Lisa Burgess, Author at Do Not Depart

Go to the Source – James 1:5-6 {Memory verse}

April 20, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6

Plan B:

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:3

MEDITATE

We face many temptations to disbelieve God’s goodness. But the more we believe—counting it all as joy—the more complete we become in our faith.

Yet until we reach our fullness, we continue to need more wisdom.

If you memorized Isaiah 55 with us, remember where we go when in need: “Come, everyone who thirsts…come to me; hear, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:1-3).

James emphasizes it also: Go to the source! Go to Wisdom Himself. And ask. God is a giver. He won’t turn you down. And He won’t be stingy.

Confidently ask the right One about the right thing. You can’t overestimate God’s goodness. Believe that you will see it (Psalm 27:13).

PRAY

Lord,
I believe that you are wise. I believe that you are good. I believe that you are giving. I approach Your throne boldly for wisdom this week. Thank you for what you’ll give me.

You can’t overestimate God’s gifts. Ask Him. Memorize James 1:5-6 with me. #HideHisWord

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QUESTION

In what areas do you need wisdom this week? Please share in the comments.

Endure to be made complete – James 1:4 {Memory verse}

April 13, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:4

Plan B:

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:3

MEDITATE

Staying under a trial isn’t always optional. We often have no ability to alter our circumstances even if we want to.

But enduring a trial with cheerfulness is our choice (James 1:2). If we can maintain our joy in the Lord despite swirling situations around us, we will mature (James 1:4). (We’ll see this again in James 1:12.)

PRAY

Lord,
I want to meet my trials with steadfastness so I can be complete in you. You alone can make me whole. Help me keep this promise in the front of my mind this week.

If we remain faithful, God will mature us. Memorize James 1:4 with me. #HideHisWord

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QUESTION

Is there a trial you are having to remain under right now? Do you see maturation at the end of it all? Please share in the comments.

Don’t forget our Scripture Memory Link-Up is coming April 27, only 2 weeks from today! Get your blog post written about anything relating to memorizing scripture in general or James 1 in particular. We want to hear from you.

Want to memorize James 1 with us? Get all the details here.

No Fear in Love – 1 John 4:18

April 8, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

¹⁶So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. ¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ¹⁹We love because he first loved us.

– 1 John 4:16-19 (ESV)

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 and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with 1 John 4:18 above. 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 1 John 4:18. #SpreadTheWord

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There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 #SpreadTheWord

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When trials come – James 1:2-3 {Memory verse}

April 6, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 4 Comments

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3

Plan B:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James 1:2

MEDITATE

When are you the most joyful? It seems easiest when things are going right, yes?

But James says that when things are going wrong, we can still choose joy. Instead of letting our circumstances lead our attitudes, we can set the tone ourselves.

How? By faith. If we can believe that God is using our momentary trials to work something greater in us, it’s easier to keep not just some joy, but all joy, as James says.

PRAY

Lord,
I’m not there yet. But I’m trusting in You through these truths we’re memorizing. May we learn to prove our beliefs by keeping our joy. Whatever may come, all will be well.

What to do when things get tough? Memorize James 1:2-3 with us and find out! #HideHisWord

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QUESTION

How does this look in your life? Who have you seen choose joy despite their trials? Please share in the comments.

Get all the details here to memorize James 1.

Who is humble? – James 1:1 {Memory verse}

March 30, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
James 1:1

Plan B:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James 1:2

MEDITATE

The author James could have introduced himself this way: “Hey everybody. I am the half-brother of Jesus himself! So listen up!”

But no. He simply says, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

As you begin memorizing James 1 this week, reflect on the humility of James. Are we as humble in introducing ourselves to others? What kind of impression do we hope to make?

PRAY

Lord,
Thank you for reminding us that our greatest calling is to be your servant. May we share our message with others through humility.

Week 1 of memorizing James 1! How do you introduce yourself? #HideHisWord

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We often overlook these opening verses, but what value can we gain from James’ beginning? Please share in the comments.

It’s time! Register today for James 1

March 27, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

As we journey through this practical chapter, we’ll be praying the Lord will help us count our trials as joys (James 1:2), ask for wisdom with confidence (James 1:6), see good gifts from God (James 1:17), be slower to anger (James 1:19), and so much more. It’s a packed chapter!

We’ll travel at a slow pace—1 to 2 verses per week with 2 weeks of breaks—to learn all 27 verses (Plan A). But if that’s too much, memorize alongside us using Plan B. You’ll still learn 8 important verses from James 1, but at a slower pace—1 verse every 2 weeks with 2 weeks of breaks. [See schedules here]

We begin this Monday, March 30, 2015! Print your resources; place them strategically where you’ll see them; read the chapter a few times; pray through it with intention.

But whether you’re joining us or not, we’d appreciate your prayers! We want to be doers of the word, not hearers only (James 1:22).

Questions? Ask in the comments.

It’s time! Memorize James 1. #HideHisWord

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Resources to memorize James 1

March 23, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 6 Comments

Do you wish you could remember verses like these exactly when you need them?

Now you can!

UPDATE:

Our group memory challenge has ended.

But you can still access our resources and make your own schedule! Here are the schedules we used. Plan A—All In: 1-2 verses per week. If that’s too much, try Plan B—Best Of instead: 1 verse every 2 weeks. You’ll still learn 8 key verses from James 1.

RESOURCES

Whichever plan you choose, print any of these free resources. We offer them in the four most popular versions that our memorizers use, but you can memorize in any translation you prefer.

3×5 Text Cards
ESV / NIV / KJV / NKJV
3×5 Text/1st Letters Cards–Plan B
ESV / NIV / KJV / NKJV
One-Page Text
ESV / NIV / KJV / NKJV
One-Page 1st Letters
ESV / NIV / KJV / NKJV
Bookmark
Button

For extra community, join our Facebook group. Practice the verses using Scripture Typer. Share tweets using #HideHisWord.

Questions? Comments? We’d love to hear in the comments that you’re joining us, or to answer any questions you have.

I’m memorizing James 1. Join me! Free resources here. #HideHisWord

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Register NOW to memorize James 1 – Plan A or B

March 16, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 6 Comments

Did you know that in just a few minutes a day, a few days a week, you can memorize some amazing Bible verses?

And when you string several weeks together, you can memorize a whole chapter?

You can! We’re ready to give you an opportunity to do it, not only by scheduling a great chapter, but also by inviting you into our online community of memorizers who are eager to do this with you.

Beginning in two weeks (March 30, 2015), we’ll start memorizing and gleaning from what God wants to show us in James 1.

Plan A – All in – is all 27 verses, one to two verses per week, in the translation of your choice.

But NEW this challenge, we’re also offering Plan B – the Best of! If you’d rather just catch the highlights, then memorize eight key verses from James 1, one verse every two weeks. (See Plan A and highlighted Plan B verses here in ESV)

Both groups will work alongside each other, sharing insights and providing encouragement. Choose your preferred pace.

Join our Facebook group to meet the growing family of believers who are placing God’s word deep in their hearts so they can live it out more fully in their lives.

Full Schedule here

Resources in 4 versions will be available on the blog and in an email to registrants beginning Monday, March 23. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know.

Will you help us spread the word on your social media? Thanks!

Join me in memorizing James 1! Find out how we can do it together. #HideHisWord

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Listen – 5 Ways to Shine at It

March 12, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 20 Comments

I hate long lines at Walmart. So when I saw Lane 5 had only one customer, I whipped over to unload my Pop Tarts, brown sugar, cheese slices.

I didn’t know a dreary day was about to sparkle because of it!

Because in Lane 5, the cashier was a star. Before I could unload the heavy things (dog food, Diet Cokes, Gatorades), there was Sandra at my side, scanning straight from my cart.

I complimented her on treating me like a princess. Sandra smiled and said we’re all sons and daughters of the King. She said, “I can’t control what will happen when you leave the store, but as long as you’re here in my line, you’ll get the royal treatment.”

What a bright light! Can we shine like that, too?

We’ve learned so far in our Philippians 2 study that to shine like a star, we stay united with other believers (Philippians 2:1-2), and we point outward to Christ, not to us (Philippians 2:3-5).

Today’s verses (Philippians 2:5-11) take it further. They tell us to give up.

That’s what Christ did. He emptied out. He humbled himself. He died to royalty to become one of us. So we could become one of His.

There are unlimited ways to practice this mind of Christ, but let’s take just one—it’s very simple, available daily, and totally accessible to each of us.

Talk less; listen more.

What a way to shine!

It’s a skill we’re losing in this age of fast communications. Tell me what you need to say in the least amount of characters possible. Send me a text. FB it. Tweet it. Just don’t call me or come over and make me listen for an hour when all I want to hear is a simple yes or no.

I confess this is hard, hard for me. I can quickly decline a phone call with only a minimally-guilty conscious. There are people I don’t want to listen to. It kills me when they call.

And maybe it should. When we die to self, we shine the brightest. Our relationships are resurrected. Christ is honored.

Listening to others is a practical form of dying to ourselves. Who needs your listening ear today?

Someone who isn’t being heard
Someone who is sick
Someone who is different than you
Someone who is needy
Someone who is angry
Someone who just loves to talk

Any faces come to mind? Are you groaning inside? I am.

Now that doesn’t mean you listen to your office mate complain for 30 minutes about her husband instead of doing your work. And if you only have 5 minutes to FaceTime before driving to get your child, you should only give 5 minutes. But give them full presence during it.

Listening also doesn’t equal approval of what is said or imply action will be taken. But until we listen, how will we know?

5 WAYS TO LISTEN BETTER

Show up
It takes action to put yourself in the presence of somebody else, whether in person or online. Listening is no passive exercise. Actively engage another human being.
Stay open
Don’t get defensive. Stay focused on hearing what the other person is saying, even when you want to tune out or argue back.
Be all there
Put down the phone. Turn away from the TV. Lay down the book. Listen with your eyes as well as your ears.
Ask questions
Being a good listener means inviting even more talking. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t understand. Will you tell me more?”
Let go
Maybe it is your turn to talk. You have a right to be heard, too, to be understood, to express your opinion. But don’t cling to your rights; sacrifice them when you can. Jesus did.

God always listens to us. Whenever, wherever, we decide to talk to Him, He’s all ears.

Wouldn’t it make Him happy if we’d extend the same grace to others? God loves it when we love each other. Such love brings honor to Him.

Give your total attention to that next person who wants to talk to you. To that call. To that message. Like Sandra my Walmart cashier said: We can’t control what happens to people outside our presence, but as long as they’re in our sight, let’s treat them special.

It’s a shiny way to love.

Talk less; listen more. What a way to love! 5 ways to shine at listening #ShineLikeStars

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How will you listen to the next person headed your way? 5 ways to listen better

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YOUR TURN
What type person do you struggle to listen to? Who needs you to hear them today? Who has listened well to you? We want to listen to YOUR stories in the comments.

Don’t despond; depend – Psalm 27:14 {Memory verse}

February 23, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 4 Comments

Saying it once wasn’t enough for David. He writes this message twice:

Wait for the LORD. . . . Wait for the LORD!

After 14 weeks in Psalm 27, we end with this strong message to be strong and draw courage not from our own strength, but from God’s.

Instead of despondency, choose dependency. Wait in confident expectation, for God will do good things.

Thanks to all who prayed and participated with us as we memorized this inspiring chapter. After this week, we’ll take a few weeks off, then begin again soon with another chapter of the Bible to hide in our hearts. We hope you’ll join us then!

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

Don’t choose despondency. Choose dependency. Memorize Psalm 27:14–our last verse! #HideHisWord

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Believe you’ll see it – Psalm 27:13 {Memory verse}

February 16, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

We know that heaven will be awesome. The full presence of the Lord will be so good. But what about here? What about now?

We may not always see His constant wonders with our eyes here, but we have seen some. And as long as we’re alive here, we will see more.

Believe it. Look for it. See it. The Lord is good.

Memorize Psalm 27:13 with us this week as we anticipate discovering more of the Lord’s goodness.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Psalm 27:13

Look for it. See it. The Lord is good. Memorize Psalm 27:13 with us. #HideHisWord

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How to be brave

February 12, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 17 Comments

If you could substitute your fear today with love, how differently would you live?

I’ve seen it; you have too. The shy, in-the-background woman suddenly can keep quiet no longer. Someone she loves is threatened, and she has to speak up.

That’s what love can do to us.
It makes us brave.

The world can be a hard place. It often requires things of us and ways from us that we don’t feel equipped to give—time, energy, money.

And courage.

The world needs our courage.

It needs us to speak up for the powerless.
It needs us to create peace in chaotic places.
It needs us to love those who don’t love back.

I received a short supply of courage by nature. I’ve always wanted more. And now that I’m an adult, I’ve seen the need for more.

But there’s only one way my human tendencies toward worry and timidity can be overcome: By love.

Specifically, the love of God.

We need a safe home base because it can go bad for us out there. We can be betrayed, knocked down, and even have our physical life ended by other people or circumstances. It’s the risk we take when we choose to step out in love.

It’s the risk Jesus took when He loved. Look where it got Him: He was betrayed, knocked down, and even allowed His life to be snuffed out.

But because Love is always stronger, He arose. And because His love now lives in us, we, too, can rise up to be brave.

God’s love is the only unshakable foundation that can’t be moved. No one can take away our safe place in God. Only through Him can we be truly brave. To go. To do. To love. Even to die.

Because we are loved, we can look reality eye-to-eye and keep moving forward.
Because we are loved, we can take chances to love others who are hard to love.
Because we are loved, we can give ourselves away trusting God will replenish us.

To err on the side of love is the brave thing to do. In God’s love, we are safe.

Stay in His love today and do the next thing He’s calling you to do. Even if you have knocking knees, a fast-beating heart, and a mind that says, “I’m scared!”.

Fear says, “What if . . . ?”
Love says, “What can be . . . ?”

His love is bigger than our fear. May He make us brave.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! . . . The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:1,6

What do you need courage for today? Let’s talk in the comments.

Click here if you can’t see the song video “You Make Me Brave”

Click here for the backstory of “You Make Me Brave”

The world needs your courage. God’s love is bigger than your fear. “How to be brave”

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When they huff and puff – Psalm 27:12 {Memory verse}

February 9, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

We’re memorizing Psalm 27:12 this week. It’ll remind you of Psalm 27:2 that we memorized earlier about our adversaries and foes.

Whatever “false witnesses” rise up against you this week in real life or just in your spirit (I’m not good enough; this is too much for me; no one really cares about me; etc.), ask God for His help against them.

Your adversaries can huff and they can puff, but they can’t blow your house down. Be confident of this (Psalm 27:3). You live in the house of the Lord, every day, all day (Psalm 27:4). He always takes you in (Psalm 27:10).

Re-read all the verses we’ve learned so far in Psalm 27, and look ahead to the remaining two verses. See how they all are coming together and be encouraged!

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
Psalm 27:12

The lies can huff and puff, but they can’t blow your house down. Ps 27:12 #HideHisWord

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A prayer for level paths – Psalm 27:11 {Memory verse}

February 2, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 4 Comments

As you read and memorize in Psalm 27 this week, pay special attention to David’s prayer in verse 11. May you make it your own.

Lord,
Let your guidance flow through me like water down a well-worn path. There are stumbling blocks on either side of me. Steady my feet to stay level on this course, giving no reason for any to gloat over a slip-up.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Psalm 27:11

Pray like David for level paths this week. Psalm 27:11 #HideHisWord

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Who has your back? – Psalm 27:10 {Memory verse}

January 26, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

Even though I was in my 40s, when my father died in February 2010 and my mother followed in September 2010, I still felt orphaned.

I had been blessed to have had both a wonderful (albeit imperfect) father and mother. Yet even in the most natural of circumstances, diseases beyond their control, I still felt an unnatural sense of being forsaken, left alone in the world.

What did David mean in Psalm 27:10 about his parents forsaking him? We have no record of his parents turning their back on him.

Regardless, we all know this: Even on our best days, other humans will let us down. Intentionally or otherwise. That’s a surety.

But God? He will never turn His back on us when we run to Him. He will always receive us with open arms.

May we turn to Him over and over this week as we meditate on the words of Psalm 27:10.

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
Psalm 27:10

Who always has your back? This One. Psalm 27:10 #HideHisWord

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4 things to ask God – Psalm 27:9 {Memory verse}

January 19, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

David asks God for four things here:

Don’t hide
Don’t turn away
Don’t throw me out
Don’t abandon me

Although each thing means something slightly different, the pleading as a whole is this:

I need to be in Your presence, Lord. You’ve helped me before; don’t stop now. Finish what You’ve started in me. I have no hope but You.

As you meditate and/or memorize Psalm 27:9 this week, take delight in knowing that the Lord loves hearing your prayers of dependence on Him because He is capable, willing, and eager to answer you with grace.

Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
Psalm 27:9

Ask God for these 4 things. David did. Psalm 27:9 #HideHisWord

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