Our Heavenly Father Disciplines His Children

October 9, 2012 by Kathy Howard 1 Comment

Father and children, Father's discipline — My brother, Dad, and me, 1968

When I was growing up, my father loved me enough to discipline me when I needed it. Sometimes his discipline was to correct wrong behavior. For example, if I talked back to Mom, I lost my phone privileges.

Sometimes Dad’s discipline was for the purpose of teaching me something I needed to know to succeed in life. For instance, Dad chose me to rake the pine straw in the yard. This was not a simple chore. Twenty-four pine trees grew on my parent’s half-acre lot.

As an adolescent, I saw no point in this task. Even if I did rake, the grass would soon be covered again. Yet I grudgingly obeyed. Now that I am a parent myself, I appreciate Dad’s training. I learned that every member of the family needs to contribute. I learned to persevere through unpleasant, but necessary tasks. I learned that a job done well brings pleasurable results.

Discipline is one of the primary responsibilities of a parent. We’ve all seen children whose parents have obviously shirked their duty! They are not doing their children – or the rest of humanity – any favors. Discipline is necessary for a child to grow into a fully functioning, law-abiding, productive adult.

Our heavenly Father disciplines His children. In Hebrews 12:7-11, we learn God disciplines us out of love. When we experience His discipline it proves we are His children. Although it can be painful, God disciplines us for our good. His purpose is spiritual growth and the development of Christ-like character.

The Greek word translated as “discipline” in Hebrews 12 is paideuo. It carries the ideas of both correcting or chastening and education or training. God’s discipline in the lives of His children corrects wrong behavior and equips us for the road ahead.

God picked you out for Himself and adopted you to be His child. Now He lovingly fulfills His responsibility to you as a parent through discipline. He moves to correct wrong behavior so you can share in His holiness. He teaches and trains you so you can grow into the spiritually mature woman He created you to be.

In what ways do you sense God’s discipline in your life today?

Don’t Forget to Lock Up! – Unshakeable Faith lesson 4

October 8, 2012 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

This post is the Devotional version of the study intro. You can also access the Quick Study (2 page version) of today’s lesson in a PDF. If you want to do the Full Study you can purchase the book on Amazon or CBD.

Most of us naturally protect our physical property and the people in our care. We lock doors, screen babysitters, and back up important files on our computers. But how well do we protect ourselves from temptation?

The trials of life can tempt us to be less than completely obedient to God. Sometimes we don’t trust Him enough to follow Him down a hard path. Sometimes we give up on God too quickly and hastily act in our own strength.

Unshakeable Faith Trait Four:

Determined to Stay Alert and Guard Against Temptation

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He warned Peter and the other disciples about the upcoming trial and the temptation it would bring to deny Him. Of course our friend Peter emphatically insisted he would die first! But once again, Peter learned a lesson through the pain of failure.

Read Mark 14:32-41. What did Jesus ask Peter, James, and John to do in verse 38?

To “watch” means to refrain from sleep, keep an alert mind, and be aware of threatening dangers. If the disciples had combined a watchful attitude with prayer, perhaps they could have resisted the temptation to run when Jesus was arrested.

Peter intended to stand by Jesus even if it meant death. But when the testing came, Peter ran. So often we want to obey God, but when tough times come we run.

Peter may have fallen to temptation, but he learned from his failure. In turn, he wanted others to learn from his experience.

Read 1 Peter 5:6-9. Peter gives us four exhortations or “strong recommendations” for action when facing trials and temptations. Each verse begins with one. List them below.

Peter reminds us how much God cares for us in every situation. What might we be tempted to do if we doubt this?

In the NIV, 1 Peter 5:8 reads “Be self-controlled and alert.” That word alert is the same Greek word translated as watch in Mark 14. Peter was listening!

We do not have to yield to temptation. God always provides a way for us to choose obedience (1 Cor 10:13). We don’t sin by enduring trials and facing temptation, but we do sin when we reject God’s way and choose our own.

Where are you weak and susceptible to temptation? What are some specific ways you can guard yourself against these weaknesses?

