Do Not Depart

Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

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I Exalt Him Because He Redeems {Run to Him Psalm 34}

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David was on the run in 1 Samuel chapter 21. Jonathan had warned his friend that Saul was burning with anger and hot on David’s trail. Saul would not stop until David was dead. Each time Saul got close, God delivered David from harm. Our “Run to Him” study brings us to Psalm 34, where we find David literally running from Saul.

I’ve spent time this week running. I’m running our house. I’m running to and from school. I’m running to my son’s next therapy appointment. I’m running to church. I’m running down the to-do list. I’m running laundry downstairs and back up again. I’m running to catch-up with my husband so we can spend a few minutes together. Even though King Saul isn’t hot on my heels, some days it does feel like if I stop running, life will fall apart. When I read Psalm 34, I’m reminded that even in the middle of his running, David stopped and praised God.

He stopped and praised.

Do you need to stop and praise today? Right now in this moment?

Let’s look closer at how David praised God in this midst of his running.

  • David was specific in his praise. Some nights I sink into bed after a long day of running and all I can mutter is “Thank you God for this day.” But when I take time to really think back through the events of the day, I remember specific ways God showed me grace. In Psalm 34, David praised God for answering him and delivering him. What specific events or blessings can you thank God for today?
  • David invited others to praise God with him. He wrote, “magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (v. 3). He knew the power of praising God together.  At dinner with your family you can all share how God is blessing you. You can share your praises with your Sunday school class or small group. Continually point others to God and His grace.
  • David wanted to please God. Taking time to praise God also reminded David that he wanted to continue to obey God. Verse 14 says, “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” David was motivated to please God out of his love for Him. We can also learn from God’s Word how He wants us to act and react so we bring honor to Him.
  • David reminded himself and us that God is a refuge for the runner. He writes, “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in God” (v. 8) and “None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned” (v. 22).  You can rest from your running because He cares for you. He is your refuge.

Stop running. Take a moment to praise God. Share your praises with us in the comments! Let’s remind ourselves and each other of God’s grace and goodness.

Which Bible Translation Is Right for You?

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Last year I worked at a popular Christian bookstore chain. We were asked more questions about Bible translations than anything else.

“What are the differences in all these translations?”

“Why are there so many different Bibles?”

“How do I know which one to get?”

Here’s the basic information about different Bible translations and how to choose the best one for you!

The types of Bible translations are referred to as “word-for-word” and “thought-for-thought.” Word-for-word translations try to remain as close as possible to the early manuscripts. Thought-for-thought translations seek to communicate the original thoughts of the biblical writers.

Here are the most popular versions on a scale, beginning with word-for-word, and moving to thought-for-thought:

Word-for-word

  • New American Standard Bible
  • English Standard Version
  • King James Version
  • New King James Version
  • Holman Christian Standard Bible
  • New International Version
  • God’s Word Translation
  • New Living Translation

Thought-for-thought

(The Message is a paraphrase version of the Bible, not a translation.)

When choosing which translation of Bible is right for you, consider these questions,

  • Will I be using this Bible for devotional reading? If so, you may want an easier to read, thought-for-thought translation.
  • Will I be using this Bible for inductive study? If so, you may want a word-for-word translation.
  • Will I be taking this Bible to church? If so, what version does your pastor use? You may want to get the same one so it’s easier to follow along.
  • Will I be using this Bible to teach others? If so, you may want to pick a popular translation so more people in your audience will have the same version.
  • Will I be using this Bible with my children or to teach children? If so, consider getting a translation that is easier for children to understand. (Two translations specifically for children are the New International Reader’s Version and the International Children’s Bible.)

Knowing what you will use your Bible for and understanding the types of Bible translations will help you choose the right Bible translation for you.

What’s your favorite Bible translation? Why do you like it?

Calling All Sinners!

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Levi was at work, sitting in his tax booth, when Jesus walked by and said, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14). The Bible says Levi rose and followed Him. Then Jesus went to Levi’s house and many “tax collectors and sinner” were there, along with Jesus’ disciples. The scribes and Pharisees observed the scene and asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard them and answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

I think of Jesus’ words when I feel like I’ve done too much to ask for His forgiveness again.

