Do Not Depart

Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

You are here: Home / Archives for Lindsey

3 Reasons Not to Doubt Your Salvation – Study of 1 John 4:13-16

by 2 Comments

A few months ago, a friend of mine shared with me that she worried she wasn’t really saved.

This friend loves Jesus. She loves other people. She’s active in the church and in other areas of ministry.

But she feared that wasn’t enough. She feared the mistakes from her past would separate her from God today.

I felt confident she had nothing to fear, partially because of today’s text in 1 John 4:13-16:

“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.“

These verses provide three ways for us to know we have God in our lives.

3 reasons we don't need to doubt our salvation - Do Not Depart

3 Reasons NOT to Doubt Our Salvation:  

  • We can know we are saved because of His Spirit in us (verse 13). 

We don’t have to doubt our salvation because we can know God’s spirit lives in us.

The only trouble with this is that sometimes, we question whether or not we actually have God’s Spirit. After all, we can’t see the Spirit inside of us.

We should be able to see Fruits of the Spirit, though. Galatians 5:22-23 says that those who have God’s Spirit in them will show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

That doesn’t mean we won’t mess up, though. We will always fall short, but if we are growing in these traits, we can know God’s Spirit lives in us.

  • We can know we are saved because we have acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world (verses 14-15). 

A second way we can know we have God’s presence in our lives is by remembering the day we first acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Matthew 10:32 reminds us, ““Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

  • We can know we are saved because of our love (verse 16). 

Finally, we don’t have to doubt our salvation because God’s presence will show itself in our lives through our love.

Verse 16 says, “Whoever lives in love lives in God.”

This is why I knew my friend had God in her life. She loved others and she loved God.

The easiest way to know if someone loves God is by looking at the way they love other people.

Those who don’t love others probably haven’t experienced the amazing, life-changing love of God. Because the truth is, no one who experiences the extravagant love of God stays the same.

Action Steps:

  1. Memorize Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
  2. Think of one act of love you can do for someone else today.
  3. Ask God to grow the fruits of the Spirit in your life.
3 Ways to Know God Is In Your Heart via @LindseyMBell #SinceGodLovedUs

Click To Tweet

Study of 1 John 4:13-16 #SinceGodLovedUs @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

The easiest way to know if someone loves God is by looking at the way they love other people. @LindseyMBell #SinceGodLovedUs

Click To Tweet

Since God Loved Us button - 300x300

Grieving Over the Holidays – What You Need To Know

by 11 Comments

The holiday season can be a difficult time for those who are grieving. Because it’s a time to be with loved ones, it can easily magnify a loss. 

Three years ago, a couple days before Thanksgiving, I miscarried for the fourth time. I still vividly remember sitting at my parent’s home, eating dinner and trying to be thankful…but feeling angry and depressed instead.

I didn’t want to celebrate Thanksgiving. I wasn’t thankful that year.

I was angry and devastated that God had allowed me to lose another baby.

Maybe you can relate.

Maybe you’re dreading the holidays this year because it’s the first holiday season you’ll “celebrate” without a loved one. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

A few things you need to remember if you're grieving this holiday season

What You Need to Know If You’re Grieving This Holiday Season:

  • Let yourself feel. 

Allow yourself  to feel whatever you are feeling. If you’re angry, let yourself feel it. If you’re sad, let yourself be sad. On the other  hand, if you’re happy, don’t feel guilty about it. Being happy after a loved one has passed does not mean you love them any less. Allow yourself to feel.

God gave us emotions, so don’t bury them or pretend they don’t exist.

  • Do something special to remember those you’ve lost. 

Light a candle for your loved one. Say a prayer. Share a story. Hang a special ornament at Christmas time. Put flowers on the table in his or her memory.

  • Prepare a back up plan. 

You might not be able to handle as much this year as you typically do. That’s okay. Be gentle with yourself. Prepare a back up plan ahead of time if you need to leave early or not attend something.

  • Surround yourself with loved ones.

Though it might be tempting to skip out on everything this year, try not to do so. Isolating yourself will only make the loneliness and sadness grow. Surround yourself with those who will love and support you through the holidays.

  • Create a new tradition….or don’t. 

Some people find it helpful to keep everything as much the same as they possibly can. Others like to start a new tradition. Do whatever is most helpful to you.

  • Do something for someone else. 

In the midst of deep grief, it’s easy to become consumed with yourself. (I know because I did this.) It’s easy to focus only on your pain, your loneliness, and your depression. Don’t ignore your pain, but also don’t focus only on it.

One of the ways God often heals our hearts is through our hands, stretched out to minister to another.

  • Remember, God is still with you. 

Three years ago, I didn’t feel God’s presence in my life. But that doesn’t mean He wasn’t there. Our feelings are poor indicators of reality. In an earlier post this month, Ali shared several Bible verses that talk about God’s presence.

Sometimes, you have to trust what you know to be true about God…even when you don’t feel it.

Are you dreading this holiday season? What other truths would you add to this list? 

