Whole-Hearted Pursuit

Karleigh King January 28, 2026

One reason the Barney Fife character on The Andy Griffith Show is so humorous is because there is never a moment that we do not know how he is feeling. Barney mirrors the whole spectrum of human emotion, and to watch Barney and laugh at him is to recognize ourselves. Similarly, James refers to the Bible as a mirror – as I investigate it I see what is true about me.

When we read through 2 Chronicles we encounter a rundown of the kings of ancient Judah. According to the opening chapter of Matthew’s gospel, this is the royal heritage of Jesus. This lineage also serves as a mirror because as we read about these kings and we can see ourselves. But hopefully we do more than just laugh at it – it should challenge us to learn from history because we are prone to make the same mistakes they did. One component that stands out is the disposition with which a Judean king engaged his calling.

Jehoshaphat is a good example because his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. He is referred to as the one who sought the LORD with all his heart. He was not without flaws though – he had to be admonished by a prophet. But the outcome of his calling in which he pursued God with all his heart was joy and peace. This benefited the people he governed. He knew his limitations and dependence, and when he did not know what to do, his first resort was worship.

Joash – Jehoshaphat’s great-grandson – began his reign at only seven years old. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. But when the one for whom he performed left the scene, then his performance changed to please others, namely, his peers. The result? Joash became treacherous in his calling and they abandoned the house of the LORD. Amaziah, his son, did what was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart. Amaziah’s reign ended in defeat. His son, Uzziah, ascended to the throne at the age of sixteen. He was a good king and accomplished great things. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. Uzziah’s pride rendered him unfaithful and ineffective in the latter part of his reign.

Serving God through your calling half-heartedly is like being double-minded. The sovereign God of the universe becomes just another object of trust or appeasement. That is not fitting.

We are not earthly kings, but we each have a calling. As members of a royal priesthood, we serve God. If I pursue my calling with pride, or half-heartedly, or just to please others I will eventually find myself feeling purposeless and ineffective prone to pursue a substitute. I may also find myself facing God’s severe mercy. On the other hand, if I engage my calling with a whole-hearted pursuit of God it will result in joy and peace that will overflow to the people in my world.

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

~Titus 3:8

As each of us is called to ministry, let’s be All In! to serve together for the glory of God, and for the good of the church and those who surround us. “Identify Your Ministry” (Sunday Night Seminary) is designed to help you discover how, where, and to whom God’s Spirit has equipped and called you to serve. Come, be part of the conversation starting this Sunday night.

One Another

Karleigh King January 20, 2026

With all the diversity in the church forbearance is a necessary virtue. Christ calls us to do more than just tolerate and endure – “how long can I put up with this?” – but to actually bear (carry, provided for) the weaknesses of others. The scruples of another are areas where God is still working in their lives. The fact that our Father is still at work in each of us warrants the call to forbearance.

One who genuinely forbears will inevitably edify (build up) by acting to promote

another’s growth in Christian joy and Christ-like character. This requires one to put himself in the position of the other as the Paul said: “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak” (1 Corinthians 9:22). This is precisely what Jesus Christ did for us.

Am I a builder who works with grace,

Measuring life by seeing His face?

Am I shaping lives to the Master’s plan

Patiently investing all I can?

The Church becomes a portrait of Christ’s redemption of us: “accept one another just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). The word “accept” (or welcome) carries the idea of leading one by the hand. So with forbearance and investment we walk with each other Godward (John 17:21; I Peter 3:8).

I encourage you to contemplate the vision statement of Grace…

We are an intentional community of grace that loves God

demonstrated by loving people in a culture of discipleship.

How do I participate in the community of grace?

What is my contribution in developing a culture of discipleship?

Starting Strong

Karleigh King January 13, 2026

2026 is off to a good start! The Growing Grace update yesterday was a real treat as we are already at 54% of the goal! And then to have the group of Care Group leaders up front to be recognized and prayed over was a blessing to experience. Please honor them for their service and their vital role in the life and mission of Grace.

Thank you, church, for your response to vision Sundays – to be All In! worshippers, drawing near, staying focused on Him, stirring each other up to love and good works, and encouraging one another. Let it be our ambition to walk together Godward in the steps of Jesus.

Another good observation is from our family meeting Sunday night – the time that folks lingered in fellowship afterward was longer than the actual meeting itself. I hinted to some that it might be a good idea to schedule a fellowship after our annual family meeting. How novel.

Thank you also for the trust you demonstrate in the church administration and stewardship. Let me now introduce to you the church board for 2026:

DEACONS

Daniel Carmichael
Daryl Felker
Adam Landreth
Brian Ward
Brad Wittlinger
Nathan Young

ELDERS

Dwight Ball
Max Floyd
Skip Furrow
Adam King (Associate Pastor)
Rich Powell (Lead Pastor)

The elders and wives are currently on a two-day retreat to prayerfully explore, discuss and evaluate the task of shepherding the flock. This shepherding happens primarily through the care group ministry. The elders also discuss the teaching and spiritual needs, and pray for the congregation in our bi-monthly meetings.

