Do Not Depart

Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

You are here: Home / Blog

Catch Me to Lead Me!

by 4 Comments

One of the many things I deeply appreciate about Julie is her heart for marriages. If you don’t read her Marriage Mondays, you’re missing out! Julie can paint beautiful pictures out of everyday observances, and sweetly and humbly challenge us to be the wives God has called us to be! This post is particularly memorable for me and it comes to mind often – it was originally posted at Come Have a Peace on October 25, 2010.

As part of our camping trip for fall break, we rode the Virginia Creeper with our friends. It’s a 35 mile bike trail on an old railroad bed. We rode the top section, coming down Whitetop Mt. through forests, fields, Christmas tree farms, and towns colored with hues of autumn. One bend in the road was so picturesque we just had to stop and linger. I snapped a picture of our friends and then looked around, realizing my family had disappeared. Thinking they had taken off at a faster pace than my “reflect and linger” rate, I knew I had to move along to catch up.

Not too far down the trail I conceded I had been left in the dust. I thought about the things I’d posted about complaining in October (hate it when I convict myself!) … and I decided to choose to enjoy the time alone, to use the time to soak in the scenery, to pray and praise as I biked. I was sure I would catch up to my kin. But … several miles later there was still no sign of my bikers. I was “doing the Creeper” alone.

My prayers changed to, “Lord, should I be mad about this? They left me behind! Isn’t this supposed to be family time? Bottom line: I’ve been ditched. Forgotten. How am I SUPPOSED to feel about this? I didn’t ride this trail to learn a lesson; I wanted to have a good time!” I passed an old couple and a group of kids and wanted to shout out, “I’m riding fast to CATCH MY HUSBAND WHO ABANDONED ME!!!” :) I should’ve known I would be humbled …….

I decided to pull over and take a break from my peddling and pouting. As I dismounted, imagine my surprise when from BEHIND me came my knight in biking gear. “I finally caught you!” he shouted happily. Instead of leaving me in the dust, my fam had been lured trailside to a stunning red barn, taking pictures, without realizing I bailed out and biked ahead. A communication lapse? Yes. An accident? Yes. But instead of thinking the best of my recreating hubby, WAITING on him, and following his lead, I assumed he had left me … when I was really the one who left him.

We are called to be followers of Jesus, and as wives that means following our husbands. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus said to follow Him, we have to deny going our own way?

“Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24).

To become a follower of Christ, we have to daily set aside going our own way to give preference to the leadership of another. To become a follower of a husband, we have to daily set aside going our own way to give preference to the leadership of another.

There are lots of distractions and temptations in marriage NOT to follow our husbands. It’s easy to bail out, convincing ourselves we are the victim, the one left behind, the one wronged. But sometimes being a good partner and letting our husbands lead us means waiting on them while they do things like pray, think through a decision, or take pictures of red barns. ;) Jeff WANTED to ride the trail with me, but I biked on ahead without him. We missed sharing some beautiful miles of trail together. I’m just glad the Lord made me stop peddling and pouting, so He could reunite me with my man for our journey together.

Do you find yourself running ahead of your hubby because he isn’t where you think he should be? Are you peddling and pouting up ahead of him, while he’s trying to catch up and lead you? I hope you’ll pull over and pray, asking the Lord to help you get in sync with your husband. The trail is beautiful, and doing it together is even sweeter.

Finding Living Water

by

There is no other way to describe it. I thirst. And in my thirst, I have wasted time searching this world for something to ease the dry. But my thirst goes deep, past the physical, into realms undefinable with mere words.

I entertain the deep down longing for more. More peace. More joy. More life. Then I look to a man or a dream or my closet, desperate for the need to be met. And even after I have some filling—even after the man loves me reckless or the dream takes shape in my now—I awake with the thirst. Again.

I could have been that woman at the Samaritan well, filling her thirst with things of this world. Things that leave us parched. But He graciously gave me a drink of His “living water” and I’ve never been the same.