I think of Jesus’ words when I think I’m not good enough.

I think of Jesus’ words when I want to give-up on praying for someone else to come to know Him.

Jesus loves sinners. He loves that moment you realize you are a sinner for the first time. That’s why He came—to call you into a relationship with Him that’s not based on your resume of good works, but your need for Him.

Jesus loves you even as you continue to sin. As you wrestle and struggle and try to do better, He continues to call you to Himself. He provides forgiveness and He also provides rest. In this passage in Luke, Jesus is hanging out, caring for the sinners and tax collectors. They are comfortable in His presence because they can feel His love for them. He loves them enough to call them to turn from their sin and follow Him, as He called Levi to do.

Jesus came to save sinners. Praise Him today for your salvation and for the continued process of sanctification in your life. Pray for those who still believe they are well and don’t have need for a physician.

Christ in Old Testament Prophecy

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Remember counting down the days until Christmas when you were a child? The anticipation? There were signs Christmas was coming: decorations, Christmas songs, and gifts showing up under the tree. Even if you were too young to find December 25th on the calendar, you knew when it was getting close.

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people were eagerly anticipating the coming Savior. Through the biblical writers, God gave clues to when the God-man would arrive. We now call those prophetic passages—they point to a time to come. Today, in our series on Christ in the Old Testament, we’re going to look at a few of these passages.

The first mention of a Savior comes in Genesis 3:15, what we refer to as the protoevangelium, or first announcement of the gospel. In giving the curse, God says to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). The New Testament tells us Christ overcame Satan, just as this passage predicted (see Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; 1 Cor. 15:24; Col. 2:15).

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Savoir, predicting many details about His birth, life, and death. Here are just a few:

  • Isaiah 7:14 says He will be born of a virgin (see fulfillment in Luke 1:26-31).
  • Isaiah 9:7 says He will be an heir to the throne of David (Luke 1:32, 33).
  • Isaiah 40:3-5 says He will have His way prepared (by John the Baptist, John 1:19-28).
  • Isaiah 53:1, 3 says He will be widely rejected (John 12: 37, 38).
  • Isaiah 53: 6, 8 says He will be our substitute (Romans 5:6, 8)
  • Isaiah 53:9 says He will be buried in a rich man’s tomb (Matthew 27:57).

The book of Psalms also foretold of events that happened hundreds of years later at the cross:

  • Jesus was crucified (Psalm 22:16; Matthew 26:56).
  • His garments were divided (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35).
  • He was given wine with gall (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34, 48).
  • He cried out from the cross (Psalm 22:1; Mark 15:34).
  • He had no broken bones (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33).

We can praise God today for fulfilling the promise He gave for a Savior! His Word points to Christ as the promised one, the spotless lamb, our redeemer. Thank God today, because He still fulfills His promises to us!

Primary source used: The Woman’s Study Bible

El Roi–The God Who Sees Me

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Have you ever felt like your problems weren’t actually your fault?

  • Someone else made a mistake at work, but you have to fix it.
  • Your husband wanted the new TV, but now you both have more credit card debt.
  • Your son told his teacher a lie, but you have to make it right with her.

Hagar had problems that weren’t her fault. She had obeyed her mistress Sarai and did what she was supposed to do. Now that Hagar was carrying Abram’s child, Sarai turned on her. She fled to the wilderness. The angel of the Lord met there. He told her she would bear a son and name him Ishmael, which means “God hears.”

Hagar responded, “So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me'” (Genesis 16:13).

She called Him El Roi, the God who sees me. She named her son Ishmael, God hears.

Friends, we don’t have a god who is distant, or busy, or hands-off. He sees. He hears. He knows. When you feel you are in the wilderness, when your problems aren’t even your fault, He sees.

I’m the middle child, and as you may know, we are often ignored (I’m sure if you’re the oldest or youngest, you disagree, but all the other middle children know it’s true). In my teenage-angst I often thought, “No one notices me. They don’t even care.” Even as an adult there are times I think, “No one really gets it. They don’t even care.”

