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We recently merged all the Scripture Dig posts over here at Do Not Depart. It all happened so quickly and quietly you may not have noticed! There are so many great posts and studies, I wanted to just highlight a few.
They left on Friday morning with duffle bags, spending money, and an all-too quick kiss and not-so-convincing promise to try to remember to text me during the youth retreat. My two teenagers. Weren’t they just going to pre-school and working on speech problems last summer? Who put away Chutes and Ladders? How did they get so independent? Have they grown up enough? Have I steered them well?
A woman’s heart has hopes for those she calls “children” or those she calls “spiritual children.” The youngest years are ripe with potential to influence. While we may still pick out their cereal at the store, God’s wants them to grow up, physically and spiritually. As my two drove off, I sat with my Bible and coffee cup and reflected on how I’ve influenced my children. Some victories, some struggles. I sifted out 10 Tips for Young Moms that make a difference in the life of a child.
10 Tips for Young Moms
Sing scripture songs ~ God’s Word becomes imprinted on your hearts as you sing truth and children will hear that you love God’s word.
Stop and pray ~ Don’t hesitate to pull over, stop in an aisle, or find a bench to stop, bow, and pray out loud when prompted by hurt feelings, a passing ambulance, crying child, lost kitten, or homeless person.
Talk about creation ~ Instead of hurrying past a nest or driving through fall leaves without comment, let your children heart you marvel at creation and point it back to God’s hand.
Give children’s Bibles ~ Nurture reading readiness by giving your child a Bible early, teaching them God wants them to know and love it.
Carry your Bible ~ Children need to see parents take their Bibles to church and open them at home.
Journal their lives ~ Start a journal while your kids are in the womb, or if that time is passed, start now. Journal what you see as their life unfolds and God works.
Journal their salvation ~ If they start a relationship with Christ as a child, write the story and the details, so that you can help them remember it in vivid color one day.
Pray for them ~ This might seem obvious, but we can get so busy that we neglect to pray intentionally, regularly, and boldly for the hearts and futures of our children.
Feed your heart ~ What mom isn’t tempted to let fatigue, laundry, or discouragement crowd out devotions? Our time with God is the source of encouragement, wisdom, and strength.
Be hospitable early ~ Don’t let a little house, a tight budget, or a cluttered floor keep you from serving people into your home.
I’m so thankful for every time I sang scripture with my two, stopped to pray to God “on demand,” opened our Bibles together, had my own private time with the Lord, wrote about their lives in their journals, and served guests in our home. I think I’ll stop and text them both a verse & blessing. Every investment is well spent.
God intends that we and our kids should, “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Eph. 4:14-15). A young mom’s choices during the sippy cup years can steer the future pathway of those she calls her children.
What’s one thing you can do today to steer your child or a child in your life for the future?
If you’re a mom who would love some encouragement and mentoring, stop by the MOM Initiative, a site dedicated to helping moms be the best moms they can be. I’m sharing there today about “Expecting Stretch Marks.”
Sitting in a hospital works wonders for one’s trust in God.
My husband and I have seen with our own eyes how God delivers people from pain, troubles, and sadness. It’s not that we won’t experience these hard things. We will see suffering in this life (Romans 5:1-5), but God always remains present for us to trust through the good and the rough. His answer may not always be what we expect, but we can rely on Him to give us what we need (Psalm 34:8-9).
Waiting While Crying Out
In Psalm 40, David waited and received answers from God on his previous troubles (Psalm 40:1). He witnessed God’s good deeds, deepening his knowledge of Him (Psalm 40:3) and set about praising Him.
“Such wonders of God demand a response (Psalm 40:5). No ritual will suffice (Psalm 40:6), only serious commitment to God’s will (Psalm 40:7-8).” (Source: New Bible Commentary, p. 512)
Image from Microsoft Clip Art
Yet, David still needed God’s help and deliverance (Psalm 40:11-13). Continuing to need God’s help did not cause David’s trust to suffer. Instead, he trusted all the more because he had witnessed God’s saving redemption. And because of that trust, he waited patiently while still crying out to God for His saving help. Trust breeds patience and that patience signifies deep trust. Oh, to have that trust!
