Grow In Faith

Life giving devotionals in under 5 minutes. Pastor Mike Woodruff, Christ Church pastors, and others will guide you through the Bible and help provide insights into scripture and practical takeaways for your daily walk with God.

Grow In Faith is a religion podcast hosted by Christ Church IL, with 566 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Christ Church IL hosts Grow In Faith, a religion show with 566 episodes published.

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  Episode #16

  How to Share Your Faith and Invite Someone to Church | Made for Something, Part 16

  Oct 8, 20266 minS19

  What if the biggest barrier to sharing your faith isn't the other person's hostility, but the fact that nobody has ever asked them? In Part 16, the finale of our "Made for Something" series, Pastor Mike Woodruff closes out the fall study with Paul's final assignment in Colossians 4:5-6: be wise toward outsiders, make the most of every opportunity, and let your conversations be full of grace, seasoned with salt. Mike boils Paul's instruction down to one simple line: talk to God about people, and talk to people about God. That starts with prayer, asking God for opportunities, courage, and wisdom to recognize them. It continues by loving, investing in, and serving the people around you, so that when the moment comes, your words carry weight. "Salty" speech isn't sailor vocabulary. It's speech that preserves and entices, the "salt and light" Jesus calls us to be. Mike also reminds us that the barriers are lower than we think. Many people would go to church if someone simply invited them back, and if they ask a hard question, "Great question, let me think about that and get back to you" is a perfectly good answer. You're also the subject matter expert on one thing: your own story. Mike shares why there's real urgency here, drawing on moments in hospital rooms and conversations that never happened. Then he brings the whole series together: you were made to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, to love your neighbor, to worship, to live in community, to grow, to serve, and to share the love of God. His closing challenge: pray for the names of a couple of people you could invite down a spiritual pathway. This is Part 16 and the finale of our multi-week series on being made for something greater than yourself. Scripture focus: Colossians 4:5-6; Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 22:37-39 ️ Speaker: Pastor Mike Woodruff "Made for Something" Devotional Series , a multi-week journey into purpose and calling In this devotional you'll learn: What Paul means by "be wise in the way you act toward outsiders" and "make the most of every opportunity" Why "talk to God about people and talk to people about God" is a simple model for sharing your faith What it means for your conversations to be "seasoned with salt" Why the barrier to inviting someone to church is lower than you think How to handle hard questions when someone raises them (it's okay to say "let me get back to you") Why your own story makes you a subject matter expert A recap of everything you were made for: love, worship, community, growth, service, and sharing God's love New to our devotionals? We post short, daily devotionals designed to help you start your day grounded in Scripture. "Made for Something" is a multi-week series exploring purpose, calling, and what it means to be made on purpose, for a purpose. Frequently asked: How do I share my faith with someone who doesn't believe? Mike suggests starting with prayer for opportunities, courage, and wisdom, then loving and serving people so you earn a hearing. When the opening comes, share your own story simply, and invite them to take a next step, like church or a group such as Alpha. What does "seasoned with salt" mean in Colossians 4:6? It describes speech that is gracious and wise, acting as a preservative and attractive flavor, not harsh or crude. It's tied to Jesus' call for believers to be salt and light in the world. What if someone asks a hard question about God? You don't need all the answers. Mike says it's fine to respond, "Great question, let me think about that and get back to you." How do I invite someone to church? Start by praying for a couple of specific people, then be a blessing to them, ask what they're reading or thinking about, and invite them to a next step with you. Many people say they'd go to church if someone simply asked. #MadeForSomething #HowToShareYourFaith #Colossians4 #InviteSomeoneToChurch #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #PastorMikeWoodruff #ChristianDevotional #SaltAndLight #Evangelism