Then I remember God sees. He sees everything—the struggles, the triumphs, the lows, the highs. God hears. He hears everything—the cries, the laughter, the whispers.

If you feel invisible, know that you aren’t. Like Hagar, praise God for seeing and hearing you today.

 

Jehovah-Shammah “The Lord Is There”

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We love the names of God because they are the promises of God. As we’ve seen this week, He is Jehovah Rophe, He heals–it is His name! He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, He is our righteousness–it is His name! His names equal His promises. One of the promises of God I cling to most often is represented by His name Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord Is There.”

  • In the hospital room, He is there.
  • Lifting up your voice in praise, He is there.
  • When your heart is breaking, He is there.
  • Opening your Bible and reading the Word, He is there.
  • At the funeral, He is there.
  • Laughing with friends, He is there.
  • Waiting for the test results, He is there.
  • When your daughter walks away, He is there.
  • Holding your husband’s hand, He is there.

“The Lord Is There” brings me comfort as I pray for the son we are adopting all the way in Ethiopia. Even though I can’t be there, The Lord Is There. What more could I want? The Father to the fatherless is with my son. He is there!

Psalm 46 describes The Lord Who Is There. He is our refuge and strength (v. 1). The Lord of Hosts is with us (vv. 7 and 11). And a verse most of us are familiar with, “Be still, and know that I am God.” The promise is also spoken by Jesus in the New Testament, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Where ever you are today, know that God is there. Where your husband is, God is there. Where your children are, God is there. God is there, across miles and even across years. Praise Him for being Jehovah-Shammah.

Her Reward

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my grandma's chair in her dining room

My grandma had five children, eighteen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. When she passed away two years ago, we traveled to our hometown to celebrate her life. We sat in the living room telling stories that brought both laughter and tears. We gathered in the kitchen where she so often stood, stirring gravy for chicken fried steak or whipping cream for chocolate pie. We walked around her yard where she had spent hours picking pears, growing roses, and watching birds.

Her marriage of over sixty years, her still growing family, her beautiful home, her ministry at the church, her volunteer hours as the hospital… they were all evidence of a life well lived. In my mind, there is no closer likeness to the Proverbs 31 woman than my own grandmother.

Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31

Like Mrs. P31, my grandma was rewarded for her years of faithful service to God and the responsibilities He gave her. Her life was neither easy nor perfect, but she had set her mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2), and was therefore able to find joy even in all circumstances.

How can we, like Mrs. P31 and my grandmother, enjoy the fruit of our hands and be praised in the gates? I think it comes down to one simple principle–be faithful. Be faithful to God, faithful to your husband, faithful to your children and their children. Be faithful to your church family, to the job where God has placed you, and to your community. Whatever God has called you to do, be faithful in that.

It’s not as easy as it sounds! In fact, it’s impossible. Jesus says in John 15:5, “…apart from me you can do nothing.” Without His help we won’t be able to do all that we have learned in the last weeks that Mrs. P31 did. But God is faithful. When we cry out to Him for help, support, grace, forgiveness, and wisdom He gives generously!

I want to be rewarded with the fruit of my hands, I want my works praised in the gates, but above all I want to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Ask God today to help you live a faithful life. Praise Him for giving you good gifts so generously, to help you live the life He has called you to live!

Giving a Hand

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Mrs. P31 not only looks after her family, she also takes care of others.  Proverbs 31:20 says, “She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the  needy.” We talked recently about how God’s heart breaks for those in need and how He uses us to bless them. This verse in Proverbs 31 speaks directly about the poor, but what would happen if we really opened our eyes to those around us who are in need?

Ruth Graham wrote a book entitled In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart. Her premise was that we can’t tell just by looking at each other in our “Sunday best” how hard someone’s life may be. I think of this each Sunday when I look around our sanctuary. I try to think about it each time I leave the house. There are broken, needy people all around us. Many just need a helping hand to give them the encouragement they need.

