Category Archives: Spiritual Disciplines

#RomansChallenge | July 29 – 15:14-33

Click here for Romans 15:14-33 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul closes the main body of his letter by affirming the Roman believers’ spiritual maturity—commending their goodness, knowledge, and ability to instruct one another (v. 14). Still, he reminds them boldly of their shared calling, especially his own unique role as a minister to the Gentiles (vv. 15–16). Describing his ministry in priestly terms, Paul presents the Gentiles as an offering made holy by the Spirit (v. 16). He boasts only in what Christ has accomplished through him—by word, deed, miraculous signs, and the Spirit’s power—as he preached from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum (vv. 18–19).

Paul’s aim has always been to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known (v. 20; cf. Isa. 52:15), which explains why he had not yet visited Rome (v. 22). Now, with his work in the east complete, he hopes to visit them on his way to Spain (vv. 23–24, 28). But first, he must carry a financial gift from the Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the poor believers in Jerusalem—an offering of unity and gratitude (vv. 25–27). Paul asks for prayer: for protection from hostile unbelievers, for the offering to be received well, and for the joy of finally visiting the Romans in the blessing of Christ (vv. 30–32). He ends with a word of peace (v. 33).

🎯 Theme: Gospel ministry requires partnership, boldness, and sacrifice—and the unity of believers across cultural and geographic lines is part of God’s plan for His glory.

🌀 Reflection: How might God use your life as an offering for His glory—set apart and sanctified for gospel purposes? What are you holding back that might be used for His mission?

💬 Mission Challenge: Identify a missionary or church planter who is actively reaching unreached people. This week, write them a note of encouragement, pray fervently for their work, and consider giving to support the advance of the gospel.

#RomansChallenge | July 28 – 15:1-13

Click here for Romans 15:1-13 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul calls on the “strong” to bear with the “weak” (v. 1), urging believers to imitate Christ, who did not please Himself but bore our reproach for the glory of God (v. 3). Rather than demanding our own way, we are called to build up others (v. 2), to live in harmony (v. 5), and to welcome one another as Christ welcomed us (v. 7). The Scriptures were given to instruct us, and through them God brings endurance, encouragement, and hope (v. 4).

Christ came as a servant to the Jews to fulfill God’s promises and to bring salvation to the Gentiles, so that all people might glorify God (vv. 8–9). Paul strings together Old Testament passages (vv. 9–12) showing that this inclusion was always God’s plan. He ends with a prayer: that the God of hope would fill believers with joy, peace, and overflowing hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 13).

🎯 Theme: Christ’s example calls us to selfless unity, mutual encouragement, and a shared hope in God.

🌀 Reflection: If Jesus bore reproach for us and welcomed us into God’s family, how can we withhold love or unity from fellow believers? True Christian strength shows itself in humility and a desire to build others up.

💬 Mission Challenge: Reach out this week to someone outside your cultural, racial, or generational circle—share a meal, a prayer, or your testimony—and demonstrate the unifying hope of the gospel.

Read Through the New Testament With Us! NT260: Growing in Christ Together, One Chapter at a Time

Over the past year at Christ Community Church in Grenada and The Foundry Church in Winona, we have walked through several Bible reading challenges to stay rooted in God’s Word. In October, we read a chapter of Proverbs each day in the #DailyWisdomChallenge. In November, we focused on passages about gratitude and thankfulness in the #GratitudeandHopeChallenge. In December, we read a chapter of Luke a day leading up to Christmas Eve to remind us that Jesus is more than a baby in a manger—He’s the Savior and King. From January through May, we spent 150 days in the Psalms. Then in June and July, we journeyed through Acts and Romans.

Now, we’re stepping into our biggest challenge yet: NT260—a church-wide commitment to read the entire New Testament together, one chapter each day from August 1 to April 17.

This isn’t just a reading plan. It’s a hermeneutical plan (a way of reading that helps us better understand what each book means and how the whole story fits together). We’ll follow a carefully structured path that helps us see Jesus clearly, understand the mission of the early church, and grow together in Christ.

