Bible Notebook: Prayer Calendars

September 5, 2012 by Teri Lynne Underwood 10 Comments

I used to be an organizational ninja! In fact, just a couple of years ago I wrote a post called The Type A Person Prays. As I was praying and contemplating what to share this month as we highlight tools you can use for Bible study, I came across that post. And, to be honest, I was very convicted … it’s been far too long since I have been focused and intentional in my prayers.

In that post, I shared about using Prayer Calendars to organize your prayer times. Perhaps you are like me and often find yourself lost in the daily demands of mothering, wife-ing, housekeeping, working, and laundering. Prayer calendaring is a great way to maintain focus in your prayers.

I have used both weekly and monthly prayer calendars. First, the weekly:

I assign a specific prayer need to each day of the week.

For example:

Sunday – church services, both my church as well as other churches in my community and those pastored by family and friends

Monday – our church staff and the ministries of our church

Tuesday – my daughter’s school system and the teachers

Wednesday – my family

Thursday – Scott’s family

Friday – my community, the ministries that happen here, our local government, etc.

Saturday – the week ahead. I like to use my calendar and pray over any activities, etc., we have coming up.

Using a weekly prayer calendar helps me spend quality time praying for the needs of those close to me as well as in my church and community. I am adding a new component to my prayer calendar – focus Scriptures. As I find passages or verses that pertain to the specific areas about which I am praying, I will be making note of them on my prayer calendars.

The other type of prayer calendar I use (at the recommendation of my daddy) is a monthly prayer calendar. I assign a specific prayer theme to each month. Then with the monthly calendar I fill in a person, situation, etc., to pray for during each day.

Here are some of the prayer themes I have used for my monthly prayer calendar:

myself
my husband
my daughter
national, state, and local governmental leaders
foreign mission fields and ministries like One Verse and the Gideons who provide the Bible in many languages
North American mission fields, church plants, etc.
summer months – how we should use them, etc. (I typically do this in May.)
focus and direction for the year ahead (typically in January)
adopting families and ministries like Compassion and World Vision
my friends
gratitude (November is a great time for this!)
friends we have in ministry
crisis pregnancy ministry
La Clinica Cristiana (the local health care ministry where I volunteer)
back to school (teachers, home school families, etc.)

The options are endless … but I have found that by devoting an entire month to praying for such specific topics helps me keep those things on my mind throughout the whole year.

You can download both of these calendars and use them for your personal prayer time. (To download the weekly prayer calendar, click here, right-click on the image, then choose “Save As…” to save the file on your computer. To download the monthly prayer calendar, click here, right-click on the image, then choose “Save As…” to save the file on your computer.)

How do you organize your prayer time? Have you ever used a prayer calendar or similar tool?

Bible Notebook: Sermon and Seminar Notes

September 4, 2012 by Caroline 8 Comments

I love attending seminars and conferences with new-to-me speakers almost as much as I love listening to my fellowship’s regular speakers share.

Enthusiasm, passion, and encouragement cascade out of verbal speech. Listening to wise words motivates and heartens us. As much as I feel empowered from a sermon or conference session, I inevitably forget those amazing quotes—occasionally by the time I return home that evening!

As a visual learner, I sometimes follow and retain more information through written words.

This month on Do Not Depart, we’re sharing Bible Notebook components and tools. Check out the original post on creating your own Bible notebook here.

In an effort to organize our notes, I created this “sermon and seminar notes” printable. (To download this free printable, click here, right-click on the image, then choose “Save As…” to save the file on your computer.)

When I listen to a sermon or attend a conference, particular lines or verbiage spark thoughts on application in my own life or in ways to help others around me. I write down observations on theology, highlighted Scriptures, application ideas (especially regarding challenges and convictions), and areas I’d like to study or pray about further.

Right now, I categorize my notes according to which fellowship or conference attended—and usually chronologically. I may begin to organize these sheets based on topic or Scripture reference. What do you think?

Do you organize your Bible studies and sermon/seminar notes in a notebook? We’d love to hear how you note what you’ve learned in a sermon!

His Word When I Struggle {Series Wrap Up}

August 30, 2012 by Katie Orr Leave a Comment

I’ve be encouraged by this month’s posts, haven’t you?

