God’s Sweet Grace

September 4, 2014 by Ali Shaw 6 Comments

Does anyone remember this children’s song?

“He’s still working on me,
To make me who I need to be,
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and planets and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be,
‘Cause He’s still working on me.”

That’s a simple, honest song about God’s sweet grace, isn’t it?

In its simplest definition, grace is defined as the undeserved favor of God.

Grace is that God is never finished working on us. It’s only by grace that He doesn’t wring His hands in despair and say in exasperation, “I just give up on this one! There’s way too much work involved here!” Grace is given when we stumble, fall, and fail. Grace is what we see when we look around us at all the rich beauty and deep love that God has given us, when we know we don’t deserve one single lick of it. And it’s by God’s grace that He sent His own Son to take the ultimate punishment for our sin, and to rise again to conquer it, assuring us forgiveness and a spot in Heaven if we believe in Him.

It’s very humbling to know that God loves us so much He’d want to bless us in our most undeserving state. And it’s freeing to know that even when we mess up, God loves us, forgives us, strengthens us, and blesses us.

God’s grace does numerous things for His children. First, when we see how sweet the grace of God is, and how marvelous He is as the giver, grace results in praise (Psa 40:5). Because we are favored and loved even when we don’t deserve it, grace encourages us to dust ourselves off and keep going when we fall or when life gets hard (Phil 3:14). That same grace draws us closer to God as we learn more about our sinfulness contrasted against His holy sovereignty, and prompts us to grow to look a little more like Him (2 Cor 3:18). And also, God’s grace frees us from the power of condemnation (including self-condemnation). (See Psa 19:12,13, and 1 John 3:19-24)

So, if you’re feeling especially blessed by God’s grace today, or feeling burdened and need to be reminded of God’s gentle graces, I have a little something for you. As Patti said in the introductory post this month,”We want to encourage you to abide in God’s Word every day, especially on your busy days. Especially on the days when you are struggling.” So, I’ve made a printable bookmark for you with a collection of verses about God’s grace. You can tuck it into your Bible. Each printable has two bookmarks, so share one with a friend, as you share the sweetness of God’s grace in your own life. Click here to download your bookmark about God’s Sweet Grace.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:2)

May we all be filled with the sweet knowledge of His grace as our loving Father patiently continues working on us.

Grace is undeserved favor. Grace is that God is never finished working on us. #EncouragingWord

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Are you needing a reminder of God’s grace? We have something for you! #EncouragingWord

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Lessons from Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife – Purity and Temptation

August 7, 2014 by Ali Shaw 4 Comments

So, what could an ancient male slave teach today’s Christian woman about purity? Remember Joseph’s story? He was the Israelite boy sold by his brothers into slavery, and then bought by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, to be one of his personal household servants. (Story found in Gen 39.)

Time hasn’t altered God’s views of holiness because God doesn’t change. So here, thousands of years later, we modern Christian women can learn much about purity and restraint from Joseph’s brief encounter with Potiphar’s wife.

Joseph

The Lord prospered Joseph until he became the overseer of all Potiphar had. Nothing was held back from Joseph, except, of course, Potiphar’s wife. (Gen 39:9)

7And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. Gen 39:7-10

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife - Purity and Temptation at www.donotdepart.com — Painting by Guido Reni c. 1631

When approached with the opportunity to sin, Joseph refused. The Bible shows us that Joseph’s immediate responses were verbal and physical refusal, and acknowledgement that this sin would be both wicked and directly against God.

Yet, Potiphar’s wife was persistent and continued to try to lure Joseph.

12she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

Joseph not only refused with words and actions, but took things one step further by refusing Potiphar’s wife of his presence.

When sin attempts to lure us, like Joseph, we can reject it by:

Saying we reject it
Not listening to or heeding it
Rejecting it with our actions
Removing ourselves from it entirely

It was Joseph’s heart for honoring God that kept him pure. When we have a pure heart and pure motives, pure actions follow.

