Blog - Do Not Depart

Spend Time in Six Verses with Us

September 28, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

UPDATE:
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Do you want to spend some rich moments with God in these beautiful six verses?

For the next six weeks we’ll be spending quality time memorizing these glorious promises from the Lord. One verse per week, we’ll be soaking in every word to allow God’s grace to reach new places in us.

Here is our schedule.

If you want our free memory resources and a short email reminder each Monday morning, register today. See more details here.

We’re excited to start this Monday, October 1, 2018. Thanks to all who have already signed up. We are ready to travel this journey together in Lamentations 3:21-26!

It will be good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord (Lamentations 3:26).

The Bleeding Woman {guest post}

September 25, 2018 by Guest Post 4 Comments

We welcome Jenifer Shultz as our guest today. I have known Jennifer for many years through the HelloMornings ministry, and if there is one way to describe her, it is that she shines for Jesus! I know you will be blessed by her words. —Patti

*This beautiful image was painted by Howard Lyons. Click on the picture to see his other work.*

There are many women in the Bible that I can identify with as a mother, wife, and modern day gal, but I connect so hard with The Bleeding Woman that I feel like it should almost be my calling card.

If you are not familiar with The Bleeding Woman, I would understand. She is briefly mentioned in Mark 5:22-34. That is it. That is all we know of her story. She is never named.

In fact, she only makes her appearance because a man named Jairus asked Jesus to come with him and heal his daughter. As they rushed to her side, the crowd rushed along with them. She was not the daughter they were seeking to heal. Honestly, because she had a blood issue, she was considered unclean and probably should not have been in the crowd of people risking contact. But there they were, her reaching out in faith—stretched thin and just knowing if she could even get close… to just brush her fingers on the hem of his robe… she would be healed. She knew it with every fiber of her being.

That faith drove her to risk it all.

Friends, that faith is so powerful. Powerful enough that Jesus felt it. In a crowd of hundreds, pushing and shoving (picture Black Friday shopping), Jesus felt her touch the hem of his robe. He felt that power shift because of her faith, and just like that she was healed, after 12 years of suffering. He stopped everything—while a young girl, someone’s daughter, was dying. Not because he was angry, but because of her faith.

Here is where it gets personal, friend. I have been sick for 12 years. For 12 years I have been fighting to find someone to help me. For 12 years, I have seen specialists, had tests, infusions, hospital visits, alternative care… I have tried everything that we can think of, conventional and unconventional. Let me just be very honest and say being sick long term is exhausting and expensive work—physically, emotionally, and financially. You become a number, a statistic. You become nameless, just like The Bleeding Woman.

You feel the world rushing past you, hurrying along to help others and you just keep reaching for help. You want someone to stop everything and notice how hard you are trying and just how much faith it takes to get up each day and face the world. And that is really the key… FAITH.

Out of all the people in that crowd, Jesus felt the touch of The Bleeding Woman because FAITH made it different. Out of all the things she had tried for healing, FAITH made this effort different. She risked so much and it paid off because her FAITH made her bold and brave.

I long for the day when my faith allows me to feel that power and that boldness at the throne. I pray that my faith makes me different and brave. And one day, I know I will hear, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Selah.

Hi. I’m Jen—a small town, Oklahoma girl married to a superhero. Together, we are raising a family on second chances, shiplap, and a shoestring.

I am a firm believer in grace, organization, and efficiency. I find great satisfaction in taking broken items and giving them new life, likely because that is exactly what God did for me.

I over use the word shine, exclamation points, and emojis. I cheer too loud in the stands of my kids’ activities and hug more than is socially acceptable. A natural born encourager and armchair warrior, I am learning to redefine my mission field and make the most of each day I am given.

I am chronically ill and chronically positive- not necessarily in that order. I am learning to practice perseverance over perfection and long for the day I get to see my grandparents and Jesus’ face.

Until then, I am just looking for Grace in the Grind.

Memorize 6 Verses in 6 Weeks

September 24, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

UPDATE:
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Would you like to memorize Lamentations 3:21-26 with us? We’ll start on Monday, October 1, 2018. We’ll learn one verse per week for six weeks.

