He Is Worthy of my Praise

11/20/2025

Be blessed today!

When the world whispers that your suffering is meaningless, rehearse these tastes of the glory to come — glory of which we know only the half.

11/19/2025

Stuck in Spiritual Repeat? Growing Up in Christ (Ephesians 4:14-16)

It’s a challenging, yet often true, observation: “Some of you have been Christians for twenty years, but you’ve been repeating year one of the journey the entire time.”

Imagine trying to be a medical doctor but spending two decades only learning how to wash your hands—you’re following a basic step, but you’re not practicing medicine. In the spiritual life, many believers find themselves in a similar rut. They've accepted Christ, but their faith journey has stalled, marked by spiritual immaturity instead of progress.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, addresses this very issue, urging believers to move beyond the spiritual kindergarten and step into robust, mature Christian living. This passage is an incredibly rich theological blueprint for growth:

The Danger of Spiritual Infancy: Ephesians 4:14

Ephesians 4:14 (ESV): “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

The Instability

Paul starts by warning against remaining “children.” The childish state, theologically, is one of instability and vulnerability.

Tossed To and Fro: An immature believer is easily swayed. They are like a small boat without an anchor, constantly at the mercy of the "waves and wind." This imagery speaks directly to a lack of solid theological grounding.

Every Wind of Doctrine: This isn't just a critique of false teachings; it's a critique of the lack of discernment in the hearer. The immature Christian lacks the spiritual gravitas and biblical knowledge to distinguish truth from error.

Human Cunning and Deceitful Schemes: Spiritual childhood makes one easy prey for those who intentionally seek to mislead (false teachers, manipulative leaders). A mature faith builds a robust theological immune system, protecting the believer from becoming a victim of clever, deceptive arguments. To remain in "year one" is to remain defenseless.

The Mandate for Maturity: Ephesians 4:15

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV): “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

The Christocentric Growth

The solution to instability is growth—specifically, a particular type of growth: Christ-centered maturity.

Grow Up in Every Way: Maturity isn't selective. It’s an holistic transformation—affecting our knowledge, character, relationships, and actions. It means leaving behind the self-centeredness of a spiritual toddler and embracing the servant-leadership modeled by Christ.

Into Him Who Is the Head, Into Christ: This is the goal and the standard of Christian maturity. Theologically, our growth is not measured by our own progress or by comparison to others, but by our increasing conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). He is the telos (the ultimate aim) of the believer's life.

Speaking the Truth in Love: This phrase captures the method of growth. It requires a balanced commitment to both orthodoxy (right belief—the truth) and orthopraxy (right action/attitude—in love). Truth without love is abrasive and ineffective; love without truth is sentimental and empty. Only the mature believer can wield both simultaneously, ensuring their words edify the church community.

The Divine Architecture: Ephesians 4:16

Ephesians 4:16 (ESV): “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

The Organic Unity

Paul concludes by shifting from the individual to the Corporate Body of Christ—the Church. This verse emphasizes the interconnectedness of all believers.

From Whom the Whole Body... Joined and Held Together: Christ is the source of unity and sustainer of the church. Just as the human body depends on the head (brain) for function, the Church depends entirely on Christ. This demonstrates a core theological truth: Christian life is never meant to be lived in isolation.

Every Joint with Which It Is Equipped: Every believer ("each part") has been equipped with spiritual gifts and functions by the Holy Spirit. This concept of gifting is essential. If you are repeating "year one," your gift is dormant, and a "joint" in the body is not working.

Builds Itself Up in Love: This is the ultimate, Spirit-led consequence of collective maturity.

When individuals grow up (v. 15), and when every member works properly (v. 16), the church grows—not through external marketing, but through internal, organic development, resulting in a community characterized by love.

It’s Time to Move Past "Year One"

If you've been a Christian for years but feel stuck, the remedy is not a new spiritual program but a renewed commitment to the principles laid out in Ephesians 4:

1) Stop being tossed: Anchor your faith in the deep study of Scripture to develop discernment.

2)Grow Up: Intentionally pursue Christ-likeness in every area of your life.

3)Work: Identify your spiritual gift and use it to edify the local body of believers.

Spiritual maturity is a lifelong process, not a one-time event. Don't let your 20th year in faith look exactly like your first. The church needs your fully functioning, mature self.

11/15/2025

Trading Anxiety for Divine Peace

Let's be honest: life's circumstances can be overwhelming. When we get trapped looking at the magnitude of our problems or dwelling on our own limitations, stress and anxiety are the only outcome.

But there is a beautiful invitation waiting for us! We don't have to carry that burden.