“If we mean not to do iniquity, let us flee as a bird from the snare, and as a roe from the hunter.” ~Matthew Henry

Before these words were penned by Paul, Joseph lived them out: “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Cor 6:18)

Potiphar’s Wife

Potiphar’s wife, on the other hand, did not have a heart for honoring God. Rather, she lived to please herself. Her motives were all about self-indulgence and temporary pleasure, and she had no moral boundaries already in place.

Joseph was a handsome man (Gen 39:6) and she noticed it. Not only did she notice Joseph, she took what could have been innocent observation to another level when she “cast her eyes” on him.

After noticing, and then lusting after Joseph, Potiphar’s wife then showed complete disregard for personal restraint when she invited him to sleep with her, again and again, day after day. (Gen 39:10)

Potiphar’s wife continued to intensify the situation when she then grabbed Joseph and demanded what she wanted. And when he fled, she lied. (Gen 39:14-18)

Although Potiphar’s wife was not a follower of God, we can use her sin as a warning.

Stop observation before it turns into lust.
Stop lust, and repent, before a desire to act upon it develops.
Stop the action, and repent, before it leads to other sin. (In Potiphar’s wife, dishonesty.)

Christian Women Today

Christian women today can also be confronted with temptations of impurity. Unholy movies, novels, internet activities, worldly expectations, and even unholy relationships are all around us. Thankfully, learning from both Joseph and Potiphar’s wife can both warn and encourage us to live with a pure heart set on honoring God.

Here are a few verses for your edification:

Gal 5:19
Matt 5:28
Eph 4:17-19
1 Pet 1:13-15
1 Pet 4:1-3
Rom 6:12-14
Phil 2:15

How does Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife encourage you?

Lessons from Joseph and Potiphar’s wife on Purity and Temptation @DoNotDepart #ChristianPurity

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When sin attempts to lure us, like Joseph, we can reject it. @DoNotDepart #ChristianPurity

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The Faith of Noah

July 10, 2014 by Ali Shaw 3 Comments

Noah’s faith always amazes me. I’m in awe of the man who remained righteous amid a corrupt world and maintained trust and obedience to God even when his task was enormous. He’s mentioned in Hebrews 11 as an example of faith.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” ~ Heb 11:7

The Story

Noah’s story is found in Genesis 6:5 through 9:29. Here we learn that everyone on earth had only wicked thoughts all the time (Gen 6:5) — except Noah. Noah was righteous and walked with God. (Gen 6:9) And because of his righteousness, God chose Noah (and his family) to be saved by means of an ark while the entire world was awash in cleansing water.

According to experts, this ark was the largest water vessel built until about the 1800’s. For those of you who love facts and figures, this boat probably displaced about 22,000 tons of water and its carrying capacity was equal to about 522 railroad cars (that’s about 4 or 5 trains). I can only imagine Noah looking at the ark as he was building it and wondering how on earth something so large and heavy would ever even float. And rain? Most scholars agree that it hadn’t rained before Noah’s time, and he lived far away from any source of water that could lift a boat so large.

The Faith

And that’s how faith is sometimes with us. We may never be called to build a gigantic structure by hand or preserve mankind, but we are sometimes asked by God to do things we can’t understand and that seem much too large for us. Whatever God has asked us to do, like Noah we can walk by faith and fully trust our loving Father.

Here are some lessons about faith that we can learn from Noah:

Noah was the only righteous person of faith in a corrupt world. Faith can be maintained despite the beliefs of others around you.
Noah was obedient. Faith is not only felt, it’s lived out through obedience.
Noah was committed to obedience despite his circumstances. Faith in the unseen affects one’s perception of the seen. (It didn’t matter to Noah that there was no rain yet or that his peers might ridicule him. He saw things through the lens of faith.) Obedience to God doesn’t depend on circumstances.
Noah trusted God to do His part, while Noah did his. (God brought animals, sealed the door, brought rain, and saw to Noah’s safety.) Trust in God is inseparable from faith.
Noah was blessed by living out his faith. As we live out our faith, we are blessed, too.

Noah’s job wasn’t easy or quick and didn’t appear necessary to those with no faith. Yet, Noah’s great faith drove him. “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” (Gen 6:22) He didn’t just feel faith, or hold a belief, but he lived it.

