Lindsey, Author at Do Not Depart

The Faith of Joseph: Trusting God When Life Is Hard

July 24, 2014 by Lindsey 7 Comments

Hebrews 11 begins like this: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith is not really faith…if it’s something you can see.

Though all of the Biblical heroes listed in Hebrews 11 showed amazing faith, the one that sticks out to me the most is Joseph.

If you’re not familiar with Joseph’s story, allow me to share a brief summary.

Joseph was one of 12 sons of Jacob, and he was the favorite. In fact, Jacob favored him so much that the other brothers grew to hate Joseph. They hated him so much they eventually sold him into slavery.

Talk about family issues!

Then, when things finally began looking positive for Joseph, he was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit and thrown into prison. (And, I might add, the reason he was accused was actually because he refused to sin!) Joseph’s righteousness, instead of bringing him out of slavery, led him to prison!

Fast forward a few years, and Joseph finally got out of prison and became second in command in Egypt. A terrible famine spread throughout the land, and Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt in search of food.

When the brothers came before Joseph, begging for food, I doubt anyone would have blamed Joseph if he had turned away in disgust. Or thrown them into prison. Or had them punished.

Joseph did none of these things. Instead, he said these powerful words: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me,but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:19-20).

That, my friends, is faith. Even while in slavery or in prison, Joseph believed in what he could not see. He believed in a God who would bring good from even the most terrible circumstances.

A little while later, as Joseph neared death, he “said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, ‘God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.’” (Genesis 50: 24-25).

Though Joseph never lived to see the Israelites being mistreated in Egypt, he knew it would come. He also knew God would one day deliver them. That is why in Hebrews 11:22, it says, “By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.”

Joseph couldn’t see the future…but he knew the God who could.

Here are some takeaways from the story of Joseph:

1. God is with us, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. He was with Joseph in the prison cell, just as much as he was with him in the castle in Egypt.

2. Sometimes, we have to wait to see God’s redemption. Joseph waited a long time for God to free him from captivity, and the Israelites waited 400 years!

3. God is good, even though life is hard. Joseph knew God could bring good out of hard situations, and God eventually did!

4. Forgiveness is so much better than bitterness. Joseph forgave his brothers for the things they did to him. Because of his choice to forgive, their relationships were restored, and he got his family back.

5. Running from temptation is ALWAYS the right thing to do, even when you don’t receive a reward immediately. When Joseph ran from temptation, he wasn’t rewarded (quite the opposite in fact)….but God noticed. Eventually, Joseph was blessed because of his obedience.

6. Don’t give up. Joseph had good reason to forsake his faith. His family betrayed him, he lost everything, he was punished for doing the RIGHT thing, he was forgotten in prison, he was lied about, and he was treated like trash. Nonetheless, he kept on believing in the God of his forefathers.

That is what faith is all about…trusting what you know about God even when you don’t see the evidence it’s true.

What other lessons can we learn from the life of Joseph? Which of those listed above means the most to you?

Tweetables:

Faith is trusting what you know about God even when you don’t see the evidence it’s true.@DoNotDepart #ByFaith http://wp.me/p1Su7F-30Y Click to tweet.

Joseph couldn’t see the future, but he knew the God who could. Lessons from Joseph @DoNotDepart #ByFaith http://wp.me/p1Su7F-30Y Click to tweet.

6 Lessons from the Life of Joseph from @DoNotDepart #ByFaith http://wp.me/p1Su7F-30Y Click to tweet.

*photo courtesy: unsplash

One Really Good Reason to Live a Holy Life

June 26, 2014 by Lindsey Leave a Comment

When I first became a follower of Jesus, there was one Bible verse that scared me. A LOT. It was Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Every time I read this verse, I thought about all of the ways I wasn’t perfect…especially when I compared myself to the holy God of the universe.

This verse doesn’t scare me anymore, though, because now I know I can lean on Jesus’ perfection to cover my imperfection. When I can’t measure up, HE steps in and does it for me.

That’s how holiness works too. On this side of heaven, we’ll never be completely holy. We can try with all of our might…but we’ll still fall short. Every. Single. Time. Most of us will probably continue to make mistakes up until the day we die.

The question, then, is this: why bother trying to be holy if it’s an impossible task? Why even try to live a holy life when you and I both know it’s not going to happen?

I think the answer to this question is in Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We strive for holiness because it might lead someone to glorify God.

We strive for holiness because our actions reflect our Savior.

