Grow in Grace Podcast

We understand that dealing with disappointment can be incredibly difficult. Sometimes, we can feel absolutely devastated by unmet expectations. But then we read in Hebrews to “be content with what you have”. How do we reconcile the two? How can we be content when life is disappointing and not how we had hoped it would be? God gives us the secret to contentment no matter what our circumstances in His Word. He is good and faithful and doesn’t command us to “be content” without giving us the grace and means to walk it out. Embrace your life:How to find joy when the life you have is not the life you hoped for. - Elizabeth Woodson Now and Not Yet : Pressing in when you’re waiting, wanting, and restless for more. - Ruth Chou Simons Embrace the life God has given you (Video) - John Piper The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World - Melissa Kruger

There are so many people living with chronic illness. Our world is fractured with sin and we feel the effects regularly. The aches and pains in our bodies and of this world are a stark reminder that God created us for something more beautiful and eternal. Our body longs to be home in the true resurrected body. Yet in the midst of suffering, we can find hope in the gospel. We can rejoice that we do not face the pain of this world alone and one day, the Lord will return and make all things new with no more grief and no more pain. In this episode, we are joined by our friend Brittany Allen, to discuss her journey with chronic illness, God’s goodness in the midst of suffering, and the hope of the gospel. We hope this episode encourages you. Every Moment Holy Volume II: A Liturgy for those enduring lasting pain Where can I go, but to you, Jesus? And who but you can come to me? Either take this pain away, O Christ Or enfold me in the embrace of your Spirit And cradle me through it. For I cannot bear it alone. I cannot bear it alone.

In this episode, Kristen and Shanna discuss how we should view our bodies. As believers who’ve placed our eternal hope in Jesus, we’re not immune to body image struggles. They’re part of our broken world—a world that is hyper-focused on physical bodies. We are bombarded on a daily basis with images and headlines that tell us what to look like, what to eat, and how to work out. Our identity must be rooted in Christ, not in what the world or others around us tells us our bodies should look like.

In this episode, Shanna and Kristen take on one of the most controversial topics. We will discuss some common misunderstandings of submission and look to Jesus's example to reshape our understanding, as we seek to let Scripture, not culture, dictate how we act and think about submission. Links: The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission - John Piper Men and Women in the Local Church - Kevin DeYoung Authority: God’s good and Dangerous Gift - Jonathan Leeman Essential and Indispensable Women and the Mission of the Church - Jonathan Leeman The State of Complementarianism - Albert Mohler

We are joined with author Whitney Pipkin to talk about her brand new book "We Shall All Be Changed". Whitney's book is beautifully honest and theologically rich. She invites us to consider death so that we might understand life and how to live it. We talk about her heart behind the book, how God met her in her suffering, and how in the midst of suffering we can find ourselves in the arms of a Savior who suffered, wept, died and rose again — yet kept his scars. Buy her book here or on amazon Visit Whitney's Website here Follow Whitney on social media @whitneykpipkin

Have you ever wondered if you are in God's will? Can we actually know God's will for our lives? This is one of the biggest questions that people ask themselves. How do I know what God wants me to do with my life and how do I know that I am doing the right thing? In today's episode, we discuss what we see in Scripture about God's will, both his hidden and revealed will, and how we can know His will for us.

Have you ever read a book that is so beautifully written that you don't want to put it down? That is what we experienced reading Lara d'Entremont's book "A Mother Held. " In today's episode, we sit down and talk to Lara about her inspiration to write the book, her experiences with fear and anxiety through pregnancy and motherhood, and most of all how God carried her through all of it and showed himself faithful. We hope you enjoy listening to this interview as much we enjoyed talking to Lara. To read more of Lara's work check out her website Pre-order her book here

It's Season 3!! Do you like New Years because it's another opportunity to set new goals? Today, we talk through setting goals and how we can use them to help us meet our ultimate aim of glorifying God in everything we do. Book Recommendation: Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies

Merry Christmas!! Scripture to read: Luke 21:27-28 2 Peter 3:8-14 Songs suggested: In Christ Alone Look and See You Hold Me Now. Reflection: Re-read 2 Peter 3:8-14. What stands out to you in this passage and why? What questions does it leave you with? How does your life reflect your belief that Jesus will return? Is it something you think about and long for? What do you think of when you hear or read the words “be diligent”? What does it look like for you to be diligent in pursuing holiness and godliness? In what areas do you need to fight and flee from sin? In what areas do you need to cultivate love for God and love for others? Look up Romans 8:22-25. Compare it to Revelations 21:1-7. What future birth do we await? How does looking expectantly to the promised return of Jesus affect the way you see your present circumstances? In prayer, thank God for the reality that Jesus will return and make all things new. Confess any areas of your life where you haven’t been diligent in pursuing holiness. Ask the Lord to show you specific ways you can actively await His promised return in the coming year

Scripture to read: Matthew 2:1-12 Songs suggested: Joy to the World O Come, All Ye Faithful Go! Tell it on the Mountain We Three Kings Reflection: Look up Psalms 86:9. What promise do you see in this verse? What reassurance does the story of the Magi give us about spreading the gospel? How should the story challenge us as those who are called to tell the Good News? What common reasons do Christians give for not spreading the gospel to all nations? Are any of the reasons valid? Look up Ephesians 2:11-17. In this passage, who are “those who were far off”? Are people in foreign countries farther off from the gospel than you were when you first heard it? Explain. What is the primary means God uses to make disciples of all nations? How can you actively take the gospel to all nations in the upcoming year? Think of someone you know who is actively involved in reaching the nations with the gospel. Take time this week to pray for them by name.