The Proverbs 31 woman knew that by giving a little of herself to someone else, she could make a big difference in that person’s life. Here are ten ways we can give a hand to someone in need this week:

image via Microsoft
  1. Hold babies in the church nursery.
  2. Write a letter to a friend.
  3. Help another customer at the grocery store pick-up something she dropped.
  4. Bake cookies to share.
  5. Take a friend’s kids to the park and push them on the swings.
  6. Loan a book that had a real impact on your life to someone else who may enjoy it.
  7. Visit a neighbor and take her a pumpkin or mum to decorate her home for fall.
  8. Comment on a blog post that really speaks to you and pass on the link.
  9. Gather up clothes your family has outgrown and pass them on to someone in need.
  10. Ask your waiter if he has any prayer requests and lift him up as you pray for your meal out.

Take time to pray for those you come in contact with this week. Ask God to open your eyes to their needs, big or small. Be sensitive to the Spirit who nudges you to do what you can to help. Be willing to give a hand when you have the opportunity!

What little thing has someone done for you that made a big difference?

Linked up to Oh Amanda’s Top Ten Tuesday!

Advice from King Lemuel’s Mom

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Pick up your toys. Take your plate to the sink. Don’t talk to your brother like that. Share with your friends. Do not correct adults. Stay in the yard. Flush then wash your hands…..

I’m teaching my boys many lessons right now. At five and four years old, they need constant reminders on how to act and react. King Lemuel’s mom had some lessons for her son too. I’m sure you are familiar with Proverbs chapter 31 as an example to wives. But, let’s look at it in its context–advice from mom to son.

King Lemuel’s mom started off the oracle in Proverbs 31 by asking, “What are you doing my son? Son of my womb? Son of my vows?” Sounds to me like an exasperated momma! Let’s look closer at the areas she addresses in her reproof:

  • Have self-control. She specifically mentions heavy drinking as destructive behavior. Her point is to stay in control of your words and actions. We must help our children with this at every stage. Already, I have to help my five year old control his emotions, especially his anger. I give him time and space to cool down and then we talk about ways he could have handled the situation differently. I clearly remember times when I was a teenager and did not have self-control. As a result hurt myself and others. We can instruct and guide our children in this area, but above all, we must pray for the Holy Spirit to act in their lives and produce the fruit of self-control.
  • Care for others, especially those who cannot care for themselves. She mentions the mute, destitute, poor and needy. “Open your mouth,” she instructs her son the king. We can also encourage our children to care for others. Our church does an outreach each year and prepares hundreds of meals for homeless and hungry people in a near-by city. Each year we have more children involved in this outreach. Our youth group is also involved in helping others through local ministry projects and mission trips like World Changers. Children and teens can make a difference in the lives of others, especially when given the opportunities.
  • Marry well. As we will learn more about in the coming weeks, the rest of chapter thirty-one is King Lemuel’s mother describing the excellent wife. This is the part of the chapter we are most familiar with. She tells her son an excellent wife is hard to find, but worth the search! I know many moms of little ones who are already praying for the future spouses of their children. I know moms of teenagers who are really praying! Help your children know what qualities to look for in a spouse. Help your son know where to find an excellent wife. King Lemuel’s mom goes into great detail describing the ideal wife. We can learn from her as we pray for our children’s future spouses.

King Lemuel’s mom probably taught him many lessons. These three stuck with him and he recorded them for generations to read. As we learn from this mom, we can also prepare our children to have self-control, help others, and marry well.

What lessons are you teaching your children right now that you hope will impact their future?

What Breaks God’s Heart

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What is God’s will? It’s a popular question. The first time I really wrested with it was at eighteen, when the acceptance letters started coming in the mail from colleges and I had to pick the school where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. Right now I’m not making any major life decisions, but I still want to know God’s will.

(from Microsoft clip art)

To know God’s will, I need to get to know God. What makes Him happy should make me  happy. What breaks His heart should also break my heart. When I read the book of Proverbs, I see what breaks God’s heart–His people neglecting the poor.

  • “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker.” Prov. 17:5
  • “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Prov 19:17
  • “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” Prov 21:13
  • “Whoever gives to the poor will not want.” Prov 28:27
  • “A righteous man knows the rights of the poor, a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” Prov 29:7

And it’s not just in the book of Proverbs. Jesus also showed His love for the poor as He taught us to love them also, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).