Grieving over the holidays: what you need to know #DepressionTruths @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Sometimes, you have to trust what you know to be true about God…even when you don’t feel it. #DepressionTruths @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

God gave us emotions, so don’t bury them or pretend they don’t exist. #DepressionTruths @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Depression Truths

3 Problems with an Easy Life

by 3 Comments

All this month, we’ve been discussing the persecuted church.

As I sit here in my air conditioned home, typing on my Mac about faith and Jesus without any fear of attack, I’m convicted about just how easy I have it.

I’ve never been threatened with physical harm because of my faith in Jesus.

I’ve never hidden my Bible from authorities or sent inconspicuous letters to friends and family because I can’t be too specific about my location.

Other believers across the world do these things. Their lives are in danger daily because of their faith. Their families are threatened and killed. Some of them have watched their children being tortured right in front of them.

They are the persecuted church.

Me, I’m a believer who has it easy.

Persecution to me looks a lot less like persecution and a lot more like an inconvenience.

Sure, some of us might be ridiculed for our faith. We might lose a few friends. Our families might not support our desire to go to church or be involved in a faith community. Our job could possibly be in danger. (And don’t get me wrong. These are hard things too!) But that’s about it.

Most of us living in the land of the free don’t deal with persecution that much.

And sometimes I wonder if that’s as much of a blessing as we often believe.

Maybe having an easy life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Here are 3 problems with an easy life.
photo courtesy: Foreman Photography

Maybe it’s not such a great thing that we have it so easy. Here are a few possible problems with the easy, never-persecuted life:

1. Easy lives don’t make us grow. 

Do you know what happens when someone stops using their muscles? When I was in high school, I had a foot injury that forced me to walk on crutches for about 7 weeks. At the end of the 7 weeks, my calf muscle on my injured leg was almost non-existent.

When we don’t use our muscles, we lose them. On the other hand, when we stretch and strain them, they grow stronger.

It’s the same way with our faith. When our lives are easy, our faith is never challenged. It’s never strained or stretched. Persecution can make a person grow stronger in their faith much like exercise makes a person’s muscles stronger.

2. Easy lives might mean we’re not all that different than the world. 

Is it possible we’re not persecuted because we don’t appear all that different than the world around us?

Is it possible the reason we fail to be ridiculed for our faith is because our peers don’t see it in our lives?

3. Easy lives might mean we’re too disconnected from the world. 

I am thankful I have freedom to worship as I please, but the Bible is clear that those of the world will not like my faith in Jesus.

So if no one has any problems with my faith, then maybe my circle isn’t wide enough. Maybe I’m not around enough people who don’t share my belief in Jesus.

I can’t change the world if I’m never in it. 

What do you think? Can you think of any other dangers to the easy life? 

Blessed are the Persecuted

 

3 Problems with an Easy Life #BlessedPersecuted @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

I can’t change the world if I’m never in it. @LindseyMBell #BlessedPersecuted

Click To Tweet

Maybe easy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. #BlessedPersecuted @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

*Photo courtesy: Foreman Photography

Ways to Find Rest in a Busy Season – Free Printable

by 2 Comments

Trying to find rest in a busy season? These tips can help! Plus, there's a free printable

I don’t know how to rest.

I know it seems a bit ridiculous, but it’s the truth. I’m a type-A, get things done, task-oriented person. Sitting still is hard for me.

So when I read verses like Matthew 11:28 or Psalm 23 or when I hear a sermon about Mary and Martha, the Lord often convicts me of my always-on-the-go attitude.

He reminds me it’s not always a good thing to get things done.

Sometimes, it’s better to do nothing than to do it all. 

Sometimes, the one thing that’s necessary is to stop doing…and start being. 

With the back-to-school season upon us, resting can be even more difficult than usual. Whether you homeschool your kiddos or send them to private or public school, there’s no doubt about it. Life gets more hectic when school is in session.

Here are a few tips that have helped me slow down in this busy season. (And hopefully, they’ll help you too!)

Ways to Find Rest in a Busy Season:

1. Pick one day a week to rest. 

Follow the Lord’s example and rest from your work.

I have found that the best way to do this is to keep my phone and my computer out of reach. If I’m online, I’ll likely get sucked into work. But if my phone and computer are off, I’m a lot more likely to do what I set out to do: rest.

The emails will still be there when you return. So will the to-do lists.

Let them sit while you take care of what matters most.

2. Build small moments of rest into each day. 

Take five minutes each morning to sit with your Creator. Allow him to recharge your batteries. Soak up his peace.

Five minutes isn’t a long time…but in the Lord’s hands, it can make a huge difference.

3. Use your vacation days. 

So many people allow their vacation days to pass them by. They don’t take them because they feel like they can’t be away from work for that long…or because they don’t have the money to go anywhere…or because they don’t plan for it.

If your workplace provides vacation days, use them! You don’t have to actually go anywhere. You could use them and stay home.

4. Just say no! 

Because sometimes, saying no to something good is saying yes to something greater.

