Take Heart: Responding to Trouble in the World

April 7, 2020 by Jaime Hilton 3 Comments

The last few weeks have been a long exercise in regularly taking my thoughts captive and putting my trust in the promises of Jesus. I feel like Peter walking towards Jesus on the water (Matthew 14:24-33). One moment he is following Jesus’ voice and the next he’s distracted by the storm swirling around him. A wave of news swells to my left and I fear I will sink beneath it. But my spirit cries out, “Be still! Remember, He is God!”

One of the things Jesus promised us is that we will face trouble while we live on this earth.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. (John 16:33)

Tribulation is a fancy word for trouble. I can’t think of a better description of what we are facing with this coronavirus. Most of us are isolated in our homes, inconvenienced by the widespread shut down. But others are hurting. Friends and neighbors are struggling with sickness, loss of loved ones, job loss and bills to pay. We are all facing uncertainty and anxiety. It’s trouble with a capital T!

How can we, as the hands and feet of Jesus, respond to the fear, anxiety, and trouble the world is facing?

Thankfully, the promise does not end there. Jesus said,

But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Through his work on the cross and his resurrection (the very event we celebrate this coming Sunday!), He is already victorious over sin and death.

As Betsie Ten Boom (sister of Corrie Ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place) once said,

“…the lightning crack of justice has already struck, and we live in the silence before the thunderclap.”

The storm is still raging around us, but we know the happy ending is coming.

This month on the blog we’re going to be looking at some practical ways we can live and love our neighbors through the current trouble we call the covid19 crisis. May your experience be filled with the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. May He guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)!

The Word That Returns

March 10, 2020 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Once upon a time, I too held romantic notions of setting out, traipsing through jungles, and crossing cultural boundaries to share the gospel in some remote corner of the world. Oh how small my understanding was!

I love how Ali shared in her post last week

“Service and missions don’t necessarily mean Amazonian jungles (although they may) or traveling to unknown lands (although they may).”

For while God was stirring the fire in my heart for His people and His church, He was developing in me a unique set of skills. As I grew in my faith and maturity, I saw Him cultivating a passion for storytelling through theatre. Though I wasn’t always aware of how He would use me and my enthusiasm for the arts, I realize now He was equipping me to be a part of sharing a Story the world is desperate to hear.

Piercing Word

The roads finally met for me when my actor husband moved us to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to take a job at Sight & Sound. That is a story for another time, but the point is, we found ourselves in a new part of the country, in a place rich with Biblically based, gospel-centered, missions-focused theatre!

Enter Piercing Word, a group of professional actors who seek to “ignite passion for the Word of God in the heart of the church through live Scripture performances.” I was immediately intrigued by the idea, but it still took a few years before I really got involved.

When I finally did attend a Piercing Word performance I was blown away. The script was word for word Scripture! The heart of the story came alive through all the theatrical elements I loved – costumes, set, and acting!

Ambassadors

Piercing Word started small, with an actor who knew Scripture reading didn’t have to be dry and uninspired. It has grown by leaps and bounds, reaching more than 30,000 people with the Word, taking it to churches, festivals, and schools. The ministry focuses on encouraging believers in all stages of faith while also presenting a clear gospel message. Stories and themes all connect back to Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Over the years I have been blessed to use and develop those skills God gifted to me through my involvement with Piercing Word. They have allowed me to direct, arrange Scripture performances, and teach classes and summer camps to ignite passion for the Word of God in the heart of the next generation. My daughter, a budding young actress who loves all things theatre, started performing with them when she was nine years old. Her work has allowed her to encounter the Scriptures with fresh eyes. In a particularly beautiful rendition of Ruth she learned, in a new way, what it means that Jesus is our Redeemer.

What the Word can Accomplish

This work often reminds me of Isaiah 55:10&11

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Rain falls indiscriminately upon the ground and from that all manner of things are nurtured and grown. Piercing Word uses Scripture performance to send God’s Word out into the world where it can accomplish His purpose and succeed in reconciling people to their Redeemer.

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May You Live in Such Harmony

February 11, 2020 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

My 13 year old daughter has the loveliest voice. She also has a very natural ear which she uses to pick out complicated harmonies. We put music on in the car and she goes to town, singing at the top of her lungs to whatever genre of music we happen to be playing. Most of the time I really enjoy this about her. Sometimes I even miss it when she’s not around and will make my own feeble attempts to replicate her ethereal additions to the familiar tunes.

Her harmonies elevate the music, not just because she is singing along to the music, but because she is adding her voice. Her notes combine with the other voices and instruments – different, yet unified in the purpose of the song.

That is the picture I see (and hear!) when I read Paul’s blessing in Romans 15:5-6.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. “

Is It Possible?

Living in harmony with anyone is deeply challenging because we are regularly confronted by and forced to choose between our own selfish desires and the needs or wants of another. Whether we are dealing with our immediate, extended, or church family, conflict is pretty much a given. But, praise the Lord!, that is not the final word! Unity is not only desirable but possible through the patient work of the Holy Spirit.