We strive for holiness because it matters, not just for eternity, but for today.

I love this quote from Kathy Howard’s new book, Embraced by Holiness: “God’s salvation not only changes our eternity, it also changes our here and now.”

Those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior have a big task in front of us: to do our best to live holy lives that lead other people to glorify God.

Will we fall short? Of course. Will we still make mistakes? Sure.

But we keep striving for holiness because our holy actions might just bring someone to the throne room of our loving Father.

I don’t want to look back some day and realize my sins were the barrier that blocked someone from God. I don’t want to look back and realize my children, my family, and my friends don’t know Jesus because of how I acted. I want to do everything in my power to lead them to the throne. Don’t you?

Tweetables:

We strive for holiness because it matters, not just for eternity, but for today. @DoNotDepart #Holiness http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Yf Click to Tweet.

One Really Good Reason to Strive for #Holiness @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Yf Click to tweet.

How to Serve Like Jesus

May 15, 2014 by Lindsey 8 Comments

In Romans 12, Paul listed serving as one of the Spiritual Gifts. He said, “If your gift is serving others, serve them well” (Romans 12:7, NLT).

The question, then, is this: what does it mean to serve others well?

I think the answer can be found in John 13:1-17, when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.

“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him” (John 13:1-5).

As I studied these verses, God reminded me of three important aspects of Jesus’ service.

1. Jesus served well because he knew who he was.

“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority…So he…” The word “so” is crucial in this text, because it tells us why Jesus served. Jesus was able to stoop down and wash the grime from his disciples’ feet because he knew who he was. He didn’t need to worry about what his disciples might think of him for stooping down to serve, because he knew who he was in God’s eyes.

For us to serve well, we need to know who we are.

We need to stop worrying about how we look or what others think of us and start recognizing what God thinks of us. We are his beloved children. We are HIS. Yes, we are sinners, but we are sinners saved by grace through Jesus Christ. Who cares if you’re washing a toilet or cleaning up vomit; the God of the universe loves you!

2. Jesus served well because he kept his eyes on what mattered most.

This incident occurred right before Jesus died. If there were ever a time when Jesus deserved to be selfish, it was at this very moment.

But Jesus didn’t think of himself. Instead, he thought of those sitting around him. He thought of how he could spend his final few moments teaching them and equipping them to lead others.

1 Peter 4:11 says this about service: “If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides.” I imagine it took a lot of strength for Jesus to serve his disciples (especially Judas) just hours before his execution. But he was able to do so because he leaned on God for strength and kept his focus heavenward.

We too serve well when we focus our eyes on the things that matter for eternity, rather than on the here-and-now.

3. Jesus served well because of love.

Verse 1 of John 13 says Jesus loved his disciples to the very end. That is why he served them…because of love.

And that is why we serve too…because of our love for God and our love for others.

If we’re motivated by looking good or appearing religious, we’re not serving anyone but ourselves. To serve well-to serve like Jesus served-our actions must be motivated by love.

What other aspects of Jesus’ service stand out to you?

Tweetables:

What does it mean to serve others well? #SpiritualGifts @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2UZ Click to Tweet

To serve well-to serve like Jesus served-our actions must be motivated by love. @DoNotDepart #SpiritualGifts http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2UZ Click to Tweet

How to serve like Jesus: http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2UZ #SpiritualGifts @DoNotDepart Click to Tweet

*Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A Song for When You’re Sinking

April 24, 2014 by Lindsey 5 Comments

Don’t you just love Peter?

I think one of the main reasons we like him so much is because we can relate to him so easily.

One moment, he’s willing to die for Jesus. The next, he’s running scared. One minute, he’s recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of God, the next he’s vying for first place in the kingdom. He’s human…just like us.

Faithful one moment, scared the next.

For example, in Matthew 14, when he saw Jesus walking on water, he courageously decided to get out of the boat and join Jesus in the waves. This was one of Peter’s finest moments.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long: “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30).

When Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he could literally walk on water. But when he took his eyes off his Savior, he began to sink.

Hillsong UNITED sings a popular song based on this Biblical story. The song is called Oceans (Where Feet May Fail). You can listen to the entire song here.

My favorite line from this song might not be the one you would expect. It’s only said one time, but it’s nonetheless powerful: “You’ve never failed and you won’t start now.”

It’s so easy in the midst of a storm to think God is failing us. If He were really here with me, this wouldn’t be happening. If He really loved me like His Word says He does, He wouldn’t allow this into my life.

