Prove to be a disciple – John 15:7-8 {Memory verse & LINK-UP}

June 23, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 10 Comments

Today is our Summer Link-Up!

Please share below YOUR posts on scripture memory and/or John 15!

What is Jesus speaking to you in these verses?

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:7-8

We’re continuing to memorize John 15. If you’d like to join us, here’s how: Register here for verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group.

It’s time to link up!

Please share below posts from your blog on anything related to scripture memory and/or John 15. Visit and leave comments on others’ posts as you have time!

Here are some suggested topics:

Why I memorize
Tips for memorizing
What I’m learning from John 15

Want to spread the word?

“How to glorify the Father, John 15:7-8. Memorize with me this week. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2YH @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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An InLinkz Link-up

Holy Intimacy with God

June 19, 2014 by Caroline 1 Comment

As a kid, I loved school. I loved learning, reading, and sometimes even studying. My family firmly believed that knowledge created opportunities as well as our own understanding of people and events around us.

While I still believe that now (and still love learning), I’ve also experienced how easy it is for me to get “stuck” on the knowledge part and sometimes forget about other aspects beyond knowledge.

The same goes for our knowledge of God. We already know we can only know so much about God (Isaiah 55:8-9). In the pursuit of more knowledge and facts, we may sometimes forget God openly offers us a relationship.

Pursuing God in ways beyond facts deepens our relationship. God created us to be with Him. Our pursuit of His ways draws us closer to Him as we see more of who He is.

Why Pursue Holiness

“For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:7

As Kathy stated in this month’s introduction, “God’s call to holiness is for our good and His glory.”

Following the knowledge we learn about how God wants us to live can foster a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him.

Holiness is what is most like God. The [amazon_link id=”0830814396″ target=”_blank” ]New Bible Dictionary[/amazon_link] says, “…holiness is his quintessential nature, his very selfhood” (p. 477, third edition).

If holiness is God’s character, how can we—imperfect humans—have any measure of holiness?

Here the New Bible Dictionary says, “…holiness is always derived and dependent upon proximity or relationship to the holy God. … He is a seeking God, whose holiness is expressed in his saving activity” (p. 477, third edition).

Because holiness is from God (including the gift of His Spirit), it also returns us to Him. Living from a holy perspective brings us back to the path God has laid out for us.

Hebrews 12:14 explains holiness is part of being with God (and peace is strongly linked): “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

How Holiness Fosters Relationship

It is through God’s holiness that we even have the path to Him through Christ (Romans 1:1-5). Christ’s blamelessness and sacrifice provides holy redemption for all believers. Within that redemption, though, we were also given access to God. Through prayer, through personal relationship, and through our adoption into God’s holiness.

Biblical analogies of parenthood always catch my attention (Psalm 103:13, Hebrews 12:10-11). When a child looks up to an adult, the child imitates that adult. Out of love, respect, and eagerness to grow to be alike in some way.

When we witness God’s vast love, we can’t help but want to emulate Him.

“…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1

And when we do, we experience His true peace, His blessing, and his cleanness.

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” – Psalm 24:3-5

We can only pursue holiness because of God, and when we do, we grow ever closer to our holy, loving God.

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” – Psalm 29:2 (NIV)

What do you first think of when you hear the word “holiness?” How does accepting His gift of holiness and seeking to imitate Him bring you closer to Him?

Tweetables:

“If holiness is God’s character, how can we—imperfect humans—have any measure of holiness? http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Zk @DoNotDepart” – Click here to tweet this.

“We can only pursue holiness because of God. When we do, we grow ever closer to our holy, loving God. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Zk @DoNotDepart” – Click here to tweet this.

Holy habits for everyday life

June 17, 2014 by Julie 6 Comments

We’re already practicing holiness, to one degree or another. People might say you’re “all in” when it comes to letting God’s holiness drive your habits. Others might say you’re one of those who keeps God’s holiness and your habits in separate categories.

But what does God say? Does He leave it up to us to decide how holy we want to be, practically speaking? Or does He gives us any kind of a picture to show us how holiness looks in the everyday life of His followers?

The first part of Ephesians spells out our identity in Christ; the second illustrates how that identity matters. As we change who we were, contrast who we are, and imitate who the Father will always be, our new holiness in Jesus changes everything.

Holy habits due to change

Do you describe your dietary choices with words like “vegan, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, or sugar free?” A lifestyle change impacts how we spend, what we talk about, what decisions we make, and how we think. A lifestyle change is no small choice … if it’s authentic.

