, at times, can feel inaccessible in this life, we can experience great moments, even seasons, of contentment in the Lord. He longs for us to find our greatest delight and joy in Him and He willingly offers that satisfaction as we spend time in His Word, as we worship Him and as we love and serve others according to His will. 

And, even more, He promises us a day when we will see Him face to face and dwell together, with Him, in the restored earth that He has promised. 

There, we will finally be free from all of our selfish pride and striving. We will understand fully the picture of satisfaction that David paints for us in the weaned child of Psalm 133. 

And, there, we will find complete contentment forever in the presence of the Lord.

Questions for reflection:

  1. In what areas of your life do you feel most content?  What has led to your rest in the Lord in those areas?
  2. In what areas do you tend to struggle with discontentment? What makes trust in those areas hard for you? Will you commit these areas to prayer?
  3. In what ways does the Gospel speak to your need for contentment? How does remembering that Christ has already accomplished what you could never achieve impact your sense of peace and rest?
  4. How does the hope of eternity with the Lord change the way you approach your current struggles? 



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The Word & Work of God

Worship in the Wilderness

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How often do you come before the Lord, not to ask for anything but, out of longing for God Himself, simply seek Him, to know that He is God and to behold His glory and goodness?

Psalm 63 gives us a beautiful picture of seeking the Lord for the purpose of simply beholding Him. 

 “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 

But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.” 

So many times we approach the Lord with a laundry list of requests, with our grievances and our cries for help, but, in this Psalm, David sets out to simply seek the Lord and to behold his God with earnest immediacy.” Psalm 63

David sets out to simply seek the Lord and to behold his God with earnest immediacy. 

It might surprise us to realize that David writes these words in the midst of hard times and, it is in these troubles, that he recognizes that it is the Lord who is his satisfaction. He beholds the Lord and  knows that His goodness is better than life itself.  As he meditates on the Lord, he cannot help but worship. (vv 1-4)

This worship brings contentment. David likens his time with the Lord to the satisfaction of a lavish, sumptuous meal and responds in the only way that makes sense – he is filled with joy and praise! (vv 5)

We can only imagine the thoughts in his heart as he clearly recalls the Lord’s prior help and protection. Inspired by joy and  the remembrance of God’s help,  he clings to the Lord, confident that the Lord is keeping him. David’s words paint a perfect picture of God’s steadfast faithfulness holding His people securely as we, by His strength, strive to abide in Him in our weakness (vv6-8)

Can you relate to David’s experience? 

Can you imagine responding, as David does here, while you are walking in the dry and weary land of deep disappointment, prolonged suffering, painful loss, persecution or the actualization of your darkest fears?

While many may be surprised by David’s response, I have learned that it is often in the unexpected “desert” places that we, like David, find ourselves longing for our God in the most desperate, intimate way. 

The “wilderness” has a way of narrowing our field of vision, helping us see what truly matters. It is a place where we often recognize the folly of our worries and the emptiness of the things that capture our time and devotion. In these moments, as the vain pursuits of our lives begin to fade away, we, like David, long to see the Lord. 

We desperately want to behold Him, to remember His power, His glory, and His goodness. In fact, it may be that, as our worldly aspirations are stripped away and in our tears of loss and fear, that we most long to see the Lord. And, as we behold Him, He leads us to true, wholehearted worship that swallows up our worries and fears as we trust in His goodness and His sovereignty.

And, as we behold Him, He leads us to true, wholehearted worship that swallows up our worries and fears as we trust in His goodness and His sovereignty.

 It all feels so paradoxical but I know this to be true: we can experience the overwhelming goodness, nearness, strength and even great joy of the Lord in our times of greatest distress.  And, it is in this surprising place, that we often find our most certain and, perhaps, our most sustaining satisfaction and trust in the Lord. 

Have you experienced this? Can you recall times of great sorrow when the Lord’s presence was palpable? Times when, in spite of your troubles, you believed with absolute certainty, in the reality of God, in the goodness of the Lord and in the Sovereign Providence of your King?  

As the Psalm concludes, David reflects on a future day when the wicked will be judged and those who trust in the Lord will rejoice. It is clear that our hope is found in serving a God of righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and faithfulness (Psalm 89:14). And the closing verses of Psalm 63 point us to Christ’s future reign, when the whole earth will live under His just and loving rule (vv9-11).