5. Don’t think of rest as doing nothing. 

Rest doesn’t have to mean you sit there and do nothing (although this can be very refreshing at times).

Rest can mean going on a walk with your family. It can mean digging into your favorite book. It can mean coffee with a friend. It can mean a movie with your husband. It can mean painting, writing, walking, music, or anything else that refreshes your spirit.

Rest might be harder to find in the busy seasons, but it’s not out of reach. Use these tips-and the free printable below-to help you find it. 

Print it off and hang it on your fridge or wall. Stick it in your Bible. Leave it on your desk to see when you’re tempted to work instead of rest. Use it however you wish!

Rest In Him – Key Bible Verses about Rest 10 Key Bible Verses about Rest - Do Not Depart

Are there any other tips that help you rest in busy seasons? Please share them in the comments! 

5 Ways to Find Rest in a Busy Season #ReviveAndRenew @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

10 Key Bible Verses on Rest – Free Printable! #ReviveAndRenew @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Sometimes it’s better to do nothing than to do it all. #ReviveAndRenew @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

4 Benefits of God’s Laws (from Psalm 19)

by 2 Comments

Psalm 19 shares 4 benefits of God's Law

When people look at the church, I’m afraid they no longer see selfless, kind, compassionate people. Instead, they see laws, rules, and judgment. They see legalism and hatred and agendas.

I’m not going to delve into the recent controversies regarding same-sex marriages, but I do think there’s at least one thing that needs to be said.

Whatever your opinion about the matter, there should always be love in your actions and in your words.

I’m not advocating you never speak your mind or that you don’t stand up for the things you believe in.

What I am advocating is that your love always shines through your words.

I’m afraid that this controversy has brought out the worst in us.

We feel attacked…so we attack back.  We feel threatened…so we fight.

What we don’t do (or at least don’t always do) is love.

And I think if we did a better job at this, the world wouldn’t dislike the Church so much.

The reason people no longer look so favorably upon Christians is because instead of seeing love, they see a bunch of rules. 

As I look at Psalm 19, though, I’m reminded that rules aren’t the problem. The problem only comes into play when we make the rules a bigger deal than the relationship…when we focus on the rules instead of on the God who made them. 

Take a look at the text with me.

Psalm 19:7-8 (NIV):

The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

God’s laws aren’t meant to make us legalistic and judgmental. Instead, God’s rules are meant to help us have better lives.

Here are 4 things His law is meant to do for us.

4 Benefits of God’s Law: 

1. It refreshes us. 

The New Living Translation and the English Standard Version say it revives our souls.

It’s VERY hot where I live. One of the most beautiful things on a hot summer day is a big cup of iced tea. That’s what God’s laws do for us. They refresh our souls just as liquids refresh our bodies.

2. It makes us wise.

God’s laws help us know the correct way to go.

Think of it this way. As a parent, I know some things my children might chose to do will cause them pain. To help protect them, I make rules for them to follow. These rules aren’t because I don’t care…but precisely because I do.

I make rules to help my kids choose the best path. That’s why God makes rules too….because He knows which paths are best. The Message words it this way: “The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.”

3. It gives joy to our hearts.

Christians have a lot of reason for joy, but sometimes we forget.

Unfortunately, when this happens, we make Christianity look like a bunch of rules. We forget about the joys of relationship and focus on the rules instead.

We forget about WHY God gave us rules. God didn’t give us rules to suck the joy out of our lives but to create more joy as we follow the plan He designed for us to follow.

4. It gives light to our eyes. 

God’s laws are like car headlights. They shine on the road in front of us and help us know which way to turn the steering wheel. They also help us see any dangers on the road ahead.

God’s law is beneficial for us. It refreshes us, makes us wise, gives light to our eyes, and gives joy to our hearts.

His law is beautiful because it is based on His love for us.

And that, my friends, is the key to changing the way the world views the Church.

Rules without love leads to legalism, but rules with love lead to life. 

Rules without love leads to legalism, but rules with love lead to life. #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

God’s rules aren’t the problem. The problem occurs when we forget about relationship. @LindseyMBell #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord

Click To Tweet

4 Benefits of God’s Law from Psalm 19 #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord via @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

3 Lessons Nature Can Teach Us (If We’ll Listen)

by 1 Comment

Nature can teach us a lot about faith…if we’ll slow down long enough to listen. Included in this post are 5 activities to help you draw near to God through nature.

3 Lessons Nature Can Teach Us about God

One thing I love about summer is the opportunity to be outside.

There’s just something about nature that draws my heart closer to the One who made it.

Can you relate?

All this month, we’ve been chatting about the Creator God. Today, I want to share one of my favorite Bible passages about God’s creative ability.

Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV) says this:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

I love this text because it reminds me of some things about God and about our role on this earth.

3 Lessons From Nature:

1. Nature reminds us our God is fun.

He’s not some boring, old, stick-in-the-mud God who doesn’t like to have fun. All you have to do is look at some of the funny things God created to realize He has a sense of humor. (Google “Angora Rabbit” if you don’t believe me. That thing has some crazy hair!)

