• Devotional

    Simplicity Unfolded (Plus a personal note)

    March 20, 2024

    Note to readers: Greetings, friends! I’ve received some feedback that posts sometimes get buried and revisiting topics can be helpful. This, paired with taking some time away to write new content, I’ve decided to re-post the series on simplicity. I hope you enjoy! I am looking forward to this new season. All the best from my home to yours, Sarah Simplicity “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and Godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” 2 Corinthians 1:12…

  • Devotional

    Knowledge and Discernment

    December 30, 2023

    “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV). In the last post we talked about the beginning of this prayer- how abundant love is the direct result of abiding in Christ. The apostle didn’t stop his intersession for the church with his request that their love would abound more and…

  • Current Series - Devotional

    In Love

    December 27, 2023

    “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV). Over the next couple posts, we’ll be exploring this entire prayer! Today, we’ll start by looking at the beginning. Anytime the apostle Paul references specific aspects of his walk or prayer life, my feet come to a halt. “And it is my…

  • Devotional - On a personal note

    Portion

    December 20, 2023

    When I was thirteen, I began studying the Bible. I’d been steeped in Bible stories since infancy, but at thirteen I participated in a Bible reading challenge that quickly turned into something life changing: I met Jesus in the pages of scripture. As a side note to youth leaders and those who work with kids: God used the youth pastor in my life in a big way- the effects of which are still present in my walk with the Lord! Discipleship for teenagers is so important. As someone who grew immensely from those foundational teachings in youth group, I just…

  • Devotional

    Sincerity Unfolded (Part II)

    December 8, 2023

    In our last post, we explored the Godly simplicity with which the apostle Paul behaved in the world (that article can be found here!: Simplicity Unfolded). We also talked about how that simplicity takes on the connotation of being “unfolded.” Paul and the brothers with him didn’t walk in the world carrying a myriad of hidden motives- they were simple (unfolded) in their dealing with people. Today, we’ll explore the other word that is used to describe their behavior and how it helps to complete the example they left for believers today. Defining sincerity “For our boast is this, the…

  • Devotional

    Simplicity Unfolded

    December 6, 2023

    “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and Godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” 2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV). This verse hangs above my desk. It’s not on anything fancy, just a piece of paper from a notebook. I haven’t adjusted to it’s presence there (and I hope I never will!). This verse stops me every time I read it. The apostle Paul encouraged the early church to follow after his example, as he followed after Christ (if you’d…

  • Devotional

    Who is He?

    December 1, 2023

    Christmas, it’s just around the corner! Everything in town is getting festive and Christmas parties are on the calendar. I love all the visiting and the wrapping of gifts (seriously, send me your packages and I will wrap them!). My husband and I have several Christmas movies we watch each year and we’re slowly making our way through the list! It seems easy to turn eyes toward Bethlehem and that stable where Christ was born when songs like O Come Emmanuel play over the radio. Mid November through that first week of the new year, the birth of Christ is…

  • Current Series - Devotional

    Walking it Out

    November 29, 2023

    “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV). The first lie that humankind listened to in the garden: “Did God really say…” A spiritual sleep can come over us when we begin to doubt the authority of God’s word or the intent behind clearly defined boundaries in scripture. “Did God really say…” “Yes, he did.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 is a good scripture to tuck away for that moment of decision. God’s word is our sword and it demolishes…

  • On a personal note

    Remembering with Thanksgiving

    November 17, 2023

    Humans are hardwired with a desire to retrace things that have happened. We want to mull over the past, retrace our steps, and hold onto the precious moments. God made us this way: we’re meant to remember. A way to remember There’s an interesting account in the book of Joshua concerning remembrance. The people of Israel witnessed the Jordan River part. It was a miracle experienced by everyone as they walked across on dry land. Joshua chose twelve men (one from each of the tribes) and had them take a stone from the river bed. The stones would serve as…

  • Current Series - Devotional

    Why a Narrow Path?

    November 15, 2023

    “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV). Why? After reading this passage, the natural question is: why is the way narrow? Why aren’t there lots of paths and options that all ultimately lead to the same place? The answer to this question is found in the pages of scripture: the way is narrow because we are…