How to Prioritize Bible Study with Freedom {Guest Post}

October 10, 2012 by Do Not Depart 59 Comments

Do Not Depart is pleased to welcome Mary Beth from New Life Steward as our guest today…

At at 3:37 AM I stumbled into bed after rocking my toddler back to sleep. I turned my alarm off—thinking my husband’s alarm would do the job so I could squeeze in Bible study and a shower before my son woke up.

Before I knew it, I had overslept—no time for Bible study or a shower now. I hastily dressed my son for Mother’s Day Out—thinking I’ll fit in some Bible study after I see my one client for the morning.

But then I get a text from another client asking for an emergency session, and I remember I’m supposed to clean the bathrooms today. So I spend 3/4 of my free morning in counseling sessions with clients and the other 1/4 cleaning bathrooms and showering.

Still no Bible study.

The day continues to roll on, and before I know it, I’m crawling into bed when I remember—I never did my Bible study.

So I make the choice to set my alarm and try again tomorrow.

It all starts with a choice.

On mornings that I manage to roll out of bed, I’ve usually got about 5 minutes to pray, 5 minutes to study my lesson, and 5 minutes to work on my memorization. That’s 15 minutes total. If any one part goes over, I probably don’t get to the rest.

But it all starts with a choice. Will I get out of bed?

Every person is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). Many theologians agree that part of this “likeness” or “image” involves man’s reason, emotions, and will. These abilities separate us from the rest of creation and reflect God’s likeness. Focusing in on man’s will, we have the ability to determine–to choose.

Let’s apply this to the current choice before me: will I get out of bed?

When I sit back and take stock of my life, I have time for what I want to have time for. There’s always time to eat. Time to watch a TV show. Time to write. Time to read. Time to play with my son. Time to connect with my husband after the baby is asleep.

I make choices that create time for these activities.

The same is true of the spiritual disciplines. I make choices to either make time for them or not. Lately, the choice for me has been to set and heed the alarm when it goes off or not. Getting out of bed reflects a choice to prioritize Bible study. But more often than not, I choose to ignore my alarm.

That’s the problem with sin. We are predisposed to choose ourselves, our own wants and desires. Left to my own devices, I will choose sleep over an early morning Bible study every time. Even Paul struggled with this (Rom. 7:15 and following)! When I am in charge of my will, I will always choose my own selfish way.

Freedom comes from believing the truth.

Thankfully, we have a God who reached down to us and intervened in our sinful lives through Christ (Phil 2:5-7). He draws us to repentance with His kindness (Rom. 2:4). Through grace, His Spirit stirs in our hearts and causes us to long for God’s Word (Eph. 2:8-9). When the Lord is in charge of my will, I’m drawn into deeper relationship with Him.

This is such a freeing truth to realize. I do not have to muster up enough inner strength to get up when that alarm goes off. In fact, I am wholly unable to do this on my own. I can rest and ask the Lord to draw me to Himself with His Spirit. Then my will slowly conforms to His, and I want to get up to study His Word. The actions come naturally because the Holy Spirit is sanctifying me–slowly molding me into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The glory belongs to the Lord because it’s His work in me.

I have a choice, but when I submit my will to the will of the Father, His strength enables me to follow His will in my choosing.

What is influencing your will–yourself, the culture, or the Holy Spirit and Scripture?

My first love is Jesus Christ followed quickly by my husband and my son. I am now a stay at home mom, writer, and blogger. My career was first in teaching and then in Marriage and Family Counseling. Living in a small, Southern town in Mississippi, we enjoy SEC football, walking around barefoot, and playing outside. A day to myself would be spent napping, blogging, and reading with a bit of reality TV mixed in! You can find me blogging at New Life Steward, Facebook and Twitter!

Photo Credit: Jenni C.

The Life-Changing Power of God’s Word {Guest Post}

March 29, 2012 by Do Not Depart 9 Comments

By Brooke Espinoza

I would rather lay my soul asoak in half a dozen verses all day than rinse my hand in several chapters. -Charles Spurgeon

Though even a quick rinse in God’s Word will not return void, God gives us several motivating reasons to abide in His Word.