But God WILL NOT fail us. He never has. He never will.

When our circumstances make us question God’s faithfulness, the problem is our circumstances, not our God.

Just as Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus, we too can sink when we focus on our circumstances instead of on our God.

When I was going through four consecutive miscarriages, this song reminded me of God’s faithfulness. God had never failed before…and he won’t start now.

Cling to that truth today.

If you feel like you’re sinking in the storm, keep your eyes on the One who can walk you through it.

What other songs have encouraged you through difficult times?

Tweetables:

“When our circumstances make us question God’s faithfulness, the problem is our circumstances, not our God.” @DoNotDepart #SingPraise –Click to tweet this.

If you feel like you’re sinking in the storm, keep your eyes on the One who can walk you through it.” @DoNotDepart #SingPraise –Click to tweet this.

What God’s Word Is Supposed to Do

March 20, 2014 by Lindsey 6 Comments

God’s Word was never meant to leave us empty.

It was never meant to be something we have to do…something that’s on our “to do” list, right along with laundry and soccer practice.

Look at Isaiah 55:10-11, a couple of verses that talk about the Word of God:

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

God’s Word isn’t meant to leave us empty. It’s meant to leave us full.

Let’s break this text down to see exactly how God’s Word is meant to refresh us.

1. It nourishes.

Just as the rain and snow water the earth and prepare the ground for growth, God’s Word nourishes our souls and prepares us for growth in Christ.

2. It produces a crop.

As I studied this text, I kept coming back to Jesus’ parable of the sower in Matthew 13:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:3-8).

Jesus explained the parable like this. There are 4 types of people:

People on the path-These people hear the Word, but the devil takes it away from them.
People on the rock-These people hear the Word but have no root; they fall away when tested.
People among thorns-These people hear the Word, but it is choked away by worries and pleasures.
People on good soil-These people hear the Word, retain it, and produce a crop.

So the question is…what type of people are we?

When we hear the Word of God, how do we respond? Do we forget about it as soon as we put our Bibles away?

Or…do you retain it, persevere through hard times, and produce a crop?

This is what the Word of God is designed to do in our lives.

3. It’s sent from above.

A third aspect of the Word is that it is sent from above. As rain falls from the skies, so the Word was sent to us from Heaven.

It’s so easy living where I live to neglect my study in the Word. I have at least 10 Bibles in my home, not to mention commentaries and concordances. This surplus, instead of leading me to study the Bible more, has at times (to my shame) led me to neglect it. It has become almost commonplace. (Ugh, please tell me someone can relate to that admission.)

God’s Word should never become commonplace to us. It is the living Word of God, sent directly from the Father.

If we let it, it can do amazing things in our lives. The key, though, is that we have to let it.

How has the Word of God nourished you in the past?

Tweetables:

“God’s Word was never meant to leave us empty.” –Click to tweet this.

“If we let it, God’s Word can do amazing things in our lives. The key, though, is that we have to let it.” –Click to tweet this.

When You Wonder If Your Testimony Is “Good Enough”

February 27, 2014 by Lindsey 2 Comments

The question is not whether or not you have a testimony; the question is whether or not you will choose to share it.

In Mark 5, Jesus healed a man who had been possessed by demons. After Jesus healed him, the man begged to go with Jesus. I love Jesus’ response: “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19).

Go and tell.

It’s the exact same command Jesus gives to us today…to go and tell others what Jesus has done for us.

All too often, though, we wonder what we have to share.

Maybe you grew up in a Christian family, went to church since you were born, and don’t think your testimony is “good enough” to share. Maybe you read the story in Mark 5 and think, Sure, he has a story. He was healed of demon-possession. What can I possibly share that’s powerful like that?

The truth is, though, your story is powerful, because your story (just like this man’s story) is a story of freedom.

Here are a few possible things Jesus might have freed you from:

Perfectionism
Worry
A life of addiction (drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, food, the approval of others, social media, etc.)
Fear
Self-doubt
Pride
Control
Anger
Discontentment
Unforgiveness

I don’t know from what God has freed you, but I do know this. Jesus doesn’t come into your life and leave your hands and feet bound by chains. He ever so carefully works to unbind whatever it is that constrains you.

As the chains fall to the ground, he asks of you the same thing he asked of the man in Mark 5: go and tell.