Below, you will find links and explanations for the various parts. Click the link on the phase to see the readings for each day:

  • Phase 1 — Jesus, the Promised King
    August 1-September 15
    This phase will have us reading Matthew, James, and Hebrews. These books were written for Jewish-background believers and help us see Jesus as the promised King and fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew presents Jesus as the Son of David. James gives wisdom for living out our faith. And Hebrews explains how Jesus completes the story of God’s covenant people.
  • Phase 2 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission
    September 16-February 1
    This phase will have us reading Luke, Acts, and Paul’s letters. Luke tells the story of Jesus’s life and ministry. Acts shows how the gospel spread through the early church — especially through Paul’s missionary journeys. Then we will walk through Paul’s letters (in the order he likely wrote them) so we can learn the same doctrine and practices as given to the early church.
    • Luke (September 16-October 9)
    • Acts (October 10-November 6)
    • Galatians (November 7-12)
    • 1-2 Thessalonians (November 13-20)
    • 1-2 Corinthians (November 21-December 19)
    • Romans (December 20-January 4)
    • Ephesians (January 5-10)
    • Colossians & Philemon (January 11-15)
    • Philippians (January 16-19)
    • 1 Timothy (January 20-25)
    • Titus (January 26-28)
    • 2 Timothy (January 29-February 1)
  • Phase 3 — Persevering in the Last Day
    February 2-26
    This phase will have us reading Mark, 1-2 Peter, and Jude. These (except for Jude) reflect Peter’s influence. Mark’s gospel is believed to be based on Peter’s understanding and teaching. Peter’s letters encourage faith in the face of trials. Jude warns against false teaching and pairs well with 2 Peter.
    • Mark (February 2-17)
    • 1 Peter (February 18-22)
    • 2 Peter & Jude (February 23-26)
  • Phase 4 — That You May Believe
    February 27-April 17
    This phase will have us reading all John wrote in the New Testament (the gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation). John’s gospel and letters teach us how to walk in truth and love, and Revelation closes the New Testament with a powerful vision of Jesus’s return and eternal reign.
    • John (February 27-March 19)
    • 1-3 John (March 20-26)
    • Revelation (March 27-April 17)

Let’s take this opportunity to get into the Word together and truly grow in Christ one chapter at a time! We can read it, pray it, share it, and live it together!

Here’s the breakdown of each phase:

Songs for Sunday, July 27, 2025 @ Christ Community Church

Sunday’s coming, and I’m excited!

It’s been a month since I’ve been able to write one of these, and my heart is full looking forward to gathering with my faith family this Sunday. The Scriptures we will read and the songs we will sing declare what the weary world — and our own weary hearts — need to hear: GOD is with us.

I know it’s not Christmas (and it’s hard to even think about it in the midst of a Mississippi summer), but I am reminded of what the prophet Isaiah said about Jesus’s coming — He would come and be the Light that would pierce the darkness:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…. For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given….” (Isaiah 9:2,6)

Jesus is that Son, the promised Emmanuel (which means God with us). He isn’t distant or disinterested. No, Jesus is the God who stepped into our world, entered our pain, and walked among sinners. He bore the weight of our sin and carried our sorrows. But even more than being with us, Jesus is also for us.

Look at 1 John 2:1-2:

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

That word advocate means someone who speaks on your behalf, who stands beside you when you have no defense of your own. One day, we’ll stand before the Holy God of the universe to answer for our works — for our sin. It’s hard to imagine the crushing weight of the volume of our sin or how we could ever bear it (Psalm 38:4, Romans 3:23). But before we can be under that crushing weight, our advocate steps up. When our Judge asks how we plead, our advocate speaks up, but He doesn’t just plead for us — He points to His own finished work on the cross (John 19:30, Hebrews 10:12-14) — to His blood that covers and blots out our sin (Isaiah 1:18, Colossians 2:13-14, Revelation 1:5). He doesn’t speak up to ask God to forgive or overlook; He says He’s already paid for our sin — paid in full (Romans 8:1, 33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Those who are saved know that Jesus is our righteousness. He is our covering. And He is our confidence before the Father. As we’ll read in Colossians 2:13-15 this Sunday, we’ll find that the very same God who is our advocate and defends us is the same God who died for us.

The One who stands in heaven interceding for us (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) is the One who once hung on the cross we deserve, bearing our sin against the wrath of God, to save us (Isaiah 53:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24).

The cross is where our debt was cancelled (Colossians 2:13-14), and Jesus’s resurrection is where death was defeated (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Romans 6:9).