Let Yourself Go! – Unshakeable Faith 3

October 1, 2012 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

This post is the Devotional version of the study intro. You can also access the Quick Study(2 page version) of today’s lesson in a PDF. If you want to do the Full Study you can purchase the book on Amazon or CBD.

Many of us have had experience with “strong-willed” children. Doesn’t it seem ridiculous that a small child will stand up to an adult and stubbornly insist on their own way? They really think they know better than their wiser, more-experienced parents!

Yet, I sometimes do the same thing with God. In fact, each of us has been that strong-willed child who refuses to submit to the Father’s authority. Sometimes we act out of rebellion. Sometimes, we simply think we know best.

Unshakeable Faith Trait Three:

Submitted to the One Who Knows the Future and Has a Plan

Peter had a strong will. But even this hard-headed Apostle eventually learned that God deserved his yielded obedience.

Read Matthew 16:21-23. How did Peter react when he heard Jesus detail God’s plan?

Although Peter calls Jesus “Lord” in verse 22, the nature of his correction shows Peter was not really yielding to His lordship in that moment. In Matthew 16:23, Jesus identifies the core issue of Peter’s misguided intentions. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Many of us also tend to see things with our limited, selfish, human perspective instead of God’s eternal, all-knowing perspective. Intellectually, I accept that God knows best. However, I still want to do things my way, even while knowing from experience that I usually get it wrong.

We know from Scripture that Peter matured. He learned to focus more and more on the “things of God” and less and less on the “things of men.”

Read 1 Peter 4:1-2. Peter taught that one of two things will determine the direction of our life. What are those two choices?

If I am not living for the will of God, by default I am living for my sinful, fleshly desires. Either God’s will or mine. Not only is God worthy of our obedience, He also knows what is absolutely best for us.

What areas of your life do you have the most trouble submitting to God’s control?

It’s Who You Know – “Unshakeable Faith” Lesson 2

September 24, 2012 by Kathy Howard 10 Comments

This post is the Devotional version of the study intro. You can also access the Quick Study(2 page version) of today’s lesson in a PDF. If you want to do the Full Study you can purchase the book on Amazon or CBD.

Have you ever faced hard or painful circumstances over which you had no control? The trial may have consumed your thoughts, time, and strength, but still you could do nothing to change it. Times like that can leave us feeling helpless and vulnerable.

Maybe even today your world has been turned upside down by grief or tragedy and you don’t know where to turn. Even in those situations where we are powerless, there is One who is all-powerful. We can always place complete confidence in our Lord God.

In this week’s study we will examine the identity of Jesus to help us find confidence to follow Him no matter where He leads.

Unshakeable Faith Trait Two:

Secure in Your All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Sovereign God

When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter knew He was a great teacher sent by God. But as the weeks and months passed, Peter learned much more about the power and authority of Jesus.

Look up the following Scriptures. Each passage relates a miracle of Jesus that demonstrates His divine authority over a specific area. Match each passage on the left to the corresponding area of power and authority on the right.

Mark 1:21-28                                      nature
Mark 1:40-42                                     demons
Mark 2:1-11                                          material world
Mark 4:35-41                                     disease
Mark 5:35-43                                    forgiveness of sin
Mark 6:39-44                                    death

Jesus has authority over demons. He can heal any sickness and cure every disease. Jesus can still the wind and calm the waves. He even has power over sin and death. And He also has the authority and power over every circumstance of your life.

Based on these truths, how might Jesus choose to work in the circumstances of your life?

God is able to do anything! However, He doesn’t always act like we want or expect. Sometimes He allows us to go through painful circumstances. But even in the midst of the pain, God is always with us. He strengthens and comforts us in the midst of our troubles. And we can trust that He will work through our circumstances to accomplish His eternal purposes.

Let’s talk: Has your view of Jesus been limited? What specific circumstance do you need to trust Jesus with today?