True followers seek “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

No one follows Christ without making a genuine change. Ephesians 4:22-32 shows us how a life of loving the Holy One requires putting off our old self and putting on the new. Old habits like lying, sinful anger, stealing, corrupt talk, and unforgiveness have to be put away. Like cleaning out Twinkies when we choose to go sugar free, past routines fall away as we take on holy habits in their place. True followers of Christ Jesus change.

Holy habits due to contrast

Sports seasons inspire fans to bring out team flags, wear jerseys, do cheers, and follow players. Devotees don’t follow every team; just their own. They may be aware of others, but they don’t buy into others. Real followers want their loyalty to be known. It’s the same for real Christ followers, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8)

Instead of continuing to let darkness reign in our practical life, new life in Christ means the light of the Lord shines into every area of our personal everyday. The fruit of the Spirit within us comes out in how we talk to customers, discipline of our children, respond to hardships, solve financial problems, react to our mate, view our computer screen, deal with family relationships, see our culture, choose reading material, conduct our sexual life, participate in our local church, and get dressed daily. God’s light where darkness once reigned shines into every crack of our lifestyles.

The contrast brought by Christ can’t help but create holy habits where darkness once reigned.

Holy habits due to imitation

Reflection reveals the authenticity of our admiration. After all, isn’t imitation the highest form of flattery? A child’s mimicry on Fathers Day shows how much they watch, idolize, and strive to follow dad … or not. God’s unchanging holiness only requires a change in those who call Him “Abba,” Father. Our imitation brings Him praise.

For the children of God, holiness in practical living is the only believable response to the Father. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Our growth in practicing holy living reveals the genuine nature of our adoption as sons of God.

Before we joined God’s family through Christ’s holy sacrifice, we were “sons of disobedience.“ When our father was the Devil, we imitated him. Once we’re adopted into God’s holy family, covered in a righteousness not our own, our Father is God, and we imitate Him through obedience. Like a child who grows older, revealing more and more of their father’s nature in the way they look, talk, walk, smile, laugh, and do life, so a child of God imitates the heavenly Father in holiness more and more.

A child of God has changed, lives in contrast to the world, and imitates the Father through holy habits in practical ways in everyday life.

Would you be willing to pray this prayer?

Father, You are my Father. I want to imitate You, like a genuine child who reflects Your nature. Would you make me alert to practical areas of my life where I need to mimic You more? Help me see where I’m acting more like the old me than the new me. Show me how to apply holiness in all of my life habits.

Apart from Him? Nothing. John 15:5-6 {Memory verse}

June 16, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

Take a minute to read these two verses. What message do you hear for you?

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
John 15:5-6

We’re memorizing John 15 this summer. It’s not too late if you want to jump in. Register here for verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group.

NEXT MONDAY, June 23, we’ll open our Summer Memory Link-Up. Will you write something on your blog about scripture memory in general or about John 15 specifically?

Here are some suggested topics:

Why I memorize
Tips for memorizing
What I’m learning from John 15

We look forward to seeing what you’ll share!

Want to tweet about this week’s verses?

“Apart from Jesus? Nothing. Abide & memorize John 15:5-6 with me this week. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2XY @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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Are you memorizing with us? How is it going so far?

How to make your “to-do” list holy

June 12, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 25 Comments

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?

What’s on your to-do list today?

Maybe you have an intricately scheduled plan. Or scribbles on a napkin scrap. Maybe your plans are just floating loose in your head. Regardless of how you keep up with them, most of us have some sort of list of actions to accomplish each day.

But here’s the problem: Other people get in the way. Life gets in the way. Interruptions, distractions, conflicts.

How are we to work efficiently with the clock when the world seems to be working against us?

Or in other words, as believers, how are we to be in the world, but not of the world?

When Jesus was talking to His Father on the night before His death, He said, “I don’t ask that you take them [the disciples] out of the world.”

Instead, Jesus sent them—and now us!—straight into the world (John 17:15-18).

For our sakes, He made Himself holy that we also might be holy (John 17:19).

DO YOU LOOK HOLY?

But does a Christian’s to-do list look any holier than anybody else’s list? Sure, we may add a few extras: Read Bible, Pray, Attend church. But otherwise, it’s similar: Take a shower. Pack lunches. Go to work. Put gas in the car. Wash clothes.

How are we set apart?

Because God’s Spirit lives inside us, we are different. We work from a higher power and with a different motive. Our goal is to love others in such a way that the world will know Jesus is real (John 17:21).