The full board meets on the third Monday of each month with our initial meeting for 2026 on January 19th. I encourage you to keep these men in your prayers before the Father’s throne as they stewards the ministry of Grace through shepherding and administration.

Finally, congratulate Adam King. After completing a two-year internship, the church has resoundingly affirmed him to serve in pastoral capacity. On Sunday, January 25th the church will publicly install him as the full-time Associate Pastor of Grace Bible Church.

Be All In! with me, and let’s live in the outflow to God’s glory.

On Mission 2026

Karleigh King January 6, 2026

Our Lord’s commission to His church is, “As you are going, make disciples,” He describes His followers as going, and instructs us to make disciples. The simplest rendering of the mission of the church is to make disciples – committed followers of Jesus Christ.

The specifics of making disciples are multifaceted. Discipleship is honing the craft of walking with God; it includes being trained, sharpening spiritual disciplines, being shaped in Christ’s likeness. One could say that discipleship is living the gospel.

Discipleship is life as worship. As we worship God we sense Him by walking with Him and delighting in Him; then, in the outflow of that walk and delight, we love God by serving Him, pointing others to His goodness and perfections with compassion, grace, truth, and humility.

Let me put it in a slightly sharper statement. It is not good to include God in your plans. (Stay with me…) God calls you to be included and have a specific part in His plan. Here is how the apostle Paul put it…

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body…”

~1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Grace Bible Church vision is:

We are an intentional community of grace that loves God, demonstrated by loving people in a culture of discipleship.

The word culture describes a common way of thinking and acting – all of us engaged in following Jesus and helping others follow Him. Discipleship is one life coming along side another to walk together Godward.

Let’s be All In! worshipers, drawing near and holding fast to the confession of our hope. Then let us move out with our faith! Let’s resolve to be the fragrance of Christ to each other first, then to FRAN.*

“Let us expect that God is going to use us. Let us have courage and go forward,  looking to God to do great things.”

~D.L. Moody

__________________

*Friends, Relatives, Associates, & Neighbors

Truth Inside

Karleigh King December 30, 2025

“Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”

~Psalm 51:6

A key phrase in a once popular Disney song was: “your heart will tell you no lies.” This line – firmly rooted in human autonomy – is the one lie to rule them all. It is the same philosophy the serpent used in Genesis 3. The idea of “freedom” for the natural man is the liberty to do whatever he or she pleases. Unrestrained desire, however, is anarchy; it is enslavement to one’s own passions and is brutal bondage of the soul that plays out in bodily pursuits driven by emotions and feelings instead of reason or truth.

Paul states that we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, (Ephesians 2:3). How can desires be so tyrannical? Because they wage war against the soul (I Peter 2:11) and against the law of my mind (Rom. 7:23); they are the passions that are at war with in you that cause conflicts (James 4:1) and that plunge men into ruin and destruction (I Timothy 6:9).

Princeton University professor, Robert P. George surmised, “Could it be that David Hume was correct in supposing that ‘we are slaves of our passions’ – rational only in the purely instrumental sense of being capable of employing our intellectual power to, in Thomas Hobbes’s words, ‘range abroad and find the way to the things desired?’” This is man’s affirmation of what God says of us – that we were slaves of our self-preeminent passions.

But knowing Christ is knowing that in Him we are redeemed from such bondage; we have been released from the enslavement of sin which held us under a curse. This is the believer’s positional reality having the credited righteousness of Christ because Jesus was the propitiation for our sins. This means that He absorbed the wrath of God for us that we might be released from the clutches of an empty, aimless way of life and its resulting destruction.

Remember the nature of redemption – we did not climb out of this pit on our own – we were rescued! We were bought at a price to be set free to pursue a life of freedom our Maker designed for us. Redemption is not only what we have been released from, but what we have been liberated to. May we resolve to live as people who are free in the newness of life in Christ. It begins with truth in the inward being.

Comfort!

Karleigh King December 23, 2025

In Isaiah 40:1-5, we read Jehovah’s promise of comfort for His people. The need for comfort is the abundance of brokenness and adversity. The basis for comfort is God breaking into human history. The means of comfort is that God gives grace – He invests Himself – to the humble. The aim of comfort is that the glory of the LORD shall be revealed!

With much in our human experience to alarm us, we should remember that the greatest powers of humanity are as transient as weeds. They are no more to be feared or trusted than a blade of grass. As Simon Tugwell reflects on the Beatitudes, he writes, “It is the desire for God which is the most fundamental appetite of all, and it is an appetite we can never eliminate. We may seek to disown it, but it will not go away. If we deny that it is there, we shall in fact only divert it to some other object or range of objects. And that will mean that we invest some creature or creatures with the full burden of our need for God, a burden which no creature can carry.”

The Good news is that God in Christ has stepped into our reality with a guarantee of comfort. The one enduring Reality is God – the infinite, immutable, self-existent One. His Word and purpose will stand forever.

From this emerges the comforting truth. Humanity cannot save itself, and it cannot stop the One who determines to save. Indeed, the Word became flesh. The one enduring Reality entered our broken, transient reality as the One who can make all things new – we see the evidence of that in His miracles. He will make all things new based on His cross and resurrection.