Over the last few months Lara and I have together been dreaming, planning, praying and writing. The Lord has set our hearts towards putting together a book which will help you in your relationship with Him. Specifically, guidance in how to study the Bible on your own. Our hope and prayer is that through these words you will encounter God in a deeper way as you learn to experience Him through His word.

Photo Credit

This book will be available, as an e-book, early this fall. We are incredibly excited about it!

As we continue to put together this e-book, it would be helpful to us to get your input! If you have a moment, will you fill out this quick 1-minute survey? After you fill out the form, please leave us a comment to let us know that you took the survey. If you fill out this form by the end of today, you will be entered to win one of 10 free, pre-released copies of the e-book!

Thank you, friends!

Verbal Accessories

by 1 Comment

{Julie is without question the most grace-filled woman I have had the privilege to meet.  She is kind and wise and her words are saturated with truth spoken in love.   Each Monday she shares encouragement for marriage on her blog, Come Have a Peace.   This post from a few months ago, is one that I have read several times to remind me what my accessories ought to be.  ~ Teri Lynne}

Last week we hosted missionaries from Eastern Europe during our Global Missions Conference. On Saturday I had a cultural experience; I went to the MALL. I don’t go to the mall often, so there’s always a bit of a jolt. I realize how out of style I really am. :) As I walked past the window dressings, I noticed the accessories. Wide belts are definitely IN (I don’t have one) this year. Trends are always changing. An accessory adds so much to an outfit.

As I interact with women and wives of all ages and stages, I’m aware of how our words accessorize us. There’s a new trend the seems to be “dressing” the looks of many women today. It’s not a wide belt or a leopard print. It’s the words we use, and it’s definitely adding to the overall statement many women are making. My own culture is shifting to more casual, crass, and often crude language. How are our verbal accessories contributing to our marriage relationships?

Proverbs 8:13 tells us the Lord hates evil and perverse speech.So where are Christian women getting ugly dressings?

Where are these ugly accessories coming from? 

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”  Luke. 6:45.

It isn’t just a matter of training our tongue; lovely language begins in a lovely heart. If we hear ourselves sprinkling in more crass, careless, or crude language, it may be a reflection of a heart that’s becoming callous to what God considers ugly versus what He sees as beautiful. If we’re having a steady diet of media (reading, movies, tv, etc) that includes a seasoning of crass language, we will gradually lose our distaste for it. Hey, it’s not hard to see why we forget what true beauty is when we take inventory of the messages the world around us constantly feeds us. The world would have us believe language that’s a little edgy, a little dirty, a little bold is beautiful.  How easily we are deceived. God makes it clear what it beautiful to Him here.

Verbal accessories that add to our beauty as women and as wives are seasoned with grace.We won’t be prepared to speak with grace to the unbelieving world if we haven’t gotten in the habit of holy talk with our closest friends and family or when no one is listening. Husbands find it awkward to see their wives as worthy of honor and dignity, a person of beauty inviting his tenderness, when a wife has dressed herself in an image that’s not feminine and lacks in gentleness. It’s hard for a man to cherish his lady when she doesn’t act like much of a lady.

I’m not talking about being a diva or a pansy; language under control is an accessory of strength and beauty. Anyone can be common. It takes a wise woman to nurture her language.

By sifting out low language, we not only make ourselves more feminine, more soft, and more beautiful for our husbands, but we “dress” ourselves in accessories that speak of godly beauty to the watching world. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our husband could describe our speech as tender, gentle, comforting, and clean? And wouldn’t it be worth of praise if the world could say we must be a follower of God, because our language is so like what they know of Jesus?

Wide belts may be “in” this year, but lovely, gentle, clean verbal accessories are always “in” for the woman of God. May our words make our marriages and all of our relationships more beautiful in every season.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

My New Fav Coffee Shop

by 1 Comment

This post of Julie’s caught my attention initially because the location is a coffee shop! But I choose this one to share with you because it challenges us all to holiness and obedience. Drink up!

I found the cutest new coffee shop in our town. The kids and I took a few friends and went to have coffee/tea and chat. Can I just say, it is SO MUCH FUN to have my kids at the age where they can go to a coffee shop with me and drink hot drinks and chat pleasantly????? So much fun. It doesn’t seem long ago that I would’ve spread out coloring books, dinosaurs, and goldfish, hoping to prolong my limited minutes. Every season of parenting has its joys. I’m in the coffee shop season.