That’s why we can sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” — because we need Him and can know He’s returning just as He’s already come to us. We can sing “Great I Am” because Jesus is not merely the babe in the manger but God Almighty come to us. We can sing “Jesus Paid It All (O Praise the One)” because our sins, not in part but the whole, were nailed to the cross and the debt of our sin paid in full. And we can sing “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” because His blood wasn’t a mere payment for sin committed but the means by which we are brought near to God.

So, this Sunday come with hope. Come with need. Come with thanksgiving. And come ready to worship the One who is God with us, our Advocate, and our Savior. We will read from God’s Word together (1 Timothy 4:13) and lift our voices to proclaim the gospel to one another as we offer praise to God (Colossians 3:16). We will sit under the teaching of God’s Word as John points us to Jesus (John 20:31). We will have the opportunity for a few hours to get a brief glimpse into the glory that awaits when we find our faith becoming sight (1 Peter 1:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) when we come at last to be with Jesus for eternity (Revelation 21:3-4).

Won’t you come and gather with us?

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4For the yoke of His burden, and the staff for His shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His Kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

#RomansChallenge | July 27 – 14:14-23

Click here for Romans 14:14-23 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul affirms that nothing is unclean in itself (v. 14), but warns that if someone believes it to be unclean, they must not violate their conscience. Love is the greater priority, and if exercising your freedom in Christ causes distress or spiritual harm to another believer, you are no longer walking in love (v. 15). God’s kingdom is not about food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (v. 17).

We should aim for peace and mutual upbuilding rather than insisting on our own rights (v. 19). Though all things may be clean, it is wrong to cause someone else to stumble (v. 20). Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (v. 23)—so we are called to walk in love, governed not only by truth, but by the spiritual good of others.

🎯 Theme: Love limits liberty—Christians must not use their freedom in ways that harm the faith of others or dishonor the gospel.

🌀 Reflection: We live in a world obsessed with personal rights, but Christ calls us to prioritize the spiritual health of others over our preferences. Real love lays down liberty for the sake of a brother or sister in Christ (vv. 15, 20).

💬 Mission Challenge: Consider someone in your life who may be struggling in their faith. Look for a way this week to build them up with grace and encouragement (v. 19), even if it means giving up a freedom you enjoy to help them grow in Christ.

#RomansChallenge | July 26 – 14:1-13

Click here for Romans 14:1-13 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

In the church at Rome, some believers were struggling over matters of conscience—like whether it was okay to eat certain foods or observe special days (vv. 2, 5). Paul calls those with stronger faith to welcome those who are weak in faith—not to argue over opinions (v. 1), but to walk in love. Whether someone eats or abstains, honors a special day or sees all days alike, what matters is that they do it in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God (v. 6).

We belong to Jesus in life and in death (v. 8), and each of us will give an account to God (vv. 10–12). That truth humbles us. Instead of judging each other, we’re called to stop putting stumbling blocks in the way of others (v. 13). Our unity in Christ matters more than our personal preferences or freedoms.

🎯 Theme: Believers must welcome one another in love, avoiding judgment and division over disputable matters of conscience.

🌀 Reflection: In a world that loves to argue and divide, the church is called to a higher standard—grace. Are your convictions anchored in honoring Christ, or are they a source of pride and judgment toward others? Love makes room for differences when Christ is the goal.

💬 Mission Challenge: This week, reach out to a believer whose practices or preferences differ from yours. Ask questions, listen with humility, and look for a way to honor Christ together—especially in front of a watching world (vv. 1, 3, 6, 13).

#RomansChallenge | July 25 – 13:1-14

Click here for Romans 13:1-14 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul reminds believers that God is ultimately in control—even over earthly governments. Christians are called to be subject to the governing authorities, because every authority is instituted by God (v. 1). To resist lawful authority is to resist God’s design, inviting judgment (v. 2). Government, when functioning rightly, serves to restrain evil and promote good (vv. 3–4). That’s why believers are to pay taxes and give honor and respect where it is due (vv. 6–7).