“He Picked Me!” – Unshakeable Faith Lesson One

September 17, 2012 by Kathy Howard 11 Comments

When I was in high school, a social slight felt like the end of the world. Now I know that rejection can be much more serious and hurtful than not getting asked to the senior prom. A departure of a spouse, a job layoff, or a broken friendship can make us feel unloved and discarded.

No matter how much rejection you may have faced in your life, never forget that God will never reject you. In fact, if you are a Christian – if you have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ – it’s because God chose you! (Here’s more about how to have a saving relationship with Jesus.) Have you ever taken a moment to dwell on the incredible truth that God chose you?

Unshakeable Faith Trait One:

He Picked Me! – Secure in the God Who Loves and Chooses

Read Ephesians 1:4-5 from the New Living Translation below and note the words that describe God’s action on your behalf.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4-5, NLT

How did God feel about doing this for you? How does it feel to be chosen by God for salvation and adopted into His family?

Believer, God chose you before the creation of the world. He picked you out for His very own, before you were even born. He saved you for a purpose: “to be holy and without fault (Eph 1:4).” You were chosen by God, saved by the blood of Jesus, and now the Holy Spirit is working in your life to transform into Christ’s holy likeness. God wants to grow your faith from shaky to unshakeable!

Let’s talk: What situation are you facing right now in which you need to remember that God loves you and has chosen you?

Bible Study Notebook – Meditation Worksheet

September 11, 2012 by Kathy Howard 2 Comments

As a tea bag steeps in the tea cup, the hot water absorbs the flavor of the tea. In fact, the water becomes tea. The longer the bag stays in the water, the richer and more flavorful the water becomes.

Simply reading through or hearing a biblical passage will not affect our hearts, minds, and lives like steeping in its richness. Like the tea bag, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word, holding onto it in our thoughts until its truth becomes a part of who we are. This process is called “biblical meditation.”

A few months ago, I wrote a post about what Christian, biblical meditation is and why and how we should meditate. Read “Meditate on God’s Word: Time to Mull, Ponder, and Steep.”

I’ve created an easy-to-use, printable worksheet to help you meditate on God’s Word. Download and print the PDF now: Bible Meditation Worksheet.

This worksheet is just one of many resources and tools we’ll be sharing this month here at Do Not Depart. Lisa’s post about making a Bible study notebook got such an overwhelming response, the DND team wants to encourage you with a month full of useful items to add to your notebook!

Let’s chat: How has God used biblical meditation to grow your relationship with Him?

“Unshakeable Faith” Introduction

September 10, 2012 by Kathy Howard 30 Comments

Our fall Bible study starts today! It’s not too late to jump in with us. This post is the Devotional version of the study intro. You can also access the Quick Study (2 page introduction lesson) of today’s lesson in a PDF. There is not a corresponding intro lesson in the book.

Christians Do Have Trials

Many Christian women I love and admire have faced or are facing significant trials like life-threatening illness, divorce, death of a child, and financial hardship. These kinds of situations would knock many people flat. But these women are standing firm on their faith in God. They’ve discovered that God works in the middle of it all for His glory. They are standing on the truth of His Word in the midst of the storm.

It’s vital for us to know what the Bible says about why God allows trials in our lives and how He uses them. Otherwise, we might be thrown off course by false teaching that claims Christians who obey God and have enough faith will experience only prosperity.

What Does the Bible Say About Trials?

Read the following passages and record what the Bible does teach about trials in the lives of believers?

John 16:33
John 15:18-20
2 Timothy 3:12
James 1:2
1 Peter 1:6

Scripture makes it clear that believers will face trials and difficulties. However, as we continue to faithfully follow God, those trials are never wasted. He uses them to refine our faith, shape our character, work out His purposes, and bring glory to Himself. And yes, God does care about every aspect of our physical well-being. But He cares even more about our eternal well-being.

Are You Ready?

Are you ready for the inevitable trials of life? You can have a faith that will stand rock-solid whatever comes your way. Over the next eight weeks we will discover eight faith traits God instilled in Peter to grow his faith from shaky to unshakeable! Our goal for this study is to allow God to do in our lives what He did in Peter’s. Are you ready?

