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Key Greek Words – Wrap Up

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Key Greek Words of the New Testament at DoNotDepart.com

All this month we’ve looked at Key Greek Words of the New Testament. At the beginning of the month, I mentioned that words in koine Greek have rich meaning and subtle nuances that really enhance the message the words relay. I hope our posts this month demonstrated that well.
It’s really amazing to me how rich and deep God’s word is. And that’s why reading it once is never enough. The more we read and dig, the more we discover.

God’s word is truly a treasure chest — filled to the brim with priceless, expressive words and truths.

And as we dig in, the more we find.  And the more we find and know, the more our hearts can grow, mature, and bear fruit for Christ and His kingdom.

This month, we looked at the Greek words:

Patti even wrote a great post about Teaching Children Biblical Greek that you won’t want to miss!

And as promised, we have a printable for you…

Our graphic designer, Ashley Taylor, has created darling printable Flashcards of Key Greek Words of the New Testament just for you. Each card prints up front and back.

On the front, you’ll find:

  • the Greek word we’ve studied this month,
  • the Strong’s concordance number,
  • the translation,
  • and definition.

On the back are verses where you can find the Greek word used.

We are excited about these cards and hope you’ll be blessed by them!

Key Greek Words of the NT - Printable flashcards at DoNotDepart.com

Which Key Greek Word of the New Testament touched your heart? What did you most enjoy learning this month?

Key Greek Words of the New Testament. Series wrap up plus FREE flashcards #NTGreekWords

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Charis, the Greek Word for Grace

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{Later this month we’ll be offering you a beautiful set of Key Greek Words of the New Testament flashcards that you can print to help you remember all we’ve studied together.}

Charis, the Greek Word for Grace - Read more at DoNotDepart.com

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17)

“All fulness dwells in him [Jesus], from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received even grace, a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us.” (Matthew Henry)

 

Grace upon grace. Sweet Grace!

As Believers, we often hear of grace being defined as “God’s favor.” This definition certainly isn’t wrong, but there’s much more to grace than simply that.

Did you catch that one little phrase of Matthew Henry’s above? “Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace.”

  • When we deserve punishment, instead, God gives mercy.
  • When we cannot do it alone, God gives help.
  • When we lack in wisdom, God gives wise guidance.
  • When we suffer, God gives various types of healing.
  • When we are unloveable, God loves us to the utmost.
  • When we continually sin and fail, God gives forgiveness.
  • When we need strength, God gives perseverance.

Grace upon grace.

The Greek word used in the Bible for grace is charis. This word is rich and meaningful. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around all that grace entails. It helps to discover the various aspects of grace that the Greek word implies.

Strong’s Concordance lists the definition of charis as: (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness.

HELPS Word-studies gives added insight when it explains that the word charis has the added implication of “leaning towards.”  God leans toward us (even if we’re leaning away) freely extending Himself to meet us where we are and with what we need.

No matter our pain, our mess, or our stubbornness, in charis-grace, God reaches out favorably to extend Himself.

And I love this explanation I came across in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

  • charis is “used of ‘the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues’”

When you feel strengthened to increase in faith or something in your heart has been kindled to practice your faith, that’s also a result of grace!

Seriously rich, isn’t it?

A few years ago, I went through some serious health problems and felt God’s grace in my life deeper than I ever had before. He reached out to me in my despair over the situation, lifted me up and strengthened me, brought me through, fed me truth, showed me deep love, and healed my spirit.

His touch of grace in my life, His bending toward me favorably with His help and strengthening power, was absolutely incomprehensible!

God lovingly did that for me and He’ll do it for you.

May your life be touched with the richness of His charis… His grace upon grace!

Here are two beautiful verses to remind you of God’s wonderful grace:

“…he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5-6

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

How has God showed you His grace lately? I’d love for you to share in the comments…

Charis, the Greek Word for Grace… learn what the original language implies. #NTGreekWords

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Key Greek Words of the New Testament

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This month we'll be studying key Greek words of the New Testament. Join us at DoNotDepart.com

Do you love words as much as we do? We hope so! This month here at DoNotDepart we’re going to be looking closely at words… Greek words, to be exact!

The New Testament was written in Greek, with the exception of a few words here and there that appear in Aramaic (the language spoken by Jews amongst one another). But because at the time of Jesus’ birth Judea had been largely influenced by the Hellenistic culture, the books of the New Testament were put to paper in the familiar, common koine Greek. This was the form of the Greek language that pretty much everyone could speak and understand.