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  Episode #15

  What Is My Purpose in Life? You Were Made to Serve | Made for Something, Part 15

  Oct 7, 20265 minS19

  A man travels all the way to India searching for the meaning of life, comes home empty-handed, and starts asking gas station attendants what he's supposed to be doing. The reply he finally gets from Chevron? A credit card application. In Part 15 of our "Made for Something" series, Pastor Mike Woodruff shares this classic Mike Royko story from Chicago journalism to make a simple point: you won't find your purpose at a gas station. You get it from the one who created you. Drawing on Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Peter 4:10, Mike shows that one right, important answer to "What am I here for?" is "I'm here to serve." Jesus himself said he did not come to be served but to serve, a radical statement from the all-powerful Creator. You were created to be a contributor, not just a consumer, and the biblical word for that is ministry. Ministry isn't reserved for trained professionals. Any time you use your gifts, abilities, resources, time, or network to help others, you're doing ministry. Mike revisits Rick Warren's SHAPE framework from The Purpose Driven Life (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences), noting that even your hardest experiences, like grief, addiction, job loss, or divorce, can position you to serve others in profound ways. And remember who you're really serving: in Matthew 25, Jesus says that when you serve the least of these, you are serving him. This is Part 15 of our multi-week series on being made for something greater than yourself, focused on finding your place to serve. Scripture focus: Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10; Matthew 25:40; Mark 10:45 ️ Speaker: Pastor Mike Woodruff "Made for Something" Devotional Series , a multi-week journey into purpose and calling In this devotional you'll learn: Why your purpose comes from your Creator, not from searching the world for answers What Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Peter 4:10 teach about being made to serve Why Jesus' words "I came not to be served but to serve" are so radical What "ministry" really means, and why it isn't just for professionals How Rick Warren's SHAPE framework can help you find where to serve Why your hardest experiences can become your most powerful way to help others Who you're really serving when you help "the least of these" (Matthew 25) New to our devotionals? We post short, daily devotionals designed to help you start your day grounded in Scripture. "Made for Something" is a multi-week series exploring purpose, calling, and what it means to be made on purpose, for a purpose. Frequently asked: What is my purpose in life according to the Bible? Scripture teaches that we are God's workmanship, created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10), and that each person should use their gifts to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace (1 Peter 4:10). Serving is a central part of our purpose. What does "ministry" mean in the Bible? Ministry simply means serving others. Anytime you use your gifts, abilities, time, resources, or relationships to help people, you are doing ministry, whether or not you hold a church title. What is the SHAPE framework from The Purpose Driven Life? Rick Warren's acronym stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart (passions), Abilities, Personality, and Experiences, five factors that help you discover where you're uniquely suited to serve. Mike notes that difficult experiences can be especially powerful in serving others. Who am I serving when I serve others? In Matthew 25, Jesus says that serving "the least of these" is serving him. #MadeForSomething #PurposeOfLife #YouWereMadeToServe #1Peter4 #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #PastorMikeWoodruff #ChristianDevotional #SHAPE #PurposeDrivenLife

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  Episode #14

  What Is Prayer and How Do I Pray? "Devote Yourselves to Prayer" | Made for Something, Part 14

