Author - Clay Corvin

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Key Points:

1. Spiritual Growth Requires Surrender – We must die to ourselves to live for Christ (Luke 9:23).
2. Our Identity is Found in Christ – The old self is gone, and we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
3. Faith is the Foundation of Our New Life – We live by trusting Christ completely (Romans 1:17).
4. Christ’s Love is the Source of Our Transformation – His sacrifice makes true growth possible (John 15:13).

CHRIST IN ME

No longer bound to what I was,
No longer tied to fleeting things,
For I am held by greater love,
And shaped by hands unseen.

Not by strength, not by will,
But by the life You gave for me,
A love that crushed the weight of sin,
And called me to arise.

I stand not on what I have done,
But on the mercy of the King,
No longer mine, no longer lost,
But found within His grace.

Each day I walk, no fear remains,
For He who lives now walks in me,
And every breath, and every step,
Is led by faith alone.

I have died, yet I live,
Not in me, but Christ in me,
No turning back, no fading love,
For I am His, and He is mine.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Key Points:

1. Scripture is the Foundation for Growth – It is the source of truth (Psalm 119:11).
2. God’s Word Equips Us for Life – It trains and prepares us (Joshua 1:8).
3. Correction is Necessary for Maturity – Growth comes through discipline (Hebrews 12:11).
4. Being Complete Means Being Equipped – We are shaped for every good work (Titus 2:11-12).

SHAPE ME

Your words are light upon my path,
A fire that burns, yet does not fade,
A voice that shapes, a truth that stands,
Unshaken through the years.

You teach, You mold, You call me near,
Not just to hear but to obey,
Not just to know but to be changed,
To walk the way You lead.

Not by reason, not by sight,
But by the Word that never fails,
A lamp that guides, a sword that cuts,
A voice that leads me home.

Equip my hands, prepare my heart,
To stand in truth, to walk in love,
To live not just for passing things,
But for the work You’ve planned.

Shape my heart, teach my soul,
Let Your word refine my way,
Not for pride, not for gain,
But to walk in all You are.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Key Points:

1. Trials Are Not Obstacles but Opportunities – They build endurance (Romans 5:3-4).
2. Joy is Found in Growth, Not Ease – True joy comes through trusting God’s plan (Philippians 4:4).
3. Steadfastness Leads to Maturity – Perseverance develops faith (Hebrews 10:36).
4. Spiritual Growth Requires Trust in the Process – God is refining us through every season (1 Peter 1:7).

COUNT

The fire refines, the storm remains,
Yet in the midst, my heart holds fast,
For in the testing, faith is formed,
And I am shaped by grace.

Not in comfort, not in ease,
But in the trials, I am made,
Each step endured, each path unknown,
Leads me to something more.

Not by sight, not by fear,
But by the joy of knowing You,
For what is lost is never wasted,
And what is hard is never vain.

Let patience do its perfect work,
Let faith be steady, firm, and strong,
For in the pressing, I am changed,
And made to stand in light.

Let the trials build my faith,
Let the fire shape my soul,
Not for sorrow, not for fear,
But to grow in all You are.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Key Points:

1. Growth is Centered in Christ – He is our ultimate goal (Colossians 1:18).
2. Truth and Love Must Work Together – Love without truth misleads; truth without love wounds (1 Corinthians 13:6).
3. Spiritual Growth is Multifaceted – We grow in knowledge, character, and service (2 Peter 1:5-7).
4. Maturity is a Continuous Journey – We never stop growing in Christ (Philippians 3:12-14).

WALK

Not by power, not by force,
But by truth wrapped in love,
A voice that speaks not to break,
But to lead toward the light.

Growth is more than what is known,
It is more than what is seen,
A heart transformed, a life renewed,
Into the image of the King.

No longer bound to childish ways,
No longer tossed by every wave,
For love has set a firm foundation,
And truth has made me whole.

Every step, in every season,
Leads me closer to Your way,
A journey shaped by grace and wisdom,
A path that leads to You.

Grow me up, shape my soul,
Let my heart reflect Your way,
Not for pride, not for gain,
But to walk as You have walked.

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Key Points:

1. Spiritual Growth Requires Maturity – We must move beyond basic understanding (1 Corinthians 3:2).
2. Knowledge Without Application is Incomplete – We grow by applying truth (James 1:22).
3. Discernment Comes Through Training – Constant practice in the Word builds wisdom (Psalm 119:105).
4. Mature Faith Can Distinguish Truth from Deception – A strong believer recognizes what is good (Romans 12:2).

GROW ME STRONG

Still drinking from the shallow stream,
Yet deeper waters call my name,
A voice that says, “Come higher still,
Move beyond what you have known.”

No longer settled in simple things,
No longer bound to fleeting words,
For wisdom grows through tested steps,
And faith is built through fire.

The world may shift, the voices rise,
Yet truth remains unchanged,
Those who walk in deeper light,
Will stand when trials come.

Let my heart not stay behind,
Let my spirit crave the depth,
To know, to walk, to understand,
The fullness of Your way.