I can imagine that as the rains pounded down and the floods rose up, and the waters surrounded the ark, Noah’s faith was purified even more. He must have felt his smallness. And I’m certain that as the waters receded and the puddles dried up, Noah’s faith was blessed immensely as he saw God’s power and character magnified. Why would one not trust in our All-Powerful God?

The Call to Action

Similarly to Noah, we are also called to demonstrate our faith by action. Jesus told us, in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” {Of course, we aren’t saved by works, but works, or actions, are a natural byproduct of living a life of faith. (See James 2:17)} “Now the just shall live by faith.” (Heb 10:38 and Hab 2:4) As Believers, we not only live eternally because of our faith, but we also should live with the daily exercising of our faith. Thankfully, God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us!

So, how does Noah’s story encourage you? How can you live by faith where God has planted you?

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Lessons from Noah’s story: learning to walk by faith and trust in God. #ByFaith @DoNotDepart

The Call to Holiness

June 5, 2014 by Ali Shaw 5 Comments

Two of my children had an argument yesterday. I could see it building for weeks and I’d been trying to quell it while equipping them to handle their feelings. But, when it comes down to it, only they can make themselves do what they know is right. And doing the right thing is sometimes so hard. Yet, I want my children to desire doing the right thing because I know of the fruit it brings.

This is something like our call to holiness.

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ~ 1 Peter 1:15,16 (ESV)

www.donotdepart.com — Jenny Downey, Photo Credit, CC

In God’s Word, holiness refers to being blameless, without sin, and set apart for God’s service. Holiness begins in Believers when we accept Christ’s blood shed for forgiveness. As we grow in the Lord, our holiness can mature as well.

How can I be “set apart” when I consistently fail and mess up? Like my own children, even though I’ve learned right from wrong, practicing it can be hard. Swallowing the ugly tone before it pops out, being calm when patience wears threadbare, making the right choice even though it requires much more effort… Some days holy living can feel as impossible as flying.

When right is so hard, why does God call us to holiness? Because of His great love for us! The wise Father sets boundaries for us out of the deepest, most personal love imaginable. Like Kathy mentioned He seeks our very best (and His glory) and uses the Bible and the Spirit to teach us for our physical, emotional, and spiritual protection. A commitment to holy living can save us from many woes. The enemy would like us to believe that holiness is impossible, or at least an unnecessary dullness with no benefit. How very wrong!

Peter reminds us of God’s words “be holy as I am holy” (Lev 11:45). In the Greek, “be” means “become, transition, or emerge”. What do these words tell us? That we will become holy as we model ourselves after Jesus. All of this is not solely by our own efforts, but with the help of the Spirit. Like an ugly caterpillar that emerges transformed into a butterfly, the metamorphosis is attainable.

The Pulpit Commentary says this: “So be ye holy in all manner of conversation. In the whole course of your daily life, in all its details, as you move hither and thither among men, take the holiness of God for your pattern.”

Our wise and loving God wishes for His children to imitate Him. The term “Christian” means, after all, “little Christ.” We are told not to conform ourselves to the world, but rather to “be holy, for I am holy.” “For” is a very important little word here. We are not expected to be in equality with God’s holiness (because we could never measure up!) but rather we are to imitate, model, and pattern ourselves after God’s loving, holy nature. (1 John 2:6) When we walk like Jesus, we share Him with the world.

“Let the acts of the offspring indicate similarity to the Father.” (Augustine)

“How little people know who think holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing… it is irresistible.” (CS Lewis)

While we will never achieve perfection this side of heaven, God calls us to holiness so we may enjoy the fruits of a Christ-exalting, God-honoring, close relationship with Him.

{If you’re looking for more information on pursuing holiness, make sure you check out and enter to win (here on DoNotDepart) Kathy’s new Bible study. Another great resource is a [amazon_link id=”1563094320″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Woman’s Guide to Personal Holiness[/amazon_link].}

How has God’s call to holiness touched your life? How does knowing that holiness is for your good and for His glory encourage you?