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God’s Word is powerful!

I am just in awe of how great our God is that He literally spoke the entire universe into existence! The psalmist proclaimed in Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”

Likewise, when a Roman centurion came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his dying servant, Jesus was happy to go with him to his home, but the centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) This man knew the incredible power of God’s Word! As a result of his great faith in God’s Word, the Roman centurion’s beloved servant was healed that very hour.

God’s Word is life-changing!

Psalm 1 shows the incredible transformation that is promised to anyone whose love for God’s Word drives them to abide in His Word day and night.

“He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3

Just from this one verse we see the life changing power of God’s Word. This person is characterized:

Like a tree—a symbol of strength and uprightness
Planted by the rivers of water—fixed and abiding in the refreshing rivers of water
That brings forth its fruit in its season—a fruitful life
Whose leaf also shall not wither—with roots so deep into the Living Water, even the heat of trials shall not cause this tree’s leaves to wither
And whatever he does shall prosper—a prosperous life

God’s Word is mighty!

Just looking solely at Psalm 119, look at what it proclaims are just some of the awesome ways God uses His Word in our life when we take the time to be in it.

To bless us (v2)
To cleanse us (v9)
To give us counsel (v24)
To revive us (v25)
To strengthen us (v28)
To give us a ready answer (v42)
To give us hope (v49)
To comfort us in our afflictions (v50)
To give us life (v93)
To make us wiser than our enemies (v98)
To give us more understanding than all our teachers (v99)
To give us a lamp for our feet and a light to our path (v105)
To give us great peace (165)
To keep us from stumbling (v165)
To deliver us (v170)

Knowing the amazing life-changing power of God’s Word, I know what is at stake if I feel pressure from the day’s schedule to rush through my devotions or skip them all together. So on the days that I’m pressed for time, but still want to spend quality time in God’s Word, I will listen to my favorite audio Bible, The Word of Promise (NKJV) and take my memory verse for the day with me on a 3 x 5 card and meditate on it throughout my day when “my hands are busy, but my mind is free” as Janet Pope says in her book, His Word in My Heart.

Whether we spend time in God’s Word by reading it, studying it, listening to it, mediating on it, or memorizing it, what’s important is that we spent time in it. And when we do, oh will we be blessed!

What Bible verses have had the greatest impact on your life? Let us know in the comments

Brooke blogs at Rivers of Water, a site dedicated to encourage and equip Christian women to fully trust in God and His Word so when their faith is tested, through trials, they will not be shaken. She has a Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies from Calvary Chapel Bible College, and is passionate about studying and memorizing Scripture.

The Most Powerful List You Can Make :: Run to Him :: Psalm 77

March 9, 2012 by Do Not Depart 8 Comments

We make lists. To do lists. To read lists. To buy lists.

We live in a fast paced society that is all about getting things done. Go. Go. Go. Our culture sees the power in movement. But in all that getting ahead, we miss the power of remembering.

Sometimes? At the end of a day, I make a list of the things I accomplished simply so I can check them off. Yes, I’m one of those people. But there is a certain power and momentum in remembering what we’ve done.

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Apparently, the Psalmist was a list maker too. But he didn’t make a list of all the things he has or hasn’t done. Instead, he made a list of all the things God has done. And wow what a difference it made!

In Psalm 77, the writer was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

…I would not be comforted… (v. 2)

I was too troubled to speak. (v. 4)

Ever had one of those days? Ever wonder how to change the course of one of those days? Here’s how he did it:

Starting in verse 13, he began to simply list the wonders God has done.

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. (v. 13)

The change in tone, attitude and hopefulness of the passage is simply remarkable from verse 13 onward.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph…You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (vv. 15, 20)

He may not have immediately felt different, but he immediately spoke different and that changed everything.

He took his eyes off of himself and what he could or couldn’t do. Instead put his eyes on God and what He has already done and will do again.

You see, God doesn’t change. He has been faithful to do wonders and He will be faithful to do wonders. Our greatest times of struggle are simply when we forget to remember.