When you sign up, you’ll get access to a package of resources to print. These are designed to help you get the most out of the passage, both in memorization and in study.

We’ll also send you a short email each Monday morning with the verse of the week.

You can also join our Hide His Word Facebook group. The community there is eager to keep you encouraged and pass along memory tips.

This text is a positive, encouraging message about putting our faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.
Lamentations 3:22

~ ~ ~

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:24

We are looking forward to meditating on the beautiful truths of Lamentations 3:21-26 for the next month and a half!

Get all the details here.

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Sign Up Now – New Memory Verse Challenge – Lamentations 3:21-26

September 17, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

UPDATE:
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Have you heard or (or completed!) the Couch to 5K training program to prepare for running a 5K? Try that approach to memorize 6 Bible verses in 6 weeks! Go from Less to Full (our L2F).

Spiritual Training

Ready for a little spiritual exercise? We’ve got a training schedule for you to go from hope-LESS to hope-FULL.

How?

Learn by heart Lamentations 3:21-26 with us, beginning October 1, 2018, for only 6 weeks.

One Step at a Time

In my 20s, I was a runner. But the older I got, the less I ran. However in my late 40’s, I wanted to run another 5K. So I picked up the Couch to 5K (C25K) training program.

Taking the first step of a new challenge is often the most daunting one. That’s why C25K starts with just short walks.

And that’s why our newest Bible memory challenge starts with just one verse:

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” Lamentations 3:21

What will we be calling to mind? Read all of Lamentations 3:21-26 right now and see!

Our goal will be to learn these six verses, which may likely be familiar to you, and let them saturate our hearts and minds with God’s grace.

Regardless of how bad you think your memory is, or whether you think you have the self-discipline to stick to it, or if your time is too limited as it is, we’ll help you get these six verses.

One step at a time, one week at a time, we’ll walk this out together and give you a gentle push when you need it.

Get Your Resources

Reminders of hope
Mercies that never end
Faithfulness of the Lord

When you sign up, we’ll send you a link to download your Lamentations 3 Memory Package in one of four translations (ESV, KJV, NKJV, NIV). (But you can memorize in whatever translation you prefer.)

We’ll also send you an email each Monday morning throughout the 6 weeks to remind you of the verse of the week.

Run Together

We don’t have to run our race alone. By staying with each other, we can set a pace where everyone can keep up.

You can also join our Hide His Word Facebook group now for extra encouragement, tips, and links to stay motivated.

I did successfully complete my 5K after training with C25K that fall. I was glad. Physical exercise is important.

But the benefits of spiritual exercise? They last forever. You’ll never regret walking step by step with God on your journey through life (and it’s much easier on your joints!).

And who knows? Once you experience the joy of hiding God’s word in your heart, you’ll be ready for a half-marathon in January 2019 when we tackle memorizing a full chapter of the Bible.

Please share this post you’re reading now, or this pdf invitation, with your friends or your church’s small group. Together we can discover the Lord’s mercies truly are new every morning.

Download the button for your blog here.

Print This Package of Resources to Memorize Lamentations 3:21-26

September 17, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 5 Comments

Download the memory package below in your preferred translation.

Then print any or all of the pages in your package to help you memorize Lamentations 3:21-26.

Each package contains:

1 page full text
Schedule bookmark
3×5 text cards
First letters page
Journal page
Memory checklist

The more you prepare now, the easier it will be to memorize later.

For extra community, join our Hide His Word Facebook group.

Post pictures on Instagram with #Lamentations3 and #HideHisWord. Share tweets using #Lamentations3 and #HideHisWord.

Any questions, problems, comments? Let us know in the comments.

5 Steps to Find What’s Missing: The Story of the Lost Coin

September 13, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 31 Comments

Have you lost your peace? Your joy? Your rest? Look with us at the Parable of the Lost Coin for 5 steps to find what’s missing.

WHERE ARE MY GOOD GLASSES?

I was reading the ballet program. I wanted to know when the students would perform from my daughter’s class.

So I know I had my glasses on.

But an hour later, my glasses were missing. My real ones. My prescription, progressive glass I paid dearly for. Not my cheap Dollar General reading glasses that I also use daily.