This is why that angel proclaimed to the shepherds in the field, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Christ Jesus is the Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. God makes Himself known to us in person – Immanuel, God with us. O come, let us adore Him! To adore takes time…quietness…contemplation. May you invest the time, purpose the quietness, and contemplate the Son of God who came for you, and in Him find comfort.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Spirit

Karleigh King December 16, 2025

Imagine a scene in eternity past where the triune Godhead purposes the creation of humanity in His image – loved ones to be drawn into affectionate communion with God. Then He decrees their redemption and reconciliation necessitated by their revolt. At what cost would such an achievement be accomplished? A cost that only a holy and good triune God could provide. The second Person of this Trinity would willingly limit Himself by entering the creaturely life of these loved ones in order to live perfectly, only to be sacrificed and experience separation from the Father, Whom He had enjoyed eternally. What must have been His first thought? His first thought was not of Himself. It must have been of the love He had for His Father – His desire and delight to please Him and do His will. His first thought must have included the love He and His Father had for these image-bearing creatures.

This was not only His first thought, but His continual thought – His attitude. Yes, there was a sting in it. The cost would be great – almost too much to bear. But this was a charge He received from His Father, and He laid down His life of His own accord (John 10:18). This attitude of humility is made clear and celebrated in the Christmas story.

His commissioned messenger, Paul, gives this charge to the church, Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5 HCSB). In every encounter and decision, your first thought is not to be of yourself i.e., “How does this impact me?” “What does this do for me?” “What will this cost me?” “What will I get out of this?” “How does this line up with my agenda or what I want?” But rather, “How does this align with God’s character and purpose?” “Will this point others to Him?” “Will others sense His goodness, His grace?” “Will this provide remedy to human brokenness?” This is the humble attitude of Jesus. This is the Christmas spirit. So may this season foster in us not only a spirit of giving, but a habit of making my own attitude that of Christ Jesus.

Full Steam Ahead

Karleigh King December 8, 2025

Yesterday, the congregation of Vienna Baptist Church voted to keep their building and pursue measures to revitalize their ministry. Let us pray for this sister church, that God, in His grace, would raise up new leadership, vision, resource and strength for that congregation to be revived and flourish for the gospel of grace in Jesus.

For us, this means we are full steam ahead on our expansion plan with Fourth Elm. Growing Grace has grown significantly – I think you will be greatly encouraged by our next update from Max this coming Sunday, December 14th! Praise God for His gracious generosity through His people.

We want to express our deep gratitude to the church for your forbearance and trust through this short detour. Your confidence is not something we take lightly or for granted. We consider it a weighty matter that we maintain a robust walk with God and sensitivity to His Spirit so that we walk together with you in a Godward direction. We look forward to working with you through the next year toward the completion of our facilities expansion at 3904 Woodview Drive.

The next step for us is to move in to the next stage of our contract with Fourth Elm, which involves drafting the official expansion design and secure the necessary permits. This part of the process takes up to four months, so actual construction on the property will begin likely sometime in late March or early April.

John Glenn, a NASA astronaut, and a US senator said, "We are more fulfilled when we are involved in something bigger than ourselves." The Wonderful Counselor, whose arrival we celebrate during this season, is the One who purposed an awesome work of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. He has called you and me to have a part in it. May we find our fulfillment and joy in Him and His cause this Advent season.

Wholehearted Thanks

Karleigh King December 2, 2025

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of Your hands”
~Psalm 138:8

David was a king over God’s chosen people. It was a stewardship he undertook with immense gravity. Though surrounded by hostile nations, his confidence in Jehovah was based on two promises, 1) The Lord said, “I will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 1:30) meaning his “enemies” were also God’s enemies, 2) the Lord promised that a ruler would sit on his throne forever (2 Samuel 7:16) meaning there was a permanence to his kingdom.

Although David himself may not have understood the specifics of God’s purpose for him, he knew that what God has purposed would certainly take place. Ultimately that purpose was to establish the line of Messiah who would come for the redemption and reconciliation of mankind. God purposed His salvation to reach the ends of the earth.

“My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, I have spoken,
and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
~Isaiah 46:10–11

David knew God’s love wassteadfast because of the covenant, but he also knew God’s character – that God is faithful. So in the 138th Psalm we can envision David walking in conscious trust based on God’s character and promises. This Psalm is a record of his self-talk and his Intentional focus on God’s will and ways. We could say that it is a record of David choosing what occupied his mind.

In application for us, these are the roots of wholehearted thanks. Therefore we can say as David, “In the midst of trouble you preserve my life” (v.7). Jesus told us that we will have tribulation In this world, but He also affirmed that He has overcome the world – so we should be of encouraged. This reminds us of the necessity to keep “the line” in view and not be overcome by the “dot.” Contemplate these strong statements from Romans 8:31–37,

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all! Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Who or what shall separate us from the love of Christ? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

David’s confidence in God for, not only the day-to-day, but for the guarantee that God will carry out His purpose, is rendered in the statement, “You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me” (v.7b). Banking on God’s faithfulness to His character and promises, David moves forward with joy and assurance.