Make a list

Keep a journal of the things God has done in your life. When troubles come your way, fight them with remembrance of the wonders He’s done.

What is one thing He’s done that you can remember today?

What did you learn from your study of the Psalms this week?

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Kat blogs at Inspired To Action, a site dedicated to helping moms develop the habits and skills they need to effectively manage their homes and raise children who are prepared to change the world. Kat and her husband live in the great state of Texas and have 3 children ages 7, 5 and 2.

Top Ten Android Apps for Spiritual Growth

February 29, 2012 by Do Not Depart 33 Comments

Heather’s “Top 10 iPhone Apps for Spiritual Growth” post was great, but I am an Android user. (I did send it to all my iPhone-owning family members and friends who found the post useful though.)

So, below you will find some Droid apps that I have found to be helpful for my spiritual growth. (Some are the same as on iPhone, but links are to Android apps.)

Best Bible Study Apps

Christian Droid Apps 1. YouVersion Bible (FREE)
*Read/listen to the Bible with over 150 Bible versions and almost 200 Bible reading plans to help you read the Bible and track your progress.
*Easily search the Bible for either a reference or a keyword.
*Connect Twitter and Facebook accounts to easily share Bible verses.
*Bookmark your favorite Bible verses and sync them with YouVersion.com.
*Make public or private notes on your bible reading.

Christian Droid Apps 2. Daily Bible (FREE)
*Daily Bible Verse with daily notification
*Daily Bible Reading Plan
*Easy & Fast Search any Bible verse or topic: Easily search any verse of any topic.
*Daily Bible devotionals: Choose from a huge list of podcasts. Read or listen from devotions. Save a podcast and listen to it offline.
*Save or share Bible verse or plan or devotions easily on Facebook, Twitter, email, text etc.

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 3. Logos Bible Software (FREE)
*Thousands of books and tools for Bible study
*Easy to read, verse preview, footnotes, and easy navigation.
*Includes powerful study tools: Passage Guide, Text Comparison, and Bible Word Study.
*When you download the app you get access to all features and more than 30 resources. When you sign up for a free Logos account, you get access to an additional 30 resources as well as access to over 16,000 resources for sale from the Logos and Vyrso libraries.

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 4. MySword Bible (FREE)
*Multiple off-line Bibles, Commentaries and Dictionaries
*Bible version verse comparison
*Highlighting
*Bookmarks
*Type your personal notes and insights
*Search (concordance) for Bible, Commentaries and Personal notes
*Dictionary, Commentary and Journal/Book picture support
*Paragraph or Verse mode for the Bible view

Scripture Memory Apps

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 5. RememberMe Bible Verses Memory (FREE)
*Listen to verses
*Study flashcards and play word puzzles
*Obfuscate a passage and fills in the gaps
*First letter and placeholder methods
*Line by line practice
*Daily reminders
*Flashcard widget for your home screen
*Numerous Bible translations
*More than 100 verses preloaded

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 6. Fighter Verses ($2.99)
*Over 520 verses included
*Add ANY VERSE using “My Verses” and optionally define topics for topical memory.
*SIX Bible translations – ESV, NIV, NASB, HCSB, KJV, LBLA
*Fill in the blank QUIZ
*SONGS to help you learn verses (ESV only)
*TOPICAL index for topical memory
*Configurable SCHEDULE for weekly memorization
*REMINDERS to memorize daily or weekly

Best Prayer Apps

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 7. Prayer Journal ($0.99)
*Keep a running list of topics that you are praying about
*Share entries or the entire journal with friends (email/text messaging)
*Set notifications to remind you to pray for the topic.
*Upload journal to Google Docs.
*When you feel you have reached an answer to your prayer topic(s), mark them as answered and keep them available for later viewing, to remind yourself of God’s goodness to you in those requests.