Though we have short attention spans and stubborn hearts, the God of Endurance extends His patience and understanding to us.

Though we are discouraged by the conflict and challenges inherent in any human interaction, the God of Encouragement provides everything we need to live like Jesus among our brothers and sisters.

What does it look like?

Occasionally when my daughter sings in the car, the experience is less than pleasant. The harmonies overwhelm the melody and I have to remind her not to lose sight of the song. The harmonies are there to support and enhance, not show off or take center stage.

Romans 15:1-2 describes what harmony looks like,

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

This action of giving up our own desires for the sake of those around us, putting their needs ahead of ours, creates the harmonies that allow us to glorify God in one voice.

What can you do today to add harmony to this song of glory?

Practice the Pause: Intentional Spiritual Growth through Stillness

January 14, 2020 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Eat your vegetables so you’ll grow up nice and strong!

That’s what I tell my children at dinner, anyway. But the act of putting vegetables in your mouth does not make your body strong. The vegetables must be chewed, swallowed, and digested before they can do any good. So too, reading the Bible or listening to a sermon/podcast/teaching is only the first step in the process of spiritual growth. Like our physical bodies, our hearts and minds need time to chew, swallow, and digest the truth we find in Scripture.

When I think of growth – habits I want to build, changes I want to make – I think about action. What can I do? I make charts and lists to track my actions look forward to the end of the month when I will have a calendar full of check marks proving that I have made progress!

Growth takes shape under our intentional actions. Yet, it is during quiet moments of intentional rest that those changes take root. Meditation, silence, and rest. These are the tools of spiritual digestion, changing the Word of Life into energy to fuel our day, protein to build our spiritual muscles, and storage for later use.

Meditation

Meditation sometimes gets a bad wrap for its use in New Age practices. But the simplest definition is to think, contemplate or ponder something. Previous Do Not Depart writers have said, “Scripture gives a clear pattern of meditation filled with the One True God”. Like tea steeping in hot water or yeast working through dough, “Meditation takes time to listen, reflect, rehearse, and rework God’s truth in our lives, kneading it into our souls and allowing it to grow and live in our minds and hearts.” (Read more about meditation here.)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

Rest

In my work as a writer and director, I sometimes find the most helpful thing I can do for a project is to step away. I take a pause from trying and doing and let the work steep in my heart. When I return, growth has happened. I see the story with new eyes and can move forward with the work.

Rest might feel inactive, but it is the outward expression of trust. Trust that the Lord is working on our behalf.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8

Silence

Silence is another tool that can be misunderstood and misused. Culturally we tend to be uncomfortable with quiet, the same way we are with rest. It doesn’t seem productive. Yet, it is when we stop eating that our digestive systems go to work, giving life to the body. We have to stop talking so we can hear clearly.

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. – Ecclesiastes 5:2

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. – Psalm 62:5

In the same way we plan for rest in our workouts, space between meals, and getting the right amount of sleep at night, we must learn to be thoughtful with our study, giving ourselves time to soak in the Word and draw life from it.

Spiritual growth is a marathon. An all you can eat feast. A life-long pursuit we take one bite at a time.

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The Candy Cane: A Symbol of Christmas

December 10, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Mmmm, peppermint!

Peppermint mocha, mint chocolate cookies, peppermint bark, hot cocoa with peppermint…like pumpkin spice in the fall, the flavor that most reminds me of Christmas is peppermint! Add a little peppermint to just about anything and it’s transformed into a wintry treat! Even the colors of the classic sugar stick have become iconic of the season that celebrates Immanuel.

This month we are looking at the symbols of Christmas and how they can point us to Biblical truth. Some symbols are everyday objects that we attach meaning to. Others have grown out of non-Christian celebrations and been borrowed and reclaimed because “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Some, like the candy cane, may have been created with the specific purpose of teaching children the real reason for the season.

Origins of the Candy Cane

Did you know there is an entire website dedicated to the history of candy? I shouldn’t be surprised. I love history and knowing where things came from. Especially things that are so commonplace you feel like they’ve always just been.

According to tradition, candy canes have been around since the early 1600’s when a German choir master gave his young choir sugar candy sticks (usually straight) fashioned with a crook to both keep them quiet during the long Christmas Eve service and remind them of the shepherds who came to visit the baby Jesus in the manger.

Over time the tradition and candy evolved into the red and white striped peppermint hooks we know and love today (you can read about it here)

Meaning

Whether they were invented with a specifically Christian purpose or not, there are many ways the candy cane serves as a symbol of Jesus.

My favorite summary of the meaning comes from The Candymaker’s Gift by Halen Haidle

The hard candy reminds us that Jesus is the Rock.

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

The white color represents the sinless life Jesus lived, making him the perfect (and only!) acceptable sacrifice for our sin.

”You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.”1 John 3:5

The red stripes are a symbol of the blood he shed on the cross and the wounds he endured on the cross.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Even the peppermint flavor can remind us of the spices given by the Wise Men (or used at his burial).