In the same way, Jesus wants us to know that we are in the grip of His grace. “I give [My sheep] eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). The Lord also promised that Jesus will take vengeance against those who trouble His people (Thess 1:6-8). We have every reason to match David’s confidence and gratitude pressing forward.

The handiwork of the Creator has His fingerprints all over it (Ps. 19). Two Sundays ago, Dick Chase exclaimed “I get so excited about God through scientific study!” He was referring to the intricate detail and order, the staggering complexity and beauty in the observed creation. You – His greatest masterpiece (Psalm 139) – were designed purposefully, and you bear the Designer’s image. This means you are the only part of creation that can know Him to the level of enjoying Him It is in this delight that we point others to Him.

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” means you and I can confidently and honestly say, “I’m a work in progress, and He’s not giving up!” We are, after all, predestined to be conformed to His image. This is the promise of His steadfast love that never tires or gets distracted, and it never needs to be earned. We are, rather, the work of His hands because “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

“O LORD, You are our Father;
we are the clay, and You are our potter;
we are all the work of Your hand.”
~Isaiah 64:8

Let us enter this Advent season with wholehearted thanks because we can see how Jehovah kept His promise and fulfilled His purpose in bringing Messiah through David’s line for our redemption and reconciliation to God. God is like what He has done.

A Unique Update

Karleigh King November 18, 2025

Thank you, Grace, for your enthusiasm and continued support for Growing Grace. It is a joy to see the unity of the body as we press forward as one in Christ.

The faithful ministry of God’s Word has yielded a consistent growth pattern. We can confidently say, the Lord Jesus is growing His church – not only spiritually – but numerically. Space has become an issue, and our stewardship of the trellis (the structures of ministry) and the vine (the lives of ministry) is driving our endeavor to meet the needs of the congregation.

This is God’s work, so it makes sense to trust God to provide. If we are being faithful stewards, that is all we can and must do. But God can do beyond what we can ask or imagine. So let’s ask confidently and earnestly because He calls us to depend upon Him. When we do, it is God who gets the glory, not us.

This coming Sunday, November 23rd, there will be special update on the expansion project. We will present this information at the conclusion of the morning worship service. We encourage your presence for this unique update.

Live Open-Handedly, Trusting

Karleigh King November 11, 2025

“You’ve never preached a sermon like that before,” was the feedback from numerous people as I greeted worshippers exiting the auditorium on Sunday morning. It was not said in criticism or disdain, and further conversation revealed that it was intended as a compliment. We are not in the habit of asking God’s people for money from the pulpit, as money is not what defines us. Yet here we are at a place to which God has brought us – on the precipice of an expansion project for the growth of the ministry.

So much good is going on within and around the community of grace; God is drawing people to Himself, lives are being transformed, hearts and minds of the young and the seasoned are being discipled, counseling is a staple of the ministry, bonding, community, and service are characteristics of our care groups. What is untold is how often seeds of truth are planted in conversations, through acts of service and kindness, times of hospitality, and redemptive encounters. The need is clear, and the church has asserted that our facilities need to be expanded.

So, the preaching on God’s work of grace in the outpouring of generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-9) seems fitting for the occasion – the launch of Growing Grace. It was a good launch! There is a strong sense of appreciation for our approach and the spirit with which we embark. There is enthusiasm – with Max Floyd leading out front – as we are called to participate in contributing to the needs of the family of Grace.

We are delighted that at the launch of Growing Grace we were able to report that we have already attained 18% of the goal! The goal of one million dollars was set from the date that the church voted to proceed with the expansion project. So the percentage already received toward the stated goal represents the contributions received since September 7th. Indeed, contributions have been credited to the building fund for a good amount of time before then, but the goal that was communicated was determined by the funds already on hand at the time of the decision to move forward.

Through this whole year of Growing Grace, we will be up-front, transparent, and open to your input and inquiries. We will give regular progress reports on the second Sunday of every month, and we will be equitable in our appeals and encouragements to contribute. We do not want this event to define us, but we also want to be intentionally good stewards of that to which our Father has called us as a family. In other words, we don’t want to inundate you with appeals to the point that your eyes gloss over, but we also want you to keep this in mind.

I am certain – as God’s Spirit works among us – that there will be numerous stories to tell. With appropriate permission, let me begin with this account of God’s grace. One particular family had committed to give a particular amount to Growing Grace. Subsequently to their resolve, their income was put on hold due to the Government shutdown. But launch day came, and the family chose to give as they had committed to. They gave with joy, and with gratitude for the ways that God had provided for them through His family. This is the grace of God at work. This is 2 Corinthians 8:2!

So let us rejoice, and let us earnestly and continually pray the we will live open-handedly, trusting that He will provide.

Overflow

Karleigh King November 4, 2025

One reputation that Grace Bible Church has maintained over the years is that of generosity. When needs are made known, whether in the church, among our missionaries, or in our community, Grace has stepped up with a bounty of kindness. Paul gave the Corinthian church an example of such openhandedness by stating that the churches of Macedonia “overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

Let us seek the Father’s face to prepare our hearts through His Spirit as we launch Growing Grace this coming Sunday morning, November 9th. This project is a big step for Grace, and the Lord has guided us in unity to this point. So let us look to Him for His provision through His people and beyond.