Many things had to happen historically before the Bible could be penned in a language that a large part of the known world at that time could read and understand.

Pretty amazing timing, isn’t it? (God was definitely at work there!)

And interestingly, the koine Greek language is very rich. Each word has deep meaning and subtle nuances that enhance the message of the words.

So, we hope you’ll join us this month as we look at some of the key Greek words of the New Testament. We’ll talk about why they interest us, how God has spoken to us through them or used them in our lives, and we’ll show you a few verses where each word we’re studying is used. We’ll even provide some printables for you along the way.

Ready to explore with us?

This month we’ll be looking at Key Greek words of the New Testament. Join us! #NTGreekWords

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Isaiah 53: The Forbidden Chapter

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This month, we dug into Isaiah 53 and looked for Easter in the Old Testament.

Did you know that Isaiah 53 is a “forbidden chapter” in the Hebrew Tanakh (Hebrew Bible)? It is no longer read in the synagogues. How heartbreaking that this passage of Scripture (that prophesies so clearly of Jesus) is omitted.

Watch this very moving video to learn more.

I am reminded of these of Paul, written to the Romans, about Israel’s unbelief:

11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:11-17)

Together, let’s keep the Jewish people in prayer… that they would hear of and receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ!

Did you know that Isaiah 53 is a Forbidden Chapter in the Hebrew Bible? Read more here…

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Happy Good Friday | Happy Easter

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Happy Easter from DoNotDepart...
 

1When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8, ESV)

The team here at DoNotDepart wishes you a very happy Good Friday and a joy-filled Easter! May your days be spent in reverence and gratitude as you rejoice in the resurrection of our Savior!

He is risen! Hallelujah!

Blessings from Ali, Caroline, Lindsey, Lisa, and Patti

Happy Easter from the DoNotDepart Team. He is risen! #ResurrectionSunday

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Our Valued Savior: Despised and Rejected

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Our Valued Savior: Despised and Rejected... read more and find Easter in the Old Testament at DoNotDepart.com

1Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa 53:1-3)

He was despised and rejected by men. It’s hard to believe that something so valuable could go unesteemed. It’s bewildering to see preciousness rejected.

One morning many years ago I was cleaning my cutting board after making biscuits. I scraped all the bits of flour and dough into the trash. One bit of flour was stuck to the inside of my hand. Without looking, I pressed harder and rolled my thumb against the hardened flour in attempts to pry it off.

It wouldn’t budge.

I looked at my hand in hurried frustration. Why couldn’t I throw this bit of dough away? A good look revealed that it wasn’t dough at all.

My wedding ring had twisted around to face the palm of my hand, and I was feeling the diamonds. I was trying to throw my beloved diamond in the trash as if it were just scraps of unwanted biscuit dough.

How many times have I done similarly in my life? How many times have I taken the precious and overlooked it? Rejected it? Or even despised it? How many times has the beautiful, the sacred, the holy, gone unnoticed or unesteemed?

Or, how many times has God given me a gift but I missed it because I was looking for something wrapped in a different package?

I can’t understand how our Savior would come to earth in such a humbled state. It’s hard to wrap my human mind around it. Why didn’t our powerful God come as Mighty King and demand the respect, honor, and adoration He deserved. (Answer: Because He doesn’t force, He offers.)

But he didn’t. He came quietly, demanding nothing. He came like a “young plant”, growing up before the Lord. Tiny, frail, and fragile.

My mind is completely befuddled by this.

Yours?

My heart breaks for my precious Savior that came from Heaven to rescue His lost sheep and instead of being greeted with open arms was met with angry fists, hammer, and nails.

Our Valued Savior was “despised and rejected by men.” The Beautiful One went undesired.

Truly, I have few words.

Reading from these first few verses in Isaiah make me turn inward and upward. They make me focus on the Savior, Jesus, who came in the form of a servant. And I look into my own heart to make sure I have no traces of rejection… that I’m esteeming Christ as He deserves to be esteemed. That I place value on the gifts, mercy, forgiveness, and hope He gives so freely as an expression of His character and love. (After all, if I don’t esteem them, I’m not truly esteeming Him.)