And this coming reign of Christ is eternal. We serve an eternal God and we cannot plumb the depths of knowing Him.  But, we don’t have to wait for troubles to take the time to behold Him.

We don’t have to wait for troubles to take the time to behold Him.

In fact, seeking and beholding the Lord now will prepare us for the inevitable trials to come. 

So my encouragement is this: don’t wait for the hard times! Set aside regular time to recall and remember God’s faithfulness to you. 

Recall and study His divine attributes. Behold Him in His Word and praise Him for who He is. 

Ask Him to purify your heart so that you might see him more clearly. 

Allow yourself time to consider the hope that He has given you and be overwhelmed by the glorious future He has planned for His people. 

Meditate on His glory and His holy perfection. 

He will not disappoint.



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The Word & Work of God

Faith, Hope and Love

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Faith, Hope and Love 

We know that faith, hope and love are at the foundation of our walk with Christ and that these virtues ought to inform the way we interact with one another in the church. We are likely familiar with the words of 1 Corinthians 13 which tells us that “faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of these is love.”

I think the words of Hebrews 10:22-24 give us a glimpse of why love is the greatest and, perhaps, reveal something of the interplay between these three gifts given to believers. 

The  author has already built the case that Jesus, our great High Priest, has given these Jewish believers (and us!)  access to God himself. He has also given the encouragement that believers come before God with confidence because of the work He has done. 

After making the case for our access to God, he gives these words,

“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of  FAITH, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to LOVE and good works,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭

 

FAITH

First we see that we are called to draw near to God in full assurance of our faith. Our faith is a gift from God that enables us to believe and trust in the person and work of Jesus. It is through this gift of faith that we can draw near to God.

But what does it mean to draw near to God? It means to enter into His presence, to know Him (not just know about Him), to know and walk in His ways, talking with Him as we go about our days. 

In short, it is orienting our hearts to Him, living in awareness of His near presence

This takes time, both in His word and in prayer. But, time spent this way is the most worthy endeavor we could undertake. And, in drawing near, we have assurance of His great work on our behalf and He purifies our hearts so that we might see Him more clearly. 

 

HOPE

The assurance of our faith allows us to hold tightly to the confession of our hope in Christ. This hope, like our faith, is given, not because of what we have done but because He is faithful. This world and its burdens can make us weary. But the Gospel gives us hope, both in this life and the life to come. This hope sustains us in hard times because it is filled with the promise of an eternal future spent with Him for eternity. 

True believers will hold tightly to hope in Christ because the Lord holds them. He will not fail because He is faithful to the end. 

LOVE

And so, this leads us to the greatest virtue given to us by the Lord. Love. 

Love is both the root and the fruit of our salvation. The Lord has set His love on us based on nothing we have done. He loved us because He loved us. And, in his love, He gives us the gift of faith and overwhelms us with hope that strengthens us today and brightens our tomorrow as we look forward to His glorious return.

Love is also the fruit of our salvation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer shows us the communal aspect of this love in contrast to faith and hope, 

“Faith and hope can be practiced by a solitary, in a hermit’s cell or on a desert island. But the exercise of love is possible only in a community.” 

And the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, without love, we are nothing! All the knowledge, giftings and power given to us and all the sacrifice and service poured out  by us, mean nothing if we miss love. 

The love of Christ is not something we keep to ourselves. His love compels us to love others, not hoarding the faith and hope gifted to us. 

Oh Church! May we be a people rooted in the love of Christ and may His love give us assurance of our faith more and more with each passing day as we walk with Him. 

And, may the hope of Christ grow in our hearts, sustaining us until the day we are able to experience His love fully, without the hindrance of our sin. 

And, may the gifts of faith and hope, given to us by our gracious, humble Lord, produce the fruit of love so that we may encourage one another to see and taste the goodness of our God and serve Him (and one another) in love.



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The Word & Work of God

Make 2025 a Word Saturated Year!

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As we embark on a new year, it is helpful to look back and remember God’s faithfulness and give thanks to Him even as we step into all that He has ordained for the year ahead.