Maybe you misplace your glasses occasionally, too. Or your cell phone goes missing. Or you can’t find your car keys on your way out the door.

When we can’t find something we need, we get stressed.

And even though we may have access to another pair of glasses (thank you, Dollar General!) or someone else’s phone or a spouse’s key, we want our own.

THE LOST COIN

Jesus knows this about us, that we lose things and get anxious about it. And He knew this about the tax collectors and religious scholars of His day, too.

So when His audience began grumbling about His latest choice of dinner companions (“He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends” Luke 15:2), Jesus told them some stories about the lost and found.

Today we’re looking at the story He told about the Lost Coin. (Read it in Luke 15:8-10.)

A woman in His parable has ten silver coins. She loses one. Just one.

But still one. And every one matters.

The coin is a drachma. (See more on Coins that Jesus Used.)

A drachma represented about a day’s wage in ancient Israel. It was valuable, not like dropping a penny down a drain. Oh, well.

This was like a paycheck, one of only ten she had. It made a difference.

5 STEPS TO FIND WHAT’S LOST

What is a day’s wage for you? Would you care if you lost that paycheck on your way home from work? How would you react?

What about if a friendship went missing? Or you floated adrift from a good spiritual habit? Or you lost track of God’s promises and thus lost your hope?

Notice the Shadow

First, you have to realize something is missing.

Too often we so gradually acclimate to the coming nightfall that we don’t realize it’s dark until we need to see. I didn’t notice my eye glasses were missing at the ballet recital until I needed to read a message on my phone. And I couldn’t see it.

Jesus doesn’t tell us how the woman noticed her missing coin. Maybe she was counting her coins at the end of the day…7, 8, 9…where’s 10?

What wakes you up to your losses?

Perhaps doing a blessing-count at the end of the day will remind you that you’ve neglected a relationship. Or a new pain wakes you up to your need for God’s help. Or discontentment triggers awareness that your attitude has shifted.

Pay attention.

Turn on the Light

The next thing the woman did was light a lamp. It’s what I did too in the search for my glasses. I turned on my phone light and began looking under my seat. And when the house lights finally came on, I could see even more areas to search.

What light switch do you need to flip?

Perhaps a sister in Christ can provide some illuminating advice. Or falling on your knees in prayer will help you see clearer. Or just spending time in worship will allow you to soak up His light for any dark days ahead.

Clear out the clutter

When light alone didn’t uncover the silver coin, the woman picked up her broom. When my daughters were younger and looking for a lost toy, I’d tell them, “Use your hands.” Not just your eyes. Dig around to the bottom of the toy box.

Try moving something else out of the way to find your missing thing.

What is cluttering up your life this week? Could not only physical clutter but also spiritual clutter prevent you from finding what is missing?

Grab a broom and sweep your house.

Keep Going and Going

Jesus said the woman would “seek diligently” until she found her coin. She wouldn’t give up after a quick five-minute search.

Are you as steadfast in your search for missing devotional time or a healthier marriage as you would be for lost money? How persistent are you in your search for missing contentment? Do you quickly give up on hearing from God if you don’t get an immediate answer?

Be diligent in your search.

Prepare to Celebrate

The woman’s persistence paid off. She found her coin. Jesus said she called people around her afterwards.

Jesus wanted His listeners to see how the story can end: in community, in celebration, in gaiety.

Likewise, when you discover your own missing treasures, are you quick to share in celebrations? Who do you tell? Are you also willing to be the friend or neighbor who rejoices with others when they’ve found something they’ve lost?

GOD’S PARTY

This parable concludes with joy.

“Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” Luke 15:10 (The Message)

When the lost become found, God throws a party.

If you’ve lost something in your life that you need to reclaim—freedom in Christ, peace in stormy weather, love in a relationship—know that even the angels in heaven are rooting for you to find it.

And when you find it, God will crank up the music in celebration.

After searching for my glasses underneath my own row of seats, the row in front of me, and the row behind me, I began asking around, “Have you see any glasses?”

No, no, and no. And I gave up.