Though these verses are heavy and sad, we can take heart because, as Believers, we know that things didn’t end sorrowfully. We know the miracle, power, and joy of a Risen Savior! (Luke 24:5-6)

Lord, help me to focus on You. Help my heart respond to your coming in adoration and praise. Let me rejoice in you, Living Savior! Revive my soul in any areas that have become deadened to the mystery and miracle of the Easter story— the story in the Bible, and the story of resurrection in my own life. You’ve raised this sinner to walk in newness of life. Help me never take that for granted, but to look at that miracle with childlike wonder, appreciation, and gratitude. Amen.

For more study and reflection:

  1. Read Isa 53:1-3. What specifically does Isaiah prophesy in these verses about Jesus? Using a cross-reference Bible, can you find their fulfillment in the Gospels?
  2.  Read Isa 53:1-3. Are there any areas of your life where you need to pray, “Lord, help me esteem you better in this?”
  3. Read Luke 22:63-65. What specific things did the men do to Jesus? Read Luke 23:34. Thank God for His forgiveness and love! Ask Him to show you any areas in your life where you need His forgiveness and renewal.
Our Valued Savior: Despised and Rejected. Are you esteeming Him today? #EasterInTheOT

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Our Valued Savior, part one of our EasterInTheOldTestament Bible study. #EasterInTheOT

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Love One Another – Series Wrap Up

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Love One Another - Learning to Love Others as Christ Loves Us... a month long series at DoNotDepart.com

This month we’ve been looking closely at aspects of Christ’s love. We’ve asked, “What does His love really look like? And how can I model that love in my own relationships?”

We’ve attempted to learn from Christ how true love really loves so that we can apply it practically in our own lives.

Our goal was to learn to be Christ-like women who love as He loved— in all of our roles. Christ loved us perfectly. We know that our love can’t measure up to His (perfect!) love, but we are told to do it anyway.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

God will strengthen our efforts to love as He loves, and will bless our obedience to His word. And the people He puts in our lives? They will be blessed by experiencing a sampling of the love of Christ, even though it be in an imperfect form.

This month we looked at these attributes of Christ’s love:

Jesus loved us with a selfless love. I wrote about how we can demonstrate a selfless love like His to our families.

Jesus’ love was also one that served others. In our Let the Children Come feature, Patti gave us ideas for teaching our children to serve, encourage, create, and rejoice in their love for one another.

God’s love for us always seeks our best. It’s always beneficial. Lisa showed us four ways to love someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia the way that God loves us.

The love of Jesus is truly forgiving, isn’t it? Lindsey gave us a practical look at how to love our spouses with the forgiving, undeserved love of Christ. (After all, none of us deserve His love, do we?)

Christ’s love is unfailing. Caroline writes touching words about how to love through illness or special needs with a love that just won’t quit, even though it’s hard.

The love of God is eternal. Patti discussed how eternal love encompasses the past, the present, and the future, and encouraged us to parent with an eternal perspective.

Isn’t Christ’s love amazing? There’s so many more wonderful attributes of His love to experience– we pray you’ll discover more and more in your personal walk with God. And as we all continue to grow in Him, may we seek to be more Christ-like as we love those whom He has given us!

Learn to be a Christ-like woman who loves as He loved. #LoveOneAnother

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Love Your Family with the Selfless Love of Jesus

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Why does it matter to Jesus that we love one another as He loved us? (John 13:34, John 15:12)

Jesus desires that we be like Him. But the end result isn’t only our own sanctification; He wants us to be like Him to grow His body.

God is a God of relationships.

After all, he exists as Father, Son, and Spirit… The Holy One exists as three persons… That’s relationship. He shows us from the core of His character that He values relationships and wants us to value them, too.

Jesus always made time for people:  to listen to concerns, heal the sick, comfort the mourning, teach the curious, and even to admonish the hardhearted. He made time.

He was selfless.

In both Matt 14:13-16, and Mark 6:31-37, Jesus had just been told the news of John the Baptist’s beheading. Jesus sought time alone to grieve and time to rest with His disciples. Instead, He was followed by crowds who were hungry for His attention, His teaching, His miracles, and even hungry for food.

So, He stopped to meet the crowd’s needs and modeled selflessness to His disciples. He taught that even when we’re tired, grieving, when life has demanded our attention, or distraction has taken over our minds, we must keep focus on the things that matter most. Loving others.

A Good Question to Ask: What matters most?

Sometimes, I really have to stop and ask myself if I’m being selfless with those He’s placed in my life. Too often, the answer is no. (I have a lot of growing to do before I can claim that I’m like Jesus.)