Looking back to January 2024, I recall a special dinner with the women of my church. That evening, we looked at the blessed man of Psalm 1, a man who delights in the Law of the Lord. He ponders God’s Word, allowing it to transform his mind and desires. He is likened to a tree planted by streams of water, prospering and yielding fruit in its season—the fruit of God’s Kingdom: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Such a life is filled with hope. This is the life available to us in Christ!

I was reminded that, as we look back with thanksgiving to the Lord, we must also evaluate ourselves honestly. Are we experiencing this blessed life? In what ways have we allowed God’s Word to saturate our lives? Where has the Lord grown us? Where do we see Spirit-filled evidence of fruit? Conversely, in what areas have we stagnated or regressed? Are there places where we have allowed the flesh, rather than the Word, to guide our decisions and actions? These areas may highlight our deepest needs as we enter a new year of prayer.

With this in mind, I am compelled to begin the year reminded of the goodness of God’s Word in addressing our needs. My 2025 reading plan started with Psalm 19 on Day 1. 

You will likely recognize this Psalm of David by its opening verse,

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)

As the Psalm continues, the opening verses (1-4a) reveal how Creation testifies to God’s glory. Verses 4b-6 move to imagery of the sun as a faithful bridegroom (pointing us to Christ) who has comprehensive influence and from whom, nothing is hidden. 

But, then, the Psalmist then shifts his focus to the Word of God, 

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11

Before reading further, take a moment to read these verses a few times. Circle the descriptions of God’s Word and reflect on how His Word promises to bring life to your days.

In this short Psalm, David has first highlighted God’s power and creativity in Creation, but in verses 7–11, we see that God’s love and grace are revealed through His Word.”

It is in His Word that:

  • We see His faithfulness.
  • We learn that He initiates and pursues a relationship with us.
  • We most clearly see our brokenness and experience the Spirit’s conviction.

Consider the descriptions given of His Word. It is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, eternal, true, and righteous!

And look at the blessings it brings: revival for the soul, wisdom, joy, clear vision, and necessary warnings!

No wonder David tells us to desire God’s Word above even the finest treasure, gold! Digging into God’s Word is, indeed,  like a treasure hunt. And, even better, it is a treasure hunt with a guaranteed reward, provided we approach it humbly, eager to learn and obey under the Spirit’s guidance. 

My encouragement as we begin the year is to let God’s Word saturate our lives!  We don’t want to miss out on this precious gift! Here are some practical ways to do so:

  1. Make a plan to be in the Word of God. Choose a reading plan and find someone who will read the same plan with you. 
  2. Discuss what you’re reading with a friend. Share insights from your reading. How is the Lord speaking to you? What has He shown you about Himself and His ways? Where has He convicted you? How does what you are learning help you to love God and others better?
  3. Plan to pray as you read. Bible reading and prayer go hand in hand and consistency is more likely if you make a plan for what this looks like. Choose Scriptures you can pray or check out our PRAYER JOURNALS for a way to organize your prayers.
  4. Show up prepared to learn on Sunday mornings. It’s so important to sit under the faithful preaching of God’s word. If you don’t attend a faithful church, use a church finder to locate one near you.  You can email me and I will send you a list of faithful church finders.
  5. Engage with others. Does your church offer a women’s study? Plan to be there! If they don’t, consider organizing a group of friends (old or new) and walk through a study together.  
  6. Reach out for support. If any of this (or life itself) feels overwhelming, if you need help or simply some encouragement, connect with a sister in Christ. 

In closing, let us approach this new year with the prayer expressed in the closing words of Psalm 19:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

May these words reflect the desires of our hearts as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word. May we grow to know the Lord more truly and more deeply, and may our actions, words, and thoughts become ever more pleasing to Him as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus.



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Hymns and Songs

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

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While “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was not written as a Christmas hymn, it is considered to be a hymn for Advent as it proclaims themes of God’s grace, the desire for spiritual growth and nearness to the Lord and a hope fixed on Christ’s return.

This beloved song was written by Robert Robertson in 1858. Robert was a rebellious child who lost his father early in life and was sent to London at the age of 14 for an apprenticeship. At the age of 17, he attended a revival service led by the well-known preacher George Whitfield. Robert’s intention was to bring his gang to the service to laugh at the “poor deluded Methodists” who would attend.