From Julie’s kitchen

So this cute coffee shop … great architecture, great coffee, interesting art, comfy chairs, big windows, good music … and a dirty cup. Yeah, I hate to admit it, but I was given a dirty cup. Now, remember … I’ve lived in a developing country, so I honestly just turned is upside down and gave it a tap, then poured my coffee in real fast. But I remember that the cup was dirty. I recognize a dirty cup, because I have them in my own kitchen.  ….. No one likes a dirty cup. Jesus doesn’t.

The pharisees were constantly campaigning for Jesus to give them the “Righteous Club of the Year” award throughout the Book of Luke. He never did. In fact, He wanted them to know that He saw right through their outward image and inside their dirty cups. I mean, hearts. But He used a cup to make the point.

Luke 11:39-40
Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

Jesus wants us to be repentant, unencumbered by love for this world, and obedient. It was so hard for the religious leaders to repent, because they wouldn’t take an honest look at themselves and see that they were dirty inside.  We have to recognize our dirty condition, so that we can cut loose the idols in our lives, and Be Obedient.

Jesus longs for our obedience. It is evidence of our love for Him. What does Jesus want for me and for you in this year of 2011?  He wants us to Be Obedient.

Well, it’s the weekend.  What are your plans?  Let’s all take some time to check out the inside of our cups and wash up. 

If you need a place to get alone for some time to think and pray and read and listen … I know a great little coffee shop.

Be a Woman of the World

by 2 Comments

{Julie and I share a passion for missions. Perhaps that’s because we’ve both lived lives in a foreign land as missionaries where life is very different than what we experience here in the states. It changes you. It changes your passions, your pursuits and your perspectives. So, when I read Julie’s post, “Be a Woman of the World”, I knew I had to chose this to share with you – because as Julie said, “In a world full of hurting people and injustice, women who lift their eyes from their own table, cubicle, car line, and planner are needed to bring Christ to those longing to know abundant life and peace.” – Thank you Julie for giving us such a beautiful example of grace and strength wrapped in the heart of a missionary girl!}

Be a Woman of the World

Original post – Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I keep expecting to find another page in my planner that says “September,” but it’s not there. I started the month by reflecting on relationships like a woman and her God, her kids, her church, her husband, her parents, her boss, and her friends. We’ve only scratched the surface! But if a woman only nurtures the relationships nearest to her, she runs the risk of becoming cold.

If a woman’s life has been changed by a relationship with Jesus Christ as her Savior, then her relationships with people look different.

Luke 6:32-33 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.The heart of a woman can’t help but turn outward when God is the Lord of her heart and mind. She isn’t meant to only turn her focus inward, circle the wagons, and isolate herself. She is meant to impact her immediate “world” and her global “world” with the love of Christ demonstrated through her.

Romans 13:8-9 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments … are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
 
In a world full of hurting people and injustice, women who lift their eyes from their own table, cubicle, car line, and planner are needed to bring Christ to those longing to know abundant life and peace. It’s easy to get “uber-focused” on MY day and MY stuff and MY work and MY family and MY plans, ignoring the needs of the world. I’m inspired by stories of women who have lifted their eyes and reached out.

Camille is passionate about women facing unexpected pregnancies and families in need around her locally. A young woman in her 20’s, she dedicates herself to supporting her local crisis pregnancy center and helping families struggling in the difficult economy. She’s taken a business she is part of ( Baby Jar ) and used it to highlight the needs of unwed mothers and at risk families, putting $ where her heart is by donating part of their profits to relieving need. Camille looked around where she lives and saw needs right in her own area, thought about her resources, and decided to offer her energies to ministering the love of Christ to others. Very simply, she says their “mission and vision is to make a difference in and around our area here in ** Florida – bestowing upon those families and individuals tangible and spiritual blessings.”