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

“Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.” John 19:39-40

Finally, the shape of the candy cane, a shepherd’s crook, does tell us the story of the shepherds, the first to hear the good news (Luke 2:8-20). But even more importantly, the candy cane reminds us what kind of savior God sent to save the world. He did not come as the king or the warrior, with power and majesty like everyone expected. He came as the shepherd, to lay down his life for us, his sheep (John 10:11)

“But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.”

Isaiah 53:5-7

Great is the Lord from Generation to Generation

November 12, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

November is brown. September is red.

October is orange. No, I’m not trying to write a poem.

I like to make calendar layouts for different projects I work on like our homeschool, writing projects, and my bullet journal. I think about the months in terms of colors, specifically the colors I like to feature when I decorate. December is all the colors of Christmas: chiefly red and green, with lots of whites, blues, golds, silvers, and so on. January is a powdery blue. Do you see what I mean? November is a deep, beautiful, warm, chocolate, nutmeg brown. I cannot decorate for Christmas even a minute before we celebrate Thanksgiving because it would mean missing out on all the beautiful shades of brown.

It’s a silly thing to think about, I know. But whether you are the kind of person who blasts Christmas music the second you feel a chill in the air or the one who prefers to wait until December 1, there is one thing we all basically agree on: for better or for worse, holidays mean family. At some point between November 1 and December 31, you will have to confront the idea of family. Will they share your celebrations? Will you go your separate ways? Will you send a card? Call the day of? Either way, a decision will be made to see or not see, include or exclude, your family. In verses 4-7 of Psalm 145 (part 2 of our Great Is the Lord series), David encourages us to include our families in our worship of the Lord.

Sharing the Story

For many believers, myself included, Thanksgiving represents a season of gratitude that perfectly sets us up to celebrate and remember the grace of God coming into the world as a human baby at Christmas. They are distinct holidays with different functions, yet intricately related, sharing one particularly significant purpose. Holidays are a time when families gather to pass on stories and traditions about who we are, why we are here, and most importantly, who we worship.

In verse 4 we read,

“One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.”

Our faith is lived out in the context of family – yes, the ones we’re born into, the ones we make out of dear friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. The words we study are given life as we play them out in the relationships around us.

This holiday season I will teach my children to set the table, cook a turkey, and play a good game of Skip-Bo. But I will also teach them why we pause in this busy month to give thanks.

I will teach them by example as I make prayer and study a part of our daily experience (remember? A string of todays is what builds a forever!)

“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” (v. 5)

Together we will tell stories of God’s provision, deliverance, and mercy throughout the ages. From the Israelites in Egypt to the Pilgrims in Plymouth, we will remember that He is in control.

“They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.” (v. 6)

We will sing songs and play games and create memories around the holidays.

“They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.” (v. 7)

And generation after generation we will add our praise to David’s because,

“Everything which has to do with the Great King is majestic, honorable, glorious. His least is greater than man’s greatest, his lowest is higher than man’s highest.” – Charles Spurgeon

Study/Reflection Questions

What holiday traditions helped shape your faith as a child?
Think through examples of God’s “glorious splendor”, “wonderous works”, “awesome deeds”, and “abundant goodness”, either from the Bible or your own life.
David uses so many strong adjectives to extol the Lord in these verses. Pick one or two and do a word study
Make a list of ways you can use the holidays to remember God’s work and character.

The Lord of the Sabbath is Trustworthy

October 18, 2019 by Jaime Hilton 4 Comments

The clock blinks, 4:38 AM. Too early to get up. Try to go back to sleep.

Did I pay that bill?

I need to print off the dance calendar and make sure those rehearsal dates are clear.

What are we having for dinner tonight? Do I need to go to the store?

Has the baby gained enough weight since his last appointment? Am I offering enough good choices so he gets all his vitamins and minerals?

I’m pretty sure we have library books due. I need to check on that.

The thoughts whirl around until finally I realize I’m not going back to sleep. The to do list beckons. My world needs ordering.

Do you ever feel the burden of responsibility in life? Regardless of the role you play in your house, do you feel that the health, happiness, and prosperity of those you hold dear, rests in your hands?

Does your mind race with to do lists that never end or feel weighed down with worries?

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) But who has time for that?

Is Rest the Answer?

I am in the thick of building my family. There are four kids at home – a middle schooler, two in elementary, and a toddler. They are homeschooled. They are involved in activities at church, co-op, dance, theatre, sports, and of course, friends. Before the baby was born I started dipping my toe into the workforce as a writer, teacher, director and acting coach, taking on jobs here and there as the Lord leads. Taking a rest at this point in the game feels entirely counterproductive.

The activities of life ebb and flow with the seasons, and just when I think they are slowing, things pick back up again. I see my friends, all just as busy and wrapped up in their daily lives and I wonder, as the children grow and the opportunities to serve keep coming, what does Rest actually look like? Where do we find rest in seasons of busy?