Group discussion: What trials and difficulties have you encountered that have threatened to shake your faith in Christ? Can you see how God was working in them?

This post is the Devotional version of the study intro. You can also access the Quick Study (2 page introduction lesson) of today’s lesson in a PDF. If you want to do the Full Study you can purchase the book on Amazon or CBD.

“Unshakeable Faith” Giveaway winners announced

August 29, 2012 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

We’ve had an overwhelming response to the announcement of our upcoming online study of “Unshakeable Faith.” We are thrilled to have so many women planning to join us from all around the world! (In case you missed the invitation to join us beginning September 10th, here is that invitation post.)

Thank you for all the comments and post sharing on Facebook and Twitter. Each of those earned an entry in our giveaway. And now a drum roll please…….

The winners are…

LeAnn Hileman
Deanna
Hope Reed
Darcey

Congratulations ladies! Don’t forget to email Katie with your mailing address. You will be receiving your book from Amazon!

Remember, you do not need a copy of the book to participate in the first two levels – Devotional or Quick Study. However, if you plan to participate in the Full Study and you did not win a copy of “Unshakeable Faith,” there is still time to purchase one before the study begins on September 10. Here are the purchase links:

Amazon

ChristianBook.com

BarnesAndNoble.com

Unshakeable Faith for the Storms of Life

August 27, 2012 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

Does your faith shake when difficulties hit? Trials and hard times are inevitable, but we can have a rock-solid faith that will weather the storms.

Two weeks from today, we will begin a 10-week Bible study called “Unshakeable Faith.” An invitation post with all the details ran last Wednesday. Check out the invitation post for more information and leave a comment to enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. Entries for the drawing close today! (Giveaway ended)

You can participate on one of three levels. (For the first two levels you do not need the book.) I would like to share with you one of the “Faith Shaker” stories that are included in the book. These are stories about real women, facing real struggles, and leaning on our Rock-Solid God!

Meet Karen, who learned to be secure in the God who loves and chooses her:

Bill physically left Karen the day before their 25^th wedding anniversary, but he had been in the process of leaving for a long time. He started to drift away about five years earlier. He pursued interests on his own, resented the demands of family life, and even denied the God he had once believed in. Karen did everything she could think of to draw her husband back, but all her attempts seemed to push him further away.

Karen felt like she had lost her husband long before Bill admitted he wanted out of their marriage. His long disengagement had made her feel ignored, devalued, and ugly. His final act of walking out the door told Karen she was unwanted and unlovable. “The one person who promised to love me forever said he didn’t anymore.”

Karen begged God to fix everything – to fix Bill, to fix their marriage, to fix her. Many times she poured out her anger and distress while meeting with God on the floor of her dark closet. But the divorce still happened. So Karen clung to God.

“God did not save my marriage, but He did save me. He faithfully cared for me. Like when His people showed up to serve me, listen to me, or sit with me while I cried. And when the money I needed was there, and the lawn was mowed, and the children were loved on.”

After three years and a lot of prayer, godly counsel, and Bible study, Karen knows she is dearly loved and wanted by God. “I was told that if I let Him, God would fill my every need as a single woman – my need to feel safe, secure, and loved. I did not fully believe that when I heard it, but God has certainly done it.”

Do you ever struggle with feeling unloved and unwanted? How can remembering that God loves and chooses you help you experience joy and peace?

To find out more about the study ~~and enter to win~~ see the invitation post.

You’re Invited to Join Us in “Unshakeable Faith”

August 22, 2012 by Kathy Howard

We women are usually prepared for anything. We carry snacks for hunger pangs and tiny sewing kits for loose buttons. We have dozens of hamburger recipes to carry us through the end of the month when money is tight. But is our faith prepared for hard times? Will it stand firm when the trials of life inevitably come or will it be shaken? We can have an unshakeable faith that will weather any storm!