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 8. Prayers to Share (FREE)
*Share your prayers with people around the world
*Pray along with others
*Write out your prayers
*Keep track of those you pray for
*Share your prayers anonymously with others who can pray along on our Social Prayer Network
*…or just keep them private
*Receive inspiration from reading everyone’s prayers

Best Worship Apps

9. Pandora (FREE)
*Personalized radio streams music to your phone.
*Type in the name of a favorite artist, song, or composer and a station will be created to play their music and music like it.
*Here are some of the stations on my Pandora app:
Casting Crowns, Addison Road, Nichole Nordeman,
Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, and Brooke Fraser.
If you use Pandora, what stations do you have for your worship times?

Christian Droid Apps Christian Android Apps 10. 1000 Gifts (FREE)
*Quotes on awaking to the joy-filled power of grace and gratitude at your fingertips … to get you started
*Photo and video stream, texts, and voice recordings of your gifts … to keep you going
*A one-tap option to instantly share captured gifts to Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr … to keep friends and family inspired on their way to their one thousand gifts

Thanks Heather, for reminding me about this one!

11. And I have to sneak one more in here: KLOVE Positive & Encouraging (FREE). Commercial-free contemporary Christian music.

Which apps for spiritual growth would you add to the list?

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Joyce is a business major turned PreK teacher turned stay-at-home mommy to 2 little girls (ages 5 and 2.5.) She likes to dabble in a little bit of everything, from writing newsletters (for our family and for MOPS) to crafting to trying out new recipes…basically just trying new things.

She loves God, family and friends, date nights, board games, books, and blogging. You can visit her over at Keeping Up with the Moys.

Facing Your Fears {Believing Better}

December 20, 2011 by Do Not Depart 6 Comments

My physical therapist asked me to list any injuries I’ve suffered requiring medical treatment. When I finished and looked up, her mouth hung open in disbelief. “It’s amazing you’re still alive; you must’ve lived in constant fear!” I hate it when people see through me like that.

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Legitimately labeled “accident prone” as a child, my mishaps left behind scars on my body and fears in my mind. I wondered if the PT also saw evidence of my deeper scars and fears, left behind by things not treated with splints or stitches. Unseen injuries heal reluctantly, often leaving us believing the worst, leaving us limping through life in fear.

Believing lies of fear leaves us with one hand on a life preserver or patching holes in our protective walls. Fear-lies are like that, robbing us of opportunity and joy. Unlike the pain of broken bones or cuts, some of life’s most painful scars can be passed on, unless we believe better. Until we put to death lies that give birth to fear and believe what’s true, we need rehab of the heart and mind.

To believe something better than fear is to believe God’s promises. His truth has power over fear.

He holds my hand, so I’m not thrown down (Psalm 37:24).
He keeps me, without even sleeping, and won’t let my foot be moved (Psalm 121).
His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

The power of my God is better than my hazardous history on playgrounds and bikes and gyms and trails … and relationships and attempts and dreams. The truth is that He will not stop gripping my hand or let me be thrown down; He will hold me and steady me and keep watching over me. Believing that truth is better than believing the suggestions of the fear loving, reckless Enemy!

Truth sets me free from fear and gives me confidence. A man once believed better than the fears whispered to him as he approached the masses of India, believing he should “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” (William Carey)

For a gal with a long history of ER visits, it takes a lot to convince me that I’m secure. And when our hearts bear deep scars from life’s impact, it takes a lot to convince us that we’re secure. Do your scars keep you living in fear? In your church? In your friendships? With your family? In your marriage? In your career?

Our Keeper offers us healing to cover over each scar and give us confidence to carry into each new opportunity. Do you believe it? That’s so much better than fear.

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A guest post by:

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Julie Sanders is a Women’s Ministry leader who loves to share God’s word with women in her hometown and around the world in a way that shows truth applies to life. She keeps busy with her adventure loving Pastor-husband and two teenagers, and she tries not to be a helicopter mom, since she knows first-hand that accidents DO happen. Julie feels safe knowing God holds her hand and offers peace in every mishap of life. You can find her blogging at Come Have a Peace and on Twitter, and she’ll secretly like you more if you drink coffee.