The New Bible Commentary looks at David’s example of patient trust and summarizes: “How we react to life constitutes a potent testimony and nothing is more powerful than to maintain a simple attitude of waiting trust” (p. 512).
He Delivers
God’s love and faithfulness protects (Psalm 40:11). He gives not only His salvation and His physical protection, but His love and faithfulness protect our hearts, too.
Psalm 40:17 declares that God helps and delivers. We can trust even these words because we know His Word to be true (Psalm 33:4).
We always need God’s gracious help. And He is always willing to give it His children, who love Him, revere Him, and seek Him wholeheartedly. We can do all of this in trust because we see how He delivers. We have known from the beginning (Psalm 22:9-10) and in spite of those who mock the faith (Psalm 22:8) – God is trustworthy. I may want answers fast or a different path than what may be placed in front of me, but in and throughout it all, I have a God who opens my ears to hear His blessings (Psalm 40:6) and opens my heart to receive His love.
My prayer today is to trust like David shows us because God’s love and deliverance produces this praise-filled reliance:
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…” – Psalm 37:7
How have you personally seen God deliver? What else did you learn from this week’s Run To Him reading in Psalm 40?
(Heather and me in Birmingham, over Thanksgiving break!)
Our very own Heather is ready for her new little one to arrive any day now!
Doesn’t she look so adorable!!
Will you stop with me, today and pray for her? Just leave a comment of prayer, for whatever part of the labor, delivery and adjustment afterward, the Lord may lay on your heart on her behalf. Or, maybe you have a verse to share that has encouraged you through the last weeks of pregnancy and the early newborn days?
We love you, Heather, and we can’t wait to meet baby boy #4!!
(Heather has no idea I am posting this…so hopefully she doesn’t kill me. Haha!)
With the recent advances in smart phones and tablet devices we can’t give the excuse that we “don’t have time” to read the Bible. Or keep a prayer journal. Or encourage others with Scripture.
There are wonderful applications (aka “apps”) available, most for free, that allow you to grow spiritually and to minister to others on-the-go…in carpool line, waiting at the grocery store check-out line, in the doctor’s office…
I surveyed our Do Not Depart contributors and here are some of our favorite apps for spiritual growth & ministry. I’ve broken them into the following categories: Bible Study, Scripture Memory, Prayer, Worship, & Encouragement.
This app is available on the iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Palm.
Over 100 different versions of the Bible in many different languages (I’ve used the Swahili version to share the Psalm 4 with a Muslim refugee from Somalia!)
Reading plans available.
Type any word or phrase for quick search of Scriptures (concordance).
Encourage others through sharing verses. Highlight a verse then with one button chose one of the following options:
What a deal!! “The complete six volume set (over 5,850 pages) of trusted verse-by-verse commentary of the entire holy bible with over 64,000 scripture references at your finger tips – fast and easy to use.”
This app is similar to the YouVersion app but it differs in that you can connect it with a Logos account. Therefore you can make notes & highlight verses (80 different colors & symbols available) that are saved across devices (your phone & computer).
Pull up any verse and compare it across any 5 different versions…on one screen.
“The Passage Guide allows you to enter a verse and get a detailed report that includes relevant commentaries, cross references, literary typing, and media resources.”
Highlight a word in a verse to look up the Greek/Hebrew for further study.
This personalized radio station is wonderful for helping you worship during your quiet time, re-focus on God while cooking dinner, or praise His goodness while folding laundry.
Type in an artist’s name, style of music or song to set up a radio station. The app will then choose music to fit into that station.
Some of my favorite stations are: Hillsong, Christa Wells, Chris Tomlin, Bethany Dillon, Aaron Shust, and Contemporary Christian. Share in the comments what stations you love!
Like Pandora, this app has radio stations that you can search for by genre, but is best known for its playlist feature.