We’ve been taking a look on how to apply the truths of the Bible to our lives when we struggle.

If you missed any posts, you can view all posts from the His Word When I Struggle series here.

You can also find the posts collected on our pinboard!

We’d love to know what God is doing in your hearts! Leave a comment and let us know how His truth has encouraged you this month.

If you are joining us for the Unshakeable Faith Bible study, don’t forget to order your book so you are ready to dive in on Monday, September 10th!

“Unshakeable Faith” Giveaway winners announced

August 29, 2012 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

We’ve had an overwhelming response to the announcement of our upcoming online study of “Unshakeable Faith.” We are thrilled to have so many women planning to join us from all around the world! (In case you missed the invitation to join us beginning September 10th, here is that invitation post.)

Thank you for all the comments and post sharing on Facebook and Twitter. Each of those earned an entry in our giveaway. And now a drum roll please…….

The winners are…

LeAnn Hileman
Deanna
Hope Reed
Darcey

Congratulations ladies! Don’t forget to email Katie with your mailing address. You will be receiving your book from Amazon!

Remember, you do not need a copy of the book to participate in the first two levels – Devotional or Quick Study. However, if you plan to participate in the Full Study and you did not win a copy of “Unshakeable Faith,” there is still time to purchase one before the study begins on September 10. Here are the purchase links:

Amazon

ChristianBook.com

BarnesAndNoble.com

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Unshakeable Faith for the Storms of Life

August 27, 2012 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

Does your faith shake when difficulties hit? Trials and hard times are inevitable, but we can have a rock-solid faith that will weather the storms.

Two weeks from today, we will begin a 10-week Bible study called “Unshakeable Faith.” An invitation post with all the details ran last Wednesday. Check out the invitation post for more information and leave a comment to enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. Entries for the drawing close today! (Giveaway ended)

You can participate on one of three levels. (For the first two levels you do not need the book.) I would like to share with you one of the “Faith Shaker” stories that are included in the book. These are stories about real women, facing real struggles, and leaning on our Rock-Solid God!

Meet Karen, who learned to be secure in the God who loves and chooses her:

Bill physically left Karen the day before their 25^th wedding anniversary, but he had been in the process of leaving for a long time. He started to drift away about five years earlier. He pursued interests on his own, resented the demands of family life, and even denied the God he had once believed in. Karen did everything she could think of to draw her husband back, but all her attempts seemed to push him further away.

Karen felt like she had lost her husband long before Bill admitted he wanted out of their marriage. His long disengagement had made her feel ignored, devalued, and ugly. His final act of walking out the door told Karen she was unwanted and unlovable. “The one person who promised to love me forever said he didn’t anymore.”

Karen begged God to fix everything – to fix Bill, to fix their marriage, to fix her. Many times she poured out her anger and distress while meeting with God on the floor of her dark closet. But the divorce still happened. So Karen clung to God.

“God did not save my marriage, but He did save me. He faithfully cared for me. Like when His people showed up to serve me, listen to me, or sit with me while I cried. And when the money I needed was there, and the lawn was mowed, and the children were loved on.”

After three years and a lot of prayer, godly counsel, and Bible study, Karen knows she is dearly loved and wanted by God. “I was told that if I let Him, God would fill my every need as a single woman – my need to feel safe, secure, and loved. I did not fully believe that when I heard it, but God has certainly done it.”

Do you ever struggle with feeling unloved and unwanted? How can remembering that God loves and chooses you help you experience joy and peace?

To find out more about the study ~~and enter to win~~ see the invitation post.

Encouragement from God’s Word for Your Plan B Situation

August 23, 2012 by Sandra Peoples 8 Comments

Last month, my husband Lee and I celebrated the ten year anniversary of the first day we met. I had driven from Dallas, Texas to Wake Forest, NC to start seminary and teach English at a Christian school. The administrator of the school had given Lee my new address and ~~asked~~ told him to show up and help the new teacher unload her U-Haul. He showed up, and the rest, as they say, is history.

But I would not say everything in our lives from that day ten years ago until now has been perfect. It hasn’t all been easy. We’ve had many “plan B” situations—times when our plan and God’s plan didn’t match. We have a child with autism. We have been in the long process of adoption for over two years now. Our house only has one bathroom. (Just keeping it real. Wouldn’t everyone’s “Plan A” include a house with more than one bathroom?) And even though I wouldn’t have chosen each delay, diagnosis, or drawback, I can honestly say God’s plan for our lives is perfect.