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For the month of December we are sharing posts and quotes to help us escape the Cycle of Try Harder, through Believing Better.

The Better Choice: Believing

December 13, 2011 by Do Not Depart 6 Comments

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:23-25, emphasis added

I believe …

We say it all the time. I believe Jesus is the Son of God. I believe we’re called to share our faith. I believe God wants us to know Him intimately through time spent in prayer and in His Word. I believe the Word is true and changes people’s lives.

I believe.

But do we? Really?

James says there is a difference between a hearer of the Word and a doer of the Word. I’ve thought about this a great deal. Not in the context of a works-based salvation, but even deeper. That difference between knowing and believing.

Knowing the straps on a roller coaster are designed to hold me safely in the ride is one thing. Believing they will do that job is totally different. Knowing might get me in line … but believing straps me in the seat.

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Maybe, just maybe, we get caught up in the knowing … standing the lines of Bible study homework completed and church attendance lists … and we miss the real grace of believing … of strapping in the ride.

Believing might call some of us to sell everything and live in a poor community sharing the love of Jesus with those who have lost all hope. Believing might ask some of us to give up the frantic pace of modern life and move slowly, intentionally, to be different in the scariest ways we can imagine. Believing might require early mornings spent in prayer and study or late nights of intercession for the lost. Believing asks that we lay down our dreams, our plans, our understanding.

Believing is strapping for the ride of our lives … with promised suffering but also eternal hope.

I don’t know about you, but I’m no longer satisfied with standing in the line of knowing. I’m choosing to strap myself into the ride of believing. Believing bigger, believing better.

Will you join me?

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A guest post by

Teri Lynne Underwood

Married to her talented Worship Pastor husband and momma to her silly {and slightly hormonal}tween girl, Teri Lynne is living out her own happily ever after. Finding glimpses of holy in the most mundane places, Teri Lynne’s one desire is to invite others into this journey toward a life where the sacred and secular collide. She writes at a little white desk and studies in a big not-so-white-anymore chair in between loading the dishwasher, putting the dog out, and sitting in the car line. Grace grabbed hold of her life and since it did, she’s never been the same. You can join her on her blog and on Twitter.

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For the month of December we are sharing posts and quotes to help us escape the Cycle of Try Harder, through Believing Better.

Abiding Fruit: Self-Control

December 12, 2011 by Do Not Depart 9 Comments

I quickly get discouraged when I feel certain areas of my life become unruly. I feel it lately, as I am surrounded by sweet treats that are so hard to say no to. I experience it every morning as I try to get up early to meet with the Lord, and more often than I would like, I choose to snooze.

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I don’t need to teach a lesson today on what self-control is. We all know what it is, and most of us would say we lack it. Whether it be in regards to the way we eat, what we say and do, or our maybe our thought-life; there are probably at least a few areas in each our lives in which we lack self-control.

Although, I did find something very interesting in my study of self-control this week:

Enkrateia.

That’s the greek word for self-control.

It’s used four times in the New Testament. (Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:23, and repeated twice in 2 Peter 1:6)

That’s it. Four times.

So as I came to this week of study, a bit discouraged and defeated, I was comforted that I didn’t find a bigger list of things for me to control in my life.

Isn’t Self-Control Just Trying Harder?

I find it incredibly fitting that self-control comes right in the middle of our Believing Better series. This series was a bit of a last-minute leading from the Lord, and here we are studying self-control, something which can easily be mistaken with the Cycle of Try Harder.

So, is self-control just another way of saying “try harder”?

Remember what our series is all about? It is about the FRUIT of the SPIRIT. Self-control is a FRUIT. It is a PRODUCT of being a Spirit-led, healthy Christian.

And, when we get down to the nitty-gritty of 2 Peter 1:3-8, we see a similar message we’ve been learning all along.

An All-Powerful God Has Granted

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue… (2 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Did you catch the amazing truths of what God has given us?

All things that pertain to life and godliness.
Precious and very great promises.

And do you see why?

So that you may become partakers of the divine nature—to escape sinful desire .
To fuel our efforts towards maturing our faith.