Find songs you like and save them to your own customized playlist.
If you don’t feel up to creating your own playlist, feel free to follow us! Type in “donotdepart” into the search bar and click on playlists. You can also find and follow others by searching with terms like “Morning Worship” or “Christian Praise”, and so on.
Last fall, I spent two weeks in Moldova. Most of the people speak Russian. Since I don’t, I often wondered what people were talking about. Translators helped, but I longed to understand and speak the language.
Christians have a unique language too. Theological words and “Christianize” pop-up constantly in church services, Bible studies, and conversations. For long-time church-goers, words like “saved,” “lost,” and “repentance” come naturally. But others often wonder what we’re talking about. And sometimes even Christians can’t explain them.
So, should we just toss them out? No, these words – which come straight from Scripture – richly express the truths of our faith. Instead, we must define them and help others to understand them too.
Here’s my list of the top ten “churchy” words you should know, complete with Scripture references and definitions:
Born Again (John 3:3-8) – Jesus coined this phrase Himself referring to being spiritually reborn or born from above; this term is synonymous with “Christian.” The phrase “born again Christian” is redundant.
Lost (Luke 19:10; Matt 10:6) – Jesus used this term to refer to those who are alienated or separated from God. The same Greek word is translated as “perish” in John 3:16! The Greek means “to destroy, kill, or to declare that one must be put to death.” Christians use “lost” to refer to those who are spiritually dead in their sin and separated from God.
Salvation/Saved (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9) – Delivery from sin and its consequences; the present and eternal spiritual condition granted by God to those who believe in Jesus and His saving work.
Repent/Repentance (Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38; 2 Cor 7:10) – The Greek noun and verb translated as “repentance” and “repent” means to “change one’s mind or purpose.” The Bible uses this word specifically to refer to changing one’s mind and behavior regarding sin and evil.
Faith (Ephesians 2:8; James 2:14) – having a solid confidence, trust, hope and active reliance in God and His promises. This firm conviction produces full acknowledgment and personal surrender.
Sin (Romans 3:23) – to “miss the mark” as an arrow missing a bull’s-eye; to deviate from the norm. The Bible uses “sin” to refer to anything that deviates from the perfect pattern God established for mankind. “Sin” refers to our wrong thinking actions, and corrupted nature.
Justification (Romans 3:24; 4:25) – to make or declare one to be righteous. Our sin earned the guilty verdict, but Jesus paid our penalty and gave us His righteousness.
Redemption (Romans 3:24) – a releasing or deliverance bought with a ransom. Christ bought our “redemption” from sin, spiritual death, and separation from God with His own life, given on the cross.
Righteousness (Romans 3:25; 2 Cor 5:21) – the quality of being right or just; conformity to God’s perfect moral standard. Righteousness is impossible to accomplish on our own. But Jesus gives His righteousness to those who trust in His death for salvation.
Sanctification/Holiness (Romans 6:19; 1 Thess 4:3; Hebrews 12:14) – separation of the believer from anything sinful. It requires conscious action and submissive obedience to God’s will and way. It is an ongoing process that begins at salvation and continues throughout this life.
Are you still with me or do you feel like you just got thrown into the deep end of the pool? Although these “churchy” words can be confusing, understanding them will deepen our understanding of our great salvation.
I’d love to know what “churchy” words you love and hate! What “churchy” word do you struggle to understand or use? What “churchy” word do you just love because it conveys so much meaning?
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.
Other than the Bible (it’s # 1), what book has helped you love God more? Driven you to a higher level of spiritual growth? Inspired in you a greater passion to serve others?
Here are ten favorite books among a few of the writers at Do Not Depart (in an incredibly informal poll—sorry, no Barna statistics here).
A gift from her dad, this is the book that sparked Teri Lynne’s interest in spiritual disciplines and the study of Christian classics. It’s one of my all-time favorite books, too, because of its practical approach listing things we can do to grow spiritually, yet its insistence upon a total dependence on God for that spiritual growth.
2. Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
by John Piper
Heather says this classic Piper book opened her eyes to a different view of God, how He desires good for us, and how our enjoyment of Him brings Him glory. I agree. It taught me through multiple scriptures that the more I love God, the more joy I have.
3. Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
by Henry and Richard Blackaby, Claude King
First published in 1990, this book has helped people all over the world listen to God more attentively, and respond to His voice more actively. The more we experience Him, the more we learn to trust and love Him. This is one of Kathy’s favorites.
Because I can be a worrier about the future, I re-read this book for a second time last year because of its strong urging to trust God not only for grace in the past, but also for grace in the future. I will continue to turn to its truths for practical scriptural advice on how to overcome a variety of sins and trust God’s grace more. God has, is, and will help us—past, present, and future.
5. The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God and Their Meaning in the Christian Life
by A. W. Tozer
Perhaps you’re familiar with this quote: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” It’s from this 1978 book from Tozer about characteristics of God, all of which are worthy of our study and our honor. Learning more about God gives us more reasons to love Him. This is another favorite of mine and Kathy’s.
6. The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
by Timothy Keller
I’ve yet to read this one (it’s on my list), but Sandra says it was a life-changer for her when she realized that the older brother in the story of the prodigal son was just as sinful as the younger brother. As a good-girl, rule-follower, she says this book showed her she was too much like the Pharisees, and like Paul, was “the chief of sinners.” Discover a message of grace here.
After Julie was given this book in high school, she realized for the first time that God’s Word should impact her thought life first, then everything else would flow from that. Realizing that God’s standard of holiness is a goal to be pursued changed the way she runs her race as a believer.
Being discontent with your life’s circumstances isn’t just a modern-era problem. Burroughs wrote this as a Puritan in the 1600s but its strong message to find contentment in Christ alone is just as relevant today. I first read it two years ago and immediately felt its judgment in my own life (and I thought I was fairly content already!). It’s a challenging read—both in vocabulary and in conviction—but it is well worth the effort.
9. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate
by Jerry Bridges
Sandra and Kathy both were impacted by this book that shines light on the more “acceptable” sins (like unthankfulness, lack of self-control, irritability, judgmentalism). Bridges navigates through these to lead you back around to the gospel message of God’s forgiveness and grace.
10. Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ
by John Piper
This book can help you better appreciate and rely on the beauty of God’s sovereignty in all situations, good and “bad.” Seeing His hand at work through various stories in the Old and New Testaments can strengthen your faith that He is still active in the situations of your own life. Sandra and I both picked this one.
It’s hard to stop at just ten! Please add your favorites in the comments—what books have influenced your faith?
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. Do Not Depart will receive a small percentage of your purchase, at no additional cost to you.
How can I focus every bit of my heart – in every moment of life – on Him first, rather than on worry or “self-sufficiency.” How do I train my heart to seek His shelter rather than scrounge for my own?
A few ways helping me so far (and maybe able to help you?): Store up His Word in our hearts! Seek out verses to memorize, leading to quick recall when those trying times occur. Place His Word first in our hearts over and over and over again so we form a habit of going to Him first.
How can we find these guiding verses?
Pray first for God to open your heart to His leading and heighten your awareness of applicable verses for your situation.
Use a concordance (found in most study bibles) to find a topic (I searched for grief, trouble, fear, worry…) and read verses listed.
Study one passage (a chapter, a book) for several days in a row, asking God to lead you to needed truths at the right times.
Ten Verses for Trying Times
Here are ten verses I’ve found helpful in getting through hard times:
Hebrews 12:7 – Hardships train us.
Psalm 27:13-14 – Wait for and trust in Him in all things.
Psalm 16:7-8 – God counsels.
Psalm 34:2-5 – God hears.
Psalm 34:18 – Brokenhearted? He remains near. (Our Run To Him reading for this week speaks on His redeeming us from troubles!)
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 – We need not hold on to grief for we have His hope and joy in the midst of grief.
Psalm 10:14 – God sees our troubles and helps.