When God’s plan interrupts my life and my plans, I have to turn to Scripture to remember who is really in charge. I need encouragement to face Plan B. Thankfully, His Word is full of Plan B situations, and reassurance for those of us going down different roads than we had planned.

One of the first (and one of my favorite) Plan B situations in Scripture is in Genesis, describing the long road Joseph was forced down so he could ultimately save his family and the Hebrew people. In 50:20, Joseph told his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
The Book of Psalms includes every emotion humans experience. One verse I cling to when the Plan B road looks long and lonely is 126:5, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.”
The prophet Isaiah spoke truth to a “deaf and blind” generation who had forgotten God. He spoke words of conviction, but he also spoke words of hope, including 55:8-9, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'”
Although Christ Himself was Plan A for our salvation, He knew we would experience times of struggle. He told us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:28-29).
And in the letter from James, writing encouragement to the early church and first generation Christians, he tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above . . .” (1:17). If it is from God, we can trust is it good and perfect. Even if it is our Plan B.

Author and pastor Pete Wilson writes, “Your dreams may not be happening, and things aren’t turning out the way you expected, but that doesn’t mean your life is spinning out of control. It just means you’re not in control. It’s in those moments you can learn to trust the only one who has ever had control in the first place,” (Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?).

Whatever Plan B situation you find yourself in today (or tomorrow), know that it’s still God’s Plan A for your life. Trust in that and praise Him for the encouragement you find in His Word.

You’re Invited to Join Us in “Unshakeable Faith”

August 22, 2012 by Kathy Howard

We women are usually prepared for anything. We carry snacks for hunger pangs and tiny sewing kits for loose buttons. We have dozens of hamburger recipes to carry us through the end of the month when money is tight. But is our faith prepared for hard times? Will it stand firm when the trials of life inevitably come or will it be shaken? We can have an unshakeable faith that will weather any storm!

Online study starting September 10

Please join us as we study “Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living” right here at Do Not Depart beginning Monday, September 10.^th I am honored to share this 8-week Bible study with you! “Unshakeable Faith” explores 8 key “faith traits” found in the life of Peter. We will see how God used Peter’s relationship with Jesus to transform his weak, fragile faith – that once denied Jesus – into a faith that stood firm even in the face of death.

Three options/One Community

Doing this study online allows for some great flexibility. You will have the option of participating at three different levels designed to meet the time constraints of busy women.

Devotional – The Monday posts will share some brief insight about that week’s faith trait, give a Scripture to read, and ask a couple of questions for reflection. You will be able to read this in a few minutes.
Quick Study – For those women who have a bit more time, the Monday posts will include a link to a 2-page lesson to download and complete. The quick study covers that week’s topic a bit more thoroughly and gives more Scripture to read and questions to answer.
Full Study – For those who would like to do the full study, you can purchase the book and work through it as we cover the traits here online.

Of course we want all of you to interact with us here at Do Not Depart. We will begin discussion with Monday’s post and continue it through the week. On Fridays, one of the DND team members will post a story or vlog corresponding with that week’s faith trait.

Enter to Win!

We will kick-off the study Monday, September 10^th with an introductory lesson on what the Bible says about trials in Christians’ lives. But before then, we want to give away several copies of “Unshakeable Faith!” Entries will close Monday, August 27 and winners will be announced Wednesday, August 29. You can enter up to three times: GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Leave a comment below saying you plan to participate in the study.
Share this post on FB or Twitter, then leave a comment letting us know you did.
Blog about this study! Then leave a comment with the link.

So tell us, is your faith ready for anything? Will you join us as we work towards an “Unshakeable Faith?”

His Word when we’re burned out

August 21, 2012 by Julie 13 Comments

From where I sit, I’ve had a close up view of people following hard after God who have fallen hard in their pursuit of living for Him. We’re all susceptible to wanting to please people. Expectations sometimes sweep away passionate people who wanted to do their best and end up worn out. Without meaning to, family, bosses, relatives, friends, and church people have needs that may drive the most well meaning woman to a weary place before she even knows it.