Remember the Central Command

Most of the commands in Scripture are surrounded by the truths of what Christ has done for us. Here in 2 Peter, amidst the list of qualities that should be increasing in our lives, the commands are preceded by the reality that even our best efforts are worthless with out the power of God in our lives.

Earlier in our Abiding Fruit studies we looked at the central command of Galatians 5—the secret to experiencing fruit-filled living. The central command: walk by the Spirit. Keeping in step with the Spirit brings forth the fruit of self-control.

We aren’t to mainly pursue self-control, but to pursue Jesus. As we do, self-control will come.

Do you struggle with self-control? How do you think pursuing Jesus and yielding to the Spirit will help you live a more self-controlled life?

There is so much more to learn from this passage! What did you see this week in your studies?

Abiding Fruit :: Patience :: Two Things I’ve Learned About Patience

November 7, 2011 by Do Not Depart 21 Comments

Today’s Abiding Fruit post is by the ever-inspiring Kat of Inspired to Action. I am honored to have her post here at Do Not Depart. Kat literally inspired me (Katie) to action, in that her blog was part of the reason why I started blogging! The Lord is using her in tremendous ways, for His glory!

I know you will enjoy this post!

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Patience. It dangles like a carrot in front of us, always eluding. Isn’t it ironic that we so desperately want to grab at it and make it our own?

I’ve never been the most patience person on the planet, but God has been working on that so much in the last few years. Here are two things I’ve learned about patience.

Patience cannot be grasped, it must be given.

There is a reason it’s called one of the “Fruits of the Spirit.”

Have you ever tried to make a plant grow faster? My kids have. They’ll plant the seeds that fall out of the apples and melons they eat. Then, every. single. day. they “check on it” to see if it’s grown. Sometimes, they just sit there to see if anything changes.

Don’t we do the same with patience? We want to be a more patient mom or wife and when something frustrating happens, we just…try…harder?

But just as plants need time with the sun to grow, so do we. Patience doesn’t come by trying to be more patient. Patience comes by being with Him. It is a fruit and it only grows if well planted and faithfully tended.

Patience is not self control. Patience is confidence that we are not in control.

The story of Hannah (1 Sam. 1:1-18) is such an incredible example of this.

When Penninah constantly provoked her, she didn’t retaliate.

When her husband asked, “Why are you crying?” (Um…Hello..?!) She didn’t berate him.

When Eli accused her of being drunk, she didn’t defend herself.

The only action that Hannah took was to pray. And keep on praying. She didn’t try to control the situation or those around her who didn’t understand. She simply brought her grief before God, offered *everything* she had and entrusted Him for the outcome.

My favorite part of the story is in 1:18 where it says, “…and her face was no longer downcast.”

She didn’t have her son yet.

She laid her pain before the Lord…and left it there. Her circumstances hadn’t changed, but her heart had. She was confident that He is in control and that brought her patience and joy in the midst of waiting.

She went before the Lord to ask for something her heart desperately wanted and she walked away knowing He is everything she needed.

May we do the same…

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What did you learn from this week’s Abiding Fruit study?

Do you struggle with waiting on the Lord’s timing?

Hiding Romans 8 in My Heart

October 31, 2011 by Do Not Depart 180 Comments

Do you want to memorize scripture, but just don’t think you can do it?

Do you lack a community which brings encouragement to keep going?

Do you need help with knowing how to get started?

We have just the thing for you!

Hiding Romans 8 in My Heart

This is part of Hiding His Word, a challenge to make scripture a life-long habit. We want to give you tips, tools and encouragement to get you started, and keep you going!

Here Are the Details

Start date: Sunday, November 6th
Finish date: March 31
Pace of 2-3 verses a week, with a 2-week “life happens” buffer.

