Ali Shaw, Author at Do Not Depart - Page 11 of 12

The Marvelous Creator

June 2, 2015 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

Summer is coming soon! Are you looking forward to it? For those of us here in the US, the official start of summer is June 21. And for most of us, that means more time outdoors in God’s gorgeous creation. This is one of my favorite parts of the summer season. And what a wonderful opportunity to better appreciate our Marvelous Creator!

So, this month at Do Not Depart, that’s just what we’ll be focusing on. God, the Marvelous Creator. And we’re setting this month up as a Bible study– each post will have a few reflection or homework questions for you to work on. Our hope is that as you spend time traveling to your destination, vacationing at your get-away, or just playing outside with your kids or grandbabies, you’ll be able to look with fresh eyes at God’s handiwork.

We hope our words and stories will help you remember certain truths about God that He’s reminded us of through His creation. Sandy beaches, splashing waves, forests awash with green, painted deserts, shooting stars, lightning bugs, singing birds, croaking frogs, and your cozy backyard—it’s all His the work of His majestic hands, and it’s all designed to point our hearts to Him.

We serve a powerful, loving, and amazingly creative Master Artist!

I love these verses from Psalms that remind us that He not only carefully wrought the heavens, moon, and stars, but He also created us, and loves and blesses us immensely! He is mindful of our every need, and cares for us attentively.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? (Psa 8:3,4 ESV)

Isn’t He wonderful?

We pray that each day this summer, as you grab your sunscreen, don your flip flops, and make joyful memories with loved ones, you’ll be refreshed and renewed with eyes opened to our loving Father and His marvelous creation. We pray that His handiwork will inspire your worship!

His handiwork inspires our worship! #MarvelousCreator #BibleStudy

The #MarvelousCreator designed a beautiful world to point our hearts to Him!

Reading For Truth – Abiding in God’s Word

May 7, 2015 by Ali Shaw 4 Comments

I recently read an article that listed several Bible “verses” that aren’t actually in the Bible. I’m sure you’ve heard some of these sayings:

God helps those who help themselves.

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

Money is the root of all evil.

This, too, shall pass.

These sayings are popular among Christians, yet they aren’t even found in our Bible.

This demonstrates the importance of reading God’s word for ourselves. These days, we’re flooded with beliefs that are much more harmful than the few misquotes I’ve shared. We live in a world that is twisted and corrupt. Our culture is accepting of non-Christian ideas and even ideas that are in direct opposition to the very Word of God! As Christians, we must be grounded in truth or else we’ll be deceived by the lies of the enemy.

Many Christians have been influenced by lies of the world and other religions and haven’t even realized it. Rather than having a Biblical worldview, their worldview is determined by their surrounding culture. It can happen easily without a strong, Biblical foundation. I remember many years ago when I first heard the phrase “Biblical worldview.” It changed my life! My eyes were immediately opened to the concept of seeing life through the lens of faith founded on truth. Learning Biblical truth is available to anyone, anytime.

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ~John 17:17

Remember, the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10)… Satan would gladly destroy our ability to learn and discern truth, but thankfully, God has given us a written word that we can use to measure everything we hear or see for its truthfulness. With enlightened eyes, we can lean away from the world and our own understanding, and lean into God’s truth. (Psa 119:105, Prov 3:5, 1 John 5:4)

The truth of God’s Word teaches us right from wrong and offers guidance to our thoughts and actions. We can hide His truth in our hearts so we won’t sin against Him. (Psa 119:11) But it’s hard to know what to do (or think), when you don’t have a foundation of truth. In Luke 11:28 Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” and James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We have to know the Word to live by it.

I believe that as women, we have a very special role and responsibility to learn truth. Women tend to be the nurtures and the instructors of the family. So, whether you’ve got little ones at home, or you’re nurturing a child in the church nursery, your words, thoughts, and actions should be grounded in truth of God. You have the ability to influence the next generation of Believers to seek hard after God’s truth.

I love these inspiring words from Charles Spurgeon…

“…the best food for you is the word of God itself. Sermons and books are well enough, but streams that run for a long distance above ground gradually gather for themselves somewhat of the soil through which they flow, and they lose the cool freshness with which they started from the spring head. Truth is sweetest where it breaks from the smitten Rock, for at its first gush it has lost none of its heavenliness and vitality. It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank.”

Abide in Christ, and abide in His word. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived by the enemy or soiled by the dirt of the world, dear sister! Drink deeply and daily from the sweet Rock!

How have you seen abiding in God’s truths change or shape your life?