John 16:19-24, 33 – Grief caused by this age will be wiped away in the age to come. (John 16:33 is one of my personal favorites.)
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 – God comforts our troubles, and then we can share His comfort with others going through similar troubles.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – These troubles, no matter how severe they are, are nothing compared to the eternal glory coming. I have to remind myself of this perspective sometimes.
How does God share what you need through His Word?
It’s been almost one year since tornadoes ripped through neighborhoods hauntingly close to mine. The weathermen had warned April 27 would be bad, but until my own trees and fence blew down, I didn’t believe them.
By the end of the day, it was a war zone. Wind versus everything else. On the outside, it appeared wind had won.
But on the inside—for those hidden in shelters—there was safety.
Who is the enemy?
David knew wars. Enemies surrounded him. Yet he had the audacity to ask, “Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
Um, I could make a list, David. A long list.
And not just for him, but for me, too. I’m leery of new situations, confrontational people, even hints of danger. And that’s not even counting “evildoers assailing me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes” (Psalm 27:2).
So what do we do in times of danger, or perceived danger? In Alabama, many are buying tornado shelters. Our instinct is to protect ourselves from vulnerability.
But what did David ask?
David did one main thing. He asked the Lord, “Can I stay in Your presence?” (Psalm 27:4). There was safety. There was shelter.
In God’s presence, he could sing with joy, he could cry for guidance, he could learn His ways.
Can we be that dependent? Can we be vulnerable enough to stop striving after stronger fortresses, and instead trust the One already built for us?
Can we let go of trying to be more—if I pray more, study more, mop my kitchen floors more—and instead let God be more?
He didn’t tell us to build a spiritual storm shelter. He said He would hide us in His.
He didn’t say to bring our own tents. His can cover us just fine.
He didn’t even point toward a big rock and say climb up. He lifts us up and places us on top.
So what do we do?
Let’s start by repenting. Instead of wasting resources building our own walls of protection, let’s ask His forgiveness for our attempts at self-sufficiency. And become dependent instead.
Then let’s stand firmer in our faith. Can we let down our guard in a relationship that needs more authenticity? Perhaps we can try a new ministry, trusting He will lead us. Or maybe “waste” more time with Him, simply delighting in His presence.
If we want more peace, more rest, more confidence—and God to receive more glory—let’s live and love out of the home base of His shelter.
We don’t have to design it.
We don’t have to manufacture it.
We don’t even have to pay for it.
We just worship in it with joy. God is our shelter. Nowhere else can be safer.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5
Is it easy or hard for you to abandon self-sufficiency? In what areas do you most realize your dependency on the Lord?
Please share something that helped you this week from Psalm 27.
We recently merged all the Scripture Dig posts over here at Do Not Depart. It all happened so quickly and quietly you may not have noticed! There are so many great posts and studies, I wanted to just highlight a few.
They left on Friday morning with duffle bags, spending money, and an all-too quick kiss and not-so-convincing promise to try to remember to text me during the youth retreat. My two teenagers. Weren’t they just going to pre-school and working on speech problems last summer? Who put away Chutes and Ladders? How did they get so independent? Have they grown up enough? Have I steered them well?a site dedicated to helping moms be the best moms they can be. I’m sharing there today about “Expecting Stretch Marks.”
Bible Study Apps:
1. You Version Bible (FREE)
2. Bible.is (FREE) by Faith Comes by Hearing:
3. Matthew Henry Commentary ($1.99): 
4. Logos (FREE): 
5. Bible Memory Verses (FREE) by Woody Hays
6. Fighter Verses ($2.99) by Children Desiring God (John Piper Ministries)
7. Echo Prayer Manager (FREE) 
8. Pandora (FREE):
10. Reeder ($4.99):
So, should we just toss them out? No, these words – which come straight from Scripture – richly express the truths of our faith. Instead, we must define them and help others to understand them too.
Is it easy or hard for you to abandon self-sufficiency? In what areas do you most realize your dependency on the Lord?