Week 1 November 6th-12th Romans 8:1-2
Week 2 November 13th-19th Romans 8:3-4
Week 3 November 20th-26th Romans 8:5-6
Week 4 November 27th-December 3rd Romans 8:7-9
Week 5 December 4th-10th Romans 8:10 -11
Week 6 December 11th-17th Romans 8:12-13
Week 7 December 18th-24th Romans 8:14-15
Week 8 December 25th-31st Romans 8:16-17
Week 9 January 1st-7th Romans 8:18-19
Week 10 January 8th-14th Romans 8:20-21
Week 11 January 15th-21st Romans 8:22-23
Week 12 January 22nd-28th Romans 8:24-25
Week 13 January 29th-February 4th Romans 8:26-27
Week 14 February 5th-11th Romans 8:28-29
Week 15 February 12th-18th Romans 8:30-31
Week 16 February 19th-25th Romans 8:32-33
Week 17 February 26th-March 3rd Romans 8:34-35
Week 18 March 4th-10th Romans 8:36-37
Week 19 March 11th-17th Romans 8:38-39

This is only a suggested pace. You can go whatever pace works for you. We will be using the ESV and we will be providing LOADS of resources for you (which are coming soon!)

Anyone can join, just leave a comment to let us know you’re in! If you are on Twitter or Facebook, you can help spread the word about the challenge through a tweet or update like this:

I’m on the journey to memorize Romans 8 with @DoNotDepart Join me? http://ow.ly/7eTg4 #HideHisWord

We are excited for all that is to come! Be sure to subscribe to Do Not Depart so you don’t miss out on any of the great resources coming soon!

UPDATE: Be sure to check out the RESOURCES PAGE.

Empathy and Compassion {Guest Post}

October 27, 2011 by Do Not Depart 6 Comments

What feelings or connotations do the words “empathy” and “compassion” evoke for you?

Empathy and compassion are both good and used with intentions of goodness and aid. Some people may even use these words interchangeably.

But, are they the same?

Empathy is identification with a feeling someone else is experiencing. When a friend experiences grief, we can understand perhaps because of our own experiences with loss. We hear of a child suffering from poverty, and we empathize with him or her, the family, and others impacted because we can imagine our own children hurting or have a strong desire to see all children cared for.

Compassion involves sympathy and empathy. Compassion and empathy both create feelings of identification and evoke a desire to treat another well.

The biggest difference? Compassion acts.

Empathy may lead to compassion (so empathy is no less important). Compassion takes empathy further by acting on those deep feelings of sorrow for another, for compassion is “accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate [that person’s] suffering” (paraphrased from Dictionary.com).

That desire to ease another person’s suffering causes action. Action out of love, action with the purpose of helping another, rather than self-satisfying purposes of boosted ego for “doing good.”

Is it any wonder God calls us to act with compassion?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8

Compassionate feeling and action do not just fall into place, though. Where can we obtain compassion to abundantly spread it to others? How does it look as a follower of Christ?

Compassion comes from God (of course):

God commands acting compassionately towards others only after first loving Him:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.’” – Mark 12:30-31

It is through God that we can fully love with compassion. We can ask for compassion from Him (Psalm 51:1 and Psalm 90:13).

Christ, always our Ultimate Example, models compassion:

Matthew 9:36
Matthew 14:14
Luke 15:20 (the father feels empathy, acts with compassion, and welcomes the prodigal son)

How can we compassionately serve others? We can bake, cook, clean, comfort, encourage, care for, teach. We all have different God-given strengths to shower love on friends and strangers alike!

This others-focused action leads to unity among believers and God’s beloved people (Philippians 2:1-4). Loved people who clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness because we – you and me – are so loved.

Is there ever a situation when we cannot act? Sometimes we aren’t able to cook a meal, help with childcare, or halt a disease. But, we can always pray. We can lift each other up, focusing on God’s heart and His will, while requesting and praising for His help, His mercy, and His goodness.

How do you act with the compassion God gifts to us?

Caroline is a wife, mother of a beautiful and charming toddler son, avid reader, and writer. She writes about family, books, and living this grace-given faith authentically at her personal blog (Under God’s Mighty Hand) and can be found on Twitter.

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Abiding Fruit :: Twitter Style

October 6, 2011 by Do Not Depart 4 Comments

We’ve been having our own little small group, this week on Twitter, as we work through the Abiding Fruit study.