                                    

Becky is uniquely prepared and gifted to be a partner, advocate, and voice for vulnerable women and children globally. She established WAR International for Women at Risk, “Creating safe places for women and children rescued from many abuses including human trafficking/sexual slavery … to give voice to their silenced cries.” She has creatively and passionately stepped in to educate people like me and you about those we may be tempted to try not to think about. Le t’s faced it; it’s ugly information, and it can be overwhelming. How can I help from where I live? You can read about this ministry started by a woman who let herself love the world for Jesus. This weekend there is even a chance to join her in a weekend of fasting and prayer. And as you shop for the holidays, WAR offers gifts made by and in support of vulnerable populations. This is a beautiful picture of how one woman is relating to her world and being used to change lives as the messenger of Jesus’ love. It is love in ACTION. 
I am crazy about my family, and it’s easy to devote my time and attention and energy to loving them. Some days are more “high maintenance” than others. ;) But there’s a world beyond our walls, and our relationships would be rather shallow, and not much like those of Jesus Christ, if we failed to look up from our group hug and reach out to our world, locally and globally.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
How does the world look from where you live? Locally? Globally?
Do you know a woman who is relating the love of Christ to the world beyond herself?

Small Things

by 1 Comment

It’s amazing how our pride and selfish ambition can get all tangled up into what God has called and equipped us to do. Bloggers long for bigger numbers, pastors long for bigger churches, even sweet servants who cheerfully hold up the ministries of the church with their humble labor can begin to long for a bit of the spotlight, some recognition of what they have done. It’s something we all battle – I know I do! Because of that, I love this post from Stephanie about serving God in the small things. It speaks to my heart and I think it will speak to yours, also! This was originally posted at StephanieShott.com on September 29, 2010.

“For who has despised the day of small things.” Zechariah 5:3

Do you sense God has called you to bigger and better things? Has He given you a vision for a ministry that is beyond you, yet you know it is for you? Are you stuck in neutral as you are waiting for it to unfold?

Sometimes we want the prominent before we walk through the petty; we seek the splendid instead of the small. But serving God is seldom a battle for position rather an aligning of our will to His. How, where and to what extent we serve is entirely up to Him.

While it’s part of our DNA to desire to accomplish more, the goal is not to do more. The goal is to know Him more each obedient step of the way and let Him define the extent of our accomplishments.

This has been a hard one for a girl whose favorite quote is, “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” ~ William Carey. But the ultimate purpose in attempting great things for God must always be motivated by a heart that knows Him and desires to make Him known.

It’s an odd phenomena, but those who have been called into the ministry must be very careful that their work does not become the object of their worship. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the grandness of the call and neglect to focus on the greatness of God.

Small things may be where He choses to leave us because we’d crumble under the weight of something bigger. But small things are just as important to God as the big things.

He gives significance to extending a cup of water in His name, to serving dinner to a stranger, to comforting a hurting heart. These are small things, but in the grander scheme of things, God gives them significance.

Yes, small things may be stepping stones to bigger things to come. But He reminds us that our faithfulness to fulfill His call to small things is a determining factor to His willingness to call us to bigger things. He doesn’t call us to bigger if we haven’t been faithful to the small things first.

‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ Luke 19:17

Have you missed God’s call to the small things because you can only focus on the big things? Are you content to know that our faithfulness to fulfill His call to the small things is as important as accomplishing the big things? Do you know you’ve been called to something bigger than yourself, but you’ve struggled with each small step on the way? 

Philippians :: Week 3 :: Paul’s Desire

by 7 Comments

Paul’s Overriding Desire

In this week’s passage of our Philippians Study, we get a snapshot of Paul’s desires. There is a conflict waging inside his soul. He wants to be with Christ, “for that is far better” (1:23) He longs for Christ and to be rid of his aching, imprisoned body. Later in Philippians we see this longing more clearly: “we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (3:20-21).

Yet he knows that staying on this earth “means fruitful labor” (1:22) and “is more necessary” (1:24) for the sake of the Philippians’ progress in the faith.

But there is yet another desire. An overriding desire: The glory of Christ.

More of Paul’s Desire, and a Study Tip!

