Lisa Burgess, Author at Do Not Depart

What is pure religion? – James 1:26-27 {Memory verse}

July 27, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:26-27 (ESV)

Plan B:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27 (ESV)

MEDITATE

Things aren’t always as they seem in the religious world. What reveals if we truly love Christ and love others? Our fruit. James reminds us in these final verses in chapter 1 that our words (which include our tone and attitude and expressions) are tied closest to our heart. They expose our devotion as either full or empty.

Then if our hearts’ intentions are pure, our actions will follow.

“A society shows its true strength by how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
– Philip Yancey

The orphans and widows were vulnerable back in James’ day (as well as our day). Who are the most vulnerable people in your community? Maybe you’d also include the depressed? The bullied? The broken?

PRAY

Lord,
Especially today, help us protect the weak. Stand up for the vulnerable. Have compassion on the wounded. We want to bear the image of Your holiness in our world.

Pure religion is protecting the vulnerable. Learn and do James 1:26-27 this week. #HideHisWord

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THIS IS THE END OF OUR MEMORY CHALLENGE!

Thank you for reading and learning alongside us. We encourage you to continue reviewing James 1 often to solidify it in your heart and to live it out in your actions.

Stay tuned next month for news on our NEXT memory challenge for the fall!

If you want the blessing – James 1:25 {Memory verse}

July 20, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:25 (ESV)

Plan B:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27 (ESV)

MEDITATE

If we want to be blessed—and who doesn’t?—then we need to get this straight:

The blessing is in the doing.

James has been consistent with that message over and over in our memory verses the past few weeks.

And here it is again this week, stronger than ever. Don’t just hear it, talk about it, think about it: Do it!

PRAY

Lord,
What is it that you’re wanting me to do? Please lay it plainly on my heart, then enact it through my body. I want to receive the blessing you’ve promised.

The blessing is promised for those who do. Memorize James 1:25 with us. #HideHisWord

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Don’t look directly at the sun! But the Son?

July 16, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 19 Comments

DON’T LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN

Were you told as a child, “Never look directly at the sun! You’ll go blind!”?

I was. It made me skittish to look toward the sun at all, lest I accidentally linger too long on that ball of fire and live in darkness forever.

The sun is the brightest and most prominent object in our sky. Everyone depends on it. Our lives are scheduled around it. We get our energy from it.

King David knew that too, albeit in a different way than we know now through scientific knowledge. He wrote poetically in Psalm 19:4-6 that God uses the sky as a tent for the sun. The sun sets out each morning, and like a strong man, it runs its course with joy, always on the move, from one end of the heavens to the other.

But as it turns out, our mama’s advice about not looking at the sun IS valid. We should NOT look directly at the sun, because, well, we really could go blind. Just like setting fire to paper by focusing sunlight through a lens, the same thing can happen to the lens of our eyes. And once our retina cells are killed, they don’t regenerate.

So instead we give quick glances toward the sun or look through other mediums or settle for images from high-resolution telescopes.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SON?

Does the same advice apply: Don’t look directly at the Son?

By our actions, we sometimes imply the answer is yes.

Instead of looking directly at Jesus, we may give Him quick glances. Or we think our work FOR Him is the same thing as gazing at Him. Or we are satisfied with simply hearing what others say about Him.

What happens when we look directly at other things (even good, godly things!) instead of on Jesus?

When we focus on church, we become discouraged by flawed people
When we focus on culture, we lose hope that good always wins in the end
When we focus on ministries, we turn them into idols

Anything other than Jesus placed at the center of our lives will eventually create blind spots. And if those things are stared at long enough, they can cause us to lose our true vision altogether.

SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Look directly at the Son!

Continue to love your church, work among your culture, minister with your gifts, but stay centered on Jesus.

Talk to Him
Praise Him
Thank Him
Confess to Him
Worship Him

As you do, you’ll discover in your daily circle around the earthly sun that your spiritual vision is becoming clearer and stronger.

May the eternal Son always stay the brightest and most prominent object in your atmosphere.

Should you stare directly at the Son? You won’t go blind. #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord

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Have you ever been tempted to stare at the sun?
How do you keep yourself focused on Jesus the Son?
Please share in the comments.

We’re studying Psalm 19 all month. Read it often throughout July. Check out our other posts here.

Look in the mirror – James 1:23-24 {Memory verse}

July 13, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
James 1:23-24 (ESV)

Plan B:

for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 (ESV)

MEDITATE

When is the last time you looked in a mirror? This morning? Last night? Do you remember what you saw?

It’s likely that you remember what you looked liked because you’ve looked so many times before. But what if you forgot as soon as you walked away? That’s what it’s like when we read [hear] a scripture, but then don’t do it.