Reading for Truth: Be grounded in God’s Word, not deceived by the enemy. #WhyAbide

We must know the truth of God’s Word to live by it. #WhyAbide

Children of Light – Eph 5:8

April 29, 2015 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

Father, help us today to boldly live as children of light! Let us shine the light of Christ in a dark world and share your love with those around us.

8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” – Eph 5:8-14

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Eph 5:8 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Live as children of light! A shareable image of Eph 5:8 #Spread the Word

I am the Vine – John 15:5

April 28, 2015 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

A limb detached from a tree is dead. The thought that it could bear fruit is absurd, isn’t it? We, detached from our Savior, are spiritually dead and can bear no fruit. Jesus is such a sweet vine, it’s a pleasure to stay, abide, and bear fruit for Him.

Father, help me to be satisfied completely in Jesus. Let me abide today (and everyday!) that I may bear fruit that will honor and glorify you!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide 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. 5I 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. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:10-11

Jesus is the vine! A shareable graphic of John 15:5 just for you!

Psalm 33:18 – The Eye of the Lord

April 26, 2015 by Ali Shaw 2 Comments

A loving Father always watches His children, ready to help and protect them. He is trustworthy and His love is steadfast.

Thank you, Father, for always keeping your eye on us, your beloved children!

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. (Psa 33:18-22, ESV)

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Psalm 33:18 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

A shareable graphic for you! God watches His children with love. Psa 33:18 #SpreadTheWord

A shareable Scripture graphic each day of April. #SpreadTheWord

Peace I Leave with You – John 14:27

April 25, 2015 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

Jesus said, 5“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Thank you, precious Jesus, that you have given us a peace that passes all understanding. (Phil 4:7) Thank you for gracing us with peace that is distinct from the type of peace the world tries to offer. You give us true peace. Thank you that our hearts can be confident and courageous because of your love and your promises!

(Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.)

You are free to share our image with John 14:27 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Let not your hearts be troubled… A John 14:27 Scripture graphic for you! #SpreadTheWord

Jesus offers lasting peace John 14:27 A shareable image every day of April @DoNotDepart #SpreadTheWord

Lead Me to the Rock – Psa 61:2

April 24, 2015 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

1Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day. — Psa 61:1-8

Of “the rock”, theologian John Gill says this: “Christ is meant, the Rock of Israel, the Rock of our salvation, and our refuge. …who by his height is able to protect and defend his people from all their enemies; and by the shade he casts to refresh and comfort them; and by the sufficiency in him to supply all their wants; for he is as a rock impregnable, and well stored…”

Thank you, sweet Savior, for being the high Rock that protects us, refreshes us, and supplies our every need!

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Psa 61:2 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Lead me to the Rock! A shareable graphic of Psa 61:2, just for you. #SpreadtheWord

Christ protects and supplies… Lead me to the Rock! #SpreadtheWord

1 John 4:16 – God is Love

April 17, 2015 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

Because God is love, we can fully trust Him. His will toward us will always be based on this fact of His nature. Isn’t it humbling and reassuring that we serve such a loving God?

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:13-16, ESV)

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with 1 John 4:16 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Today’s Christian graphic: God is Love! #SpreadTheWord

A shareable Christian graphic for you — everyday in April! #SpreadTheWord

Thanks and Praise to the Lord – Psalm 7:17

April 14, 2015 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

8The LORD judges the peoples;
judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness
and according to the integrity that is in me.
9Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts,^c
O righteous God!
10My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
11God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.

17I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. (Psa 7:8-11, and Psa 7:17)

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Psalm 7:17 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Today’s shareable image is Psa 7:17. #SpreadTheWord

Philippians 4:8 – Fix Your Thoughts

April 10, 2015 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

At times, my thoughts are not what they should be. I sometimes think negatively when I should be positive. I think fearfully when I should be courageous. The list goes on.

I’m thankful for a God who understands our nature. Isn’t it wonderful that He reminds us through His word that our thoughts are important to Him? He sets boundaries so that we might stay within His blessing.

Father, help me today to choose to think thoughts that bring you glory and keep me within your will. Amen.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Phil 4:8, NLT

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Phil 4:8 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Visit DoNotDepart.com for more shareable scripture graphics! #SpreadTheWord

Today’s shareable image is Phil 4:8. #SpreadTheWord

Fix your thoughts-Phil 4:8. Download and share graphics all month! #SpreadTheWord

Different, but United in Christ

March 5, 2015 by Ali Shaw 3 Comments

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Phil 2:1,2)

We’re all different.