2. Nature compels us to worship.

It’s so easy-with our cars and highways and full calendars-to miss the beauty that is right in front of us. God gave us a gorgeous world. When we slow down and notice it, worship often spontaneously erupts from our souls.

3. Nature reminds us we have a job to do. 

As these verses in Psalm 19 say, nature is declaring the glory of God through its beauty. And it’s doing so without using words.

But that doesn’t mean words aren’t necessary. That doesn’t mean we don’t have to share God’s glory with those around us.

God didn’t say, “Creation is telling the world about me, so you don’t have to.” NO!

Nature helps people learn there is a God. It’s our job to explain who that God is! 

So this week, as you spend time outside, take time to notice. Take time to worship. And take time to join with creation as it declares the glory of God.

Activities to Do This Week:

Day 1: If the weather is cooperating, go on a walk outside. Listen to the sounds of nature. Look for things you might have missed before.

Day 2: After night falls, spend a few moments looking at the stars and the moon.

Day 3: Start your day by listening to some of your favorite worship music.

Day 4: Take five minutes sometime today to sit outside in silence.

Day 5: All this week, as you’ve been outside, you’ve had the opportunity to worship God along with creation. Now, it’s your turn to spread the glory of God. Think of someone you can “declare the glory of God” to. Then pray for this person and ask God to provide an opportunity for you to share your heart with him/her.

3 Lessons Nature Can Teach Us from @LindseyMBell #MarvelousCreator

Click To Tweet

Nature helps people know there is a God. It’s our job to explain about who that God is! @LindseyMBell #MarvelousCreator

Click To Tweet

Join us this week for daily activities to help you draw near to our #MarvelousCreator

Click To Tweet

A Summertime Bible Study -- worship The Marvelous Creator with us at DoNotDepart.com

The Hope Found In Scripture

by

Hope can be hard to find at times, can’t it? 

Especially when the hard days seem more frequent than the easy ones…or when your prayers don’t feel like they’re making it past your bedroom ceiling.

It’s hard to have hope when life is hard. 

But one thing God has been teaching me is that reading the Word is most important on the hard days. 

Yes, it’s important every day, but on the hard days, God’s Word is like raindrops to land plagued by drought.

On the hard days, Scripture is the pathway to hope.

Romans 15:4 says it this way:

The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled (New Living Translation). 

THAT is why we abide in the Word: because the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement when nothing else can.

The Hope of Scripture

Not too long ago, after I experienced three miscarriages and then learned I was pregnant again, fear suffocated me. I worried I might move the wrong way or eat something I shouldn’t or do something wrong and cause another miscarriage. (Fear doesn’t always understand logic or reason, does it?)

Every moment I wondered, “Is it going to happen today?”

My fear, instead of lessening as the pregnancy progressed, only got stronger.

Then one day, I decided something had to change. Fear wasn’t helping me. It wasn’t going to keep me from losing another baby. It wasn’t going to do anything good for me. The only thing it was doing was making me miserable.

I attacked my fear with Scripture. I memorized a few verses about worry, peace, and fear. Then, every time I felt worry creeping back into my heart, I recalled a verse.

God used Scripture to give me hope.

It wasn’t hope that my pregnancy would progress without complications. It wasn’t hope that the outcome would be different this time.

It was hope that He would be faithful to me. He would be faithful EVEN IF things didn’t turn out well.

God can use Scripture to give us hope in His promises.

Here are some of those promises.

Bible Verses to Give You Hope: 

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Romans 5:3-4 – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Isaiah 40:31 – “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Micah 7:7 – “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Psalm 62:5-6 – “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 28:20 – “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

So if you’re struggling to find hope today in the hard, dig into the Words that are guaranteed to help.

Let’s Talk: What other verses have given you hope on a hard day?

If you’re struggling to find hope, dig into the Words that are guaranteed to help. @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

One reason we abide in the Word is because of the hope Scripture provides. @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Bible Verses that Offer Hope from @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Abide in the Word

Romans 10:15 Shareable Graphic

by 1 Comment

Romans 10:15 Shareable Graphic

Romans 10:15 in the NIV: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out, or email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share this image. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Visit DoNotDepart.com for more shareable scripture graphics! #SpreadTheWord

 

Today’s shareable image is from Romans 10:15 #spreadtheword

Click To Tweet

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Rom 10:15 shareable graphic #spreadtheword

Click To Tweet

How Christians Shine Like Stars

by 3 Comments

How Believers Shine Like Stars in the Universe
photo courtesy: unsplash

Paul told the Christians in Philippi to “shine like stars in the sky.”

I love that word picture, don’t you?

Have you ever been outside in the country on a very clear night and looked up at the stars?

One thing I love about going to my parents’ house is being able to see the stars with unhindered clarity.

They live in the country, so there’s very little light pollution hindering the stars’ beauty.

Instead, when we look into the sky we can usually see glistening, beautiful diamonds. It looks like an artist’s canvas, background painted deep blue with sparkling glitter added in intricate detail.