Our focus shouldn't be on the storm, but on the One who calms the seas. When we intentionally look to Jesus—the Christ who is always with us, in us, and working for us—we tap into a supply of strength and peace that is completely beyond our natural understanding. It’s a peace that holds us steady in the circumstance, instead of requiring the circumstance to change first.

Rest in His Promises
Let these verses be your reminder today that your peace is secure in Him:

"Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." — John 14:27

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." — 2 Timothy 1:7

Today's Daily Encouragement:
Today, whatever your eyes are drawn to, choose to fix your gaze on Christ. He is your anchor, and His peace is available right now.

11/13/2025

"Embedded in the larger story of redemption is a principle we must not miss God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the lives of others." Paul David Tripp

10/25/2025

Verse Drop for Saturday. Be blessed. Bill

10/25/2025

Saturday's Spiritual Substance. Hebrews 4:16 and Thomas Watson Quote.

Grace and Peace to you,
Bill

08/25/2025

🌊 When the Storm Reveals True Faith ⛵

Picture this: Paul, chained as a prisoner, aboard a ship being torn apart by a violent storm. For 14 days, 276 souls faced death at sea. The world would expect panic, despair, maybe bargaining with God.

Instead, Paul stood up and said: "Take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you... for this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul.'" (Acts 27:22, 24 ESV)

J.R. Miller captured something profound about moments like these: "The world sneers at religious profession. It refuses to believe that it is genuine... Then, godly men [and women] are called to endure loss, suffering or sorrow, not because there is any particular evil in themselves which needs to be eradicated—but because the Master needs their witness to answer the sneers of the world."

Paul didn't just preach Christ in comfortable synagogues. He witnessed to Him while shipwrecked, imprisoned, and facing death. His faith wasn't proven in prosperity—it was validated in the storm.

The centurion and soldiers who once saw him as just another prisoner now watched him save 276 lives through his unwavering trust in God's promises. "And so it was that all were brought safely to land" (Acts 27:44 ESV).

Sometimes God allows storms not to destroy our faith, but to display it. When the world is watching—especially when everything is falling apart—that's when our witness matters most.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses... to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ESV)

Even in shipwrecks. Especially in shipwrecks. 🙏

08/25/2025

Could I Have One Day Without?

I'm afraid. Every time I swallow, I feel like it's happening again. Every negative thought fills me with dread that it will start. Each time my chest compresses, I feel the crushing weight of panic. Whenever my stomach twists, I'm instantly on edge. My mind darts between thoughts, and I am terrified. I am trapped—trapped in my own mind! I can't escape. I can't run away. I can't fight because I can never win. This anxiety, which destroys my days and haunts my nights, will never leave, never end.

They tell you to stand up to your fears, but how am I supposed to stand up to myself? How can I confront what my mind creates? How can I stop the thoughts it generates? I can't handle this fear; it hovers over me. I'm ashamed of my weakness. I can't concentrate on anything else. I can feel it waiting for my defenses to weaken. I constantly hear a little voice telling me, "Nothing is alright, nothing is okay." I stammer back, "I-I am alright, I am o-okay!" It knows my imperfections, my vulnerabilities, because it is me.

I know being afraid of anxiety sounds like a paradox, but it's truly terrifying to know that anything can trigger it. I guard all my thoughts to ensure they don't spiral out of control. I monitor my desires to keep from getting obsessed. Every inward reflection is examined. I have neither the energy nor the desire to do anything else for fear of lapsing into an anxiety attack.

Every blink holds back tears of mental exhaustion. Every breath is carefully controlled. Each swallow is painstakingly planned. Why? Please, just let it end! I would do anything for one day without OCD and anxiety! Anything! For one day without... myself.

Scriptural References on Anxiety:

The feeling of being overwhelmed and consumed by fear is deeply human and is addressed throughout Scripture. For those who feel trapped and exhausted by their thoughts, the Bible offers solace and a different perspective.

When feeling trapped and unable to escape, the feeling of being "trapped in my own mind" can be countered by the truth that God is a refuge. Psalm 62:1 says, "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation." This verse acknowledges a quiet reliance on God for deliverance when we feel we can't save ourselves.

When struggling with shame and weakness, the passage mentions being "ashamed of my weakness." Scripture reminds us that our weakness is an opportunity for God's strength to be shown. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes, "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." This shifts the focus from our own inadequacy to the sufficiency of Christ's grace.

When facing the overwhelming nature of intrusive thoughts, the feeling of being "on edge" and guarding every thought is a common struggle. Philippians 4:6-7 offers a direct instruction for these moments: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage doesn't promise the thoughts will vanish, but it does offer a peace that can "guard your hearts and your minds," providing a spiritual defense against the turmoil within.