In his book Leading on Empty, Wayne Cordeiro cautions that, “You will burn out sooner on the inside than you’re able to see on the outside.” We may want a quick “fix” to this slow growing problem, but that covers up the true need to recharge, figure out what brought us to burnout, and change the way we do life. No one is exempt from a burned out condition.

Some signs of burnout

Work becomes difficult
What once gave us joy feels like a heavy drain
Decisions paralyze us
Our creativity is stifled
Physical symptoms or depression arise
We feel swept along by life, but out of control

God’s Word records worn out words from some of God’s heaviest hitters: Moses (Numbers 11:14-15), David (Psalm 69:1-2), Elijah (1 Kings 19:2-4).

God’s Word for the weary

Elijah came away from victorious battle with 850 prophets of Baal and the evil King Ahab, leaving him with a target on his back in the eyes of the even more evil Queen Jezebel. Physically, emotionally, and mentally drained, the Prophet ran away into the wilderness and collapsed under a broom tree. He uttered a prayer to ask God to end his life. He was “over it.”

There under that tree, God sent an angel to speak words of understanding to the burned out, battle -weary man. Do you ever wish God would speak to you in your battle-weary place beside your laundry pile, at your bedside, at your desk, or in the pew? He might say what the angel said to Elijah:

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God (1 Kings 19:1-8).

God knows we have limits, yet He has no limits. He invites us to let Him care for our needs, ceasing from doing and receiving His invitation to rest, letting Him be our Protector and Provider. The undeserved favor He shows can shelter us when we’re so weary we wish we could die. Even the man after God’s own heart, the anointed shepherd-king David experienced the feeling of being in over his head:

“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.” (Psalm 69:1-2).

God has an answer for seasons of weakness when life is heavy on our shoulders of flesh:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Have you ever been under a broom tree? Eat what the Lord has prepared to give you strength, rest with Him watching over your circumstances, and follow Him one more step at a time. The power of Christ will rest on you.

What words would you share with someone who is under the broom tree?

When I Want to Please People

August 16, 2012 by Heather 24 Comments

Instead of excitement and anticipation for my fourth son’s infant dedication this past Sunday, I felt fear and dread. Why would a wonderful moment in front of friends, family & our church body cause me to break out into a cold sweat?

It’s simple. I’ve dedicated three boys before. Two years ago, I teetered on unfamiliar heels, juggling my 11-month-old son, as my 2-year-old lifted the skirt of my dress (and the skirt of the mom standing next to me). The 2-year-old quickly lost interest standing next to me. While distracted by my 4-year-old picking (and eating from) his nose, I looked up to see the 2-year-old army crawling across the stage, lying down and then dangling his head off the end of the stage.

Everyone thought the antics were hilarious and “cute”. But my neck reddened and heart raced. Instead of basking in the moment of prayer for my precious son, I couldn’t wait for the pastor to say “Amen”.

The reason (besides the obvious), for my humiliation was a desire to look like a good mom. A good mom doesn’t have out-of-control children. And if you think I’m a good mom, then I have earned your approval. Ultimately, the motivation behind how I spend my energy, time and resources is to win your admiration.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Pleasing Man or God?

People pleasing has been my idol, the other god.

“Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

So often I neglect serving the Lord, because I am distracted trying to get others to tell me how great I am. It doesn’t make sense. People disappoint. A compliment from the most important person in the world pales in comparison to God’s love and affection for me.

Concerned with appearance or heart?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Interestingly, our son, who was dedicated, has the middle name, “David”. God directed Samuel to choose David as the next King of Israel based on his heart, not his appearance. I am reminded the position of my heart matters more than the perfect wardrobe selections, updated haircuts, or well-behaved boys.

Fear of man or Faith in the Lord?

Even though I know people disappoint AND their opinion of my appearance does not matter, I still fear the judgments of others (fear of rejection).

“The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:5-9

The fear of man is wasted energy. If God is for me, then who could stand against me? God is stronger than the most powerful, influential person on earth. His opinion is the only one that matters.

Most importantly, I don’t want my desire to please others to negatively impact my faith. I don’t want to be like the men in John 12. These men believed Jesus to be the Son of God. However, they did not confess their belief, because of a desire to please people.

“Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:42-43