But Paul doesn’t stop with civil responsibility—he moves to our spiritual debt: love (v. 8). Loving others fulfills the law because it keeps us from doing wrong to our neighbors (vv. 9–10). And since the day is at hand and our salvation is nearer now than ever (v. 11), we must cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (v. 12). That means walking in holiness (v. 13) and clothing ourselves with the character of Christ, making no provision for sinful desires (v. 14).

🎯 Theme: God calls us to honor authority, love others, and live in the light of Christ’s return.

🌀 Reflection: Are you awake to the time you’re living in? With eternity drawing near, our lives should be marked by obedience, love, and holiness. Putting on Christ daily changes how we think, act, and engage the world.

💬 Mission Challenge: Reach out to someone who holds a different viewpoint—politically, culturally, or spiritually—and show them honor, not hostility. Let your love be genuine, and pray for an open door to share the hope you have in Christ (vv. 7–10, 14).

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#RomansChallenge | July 24 – 12:9-21

Click here for Romans 12:9-21 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul offers a rapid-fire list of what love looks like when it is genuine and rooted in Christ. He calls believers to abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good (v. 9), to love one another with brotherly affection and outdo one another in showing honor (v. 10), and to serve the Lord with zeal and spiritual fervor (v. 11). Genuine love rejoices in hope, remains patient in tribulation, and perseveres in prayer (v. 12). It shares with the saints and extends hospitality (v. 13), blesses those who persecute us (v. 14), and walks in empathy and humility (vv. 15–16). Rather than seeking revenge or responding with evil, believers are called to live peaceably with all (v. 18), to leave vengeance to God (v. 19), and to overcome evil with good—even feeding our enemies if they are hungry (vv. 20–21).

🎯 Theme: Real love reflects Jesus in both devotion to others and kindness toward enemies.

🌀 Reflection: God’s mercy calls us not just to feel love, but to live it boldly and sincerely—even when it’s difficult. When we respond to hatred with kindness, we put the gospel on display.

💬 Mission Challenge: Intentionally bless someone who has wronged you or someone you find difficult to love—pray for them, serve them, or share the gospel with them as an act of overcoming evil with good (vv. 14, 20–21).

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#RomansChallenge | July 23 – 12:1-8

Click here for Romans 12:1-8 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Because of God’s great mercy, we are called to present our lives as living sacrifices in worship to Him (vv. 1–2). This means being transformed by the renewing of our minds and not conforming to the patterns of the world. Paul urges believers to think humbly and rightly about themselves, recognizing that every member of the church has been given different spiritual gifts by grace (vv. 3–8). Whether it’s teaching, serving, leading, giving, or showing mercy, we are all part of one body in Christ and should use our gifts for the good of others.

🎯 Theme: When we respond to God’s mercy by offering ourselves in worship, He uses us to build up the body of Christ.

🌀 Reflection: A transformed life begins with a renewed mind and a surrendered heart. God doesn’t just want part of us—He wants all of us, and He uses each of us differently for His glory.

💬 Mission Challenge: Ask someone this week how you can serve or pray for them, and look for an opportunity to use one of your gifts to bless them in Jesus’s name.

#RomansChallenge | July 22 – 11:11-36

Click here for Romans 11:11-36 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Israel’s rejection of the gospel is not final. In fact, their stumbling opened the door for salvation to reach the Gentiles—and this, in turn, is meant to stir Israel to jealousy (vv. 11–12). Paul, as an apostle to the Gentiles, sees his ministry as part of God’s plan to bring many Jews to faith (vv. 13–14). The metaphor of the olive tree illustrates the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles: some natural branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off, and wild branches (believing Gentiles) were grafted in (vv. 17–18). But Gentiles must not become arrogant—if God didn’t spare the natural branches, He won’t spare proud ones either (vv. 19–21). God is both kind and severe: severe toward unbelief and kind to those who continue in faith (v. 22). Remarkably, God is able to graft the original branches back in again if they do not persist in unbelief (vv. 23–24).

🎯 Theme: God is saving both Jews and Gentiles, calling all to believe through His kindness and mercy.

🌀 Reflection: The gospel is a story of inclusion by grace. None of us belong by birthright, but by God’s mercy we are invited in. This humbles us and fuels hope—for ourselves, and for others we think are far from God.

💬 Mission Challenge: Talk with someone this week who feels like an outsider to faith. Share how God’s grace brought you in and how His mercy is still open to all who will believe.