So perhaps we need to highlight something different on our lists. . . .

TRY THIS

Pull out your to-do list. Under each item, can you add someone’s name? Who are you loving through what you’re doing?

Pay the bills
(my family)
Answer emails
(my coworkers)
Practice memory verse
(my friends, me)
Weed the garden
(my family, me, neighbors)

Each task now represents a person. A relationship. A soul to share God’s love with. Including ourselves.

It’s not the what on our to-do list that matters. It’s the who.
And it’s not the how. It’s the why.

It won’t come without a cost. You might not cross as many things off your list. But the dividends are rich. With greater purpose, you’ll have greater peace, more compassion, and reflect more glory back to God.

So when you make your next to-do list, ask better questions beyond, “What do I have to do today?” Also ask:

Why am I doing this?
Who can benefit from it?
Will I honor God through it?

It might just set apart your to-do list—and your day—as holy.

Want to share this?

“Make your to-do list more than what you will do: Add who you will love. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Ym @DoNotDepart #Holiness”
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“It’s not the what that matters, but the who. Not the how, but the why. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Ym @DoNotDepart #Holiness”
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Are you a list maker? How do you prioritize your to-do list? Please share your tips and comments here.

Stay in the vine–John 15:3-4 {Memory verse}

June 9, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

Read these two verses. Pray over what Jesus is saying to you. Ask how He wants you to abide in Him this week.

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:3-4

We’re memorizing John 15 this summer. You can, too, one verse at a time. Register here for verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group.

In two weeks (Monday, June 23), we’ll open our Summer Memory Link-Up. Be writing your blog posts now about scripture memory.

Want to tweet about this week’s verses?

“Want to abide more in Jesus this week? Give memorizing a try. Join us in Jn 15:3-4 @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2XT #HideHisWord”
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What helps you abide in Jesus? Please share.

The Call to Holiness

June 5, 2014 by Ali Shaw 5 Comments

Two of my children had an argument yesterday. I could see it building for weeks and I’d been trying to quell it while equipping them to handle their feelings. But, when it comes down to it, only they can make themselves do what they know is right. And doing the right thing is sometimes so hard. Yet, I want my children to desire doing the right thing because I know of the fruit it brings.

This is something like our call to holiness.

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ~ 1 Peter 1:15,16 (ESV)

www.donotdepart.com — Jenny Downey, Photo Credit, CC

In God’s Word, holiness refers to being blameless, without sin, and set apart for God’s service. Holiness begins in Believers when we accept Christ’s blood shed for forgiveness. As we grow in the Lord, our holiness can mature as well.

How can I be “set apart” when I consistently fail and mess up? Like my own children, even though I’ve learned right from wrong, practicing it can be hard. Swallowing the ugly tone before it pops out, being calm when patience wears threadbare, making the right choice even though it requires much more effort… Some days holy living can feel as impossible as flying.

When right is so hard, why does God call us to holiness? Because of His great love for us! The wise Father sets boundaries for us out of the deepest, most personal love imaginable. Like Kathy mentioned He seeks our very best (and His glory) and uses the Bible and the Spirit to teach us for our physical, emotional, and spiritual protection. A commitment to holy living can save us from many woes. The enemy would like us to believe that holiness is impossible, or at least an unnecessary dullness with no benefit. How very wrong!

Peter reminds us of God’s words “be holy as I am holy” (Lev 11:45). In the Greek, “be” means “become, transition, or emerge”. What do these words tell us? That we will become holy as we model ourselves after Jesus. All of this is not solely by our own efforts, but with the help of the Spirit. Like an ugly caterpillar that emerges transformed into a butterfly, the metamorphosis is attainable.

The Pulpit Commentary says this: “So be ye holy in all manner of conversation. In the whole course of your daily life, in all its details, as you move hither and thither among men, take the holiness of God for your pattern.”

Our wise and loving God wishes for His children to imitate Him. The term “Christian” means, after all, “little Christ.” We are told not to conform ourselves to the world, but rather to “be holy, for I am holy.” “For” is a very important little word here. We are not expected to be in equality with God’s holiness (because we could never measure up!) but rather we are to imitate, model, and pattern ourselves after God’s loving, holy nature. (1 John 2:6) When we walk like Jesus, we share Him with the world.

“Let the acts of the offspring indicate similarity to the Father.” (Augustine)

“How little people know who think holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing… it is irresistible.” (CS Lewis)

While we will never achieve perfection this side of heaven, God calls us to holiness so we may enjoy the fruits of a Christ-exalting, God-honoring, close relationship with Him.