Instead, in a display of God’s Sovereign grace, the sermon moved Robert deeply and caused him to rethink his lifestyle. Less than three years later, Robert would find “full and free forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ” and, at the age of 22, he would pen the beautiful words to “Come Thou Fount.”

As you sing this song, take time to reflect on the rich theology that Mr. Robertson has woven through the beautiful lyrics and, I believe you will find yourself in awe of our God and worshiping Him whole-heartedly.

Come Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace. Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of Thy redeeming love.

This verse describes the absolute goodness of our God from whom all blessing and mercy flow- like streams of living water. The words call us to remember his benefits and call our hearts to worship Him (Psalm 103). They acknowledge that we need His help, even to find words appropriate to praise Him for the greatness of His redeeming love. And, they implore us to sing loudly to our Savior.

Here I raise my Ebenezer, here by Thy great help I’ve come. And I hope by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God. He to rescue me from danger interposed His precious blood.

This stanza has confused many and I recall a worship leader graciously explaining it before leading us to sing it in church one Lord’s Day. It comes from the book of 1 Samuel during a time when God had given a great victory to Israel over the Philistines. As a way to remember this triumph, Samuel took a great stone, called it by the name of Ebenezer and raised it saying, “Till now, the Lord has helped us.” The stone served as a reminder of the Lord’s help to all who saw it.

The Lord’s rescuing and redeeming “help” is present in the salvation of every lost sinner.  We would not be the Lord’s without the Spirit’s work in regenerating our sinful souls. He sought us all when we were, not only strangers but enemies of God, and he brought us into His fold and into His family, rescuing us forever from the danger of sin, death and hell. All this, by His precious blood.

Oh, that day when freed from sinning I shall see Thy lovely face. Clothed then, in blood washed linen, how I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace. Come my Lord, no longer tarry. Take my ransomed soul away. Send Thine angels now to carry me to realms of endless days.

These words echo the hope in our souls as we look toward the future. Death is no longer our enemy. Instead of fear, we long for the day that we are freed from sin and able to see our Lord Jesus face to face. In the words of Paul, “to die is gain.”

Oh, to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be. Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.

Even as the Lord has made us new and even as we long for heaven, we continue (in this life) to battle our sinful flesh. We are all debtors, owing all we have to the Lord Jesus. In this song, we beg Him to allow His goodness to shackle our wandering hearts to Him. We acknowledge our tendency to wander, even as we ask Him to keep us for heaven, which He does (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Interestingly, this last stanza must have resounded greatly for its songwriter. Robert Robertson had led a life of great rebellion. He surrendered to the Lord but struggled, as we all do, with the temptation to wander. Many years after writing this song, while riding in a stagecoach, it has been reported that a woman, sitting near him, was singing this song. When she asked if he had ever heard it,he replied, “Madam, I am the poor, unhappy man who composed that hymn many years ago. I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings that I had then.” Robert had, apparently, fallen away or, at least, lost his zeal for the Lord.

Praise be to God! History recalls that the Lord used the songwriter’s own words to draw Him back and to cause in him a longing to be restored to our good Father. This dear man did, indeed, return to the Lord and went on to live his days honoring the Lord until he died peacefully at the age of 55.

May we always remember His goodness, His mercy and the hope He gives us as we sing “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” with loudest praise!



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Growing in Grace, The Word & Work of God

Psalm 100, A Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving

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“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭

Psalm 100 is a beautiful reflection as we approach Thanksgiving Day. Truly, for believers in Christ, this Psalm should shape all of our days.

In just five short verses, this Psalm calls the whole earth to grateful worship of God, instructs us how to offer this praise (verses 1, 2, and 4) and reminds us why God is worthy of our worship and gratitude by revealing God’s character and His care (verses 3 and 5).

In short, Psalm 100 calls us to approach the Lord with thanksgiving and praise, knowing we belong to a good God.

The Psalmist invites the whole world to a posture of praise as we enter His presence. The language used reflects zealous exaltation: Joyful noise, Glad service, Singing, Thanksgiving & Praise and the Blessing of His name.

The Psalmist lets us know that we are not called to blind worship, but to mindful, informed worship. We are called to “know” who the Lord is and “know” who we are in relation to Him. The Lord is our Creator. We belong to Him, like sheep to a shepherd, utterly dependent on Him.  We see and experience his goodness, his love, his mercy and his faithfulness as spoken of in Psalm 100. The glory of His goodness is the foundation of our gratitude and praise.