I walked to say good-bye to friends six rows in front of us. And that’s when I saw them: my glasses. In the hand of my friend. She said her daughter had found them earlier during intermission and they didn’t know who they belonged to.

They belonged to me.

In the end, my glasses found me.

I was happy. I was grateful for the grace of God, not just in seeing my glasses again (and seeing with my glasses!), but for valuing me, for meeting my needs, for caring about what I care about.

God cares about the things you’ve lost, too. Maybe not all your lost things are retrievable. But for the things that are, be encouraged to keep looking. God is watching over you as you do.

Because the thing He most doesn’t want to lose is . . . you. You are one of His.

And every one matters.

Are you missing something? 5 Steps to Find What’s Missing #BelovedStoriesNT

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What have you recently lost? How did you find it? Please share in the comments.

Thomas: A Heart of Faith

September 11, 2018 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Poor Thomas. The man spent three years walking the earth with Jesus and he is most remembered for a moment of doubt. In John 20:1-24, Jesus comes back to life and appears to Mary Magdalene, then a group of disciples that did not include Thomas. In verse 25 the disciples relay what they’ve seen to their absent brother. Thomas famously replies that he won’t believe unless he sees it for himself, forever earning him the nickname, Doubting Thomas.

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:25

A Challenger

I never fully understood the character of Thomas until God gave me my own little challenger to raise.

Grayson is a bundle of insatiable energy who earned his nickname, Tenacious G, as an infant because of his fiercely persistent spirit. There are many moments in our day that I catch myself saying things like, “Because I said so” and “Can you please just trust me?”. It’s not quite accurate to say he doubts me. He is simply a challenger. His emotions and reactions go from zero to sixty at the snap of a finger. He likes to see it, to get confirmation. He’s all about proof. It’s how he processes.

I don’t know exactly how this quality will play out in my son’s faith. He’s only seven – he has a long journey ahead of him to figure it out. But I do know this challenger spirit is part of a deeply tender heart, the kind that hears of someone’s pain and wants to move mountains to make it better. Like Thomas in John 11 responding to the news that their friend Lazarus is dead.

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” John 11:14-16

Thomas is an all or nothing kind of guy too. His disbelief is a full throttled refusal. I will not believe. There is no compromise. But this is equally true of the change of heart he experiences eight days later, when Jesus appears again and shows Thomas his wounds. Jesus invites Thomas to see the truth for himself. Thomas believes saying, “My Lord my God” (v. 28) boldly declaring the deity of Christ.

Do you believe with all your heart? Thomas did: John 20:28Click To Tweet

Not an Easy Road

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” “Blessed” here is the same Greek word used in the Beatitudes, also translated as “happy” and “happier”. I think Grayson’s life would be a lot easier, happier, if he could just accept the things he is told. If only he could take it at face value. But like Thomas, the faith that may be forged in his times of doubts can be transformed into a powerful rock of certainty, a firm foundation.

Therefore the Lord GOD said:

“Look, I have laid a stone in Zion,

a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;

the one who believes will be unshakable.

Isaiah 28:16, CSB

Thanks to Thomas’ story I have a better idea of how to guide and pray for my son’s growing faith.

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Coming Soon – 6-Week Bible Memory Challenge!

September 10, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

We asked. You answered.

This fall, we’ll be offering you a 6-verse, 6-week Bible memory challenge.

Registration will open Monday, September 17.

The official memorizing period will be October 1 – November 9.

What can you do now?

1. Pray about it.

Ask the Lord if this is something you could benefit from. And ask that He work on the hearts that will be joining in, incuding ours.

2. Share it.

Do you have friends who might want to participate? Let them know now so they can get prepared.

3. Come back here September 17.

We’ll give you all the details on September 17. We think you’ll love the passage we’ve chosen.

It’s short.
It’s encouraging.
It’s full of God’s promises.

New #BibleMemoryChallenge coming. 6 verses, 6 weeks. Watch for details. #HideHisWord

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From Death to Life: The Story of Lazarus

September 6, 2018 by Ali Shaw 2 Comments

There’s nothing like the way an exciting and emotional story keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think that’s why I love the story of Lazarus. Seeing him pass from death to life is both emotional and thrilling. There’s so much richness in this story and so many lessons to learn.