On Sunday morning, Growing Grace will be explained in detail, including a progress report of where we are already. Max Floyd is the point man who will keep the information and enthusiasm in front of us. We encourage you to come with grateful hearts and an expectancy to see the Spirit of God move in our midst and overflow in a wealth of generosity.

There are two main ways to give right now, namely, cash or check payable to Grace Bible Church, designated “Building Fund.” Special “Growing Grace” envelopes will be provided to facilitate this designated giving. You can also use your MyWell account to give to the building fund. Give as God provides and the Spirit prompts. Give out of gratitude and love for Christ and His church. May our hearts be defined by generous dependence upon God.

It is not about how much we have to raise,
but how much God wants to give.

Now may you press forward this week in the outflow of your DAWDLing faith!

Draw near to God

Abide in Christ

Walk by the Spirit

Let His word Dwell in you richly

Love as He has loved you

Growing Grace: An Introduction

Karleigh King October 28, 2025

So, there is a Building Expansion Project to fund. There are a lot of things we could call this — a fundraiser, a capital campaign — but often, these titles are laden with nuance. For example, we will not resort to hosting bake sales and car washes, nor will we pull in a professional to bombard us with hype and pressure. Our aim is to invoke the grace of the Redeemer and the gratitude of His people.

Introducing: “GROWING GRACE”. Our approach in seeking the Father to supply our needs will be based on an expressed and practiced gratitude and dependence upon Him and His Spirit to provide according to His riches. Let us first remember this: It is not about how much we have to raise, but how much He wants to give. James plainly tells his readers, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). In view of this admonition, we will call the church to earnest prayer out of reliance upon the Father. We must remember that this is His work.

Already, I am hearing meaningful accounts of those who recognize His hand in provision for the need that stands before us. There are stories of money that comes from unexpected places and at unexpected times. Our Father wants us to be able to look back at this and say, “See what God had done!” So let us focus on Him in deep gratitude, and may our gratitude for His redeeming grace and His gracious family manifest in generosity.

The giving philosophy we will maintain for “Growing Grace” can be summed up in three points:

Give as God provides and the Spirit prompts.
Give out of gratitude and love for Christ and His church.
Give from the youngest to the oldest so that we are all in.

We will provide the congregation with regular reports on progress toward the goal. Also, we will provide encouragement to all in the church equally. We will approach this project as a family.

The contributions have started to come in since the church elected, by God’s grace, to pursue this expansion. Currently, there are two main ways to give, namely, cash or check payable to Grace Bible Church designated “Building Fund.” Special “Growing Grace” envelopes will be provided to facilitate this designated giving. You can also use your MyWell account to give to the building fund. There are other possible ways to give; we will explore these and communicate with you with clarity in due time.

Growing Grace will officially launch on Sunday, November 9th and span an entire year until November 2026 with a goal of one million dollars. The corporate worship service on November 9th will draw us together before the Father to seek Him in His grace, and to follow the example of His people whose gratitude was poured out in generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-9).

Freedom In Christ

Karleigh King October 21, 2025

Probably one of the most sobering verses in all of Scripture is Hebrews 4:13, which says: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (emphasis added). Many anecdotes are posited in regard to what we can certainly count on in our existence, but the inspired word of the living God offers this one – the ultimate accounting. Whether one chooses to believe it or not is irrelevant. Many do live in essential denial as the Psalmist David depicted: “Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, ‘You will not require an account’” (Psalm 10:13). Existence without accountability (boundaries or restraint) is man’s warped view of freedom, but the final accounting looms: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Man’s basic grasp of ultimate accountability is betrayed by his varied efforts to appease and/or please the Divine (in whatever form or essence He esteems it) or to at least appease his conscience. In every case (absent the grace of God) it results in laborious, wearisome bondage – even if to himself and his own devices. For all of these, the Creator will pass the judgment that says – “Not good enough!” None of it measures up to His standard of perfection, and all of it must be ultimately cast away from unapproachable holiness.

In history, however, the Creator has done two things to prepare His creatures for this ultimate accounting. First, He has proved to man that on his own, he is incapable of measuring up to the perfect requirement of God. Even those who thought they had arrived were told: “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Certainly in exasperation they must have thought “What more can we do?!”

Disclosing the second thing that God has done in history, the apostle Paul (having been confronted with the issue personally) encapsulates the answer to that question in Romans 3:21-22: “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed . . . the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” Faith in Jesus Christ results in the gift of justification to all who believe. This righteousness exceeds that of the very religious or self-righteous. It cannot be attained by doing much good or more good, but simply by being “found in Him, not having my own righteousness, . . . but that which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9).

As Noah, who was found in the ark “by faith,” was shielded from the judgment of God (Hebrews 11:7), so those who are found in Christ by faith are no longer under judgment – today or in the end. For those found in Christ, the apostle affirms, “There is therefore now no condemnation” (Romans 8:1), because those in Christ have “become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). God the Father regards sinners with favor because of the merit and righteousness of His Son. The apostle John expressed the benefit of abiding in Him: “That when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28). In Christ, we benefit from His righteousness and His character. We are free to live!