Now that we know what breaks God’s heart, what can we do about it? In middle class America where most of us live comfortably, it’s easy to turn our heads and pretend we don’t hear. But there are needs everywhere around us. Here’s where to start helping:

  • Pray that God would open your eyes and your heart. When the Spirit works through us, we will see opportunities to serve and to love others.
  • See the needs close to home. In today’s tough economy, there are so many needs. There may be family down the street who can’t pay their electric bill this summer or kids in your church who may need help buying new clothes as the weather gets cooler. As God shows you needs, He will give you opportunities to help.
  • See the needs around the world. The poorest 5% in America are still richer than 68% of the world’s inhabitants. There are degrees of poor that I can’t even fathom. Because there are so many  in need, there are literally thousands of ways to help. You can sponsor a child through an organization like Compassion International, give through your church or denomination, or find a cause close to your heart like Mercy House in Kenya that serves pregnant women. Be open to what God shows you that moves you to want to help.
  • Serve with others to make an even bigger impact. Call the local elementary school for the name of a family in need and get your Sunday School class together to buy groceries and even Christmas gifts for them. Volunteer as a family at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.  Together you can help even more!

God’s will is for us to conform to the image of His Son. As we grow in godliness, our capacity to love others will grow. Like Jesus, we will love even the unlovely. Allow God to open your eyes to the needs of the poor and bless them through God’s love through you.

Wisdom and Folly

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(image via Microsoft clip art)

As Kristi shared earlier this week, Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. He was blessed by God with wisdom. As we start our study of the book of Proverbs, Solomon sets us up to compare wisdom and folly.

Let’s start first by looking at folly. Solomon personifies Folly as loud and demanding (Prov. 9:13). She entices those who are simple (9:16). She lies about what she is offering, not revealing that her way leads to death (9:17-18).

Wisdom also calls (Prov. 8:1-3). But she speaks truth (8:8). Instead of enticing people with temporary pleasures, she offers wisdom, which she says is more valuable than silver, gold, or jewels (8:10-11). Instead of death, she says, “For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life” (9:11).

The choice is so clear when we see it set up this way! No one would want to follow Folly into Sheol. So why does wisdom seem allusive to so many? Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

To gain wisdom, we must start with God. When we start with God, the wisdom we receive is “first pure, then peacable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). Oh how I want those words to describe me!

  • At her job she shows wisdom.
  • With her friends she speaks wisdom.
  • In her family she shares wisdom.
  • At her church she spreads wisdom.
  • Even interacting with people online, she “status updates” wisdom!

Like Solomon, ask God today to grant you wisdom. Realize that He is the source. Take time to seek His will and wisdom as you act and react throughout your day. Praise Him for generously offering wisdom to all those who fear Him!

Using Prayer Cards

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You can tell what subjects people are passionate about by looking at their books. If you come over and look at my shelves, you will see book after book on prayer. You would think after reading all those books on prayer, I’d be an expert. But unfortunately, it’s just the opposite. I read all those books on prayer because I feel so inadequate. But thanks to A Praying Life by Paul A. Miller, I have learned how to be more disciplined in my prayer life, and grow deeper in my relationship with God.

Miller suggests using prayer cards as a way to focus. My categories include– family, church, missionaries, adopting families, repentance cards, and hope cards. On the card I list important requests, verses I want to pray over the life or situation, and sometimes the date of an answer.

For example, on my “adopting families” card I wrote out Heb. 10:36, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.” Then I list families I know who are adopting. About once a month I email the couples  to see how I can specifically pray and update the prayer card.

During my prayer time (at night!) I go through my cards, praying for each one. Not every prayer is going to get an “answer date.” On my repentance card labeled “pride,” I will continue to pray “…apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) every day of my life!

I’m a methodological person, so having a routine works for me. It helps me feel like I’m joining in God’s plan for each person and situation I pray for.

Do you struggle sometimes in your prayer life? What tools help keep you focused?

Sandra Peoples is a pastor’s wife and mom to two boys (plus one more boy her family is in the process of adopting from Ethiopia). She has an Master of Divinity degree in Women’s Studies and wants to encourage women to grow in godliness. She blogs at Heart for Him and Twitters from @HeartforHim.

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