Let’s not just look this week, but do what we see as we memorize this week.

PRAY

Lord,
We want to remember what we hear. But better yet, we want to do it. Give us memory and courage and initiative to love in actions, not just in words, this week. May you receive all the glory.

Looking in the mirror isn’t enough. Memorize James 1:23-24 with us. #HideHisWord

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When listening isn’t enough – James 1:21-22 {Memory verse}

July 6, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:21-22 (ESV)

Plan B:

for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 (ESV)

MEDITATE

Can you receive new things if your hands are already full? There are things you put off, and things you put on. Things you don’t do, and things you do.

Listening isn’t enough this week. Let’s not just hear. Let’s do! A great start is by memorizing our verses this week. Please join us.

PRAY

Lord,
Help us lay aside our dirty, ugly words and deeds this week. We humbly replace them with Your words and heart instead. May we demonstrate Your love to all You put in our path.

Listening isn’t enough this week. Put love into action! Memorize James 1:21-22 with us. #HideHisWord

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Begin again with these verses – James 1:19-20 {Memory verse}

June 22, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 (ESV)

Plan B:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
James 1:19 (ESV)

MEDITATE

If you started memorizing James 1 with us but life got in the way, begin again with this week’s verses.

If you aren’t memorizing, consider dwelling on these important verses this week anyway.

Every day we all have to begin again. . .

With being quick to hear
With being slow to speak
With being slow to anger

These verses humble me because I often fail in all three categories. But each day, His mercies are new. Start fresh. (Reminder: Next week is our 2nd scheduled break!)

PRAY

Lord,
My heart is to bring You honor. But my mouth gets in the way; my pride is prone to rule. Double my capacity to listen to others this week, and halve my overabundance of speech. In all things help me reflect your righteousness.

Does your mouth get you in trouble? These words will help. James 1:19-20. #HideHisWord

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Which is hardest for you? Which is easiest? (1) Quick to hear, (2) Slow to speak, (3) Slow to anger. Please share in the comments.

God wants you to be His – James 1:18 {Memory verse}

June 15, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:18 (ESV)

Plan B:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
James 1:19 (ESV)

MEDITATE

We can’t trust all of our desires (some lead to sin, James 1:14-15). But all of God’s desires are good (James 1:17), including this one: God wants us to be His people. We are His on purpose.

As you memorize this week, remember that you are here by God’s perfect will.

PRAY

Lord,
I thank you for Your willingness and power to bring us into Your family. May we give You all the praise this week as we remember our origins.

You are here on purpose, by God’s good design. Memorize James 1:18 with us. #HideHisWord

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Need to catch your breath? Try His

June 11, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 16 Comments

A BREATHLESS SUMMER?

It’s summer, traditionally a season for less stress and more relaxation, more time off. But are you already out of breath? Is your schedule running you instead of you running your schedule?

When we leave too little breathing room in our lives, we feel drained. Near the end of my father’s death with lung cancer, it hurt to watch him breathe. The in-and-out of air was slow and tiring. Instead of invigorating his body with fresh oxygen, breathing seemed like dreary work.

Our lives can become that way as well when we don’t guard our spiritual breathing.

BREATH IS SPIRIT

Our breath is a gift from God, one of our very first.

Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Genesis 2:7

In the New Testament, Paul taught the Athenians about our marvelous Creator who gives us life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25). In the Greek, “breath” here is from pnoe (G4157). It also means a breeze, wind.

In John 3:8 the root word pneo (G4154—to breathe hard, breeze, blow) and its more common derivative pneuma (G4151—a current of air, breath, breeze, spirit) are both used.

The wind [G4151] blows [G4154] where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit [4151].
John 3:8

A literal translation could be:
The breath breathes hard. . . . We are brought forth from the Breath.

We are born of that Breath. That Wind. That Spirit. Just as we live physically by breathing in oxygen 10-20 times per minute, so we breathe in God continually for sustained spiritual life.

LET THE WIND REMIND US

So when you’re outside this week, pay attention to the wind. Look for signs of it around you.

Are tree limbs dancing in praise to its rhythm?
Are birds resting their wings in its current?
Do you feel it blowing away your sweat, cooling down your body?

Let the wind remind you to breathe in God’s grace. And breathe out His praise.

Awaken to God’s Spirit breathing through your world. Look for signs of His movement.

Do you see evidence of His grace in people you live or work with?
Are you breathing in His gifts with each lungful of air?
Can you breathe out honor to Him through your mouth for His provisions?

Just as we can’t see the wind, neither can we physically see God. But we know both are here through other ways.