Rest is Trust

As Ali reminded us at the beginning of this series, the Lord provides for all our needs, including our need to let go of the weight of the world.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. – Psalm 127:2

I like how John Piper explains,

“Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God. “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). But Israel will. For we are not God. Once a day God sends us to bed like patients with a sickness. The sickness is a chronic tendency to think we are in control and that our work is indispensable. To cure us of this disease God turns us into helpless sacks of sand once a day. How humiliating to the self-made corporate executive that he has to give up all control and become as limp as a suckling infant every day.”

Rest, it seems, is the action of trust. Taking time to rest acknowledges our dependability on God.

You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. – Isaiah 26:3

But why Rest?

Trust is a surprisingly big ask. It’s much easier to say that we trust God than to live it out in light of all the things we do not know and have no control over. Even the daily gift of sleep is not exactly something we choose.

The Sabbath, on the other hand, is an invitation. For our own benefit the Lord offers us regular opportunity to experience Him as trustworthy.

The Sabbath invites us to experience God as Trustworthy.Click To Tweet

He can be trusted because He is

unchangeable (Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 102:26-27)
Just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:30)
Good (Psalm 145:9, Psalm 34:8)
He keeps his promises (Numbers 23:19, 2 Corinthians 1:20)

As we practice the Sabbath rest we learn firsthand that God is worth putting our trust in and on that foundation of experience we can “be still and know” who God is.

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Protect Your Heart: Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness

September 10, 2019 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Ephesians 6:14

Today we continue our exploration of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18, considering what it means to put on the breastplate of righteousness. I love the way God gives us pictures to help us wrap our finite minds around infinite concepts of truth. I imagine a young Ephesian, new to the faith, maybe even a former soldier, listening to the letter Paul wrote and connecting with the idea of spiritual warfare and the need for armor. Now, here we are, thousands of years later and that same picture still has something amazing to teach us.

Close your eyes and think of a suit of armor. What do you picture? A knight? A samurai? Maybe a Roman soldier, since you know we’re talking about the armor of God? How about a modern infantryman or a member of the SWAT team? Armor may be one of the oldest inventions of mankind and while materials and styles have changed over the years, the basic components and their purpose, to protect, have stayed the same.

The breastplate is part of the torso armor, intended to protect the vital organs between the neck and the navel, most specifically, the heart.

Why is the Heart so Vulnerable?

In biological terms, we understand that the heart is a muscle which pumps blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body. Blood is the life force of the body and thus the heart is necessary to life.

In spiritual terms, we understand that the heart is the center of emotions, experience. The ancient Greeks also considered it to be the center of intellectual life. To speak of the heart was to speak of the soul, the very essence of a person.

Again, thinking in physical terms and using the picture Paul gave us of battle, we can understand that our middles are vulnerable to deadly attacks. I’m not an expert in war but I have seen enough battle based movies to know that a chest or stomach wound is going to be more effective than even a severed limb.

If what we do in life is dictated by our thoughts and feelings, it stands to reason that our hearts are vulnerable points of attack needing a great deal of protection.

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. (Proverbs 4:23, CSB)

How does Righteousness Protect the Heart?

In the same way a breastplate can be made of chain mail, iron, or even leather or wood, each with varying degress of effectiveness, so too can we use different techniques to protect our hearts.

Anger. Pride. Vanity. Indifference. Humor. Productivity. Work or hobbies. We put on these habits, attitudes, and behaviors, using them as a breastplate, keeping perceived dangers at arm’s length where it is less likely to hurt us.

Paul urges us instead to put on the breastplate of righteousness, a more effective defense against the spiritual battles we are engaged in.

Righteousness is best defined as “right” thinking. It comes from an Old English word meaning “ruled” as in a “straight line”. In other words, righteousness is aligning our hearts with God. Allowing our thoughts and emotions to be ruled by the direction of the Lord.

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” Psalm 19:8

How do we “Put On” righteousness?

Righteousness is not something we can earn or achieve on our own. Isaiah 64:6 describes our best efforts at right thinking as dirty rags, and Paul writes in Romans,

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:20-24

Armor does not go on automatically. We make the choice every day to be battle ready by setting our hearts and minds on the Lord, or to relax and hope the enemy is quiet.

“As we wear Christ’s breastplate of righteousness, we begin to develop a purity of heart that translates into actions. Wearing this breastplate creates a lifestyle of putting into practice what we believe in our hearts. As our lives become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), our choices become more righteous, and these godly choices also protect us from further temptation and deception (Proverbs 8:20; Psalm 23:3).” – Got Questions

Conclusion

If you’re looking to learn more about righteousness I highly recommend looking back at these great posts from Do Not Depart writers. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this thought from David Guzick,

“We are sometimes tempted to say to the devil, “Look at all I’ve done for the Lord.” But that is shaky ground, though sometimes it feels good. It is shaky because feelings and experiences change quickly. God’s righteousness isn’t. The breastplate of righteousness is your best defense against the sense of spiritual depression and gloom that comes against us.”