Online study starting September 10

Please join us as we study “Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living” right here at Do Not Depart beginning Monday, September 10.^th I am honored to share this 8-week Bible study with you! “Unshakeable Faith” explores 8 key “faith traits” found in the life of Peter. We will see how God used Peter’s relationship with Jesus to transform his weak, fragile faith – that once denied Jesus – into a faith that stood firm even in the face of death.

Three options/One Community

Doing this study online allows for some great flexibility. You will have the option of participating at three different levels designed to meet the time constraints of busy women.

Devotional – The Monday posts will share some brief insight about that week’s faith trait, give a Scripture to read, and ask a couple of questions for reflection. You will be able to read this in a few minutes.
Quick Study – For those women who have a bit more time, the Monday posts will include a link to a 2-page lesson to download and complete. The quick study covers that week’s topic a bit more thoroughly and gives more Scripture to read and questions to answer.
Full Study – For those who would like to do the full study, you can purchase the book and work through it as we cover the traits here online.

Of course we want all of you to interact with us here at Do Not Depart. We will begin discussion with Monday’s post and continue it through the week. On Fridays, one of the DND team members will post a story or vlog corresponding with that week’s faith trait.

Enter to Win!

We will kick-off the study Monday, September 10^th with an introductory lesson on what the Bible says about trials in Christians’ lives. But before then, we want to give away several copies of “Unshakeable Faith!” Entries will close Monday, August 27 and winners will be announced Wednesday, August 29. You can enter up to three times: GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Leave a comment below saying you plan to participate in the study.
Share this post on FB or Twitter, then leave a comment letting us know you did.
Blog about this study! Then leave a comment with the link.

So tell us, is your faith ready for anything? Will you join us as we work towards an “Unshakeable Faith?”

God Delivers Us From All Our Fears

August 14, 2012 by Kathy Howard 6 Comments

God delivers us from our fears — FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Years ago, my husband and I were camping with our two preschool daughters in the mountains of Wyoming. Sometime after midnight, noise in the camp woke me. When I whispered a question to my husband over the heads of our sleeping girls, his hushed but urgent reply quickly told me our nighttime visitor was much larger than a raccoon.

The light from the full moon cast a clear silhouette of the large black bear as she sniffed her way around the perimeter of our tent. I could see the movement of the nylon fabric and even hear her breathe as she passed close to me. Fear kept me from moving, but it also prompted prayer for protection. God heard and answered and the bear moved on.

David knew fear

David, the psalmist, knew the fear of facing wild animals to protect his sheep. He also knew the fear of hiding from murderous King Saul and fighting the ferocious Philistines. Through all this, David took his fear to God. And God heard, answered, and delivered.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

Psalm 34:4-7, NIV

The LORD “encamps around those who fear Him” (Ps 34:7). When we trust God with our fears, He establishes a protective enclosure around us. The bear may have been close that night in Wyoming, but God was closer.

God Delivers Us

All of us experience fear. Sometimes the uncertainty of the future causes dread. Sometimes terrifying circumstances shake the most courageous among us. But we have a safe place to run when fears assail. God promises to establish Himself between us and that which threatens us.

Do you have a fearful challenge or a fierce battle before you now? You can take courage in the knowledge that God is overwhelming stronger than the person, situation, or circumstances you fear. As you follow God, you can have confidence in the strength of Him who leads the way.

God doesn’t promise we will never face fearful circumstances, but He does promise to deliver us through them. What is the difference?

Adonai – Lord of lords

July 26, 2012 by Kathy Howard 2 Comments

This post originally appeared on Scripture Dig during a series on the Names of God.

This time last week I was walking the streets of Paris. I had the wonderful opportunity for a two-day layover on my way home from teaching for two weeks in Moldova. My traveling companion and I visited many of the well-known sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre.

Paris, Lord — A view of the Seine from the top of Notre Dame

The long, rich history of this beautiful city probably struck me more than anything else. For more than 4,000 years, earthly leaders have fought over this geographic area. Powerful rulers like Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, and Napoleon Bonaparte have laid claim to the city on the Seine. Because they had power and authority over Paris, they could be considered “lord” over the city.