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“God calls us to be holy because He loves us!”

“We will become holy as we model ourselves after Jesus.”

“God calls us to holiness so we may enjoy the fruits of a close relationship with Him.”

Teaching… A Spiritual Gift

May 20, 2014 by Ali Shaw 2 Comments

Have you thought of this? God gives each Believer gifts so we can minister to others; therefore, we’re all in the ministry. I remember when that realization was brand new to me. I was quite surprised! Please understand, I don’t say this to diminish the importance of those who work in full-time ministry, but to point out that each of us should be serving The Lord and ministering to others according to the spiritual gifts He’s given. And that, dear friend, makes you a minister.

I love Patti’s words in her introduction to our series this month. “His purpose in giving spiritual gifts is for us to use them for His glory, and for the good of others.” But how does it look to glorify God and benefit others by teaching when you’re not in an official ministerial position?

What about Teaching?

Opportunities abound for teaching others about God, His Word, His love, and grace. We have both a hungry world and a hungry Body of Christ. As Kathy said, “According to the Bible, spiritual gifts are the way the Holy Spirit chooses to work through an individual to accomplish God’s purposes (1 Cor 12:6).” It is God’s desire that Believers follow the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20). As a result, we’re all presented with opportunities to reach out to those around us and teach others about God.

Are you a Teacher?

All Christians may be called to teach at times, but some may have the spiritual gift of teaching. What might that look like?

Do you hunger and thirst to understand God’s Word clearly so that you can explain it to others?
Are you a researcher who loves to dig deeply and can’t help but share what you’ve learned?
Do you get excited about the opportunity to talk with others about what God has shown you?
Are you the kind of person who loves putting together and leading lesson plans or activities?
Have others complimented your ability to communicate and to help them understand?
Do you have a passion for teaching?

If the above questions describe you, you may very well be given the spiritual gift of teaching.

How and When to Teach?

If you have the spiritual gift for teaching, remember that your gifts are not necessarily bound by the walls of a classroom or a church building. Jesus, our Master Teacher, taught in both the Temple and the outdoors. He used any opportunity presented to Him whether it was on a mount, during mealtime, or beside the sea. I believe He was embodying Deut 6:7, our command to teach diligently when sitting “in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” And teaching doesn’t always look like one might think. Remember, Jesus called His disciples with a command to “Follow me.” Teaching is often done by demonstration. Living out your beliefs can be some of the best teaching others will ever encounter. In other words, see every moment as a God-given opportunity to share what He’s taught you. Your disciples may be your children on a walk to the park, the friend curious about your beliefs, or the Sunday school class you’re leading.

Why Teach?

Teaching brings Glory to God by proclaiming His righteous, loving deeds. The results of teaching may range anywhere from salvation to edification. The Bible is also clear that many false teachers have gone out to serve themselves and deceive the innocent. (See 1 John 4:1, Rom 16:17, 18) Those who are called to teach should do so joyfully, remembering the responsibility of teaching accurately. This is why gifted teachers love digging deeply into God’s Word and doing research.

I’ll leave you with the following words from John Piper:

“When it comes to people being saved, it all hangs on what they believe. …Teaching is serious business.”

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“What does the spiritual gift of teaching look like?”

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Praising God… Just As I Am

April 3, 2014 by Ali Shaw 3 Comments

I love music. I guess I come by it naturally. My paternal grandfather (who passed away well before I was born) was a musician who started out playing for his preacher-father’s tent revivals and later played with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra. My father, being the son of a professional musician, began playing guitar at the age of four. He and my mother, who also grew up singing in a musical family, introduced my siblings and I to music before we were even born.

And, I grew up singing. Lots and lots. I’ve always loved the intricacies in the sounds of chords, harmonies, and arrangements, but nothing reaches in and touches my heart like lyrics. I’m a word girl… a logophile at heart.