God is very real, leaving His fingerprints all over our world and hearts to remind us of His presence. Pause periodically to notice and praise.

Each day we take around 26,000 breaths. Can we use a few this week to give God thanks for them?

Praise Him for His splendor
Honor Him for His goodness
Bless Him for His love

BIBLE STUDY SUGGESTIONS

Take your Bible (outside, if possible!) and slowly read Psalm 145.
Look up wind/spirit/breath in a concordance.
Close your eyes. Do you feel any wind on your face? Tune in to your breathing.
Pray. Thank God for how He is breathing through your life, in ways you feel and in ways you don’t.
More verses to read: Job 33:4; Psalm 34:1-7; Psalm 51:15; Psalm 67:3-5; Psalm 71:5-8; Psalm 150; Ezekiel 37:5; Amos 4:13; Mark 4:36-41; John 2:21-22.
Pick up a physical object to bring inside. Perhaps a leaf blowing across the lawn. Or a rock that stayed put through a storm. Or a wildflower that sways when you blow it. Let this object remind you this week to stay aware of the invisible Spirit breathing through you.

Need to catch your breath? Let the wind remind you: Pause and praise. #MarvelousCreator

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QUESTION
When is the last time you’ve been really out of breath, physically or spiritually? Please leave a comment below of how God breathes through your life. We’d love to hear.

More:
5 things I learned from my “Year of Deep Breathing”

God gives perfectly – James 1:16-17 {Memory verse}

June 8, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:16-17 (ESV)

Plan B:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17 (ESV)

MEDITATE

After being advised last week (James 1:14-15) to not let desire turn into sin and then into death, James urges us to stand strong against one of those temptations: the temptation to believe that God is NOT good.

When He doesn’t seem to answer or when life gets too chaotic or when we get a clear “no” to something we wanted, we can start wondering if God is really as good as we once believed.

But yes, He is not only that good, He is even better. James 1:17 says that not only does God give solely good things, His giving is perfect and complete. Hold on to that belief this week.

PRAY

Lord,
When I begin to doubt if You truly are good, remind me that every good gift in my life comes directly from You. You are unwaveringly generous and loving in all You do.

Doubting if God is really good after all? Memorize James 1:16-17 with us this week instead. #HideHisWord

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Birth life, not death – James 1:14-15 {Memory verse}

June 1, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:14-15 (ESV)

Plan B:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17 (ESV)

MEDITATE

We each have our own specific set of temptations. When something dangerous dangles in front of us, we have a choice: take the bait or keep swimming.

James lays out the process clearly in this week’s memory verses: desire–>sin–>death. Let’s pray for help to refuse the lure and stop sin before it begins.

PRAY

Lord,
I want to birth things of life into this world, not things of death. You don’t tempt me to sin; You promise me blessings. I trust You this week to help me stay true to You.

Birth things of life, not death. Memorize James 1:14-15 with me. #HideHisWord

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Review James 1:1-13 {Memory verse}

May 25, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

This week is one of our two scheduled breaks from memorizing. Take the time to meditate on the verses you’ve already learned or to play catchup.

Here is where we’ve been so far.

Who is humble? – James 1:1
When trials come – James 1:2-3
Endure to be made complete – James 1:4
Go to the Source – James 1:5-6
Open your hands (and LINK UP) – James 1:7-8
Low or high, rejoice – James 1:9-10
Beauty is seasonal – James 1:11
Want to stand strong? – James 1:12-13

See you back on Monday, June 1, with James 1:14-15 for Plan A and James 1:17 for Plan B!

Want to stand strong? – James 1:12-13 {Memory verse}

May 18, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
James 1:12-13 (ESV)

Plan B:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

MEDITATE

When you’re tempted to give up, to lash out, to sink in, remember these verses. God pulls for you to remain standing. He’s your biggest supporter and would never trip you up.

And when the trial is over and you’ve made it through, know there will be a reward. God promises so.

PRAY

Lord,
I know You are never the one behind my temptations. I want to stand the test for You. Thank You for blessing me with rewards when I do.

Want to stand strong under trials? Memorize this with me: James 1:12-13. #HideHisWord

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This week Plan A and Plan B groups are both memorizing James 1:12 (also vs 13 for Plan A). We’d love to hear from either group—how is your memorizing going? Please share in the comments. Next week is a break for everyone!

Should you keep reading your Bible?

May 14, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 17 Comments

Once I finish a book, I don’t usually reread it. The surprises are blown, and I’m ready for something new.

But even with the occasional books I do reread, the second (or third) reading is never the same as the first time. I may catch a few details I missed the first pass, and I may be reminded of truths I need to live more, but subsequent readings are quicker and often just skimmed.