As we move into the New Testament, we see the call to worship is reinforced, even elevated. 

Think of Philippians 4 and the call to rejoice always. 

Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and the call to give thanks in everything. 

And, reflect on Romans 12:1-2 that calls us to worship by offering our entire existence as living sacrifices to the Lord. 

We know that only lives transformed by the Gospel and indwelt by the Spirit of Jesus can even begin to reflect the continual, grateful praise commanded by the Lord in Psalm 100. But, even in Christ, we sense how often we fall short in this. 

As I meditated on this Psalm, I had to ask, how can I grow in this? How can I grow to offer more praise? How can I rejoice in the Lord more fully? How can I serve more gladly? Become more grateful? In short, how can I grow to live in a way that reflects sacrificial worship of the Lord?

I believe the simple answer is to look to Jesus. He gives us the perfect picture of the “blessed” life we see reflected in the Beatitudes. It is in looking at Him that we, time and time again, recognize the poverty of our own spirits and realize our own great need for help outside of ourselves.

We must remember and meditate on the One who is the exact image of the invisible God; the One who did not count equality with God as a thing to be grasped; the One who humbled himself as a servant, even to death on a cross; the One who loved the unlovable; the untouchable; he One who washed the feet of the one He knew would betray Him; the One who perfectly lived out 1 Corinthians 13, the “love” chapter.

The Lord in His wisdom has provided, through the person and work of Christ, to save us from the penalty of our sin. He has promised that we have been delivered from the power of sin. And, in his perfect life, He gave us a picture of what it looks like to live in a way that is a living sacrifice, a perfect picture of true worship.

As we engage with our extended families and/or friends over the holiday season, we will encounter trying circumstances. We will, more than likely, be in situations where we have the opportunity to engage with those who appear cranky, quarrelsome, disengaged, lazy, cynical, arrogant, judgmental, rude, manipulative and more.

In some cases, they may be unbelievers. May we remember they have no hope. 

Or maybe they are believers and need a gentle encouragement  that reminds them of their hope in the Lord. 

In all this, may we remember the work of Christ in us and our daily need for His grace. May we remember that, apart from Him, we were hopelessly lost in our own sin. 

May we remember the life of Christ. May we look to Him, know Him, love Him and by the help of His Spirit, may we love others as He loved. 

And may our lives be offered as living sacrifices, joyfully and gratefully serving, worshiping, and praising our good God.

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The Local Church

Known, Loved and Cared for in the Local Church

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Our pastor recently walked us through the value of covenant membership, he used three words to describe the experience of being a part of the local church. He suggested that, within covenant membership, the local church can be a place where we are known, loved and cared for.

Let me repeat those words…. 

Known, loved and cared for…. 

Isn’t that the longing of every human heart? 

Of course, that longing is only fulfilled perfectly in Christ. While we are on this earth, however, the Lord has given us the church, a place where we get to experience this type of belonging – a belonging that allows us to be known, loved and cared for. 

To Be Known – So what does it mean to be known in the church? At the most basic level, it simply means the ability to be ourselves without fear of rejection. 

We say that our church is a home for the broken…..and we’re all broken. Jesus, himself, showed us the necessity of our brokenness in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3. 

Christ’s church is filled with people who are poor in spirit. We are, by definition, a people who know that we are flawed, powerless and weak. It is from a recognition of our own poverty of spirit that we can experience His grace and mercy and it is here that we can walk in the ways that the Lord has called us. 

He calls us to live in humility – “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 

He calls us to weakness – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 

He calls us to repentance. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16 

When we live this way, we open ourselves up to being known by our brothers and sisters in Christ and by our elders. We stop trying to look like we have it all together because we recognize our finitude and weakness and we live in repentance. It is only from this place that we can truly be known.

As long as we walk in pride, cover up our weakness and deny our sin, we hide behind a mask. In the context of a healthy, loving church, being known begins with being vulnerable, trusting that others will not reject us for our weakness because they recognize their own. And, it is from this place that we will also truly know others as we offer them the same grace they show us. 

In the context of a healthy, loving church, being known begins with being vulnerable, trusting that others will not reject us for our weakness because they recognize their own. 