Tell your co-worker who is struggling with her finances how God helped you learn to handle your money. Tell your sister who just lost a baby how God healed your heart of its brokenness. Tell your friend who thinks no one could ever love her about the God who already does.

Your story might not be as explosive as another’s, but it is nonetheless powerful in the hands of the God who longs to use it.

What’s your story? When has someone else’s seemingly “small” story encouraged you? Share in the comments below!

Tweetables:

“The question is not whether or not you have a testimony; the question is whether or not you will choose to share it. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Pa” – Click to tweet this.

“Thoughts by @Lindseymbell on what to do when you wonder if your testimony isn’t “good enough” to share. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Pa @DoNotDepart” – Click to tweet this.

The Most Important Place to Look for Parenting Advice

February 21, 2014 by Lindsey 10 Comments

Photo Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/photosbyforeman

Admin note: Lindsey recently joined our writing team here at DoNotDepart, and we’re already so thankful to have her! Also, exciting: Lindsey’s first book just released! Read below for a little bit about the book.

I remember the ride home from the hospital well.

I sat in the front seat—still miserably sore from giving birth one day earlier—while my husband drove and my baby slept in the back.

I was happy, of course, but I was also overwhelmed. VERY overwhelmed. I had no idea what I was doing and didn’t know where to turn for help.

In the weeks that followed, as I adjusted to life with a baby, I scoured the Internet, desperately looking for some sort of guide that would make life easier for me.

What I found instead was a variety of parenting opinions that left me more confused than ever. It was then I noticed my Bible sitting on my nightstand.

Why I hadn’t searched it before is beyond me. After all, God was the One who invented parenthood. He—more than anyone else—knows what’s best for my children and for me.

So today, moms and dads, if you are feeling overwhelmed…if you’re wondering where to turn for parenting advice…don’t neglect the One who knows everything about you.

Turn to Him first. He might not give you a manual to parenthood, but (as I learned when my son was first born), He will help you through the often-overwhelming days of parenthood.

Let’s Talk: Besides the Bible, what are some other great places to look for parenting advice? Leave a comment to be entered to win a gift card from Lindsey for her blog tour contest!

This post is part of a Lindsey’s blog tour for Searching for Sanity, her new parenting devotional. You can read other posts in this tour by going to her blog: www.lindsey-bell.com or her website: www.lindseymbell.com.

You can also find Lindsey on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

About [amazon_link id=”1938499751″ target=”_blank” ]Searching for Sanity[/amazon_link]:

Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them?

Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanity offers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.

What Happens When Jesus Gets Ahold of Your Heart

January 23, 2014 by Lindsey 7 Comments

Admin note: We’d like to welcome Lindsey Bell to our writing team! Lindsey is a wife, awesome mom of two, and great writer with her first book coming out in less than two weeks! Meet Lindsey and her writing below.

Something happens when Jesus gets ahold of your heart.

We’ve been talking all month about how God changes us…how he makes us into new creations…how he molds our lives through his Word and His Son.

This could not be more evident than in the life of John.

John, whom Jesus called a Son of Thunder, became the disciple of love.

John, the disciple who asked Jesus for permission to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9), transformed into the man who later said these words: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God” (1 John 4:7).

Anger to forgiveness.

Judgment to love.

Son of Thunder to Disciple of Love.

So what happened that caused John to change?

As I look at the New Testament, I think the thing that happened was this: Jesus got ahold of John’s heart.

John watched as Jesus gave his life for the sins of the world (John 3:16-17).

He listened as Jesus taught the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5).

He saw Jesus forgive the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).

John witnessed the sinful woman pour perfume on Jesus’ feet…and then saw Jesus love this woman-this woman that everyone else refused to even look at.

When others would have avoided a person, Jesus reached out his hands and touched them. When others would have thrown stones, Jesus forgave. When others would have judged, Jesus loved.

And that’s what made all the difference for John.

I’ve learned it’s also what makes the difference for us. When Jesus gets ahold of our hearts, He changes us too.

Where once there was a heart of anger, He gives us forgiveness.

Where once there was a tendency to judge, He gives understanding and grace.

Where once there was brokenness, He gives healing.

I don’t know where you’re at today…if there’s anger eating away at your heart or pain that never seems to go away or unforgiveness threatening to destroy you…but I do know this:

If you’re willing to give these things to Jesus..and let Him get ahold of this area of your heart…something amazing is bound to happen.

Something always happens when Jesus gets ahold of your heart.

What’s a story of what changed when Jesus got a hold of your heart?