Spiritual Formation

Karleigh King October 14, 2025

Part of following Jesus is helping others follow Jesus. What steps can you take in corporate worship and outside of corporate worship to intentionally walk with each other in the discipline of keeping in step with the Spirit? Church community is a necessary part of your spiritual formation, “You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

During Sunday’s sermon I asked you to review and think through “3 ways to keep in step with the Spirit.” Once again, let me encourage you to engage in conversation – with yourself and with your spiritual family – on these matters. Walk with each other in the adventure of keeping in step with the Spirit.

Together we can contemplate what steps to take in order to develop and strengthen spiritual disciplines, personal daily habits, and family traditions to keep walking by the Spirt toward the promised “life and peace” for those who “set their minds on the Spirit” (Romans 8:6).

Three Ways to Keep in Step With the Spirit:

1. Listen to the Spirit as He points you to Christ

Jesus said, the Holy Spirit “will glorify Me for He will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).

Ephesians 1:18 – having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you

Romans 8:16 – The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God

May you listen as the Spirit reminds you of who Jesus Christ is, what He has done for you and who you are in Him. This is the gospel. Let the Spirit proclaim it to you afresh each day.

2. Learn from the Spirit as He illuminates God’s Word to you

As the author of Scripture, and the One who knows the mind of the Father, let the Spirit shine the light of God’s self-disclosure into your heart and mind that you may be conformed to the image of Christ.

John 14:26 – He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you

Romans 8:5 – those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit

As the word of Christ dwells in you richly, may the Spirit focus your affections on what He loves, and transform your attitudes to think His thoughts, renewing your ambitions to be fully pleasing to Him.

3. Follow the Spirit as He prompts you to serve

Jesus promised His followers that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).

Romans 15:19 – by the power of the Spirit of God… I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:4 – my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power

May the Spirit of Christ prompt you to draw near to bless others with the gifts He has entrusted to you. He empowers you to live the gospel of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. His presence filling you ignites you to reflect Christ’s goodness with truth and grace.

Finally, pray for each other as Paul prayed for the church:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 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 3:14–21).

Imagine a Spirit-filled church – a community of God’s people keeping in step with the Spirit. Beautiful!

How to “Walk by the Spirit”

Karleigh King October 7, 2025

Walking by the Spirit begins with setting my mind on the things of the Spirit. The Spirit of Christ is His gift to me dwelling in me as He (Jesus) has ascended back to the Father seated at His right hand. Jesus told us that the Spirit will glorify Him. So the Spirit of Christ in me points my attention to Christ – the beauty of His character and high calling of His mission. This is why I am instructed to set my mind on things that are above, not on thing that are on the earth.

The Spirit of Christ in me affirms my position in Christ – that I am safe in the grip of His grace, having His forgiveness and righteousness making me a fully loved and accepted child of God. The mind set on that truth – that reality – will live in light of that truth instead of being paralyzed by guilt and bondage.

The Holy Spirit in the believer is the means of transformation by placing my focus on Christ so that I am captivated by his beauty and goodness. Through this shift of my attention, I am able to rise above the brokenness of bane natural behavior. That being true, the Spirit in me is also my ability to reflect Christ’s character and pursue His purpose. The ambition of one who is walking by the Spirit is to please God, thereby increasing in the knowledge of God.

For these reasons, we are informed that to set our minds on the things of the Spirit is life and peace. I must remember that the imago Dei in me gives me the selective power of what occupies my mind. The Spirit is my prevailing aid in this endeavor.

In contrast to a “Christian walk” that is bent on doing things for God, walking by the Spirit is an integral part of a DAWDLing* faith. I have been reconciled to God, not for the things I can do for Him, but because He wants ME. He created me for Himself. His pleasure is me finding my highest good and deepest satisfaction in Him. So I…

Draw near to God and He draws near to me

Abide in Christ as a branch draws life from the vine

Walk by the Spirit – I feel most alive when His wind fills my sails

Dwelling in me richly is the word of Christ

Love others as Christ has loved me

To serve in the new way of the Spirit rescues me from my natural legalistic thinking that “if I just do the things I’m supposed to, God grants me favor.” Instead, I am called to keep on being filled with the Spirit meaning every part of me is constantly under His control and guidance – I am the glove, He is the hand in the glove. The outcomes of this continual filling (gratitude, joy and humility) are equal to letting His word dwell in me in all of its richness (compare Ephesians 5:18-21 and Col. 3:16-17). Let me state this clearly, I cannot be walking by the Spirit if His word is not richly dwelling in me.

Walking by the Spirit is fulfilling my highest function and the greatest command…

Loving God with all my mind to where I think His thoughts with transformed attitudes.
Loving God with all my heart to where I love what He loves with transformed affections.
Loving God with all my strength to where I serve in His power with transformed actions.
Loving God with all my soul to where I engage with grace in transformed associations.