Do you struggle with selflessness, too? If so, how do we overcome it?

Honestly, I’m not sure we ever completely will. Until our last day on this earth, we’ll be fighting our sin nature. But, rather than give up hope, we need to fight against sin and take up the weapons God has given us to do it.

 Love is a powerful weapon. Selfless love is what drove Jesus to feed those hungry crowds, die for us, and redeem our lives from the pit.

Love Your Family with the Selfless Love of Jesus read more at DoNotDepart.com

Selfless love for my family asks, “What matters most?”, and puts their needs above my selfish tendencies.

Selfless love…

  • gets my little one a glass of milk, even when I’m in the middle of an intricate crochet project
  • helps me stay up late to greet my oldest as she comes home from work, even when I’m exhausted
  • reminds me to put a smile on my face when my husband comes in after his long commute, even if I’ve had a bad day
  • says it’s ok to have that bad day and let it go— no need to burden others with what I can handle myself
  • keeps my mouth shut when my teen really just needs me to just be a good listener
  • encourages me to pamper my sick and miserable child, even when I have the same virus

You get the idea.

And, yay! for those moments of victory! But there are too many times when, with my actions, I’ve said, “I don’t feel selfless right now. Sorry, not sorry.”

There are times when I don’t get off the couch, don’t put down my phone, don’t stay up and wait, don’t keep my mouth shut, complain instead of smile, and whine selfishly when I’m sick. (And worse, I’m sure!) 

But, those moments aren’t Kingdom-building. They don’t convey the importance Jesus puts on relationships. They don’t say, “I value you above myself!” (Phil 2:3)

Those failed opportunities don’t teach my children what selfless love looks like so they can show it to the world. They certainly don’t edify my husband or myself.

The Remedy

What’s the remedy? It’s super simple, but so hard to do… the answer of course, is to keep doing love. (That’s what Jesus did!)

It comes down to the heart and discipline. We must pray for God to root out all selfishness in our hearts, then pray for the discipline to actively practice loving one another. It’s definitely a lifelong learning process, and even though (like I mentioned before) we may never love one another perfectly, God has promised us His help. It’s our duty to pursue it and place the utmost importance on it.

And He will help us to love one another well.

What does selfless love look like in your home? Do you struggle with loving selflessly like Jesus?
 What helps you overcome? 

What matters most? Learning to love your family selflessly. Like Jesus does. #LoveOneAnother

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What does selfless love look like? Jesus shows the answer… #LoveOneAnother

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Love One Another – Learning to Love Others as Christ Loves Us

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Back in November, we did a series called “Since God so Loved Us”, where we dove into 1 John 4. We looked at how deeply God loves us and how His love changes our lives.

Love One Another - Learning to Love Others as Christ Loves Us... a month long series at DoNotDepart.com

This month we’re going delve even deeper into the love of Christ and how our love should be modeled after His. It’s easy to look around and see examples of worldly love— love that seeks the giver’s best (rather than the receiver’s) and the giver’s personal fulfillment. Selfish love is loud and abounds in our culture. But Christ’s love is powerful and gracious— and is exactly what we’re supposed to copy.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:9-13

So, what are the attributes of Christ’s love? His love for us is sacrificial, merciful, faithful, eternal, passionate, unrelenting, beneficial, trustworthy, forgiving…. and, oh, how the beautiful list goes on! (Are you feeling pretty loved right now?)

And Jesus told us that if we are in Him, we need to love one another as He loved us. (John 13:34-35)

So, how can we love the people in our lives sacrificially, mercifully, and so on? What does that really look like in messy day-to-day living? What does that mean when we’re scrubbing the toilet, guiding children, cooking dinner, meeting deadlines at work, caring for our elders…? What does this love look like in all our various roles… like Christian woman, wife, mom, grandma, teacher, mentor, friend, neighbor, caregiver…?

This month we want to really go deep and learn from Christ. We want to learn to be Christlike women who love as He loved— in all of our roles. Our love will never be as perfect as His (because He is perfect by nature), but we are commanded to do it anyway. And because He will never leave us, nor forsake us, He will strengthen and enable us to love better than we ever thought we could!

Ready to take this journey with us?

Love One Another: Learning to Love Others as Christ Loves Us… new series @DoNotDepart

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What are the attributes of Christ’s love, and how can we model our love after His? Learn with us!

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Everyday Hope Giveaway (Ends Jan 20th!)