Many people in the Bible were also called “lord.” This title of respect was used by Sarah to refer to her husband Abraham and by David to refer to King Saul. The Hebrew word translated as “lord” in the Old Testament is the singular noun “adon.” Adon is used hundreds of times to refer to a human in a position of leadership. It means “lord, master, owner, ruler, commander, or one with a position of authority.” It signifies the relationship between the authority and those under the lord’s authority.

But no matter how great these earthly lords, there is One greater. Our God is Lord of lords and King of kings. The Hebrew word translated as “Lord” (with a capital “L” rather than a lower case “l”) in the Old Testament is “adonay” or “Adonai.” It is a plural noun with a first person singular suffix. Adonai, the plural form of adon, denotes intensity. God is not simply a lord. He is the Lord of lords. Napoleon may have been lord of Paris, but God is the Lord of everything. Notice the distinction in Psalm 136:

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:3, NIV

When you read the Bible, watch for “Lord” with the capital “L” as opposed to “lord” with the lowercase “l.” That is Adonai. Very early in the history of Israel, devout Jews began to use Adonai as a substitute for God’s covenant name Yahweh. Since “Yahweh” was too holy to be spoken, they would say Adonai instead. (For more information on Yahweh, see an earlier post.) In Scripture, these two names are sometimes used together. In the verse below “LORD” in all caps is Yahweh in the Hebrew. “Lord” is Adonai.

For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Psalm 135:5, NIV

How should the truth that God is “Lord” impact us today? Remember that “Lord” describes the nature of a relationship. If God is Lord then we are His vassals. If God is Master, then we are His servants. The Psalms tell us our Lord acts with everlasting kindness (136:3) and that His understanding is infinite (147:5). Our God is not a lord that merely subdues. He is the Lord that rules in all power, authority, and love.

Let’s express our devotion today to the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Share your words of praise!

Yahweh – He who is

July 10, 2012 by Kathy Howard 2 Comments

This post originally appeared on Scripture Dig during a series on the Names of God.

There’s so much about God that I don’t understand. For instance, why He loves me and how He keeps the universe spinning along. But possibly the hardest thing to get my puny mind around is His eternal, self-sufficient existence.

There has never been a time that God was not, or a moment when He will not be. He exists because of Himself and He needs nothing outside of Himself.

God’s name “Yahweh” (also known by the Christian transliteration “Jehovah”) signifies His timeless, ever-present existence. The root word of Yahweh means “to exist,” “to be.” In fact, some scholars suggest that “I am that I am” in Exodus 3:14 would be better translated as “I am He who exists” or “I am He who is.”

The name God gave Himself

Yahweh, Moses and burning bush — Moses & burning bush, visualbiblealive.com

This is the name God gave when Moses asked Him:

“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13, NIV)

Since God’s name identifies his nature, when Moses requested his “name” he was asking about God’s character. Can we trust you to be with us? Can we believe that you can deliver us?

God’s answer: “Yahweh.” I am the One who exists. I have no source, yet I am the Source of everything. If nothing else was, still I would be.

God chose the name Yahweh for Himself. It is His personal name by which He related specifically to His chosen people. It is His covenant name, particularly in His relationship with the nation of Israel.

Yahweh is first found in the second chapter of Genesis. Abraham (Gen 12:8) knew God by this name. Adam probably did as well since we are told during the lifetime of his son, Seth “men began to call upon the name of the LORD (Gen 4:26).”

“The” Name

Yahweh is God’s most sacred name. Scripture speaks of it as “this glorious and fearful name” (Deut 28:58) or simply “the name” (Lev 24:11). The Jews would not speak it out of reverence, but generally substituted another name such as Adonai.

Because the sacred name was not spoken, precise pronunciation is uncertain. This problem is compounded by the fact that Hebrew was written without vowels until about 850 BC. YHWH or Yahweh, the personal name of God occurs more than 5,000 times in the Old Testament. In your Bible, it is typically designated by all caps: LORD.