That’s the word picture Paul painted for us in Philippians 2:14-16: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life…”

Just as a star sparkles in the night sky, so also we should shine in a world that is darkened by sin. 

What does this look like in real life, though? What is it that makes us shine like stars in the sky?

I think we can find the answer in the larger context of Philippians 2.

Reading through verses 1-16, here are some ways believers in Jesus shine like stars.

How Christians Shine Like Stars in the Sky: 

  • Verse 3 – They are unselfish.
  • Verses 3-11 – They are humble.
  • Verse 4 – They look out for the needs and interests of others.
  • Verses 8, 12 – They walk in obedience to God.
  • Verse 14- They do everything without complaining or arguing.
  • Verse 14 – They live in purity.
  • Verse 16 – They hold out the Word of Truth.

Imagine a church where all the members did each of these things.

Imagine a world where people who claimed to believe in Jesus actually lived like it. 

I can rarely go a day without complaining or arguing about something. I can also rarely go a day without being selfish…at least a little bit. My suspicion is, I’m not alone.

The truth is, if I started doing these things – if I stopped thinking about myself, started constantly thinking of others, stopped complaining about the inconveniences or irritations of life, and started living in complete purity – my light would shine a lot brighter.

If we want to shine like stars in the sky, we have to start by being honest with ourselves. Are we shining brightly like the stars…or is our light clouded by our own selfish actions?

If you’re feeling brave, leave a comment sharing which one of the ways listed above you struggle with most? 

What does it mean to shine like a star in the sky? Read more from @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Imagine a world where people who claimed to follow Jesus really lived like it.  @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Ways Christians Shine Like Stars via @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

*photo courtesy: unsplash

When You Love God But Don’t Love His Followers

by 4 Comments

What do you do when you love God…but don’t exactly feel the same way about His followers?

As much as I’d love to answer this question, there’s one huge problem with it. It’s based on the assumption that love is a feeling.

It assumes you can’t love someone unless you feel loving toward them.

That’s not true, because love is NOT a feeling. Love is an action.

Love is holding your child all night long because he has an ear infection and hurts when he lies flat. Love is saying to your spouse at the end of the very long day, “I’ll put the kids to bed” even though you’d much rather take a seat on the couch and rest. Love is bringing a casserole to a friend’s house because her mom just passed away. Love is staying up late to chat with a friend in need even though you have an early morning meeting the next day.

Love isn’t based on feelings. Love is based on a decision you make to put another person before yourself. 

John said it well in 1 John 3:16-18:

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

So in reality, what this verse is telling us is that we can’t have the love of God in us and  at the same time fail to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s just not possible!

If we love God-really love Him-we’ll love those around us.

Will it always be easy? Of course not, because let’s be honest. Some people are just hard to love.

But the truth is, if we love God, we WILL love others, even if it’s difficult.

This week, I’d like to challenge you to choose one or more of the ideas below to love those around you.

10 easy ways to show Jesus' love to your friends and family

10 Practical Ways to Show Jesus’ Love: 

  1. Write a note of encouragement to a staff member at your church.
  2. Send a loving text message to your spouse.
  3. Make heart-shaped pancakes for your children for breakfast.
  4. Bake treats to share (with a local fire department or police station, with your mail carrier, with your trash service team, at City Hall, with your neighbors, etc.)
  5. Call a friend and tell her one reason you appreciate her.
  6. Put together kits for the homeless in your community (include in a ziplock bag: snack foods, bandaids, water, toiletries, etc.) Leave these in your car to deliver to the next homeless person you encounter.
  7. Pick up a card at the store and mail it to someone.
  8. Pick up a copy of Roger and Kathi Lipp’s new book, Happy Habits for Every Couple, or join my 21 Day Challenge to Have a Better Marriage.
  9. Reach out to someone who might be a little bit harder to love. Send them a message on Facebook or take time to talk with them this week.
  10. Pick up someone’s bill at Starbucks or your favorite restaurant.

Matthew West had a hit song not long ago called “Do Something.” Take a moment to listen to this song, and then go out and DO SOMETHING!

What do you do when you love God, but don’t feel the same way about his followers? http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3gb @DoNotDepart @LindseyMBell #RealLoveSongs

Click To Tweet

10 Practical Ways to Love Those Around You http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3gb @DoNotDepart @LindseyMBell #RealLoveSongs

Click To Tweet

Looking for easy ways to show Jesus’ love to others? Here are 10.  http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3gb @DoNotDepart @LindseyMBell #RealLoveSongs

Click To Tweet

Love Songs

Elisabeth Elliot – A Different Kind of Woman

by 1 Comment

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.” – Elisabeth Elliot

All this month, we’ve been studying the lives of faithful women of the past…women who have taught us by their lives and by their deaths what it means to serve Jesus. Elisabeth Elliot isn’t exactly a woman of the past (she’s in her 80’s right now), but she is someone we can learn from.

She is a different kind of woman. Different in the most amazing way.