So do we need to reread the Bible over and over?

We already know the major stories.
The essential themes are familiar by now.
It’s not quick (it takes me three years to get through my two-year plan; I long ago gave up one year).
And it’s not necessarily easier each time (Isaiah 55:8-9). Sometimes the more we read, the less we understand.

Yet we can’t stay away from this book. We memorize it; we pray it; we preach it to ourselves.

Here’s why:

The more we read the Bible, the more we see God. And the more we see God, the more we love God.

We can never get too much of Love.

I know, I know—there are many ways to see God. Through nature. Through other people. Through direct experiences with Him. I love these ways. I need these ways. The words written about God are not the only way to find Him. After all, in Him we don’t just read; in Him we actually live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

Even Jesus Himself pointed this out. When He showed up on earth as God in the flesh, He wanted those around Him to come directly to Him, to believe because of the works He was doing. He chastised those who were just searching the Scriptures and yet not coming to Him (John 5:39-40).

We don’t want to make that same mistake: to miss Jesus because we’re keeping our heads in a book, even a book about Him.

So as we read, let’s also look around. Look up. Look in. Ask that the written words point us to the Living Word.

Even in the old stories, regularly discover new things about yourself, about others, about God
Be open to surprises through words that are not static but are breathed-out mercies each morning from God
Invite God to walk daily with you in fresh stories yet to be lived, centering in the present, reframing the past, hoping in the future

Knowing the Bible isn’t the end goal. Knowing God is. The Bible is a means to that goal. As Jesus used Scripture with the two men on the road to Emmaus, we also want Scripture to better enlighten us about Jesus (Luke 24:27).

As A. W. Tozer said,

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

The God we worship determines the kind of people we become. We’re not made in the image of a book, but in the image of the living God. It’s not the Bible we worship; that’s the book we study. It’s the God we’re after, and the book points to Him (John 20:30-31).

Let’s read the Bible not to be known as biblical people, but to become godly people. Because we don’t want to just learn the Bible, or even just learn about God, we want to live like God, to be with God, to love like God.

And if the book can help us get there, may we read on and on and on.

Why read the Bible over and over? Not to be biblical, but to be godly. #WhyAbide

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All month long we’re discussing reasons to abide in the Word.

Do you ever reread the same books?
What are some of your reasons for continuing to read the Bible again and again (or not)?
Please share in the comments.

Beauty is seasonal – James 1:11 {Memory verse}

May 11, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
James 1:11

Plan B:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

MEDITATE

You’ve probably already enjoyed the beauty of spring flowers this season. But you know that it’s a temporary showing. The blooms don’t last long, nor are they intended to. It’s God’s natural design.

Equally so with cycles and seasons in our own lives. Blessed is the man who doesn’t depend on short-term successes, but rather keeps his trust in God for the long haul.

PRAY

Lord,
Let me not long after fleeting riches or beauty. Let my hope remain steadfast in your eternal wisdom and perfection.

Riches are seasonal; God is forever. Memorize James 1:11 this week. #HideHisWord

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Low or high, rejoice – James 1:9-10 {Memory verse}

May 4, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
James 1:9-10

Plan B:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5

MEDITATE

We return now to James’ early admonition to “count it all joy” (James 1:2). If you’re in a season of lowliness (however you define that), be glad that you’ll be going up from here. If you’re in a position of wealth, be mindful that it is not permanent.

Whatever your circumstances, find reason to consciously rejoice.

PRAY

Lord,
I want to trust in You alone. Regardless of what situations swirl around me, let me be faithful to you.

Low or high? Rejoice either way. Memorize James 1:9-10 with me. #HideHisWord

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QUESTION

What do these verses mean in your own life right now? Please share in the comments.

LINK UP and Open your hands – James 1:7-8 {Memory verse}

April 27, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

It’s time to link up!

Please scroll to the bottom of today’s post to add YOUR blog post on scripture memory. We want to hear what you have to share.

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:7-8

Plan B:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5

MEDITATE

We’ve learned so far from James that God is generous and can keep us from lacking anything we need.

Yet . . . we still need to open our hands to receive.

This week’s verses show us that if we keep our hands closed, not believing God has a gift to give us, then we won’t be able to receive what He wants to give.

This week, can we settle our minds on a single path—of believing, of knowing—that God will meet our needs? Can we live this week with open hands?

PRAY

Lord,
I make up my mind to trust Your goodness. I ask in faith; I receive in faith.

A closed fist can’t accept God’s gifts. Faith is an open hand. Memorize Jas 1:7-8 #HideHisWord

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LINK UP

Please add your own blog posts here about scripture memorization! Read and comment on what others are sharing, too.