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{We’re so excited about Katie Orr’s new Bible Study, Everyday Hope: Holding Fast to His Promise, that we’ve decided to give away a copy! I know you’ll love it as much as we do! Giveaway details follow the excerpt from the book.}

 

Everyday Hope, excerpt at DoNotDepart.com

Excerpt from Everyday Hope by Katie Orr

I’m particularly drawn to instructions. I long for someone to tell me what to do when in order to achieve my desired outcome. Whether it be how to put a savory, yet nutritious meal on the table in less than an hour cooking time, or the best way to maximize my time as a work-at-home mom, I’m especially drawn to the how-to’s in the areas I feel week.

I think many people are this way, and our spiritual life is no different. It only takes a quick stroll down the self-help book aisle to see what we all crave: something more than what we have now. It’s easy to feel depleted and defeated emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

As a Christian, the pressure’s on to be a beacon of light to the lost world around me, yet sometimes I can’t seem to shake the feeling I should be doing or experiencing something I’m not. Scripture tells us that Christ came to earth to provide a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). It’s one thing to read these words on a paper and say, “Amen.” It’s quite another to experience this living hope in our everyday lives.

Maybe you feel this dissonance as well?

Excerpt from Everyday Hope by Katie Orr at DoNotDepart.com

You and I are on a voyage. A journey toward this living hope and abundant life our Creator and Savior has promised. However, our travels can often feel more like we’re aimlessly tossing in a storming sea of hopelessness. You may desire to better navigate the trip ahead. You may find yourself looking for a way out of the chaos, for a ladder that will lead to the lifeboat that promises rescue from the storm. Or, maybe you’ve given up altogether, and all you have left is a weak cry for help from the bottom of the boat.

You may have heard from others: “Keep your chin up. Don’t lose hope!” It’s easy to see hope as a verb — something we need to do. An action we need to take. Though there are actions we can and should take when our soul is in despair, trying to conjure up the strength to be hopeful is not helpful.

It’s impossible.

Hope is a noun, not a verb. It’s not something we do to escape the storm. Hope is what we hold fast to, as we endure each wave.

Hope is a treasured possession, not an action.
Hope is a guiding light, not a ladder to climb.
Hope is a steadfast anchor, not a search for more.
Hope is a harbor of promise, not a way of escape.

Our hope is found in the Gospel of Christ alone. This good news of Jesus is not a one-time experience; it’s a moment-by-moment need.

PRAY THIS WITH ME: God, we are desperate to experience the hope of Christ in our everyday. We look forward in anticipation to all You have planned for us through Your Word. Open our eyes to see the truths the Bible holds about our gospel-hope. Soften our hearts to receive them. Enable our souls and minds to follow you in obedience as we respond to all You will speak to us.  

(This is an excerpt from Everyday Hope, an easy to use, four-week study. Designed for women who are pressed for time, yet crave depth from their Bible study, Everyday Hope offers a relevant and lasting approach for reading and understanding Scripture. In as few as 15 minutes a day, explore hope that fills the Scriptures and the same hope God intends to fill your life. Everyday Hope, will help you discover how to hold fast to His promises amidst feelings of hopelessness. Purchase your copy today at your favorite retail bookstore. Also available online at these online stores.)
Katie Orr at DoNotDepart.com

(Author and DoNotDepart founder and contributor, Katie Orr)

 

If you’d like to enter to win a copy of Everyday Hope, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Entering is easy! Just click the Rafflecopter giveaway below and fill out the requested info. When the giveaway ends, we’ll choose a winner and connect with you by email. Click the link below to enter the giveaway:



 Once you click the link, you’ll see four ways to enter:

  • Leave a Blog post comment (mandatory)
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We can’t wait to bless you with Katie’s study! Hurry and enter to win! Entries will be accepted until midnight, Jan 20th.

A chance to win Katie Orr’s new book, Everyday Hope? Yes, please! #FOCUSed15 @KatieOrr22

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Hold fast to the hope you have in the gospel. The unchangeable, glorious, life-giving gospel #FOCUSed15 @KatieOrr22 http://katieorr.me/hope

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Plan to Abide in God’s Word

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Are you looking forward to this brand new year? New opportunities, new ways to serve, new ways to grow, and new opportunities to see His faithfulness… exciting!

This is such a great time to commit to the various spiritual disciplines, isn’t it? I love this statement of Patti’s in her intro to this series:

God is lovingly calling you to grow more intimate with Him in 2016.