"The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman." Elisabeth Elliot
photo courtesy: unsplash

Elisabeth’s Faith Under Pressure

In 1953, Elisabeth married Jim Elliot. She and Jim lived in Ecuador, working with the Quichua Indians. Jim had always wanted to minister to an unreached tribe and soon had the opportunity he had been waiting for. He and four other missionaries entered Auca territory in hopes of reaching out to these people.

Instead of being welcomed, though, the five men were speared to death.

Elisabeth lost her husband that day, and their 10 month old baby girl, Valerie, lost her father.

Most of us (if we’re being honest) probably wouldn’t stick around after that. Why continue to invest in the lives of the very people who murdered your husband?

This was not how Elisabeth looked at it, though. In the months and years that followed, she befriended  two Auca women and even allowed them to live with her for a year. For the next two years, Elisabeth ministered to the very men who murdered her husband. Her witness impacted an entire tribe of people.

Instead of seeking revenge, she sought their eternal forgiveness. Instead of seeking justice, she gave love.

Elisabeth is a different kind of woman, isn’t she?

What Elisabeth’s Life Teaches Us

In her book, These Strange Ashes, Elisabeth said this, “Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God’s story never ends with ‘ashes.’”

Whatever you’re going through today, whatever trial you are facing, whatever pain you are suffering through, take this lesson from Elisabeth.

God doesn’t leave broken things broken. He ALWAYS (if we’ll allow him the chance) puts broken things back together again. 

In another one of Elisabeth’s books, she said this: “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” (A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael)

Spoken from a woman who had a very difficult life, these words remind us that faithful people have questions. But faithful people also bring their questions to the One who holds all the answers.

Elisabeth wasn’t different because she never faced trials or never had doubts. She was different because she brought those questions to the Father and trusted Him even when life was hard.

Godly-Women-DoNotDepart

 

Faithful people have questions, but faithful people also bring their questions to the One who holds the answers. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3ei @DoNotDepart @LindseyMBell #GodlyWomen

Click To Tweet

What Elisabeth Elliot’s life can teach us: http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3ei @DoNotDepart @LindseyMBell #GodlyWomen

Click To Tweet

God doesn’t leave broken things broken. He always puts them back together again. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3ei @DoNotDepart @LindseyMBell #GodlyWomen

Click To Tweet

*photo courtesy: unsplash

The Uncommon Gift of Obedience: Joseph

by 1 Comment

The Uncommon Gift of Obedience- Do Not Depart
photo courtesy:freedigitalphotos.net/tigger11th

All this month at Do Not Depart, we’re talking about uncommon gifts that were given that first Christmas: the wise men who gave their worship, Elizabeth who gave hospitality, Mary who gave up her identity (and then received a new one), and others.

Each of these people played an integral part of bringing the Savior into the world.

There’s one person I want to focus on today who gave an uncommon gift and was then blessed in return. This man was Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph.

In Matthew 1, we get a glimpse into the battle that waged in Joseph’s mind when he discovered his fiancé was pregnant.

Matthew 1:18-24:

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit….

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a moment. What would you think if your fiancé told you she was pregnant? Would you believe she was a virgin? You’d probably feel betrayed, maybe foolish, and certainly broken-hearted.

This person Joseph loved cheated on him and gave herself to another. Nonetheless, Joseph still loved Mary and didn’t want her to face the wrath and judgment of those around her when they learned she was pregnant out of wedlock. That’s the dilemma Joseph faced when the angel visited him in his sleep and told him to move forward with the marriage.

What’s amazing to me is that Joseph immediately obeyed. As far as we know, he didn’t ask any more questions. He didn’t investigate further. He obeyed, even when it was hard and even when his obedience drastically changed the direction of his life.

There are a few lessons you and I can learn from this…

Life Lessons from Joseph:

Joseph obeyed immediately. 

He didn’t ask a lot of questions. He didn’t put it off until a better time. He didn’t seek the advice of his friends. When he knew God wanted him to do something, he did it. Period.

Joseph didn’t have to understand everything to obey.

As far as we know, the angel didn’t give him a lot of information about this very odd event that took place in the womb of his fiancé. I’m sure Joseph had a lot of questions. Nonetheless, he obeyed without having to understand the specifics.

Joseph was blessed because of his obedience.  

Because Joseph chose to obey God, God gave Joseph the privilege of raising Immanuel, God with Us! That’s an amazing privilege, isn’t it? And it’s all because Joseph gave the gift of obedience.

The other day at the Y, as I dropped my three-year-old son off at the nursery, I reminded him, “There are blessings when we obey. Don’t forget, Son.”

You see, at the front desk of the Y sits a candy bowl, and my son knows he only gets a piece of candy if he behaves while I exercise.

On this particular day, when I picked him up from class, his teachers were thrilled with his behavior, so he got two pieces of candy as we left.

There are blessings when we obey.

It’s true, isn’t it? It was true for Joseph, but it’s also true for us.

When Joseph gave the gift of obedience to God, God gave something even more wonderful back to Joseph. He gave Joseph the privilege of being the earthly father of the Savior of the world.