Bible Study Notebook: Speaker Notes Printable

August 13, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

All this month we are building a notebook to help us organize our Bible study. Did you grab your book study page and check out this guide to putting your book together?

I don’t know about you, but for many years I had a problem. I would hear a great message at church or a conference, or even a podcast. I would furiously scrawl notes on whatever scrap of paper I could find, then stuff the notes into my Bible or bookbag. Every few months I would have to clean out the pile of church bulletins, envelopes, and other random pieces of paper containing notes that no longer held any meaning because they had no context. It was messy and frustrating. I wasn’t getting as much out of the messages as I should because my notes didn’t have anywhere to live. Rather than contributing to my overall study of the Bible, they remained a disconnected piece of my spiritual walk.

Keeping a Bible study notebook with a section for speaker notes is one way you can connect what you’ve heard with the other things you’re learning. The practice of organizing your notes is an opportunity to review and remember the points that made an impact. The more we go over things, the more they become ingrained in our minds and eventually, our hearts.

Why Take Notes?

If you think of Bible study as feeding your faith, listening to a sermon or a special message from a speaker might be akin to a dinner party at a friend’s house. It’s as much about the fellowship as it is about the food, which is probably presented differently, perhaps more formally. It might even be a dish that’s more exotic than your usual fare and while you thoroughly enjoy it, you probably won’t be adding it to your own rotation of recipes.

Ultimately, even though the food is different and the presentation is different, it all works together with the other things you’ve eaten throughout the day to nourish and energize your body.

Similarly, I might be reading through Exodus while my church is studying Hebrews. Even though we are not looking at the same passages of Scripture, the Holy Spirit may use what I hear in the sermon to clarify or deepen my understanding of Exodus. The Bible is made up of separate books telling one connected story. You might be pleasantly surprised at how each unique flavor comes together to nourish and energize your faith.

Dress It Up

I like to use doodles when I’m taking notes. Something about keeping my hands busy helps my mind stay engaged while I’m listening. But I also find it useful to highlight keywords, verses or quotes I want to remember or questions I want to research later. The doodles decorating my page later serve to draw my eye back to the things that first caught my attention.

Be sure to get your copy of the Speaker Notes Printable and let your sermon notes season your Bible study!

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Once for All, the Plan All Along

July 16, 2019 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

This month on the blog we’re looking at Hebrews 10, which teaches us about the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice. Today we’re looking at verses 5-7 which reminds us that Christ was God’s plan all along.

“Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”

Foreshadowing

My favorite thing about a well-crafted story is following a character’s journey from humble beginning to glorious happily ever after. There comes a moment when everything starts coming together and you realize it’s wrapping up exactly the way it is supposed to. The ending was foreshadowed, hinted at, from the start. Not obviously spelled out, spoiling the story, but gently suggesting that the author does have and indeed has always had a plan.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” John 5:39

Verse five tells us that God’s plan to save humanity and restore us to relationship with him was set from the start. We see this in the story of the Fall (Genesis 3), when God is cursing Adam, Eve, and the serpent for their disobedience. He makes a prophetic proclamation, promising future redemption.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:15

Since the time God clothed Adam and Eve in animal skins, covering their sin and shame with a sacrifice, we have had the Law showing us the great divide between us and our holy God.

The Law

But the Law was never meant to save us. As Ali reminded us in last week’s post,

“Hebrews 10:1 shows us that the Old Testament Law was a shadow of the good things to come. It was a guardian that taught people how to live in the presence of a holy God until Christ came and gave His life once for all.”

In today’s verses, the author of Hebrews has Jesus quoting Psalm 40:6-8 as the reason He had to come. The blood of goats and bulls was only ever meant to cover sin. A perfect body was needed to wipe sin away completely.

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.” 1 Peter 1:10-11

In Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation, Elyse Fitzpatrick writes about how to read the Law as a love letter from Jesus. It’s not easy to see the gospel message in the rules about how and when to kill animals. But it’s there. The purpose of the Law, she says, is to teach and guide and ultimately show us how desperately we need to be rescued. It sets up the gospel and needs to be read and understood alongside the good news of the gospel, that Jesus came to do God’s will which was to save and sanctify us.

“The law and the gospel are partners in bringing us closer to him. He promises that he’s done everything for us, and we respond by desiring and seeking after him.” (Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation, Elyse Fitzpatrick)

There is nothing we could do to, no way to be good enough on our own. The Law proves this. Only His perfect sacrifice could do the job. That was the plan, all along.

Jealousy and the Marriage Metaphor

June 11, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Jealousy is not a trait I like to be associated with. It’s not something I want to foster in my children and certainly not something I want to define my relationship with my husband. Jealousy is heavy. Sickening. The green-eyed monster is an apt description. It is powerful and all consuming.

A tranquil heart is life to the body but jealousy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30

It is resentment, envy, characterized by fear or suspicion. It is the feeling of covetousness and lust. So why does God calls Himself a jealous God?