08/16/2025

"They are new every morning;

Post those five words on the mirror that you look into each morning. Affix them on the door of your refrigerator. Tape them to the dashboard of your car. Glue them on the inside of your glasses. Put them somewhere where you will see them every day. Don't allow yourself to have a view of yourself, of others, of circumstances, of daily joys and struggles, of God, of meaning and purpose, and of what life is all about that is devoid of this gorgeous redemptive reality: mercy.

Mercy is the theme of God's story. Mercy is the thread that runs through all of Scripture. Mercy is the reason for Jesus's coming. Mercy is what your desperate heart needs. Mercy is the healer your relationships need. Mercy is what gives you comfort in weakness and hope in times of trial. Mercy can do what the law is powerless to do. Mercy not only meets you in your struggle, but guarantees that someday your struggle will end. Mercy is what this sin-broken world groans for. Mercy triumphs where justice can't. If God offered us only justice, no one would run to him. It is the knowledge of his mercy that makes us honestly face ourselves and gladly run to him. And it is mercy that we will sing about and celebrate a million years into eternity.

I love the words of Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Let these amazing words sink in. If you are God's child, they describe your identity and your hope. They give you reason to get up in the morning and to continue. They enable you to face and admit how messed up you really are. They allow you to extend mercy to the failing people around you. And they allow you to be comforted by God's presence rather than be terrified at the thought that he is near.

Not only does God lavish on you love that will never cease and grace that will never end, and not only is he great in faithfulness, but the mercy he extends to you and to me is renewed each new morning. It is not tired, stale, irrelevant, worn out, ill-fitting, yesterday mercy. No, God's mercy is new morning mercy. It is formfitted for the needs of your day. It is sculpted to the shape of the weaknesses, circumstances, and struggles of each and every one of his children. Yes, we all get the same mercy, but it doesn't come to all of us in the same size and shape. God knows who you are, where you are, and what you're facing, and in the majestic combination of divine knowledge, power, and compassion, he meets you with just the right mercies for the moment. Stop allowing yourself to assess your life in a way that is devoid of new morning mercies. Any scan of your life that doesn't include those mercies is tragically lacking in truth

Grace and Peace be with you,
Bill and Linda

07/29/2025

Feeling discouraged today? Read this from Romans 5:2! 👇

Our standing with God is rock-solid! We're clothed in Christ's righteousness, declared blameless, with all our sins forgiven and guilt paid for by His sacrifice.

Even in tough times, remember the incredible gift of faith God has given us. It empowers us to look back at what Jesus has already accomplished and forward to the glorious future that is ours. That's where our present hope comes from!

"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2)

Hold onto that hope!

07/24/2025

This is the prayer of a saint in winter, who in his old age realizes that life is mostly over for him:

1) In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!

2) In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!

3) Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4) Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.

5) For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

6) Upon you I have leaned from before my birth you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.

7) I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

8) My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

9) Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

10) For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together

11) and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”

12) O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!

13) May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.

14) But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.

15) My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

16) With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

17) O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18) So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

19) Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

20) You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

21) You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.

22) I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

23) My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

24) And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

In the Lord I take refuge: 150 Daily Devotions through the Psalms Dane C. Ortlund

This is the prayer of a saint in winter, who in his old age realizes that life is mostly over for him: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age" (v. 9), he prays. "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me" (v. 18). As we continue to age, this psalm instructs us in how to walk with God.

We are reminded that our time on earth is filled with strife; God has brought into the psalmist's life "many troubles and calam-ities" (v. 20). The psalmists are realists. They do not skate over hardships, smiling all the way. They know what it feels like to spend time in "the depths of the earth" (v. 20).

Yet through all of the pains, the psalmist has not grown cynical. Cynicism is a great temptation as we walk through life and move toward death. As difficulties pile up, as relationships sour, as hopes and goals fail to materialize, it is easy to throw in the towel emotionally and settle into cold-hearted cynicism. The psalmist, however, teaches us that pain is not meant to numb us and cause our hearts to withdraw; pain is meant to draw our hearts up to God: "From the depths of the earth you will bring me up again" (v. 20).

Adversity is not intended to diminish our hope in God. Adversity is intended to heighten our hope in him. We are brought to remember that God is all we have, and that he is enough.

07/09/2025

Wednesday Wisdom:

Feeling down today? You are absolutely not alone! The Father of Mercies and God of all Comfort is right there with you. As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort." He deeply cares and understands.

Is fear gripping your heart? Remember, your Lord has promised to be your Guide, Defender, and Protector, providing everything you need. Philippians 4:19 reminds us: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." You are covered!

Feeling overwhelmed? Take heart! The Lord of Glory not only rules over every single one of your circumstances, but He is actively with you, for you, and in you. Romans 8:31 beautifully states: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" Rest in His mighty presence.

Grace and Peace be with you all, Bill