This is not the first time we have seen this in the book of Philippians. When I am studying a passage and I start to think there might be a theme present, I will try to take some time to go back and dig a little bit. So, let’s do some digging! Let’s take a look back over the verses we have studied so far, and re-read them, specifically looking for Paul’s desire for the glory of Christ. Here is what I found:

  • Philippians 1:9-11: “And it is my prayer that…to the glory and praise of God”
  • Philippians 1:12-18: “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (his perspective about being imprisoned)
  • Philippians 1:20: “it is my eager expectation and hope that…Christ will be honored in my body”
  • Philippians 1:23: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ” (Paul’s desire in death)
  • Philippians 1:26: “so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus” (Paul’s desire in life)

This is all just in the first 26 verses of the book! I know that we will continue to see more of this theme; Paul’s desire for the glory of Christ.

Making Application

I just love the wording of Philippians 1:26:

…so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

I pray that my children and husband would have ample cause to glory in Christ because of my presence in their life. I hope that my friends, neighbors and anyone else I encounter can see Christ in me and can praise God for the joy of Christ brought to them through me.

I fear that more often there is little that is praise-worthy in my life, little that gives God glory. But by God’s grace I will press on, even in my failures, because even when I have completely messed up God can be glorified!

What about you? What did you see this week in Philippians? Do you have any questions? Any thing you want to share about what the Lord has shown you in His word?

Joyfully Poured Out

by 1 Comment

I can guarantee two things when you visit Stephanie’s personal blog: you will be encouraged and you will be challenged. She certainly does that for me in this post from her Philippians study. After reading this again from Stephanie, I’m going to make my list–how about you?

Well, let’s get cracking with today’s study of Philippians. We’re only going to look at two verses today, but they’re power-packed, transformational verses.

“But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.” Philippians 2:17-18 NLT

In the New Testament, we only find the phrase “poured out” twice (Phil 2:17, 2 Tim 4:6) and both were used by Paul. It’s the Greek word, spendō, and it is used figuratively of one whose life-blood is poured out unto death for God.

Paul’s reference was to the Old Testament drink offering found in Numbers 25:29 which was a sweet aroma unto the Lord.

As we see throughout the New Testament, Paul’s life was all about being poured out unto the Lord and for fellow believers. It made his heart smile to know he was being sacrificially used by God to minister to others. Joy and sacrificial service were ties that bound his heart to his brothers and sisters in Christ and that brought him joy.

It’s funny how we let ourselves get so wrapped up in our own little worlds and neglect to pour ourselves out to minister to the needs of others. Many times it happens because our lives are so busy. But there’s great joy in serving God and serving others for the glory of God. Our heart rejoices when we are able to bring joy to others.

So today, we’re going to look at some very practical questions that will require some very practical application. Are you ready girls? Let’s see if we can make our hearts smile as we serve others and in the process, our lives will be a sweet aroma unto the Lord. It don’t get much better than that! :-)

1. List at least three people you know that are in the need of some encouragement.

2. List a few people who have a need that you could meet. (Like visiting a widow and helping clean their house or taking a meal to a neighbor or driving an elderly person to the store, babysit for an overwhelmed mom – you get the idea)

3. Make a list of those you could teach or share a biblical truth with or maybe do a Bible study with. Remember much of Paul’s ministry was teaching the Word of God.

4. Now that you’ve made your list, go back over it and begin to write what it is you can do to be poured out as the sacrifice of their faith.

You see, I think sometimes we just let life happen to us and the good intentions become our list of should-a, could-a, would-a’s. That leaves us frustrated.

But when we become intentional in the way we approach life, our ministry to others – the pouring out of our lives – will begin to become more than mere intentions – they will become actual acts of service that have the power to change peoples lives.

THAT, sweet sister, will not only put a smile on the face of those you are ministering to, it will make your heart smile, as well. And in the process of pouring out your life, you will become a sweet smelling aroma to our glorious God!

So, let’s be like Nike girls and “Just do it!” – today!