From Death

Jesus was away with His disciples when Mary and Martha sent Him the message that their brother, His dear friend Lazarus, was ill. I wonder if the sisters questioned why Jesus didn’t come rushing to them.

Instead of returning, Jesus stayed where he was and Lazarus became more ill until he finally died.

Maybe it seemed like Jesus was late.

In my own life, I have wondered where God was or what He was doing when I wanted something done now. His timing is not mine.

But His timing is perfect. My prayer is that I would be open to always knowing that and agreeing with Him about it.

To Life

When Jesus finally does make it to Mary and Martha’s house, Lazarus was dead and buried. Mary, who often gets a bad rap in Luke 10:38-42, rushed outside to greet Jesus and expressed her great faith in His ability to have done something, and to still be able to do something about her loss.

Jesus responds with, “Your brother will rise again.”

What follows is a beautiful demonstration of Mary’s faith and an encouraging affirmation of Jesus’ power.

Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” – John 11:24-27

When we are hurting, it serves us well to communicate with our Savior, express our faith, and listen for affirmations of God’s mighty power!

From Hopeless

There seemed to be no hope. Mary and Martha both responded with faith, but also showed tremendous grief.

There is no greater grief than being parted by death from the ones you love.

Even Jesus felt it. He was “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (verse 33) and wept when He saw where Lazarus was buried.

Though Jesus was not hopeless, He was wounded in spirit by the pain of loss.

To family and onlookers, though, the whole situation was over. The story was finished. After all, Lazarus was dead.

I’ve been there. Have you? Sometimes, my story or situation seems to “end” and nothing else can be done.

Life is hard. Sometimes, we have to say goodbye, a family crisis occurs, there isn’t enough funds for bills, we get a really bad diagnosis, or worse.

Sometimes God does “end” our story there (meaning that He sometimes allows things in our lives that hurt, though what we see isn’t really the end). Other times, He allows things to be more to our liking, but only if it’s in His best plans.

Either way, He can use it (whatever it is) for our eternal good and for His glory. Sorrow and pain can grow us in ways that good times can’t. And we must remember that with Jesus, all things are possible! Where we see only hurt, He can create beauty.

He is able! Yes, when Jesus commanded dead Lazarus to come out of the grave, He showed us His might and authority.

To Hope

Friends, Jesus is in the business of resurrection. He breathes new life into us, and though our sin technically earns us death (Romans 6:23), His children will live eternally (John 3:16). He also can breathe life into hopeless situations and make a way where there seems to be none.

Our God, who commanded Lazarus to leave the grave behind him, tells dry bones to come alive, parts the waters, gives sight to the blind, and directs the lame to take up their beds and walk.

He can breathe life into you and me and into our most dire circumstances.

Say it with me, slowly: He has might and authority.

The story of Lazarus is a sweet reminder of who Jesus is and the hope that He brings!

He is the resurrection and the life. What a beautiful Savior!

Blessings,
Ali

From Death to Life: The Story of Lazarus. A reminder of who Jesus is and the hope He brings! #BelovedStoriesNT

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Beloved Stories — New Testament

September 4, 2018 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

Have you ever read a story or watched a movie and felt that something deeply important had been revealed to you about yourself? Perhaps Frodo in The Lord of the Rings inspired you to persist against all odds in doing something that was difficult, but right. Or you recognized something about yourself in Martha or Mary.

The New Testament is filled with stories – stories of events that happened during and after Jesus’ life, as well as those special stories He told that we call parables.

“The divine Wisdom has been justified in respect to this mode of teaching. The parables have struck deep into the thought and language of men (not of Christians only), as no other teaching could have done.” – A. Carr

We all love a good story! Scientific studies have shown that our brains are wired for, and react positively to, well-crafted stories. God created us this way, and He filled His Word with stories to engage our hearts and minds.

A few months ago, our team of writers spent time sharing Old Testament stories that we love and that have had an impact on the stories of our own lives. This month we shift our focus to the New Testament, and its many beloved stories and parables.

What about you? What stories have shaped your life?

Join us this month as we share beloved New Testament stories that have shaped us. #BelovedStoriesNT

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