Grow me strong, lead me on,
Not in the place where I began,
But in the light of all You are,
Where wisdom takes its root.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Key Points:

1. God is the Source of Spiritual Growth – We do not change ourselves (Titus 3:5).
2. Growth is a Process, Not Instant – Maturity takes time (Isaiah 64:8).
3. God’s Work in Us Will Not Fail – He finishes what He starts (Romans 8:29).
4. Christ is the Goal of Our Growth – The process leads us to be like Him (Ephesians 4:13).

FINISH

A work begun, a seed now planted,
A path that only You can see,
Not yet whole, not yet complete,
Yet Your hand is guiding me.

Through the trials, through the waiting,
Through the seasons yet unknown,
Still You shape, still You mold,
Still You lead me home.

No fear remains, no doubt can stand,
For what You start will surely last,
The hands that hold the universe,
Hold my life secure.

Until the day the work is done,
Until my faith is turned to sight,
I will trust, I will yield,
For You are faithful still.

Finish the work, complete the plan,
Let my life reflect Your grace,
Not by might, not by strength,
But by the love that never fades.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Key Points:

1. Abiding in Christ is Essential for Growth – Without Him, we wither (Psalm 92:12-13).
2. Fruitfulness is the Result of Connection – A thriving life is evidence of abiding (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. We Cannot Grow by Our Own Strength – Growth comes through surrender (Zechariah 4:6).
4. Spiritual Growth Requires Dependence – Remaining in Him means seeking Him daily (Matthew 6:33).

HOLD ME NEAR

Like a branch reaching high,
Yet empty without the vine,
My soul finds life in You,
My strength comes from Your hand.

No striving can bring the fruit,
No effort can make me whole,
Only in You, only in trust,
Do my roots go deep.

Abide in me, You whisper still,
Draw near, and I will stay,
Not by works, not by fear,
But by love that holds me close.

Apart from You, I fade away,
A leaf that dries and falls,
Yet in Your grace, I will remain,
And bear the fruit You give.

Hold me near, keep me strong,
Let my heart abide in You,
Not for pride, not for gain,
But for the life You call me to.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Key Points:

1. Growth is a Lifelong Process – Maturity in Christ is ongoing (Philippians 1:6).
2. Grace and Knowledge Go Together – We must grow in both understanding and love (Ephesians 3:17-19).
3. Spiritual Growth Brings Glory to God – A transformed life reflects Christ (Matthew 5:16).
4. Eternal Perspective Sustains Growth – Our focus is not just this life, but eternity (Colossians 3:2).

YOU ARE SHAPING ME

(Verse 1)
Not by striving, not by strength,
But by the grace that carries me,
A path unknown, a way unseen,
Yet You remain my guide.

(Verse 2)
In every season, through every test,
I will lean into Your name,
Not in fear, not in doubt,
But in the grace that leads me on.

(Verse 3)
Teach my heart to know You more,
To seek the wisdom of Your way,
To walk with patience, step by step,
And trust in all You are.

(Verse 4)
Until the day when all is clear,
And faith is sight before the throne,
I will stand and I will grow,
For You are shaping me.

(Chorus)
Grow me deep, lead me on,
Let my life reflect Your truth,
Not for self, not for gain,
But for the glory of Your name.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Key Points:

1. Walking in Christ Requires Daily Surrender – Growth comes from abiding in Him (John 15:4-5).
2. Roots Must Go Deep – Strength in faith is built through studying the Word (Psalm 1:2-3).
3. Faith is Established Over Time – Trials and victories shape our spiritual foundation (James 1:2-4).
4. Gratitude Fuels Growth – A thankful heart reflects trust in God’s work (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

NO TURNING BACK

Planted deep in Your truth,
Roots grow strong in living grace,
Established in the weight of love,
Held within Your hand.

Not by sight, not by fear,
But in the steps that follow You,
Each day formed in faith alone,
A path set firm in trust.

Storms will come, the winds may rise,
Yet I will not be moved,
For I am grounded in Your word,
And built upon Your name.

With thanksgiving, I will stand,
In the presence of my King,
Not looking back, not turning away,
But growing ever strong.

Root me deep, build me high,
Let my faith be firm in You,
No turning back, no fading trust,
For You have called me near.

“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”

Key Points:

1. Justification Comes Through His Blood – We are declared righteous before God (Galatians 2:16).
2. Salvation is Secured in Christ – His blood ensures eternal life (John 10:28-29).
3. The Blood Saves Us From God’s Wrath – Judgment is removed through Christ’s sacrifice (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
4. We Live Under His Grace, Not Condemnation – No longer enemies, we are children of God (Romans 8:1).

I AM FOUND

Once I stood condemned and lost,
A soul unworthy, stained and torn,
But mercy spoke, and grace declared,
His blood has made me whole.

No wrath remains for those He saves,
No judgment left to crush the soul,
The cross has sealed what love designed,
A peace that will not fade.

Justified, no guilt remains,
The past erased, the chains undone,
His sacrifice has cleared the way,
And now I stand restored.

Not by works, not by law,
But by the blood that speaks my name,
Forever saved, forever free,
Held within His grace.

Covered now, forever known,
No wrath remains, no fear endures,
The blood of Christ has paid it all,
And I am found in Him.