Just As I Am

As Julie wrote recently, “Songs speak to our hearts when only music can be heard above the noise, the pain, the questions, or the confusion. God uses worship music to help us grow.” One song that makes me feel completely overwhelmed and humbled by God’s grace is Just as I Am, by Charlotte Elliott. I especially like the version by Brenton Brown that includes a new chorus. I love the reminder of God’s graciousness in reaching out to this sinner just the way I am. He loves me far too much to leave me where He finds me, so I am ever journeying this path of sanctification. But the good news is that He will accept my repentant heart (and yours, too) even when it’s grimy with fresh sin. It’s absolutely overwhelming how much God loves us, isn’t it?

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou will receive,
Will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promises I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Jesus take all of me
I run to You, I run to You,
I lay everything at Your feet
Let my life be Yours

God wants His children to come to Him. He doesn’t expect us to go and get cleaned up and picture perfect before we come running to Him for salvation, for forgiveness, for help, for love, or even for service. The truth is that we could never do that anyway. We aren’t capable of cleansing our own sin. We need the blood of Jesus to do that! And that’s why He bids us to come to Him.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psa 51:7)

“…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 b)

Yes, we need the precious blood of the Lamb to remove the dark spots from our souls and wash us whiter than snow! He meets us where we are, and pardons, cleanses, and relieves us of the heavy burden of sin. Christ covers all our ugly sinfulness with His beautiful righteousness. To get that, all we have to do is come in faith.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

And this sacrificial act of love is exactly why we can raise our hands in praise and cry out,

“Jesus, take all of me… I run to you, I run to you! I lay everything at your feet. Let my life be yours!”

I’m praising God for His grace today and how such beautiful lyrics can illustrate His Holy Word! Thank you, Lord, for the love that reaches out to your children wherever we are! And, thank you that I can come to you… Just As I Am!

How does God speak to you, and even enrich your Bible study, through music?

Tweetables:

“Just as I am. We don’t need to get picture perfect before we come to Him.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~ Click here to tweet this.

“Just as I Am. Christ covers all our ugly sinfulness with His beautiful righteousness.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~ Click here to tweet this.

“Just as I am. Beautiful lyrics can illustrate God’s Word.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~ Click here to tweet this.

Come, Feast Freely

March 6, 2014 by Ali Shaw 10 Comments

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.”
~ Isa 55:1-3, ESV

It’s Always About Love

God’s love is unfailing, gracious, and absolutely amazing. The Bible often refers to God’s steadfast, merciful, loyal lovingkindess (chesed or hesed in Hebrew). The Old Testament uses this word about 250 times, and I believe these verses point to God’s chesed character beautifully. And because I love doing research, I decided to look at the Hebrew translation. Guess what I found? A form of chesed, tucked away in verse three. But, we’ll get to that in a minute.

DoNotDepart.com — Photo Credit, CC License

Because God loves us so deeply, He wants what is best for us. He wants us to draw near to Him, so He invites us to come. A close relationship to God is the only thing that will satisfy our spirits. God offers a rich feast of love, spiritual blessings, and eternal life – a well that waters our thirsty souls, and bread that offers us rich, lasting contentment. He fulfills us spiritually like nothing in the world could ever do.

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” – CS Lewis

The words in Isaiah were directed to the Israelites, offering them the promise of a Savior who would bring reconciliation to God, spiritual fulfillment, and eternal life. As Christians, we know Jesus is the Savior. Yet, I think it would still serve us well to examine our hearts in light of these words spoken before He came to earth.

Are we coming “to the waters”, knowing we can’t purchase what Christ has already paid for?
Are we spending (or wasting) time searching for things that can’t satisfy us like Jesus can?
Are we working for contentment apart from the Lord?
Are we laboring for what He offers freely?
Are we trading things of value (our time, our talents, our gifts, etc.) for things that have no real, lasting value simply to find temporary satisfaction? (John Gill called this the “husks which swine eat”.)
Are we listening diligently to God and coming to Him to feast and be filled?
Are we thanking God for His new covenant and following Jesus?