Even as Christian sisters we’re different. We look different; we’re gifted with different gifts, given different talents, and have different opinions. We dress differently, vote differently, and worship differently.

But, different though we are… we’re called to be the same. How can this be?

…Because we’re all one in Christ. And since we’re all in Him, we’re all called to reflect Him.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor 12:27)

Yes! We’re the body of Christ! (See also Col 1:18 Rom 12:3-5.) We are different, but united.

“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:2)

Paul tells us here that Jesus is the bridegroom, and we –His entire, collective church– are the bride. (See also Eph 5:25 and John 3:29)

And as both His body and His bride we’re called to be united with Christ in the same mind.

And what’s the mind of Christ? Phil 2:1 gives us four truths. Can you find them?

Christ:

encourages
comforts us with His love
dwells in us through the Holy Spirit
has great affection and sympathy

He constantly pours out these generous manifestations of His love to help us, strengthen us, protect us, and to remind us we are never alone. We have Him and we have each other. And He wants us to have His mindset since we are joined with Him and are called by His name. Having a Christlike mind is one way we can shine His light in this dark world. We can be a reflection of Him, magnifying and glorifying Him.

At times it’s easy to take this love God lavishes on us and not pour it back out on others. I mean, some people are just unlovable, right? And sometimes the effort is way too big. Or we’re just too tired, or busy. Sometimes we heatedly disagree. But this is not what He desires of us! God longs for His children to imitate His Son. Paul reminds the Philippians to have the same mind and same love—despite their differences and disregarding the inconvenience. We, too, can disagree without division because we have the same ultimate goal of love and grace in Christ.

If Believers shun discord and focus on uniting together in the mind of Christ, the body of Christ is empowered. With His aid we can overcome obstacles and differences, and shine God’s grace, righteousness, and holiness. Let’s focus today on emulating Christ’s sacrificial love—sharing it with the family of God and a needy world.

Ali

**If you’d like to use this week’s post as your Bible study, here are 5 days’ worth of homework for the week (or choose as many as you’d like to keep you going until the next post) :

Read Phil 2:1,2. How have you seen evidence of these four truths in your own life? How has Christ encouraged you, shown you sympathy, etc.?
How does the mindset of Christ in Phil 2:1 show sacrificial love? Who do you need to show this type of love to today? How would your day be different if your love was more like His?
The Greek word for mind in verse 2 is phroneo. According to HELPS-word studies, “This idea is difficult to translate into English because it combines the visceral and cognitive aspects of thinking.” In other words, this mindset is one that involves both instinctive emotions and perceptive reasoning. What does this mean to you from a practical perspective?
How should being the body and bride of Christ influence our actions toward other Believers? How should it influence our actions toward non-Believers? (Think ‘shine like a star’, here.)
Read Ephesians chapter 4 (regarding unity in Christ). Why should we be united in Christ Jesus? (See verses 14, 16, 24, 27, and 32.) Which verse can you meditate on today?

Though different, we’re called to be united in the same mind of Christ. #ShineLikeStars

God longs for us to imitate Jesus and be united in Christ. #ShineLikeStars

God’s Chesed… How He Loves

February 5, 2015 by Ali Shaw 6 Comments

Each February it seems one can’t escape the topic of love. I love it that we’re focusing on God’s love in our Love Song series this month! In Kathy’s introduction post, she got us thinking about what real love really is. She reminded us that the Bible tells us that God is love. (1 John 4:16)

Yes, God is love and His love is illustrated in every single action toward mankind.

In the last post, we learned about the New Testament Greek word agape. And there’s another word that describes God’s love that’s used about 250 times in the Old Testament. There, the Hebrew word transliterated chesed is used to identify the type of love God has toward us.

Chesed has no direct translation in English but it’s defined as favor (toward man), lovingkindness, steadfast love, loyalty, and mercy. Chesed is a love that involves action and great depth. It implies that those in the love relationship belong together. It’s a love that rescues and forgives. It eclipses the noise of the world around us, the noise inside ourselves, and our afflictions. It lifts us up because of its beauty.

It is love that values its prize… And its prize is you!

Are you in need of that kind of love? I know I am!

Jeremiah the Prophet suffered much as he not only prophesied (much to the Jews’ anger) about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, but also lived to see it. Though emotionally hurt over what he knew, witnessed, and experienced Jeremiah tells us about the hope he had (and we can have) in The Lord.

He had this hope because he knew of God’s chesed love.

Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD. ~ Lam 3:19-26

Like Jeremiah, we too can know and therefore have hope in the “steadfast love” and “mercy” (both chesed) of the Lord! God’s mercies never, ever come to an end! They are new every single morning! God’s loving faithfulness to you is great, dear Christian sister. That, my friend, is truth. And that’s what real love looks like. You have freedom from bondage because of that rescuing, soul-loving chesed! You may safely place all your hope and trust in His goodness and unwavering love for you.

He loves you so much. After all… He is love!

When I think about God’s great chesed love for me, the love song that comes to my mind is David Crowder’s How He Loves… Here’s a video for you that shows all the lyrics. I pray that you’ll sit back, watch, listen, and meet with God over the melody and lyrics and be reminded of His great faithfulness, and His steadfast love, and tender mercy. His chesed.

{Wanting a few more verses that tell you about God’s chesed love? Look up Psa 23:6. The word “mercy” in the ESV is chesed. David could place all his trust in the Good Shepherd because he knew God’s chesed. Also look at Hos 2:19 where God longs to betroth Israel in chesed love. And also, Psalm 136, which is a beautiful illustration of God’s hope and mercy and mentions a form of chesed love in each verse.}

How does your heart respond to the depth of God’s chesed love for you? Has His love ever surprised you? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Do you know about God’s “chesed” love for you? Oh, How He Loves! #RealLoveSongs

You can hope and trust! God loves you with an unwavering, steadfast love. How He Loves! #RealLoveSongs

Fanny Crosby, Fruitful in Affliction

January 27, 2015 by Ali Shaw 4 Comments

Sometimes life is hard. Really hard. And not one of us is exempt from experiencing difficulty on this earth. But thankfully, we Believers are promised companionship, help, and strength from God along our way.

This whole month, we’ve been studying Godly Women here at DoNotDepart, allowing their stories to inspire us and touch our hearts. These amazing women have much to teach us, and I believe Fanny Crosby’s story offers us insight into living passionately for Jesus despite our difficulties.

Fanny’s Story

Fanny was born in 1820 in an area north of New York City. She suffered an eye infection as an infant and reportedly became blind as a result of poor medical care. Fanny’s father passed away the same year and Fanny was brought up by her godly mother and grandmother. She was taught that though she was blind, she was still valuable. Her afflictions did not dictate her future or her submission and service to God. As a matter of fact, in her Christian home the Word of God was esteemed, and Fanny had memorized all four Gospels, the Pentateuch, Proverbs and various Psalms by the age of 15.

As a teen, Fanny eventually was sent to the New York Institute for the blind where her love for composing poetry was further developed and polished. She later became an instructor there. At a time when most blind people were treated almost as invalids, Fanny Crosby lived a full, active life and viewed her blindness as a blessing. She used her affliction to focus her attention more closely on God.

“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.” ~ Fanny Crosby

As Fanny’s faith matured, so did her poetry. By her adulthood, she was composing beautiful hymn lyrics. She often kept several hymns in her head until someone was available to dictate them to. It is said that she composed lyrics to over 8,000 hymns, and possibly as many as 10,000. What beautiful, God glorifying words and phrases she must have been meditating on over the years!

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long. ~ Blessed Assurance, Fanny Crosby

Fanny didn’t stop with just writing. She also gave willingly to the poor. While she could have become rich from her writing career, instead she lived on just enough to get by. All the rest she (and later husband, too) gave away. She wanted to be known as a rescue mission worker who shared Christ’s love in tangible ways rather than merely a hymn writer. Fanny Crosby passed away in 1915 after living a long, fruitful life for the Lord.

“I in My Savior am Happy and Blest”

We all have afflictions. Each one of us could probably name several things that we feel hold us back in life, or hold us back from serving God the way we’d like. Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way! Blindness, sickness, pain, depression, anxiety, grief, stress…. The list goes on. But, with the proper view, like Fanny, we can allow our trials and difficulties to draw us nearer to God to focus intently on praising Him and resting in His strength. By abiding in Jesus, godly women can be fruitful in affliction.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9

So, what’s holding you back? Let’s abide in Jesus and find the power to overcome in Christ!

(You can read more about Fanny Crosby in her autobiography [amazon_link id=”1579102077″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Fanny J. Crosby: An Autobiography[/amazon_link].)

Like Fanny Crosby, we can allow affliction to draw us nearer to God.

Are afflictions holding you back? Focus your attention on God.

The Wise Men: A Gift of Worship

December 4, 2014 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

It’s so important that our hearts be behind our actions.

I remember when my children were little and they would bicker. I’d tell them to apologize to one another, and mean it. I’m not sure if the “and mean it” part really helped, but I couldn’t stand to hear that begrudgingly offered “Sorry!” murmured only because they had to say it, not because it came from the heart. We would spend time discussing their heart-attitude and how much that meant to one another, and how much it meant to me as their momma.

Life is really all about the heart.

The Wise Men: The Gift of Worship at www.donotdepart.com — photo credit

The wise men give us a good lesson that. In Matthew 2:1-12 we find the story of the Magi who watched the skies and noticed an unusual star. We aren’t sure how they knew this star meant the King of the Jews had been born, but they knew. And they followed it to King Herod. (I wonder if they thought a son had been born to him?) They were then pointed in the direction of Bethlehem.

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ~ Matt 2:11

The gifts they offered were fit for royalty, yet given to baby born into poverty. Yes, they gave great gifts to this child they’d traveled so far to see. And, they gave Him their hearts. They worshiped.

And rather than head back to Herod and disclose the location of this perfect, God-in-human form baby , like he’d requested, they went home another way after being warned to do so in a dream.

What do the Magi teach us?

As they were hopeful of a newborn king, we can place our hope in the King of Kings.
As they were expectant, we can come to God in worship, being expectant that He will respond in love.
As they prepared for a journey, we should take time to prepare our hearts to worship and give praise to God.
As they were doers, we should worship God by our doing and by living our lives for Him.
As they sought Him at all costs, we should seek our Lord eagerly- with our whole hearts!
As they gave kingly gifts, we should give the Lord our very best gifts—our hearts! (See Isa 29:13)

We can use their obedient, heartfelt worship to inspire us to do likewise.

Many scholars have various ideas on the meaning and symbolism behind the Wise Men’s gifts. But one thing upon which they agree is that in the very least, the gifts acted as a fund to help Mary and Joseph travel to Egypt to keep Jesus safe from being killed by Herod. And this of course fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matt 2:15)

Had the Magi not come to worship and bestow gifts upon Jesus, events may have been different. Instead, they gave sacrificially—their worship and treasure—and thereby secured protection of our Holy Savior. They followed their hearts and worshiped. In in their obedience, they became a crucial part of God’s plan.

And just like I’ve seen with my children, life is about the heart. Worship is about the heart!

Here’s a free printable of verses to help you give God the uncommon gift of heartfelt worship. Hang it somewhere you can read over the verses and meditate on them throughout the day.

How does the response of the Wise Men to the Kingship of Jesus inspire you to worship the Lord? How can you demonstrate the uncommon gift of worship throughout December and beyond?

The Wise Men can teach us much about heartfelt worship. #UncommonGifts @DoNotDepart

A free printable of verses to inspire a worshipful heart. #UncommonGifts @DoNotDepart

The Giving of Self as True Thanksgiving

November 25, 2014 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

The Giving of Self as True Thanksgiving at www.donotdepart.com — Image credit

Have you caught yourself doing it yet? Like me, have you allowed your focus to be pulled away from true thanksgiving?

Yesterday our family headed to the grocery store. (I’m not sure why we thought the Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving would be a good time to shop, but we found ourselves there anyway.) After wedging our way into a spot at the turkey freezer, we found the right bird. We finished shopping for the last few things we needed to complete our menu, and waited in line to pay. That’s when the sweet young checker asked me if I was ready for Thanksgiving.

“Yes! This should be my last trip. I started preparing a few weeks ago, but I think this finishes all of the shopping. Now it’s just cooking.”

We laughed and talked more. When we were done, I felt sort of dissatisfied. I became aware that my focus was in the wrong place. I was thinking “meal” (and serving) when I should have been thinking “thanksgiving” – as in me giving thanks to God. As in pouring out my heart to Him in worship for what He does and has done for me. As in giving myself to Him in response to His selfless giving to me.

As we’ve seen over the past month, Psalm 118 is so beautiful and it gives us so many reasons to be thankful.

26 “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
28 You are my God,
and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.

“Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord…”

These are the very words that greeted our precious Savior when he entered Jerusalem the final time to give His life for us. But here, the Psalmist refers to the champion who has gone out and fought battles in the name of the Lord. So, the words apply to Jesus but also to those who serve in God’s name.

We can easily be overwhelmed or distracted with the details of serving and the serving itself. It’s easy, even in the joy of it all, to have our focus shift to the wrong perspective.

But when we serve in God’s name, we are blessed and we bless God.
When we focus on His light, everything else becomes becomes clear.