Yes! God wants us to know Him. He desires that we draw near to Him and promises us that when we do, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8) It’s relationship that He desires. He wants our hearts and He wants us to know His.

What better way is there to know who God truly is and to know His heart for humanity (and for you personally) than through His word?

Plan to Abide in God's Word ... Read more at DoNotDepart.com

Why read God’s Word? (If you need reasons, check out this post with a free printable.) He’s given us His written message so that we may know Him (His love, salvation, faithfulness, grace, and promises) and grow to look more like Him. God’s Holy Word works to change our hearts as He sanctifies us through a growing relationship with Him.

But committing to daily Bible reading can be hard… so why devote ourselves to time in the Bible?

I really love the way Don Whitney answers this in a Desiring God interview:

“Now the goal of practicing any given discipline is not about doing as much as it is about being: being like Jesus, being with Jesus. But the biblical way to grow in being more like Jesus is through the rightly motivated doing of the biblical, spiritual disciplines.” [Emphasis, mine.]

If you desire to grow the discipline of being in God’s Holy Word every day in 2016, here are some resources for you
:

Community

Hello Mornings is an online community of women holding themselves accountable as they prioritize time with the Lord each day. A Bible reading plan and/or study is available each session. Not only is it fun to meet with likeminded ladies each day, it’s very uplifting and encouraging! I have been truly blessed by the women involved in this ministry and their hearts for Jesus and staying in God’s Word.

Whole Bible Reading Plans

Bible in 90 Days: If you have time, I really recommend reading the Bible in 90 Days. The reading is lengthy and intense, but if you’ve got the time (I did one year when I suffered an injury) it is definitely worth it. One benefit is that if you have a rusty memory (like I sometimes do) the finish date is so close to the start date that you’re less likely to forget what you’ve read.

Chronological Plan: Reading the Bible chronologically for the first time was eye opening to me! If you’ve never read the Bible this way, I truly recommend it!

M’Cheyne Reading Plan: If you’d like to read the Bible in a year but spend a bit more time in the New Testament, this (or the following) plan may be for you. I almost chose this plan one year, but opted for another (see below). If you read using this plan, you’ll cover the Old Testament in one year, and the New Testament and Psalms twice.

Four Stream Reading Plan: This is the plan I did one year rather than the M’Cheyne. This plan covered the Old Testament once in the year, but Psalms twice, and the New Testament and Proverbs four times. This plan also had lengthy daily readings, but splitting it into morning and night readings helped me.

Partial Bible and Topical Plans

If reading the entire Bible in a year sounds like more than you can do right now (which is reality for many of us!), you may want to try a topical plan. Usually, a topical plan has shorter daily readings.

Bible Doctrine Reading Plan: Past contributor for DoNotDepart, Kathy Howard , has written a wonderful plan that focuses on Bible doctrine. Here’s her description:
“This 5-day-a-week plan walks you through the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. The first quarter focuses on “Theology,” the study of God and His character. The second quarter on the nature of the Bible, mankind, and Christ. The third on “Soteriology,” the study of salvation. And the fourth on the Holy Spirit, the Church, and end times.”

New Testament in a Year: Kathy also has a plan to read through the New Testament in one year. The daily readings average about one chapter (or about 5 minutes). A great plan if you are limited on time!

The Youversion app (or bible.com) has some really great plans that focus on topics such as anxiety, prayer, new beginnings, God’s promises, and so on. You may not cover the entire Bible in one year, but by starting a new plan each time you complete one, you’d accomplish your goal of reading the Bible every day.

I’ll close with these verses from Colossians…

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col 3:1-2)

What better way to set our affections on things above than by spending time in God’s Word, learning of His heart for us, what He wants for us, and of who we are in His eyes. Being armed with this knowledge can change our everyday. And make it oh, so much brighter!

Praying you’ll have a spiritually bright 2016 as you abide in God’s Word!

What’s your Bible reading goal for 2016? What plans have you enjoyed? Leave a comment – we’d love to hear from you!

Looking for a Bible reading plan for 2016? We’ve got many to choose from! #PlanToAbide

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2016 – A Year for Newness

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The DoNotDepart Team would like to wish you a very Happy New Year!

2016 is literally just around the corner!

I have no idea what the New Year will hold in store. I don’t know if I’ll succeed or fail in the goals I’ve set and the plans I’ve made. I’m not sure that even 6 months from now will look anything at all like today. But one thing I’m sure of? That there will be newness.

