Tag: Grace Hill Church

Higher Degree

Posted on by Lee Callicutt in Blog, Higher Degree (Pastor Lee's Blog)

Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog (Pastor Lee) and thank you for taking the time to read the very first blog post. I wanted to share with you a few reasons why we started this blog.

First, let’s start with the purpose of the blog. If you look at the name, it is called “Higher Degree.” In the Christian life, we endeavor to love God supremely. My prayer is that each post causes you to love God to a higher degree. As we look at a variety of topics from a biblical perspective, we want to look at life through a gospel lens. By doing so, we will hopefully understand more fully the work and person of Christ. As we dig deeper into doctrine the higher our worship will ascend.

Also, we want you to love others to a higher degree. God has called us to love Him and others. Matthew 22:37-39 reads, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” My hope is not only that we would love God to a higher degree but also learn to love the brethren to a higher degree too.

Second, we want to fulfill God’s call to make disciples. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18-20, “18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Part and parcel of loving God and loving others is to obey God and proclaim His good news to the world.

Reading biblically faithful articles and blogs is one way which we can learn more about God and His character while simultaneously applying the Scripture to life. We know the Word of God is profitable for us. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Spirit of God, applying the Word of God, will train Christ’s disciples to grow in love, devotion and holiness. These posts are another avenue in which we can be discipled.

Third, with keeping the profitability of Scripture in view, we want to take theological and ethical questions you may have and answer those questions from a Christian worldview. By disseminating these answers in a digital format, it allows for answers to be concise and clear. We face a myriad of questions that we want answer and various situations in which we want to be faithful.

Therefore, I want to ask for your help with the Higher Degree blog. I would love for you to submit your questions. I have provided an anonymous form below that you can fill out. When you fill out this form it will send your questions directly to my inbox. I cannot promise you that every question will be answered, however, I do promise every question I do answer will be my best attempt at biblical fidelity. I am sure with many questions there will be some gray areas, and you may not agree with all my conclusions. Yet, I hope at the end of it all, each and every post will help you love God and love others to a higher degree!

Immersed in the Word

Posted on by gracehillchatham in Blog, Women of Grace

Woman of Grace, Immerse Yourself in the Word!

Do you frequently wonder how to respond biblically to what’s happening in your life—whether it’s an unexpected occurrence, a crisis event, or part of your day-to-day routine? Do you find yourself asking, “What’s the ‘how-to’ for the situation I’m in?”

Do you know and trust that the Bible has the answers?

God’s Word is truth (John 17:17); and it equips us to handle every situation in a manner that glorifies Him. From Genesis to Revelation, we have the teaching, instruction, warnings, and encouragement we need to put off the old self and to put on godly thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:22-24). Just think: We have within our grasp the complete and sufficient words of God, written down for us and for all generations!

To faithfully apply the Word of God to our lives, we must know it. (You can’t apply what you don’t know!) In his New Testament commentary on Romans, John Macarthur states, “The transformed and renewed mind is the mind saturated with and controlled by the Word of God.” To put it in terms of the “I” in our IDEALS, we must immerse ourselves in the Word.

Being immersed in the Word means living with reliance upon it for wisdom, trusting that it provides both help and hope. Not only that, being immersed in the Word involves thinking on the precepts of the Bible moment by moment throughout the day, not just when we find ourselves in trouble, or sit down to read it, or gather with the local church body. Being immersed in the Word involves looking at every aspect of life through the lens of Scripture.

Psalm 119 beautifully portrays the need for the Word—and the God of the Word—in our everyday lives. For example, the psalmist says:

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Ps 119:11

“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.” – Ps. 119:89-91

“Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all the day.” – Ps. 119:97

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Ps. 119:105

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” – Ps. 119:114

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” – Ps. 119:130

God’s Word is as essential (arguably, more essential) than the air we breathe or the food we eat. Jeremiah, who served as prophet and priest to the kingdom of Judah, regarded God’s word as daily bread for his soul in Jeremiah 15:16:

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.”

By now, you may be thinking that a Word-consuming life requires work (and a stomach of iron). Yes, it does! Being immersed in the Word is a 24-7 commitment, but it’s not one we can do alone. The Holy Spirit residing in us brings the truths of Scripture to bear on our hearts and minds, and it is by His enabling power that we can apply these truths to our lives (Luke 24:45).

The Apostle Paul, who tirelessly proclaimed Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins, delivered this exhortation concerning the Christian walk in Philippians 2:12-16 (emphasis mine):

“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.

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

Whether you have twenty minutes or two hours to regularly read, study and memorize Scripture, I encourage you to redeem every moment the Lord has given you (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 5:16). Over time, your knowledge of the Word will grow and grow. A fruit of that diligent work will be an increased ability to see circumstances and trials in your life through the lens of God’s Word and to respond according to His wisdom and instruction.

Pray that the Holy Spirit calls to mind what you are learning and helps you apply it to the situations in your life. Teach it to your children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Seek out like-minded ladies in order to encourage and sharpen one another in light of the Word (Proverbs 27:17).

In love and obedience to our great God, let us be known as women of the Word!

Helpful resources to aid in studying and applying the Word: