Share Your Tips to Help Children Abide in the Word {Link Up}

May 15, 2013 by Patti Brown 4 Comments

We hope you’ve had a chance to read the posts we’ve shared so far in our series about children and the Word…

For parents of teenagers: 5 Guidelines for Helping Your Teenager Abide in the Word
For grandmothers: 4 Ways to be Like Nana Lois

We have more great posts lined up for you, but today we’d like to ask for your ideas! How do you help the children in your life faithfully abide in God’s Word?

Please add your post to our link-up, which will be open through May 30, 2013. You can add as many posts as you’d like that pertain to the topic, and they don’t have to be recent. God’s Word is timeless! If you don’t have a blog, just leave your suggestions in the comments. We love to hear from you!

Have you had a chance to fill out our reader survey? Today (May 15) is the last day! We want to know how we can serve you. And as our gift to you for completing the survey, you will receive a discount on Quench Bible Ministries products. We appreciate you!

Let the Children Come

May 2, 2013 by Patti Brown 3 Comments

Knowing God’s Word can be just as life-changing for children as it is for adults.

Jesus was very clear that children are important to Him:

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. Mathew 19:14

The scriptures exhort parents to be diligent about teaching their children God’s commandments:

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Most of us, whether parents or not, have children in our lives. Children should be as important to us as they are to Jesus.

This month at Do Not Depart we will be exploring different ways to encourage children to abide. How can each of us help the young people in our lives grow in their pursuit of Christ in His Word?

And watch for a link up coming later this month, where you can share your ideas for helping children stay in the Word!

Have you had a chance to fill out our reader survey? We want to know how we can serve you! And as our gift to you for completing the survey, you will receive a discount on Quench Bible Ministries products. We appreciate you!

Why Should I Surrender to God?

April 23, 2013 by Patti Brown 6 Comments

Love your enemies.

It is not the first thing that comes to mind when I am in a trying situation.

God’s Word is filled with challenging commands and nonintuitive expectations. Can anyone say “With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves?” (Phil 2:3) Ouch.

A vibrant walk with God only comes through a laying down of my fleshly response, a surrender of my will. I am not held hostage by God… I choose. Surrender is an act that by definition must be initiated on my side.

And every day I catch myself resisting. I resist because I want control. Even if it is an unconscious resistance, there it is. Every day I fight an internal battle over who will be Lord of my life.

Safe Surrender

When my qualifications are placed next to the Creator’s, you can imagine who looks more suited for the job of Lord. It is the very character of God, and what He has done for me, that compel me to lay it all down.

God is Good

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8

I can safely surrender my will to God because God is good. And He does good. His love is forever! Jesus is the good shepherd Who laid down His life for His sheep… for you and for me. (1)

God is Trustworthy

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

God will not abandon me. I can trust Him! He has a plan for my life, and it is a good one. He even created good works in advance for me to do. (2)

I am Not My Own

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8

I am His. The work of His hands. His adopted child. My very body houses the Holy Spirit. I am a vessel created by God, to be filled by Him. I am not my own. It’s really that simple. (3)

I Have Been Redeemed by the Blood of Christ

… you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:18-19

God created His children to love and obey Him, yet we embrace sin. And still He pursues us. God sent His son Jesus Christ to die a criminals’ death in our stead. For all the disobedience and pain we live out, Jesus shed His blood. We have been redeemed. We have been purchased. The blood of the Lamb is the price that was paid for God’s fleeing bride, the church. (4)

It All Comes Down to Who He Is

In the end, I weigh my options. Do I surrender to the all-powerful, good, trustworthy Lord of the Universe? Or do I surrender to my own whim and passions?

As hard as it can sometimes be to walk in obedience to God and His Word, the fact is that I am a lousy director of my own life. God has never failed me, but I fail myself every single day. God doesn’t change! (Malachi 3:6)

So when I face a difficult person, I know that if I choose to surrender my desire to speak angrily, to surrender standing my ground, God will bless my obedience. I still have to deal with my emotions, and there’s nothing magical that makes life suddenly easy. But when I lay my very self down as an offering, God heaps blessing upon blessing on me.

God’s pleasure when I choose to obey by surrendering to His will and His Word, because of Who He is, results in the gift of a joy that fills me up to overflowing.

Do you have a favorite verse about the character of God that gives you strength to surrender to His will? Share in the comments!

(1) 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 119:68, John 10:11
(2) Psalm 9:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 26:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10
(3) Isaiah 64:8, Galatians 4:7, Ephesians 1:5, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 3:19
(4) John 14:15, 1 John 2:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19

photo credit

Passover’s Path to the Resurrection

March 26, 2013 by Patti Brown 3 Comments

The Old Testament is replete with prophecies of the coming Messiah… prophecies that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled. A powerful example of this is the Passover.

Passover – The Back Story

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years when God chose Moses to lead them out of captivity. But getting out of Egypt wasn’t going to be easy. Despite God inflicting many plagues on the Epyptians, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go.

It was the tenth plague that finally did it. God declared that he would kill every firstborn son if Pharaoh did not change his mind. God provided a special means of protection for His people, the Israelites, from that terrifying tenth plague.

In Exodus 12, God commanded the Israelites in great detail how to mark themselves as His, so that the angel of death would pass over their homes and not kill their firstborn sons. Before this passing over even happened, God also commanded them to observe a memorial Passover feast annually.

Passover Prophecy

In the first Passover, as well as in traditions that have developed in the annual observance of the Passover feast, there is clear prophecy and symbolism foreshadowing the death and resurrection of Christ.

Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

The Israelites were required to choose one unblemished yearling lamb per household. After sacrificing the lamb, they spread its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their homes, signifying a covering of protection from death. Jesus Christ, who was without sin, was the unblemished lamb slain on our behalf. It is His blood on the doorposts of our hearts that provides a covering from eternal death. (Exodus 12:5, Exodus 12:7, Exodus 12:13, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 1:7)

The lambs’ bones were not to be broken. Nor were Jesus’ bones broken when He was slain (Exodus 12:46, John 19:33).

Passover – The Feast

Jesus Himself celebrated a Passover meal the night before His crucifixion, telling His disciples “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15)

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:19-20

Even in the modern Passover Seder meal, celebrated by Jews around the world, there remains symbolism that points to Jesus Christ. If you’d like to explore more, these sites detail the Messianic significance of the Passover Seder:

Christ in the Passover from Jewish Roots
How the Passover Reveals Jesus Christ from Evidence for God
Messiah in the Passover from Remnant.net
He Who is Coming – the Hidden Afikomen from Hebrew Streams (fascinating discussion of the Messianic meaning behind the still-practiced tradition of hiding a broken matzoh at the Seder meal)
For an engrossing, contemporary look at Passover, read through these letters from a Messianic Jew living in modern day Israel.

Our printable Passover Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus details a few of the ways Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection embodied the ultimate Passover.

Passover Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus - DoNotDepart.com — Click here to download *Passover Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus*

Is there a Messianic prophecy that speaks especially to your heart?
Have you ever experienced a Passover Seder meal? Did you notice any Messianic symbolism?
Share in the comments.

Two Are Better Than One – The Importance of Developing Godly Friendships {created for community}

February 26, 2013 by Patti Brown 7 Comments

We’ve been talking this month about community. There is evidence in scripture of many levels of community in which we can participate and serve:

the world (John 3:16)
a local fellowship of believers (Luke 10:1-2)
a smaller group (Matthew 20:17)

But what about that very personal level? What about intimate friend relationships with two or three other believers?

Close Friendship in Scripture

There are a number of examples of close relationships in the bible:

Moses and Aaron – Exodus 4:13-15
David and Jonathan – 1 Samuel 23:16-17
Jesus spent extra time with Peter, James and John – Mark 5:47 (healing Jairus’ daughter), Matthew 17:1 (the transfiguration), Mathew 26:37 (Garden of Gethsemane)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says:

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Two friends make a threefold cord? I believe it is because God is the third part of that strong relationship.

Why is Close Friendship Important for Believers?

Time spent one on one allows us to go deeper as we grow toward Christ. There is freedom for a higher level of vulnerability than that which is usually comfortable in a group, even in a small group such as a bible study.

Close friends can help hold you accountable and encourage you. They will also be more aware of and able to help when practical needs arise in your life. They will pray for you.

Ways to Grow in Godly Friendship

meet together – make time just to be together. Encourage one another in the journey of life. (Romans 1:12, Hebrews 3:13)
eat together – I just love it that Jesus cooked up breakfast for a few of the disciples! Share a meal with a friend. (John 21:12)
serve together – encourage one another to live a life of service; serve each other; even go out and serve together! (Hebrews 10:24)
study together – a precious way for God-given friends to grow together is by studying His Word together. Each of us has a unique perspective to share (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Proverbs 27:17)
pray together – spend time in regular prayer with your close friend. In this age of technology distance is no obstacle. I meet weekly over skype to pray with a dear friend who lives 3000 miles away! (Matthew 18:19-20)

Do you have this kind of relationship? Nurture it. Set time aside. Make time.

What if I Don’t Have a Close Friend?

But what if you don’t have any close friends right now? Just as God seeks us out, it is okay for you to seek out friends. You can initiate a friendship!

Think for a moment…. whom have you met that you just “click” with? Pray and ask the Lord to show you one or more people to make a point of growing in relationship with. Seek out believers who can nurture you on your faith journey. This sort of relationship should be with someone of the same sex; a close relationship with someone of the opposite sex should be limited to your spouse.

It is worth the effort to develop godly friendships for mutual encouragement and blessing as you grow in Christ!

How have you found and nurtured close friendships within the body of Christ?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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Created for Community

February 5, 2013 by Patti Brown 8 Comments

God did not intend for us to live in isolation.

From the dawn of creation, from the moment He said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18), humans have lived in community. Yet despite the clamor of modern life, many believers do experience isolation, bereft of true community.

Scripture is full of references to godly community. Among other things, we are to

meet together (Hebrews 10:24-25)
eat together (Acts 2:42-47)
help one another (Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 17:17, Romans 12:13)
be unified (Psalm 133:1, Ephesians 4:1-6)
find Christ in the midst of community (Matthew 18:20)

This month at Do Not Depart we will explore the ins and outs of Christian community. Why does God call us into community? How can we find Christian communities? What should those communities look like? What do we do when challenges arise within communities?

We want to encourage you to be a vibrant part of a community of believers, because you were created for it!

Do you belong to a community of believers? What blessings have you found as a result of committing to community? Please comment to join the discussion!

Serving Others – A Spiritual Discipline

January 29, 2013 by Patti Brown 10 Comments

It was the middle of a hot summer afternoon. I was a young mama helping out at my first noisy Vacation Bible School. The church was now quiet, except for the occasional sound of my six year old playing near his napping baby sister.

I was sweeping. Sweeping a big mess. Leaning on the broom I looked at the work still be to be done and felt very very tired. And a wee bit grouchy. After all, was I the only person in the universe who could do this? Why had everyone left such a disaster? Why did I have to clean up? I hadn’t volunteered to be the janitor!

As my scowl deepened the Lord whispered to my spirit and I was ashamed. “Sweep for Me,” I felt in my heart. So I took up that broom again and swept as an offering of love to my God. And as I swept the floor, the Lord swept the ugliness out of my heart and mind and replaced it with joy in serving Him.

Jesus’ example of servant leadership

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:3-5

We serve others because Jesus did. Every single thing Jesus did on earth was in service to the Father and in turn to us.

Jesus commanded us to serve

Jesus said “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
Mark 12:32

Did you know that the Greek word for love in this verse is in the active tense? Jesus wasn’t talking about feeling warm and fuzzy about your neighbor. Service is love in action.

We were created to serve

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

God has prepared good works for each of us. There is a plan! The gifts God has given you He desires to use for the kingdom.

Serving others serves Jesus

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:35-40

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:35

We are Jesus’ hands and feet here on earth. When we see need and meet it, we are doing His good work, and serving Him.

Service is a necessary fruit of our faith

Serving does not earn our salvation:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8

But serving is a fruit of our new life in Christ. Our love for Him opens our eyes in love to the needs around us. Serving gives life to our faith:

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 2:26

True service does not seek selfish rewards

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-4

It is a fact that serving the Lord brings much joy. But we really do have to ask ourselves – am I serving to gain reward from God or from humans?

Be mindful of your motivation to serve in a given situation. Is it really to glorify God, or is it to glorify yourself? I am throwing no stones in asking this question. On more than one occasion God has shown me that my heart was not right in my reasons for choosing certain areas of serving.

Service is a spiritual discipline

Service is a spiritual discipline because we are all selfish. Humans aren’t born thinking of others before themselves. But as we grow in faith and practice service, more and more it becomes second-nature and a way of life. Our desire to serve grows as we become more molded to Christ’s image.

Have you found service to be an area in which the Lord has grown you? How do you discern if your motivation to serve is godly or selfish? Join the conversation in the comments.

Title photo source and copyright: 123RF Stock Photos

For to Us a Child is Born…

December 24, 2012 by Patti Brown 3 Comments

May you know the depth of His love for you this Christmas…

… and every day.

Merry Christmas from the Do Not Depart team –

Caroline, Julie, Kathy, Katie, Lisa, Patti, Sandra and Teri Lynne.

Throw A Birthday Party for Jesus!
Helping Children Find the Word in Christmas

December 4, 2012 by Patti Brown 7 Comments

With so much focus on gift-buying, special events and the many other distractions filling December, even faithful believers can struggle to keep their focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Children are especially caught up by these distractions. The glittery appeal of endless colorful boxes under the tree can give rise to a greed and focus that can be alarming to a mother!

When our oldest was a toddler, I realized how confusing Christmas must be to a little person. I would refer to Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, but unlike every other birthday we’d celebrate, on this birthday the focus seemed to be on giving gifts to everyone but the birthday boy!

Host a Birthday Party for Jesus

We have done a number of things in our own family to refocus our attention on Jesus at this time, and in the past several years we have also been throwing a birthday party for Jesus!

This is a great outreach opportunity. Hold the party in your home and invite the neighborhood kids. Or have it at church and reach out to the children who live in the area. You can make it a joint effort between multiple families and share the responsibilities.

Birthday parties usually have three components: activities, gifts and food. You can weave scripture in and throughout your celebration in all of these areas.

Activities at Jesus’ Birthday Party

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:21-22

Put on a play

We usually start out our birthday party with a nativity play. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. One year our daughter wrote up a whole play, complete with original musical numbers, and practiced for days with her friends!

A far simpler option is to read the story of Jesus’ birth right from your bible, and have the children act it out as you do. You will find the narrative in Luke 1:26-2:20.

Provide simple costumes. You may find that the children get so excited about this you end up reading through the story multiple times, so that everyone has a chance to participate. More Word of God falling on little ears is a wonderful thing to say yes to!

Sing

We usually incorporate singing into the play, but you could also do it at a separate time. “Angels We have Heard on High” and “Silent Night” work well with the story and are widely known. You might want to print lyrics for the grown ups and older children.

Make crafts

There are countless Christian Christmas craft ideas online! Choose crafts that incorporate scripture. Or show how the craft symbolizes an important scriptural truth by making little signs with the related scripture to put on the craft table. My gifted friend Becky brought these one year:

Gifts at Jesus’ Birthday Party

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. – Matthew 25:40

I like to take a two-fold approach to gifts at Jesus’ birthday party – heart gifts and physical gifts.

Heart Gifts

Set up a small tabletop Christmas tree. Underneath place a wrapped box with a slit cut in the top, or a shoebox with the lid wrapped separately. Put slips of paper next to the box, along with pencils or crayons. Each child can come up to the tree, write down things they have done for Jesus recently, and slip the paper in the box. It is helpful to have an adult nearby to help with this, as not all children are comfortable writers.

If the children have trouble thinking of something, ask them “How did you show love to someone?” and remind them that when we do things for others, we are also doing them for Jesus (Matthew 25:40). Sharing, doing someone else’s chore, speaking encouraging words, obeying, giving hugs… these are all ways that children honor Jesus.

Physical Gifts

When we invite the children, we ask them to bring toiletries or non-perishable food to the party. Afterwards we bring the donations to our local food pantry.

You could also ask the children to bring baby items (diapers are always needed) that later you bring to a women’s shelter or pregnancy resource center

Food at Jesus’ Birthday Party

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

We do allow our children to celebrate and eat special treats, but the fact is that little bodies do better if they are able to get a something nourishing in them before they get filled with sugar. To that end, set out a table of fruits, veggies, cheese and crackers. You can also provide lunch if you hold the party in the middle of the day.

Of course no birthday party is complete without birthday cake!

We usually just make a simple cake or cupcakes. You could also provide plain cupcakes, frosting and decorations and allow the children to decorate their own at the party.

If you want to be more elaborate, you can create a cake that has Christian symbolism. Mary Rice Hopkins and Leslie Ratliffe created instructions for a special Jesus Birthday Cake that includes scripture readings.

We all sing a loud happy birthday to Jesus, but we don’t use candles. It’s safer and simpler to avoid candles with a large crowd of little children who all want to be the one to blow them out!

Live the Joy of the Lord!

As we try to keep our focus on Jesus this December, and help our children to do so as well, let’s also keep our hearts light and have fun celebrating the amazing gift we have been given! Little eyes and ears are watching!

Our readers have wonderful ideas! Please share your suggestions for keeping kids’ hearts focused on Jesus and His Word as we anticipate Christmas! Leave a comment here.

Thankful for the Word of God

November 27, 2012 by Patti Brown 11 Comments

I was a young adult and I was afraid.

Depressed and overwhelmed by a frightening world, I thought I believed in God but I didn’t really know who He was.

Then mercy fell. I began to read my bible. Not just read it but study it. Mature believers came alongside and taught me how to read God’s Word as more than a bunch of stories and rules. I feasted on the Word!

And it changed me. It was in the Word of God that I was really introduced to Jesus.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

There are so many reasons to be thankful for the scriptures… the Word of God. Today I am sharing just a few of the reasons I am thankful that God gave us His Word.

God’s Word is trustworthy

People fail us. People deceive.

But God’s word is truth… we can rely on it.

And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 2 Samuel 7:28

Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

God’s Word is alive

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I often find myself reading a passage of scripture which directly addresses a situation with which I am struggling right at that moment. A few years later I can read that same passage and find a nuance I had missed that is perfect for my new struggle.

The scriptures are not dead, but living and dynamic, and applicable to every aspect of our lives, now and always.

And Jesus Himself is the Word made flesh, made alive!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

God’s Word is powerful

God’s Word has a power that is supernatural. It is the Sword of the Spirit, the only offensive piece of our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-17).

…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… Ephesians 6:17

In fact, when Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), He responded to Satan with scripture. The Word of God is sufficient to thwart the enemy.

God speaks to us through His Word

We speak to God when we pray to Him, and He speaks to us through His Word.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Prayer is not a one-sided conversation. We can find God’s will for our lives right in the pages of our bibles.

God’s Word changes lives

I could write a book on the ways my life today is different from my life twenty years ago. And the single biggest change is that I began reading the Word of God and trying to live my life according to it.

It is God who is the power behind that, it is He who has given me the ability to change. But it was through His Word that I understood the need for the change, and discovered the direction I was to go.

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

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. 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. 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 1:21-25

This is not passive. Just reading the Word will have an impact, but the real change comes when we are not just hearers but doers.

My daughter recently asked me how she could become a good mother. My advice to her? Grow in a godliness, and stay in the Word!

Would you share with us why you are thankful for God’s Word? How has reading and living according to His Word changed you? Please leave a comment.

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Thanksgiving in the Word: For What Should We Give Thanks?

November 1, 2012 by Patti Brown 5 Comments

Each November in the United States we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time when family and friends gather together to enjoy one another, to share a meal, and ostensibly to reflect on the things for which we are thankful.

It is easy to talk of being thankful for the people we love and the things we have. But the scriptures paint a picture of a gratitude that goes far deeper than the superficial thanks many give as they prepare to carve a turkey.

Throughout this month the Do Not Depart team will take a look at what God’s Word has to say about true thanks-giving. For what does God ask us to give thanks? How can we be thankful in all circumstances? Is it even possible to be thankful for suffering?

There are many scriptures about giving thanks. What is your favorite verse? Please share in the comments.

I Am Adopted: My Forever Family

October 23, 2012 by Patti Brown 2 Comments

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows

is God in his holy habitation.

God settles the solitary in a home;

Psalm 68:5-6a

Father to the Fatherless

More than ever before, in this society of broken marriages and single mothers, we are a nation of the fatherless.

In 2009 Unicef estimated that there are over two million orphans in the United States alone. Over two million orphans.

They are waiting. In foster homes, in orphanages. Waiting.

Waiting for fathers.

“A lot of times kids in adoptive situations know their mom, and have a connection, but sometimes dads are more elusive… God being a Father to the Fatherless means so much in filling the gaps of the father they never had. Being the strong rock in their life, the foundation to build on, and (a) male figure they can rely on as they seek relationship with Him.” – Brittany, adoptive mother

Yet even those with fathers physically present in their lives may have wounds. Our earthly fathers are sinners too.

As adopted children of God, we know that He is our perfect Father, with only our best interests at heart, disciplining us when needed, but ever forgiving, always loving.

God cares about family

Orphans have a need for forever families which was put there by God Himself. It’s a need that we all have. To belong and be loved; to be part of a family.

God knows that we don’t do well alone (Genesis 2:18, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

You and I, adopted into the family of God, have found our forever family. We are Jesus’ brothers and sisters (Matt 12:50). We are now in a household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

When we choose Christ, God sets us in a new family, of which He is the perfect head.

God sets the example for us

…just as the Good Shepherd longs to see the return of just one who is lost, He desires to see the solitary and lonely in their own “flock” with those who will love and care for them. – Christina, adoptee and adoptive mother

I have seen the passion of adoptive parents. The desire they have to bring the children they know God has prepared for them into their forever families becomes a mission.

That passion is but a small reflection of the passion the Lord has for orphans.

You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. Exodus 22:22

He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18

Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17

Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these, you did it unto Me. Matthew 25: 45

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

As people made in His image, we are to imitate our Heavenly Father. This passionate adoptive mom says it well:

“This passage doesn’t simply give an example of God’s “character” if you will, but it is God leading by example…doing first what He expects His people, His church to do. It gives us a concise “road-map” to follow as to how we are to care for widows and orphans. We are not to just sit in the pews and talk about caring for them. We have to go into the places where they are, which are Holy to God. We have to actively seek them out, just as He does. We have to meet them at the point of their need and lead them to God, who can meet each and every need they have. In doing so, they are part of a family of believers and are no longer alone.” – Christina, adoptee and adoptive mom

As adopted children of God, we are no longer fatherless! He is the head of our forever family of brothers and sisters in Christ. And like Him, we must go into the world, serving the hurt and lonely, bringing them into our earthly and heavenly families to share in our eternal inheritance in Christ.

They are waiting.

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How much does God care about each and every one of his children?
Watch this precious video of one family’s journey into each other’s arms.
Take special note of the expressions on Mikhail’s little face. And get your kleenex!
(shared with permission)

If you can’t see this email in your feed click here.
A happy footnote: Mikhail (now 8) and his parents are flying to Russia soon to pick up Lukas, Mikhail’s new forever brother!

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What about you? What are your thoughts about being a member of a forever family in Christ and serving the orphans of the world? Share here.

photo credit

Letting Go of Me and Clinging to God
{Unshakeable Faith Week 3}

October 5, 2012 by Patti Brown 10 Comments

Our third week of the Unshakeable Faith study centered on submitting to God. Giving ourselves over to His perfect will is an essential choice if we desire to stand firm on the Rock.

Like Peter, it sometimes takes me a while to get things through my thick skull! I have to flounder along and make an idiot of myself as I try to do it all my way. Thankfully, our Lord is merciful!

This week He showed me several areas in my life that I am still trying to keep control of. Still not handing over to Him. Ouch.

One of the means God often uses to help me along the road to submission is to take me out of my comfort zone. As it turns out, recording a vlog is way out of my comfort zone! But God is good all the time, and in the midst of breezes and fluttering papers and a kitty who desperately wanted to walk across the laptop, I was able to share my heart.

Grab a cup of tea and join me on our homestead…

If you are reading this post in an email you may need to click through to see the vlog.

I share in the vlog a bit about our journey to our homestead; if you’d like you can read more of the story of God’s work in our lives to bring us home.

And below is that GPS I talked about in the video…. :-) It’s all about your perspective, isn’t it?

What about you? Did this week’s study show you something in your life that you’ve not yet handed over to God? Do you struggle with giving up control? Join the conversation here.

Bible Notebook: Word Study

September 25, 2012 by Patti Brown 2 Comments

Have you ever been reading along in your bible when a word seems to leap off the page at you? Perhaps you’ve noticed a theme in your life and suddenly the topic is everywhere, including your bible.

Or maybe you feel the Lord has shown you a word to focus on for a season. Some people like to choose a word at the beginning of the year, to inspire them to change or growth. Communities have even arisen around this concept.

If God created the world with words (“And God said…”), and if Jesus is the Word (John 1:1), then it goes without saying that words matter!

When a word becomes particularly meaningful to me, I like to make lists of scriptures that include that word.

Doing word studies and making scripture lists has been one of the more fruitful exercises I have undertaken in studying the bible. I enjoy digging into the original meaning of the words, but I also like to see different instances of the word side by side.

Perhaps you might like to try this exercise as well. We’ve created a free printable Scripture Word Sheet for you to add to your bible study notebook! There is space for each scripture reference, as well as a place underneath to write out the verse. If you enjoy researching, you’ll also find an area to note the original Greek or Hebrew word and its meaning.

To download this free printable pdf, just click on the picture above. We’d love to hear what you are learning in your word study! Please share with us in the comments.

His Word When You Need Comfort

August 28, 2012 by Patti Brown 5 Comments

It is a great privilege to pray for others. I am blessed to daily receive prayer requests, and lift them before our Holy God.

Sometimes they are simple, daily needs. Recently the prayer needs have felt heavy. Tragic deaths, miscarriage, homelessness, unemployment, debilitating illness, robbery… not stories in the paper, but events touching people I know, even my own family.

I kneel before God in supplication, begging for His mercies on each soul affected.

And I ask Him to bring comfort.

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God’s Word is filled with comfort for us in our suffering.

David knew this:

Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. (nasb)

We do not have to hide our pain from God.

Psalm 25:16-18 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

Psalm 31:9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties upon Him, because He cares for you.

He knows our suffering, He hears and responds when we call to Him:

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

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.

John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

And He promises comfort:

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 49:13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Not only does God respond to our distress and bring comfort, we can be encouraged knowing that through Him our suffering bears fruit:

HIS GLORY

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

GUIDANCE

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

PEACE

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

REST

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

MINISTRY

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

HEALING

Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

JOY

Jeremiah 31:13 …I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Psalm 30:5 …Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (akjv)

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We persevere in bringing our needs, and those of others, before the Lord, and we are assured of His comfort.

If you are suffering today, and one of these verses spoke deeply to your heart, may I suggest you pray about memorizing it? Hiding His Word in your heart will bring hope in dark moments. The Lord will bring His Words to mind when you most need them. They are His love letter to you.

Have you experienced His comfort? Which of these verses speaks to your heart today? Click here to leave a comment.

photo credit

His Word When We Struggle

August 1, 2012 by Patti Brown 16 Comments

Natural disasters. Murders. Economic peril.

The news is filled with alarming reports.

But we don’t have to look past our own front doors to find pain, do we?

Since the moment we turned our backs on God, humans have been facing crisis and struggle every day.

Gesti di Pietra — photo :: Michele Ferrario

Before I was a bible-believing Christian, I had no idea how profoundly the Word addresses every possible suffering. God’s living Word speaks to each need, and brings us hope.

This month at Do Not Depart we will be sharing scriptures for when life is hard. For when we struggle with our circumstances… with others… with ourselves.

We pray you will be encouraged to remain in His Word when the going gets tough, and receive His life-giving hope.

Click here to see all posts from this series.