I can’t help but wonder what might happen if we choose to obey…

To help you think more about why obedience matters so much to God, you can download this free printable list of Bible Verses on Obedience

Free Printable-Bible Verses on Obedience

There are blessings with obedience. Read more from @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell #UncommonGifts

Click To Tweet

Printable List of Bible Verses about Obedience from @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell #UncommonGifts

Click To Tweet

The #UncommonGift of Obedience via @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell

Click To Tweet

Uncommon Gifts Christmas

*photo courtesy:freedigitalphotos.net/tigger11th

One Really Good Reason to Give Thanks

by 6 Comments

One Really Good Reason to Give Thanks - Do Not Depart

All this month, we’re looking at Psalm 118. Today, I want to focus in on verses 19-21:

Psalm 118:19-21: “Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”

Have you ever locked yourself out of your house or car?

A few months ago, my mother and I were flying home from a conference in Florida. Because of severe weather conditions, we ran into numerous flight delays. Finally, it seemed we would make it home. There was only one issue left to work out: our luggage.

We had both packed light and only taken carry-ons, but our  new plane barely had room for us (and definitely didn’t have room for our bags). At the gate, as we rushed to get on the plane that was preparing to take off, they asked us to check our bags at the gate.

Not thinking about what was in our carry-ons (after all, we expected to carry them on with us), we handed our bags over.

About half way through the flight, I asked my mom about her car keys.

Her face dropped as she remembered. They were in her bag we had checked at the gate…that, as you might have guessed, didn’t make it to our final destination.

We were locked out of our car at an airport that was two hours from home.

Needless to say, being locked out is never fun.

As I read this text in Psalm 118, the Lord brought this airport story to mind. Just as we were locked out of my mom’s vehicle, the Old Testament believers weren’t allowed to enter the Temple of the Lord.

In essence, they were locked away, kept back from a holy God because of their sins.

Only the High Priest could enter to commune with God (and even he could only do so after a thorough cleansing).

What I love about Psalm 118, though, is that it is prophesying Jesus. It’s looking forward to a time when we can all approach God’s throne. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.”

That, my friends, is one really good reason to give thanks.

Before Jesus, there was no one to open the gates. 

Before Jesus, there was no way to approach the Father. 

And before Jesus, there was no way we could ever cleanse ourselves enough to stand before God. 

BUT NOW…everything has changed.

Psalm 118:21 says, “You have become my salvation.”

Jesus has become our salvation. He’s the reason we can enter the gates to commune with God. He’s the reason we can now be called righteous. And He is the reason we can give thanks, no matter what this world is throwing at us.

One Really Great Reason To Give Thanks via @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell http://wp.me/p1Su7F-39r #givethanks

Click To Tweet

Jesus is the reason we can give thanks, no matter what this world is throwing at us. @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell http://wp.me/p1Su7F-39r #givethanks

Click To Tweet

*photo courtesy: unsplash

Give Thanks {A Study on Psalm 118 at DoNotDepart.com this month}

Why Jesus’ Humanity Matters

by 5 Comments

Why Jesus' Humanity Matters - Do Not DepartJesus was fully human.

He wasn’t fully God and partially human or fully human and partially God. No, Jesus was 100% human and 100% God.

In the past few weeks, Jesus’ humanity has taken on new meaning in my life (but I’ll explain more on that in a moment). First, let’s look at what the Bible tells us about Jesus’ humanity:

What The Bible Says About Jesus’ Humanity: 

Jesus was born from a woman, just as you and I were (Luke 2:7).

Jesus grew tired and weak, just as we do (John 4:6).

Jesus became hungry when he wasn’t able to eat (Matthew 4:2).

Jesus grew and became stronger (Luke 2:40).

Jesus learned and grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52).

Jesus cried, just as we do (John 11:35).

Jesus prayed and cried out to His Father in heaven (Hebrews 5:7).

Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus died a real, physical death (Luke 23:46).

In all of these ways, Jesus was like us, and this reality is life-changing. Here’s why: when we’re feeling alone….wondering if anyone understands what we are going through, we can know-WITH CERTAINTY-that Jesus gets it.

He has been there.

Because Jesus was fully human, he understands fully what it’s like to be human. 

Because Jesus was fully human, he understands fully what it’s like to be human. @LindseyMBell and @DoNotDepart

Click To Tweet

He understands our struggles when we’re short on sleep. He understands our fears when facing death or pain. He understands our feelings of abandonment when God seems distant.

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine buried her five month old baby girl. Very unexpectedly, this baby became sick and passed away.

In tragic times like these, it’s easy to feel forgotten…to think no one could possibly understand what you’re going through. That is why Jesus’ humanity matters.

Jesus’ humanity reminds us He understands. Because he was fully human, he gets it. He gets you. 

1 Timothy 2:5 say, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  When you don’t know what to pray…when you can’t come up with words to say to Him…you can trust Jesus is there, standing before God, as one Human representing another.