(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),
Exodus 34:14

In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul writes passionately to the church saying,

“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband — to present a pure virgin to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:2

What is godly jealousy? Can such a thing even exist?

The short answer is, yes. Jealousy is a character trait of the God who made us in His image, powerful, overwhelming emotion has an important purpose in deepening our relationship with Him.

Jealousy in the Proper Context is not a Sin

When it comes from a place of wanting what is not rightfully ours, jealousy is a sin. Galatians 5:20 calls it a work of the flesh, opposed to the fruit of the Sprit (verses 22 – 23). But in Paul’s example to the Corinthians, he indicates that it is right, even godly, in the context of a marital relationship. A husband and wife belong to one another in a way that is unique from every other relationship. Faithfulness and exclusivity is expected so when the attention reserved for a spouse is given to someone else jealousy is justified.

God’s jealousy for our affection is pure and right because He is the only One worthy of our worship. (Revelations 4:11) We are His bride. We belong to Him. His jealousy is an indication of the depth of His feelings for us.

Jealousy reveals where our affection lies

In fact, the hot fire of jealousy burns away everything except what is truly important to us. There is a common theme in storytelling where the character will purposely do something to rouse the other’s jealousy to test the depth of their feelings (that would not be an example of godly jealousy, though it is something I’m sure we can all relate to!).

God’s jealousy is an expression of His passionate and righteous longing to be in relationship with us. It’s mind boggling when you think of it like that. God’s desire is for us. His feeling for us is deep, driving Him to act on our behalf.

How do we respond to this passionate love?

The Bible is pretty clear about what we do to rouse God’s jealousy (Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 5:9, Deuteronomy 32:21) But, once we understand that His jealousy is perfect and justified, what can we do to assuage it?

If we consider our relationship with God to be like a marriage (which you can read about here), then we must recognize we have some responsibility in developing and protecting that relationship. When a man and a woman become husband and wife they each agree to invest significantly in loving, cherishing, honoring, “forsaking all others” (according to traditional wedding vows). It is a covenant relationship, with each party contributing in some way. I like how Got Questions explains our role in the new covenant relationship established by Jesus,

Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit who lives in all believers (Romans 8:9–11), we share in the inheritance of Christ and enjoy a permanent, unbroken relationship with God (Hebrews 9:15).
GotQuestions.org

God wants our hearts. He deserves our worship. He is rightly jealous for our attention. What else can we do but give it to Him?

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 29:2

The Power of Kindness

May 16, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

There’s never a reason to be unkind.

Never a reason to forget we all are made

in the image of God alone.

These are lyrics from a song in a church play my six year old participated in recently. It’s a sweet story about a group of super heroes, the Agape League, each with the extraordinary ability to show God’s love through the power of the Spirit available to every believer.

This song about kindness has become a mantra in my house, reminding us how powerful kindness actually can be.

Kindness is the quality of being generous, considerate, thoughtful, caring, and friendly. It’s basically being nice. Actions become kindness when the intent of the heart is to love the person you are being nice to. God’s heart towards us is love and so his actions towards us are kind.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works. Psalm 145:17

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35

The kindness developed through our time with the Spirit has the power to ease pain, heal wounds, bridge gaps, and restore relationships.

Kindness welcomes, builds, and heals

There are studies that show how plants thrive in nurturing environments, especially when they are spoken to kindly, but wither when they are ignored or yelled at. Kindness opens our hearts, so we are receptive to what is offered.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:12-13

“The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.” Acts 28:2

Kindness takes the sting out of discipline and leads to repentance.

“Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.” Psalm 141:5

There is nothing fun about being put in our place, even if, deep down, we understand that we deserve it. As a parent I know my children receive correction better when it given in kindness. It is not a weakness or a half-hearted attempt indulging bad behavior. A firm boundary, rooted in love, is a blessing and a protection.

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” – Titus 3:3-5

Kindness is powerful. Like the peel of the fruit it invites us to taste the goodness, experience the nutrition, and enjoy the benefits of relationship with God. Praise Him today for his loving kindness!

What’s the Point of Patience?

May 14, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Patience, as a virtue, is all but going extinct. It’s like a savings account. We all want to have one we just don’t want to take the time to build it. In the moment we’d rather have that $5 mocha.

After all, what is so good about waiting? Why wait if I can have it now? Isn’t the point of science and technology to make pain, discomfort, and inconvenience disappear? The English definition of patience is the capacity to accept trouble, delay, or suffering without getting angry or upset. It’s synonyms are endurance, perseverance, restraint, composure, long suffering. Who wants to suffer longer?

I am still so tempted every time I see an ad for a program that claims you can “drop ten pounds in two days”. I actively look for “fast, five minute dinners”. I will gladly pay a little extra so my package arrives sooner rather than later. I’m even tempted to click on the ads that promise I can write a book and get it published now! It’s so easy to justify these little services. Why wait if we don’t have to?