  Oct 6, 20264 minS19

  We agonize over whether to take this job or that one, go this way or that way. But some of God's will isn't a mystery at all. In Part 14 of our "Made for Something" series, Pastor Mike Woodruff points to one thing Scripture makes crystal clear: devote yourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2). So what is prayer? Mike shares the story of D.L. Moody asking a room of schoolchildren that very question and getting a Westminster Confession answer from a young Scottish boy: prayer is the offering up of our desires to God. Mike loves the ACTS acrostic (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication), but he reminds us that the Psalmists, and Jesus himself in the Garden of Gethsemane, were remarkably honest about telling God what they wanted. God already knows our desires, and voicing them helps us process, and sometimes even realize, "maybe not." Notice, too, that the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them to walk on water. They asked him to teach them to pray. Mike encourages you to keep praying through the hard seasons: shake it up with a prayer walk, write out your prayers, or read them. And leave room for silence and listening for the voice of God. This is Part 14 of our multi-week series on being made for something greater than yourself, focused on prayer. Scripture focus: Colossians 4:2; John 17; Matthew 26:39 ️ Speaker: Pastor Mike Woodruff "Made for Something" Devotional Series , a multi-week journey into purpose and calling In this devotional you'll learn: Why prayer is one part of God's will you never have to wonder about The story of D.L. Moody and the schoolchild who defined prayer from the Westminster Confession How the ACTS acrostic (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) fits with honestly telling God what you want What Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane teaches about asking and surrender Why the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray Practical ways to keep praying when it's hard, including prayer walks, written prayers, and silence New to our devotionals? We post short, daily devotionals designed to help you start your day grounded in Scripture. "Made for Something" is a multi-week series exploring purpose, calling, and what it means to be made on purpose, for a purpose. Frequently asked: What is prayer according to the Bible? Prayer is communion with God, including bringing him our desires, confessions, thanks, and praise. The Westminster Confession describes it as offering up our desires to God in Christ's name, by the help of the Spirit. Is it okay to tell God what I want in prayer? Yes. The Psalms are full of honest requests, and Jesus himself told the Father what he wanted in Gethsemane before surrendering to God's will. God already knows our desires, and voicing them helps us process them. What is the ACTS prayer acrostic? ACTS stands for adoration (praising God), confession (admitting sin), thanksgiving (thanking God), and supplication (making requests). What should I do when prayer feels hard? Mike suggests changing it up: take a prayer walk, write out your prayers, read prayers, and include time to sit in silence and listen for God. #MadeForSomething #HowToPray #WhatIsPrayer #Colossians4 #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #PastorMikeWoodruff #ChristianDevotional #ACTSPrayer #PrayerLife

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  Episode #13

  How to Grow Spiritually as a Christian: What Is Sanctification? | Made for Something, Part 13

  Oct 5, 20265 minS19

  Babies are adorable. But if a baby never grows, it stops being cute and becomes tragic. In Part 13 of our "Made for Something" series, Pastor Mike Woodruff turns to a question every believer should ask: are you growing, or are you just growing older? Mike explains that spiritual growth isn't optional. Romans 8 says God's goal for everyone who comes to him is to be conformed to the image of his Son. We won't become gods, but we are meant to become godly: Jesus-like, with the character and the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5. Mike offers a simple picture, a spectrum from negative five (as far from God as you can be) to positive five (fully in God's presence), with conversion as the zero point where we cross over. Forgiveness and adoption into God's family are wonderful, but they're not the finish line. Justification is an instant, grace-filled event; sanctification, the lifelong growth that follows, is also grace-filled but is a partnership. As Augustine put it, we can't do it on our own, and God won't do it on his own. Mike draws on George Marsden's biography of Jonathan Edwards, who paired reliance on the Holy Spirit with personal discipline in Bible study, reflection, and prayer, and on Philippians 2, where Paul urges us to "work out" the salvation we've been graciously given. This is Part 13 of our multi-week series on being made for something greater than yourself, focused on spiritual growth. Scripture focus: Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:12 ️ Speaker: Pastor Mike Woodruff "Made for Something" Devotional Series , a multi-week journey into purpose and calling In this devotional you'll learn: Why spiritual growth is necessary, not optional, for a healthy faith What Romans 8 means by being "conformed to the image of his Son" A simple negative-five-to-positive-five picture of the spiritual life The difference between justification (instant) and sanctification (lifelong partnership) Augustine's insight: we can't grow on our own, and God won't do it on his own How Jonathan Edwards combined the Spirit's power with personal discipline A challenge question: are you growing, or just growing older? New to our devotionals? We post short, daily devotionals designed to help you start your day grounded in Scripture. "Made for Something" is a multi-week series exploring purpose, calling, and what it means to be made on purpose, for a purpose. Frequently asked: What is sanctification in the Christian life? Sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus after conversion. Unlike justification, which happens in an instant, sanctification is a lifelong, grace-filled partnership between God's work and our effort. What does "conformed to the image of his Son" mean? In Romans 8:29, Paul says God's goal is for believers to take on the character of Jesus. It doesn't mean becoming divine, but becoming godly, reflecting qualities like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. What does "work out your salvation" mean in Philippians 2? It means actively living out and growing into the gift of salvation you've already been given by grace, not earning it, but cooperating with God as he changes you. Is spiritual growth up to us or up to God? Both. Quoting Augustine, Mike notes we can't do it on our own, and God won't do it on his own. Spiritual growth involves relying on the Holy Spirit while also practicing disciplines like Bible study and prayer. #MadeForSomething #SpiritualGrowth #Sanctification #Philippians2 #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #PastorMikeWoodruff #ChristianDevotional #JonathanEdwards #Romans8