Love it!

He can use social media for His glory!

Are you on Twitter? We’d love for you to join in the #AbidingFruit discussion!

Savoring Living Water is (Almost) Here!

September 12, 2011 by Do Not Depart 2 Comments

Lara and Katie have been busy working on their new ebook, Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time.

The ebook releases tomorrow, and they have loads of fun things planned. You’ll want to be the first in line to snag your copy of Savoring Living Water as soon as it is available!

Be sure to check out their (Lara’s and Katie’s) posts today for more info on what’s in store. (It may involve prizes!)

Are you snacking or feasting? {Guest Post}

September 8, 2011 by Do Not Depart 11 Comments

I’m no stranger to the drive-thru. Any drive thru. McDonalds, Starbucks, the Dry Cleaners, the Library- I love them all. They are convenient and quick, and when you are hauling four children around with you everywhere you go, convenience is king.

But the other day, I started thinking about how this love of convenience bleeds beyond just running errands, and has become a mentality affecting other areas of my life, including time spent in the Word.

Have you ever tried really quenching your thirst or satisfying your hunger with a sip from a water fountain and a handful of peanuts? Sure, it’s quick, but it’s not long before you are hungry and thirsty again. That’s what it’s been like trying to grow in my faith, by only reading a verse or two without really taking the time to fill up on the truth.

Just sipping.

Just snacking.

Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38

True satiation for our hungry hearts and parched faith comes through drinking from the living waters, from feasting on the bread of life.

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

Isaiah 55 reminds us what happens when we seek to grow closer to God by searching His words. God calls the thirsty, the poor, and the hungry to Himself to be fed.

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2b

Did you see that bit at the end- “the richest fare”? Anything else we substitute for time spent in God’s word is sub-par, sawdust in place of substance. God’s truths, spirit breathed into the words of scripture, are what delights us, and gives life. (Psalm 36:9)

God’s truth gives life. Not just physical life, but taking the time to ingest the living quenches a starving spiritual life, it makes way for a living faith.

Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. (Isaiah 55:3, emphasis mine)

In my efforts to know God on a deeper level, he has constantly been reminding me that I cannot know his heart, if I don’t spend time in His word, at the table. James encourages us to “draw near to God”, and that “He will draw near to you”. (James 4:8)

If we want an active, living faith, a faith that “yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater” (Isaiah 55:10) if we want a faith that produces fruit, then we must invest time in reading and learning the very words of God.

When we take the time to read Gods word, He says that His word is powerful and “will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10)

Time invested in studying the word of God, brings forth fruit and accomplishes great things for His glory.

Getting your “daily bread” from a verse or two on a desk calendar with no further study of the word is like snacking from the drive-thru instead of feasting on the “richest fare”.

I know this because I’m a recovering ‘snacker’. All this time, I’ve just been cheating myself out of the good stuff.

How can you revamp your time spent in the word so that you leave the table full, with the sweetest honey on your lips? (Psalm 19:10)

Lets stop the snacking and start digging in to the good stuff, I promise you, once you start, the rewards will far outweigh the convenience of the drive-thru.

By Kris Camealy Always Alleluia

Kris loves Jesus with her whole heart, and is a stay at home mom and Compassion Advocate who spends her days homeschooling 4 kids, and playing wife to her amazing husband. The floors are covered in crumbs and the washing machine never stops running but she counts each day as a gift! In her spare time (ha ha ha!) she enjoys writing, reading and photography.

Are You Hiding His Word?

September 5, 2011 by Do Not Depart 9 Comments

Are you memorizing scripture?

Have you written a post this past month about your progress?

Have you shared any tips which we can all benefit from?

Now’s the time to link them up!

Once a month we provide a chance for you to share about your memorization journey. We want to hear about your successes, failures, tips and encouragement.

So, come, post your heart, stories, Instagrams, and v-logs (kids are welcome, too)! Whatever you have to share about your memorization efforts.

Just leave the link to your post in the linky below and have fun blog-hopping!