The ideas behind these quick conveniences of modern life are meant to free us up to spend more time on the things that matter. But really they rob us of opportunity to exercise and develop the characteristic of God that flavors the rest of our experience on this earth.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

A Worthy Pursuit

Patience as a virtue has merit. Athletes, musicians, artists all know that true excellence is achieved only when patience is exercised. Skills and knowledge are developed over time. Delaying gratification generally means you will have a greater payoff tomorrow. But that is not always true. The hard worker can faithfully put away money every day for years and then lose it all in an instant when the market crashes. The athlete can condition her body diligently to compete and never achieve the status she was looking for.

True patience – accepting trouble and suffering without getting angry or upset – is a gift (Read more about that here) It cannot be achieved outside the Holy Spirit working in our hearts to make us more like Jesus.

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16

Patience is worthwhile because God is patient.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). The Greek word Paul uses here (and in Galatians 5:22) is makrothymeo, literally “long temper”.

Waiting is hard. Waiting with a good attitude is even more difficult. But it is also the most tangible expression of trust. Exercising patience, accepting trouble without getting angry, can only be done when we let go of control.

Thinking about the work of the Spirit in our lives as fruit, patience is the seed. Pushed down deep in the dirt, trusting that in time, the plant will grow and flower and produce fruit that is nutritious and pleasing to the senses.

Take Care: the danger of indifference

April 16, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Lent Parables Days 35 – 37

Two days ago we celebrated Palm Sunday, the day marking Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The people spread branches and cloaks on the ground, cheering for the man who would free them from the tyranny of Rome. Of course Jesus was always clear, he had come to free them from much more. There is an urgency in his parables as he prepares his disciples for the end of his time on earth, reminding them of what is most important.

Day 35: Matthew 22:1-14

You might be thinking this story sounds pretty similar to a parable we’ve already read, and you’re right! (Luke 14:15-24, day 21 of our Lent readings). But in Matthew’s account, Jesus expands the metaphor.

The invited guests snub the invitation (and mistreat his servants like in the parable of the Wicked Tenants) so the King, after avenging the deaths of his servants, opens the invitation to everyone – good or bad. He has made the feast ready and everyone is invited to come and receive.

In verse 11 the King looks around and sees someone who has come to the feast but is not wearing the wedding garment. I appreciated this explanation from Got Questions.org:

This was Jesus’ way of teaching the inadequacy of self-righteousness. From the very beginning, God has provided a “covering” for our sin. To insist on covering ourselves is to be clad in “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame, but they found their fig leaves to be woefully scant. God took away their handmade clothes and replaced them with skins of (sacrificed) animals (Genesis 3:7, 21). In the book of Revelation, we see those in heaven wearing “white robes” (Revelation 7:9), and we learn that the whiteness of the robes is due to their being washed in the blood of the Lamb (verse 14). We trust in God’s righteousness, not our own (Philippians 3:9).

Day 36: Matthew 25:31-40

In today’s parable Jesus talks about the judgement of the nations. When he comes in glory he will divide the nations into sheep and goats. The sheep, representing God’s children (see John 10) are distinguished by their love of others. The goats are set apart, not because they are wicked and do evil things, but because they didn’t take the time to care. Like the man who came to the feast and wore his own clothing, the goats were indifferent and unchanged by the grace of the gospel.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Day 37: Matthew 24:32-34

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. ” Matthew 24:32

When life gets stressful and hard, I find it helpful to burry my head, not in the sand to ignore the world around me, but in the ordinary things of life so I can remember what is truly important. Reading the Bible, playing with my children, washing the dishes, watering the plants. There is comfort in the natural things God has made for us. The simple routine of sunrise, sunset, and all the little things that make up the time in between. As Jesus tells his disciples what to expect in the coming days and beyond, he shows them the fig tree. An unassuming, beautiful reminder that everything follows a natural order, exactly as God has designed it to do.

As we continue our last few Lenten readings and prepare to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection, let’s remember to put on the wedding garment of Christ, take care of our neighbors, and watch the fig tree.

Psalm 32:1 “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

How Do We Respond to the Heart of God?

March 28, 2019 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

My family has been moving to a new home across town for the last month. Circumstances allowed us to move gradually, which was nice in some ways and unsettling in others. We’ve been in a state of flux, not always entirely sure how far ahead to plan or where we’ll be sleeping the next night.

The Jewish people who went to listen to Jesus had been waiting for a warrior-king Messiah to restore glory to Israel for a very long time. But time again in his teachings and ministry Jesus took their long held expectations and turned them upside down. I imagine his many disciples were feeling unsettled. Was anything they knew about God still true?

In this collection of parables, days 19-22 of our Lent Readings, Jesus teaches us how to approach and respond to the heart of God.
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Day 19 – Luke 11:5-10

While teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus shares a story about a man making an unusual request at an inconvenient time.