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  Episode #12

  What Is Agape Love? The Biblical Meaning of Love (1 Corinthians 13) | Made for Something, Part 12

  Oct 1, 20264 minS19

  When one word covers your commitment to your spouse and your love of deep dish pizza, it's been spread a little thin. In Part 12 of our "Made for Something" series, Pastor Mike Woodruff recovers the richer, tougher meaning of biblical love and shows why it changes how we treat the people God puts around us. Mike walks through the Greek words behind the English "love": eros (romantic attraction), phileo (brotherly affection, the root of Philadelphia), and agape, the big one. Agape is selfless commitment, love that is not first a feeling but a choice. When Scripture commands us to love one another, it isn't asking for warm feelings. It's asking us to do right by people and care for them. Paul's famous description in 1 Corinthians 13 (patient, kind, not self-seeking, keeping no record of wrongs) is a list of actions, not butterflies in the stomach. Mike shares what he tells couples at weddings, then brings in C.S. Lewis's advice from Mere Christianity : don't manufacture feelings, act as if you love someone, and real affection will follow. Applied to the church, that means patience with the actual, occasionally exasperating people in your circle: showing up when it's inconvenient, serving without recognition, forgiving without keeping the receipt, and speaking truth without wielding it. Mike closes with a practical challenge: put yourself where agape can happen. This is Part 12 of our multi-week series on being made for something greater than yourself, continuing our look at the second half of the Greatest Commandment: loving the people God puts around you. Scripture focus: 1 Corinthians 13:4-6; John 13:35; Matthew 22:39 ️ Speaker: Pastor Mike Woodruff "Made for Something" Devotional Series , a multi-week journey into purpose and calling In this devotional you'll learn: The difference between eros, phileo, and agape in the Greek New Testament Why biblical love is a choice and a commitment, not primarily an emotion What 1 Corinthians 13 says love looks like in action C.S. Lewis's advice: act as if you love someone, and feelings will follow What it means to love the church, including its imperfect and exasperating people A practical challenge: join a small group, serve on a team, and say yes to Bible study New to our devotionals? We post short, daily devotionals designed to help you start your day grounded in Scripture. "Made for Something" is a multi-week series exploring purpose, calling, and what it means to be made on purpose, for a purpose. Frequently asked: What is agape love in the Bible? Agape is the Greek word for selfless, committed love. It is not first a feeling but a choice to seek another person's good, which is the kind of love Scripture commands believers to show one another. What does 1 Corinthians 13 say about love? Paul describes love as patient and kind, not envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered, and as keeping no record of wrongs. These are descriptions of actions, not emotions. How do I love people I don't feel warmly toward? Drawing on C.S. Lewis, Mike suggests acting as if you love them: serve them, seek their good, and hold your tongue for their sake. Feelings tend to follow behavior more reliably than behavior follows feelings. How will the world know we are Christians? In John 13:35, Jesus says people will know we belong to him by our love for one another. #MadeForSomething #AgapeLove #1Corinthians13 #WhatIsLove #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #PastorMikeWoodruff #ChristianDevotional #CSLewis #LoveOneAnother

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