  • New growth in Christ.
  • New displays of God’s faithfulness.
  • New reminders of His love.
  • New opportunities to serve in His name.
  • New awarenesses of His constant presence.

New year New Soul, read more at DoNortDepart.com

You get the idea. Newness.

As a person that tends to be a “creature of habit”, sometimes all this newness scares me. But today, I’m not feeling fearful. I’m feeling joyful and excited!

Because I know that in all this newness, He’ll be with me. God’s already gone ahead of me to prepare places and spaces for me, and to prepare my heart to meet with Him when I get to wherever-it-is-He-leads-me.

I’m thankful for the knowledge that I’m a new creation in Him and that He works newness in me!

New Creature in Christ from DoNotDepart.com

How are you feeling about 2016? Are you excited to meet with God on the path He’s making for you?

We pray your New Year is blessed richly in the knowledge of His goodness, love, and presence. 

~Ali, Caroline, Lindsey, Lisa, Patti, and Katie

Merry Christmas from the Team!

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Merry Christmas from your DoNotDepart Team!

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... Isa 9:2 DoNotDepart.com
We pray that your Christmas will be blessed richly as you bask in the light of
Jesus’ glorious presence
and celebrate the miracle of His birth and purpose!
Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us and ours!

Ali, Caroline, Lindsey, Lisa, Patti, and Katie

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament – Series Wrap Up

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Finding Jesus in the Old Testament, with Printables for you from DoNotDepart.com
So, we started off this month with this quote:

The entire Old Testament points toward Jesus as Savior, and if you miss that, you’ve missed the entire point of the Scriptures. Jesus is the Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy.” -Adrian Rogers

Hopefully, we’ve highlighted a few of the ways the Old Testament points toward Jesus, prophesied about Him, and revealed His active presence in people’s lives. And I know we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg.

We pray that our printables helped you to focus on the miracle of Jesus and the purpose of His presence – in the Old Testament, and as He came in the flesh to be God with us, here and now!

Yes, our Immanuel, God with us… We pray you experienced Him personally as we looked together into the Old Testament.

 

    • Jesus is the Prince of Peace. If you’re in need of some peace today, my post focused on the fact that the same Peace promised to the Israelites is the same peace offered to us today. Included a printable paper Christmas ornament with the names of the Messiah listed in Isa 9:6-7.

 

    • Lisa wrote an enlightening post about The Ark of the Covenant, and how as Believers, we are now the home of God’s presence. Her post included a printable list of verses and a printable prayer verse all about the topic.

 

    • Jesus is our Immanuel, God with us! As Lindsey pointed out, no matter our circumstances, God will never leave us alone. Her post included beautiful printable artwork that reminds us God is with us.

 

    • Caroline reminded us to slow down and stop striving this Christmas. Rather than strive, we can celebrate that Jesus came from Heaven to reach us! Caroline’s post includes a fun coloring page you can do with the special kiddos in your life to remind them of this very important message.

 

{And a most special thank you to our dear friend, Ashley Taylor,

for creating all of the beautiful printables this month!}

We hope our focus this month will encourage you to continue looking into the entire Bible to find Jesus. He’s there. And we pray that you’ll be more and more as Christmas draws near… blessed by drawing near Him in worship, adoration, and praise!

Did you catch all the posts in our series? Here’s the wrap up! #JesusInTheOT

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The Prince of Peace with Peace for Today…

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Out of the many themes that are associated with Christmastime, this one resonates in my heart. Something inside me greatly desires peace.  I thrive on routine and habit… because, well there’s peace in that. I tend to get anxious when life’s hiccups happen.

And because that’s how God wired me, I’m so thankful to know the Prince of Peace Himself. I need Him… and I certainly need His peace.

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament, The Prince of Peace... with a printable Christmas ornament
And I’m not the only one who needs His peace– our restless world does. There have been so many tragedies lately. So much heartache. Whether it’s a massacre in Paris or San Bernardino on the news, a child sick with cancer on a Facebook feed, or personal unrest in any painful shape, I think we can all see a God-sized hole we could label “Peace Missing.”

But before we despair, we can turn to God. He is ever near us and He’s waiting to comfort us with His love, wisdom, and might.

And that’s what God did for the Israelites when they were at their most unrestful state. His chosen people were spiritually wandering away from Him and their sin invited both danger from the enemy and discipline from the hand of God (Dan:5-7). The northern tribes had been conquered by Assyria, and the Kingdom of Judah would soon be conquered by Babylon. The majority of the inhabitants would be driven as captives into Babylon, far away from the Promised Land, far from their homes, their culture, and from everything they knew.