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matt 11:28-30

A new covenant was enacted through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. The Father showed his great, merciful lovingkindness for the entire world by sending His very own Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2 and 4:10). I said we’d get to chesed tucked into verse three. Well, God’s new, everlasting covenant is based on His “covenant loyalty” translated in the ESV as His “steadfast… love.” That is the Hebrew word hasde, a form of chesed. This love was demonstrated by Jesus Christ coming into the world to save us, make our burden light, and to fulfill us spiritually with the very bread of life. Unfailing, gracious, absolutely amazing love! Wouldn’t you agree?

So, how are you delighting yourself in the rich food of Jesus? What do you need to give up laboring for?

Being Missionally Minded during Seasons of Staying

February 6, 2014 by Ali Shaw 7 Comments

Admin note: We’d like to welcome Ali Shaw to our writing team! Ali is a wife, mom of three daughters, and a blogger with a great heart. Meet Ali and her writing below.

Showing Jesus

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
~Matt 28:19,20 ESV

The Great Commission is a tenet of the Christian faith. Because we’re designed to reflect Jesus, God has blessed Christians with the responsibility and privilege of shining His light. We are commanded by Christ to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach others to observe His commandments. But how does this work when you feel God is asking you to stay put? How can you be missionally minded during a season of staying?

A verse in Acts, spoken by our resurrected Messiah, encourages me:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
~Acts 1:8 ESV

As Believers, we may be asked to stay put in what equates to our “Jerusalem,” like some of the very first disciples. But, wherever we are called, our purpose is the same. As the collective Church, we still are asked to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach others. Individually, we may only participate in a few of these steps. Regardless, keeping this missional mindset in our daily lives is crucial.

Being Missionally Minded During Seasons of Staying {DoNotDepart.com} — Photo Credit (CC license, Modified)

Showing Jesus by Shining

The whole world is a mission field–from the far away jungles to your neighbor’s yard. This is why we need to show Jesus tirelessly! A familiar Christian cliché states that we may be “the only Bible some people ever read.” The way we reflect Christ may be all some people ever come to know about Christianity.

I believe that the closer your relationship is with God, the better you can reflect Him to others. The overflow of spending time with Him each day, praying, reading, studying and learning of His gracious heart and sacrificial love will touch people you encounter. Ask Him prayerfully to strengthen you to be like Him. When those around you wonder just what it is that makes you different, be ready to tell them (1 Peter 3:15)!

Showing Jesus by Supporting Others

Just because you aren’t traveling doesn’t mean you can’t be involved. If you are in a season of staying, look for opportunities to support world missions. Consider asking your pastor for ways you can personally help missionaries and missions organizations. Supporting them financially, volunteering your time and talents, and partnering in prayer are all needed and can usually be done locally.

Carefully assess the talents and skills God has given you. What gifts have you been blessed with that could be useful to missions? Are you an encourager? Perhaps you could write letters of encouragement to those serving on the mission field. Are you artsy? Maybe that item handmade with His love could be delivered to someone on the other side of the globe. Are you a writer? Use the internet as a platform to share the gospel worldwide. Maybe “all” you can do is pray? Sister, you are certainly needed! Pray for missionaries and the people groups who need to hear the story of Christ all around the world. You get the idea.

Here are a few resources you may wish to check out to get you started:

Pray for a Wycliffe Missionary
Puppets for Orphans
Book: [amazon_link id=”1850783586″ target=”_blank” ]Windows on the World[/amazon_link] (Great to read with older elementary kids and up, this book is a great introduction to various people groups around the world and how to pray for them.)
Book: [amazon_link id=”0830857249″ target=”_blank” ]Operation World[/amazon_link] by Jason Mandryk, InterVarsity Press. (Defined as the “global prayer handbook.”)

Remember…

The Great Commission is all about love. It’s about loving Christ enough to obey Him. It’s about loving our fellow man enough to share the gospel message and making the effort to disciple them. If you are in a season of staying, you can still share the gift of salvation and shine His light brightly.

How do you stay missionally minded during seasons of staying?

Tweetables:

“How can you be missionally minded during a season of staying? http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Nv <- Some ideas from @HeartfeltbyAli at @DoNotDepart” – Click here to tweet this.

“The way we reflect Christ may be all some people ever come to know about Christianity. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Nv via @DoNotDepart” – Click here to tweet this.