Philippians ~ Losing & Winning

by 4 Comments

I could’ve guessed what Stephanie’s life verses are, because it doesn’t take long in knowing her to see that the most precious thing in her life is Jesus. One thing I love about what she shares is that it’s always centered on God’s Word and a greater understanding of it, and it’s always authentically worked out in the arena of her life.

This post from her Philippians series is a favorite of mine, as she offers part of her own life’s story to lift up God’s story. I love Philippians 3:4-8 right along with Stephanie, and I know you’ll be challenged by her insights and the questions she asks us to ponder in this post from March of this year. Hear her heart as she shares that there is nothing more important than knowing our Jesus!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Philippians ~ Losing & Winning (originally posted at stephanieshott.com Mar. 2, 2011)

If you’ve ever received an email or snail mail from me, you know my life verses are Philippians 3:7-14. Today’s text is Philippians 3:4-8. So, as you can see, we’re just getting our feet wet in the verses I live to define my life by.

As I was preparing for today’s lesson, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes. It’s by Jim Elliot:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Our text today will echo that same sentiment!

Take a few minutes and read Philippians 3:4-8. I’ve provided a link so you can read it in several versions.

Paul certainly came from quite the line, didn’t he! If he was a horse, we would have called him a thoroughbred.

He had a past to be proud of. It distinguished him as a religious leader. A Pharisee. With Jewish blood flowing through his veins, his lineage could be traced back to Benjamin. In fact, Paul takes us back to his own infancy to prove his strict adherence to the Jewish Law. He was circumcised on the eighth day in strict compliance with the Law. A Hebrew of Hebrews – a declaration that his father adhered to the Jewish Law, as well.

He was an educated man, who knew the Law of God. He sat at Gamaliel’s feet as he learned from a man whose teachings are still celebrated in the Talmud today.

His pedigree was certainly something to brag about. But that wasn’t Paul’s intention.

He stated his family tree as well as his credentials to make a point. No blood line, no educational background, no religious position and no amount of good deeds can merit the salvation that is found in Christ alone. We are saved because Jesus saved us.

Paul’s list of reasons to boast was proof that nothing entitles us to receive salvation. As Paul so aptly said, “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.”

1. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Based on these verses, how are we saved and why is there no room to boast?

2. In Philippians 3:7-8 (NKJV), Paul uses the word “counted” three times. Fill in the blanks for each use.

I have counted _____________________ for ______________________
I count _______________________ for ________________________
I count _______________________ for ________________________

3. According to Jeremiah 9:23-24 what are we to boast about?

I was married in January of 1987 and saved in October of the same year. My husband and I met in a bar and partying was a way of life for us. When I became a Christian I knew I might lose him. He married a girl who would go to the bars with him and drive him home when he was too drunk to drive; one who would have a great time hosting a keg party in the back yard.

And although I really didn’t know everything that would happen when I surrendered my life to Christ, I did know that my life would change. I don’t know how I knew, but I did.

I also knew the minute I said the eternal “I do” to Jesus, that my husband may not be too thrilled that the woman he married no longer existed. But I remember knowing that I would have to stand before the Lord one day on my own…that my husband wouldn’t have to answer for my life, I would.

And so, one sweet October day, I looked at my husband and told him that from that day forward, not he nor the children nor anyone else was going to be more important to me than Jesus. Jesus died for me and I was going to live for him.

It may not have been a pedigree ancestry, it wasn’t a long list of educational degrees or theological training – but in that moment of time, I counted it all loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Knowing Jesus became more important than anything else I held dear – and today, knowing Jesus still is.

We, who have been born again by the Living God, have all come to that place where nothing can compare to the matchless love of God and we surrender all we are to all He is. He becomes our everything.

But, from that day forward, it’s game on. Things begin to compete for our attention. The enemy tries to keep us distracted from the greatness of who He is. We allow life to become more important than the One who gave it to us in the first place.

It’s funny how in our Christian walk, we can let things edge their way into positions of importance that are reserved for Christ alone. We sometimes get so wrapped up in our circumstances that the thrill of knowing Him – the pursuit of an intimate relationship with Him – gets put on the back burner of our lives.