We Believers can join together in procession to the “horns of the altar” with a joyful heart, worshiping, exalting, and praising God! On Thanksgiving, as on all other days, our focus should be set on glorifying Jesus through the giving of ourselves in willing sacrifice to God. (Rom 12:1) Yes, on the altar we place ourselves—to the God who is the source of everything we have and to whom we should ever be thankful!

I love these words in reference to Psalm 118:27 by Charles Spurgeon:

“The sacrifice which we would present in honour of the victories of our Lord Jesus Christ is the living sacrifice of our spirit, soul, and body. We bring ourselves to his altar, and desire to offer him all that we have and are.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Yes! All that we have and all that we are!

How can we give ourselves? By giving the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving (Heb 13:15) and by devoting ourselves wholeheartedly to our God and Savior!

“Devotion is the mother, and she hath four daughters.

Constancy: “Bind the sacrifice.”
Fervency: Bind it “with cords.”
Wisdom: Bind it “to the altar.”
Confidence: Even to the “horns” of the altar.
—Thomas Adams, Puritan clergyman

So, rather than keeping our minds on our to-do lists, meal prepping, and getting the house cleaned, let’s create a quiet space in our minds and hearts (and homes, too?) to give thanks and worship to God as we give Him ourselves in True Thanksgiving for His salvation, light, goodness, and love. Let us give ourselves to God in constancy, fervency, wisdom, and confidence!

Has your focus been cloudy? How can you present yourself to God as a sacrifice ready to give thanks?

Give God your self as an act of True Thanksgiving. Psalm 118 study #GiveThanks @DoNotDepart

Jesus – The One True Sacrifice

October 9, 2014 by Ali Shaw 5 Comments

Jesus - The One True Sacrifice and what that means at www.donotdepart.com — Photo Credit here, with modifications

Yesterday, I spoke with a very dear friend who’s going through a period of many difficult health issues. Even though her body is weak, her spirit is strong. My conversation with her confirmed to me that though life can be so messy and so complicated, Jesus never fails.

Yes, Jesus never fails us. Our amazing Savior was sent to us by the Loving Father as the one true Sacrifice for all mankind. And it’s only through Jesus that we are offered payment for our sins, eternal salvation, forgiveness, the ability to approach God confidently, and the strengthening, guiding power of His precious Holy Spirit.

We all do things that God doesn’t like. None of us are sinless. And we all know that sin separates us from God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23

“but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isa 59:2

The One True Sacrifice

In the Old Testament, the way to forgiveness and right standing with the Almighty was in bringing sacrifices to Him. Sinful mankind could not approach a Holy God for forgiveness without the shedding of blood. In God’s eyes, the shed blood covered sins.

“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 , “almost”– see Lev 5:11-13 for exceptions.)

So, an individual must atone for every sin. Future sin would require future sacrifice because there was no sacrifice so perfect that it could cleanse anyone completely, purely, forever.

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshippers, having once been cleansed would no longer have any consciousness of sins? …For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Heb 10:1-2, 4)

So, yes, the blood of bulls and goats could purify or cover sin, but it could never take the stain completely and permanently away! The Old Testament law was just a shadow or preview of something even better that was coming, someone better—who could wash away sin and give us holiness. And His name is Jesus!

God sent us Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice offered for all mankind… for you and for me! Jesus shed His blood to wash away all our sins. No additional sacrifices would ever need to be offered.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. …But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (Heb 10:10, 12)

What Does This Mean?

Oh, there is such rich meaning in the fact that Jesus is the only true sacrifice!

Each moment of our daily lives, we can have hope and courage because we have a loving Savior who gave himself to rob our sin. We no longer need to live under guilt and condemnation (from others or ourselves)! We’re set free from the punishment of sin! And we’re able to approach the throne of grace confidently (Heb 4:16) any and every time we draw near to God.

We don’t need to try to find mysterious ways to God, purify ourselves, nor struggle to pay for things we’ve done wrong! And as we accept Jesus as our Savior, He sends us His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us.

Just like my friend brought to mind, Jesus absolutely never fails. No matter if I give into sin tomorrow, or old sin roars at me from my past, I can claim forgiveness in the humbling sacrifice and powerful blood of Jesus. I can walk through life in light of His love and strength. It is only by God’s grace that He has given us Jesus—the one true sacrifice.

How does knowing that Jesus is the one true sacrifice touch your heart today?

Jesus is the One True Sacrifice! We are forgiven and freed! @DoNotDepart

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