According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, the name Yahweh connotes “God’s nearness, his concern for man, and the revelation of His redemptive covenant.” Oh, there is much in a name!

What does it mean to you personally that God is “He who exists?”

What’s in a name?

June 29, 2012 by Kathy Howard 3 Comments

Did you have a nickname growing up? If so, you may have earned the moniker because of your personality, physical appearance, or a significant event in your life. For instance, years ago our pastor in Wyoming called our young daughter “Peaches” because her limited hair reminded him of the fuzz on a peach.

Choosing a Name

In ancient times, names held great significance. They were intimately connected to the essence of the person. Knowledge of a person’s name provided knowledge of their nature. Hebrew names particularly reflected the character or destiny of the individual.

Therefore, names were chosen carefully. For instance, God the Father used the angel to tell Joseph what to name His Son. In the first chapter of Matthew we learn the reason for the names. “Jesus” means “the LORD saves” and “Immanuel” means “God with us.” These names accurately reflect Jesus’ nature and purpose.

Power of a Name

In the Bible, the many names of God express His character, nature, and ways. Although our finite minds can never fully know or understand our infinite God, we can learn more about God by studying His names in Scripture. God has chosen to reveal specific things about Himself and graciously help us better understand His character and nature through His names.

“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13, NIV).

Here in Exodus 3, Moses asked God His name. The Hebrew word translated as “name” in verse 13 is “shem.” It can be a synonym for “reputation” or “fame.” Moses – and the rest of the Hebrews – needed a sense of God’s character and power. They needed to know if their God could deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh.

What situation do you face today that needs your God’s intervention? Perhaps you need to remember an aspect of His character. Maybe you need to contemplate His power and authority. Reflecting on His names will expand your understanding of our great God and build your trust in His provision.

July is Theology month at Do Not Depart

Throughout the month of July, the Do Not Depart team will be exploring some of the names of God found in Scripture. Our goal is to understand, embrace, and actively respond to the truths God reveals to us about Himself through His names. I can hardly wait!

Let’s talk now!

Let’s start talking about God’s names now! What is your favorite name for God in the Bible and why?

Meditate on God’s Word – Time to mull, ponder, and steep

June 12, 2012 by Kathy Howard 7 Comments

According to Psalm 1:1-3, God will bless the woman who does not embrace the world and its ways, but instead finds her delight in God’s Word and “meditates” on it “day and night.” Sounds like we should all practice a little biblical meditation.

Unfortunately, while we are often encouraged to foster many of the spiritual disciplines, we don’t hear much about meditation. Why is that? I think many of us have misunderstood what it means to meditate on God’s Word because other forms of meditation carry a negative connotation. We don’t know what it is, why we should do it, or how we should do it. Well, let’s dig in and try to gain a little understanding of this overlooked spiritual discipline.

What is Christian meditation?

Because of many New Age religions and practices like transcendental meditation, many of us picture “meditation” as emptying our minds of all thoughts. This is not biblical meditation. In fact, God’s Word makes it clear we are to meditate by filling our thoughts. A few things God tells us to meditate on include His law, love, mighty deeds, statutes, and promises. He also encourages us to “think on” whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8).

In his book “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,” Donald Whitney helps us understand biblical mediation. He uses the analogy of a tea bag. While reading and hearing Scripture may represent a dunk or two, meditation is like letting the bag steep. It’s the idea of “mulling” something over or “pondering” a subject.

Whitney defines biblical meditation as “deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer.”

Why should we meditate?

Charles Spurgeon said that anyone who wanted to possess the treasure of God’s Word “must dig into Scripture as one who seeketh for choice pearls.” Meditation takes dedication, time, and hard work. So why would we want to practice this spiritual discipline?