To Be Loved –  Next, let’s consider what it means to be loved. We know that the world has completely distorted the idea of love. Love, by worldly standards, is largely about emotions – we love because we feel like loving and we feel loved because someone makes us feel good or gives us their approval. This superficial view of love often denies truth and is rooted in feelings. 

But the Bible shows us a perfect love in 1 Corinthians…. 

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

This love is different. It is rooted in truth, it is sacrificial, patient and kind. It is shown through actions that are humble and gracious. It considers others first, it is generous, patient and hopeful and it reflects the heart of Christ and points others to the Gospel. 

This is the love we strive for in the church and here are a few ways you might experience this love in the church… 

  • When a pastor reminds you of a Biblical truth that exposes your wrong thinking or takes you out of your comfort zone 
  • When a sister approaches you to clear up a misunderstanding or a wrongdoing that has put a wedge in your relationship 
  • When a brother shows grace for the mistake you know must have caused him frustration and extra work 
  • When an elder or deacon shows patience as they walk alongside your fight against sin, never condoning but praying, correcting and counseling with God’s word as you grow in holiness 
  • When a member with vast differences from you (perhaps politically or socioeconomically) worships and walks with you, united in Christ 

In each example (and so many more!) we experience Biblical love when our brothers and sisters have the courage to walk alongside us in a love that is rooted in truth and grounded in a humble heart that considers the eternal well being of others. When we observe and experience this kind of love, we are driven, by God’s grace, to show it to others. Finally, let’s look at what it means to be cared for. The idea of being cared for makes me think of the words of Paul to the Galatians, 

To Be Cared For – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 

These words always remind of the ordinary faithfulness I see in so many godly friends the Lord has placed around me in my local church.. This “doing good” includes intentional actions that flow from a heart that loves well. They often involve the giving of our time, our resources and ourselves. 

There are countless ways that the Lord calls us to care for one another  through His church. First and foremost, we are to be cared for in prayer. There is no better act of “doing good” than to pray for another. I’m so grateful for our praying church and for our prayerful pastors who “do good” in prayer every day. 

There is no better act of “doing good” than to pray for another. 

And, there are many other intentional acts of service that I have seen churches engage in to serve the body:

There are phone calls made to encourage. 

There are homes opened for hospitality. 

There are special days remembered and honored. 

There are burdens shared and loads lightened. 

There are hospital visits, ears that listen and life-giving words that are spoken. 

There are those who pour into children who are not their own, those who reach out to have coffee to catch up on life and there are simple texts or phone calls just to say, “I notice that you haven’t been around.” 

In all these things (and more) the Lord is at work. As we are cared for, our trust in the Lord grows. Our love for our sisters and brothers grows and the Lord gives us a greater desire and an increased capacity to care for others. 

As we are cared for, our trust in the Lord grows. Our love for our sisters and brothers grows and the Lord gives us a greater desire and an increased capacity to care for others. 

The Lord really does have it rigged. And, this may be most evident in His church. When the love of Christ fills our heart, we are willing to be known and we strive to know others deeply. As we understand His love and experience it through others, we begin to love like Christ. And, when we know the care of Christ through His church, we grow in our care for others. 

Our God is good. We can know His goodness through His people. We can show His goodness to His people. And we can trust that He is working in it all as He builds His church. So, let us be a people who know each other deeply, who love one another with grace and truth and who show intentional, mutual care for the body of Christ. 



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The Gospel, The Word & Work of God

The Most Glorious Work of God 

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In July of 2023, I vacationed in Banff National Park in Canada. It was indeed the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited as it boldly declares God’s magnificent glory in Creation. With its rocky, mountainous terrains, majestic valleys, turquoise waters and massive glaciers, it is a spectacular sight to behold.

Yet, as I reflect upon the glory of God seen in the beauty of this place, I realize how much greater, how much more beautiful and glorious is the work of God as He redeems and restores lives through His gospel-spreading, disciple-making vessel here on earth – the local church.

This extraordinary work that God does – the work of taking those who are dead in their sins and making them alive in Christ is all done through the ordinary means of grace, through ordinary people simply following Christ in obedience to His word.

Case in point: The story of Kristin…..