Unrest. Lack of peace. Heartache.

But God stepped in. Through the encouraging words of Isaiah, God reminded His children that He hadn’t forgotten them and His peace hadn’t truly left. He had a plan that would bring joy and peace to each heart. His plan was personal, powerful, and would change the whole world!

6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Oh, Jesus, the Messiah! What a promise of peace to the restless, fearful, broken heart!

Peace for You, Today

That’s why Jesus came down from Heaven 2,000 years ago to reach us. He didn’t want us to continue to stumble blindly. He wanted to offer the whole world His marvelous light. And while the Israelites had to wait about 700 years from these prophecies of Isaiah for Jesus to be born, today, we have ready access to the saving, peace-giving knowledge of Christ.

If we are ever on the brink of despair, we can remember that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. He is our Mighty God. He is the Everlasting Father. And He most certainly is the Prince of Peace.

“Peace 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.” (John 14;27)

Jesus came to establish His heavenly kingdom. Many Jews mistakenly thought that the Messiah was coming to be a warrior King who would lead them to freedom from Roman rule– to bring physical peace between governments. But instead, Jesus came to offer each heart on earth (past, present, and future) eternal peace. Peace not like the world gives, but peace that comes from having the truth of His presence living right inside us.

And that peace within us flavors the way the think, the things we say and do, and the way we interact with others.

Peace gives us hope, satisfies us, and fills us with joy.

If you’re craving the peace of Jesus today, find encouragement in these verses:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7)

“For he is our peace…, And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” (Eph 2:14 a, Eph 2:17)

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa 26:3)

I pray that whatever your circumstances, His presence in your heart would bring you great Peace this Christmas.

Names of the Messiah - Printable paper Christmas ornament
And, as a physical reminder of who Jesus is (as described in Isa 9:6-7) our friend, Ashely Taylor, has made an elegant Christmas ornament as a gift for you. It’s very simple to print and assemble. We hope you’ll hang it on your tree — or wherever you need a little Christmas cheer!

How has knowing the Prince of Peace affected your heart and spirit?

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament: The Prince of Peace offers peace for you today! #FindingJesusInTheOT

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Finding Jesus in the Old Testament

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Did you know that the whole Bible points to Jesus? Even the Old Testament…

The entire Old Testament points toward Jesus as Savior, and if you miss that, you’ve missed the entire point of the Scriptures. Jesus is the Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy.” -Adrian Rogers

If you look, you can easily find Him there. Not only does the Old Testament point to Him, but He was present, as part of the Godhead.

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament, with Printables for you from DoNotDepart.com

As one of the triune parts of God, Jesus created {and sustains} all things (John 1:3, Col 1:16-17), was the Rock that accompanied Israel through the desert (1 Cor 10:4), some scholars say He was the fourth person who walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Dan 3:25), Jesus refreshed Elijah in the wilderness (1 Ki 19:5-7), and Himself claims to be the Great I Am of the Old Testament (John 8:58).

I find it amazing that the very first verse in our Bible points to Jesus. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

The Hebrew word for God used in this verse is Elohim. …A plural word that allows for further expansion of the concept of a triune God revealed throughout the gospels and New Testament.

And not only was Jesus present, but the Scriptures also prophesied both a physical-Jesus-with-us-in-the-flesh coming, and the purpose He would accomplish by putting on flesh and taking our sins. Without the putting on of human flesh, being born in the humblest of states to Mary and Joseph over 2,000 years ago, the work of our Messiah and Savior could never be accomplished. And matter of fact, the Bible contains over 300 prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus.

And He fulfilled them all. (That befuddles the best of mathematicians!)

Jesus Himself met with disciples on the road to Emmaus, in His post-resurrection form, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

This month at Do Not Depart, we’ll be looking into specific scriptures of the Old Testament that show us Jesus. We pray that the more we look at Him as Christmas draws near, the more our hearts will warm in adoration, worship, and praise!

And since this is a printable tools month, each post will contain a special something you can print and use to help you remember all we’re discussing.

Be blessed, and Happy Advent!

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament. A new topic with printables for you! #JesusInTheOT

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Want to find Jesus in the Old Testament? Prepare your heart for Christmas! #JesusInTheOT

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