First, as we’ve already seen, the Bible establishes meditation on God’s Word as the example for His people. Second, our meditation on God and His truth pleases God (Ps 104:33-34). And third, meditation benefits us spiritually. Meditation helps us better understand and apply the truths of God’s Word. Someone who regularly meditates on God’s Word will not simply survive in this life, she will flourish.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3

Simply reading through or hearing a biblical passage will not affect our hearts, minds, and lives like steeping in its richness. We must immerse ourselves in God’s Word, holding onto it in our thoughts until its truth becomes a part of who we are. Then we will be like a tree whose roots reach down to an endless supply of living water. We will be sustained in drought and difficulty. And in God’s timing our lives will produce an abundance of fruit for His glory.

How do we meditate?

Let’s get hands on and practical so we can get a feel for how to meditate on God’s Word.

Choose a passage. It may be one that God impressed on your heart during Bible reading or one that jumped out at you during a sermon. It should be small enough to work through thoroughly.
Reread with different emphasis on different words and phrases.
Rewrite the passage in your own words.
Ask questions about what it teaches. For instance, does this passage reveal something I should:

Believe about God?
Praise or thank or trust God for?
Have a new attitude about?
Do for the sake of Christ, others, or myself?

Look for personal application then obey.
Pray through the Scripture.
Think on it throughout the day.

I want to be like that tree planted by streams of water. I long to please God and flourish through the truth of His Word. How about you?

Let’s give mediation a try right now.

Read Psalm 1:1-3. Follow the steps above. What did you learn?

Share with us something God taught you about Himself or a way He personally applied the Scripture.

Recommended Reading:

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald S. Whitney

Meditating on the Scriptures, by Charles Spurgeon

“The Love Chapter” in Context

May 21, 2012 by Kathy Howard 8 Comments

Could you find my car by looking at the photo? You might guess that it’s in a parking garage, but you would struggle to find it until you had some additional direction. You would need to know the city and the facility. It could be at a hospital, mall, or office building.

Biblical Context

You would never head off to find my car without those facts. Yet sometimes believers attempt to understand Scripture without adequate information. When we fail to take the original context into account we end up misunderstanding, misusing, and misapplying Scripture. As we start our study of First Corinthians 13, let’s dig into the context.

In a previous post, I talked about four areas of context that helps us understand a passage. (Read that post “Context is King.”) Let’s briefly consider each one for First Corinthians 13.

Literary Genre of the book

First Corinthians is an “occasional letter.” It was written to a specific people for a specific purpose. Therefore, we cannot completely and correctly understand the content without knowing to whom it was originally written and why. We cannot separate the application to our lives from the original intent.

Context of the book

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Corinth from Ephesus roughly 5 years after he first established the church in 50ad. We know from internal evidence (1 Corinthians 5:9) this was probably Paul’s second letter to the church. He addresses specific theological and practical problems in the church. Paul had received reports from one of the member’s house (“from Chloe’s household, 1:11) and possibly from a delegation sent by the church (16:17). He wrote to correct serious doctrinal errors, heal division, call them to turn away from moral sins, and to exhort them to proper community life.

Historical/Cultural Background

Corinth was a wealthy commercial center. Pagan temples filled the city, including one to Aphrodite with 1,000 cult prostitutes. Since the Greek mindset dominated Corinth, the believers would have distrusted authority, accepted immorality as the norm, and struggled with individualism, making it difficult to unconditionally love and unselfishly serve their fellow believers.
For background on Paul’s first visit to Corinth and the establishment of the church read Acts 18.
The recipients of Paul’s letter were mostly Gentiles (12:2) though the church also had a small Jewish minority.

Immediate literary Context

First Corinthians 13 cannot be properly understood outside the larger section of the letter of which it is a part. In chapters 12-14, Paul apparently answers a specific question about spiritual gifts (12:1). Arguing and jealousy over spiritual gifts prompted Paul to discuss how God distributes the gifts and why. Chapter 13, “The Love Chapter,” provides the framework for their use.

1 Corinthians 13 for us

Agape love is more important and eternal than all the spiritual gifts. In fact, love should both guide and motive the use of our spiritual gifts. Otherwise, we accomplish nothing more than a disruption. Without love, our spiritual gifts are worthless. Let’s choose the “most excellent way” and serve in the body of Christ with love. Let’s love our fellow Christians like Jesus loves us.