What aspect of Jesus’ humanity is an encouragement to you today? 

Why Jesus’ Humanity Matters via @LindseyMBell and @DoNotDepart

Click To Tweet

*photo courtesy: unsplash

Bible Verses for When You Need Hope

by 2 Comments

Bible Verses for When You Need Hope - Do Not Depart
Bible Verses for When You Need Hope (photo from: freedigitalphotos.net/David Castillo Dominici)

Too often, we hope for something.

We hope God will keep our families safe and healthy, heal a disease that threatens to take the life of someone we love, or prevent a tragedy from striking close to home.

None of these things, of course, are wrong to hope for.

But what happens when what we hope for doesn’t come to pass? When our child gets sick, when the disease takes a life, or when a tragedy hits your home?

In recent years, as my husband and I have dealt with secondary infertility and numerous miscarriages, the Lord has been teaching me the difference between hoping for something and hoping in Someone. 

If you place your hope in something happening, you will often be disappointed. This life is hard, and God doesn’t always prevent bad things from happening to his children.

BUT, if you place your hope in Someone, you will never be disappointed. Because, as Romans 8:38-39 tells us, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Absolutely nothing!

Here are some of my favorite Bible verses on hope. (You can download a free printable of these verses by clicking on this: Bible Verses for When You Need Hope-Printable-Do Not Depart)

Bible Verses for When You Need Hope (from the ESV version)

Psalm 71:5 – “For you, O Lord, are my hope.”

Psalm 146:5 – “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
 whose hope is in the Lord his God.”

Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
 they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 
they shall run and not be weary;
 they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you;
 be not dismayed, for I am your God;
 I will strengthen you, I will help you,
 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Micah 7:8 – “When I fall, I shall rise;
 when I sit in darkness,
 the Lord will be a light to me.”

John 14:1 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”

Romans 5:2-4 – “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Romans 8:24-25 – “Hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

What Bible verses on hope are your favorites? Please share in the comments. 

Free #printable from @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell Bible Verses on Hope #EncouragingWord http://wp.me/p1Su7F-35P

Click To Tweet

Bible Verses for When You Need Hope http://wp.me/p1Su7F-35P #printable #EncouragingWord @DoNotDepart

Click To Tweet

Click on this link for the printable: Bible Verses for When You Need Hope-Printable-Do Not Depart

Bible Verses on Hope #printable DoNotDepart

*Photo courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net/David Castillo Dominici

Bible Verses on Purity for Today’s Christian Woman

by Leave a Comment

All this month, we’ve been talking here at Do Not Depart about purity for today’s Christian woman.

Because as much as we’d like to believe purity isn’t an issue for Christian women today…that it’s only those who don’t follow Jesus who struggle with impurity, you and I both know that’s not the case. I’ve had several Christian friends admit to affairs. I’ve heard-over and over again-about Christian men and women struggling with pornography, lust, and inappropriate relationships. You don’t have to search too hard online to find examples of leaders in the church giving in to sexual temptations.

The stronghold of pornography is growing rapidly among women. And now, with graphic sexual books and movies like 50 Shades of Grey becoming popular even among believers, this is a real issue we need to think about. No one is immune to sexual temptation. NO ONE. Any of us, if caught in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong state of mind, could slip up.

God cares about your sexual purity. He cares A LOT. 

I know that because of the  huge number of Bible verses about purity. (If fact, as I began preparing this post, I realized there was no way I could possibly list every single verse! Instead, I decided to stick primarily with the verses that addressed physical purity.)

Bible Verses on Purity for Today's Christian Woman - Do Not Depart
photo courtesy: Arvind Balaraman/freedigitalphotos.net

Bible Verses on Purity for Today’s Christian Woman:

Exodus 20:14: “You shall not commit adultery.”

Proverbs 6:32: “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.”

Matthew 5:28: “”But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Romans 6:12-13: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 13: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God….The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”

1 Corinthians 6:15-16: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.'”

1 Corinthians 6:18: “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”

Galatians 5:19-21: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Ephesians 5:3: “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”

Colossians 3:5: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,  not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.  For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”

Hebrews 13:4: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

I want to share one final verse with you, because I believe it holds to key to overcoming sexual temptation:

Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

The key to overcoming sexual temptation isn’t in learning to control our bodies; it’s in learning to control our minds.

That’s why this verse is so important. If you learn to control your mind (or better yet, learn to allow God to control your mind), you will learn how to overcome temptation.

Are there any other verses you have found helpful as you try to live a holy life? 

Ever wonder what the Bible has to say about purity? Here are a few verses on #ChristianPurity @DoNotDepart

Click To Tweet

The key to overcoming sexual temptation isn’t in learning to control our bodies; it’s in learning to control our minds. @LindseyMBell @DoNotDepart

Click To Tweet

Bible verses on #ChristianPurity for today’s Christian woman via @DoNotDepart

Click To Tweet

*Photo courtesy: Arvind Balaraman/freedigitalphotos.net

Find Us on Facebook


Recent Posts

Archives