“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;”

Maybe this was a normal request for the people of the day but I can’t help thinking it is utterly ridiculous! Your friend came in at midnight – really?? You have nothing to offer him – really?? You think I have three extra loaves of bread I can just give you – really??

But Jesus says, despite the absurdity and untimeliness, the man will get up and help his friend. If we, in our broken humanity can respond favorably to the “impudence” (v. 8, also translated as “shameless boldness” and “persistence”) of our unprepared friend, how much more will our perfect heavenly Father respond to us?

Day 20 – Luke 14:7-14

Jesus attends a feast at the home of a Pharisee. The behavior of the guests sparks a parable on humility.

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (v. 14)

Like the Pharisee’s guests, I often assume I deserve more than I actually do. I should leave the honoring up to God, following the example Jesus, the ultimate picture of humility.

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.” Philippians 2:5-6

Day 21 – Luke 14:15-24

In today’s passage, the banquet conversation continues and Jesus tells another parable.

“A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’

“But without exception they all began to make excuses.” vv. 16-18

Back in those days, the guests had already accepted the invitation for the specific date of the feast. However the time was not announced until the day of the party.

As Christians we have already accepted the invitation to the marriage feast. Will we be ready when the time comes or full of excuses?

Day 22 – Luke 15:8-10

Charles Spurgeon claims that the woman in this parable represents the Church seeking out the lost. Following the dinner Jesus shared with a Pharisee and his specially chosen guests, Luke 15:1-2 tells us,

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”

The collection of parables that follows, the Lost parables, not only reveals God’s tender heart toward all people, especially the broken, unrighteous, guilty, and undeserving, but how we who have received his grace can share in his joy when the lost are found.

‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost! ’ I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” (vv.9-10)

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Pictures of a Christ Follower. Parables for Lent

March 7, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

It’s day two of Lent which means there is still time to print your reading plan and catch up for our 40 Days with the Storyteller series! Grab your free bookmark reading plan: Lent 2019 Reading Plans Bookmark and Image

Early in his ministry, Jesus was teaching his disciples about the new kingdom. He was taking old ideas about faith and religion and turning them upside down.

In The Storytelling God, author Jared C Wilson explains that the Hebrew word for parable is rooted and related to the word “mashal” which means “proverb”. A parable, in Jewish understanding, is an illustration of wisdom. Ancient authors did not have pictures or diagrams or maps to enhance their writings (and besides, Jesus taught his disciples orally) so they used the language of symbolism to illustrate their teachings. Over the next three days, we’ll be reading parables that show us pictures of what a follower of Christ looks like.

Day 2: Matthew 5:13-15

In Matthew 5:13-15, Jesus tells the crowd that they are salt and light, giving them, and us, a picture of what a person who follows Jesus should look like.

What does salt make you think of? Flavor? A preservative? A stable compound, plentiful but valuable.

Can salt lose its saltiness?

“Most salt in the ancient world derived from salt marshes or the like, rather than by evaporation of salt water, and therefore contained many impurities. The actual salt, being more soluble than the impurities, could be leached out, leaving a residue so dilute it was of little worth.” (https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Mat/Mat-5.cfm?a=934013

How about light? Our house is out in the country, surrounded by fields. When it gets dark, it’s DARK. Almost oppressive. Sometimes I’ll go out at night and see the lights of the city in the distance. It’s dazzling and it really does light things up for miles around.

What does it mean for a Christian to be light?

“Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.” – C.S. Lewis

What does it look like to be salt and light in a dark and rotting world? #40DaysWithTheStorytellerClick To Tweet

Day 3: Luke 6:46-49

But how do we live like salt and light in a dark and rotting world? We’ve already talked about how Jesus was doing a new thing, restoring us to a place where we could again live in relationship with him. But to do this, Jesus said, we have to DO what he says.

he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.

I like the imagery of verse 48, digging deep to lay your foundation on the rock. This life in Christ is not easy but there is value in the doing the hard work. When our faith is active it is strong, like the foundation of a house, able to withstand the flood.

Is your foundation built on a rock? #40DaysWithTheStorytellerClick To Tweet

Day 4: Luke 7:36-47

Let’s set the stage a bit for this passage. Jesus is eating at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. A “woman of the city, who was a sinner” hears he is in town and shows up for the party. That’s an interesting character description. Aren’t we all sinners? What sets this woman apart?

The Greek word used here for “sinner” is hamartolos which is translated as “devoted to sin, not free from sin, wicked, and specifically of men stained with certain vices or crimes, as in tax collectors or heathens.” Heathen, according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, means Gentile, other than Jewish; an idolater. Can you relate with the woman of the city? I know I can.

Our sin is a debt we cannot pay. Whether it’s 50 or 500, it is more than we can afford. Thankfully, Jesus has cancelled our debt. We can be like woman, deeply, unashamedly grateful, or we can be like Simon, proud and scoffing behind Jesus’ back.

What can you do today to show Jesus your gratitude?

Praise Jesus for cancelling the debt of sin! #40DaysWithTheStorytellerClick To Tweet

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