Walking by the Spirit does not come by a formula or a list of “things I have to do.” It is a matter of abiding, the habit of dwelling, the outflow of a transformed delight – delight in God Himself. It is the delight of dwelling that develops in me the disposition of His grace and goodness. Whoever abides in Him does not think or behave in a way that is contrary to His character or purpose. Walking by the Spirit, rather, produces the fruit of the Spirit which magnifies Jesus (seeing Him for His beauty and majesty) and points others to the goodness of God.

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*To dawdle means to linger intentionally. In other words, be labor intensive in your relationship with God. Jesus recognized Mary for choosing “the one thing that is necessary” (Luke 10:41-42) – to linger at His feet. He calls us to abide in Him, for without Him we can do nothing.

Ordinary Things Become Powerful

Karleigh King October 2, 2025

In Florence, South Carolina this past weekend as I taught the “Walk thru the Bible otLIVE” event, the Lord’s Spirit impressed upon me an insight into the life and experience of Moses. A reluctant leader, Moses pumped out reasons why he was not a good choice to do a hard thing. Because this man was feeling a lack of credibility and connection, God issued a curious command to him.

“What is that in your hand?” God asks.

“A staff,” Moses replies

And the Lord said, “throw it on the ground.”

Without seeking explanation, Moses obeyed the Lord, let go of his staff, and threw it on the ground. Stunningly, the staff became a serpent. Not surprisingly, Moses ran from it.

Then came another command: “catch it by the tail.”

Think about the trust on Moses’ part that this object of fear – a threatening reptile that could cause fatal harm and which he desperately sought to avoid – would be something that God would command him to move toward. In addition, not just move closer, but to reach out and pick it up! Moses caught the serpent by the tail, picked it up, and it once again became his staff. I’m certain this man never looked at his staff the same again.

The Lord gave him more signs so that he and the people would know that this is the Lord’s doing and not just human ambition. But in his last desperate attempt to not be chosen for the task, Moses offered the excuse that he was not eloquent and was slow of speech. God’s reply was a bit more direct, “Who made your mouth?” Then, “I will be with your mouth.”

The message is clear; the sovereign Designer is not hindered by our limitations. We are simply called to entrust what we have to Him for two reasons. First, what do we have that we have not received from Him? It is His, and He has a purpose for it. Second, He is not like us. He is, rather, absolutely free to do as He wills with what we have received from Him. Furthermore, what we have received from God may seem small and insignificant in our eyes – like a walking stick – but God can make it an instrument of His power whereby He parts the waters of the Red Sea or summons drinking water out of a rock. Now this insignificant “walking stick” becomes a powerful testament to the omnipotent Sovereign. The untrained mouth can do the same.

God is faithful to provide where He guides, and here is an encouraging report: this past weekend, we received contributions toward our building fund totaling $120,000! Praise be to God! Let’s continue to trust Him together!

Cold Water To A Thirsty Soul

Karleigh King September 17, 2025

Greetings from Atibiaia, Brazil! We’ve had a pleasurable week with Anna & André along with André’s family. We’ve traveled a bit to a mountain city that looks like Switzerland, we’ve done some touristy things and eaten a lot of good food! On Sunday, we enjoyed worshiping with them as their church has a strong sense of family. Pastor Pedro gave an exposition of Ephesians 2, emphasizing the unity of Christians because of our union with Christ. We also had the joy of celebrating Anna’s 25th birthday with her on Monday. Andrea and I will return home on Friday – we look forward to seeing you all and worshipping with you again this coming Sunday.

It is a joy to see the enthusiasm and participation in signing up for work on the expansion. When it comes to working or serving, and giving and praying about the building project, it is most important that all of us are all-in on this family project. Where God guides, He provides. Let’s trust Him by asking Him for that provision, thereby showing our dependence upon and trust in Him. This project might seem big for us, but it is not big for Him.

In the context of much rhetoric, ideologies, and darkness that sometimes leads to violence over disagreement, let us be encouraged by our Lord, who promised us that in the world, we will have tribulation, “but take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul challenged the Ephesian believers not to take part in unfruitful works of darkness, but to expose them (Ephesians 5:11). The way to expose darkness is to turn on the light. The way to turn on the light is first to live the gospel (Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10). Let your life be the outflow of your walk with God as one graciously reconciled to Him. Secondly, speak truth fearlessly but graciously. Truth can set free those who are in bondage, and the truth we speak is anchored in our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Hopeful people are grateful and gracious, so live as people who are truly free. That is salt and light. It is cold water to a thirsty soul.

Here We Go!

Karleigh King September 9, 2025

Greetings to the family of Grace. I am writing this from lovely Atibaia, Brazil where Andrea and I have the joy of visiting with our daughter, Anna, and her husband, André whom we’ve not seen face to face for twenty-six months. Our reunion has been sweet. Sunday was momentous for us – the great delight of worship at Grace, the church’s vote on the expansion, then bounding away to the airport for the long trek to the southern hemisphere.

Praise the Lord for the unity of the church and resounding affirmation of the expansion project! This is a big step for Grace. We proclaim now and may it be that upon the completion of the expansion we can confidently proclaim, “to God be the glory!”