Just a few months before my trip to Canada, I, along with my husband and my pastor, was in downtown Sanford at a local park with the sole purpose of meeting people so that we could pray for them, share the gospel with them and invite them to our weekly outreach service.

That night, the Lord brought us to Kristin. She had moved to Sanford the previous week and was sitting at a picnic table drinking a beer. Months later she would tell us that, at that time,  she imagined she would be sitting there drinking a beer every day for the rest of her life.

But God!

He had a better plan for Kristin and He chose to use His church to do the awe-inspiring work of redemption and restoration in her life. She was cautiously friendly as we approached her. I sat down and we began to talk, about life and a little about the Lord. I asked how I could pray for her.

Her response, “I have a drinking problem.”

Kristin was an alcoholic. She had been abusing alcohol since the age of 12. This, as you might imagine, led to much brokenness  – in her own life and in her relationships.

She let me pray. We talked a little more. She mentioned that she didn’t have any friends in Sanford. We let her know that she did now. We invited her to our outreach service and to church and she began joining us for both services every week.

She thought that drinking was her biggest problem, but there was more going on. The Lord was at work in her heart. There were many steps forward and a few back in those first couple of months.

At first she was quiet, keeping mostly to herself but taking it all in during our services.

She listened to the theologically rich songs that proclaimed God’s Word. She took notes as she paid close attention to solid expositional preaching from the book of Romans every Sunday morning. A few more of our women befriended her, shared a meal with her, called and sent her texts and cards. She began to pray with us in small groups of 2 to 3 during our “pray for your neighbor” time at church.

Occasionally, when we would ask, “How are you?”

She would answer quickly, “I drank yesterday.”

Her humble and forthright confessions were shocking at times – her desire for sobriety was strong but, some days, the craving was stronger.

But, it was obvious that the Lord was at work. Kristin seemed to be changing before our eyes. She was opening up, asking questions and, by this time, was meeting regularly to learn more about the fundamentals of our faith.

And, then, on May 11, 2023 the Lord brought the Gospel to life in her heart. For the first time she began to understand her own sin and her need for a Savior. She confessed Christ and she knew that she was now a new creation.

The battle of her addiction was not quite over. She continued with occasional struggles  in her sobriety until June 14, 2023. Since that day, she has remained clean and sober and we are eager to celebrate her one year anniversary this June!

Kristin has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. She was baptized in November of 2023 and, the following January, she covenanted with our church in membership.

She is working hard to rebuild trust in her family relationships. She is learning to extend grace to others. She is understanding what it means to have, and to be, a true friend. She is eager to read her Bible and to grow in her understanding of the truth contained in God’s Word. And, she he has a desire to serve every week with our church.

But, perhaps the greatest change in Kristin is that she now has hope.

As she often says, “I never had hope before God.”

Kristin’s hope is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. She knows that He is with her. She knows that He has done a great work for her and in her. And she knows that He has a good and glorious plan for her…for now and for eternity.

It is simply extraordinary to see what God has done.

And, it’s even more extraordinary when we consider just how shockingly ordinary the actions of the church were as the body of Christ discipled and ministered to Kristin.

There were no complex programs. No special evangelistic events. No “outside the box” seeker-sensitive strategies that were employed.

Just simple obedience to the word of God. God has ordained for His church to engage in simple obedience to His word….

He has told us to go and make disciples.

He has commanded us to know Him through His word.

He has raised up elders to preach His Word in season and out of season.

He has commanded us to pray.

He has told us to engage in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

And, he has given His church the responsibility to practice discipline and care for souls.

God does glorious and extraordinary things through simple obedience to His ordained and ordinary means of grace.

I praise God for Kristin who is a sweet testament to that grace.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21



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Growing in Grace

Trusting in the Sovereign Providence of God

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While God’s Sovereignty and His Providence can be spoken of separately, these realities are actually woven together (like all attributes of God) and have massive implications for the way we live. Let’s look at each one of these characteristics of the Lord and then see how they impact our lives. 

What is the Sovereignty of God? John Piper defines God’s Sovereignty like this: “His right and power to do all that he decides to do.” In other words, God has the right and power to do as He pleases. And, as the Author and Creator of all things, that makes Him Sovereign over all of Creation. 

God’s Providence could be defined as His wise, good and purposeful Sovereignty. It includes the idea of a “seeing to” of all things that will ultimately accomplish His purpose. 

