As believers in Jesus Christ, our primary calling is to reach up and grow in our relationship with God. This upward focus is the foundation on which all other aspects of our Christian life are built. It is by reaching up to God that we receive the strength, the wisdom, and the love necessary to reach out to others with the gospel message and reach in to care for and encourage our fellow believers.

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This verse demonstrates how important it is to stay connected to Christ and continue reaching up to Him. As we abide in Christ, we will draw near to God and experience the transformation power of His presence in our lives.

One of the main ways we reach up to God is through prayer. Prayer is our direct line of communication with our Heavenly Father, and it is through prayer that we express our gratitude, we confess our sins, and we seek His guidance and provision (Philippians 4:6-7). When we spend time on a regular basis with God in prayer, our relationship with Him grows deeper, and we become more tuned-in to His will for our lives.

Another essential aspect of reaching up is to study and meditate on God's Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As we immerse ourselves in the Bible, we gain a deeper understanding of who God is, what He has done for us, and how He desires for us to live. The Word of God serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), and it guides us in our daily walk with Christ.

Worship is another vital component of reaching up to God. When we worship, we acknowledge God's greatness, we express our adoration and we surrender our lives to Him. Psalm 95:6-7 invites us to “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Through heartfelt worship, we line our hearts up with God's and we experience the joy and peace that comes from being in His presence.

As we consistently reach up to God through prayer, Bible study, and worship, we grow in our faith and become more like Christ. This spiritual growth equips us to effectively reach out to others with the gospel message and reach in to care for and encourage our fellow believers. As we focus upward on God, He serves as the wellspring from which all other aspects of our Christian life flow.

At Calvary Baptist Church, we recognize the crucial importance of each one reaching up to grow in their relationship with God. Therefore, we are committed to providing opportunities for prayer, Bible study, and worship that encourage and equip our members to continually reach up to God. So, as we join together to focus on growing closer to Christ, we will be empowered to fulfill our mission of sharing the gospel message with our community and caring for the fellowship of believers.