You see, when we are saved, we are made brand new – perfect in His eyes because we have received the Son of God and have been cleansed by His blood. But we still live in this flesh and in this world, and both vie for our attention and our affection. But Christ, alone is to be the object of our affection – the focus of our attention.

Today, let’s examine our lives.

4. What is it that is competing for your attention and your affection?

5. Do you count everything loss for the infinite value of the knowing Christ Jesus, the Lord?

6. What do you need to do in order to count everything loss for the infinite value of knowing Christ?

7. Take a few minutes and journal your heart. Write out what you have put before your relationship with Christ, your heart of repentance from doing so and what you plan on doing to make knowing Jesus the passion and pursuit of your life.

Knowing Him. There’s nothing more valuable than that. Absolutely nothing!

Today, we treaded some pretty deep waters for some girls who only got our feet wet. I pray the Lord will use this as a reminder of how sweet it is to know Him. Losing everything, but gaining so much more!

Oh, how great the Father’s love for us that we should be called the children of God! Treasure that truth today, sweet sister!

Hiding His Word Linky and a Testimonial!

by 16 Comments

It’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for the Hide His Word link-up. If you have written a post about scripture memory, come and link it up at the end of this great guest post from Kristi!

Testimonial: Essentials of Philippians

Two thousand eleven was going to be my year. I picked out my word…BRAVE. This would be the year I was going to make an impact…on my faith, my health, my family, and my home.

Only a few months into 2011 I got some news that my dad was sick. All my bravery went out the window. The wind got knocked out of my sails and I found myself struggling to go through my day. Everything I had been working so hard on was slipping out of my grasp. My weight loss plateau’d, my house became a mess, my attitude changed, as I spread myself way too thin traveling to my dad’s house every day-off.

Now I wouldn’t have had it any other way…I was so thankful to be able to spend time with my dad when he needed me. But emotionally and spiritually I was spent.  I was wrapping up my Bible in 90 Days challenge and was eager to continue to a spiritual walk of sorts (even though I was confused and tired). I had seen Katie tweet about Hiding His Word and I realized it was just what I needed.

You see, my depression was creeping back.  My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.  I was working full time and balancing being a mom to 3 little boys and a wife to my husband. I couldn’t handle the way my thoughts were taking me captive and decided I needed to take my thoughts captive instead. So on March 20, 2011 I decided to start memorizing the Essentials of Philippians as laid out on Do Not Depart.

Can I just say I love this challenge?  I downloaded the songs that Katie recommended. At work when I would start to get anxious I would put whatever verse I was learning on repeat and felt His peace wash over me. This was my lifeline during the drives to my dad’s house.

I’ve only memorized 5 sections of verses, but I feel solid in what I know of those verses.  I have the first letters hanging in my shower to review, I listen to the songs, I have Jason test me.  As I fall asleep I meditate on these words, and again, when I wake up they are the first things on which I think.

The Hide His Word challenge has encouraged me in so many ways. I’m deeper in His Word and encouraged by it. I sometimes still struggle with my thoughts, but before they go very far I reign them back in…”I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12

I received the call that he wasn’t doing well and that we were getting close to the end. Many tears fell as I held my dad’s hand, telling him how much I loved him and hearing him say the same thing to me. That entire day, the verses in the first chapter of Philippians “played on repeat” in my head. Any time my thoughts would go astray, I could cling to my verses in order to find my strength. And as my dad took his last breath…”For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

In the days that followed as we prepared for his memorial and even in the days since his funeral, I continue to cling to the words I have memorized in Philippians.  I’m eager to move forward to Chapter 2 as I find my footing in this new normal. No matter your season of life, no matter what lies ahead of you, memorizing God’s Word and hiding it in your heart will make all the difference.

MommaKristi

 

Kristi is a believer in Jesus, wife to her best friend, and mom to three amazing little boys.  She blogs at www.mommakristi.com and is just trying to be the woman God wants her to be.

 

Hiding His Word Link-up

Calling all posts about Scripture memory! Its time to link them up! Share what God is teaching you or tools and tips that have been helpful in your journey!

 

Find Us on Facebook


Recent Posts

Archives