Some of you might be asking, so what happens next? Now, Fourth Elm and the architect will begin to craft the official drawings and “blueprints” for the expansion. This will lead to application for permits to begin the work. These things always take time – usually more than we like – but progress has begun, and for that we are thankful. We are hoping that we will be able to begin the excavation soon. It may be that the actual construction may not begin until early 2026.

As we wait on others, there are matters that we can and must be doing. Below are the first two steps:

1) Let the church come together to pray. Pray in yourhomes, pray at care group, pray among your ministry team and committee meetings, let us pray in corporate worship, and may we have special meetings simply to be before the Father’s throne in this time of need. We must confess our dependence upon our Father and ask Him to provide. We cannot take this for granted. May the Spirit compel each of us to contribute generously and joyfully to this project.

2) Let us aid Tim Clark & Wayne Roberts in identifying the pool of willing skilled workers in the church and the specific work they will accomplish to reduce the cost of the project. Be on the lookout for communication on this matter. If you are skilled and would like to volunteer your time and talent, please reach out to Tim as the project manager.

We resolve to be transparent through this whole process so that the entire congregation feels in touch and each person knows that they play a significant part in the progress over the next year to the completion of the project. That being said, let’s remember that the building is not an end, but an instrument in the life and mission of the church that the Lord Jesus is building as He promised.

So, here we go – let’s do this!

A Matter Of Faith

Karleigh King August 26, 2025

Faith is taking God at His word. But what about when God has not specifically spoken on a matter – like expanding a building? Obviously, our expansion project is not addressed in God’s self-disclosure, so how do we take Him at His word? In what way do we approach this as a matter of faith? Are there particular precepts of Scripture that we must follow? I see at least three:

The call to be faithful
The call to good stewardship
The call to confess and exercise dependence upon God

We are called to be imitators of God. So, because He is faithful, we are to be faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24; Revelation 2:10). Faithfulness is part of God’s holiness – so it is for us. It is hard to imagine someone who claims to be holy, but is not faithful. It is our ambition to be faithful to His word – rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) with humility and submission.

That faithfulness is demonstrated, secondly, in good stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:2). Paul asked the Corinthian church, “what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Everything that we enjoy is entrusted to us by our Creator. This includes not only the gospel of truth and grace, but the fellowship of our church family and all that we share in common.

Third, it makes clear sense that we, the created, should confess and exercise our dependence upon the Creator. We are limited; He is infinite. He is the Sustainer; we are part of the created order that He sustains (Colossians 1:16). We were brought into this created order for His purpose, not vice versa. The Lord Jesus instructed His followers, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7) and “whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified” (John 14:13). Asking in His name means asking for what is according to His character and purpose. James makes it clear, you don’t have for two reasons: you don’t ask, or you ask to spend on your passions (James 4:2-3).

Here is how our expansion project lines up with taking God at His word: first, the faithful ministry of the Word at Grace has yielded a consistent growth pattern. We can confidently say, the Lord Jesus is growing His church – not only spiritually – but numerically to the degree that space has become an issue. Second, our stewardship of the trellis (the structures of ministry) and the vine (the lives of ministry) is reflected in our endeavor to meet the needs of the congregation. There is nothing extravagant about this expansion plan and it is not by the philosophy “if you build it, they will come.” The Lord has entrusted us with growing numbers (an expanding vine), it is good stewardship to provide an adequate trellis for the vine.

Lastly, since this is God’s work it only makes sense to trust God to provide. If we are being faithful stewards, that is all we can and must do. But God can do beyond what we can ask or imagine. So let’s ask confidently and earnestly because He calls us to depend upon Him. When we do, it is God who gets the glory, not us.

Our approach to this expansion project has been a bit like the Israelite priests stepping into the Jordan before the Lord parted the water. We can begin and complete Phase One – the new build with offices and the kitchen – during which time we must engage a capital campaign (in-house) with a goal of $1,000,000 in order to complete Phase Two and Phase Three – the Fellowship Hall and the spacious new auditorium. If in God’s providence we come up just a bit short of the capital campaign goal, then that small percentage would be funded by securing a mortgage so that the project can be fully completed. We would not want an unfinished, unusable building.

In summary, here is the substance of the vote for the members of Grace on September 7th:

Contract with Fourth Elm for the three-phase expansion & renovation plan including:
i. New build on the north side for offices and a kitchen
ii. Renovation of the downstairs to expand the Fellowship Hall
iii. Renovation of the upstairs to expand the Auditorium
The contractual cost of $2.146 million, while pursuing cost reductions (to approximately $1.8 million) through in-house labor
Use of the Building Fund & Ministry Expansion Fund (approximately $900K) toward the first phase starting immediately
Launching an in-house capital campaign with the goal of $1 million to complete the expansion project
Obtain a mortgage ONLY if the capital campaign goal is not fully reached

Here is the link to the Building Expansion Video if you were not able to be present when the Building Expansion Project was presented in person.

This is a big ask and it is where we must be before the Father’s throne of grace to find help in time of need! Let’s not limit God by what we think we can do. Pray earnestly, pray continually, and pray as family.