Scripture to read: Luke 2:8-20 Romans 10:14-15 Reflection: How did you first hear the gospel? Who told you, and how did you respond? God does not need messengers to communicate His gospel. Why do you think He charged the shepherds with sharing the Good News of Jesus’ birth? Why do you think He charges us with sharing the Good News of salvation? Did sharing the news of Jesus’ birth feel like a burden or a joy to the shepherds? Why? How do you feel about sharing the gospel? What might help you consistently view it as a joyful calling? What fears keep you from sharing the news that Jesus has come to save sinners? Look up Colossians 1:3-6. How might the assurance in this passage increase your boldness? In prayer, praise God for loving the weak, despised, and lowly. Thank Him for the person or means He used to share the gospel with you and ask Him for the boldness and faith to do the same. Suggested Songs: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Angels We Have Heard on High While Shepherds Kept Their Watch By Night Come Ye Lofty, Come Ye Lowly

Scripture to read Micah 5:2 Luke 2:1-7 Consider the prophecies from Isaiah 9:1-7 and Micah 5:2. How do you see these fulfilled in Jesus’ birth? Think about the circumstances that led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. What do they show you about God’s sovereignty? What promises has God already fulfilled in your life? How do you keep the memory of His faithfulness fresh? What promises of God are you waiting to see fulfilled? How does the perfect fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Messiah encourage your confidence in His faithfulness? In prayer, thank God for the perfect fulfillment of His promise through Jesus. Confess places where your confidence in His faithfulness is weak and ask Him for increased trust, belief and hope. Songs suggested: O Holy Night Silent Night God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Join Shanna and Kristen this week as we return to a series we did last year through the time of Advent. You'll get a new mini episode every week through December. We hope you enjoy this time of celebrating Advent with us. Scripture to read Genesis 3:15 Isaiah 9:1-7 Reflection: Consider Israel’s long wait for the Savior to come. How do you think God’s people fought against doubt, discouragement and the temptation to believe God forgot them? Are you good at waiting? Why or Why not? What makes some promises easier to wait on than others? God often gives us seasons of waiting to sift and strengthen our faith. If you are in a season of waiting, what might the Lord be teaching you? How strong is your confidence that God keeps His promises? Read 2 Corinthians 1:19-20. How does this passage affect your understanding of God’s faithfulness? Pray for yourself and those around you, asking God to open your eyes and heart to what He has for you this advent season. Songs suggested: O Come, O Come Emmanuel Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Suggested Advent Album: Behold the Lamb of God - Andrew Peterson

There are a lot of people in our culture today “deconstructing” their faith. But what does that even mean? For some people, this means turning away from Christianity entirely. That’s why the term “deconstruction” is often tied to deconversion stories. But for others, deconstruction means intentionally evaluating their beliefs to see what is true and what isn’t. In this episode, Shanna and Kristen consider how we should respond to this movement. We actually look at deconstruction from many different angles and see how the Bible plays into this current cultural moment. Theological triage article Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage Visit our website Shop our store

"The church is the bride of Christ and the body of Christ — a people set apart to declare God’s praises to the nations and called to become more like the people of God we are meant to be. We shouldn’t be surprised by hurt and pain in the church, because everyone in the church is still sinful. But while saving faith in Christ is not surprised by brokenness, it is never content or negligent with it either." Join Shanna and Kristen as they talk about what is meant when we discuss church hurt and what does God call us to do when we are hurt by those in the church. Visit out Website

In our last episode, we defined what an idol is. We said that an idol is anything or anyone that begins to capture our hearts, minds and affections more than God. In this episode, we want to dive a little deeper into the day to day practicality of idolatry, and then end with good news for the believer. Recommended Resource: Instruments in the Redeemers Hands Visit our website Shop Merch

Christians often think that they are exempt from idolatry because they don’t verbally profess to worship something other than God. In this episode, Shanna and Kristen talk about idolatry and the different ways it can show up in our lives. Definition: An idol is anything or anyone that begins to capture our hearts, minds and affections more than God. Visit our website Shop our merch

Many women feel constant pressure to be perfect in all areas of their lives. And because of this pressure, we push ourselves to our limits trying to be (or appear) perfect. But, perfectionism is oftentimes rooted in love of self. It is the outworking of the wrongful belief that we can earn our way into God’s good graces. If we want to have a thriving relationship with God, we need to deal with our perfectionism so that He alone is the standard of perfection in our lives. Join Shanna and Kristen as they chat about the false story of perfectionism and the hope of the Gospel.

WHOO this is another great interview with Elizabeth Woodson. In this episode, we chat with Elizabeth about the false stories that we believe and how the gospel is not only different, but better. You will worship someone or something. You will be formed by someone or something. What are you being formed by? Listen along and be encouraged! You can find Elizabeth here: https://www.thewoodsoninstitute.org/ Check out our website for all things Grow in Grace! https://growingracepodcast.com/

Join Kristen and Shanna as they talk with Brittany Allen about the goodness of God through suffering. Brittany is a friend of Kristen's and an incredible writer. Find more of her words on her website https://brittleeallen.com