{If you’re looking for more information on pursuing holiness, make sure you check out and enter to win (here on DoNotDepart) Kathy’s new Bible study. Another great resource is a [amazon_link id=”1563094320″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Woman’s Guide to Personal Holiness[/amazon_link].}

How has God’s call to holiness touched your life? How does knowing that holiness is for your good and for His glory encourage you?

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“God calls us to be holy because He loves us!”

“We will become holy as we model ourselves after Jesus.”

“God calls us to holiness so we may enjoy the fruits of a close relationship with Him.”

Does Holiness Really Matter?

June 3, 2014 by Kathy Howard

This post is also a giveaway! Please read to the end to find out how to enter.

Two years ago, “Fifty Shades of Grey” caught the attention of American women – including many Christian women. They gobbled up the erotica with a shrug and justifications like these:

It’s only fantasy.
I’m not participating; I’m just reading fiction.
I need to know how to speak to the culture.

Maybe you were even one of those women – one of many Christian women who bought into the lie that it’s no big deal.

It is a big deal. And this book is merely one example of believers conforming to the ways of the world instead of purposefully cooperating with the Holy Spirit to be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Rather than actively pursuing holiness, many of us in the church don’t live or look much different than our non-Christian neighbors.

Does it matter? Is holiness merely a pursuit for the “super spiritual” or should holiness be a concern for every believer?

Before we turn to Scripture, let’s consider the impact of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Studies prove that what we put into our minds – read, see, hear – affects our thinking and fosters a change in behavior. Reading detailed, warped, and sinful descriptions of sexual acts desensitizes us to sexual immorality and harms our marriage relationships.

God’s call to holiness is for our good and His glory. He created us. He knows which attitudes, behaviors, and thoughts benefit us. He also knows which ones do not. He also wants His people to be a reflection of His character. To be a light in a dark world that leads the way to the Savior. But far too often we hang in the shadows ourselves.

This month at Do Not Depart, we will explore the biblical doctrine of holiness. Our call, what it is, what it looks like, how it benefits us, and more. Holiness really truly does matter – for your own life and for a world in darkness.

Have you given holiness much thought? Is it something you’ve actively pursued in your own life? Why or why not?

Enter to Win!!

This post is a giveaway. Comment on this post to enter to win one of three copies of Kathy’s new Bible study, Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence. This 6-week, in-depth study helps readers discover a deeper intimacy with God through a life of holiness. Embraced explores why believers should pursue holiness and guides readers through practical steps to pursuing a holy life. (Find out more about the study.) The contest closes at noon on Tuesday, June 10th!

UPDATE ON JUNE 11: The contest is closed. The winners are Yasmin, Brenda, and Lynn. Congratulations!!

Start memorizing John 15 today {Memory verse}

June 2, 2014 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

Today we start memorizing John 15! We pray this will be a growing season for each of you who are participating.

But even if you don’t plan to memorize, read a couple of verses each Monday morning with us from John 15, meditating and praying over what Jesus is planting into your life this week.

Take a minute to slowly pray over these words straight from Jesus, really listening to what He’s saying to you.

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1-2

It’s not too late to register to receive our every-other-week eNewsletters with verses and tips, and join our “Hide His Word” Facebook group. We’d love to have you along for the journey.

If you’d like to share:

“Words of Jesus to pray over this week: Bear fruit, John 15:1-2. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Vz @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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What has pruning looked like in your life? Did you see fruit? Please share.

Spiritual Gifts – our month in review

May 29, 2014 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

We spent time this month looking more closely at a few of the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament:

Encouragement – Lisa reminded us that encouraging is when we deliberately come beside someone as an invitation to God.
Serving – Love is the foundation of service. Lindsey took a closer look at John 13:1-17.
Teaching – Do you have the gift of teaching? Ali showed how Jesus is the model.
Pastoring – Patti described eight ways in which a pastor’s role is like that of a shepherd
Hospitality – Julie underscored the importance of all believers practicing hospitality, which overflows from a heart of genuine love.

In addition, Kathy warned against focusing too much on the gift itself instead of the Giver, and reminded us that spiritual gifts are the way the Holy Spirit chooses to work through an individual to accomplish God’s purposes. We pray that you will be open to the Lord’s leading in understanding the gifts He has given you, and that you will demonstrate your love for Him by using those gifts to serve in His kingdom!

Tweetable: This month’s posts about #SpiritualGifts @DoNotDepart: http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Xm tweet this