So, the Sovereign Providence of God is the intersection of His Sovereign power and will over all things and His wise goodness as He carries out that power through His Providence. 

We see this Sovereign goodness in the beloved verse, Romans 8:28. 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 

God is the One who is working in “all things” but more than that, He is working “all things” for the good of the elect, whom He loves. 

So, what happens when we actually take God at His word and believe in His Sovereign Providence? 

There’s much to be said in answering this question but we will focus on three things. 

First, when we hold to a strong belief in the Sovereign Providence of God, we are empowered to fight temptation. 

We see in James 1:13-18 the following words, 

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:13-18 

This passage is all about fighting temptation but there is a connection here to the goodness of God that we often miss. In the midst of telling us about the temptations that we all face, we have this verse that is so often ripped from this context. James tells us not to be deceived and then he reminds us of the everlasting, consistent and pure goodness of God. 

Isn’t that what we need to face temptation and fight sin in our lives. IF we truly believe in the Sovereign Providence of God, we know that His ways are always wise and always good. Might this knowledge make us more inclined to flee temptation the moment it strikes? I think so! 

In fact, I believe that the secret to fighting the temptation to sin is to be more and more convinced of the goodness of God – that is, convinced of His Good and Wise Sovereign Providence. 

Not only does belief in the Sovereign Providence of God help us fight temptation, it actually encourages our obedience. 

See what the Psalmist and the Apostle Paul have to say. 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” Psalm 84:11-12 

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 

For those walking with Christ, we need to know that God is for us. He bestows favor and honor upon us. He does not withhold good. In fact, He even uses trials and suffering for our good. 

And, beyond that, He has given us His son – what more could He give? 

Well, here He promises to graciously give us “all things.” Note that these verses do not support any type of material-focused prosperity Gospel. But, they do support the idea that “God has it rigged.’ What does that mean? It means a life lived His way and for His glory is associated with our spiritual well-being and great hope for the future. 

So, what does this mean in our daily lives? These words encourage our obedience to God’s ways and this obedience can show up in the daily trials of life. 

We show our trust in His Sovereign Providence…. 

….when we resist the urge to gossip about others. 

….when we admit our wrongdoing when we are confronted with the truth of our actions. 

….when, instead of falling into worry and anxiety, we live with an understanding that there is purpose in our suffering and that God is building endurance and hope in us as He prepares us for future glory. 

….or when we choose kind words or humble servitude over sarcasm or isolation in response to a moody spouse. 

In these everyday moments, we can see that we have the opportunity to trust in the Sovereign Providence of our God and to bring glory to His name. 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 

Every moment is an opportunity to glorify God and nothing we do out of a heart of obedience to His will is ever in vain. 

And, that brings us to our third point. 

A belief in the Sovereign Providence of God drives us to our knees in prayer. 

Let’s consider the Lord’s Prayer: 

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10 

As we ask God for His Kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth, we are, among other things, asking God to unite our desires to His Kingdom work on earth. We are asking that He keep us from our own plans and desires and that, instead, we would embrace what He wants us to do as He continues to bring His Kingly rule to full fruition. We want to rightly participate in His Sovereign rule and we know that we need Him to empower us so, we seek Him in prayer. 

Our belief in the Sovereign Providence of God changes the way we pray and the way we participate in the Kingdom of God. We are eager to be a part. We find purpose in all that we do as we trust in and live for our Good and Sovereign King. 

And so we see that our belief in the Sovereign Providence of God empowers us to fight temptation, to pursue obedience and to seek the Lord in prayer and we find that, ultimately, that this belief gives us the courage to live boldly for the King. 

We know, all too well, what life looks like without confidence in the Sovereign Providence of God. We know that, although we have placed our faith in the One who has come to redeem and restore and we know that He has called us to be a part of this mission, we often live our lives consumed with lesser things. 

A growing belief in the Sovereign Providence of God changes this. As we fight sin and temptation, as we pursue holiness through obedience to God’s Word, and as we pray for His will in our lives, the Holy Spirit changes us, conforming us to the image of Christ. And, the more we take hold of the beauty and security of resting in God’s Sovereign Providence, the more we will embrace opportunities to be a part of His mission. 

And, we will live courageously for His Kingdom and His glory! 



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