Blog - Do Not Depart

You Can Trust Your Future to God (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

May 30, 2018 by Patti Brown 2 Comments

“Close your eyes, and picture where you will live in five years,” the woman at the front of the classroom said. It was my last semester at my university, and this session put on by career services was supposed to provide the answers to all my questions about my future.

“Are you in a city or the country? When you leave your home, where are you going? How are you getting there?” The questions went on and on. But I didn’t see anything. It was not for lack of imagination; daydreaming has always been my specialty. I simply could not picture my future.

When we opened our eyes, the leader asked us what we had seen. Some saw themselves living in an apartment in New York City. Others had a suburban home and were off to an office job. I kept quiet.

After the session ended, I walked up to the front and asked the woman, “What does it mean if you can’t see anything?” She looked at me dumbfounded and said, “I have never had anyone not see anything.”

I was stricken. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I imagine my future? What would happen to me?

Worrying About the Future

Do you worry about the future? Jesus has a good word for you:

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Samuel was a worrier. In 1 Samuel 16:1, God told him to go anoint a new king.

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” 1 Samuel 16:2

Thankfully, Samuel also deeply trusted God.

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. 1 Samuel 16:3-4a

Because Samuel trusted God, he did what God said to do, even though he knew he was at risk, and he didn’t know exactly whom he was supposed to anoint.

God could have said, “Go anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse.” Instead he said “I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

God gave Samuel just enough information for the next step. When Samuel faithfully acted on that, God gave Him the next piece of information just when he needed it. David was revealed as the next King, and the course of history was set.

You Can Trust Your Future to God

When you are a worrier, it is hard to be satisfied with “just the next step.” But God is a loving Father, and He gives exactly what we need, when we need it.

I look at my life now, and I think I can see why I could not picture anything. How could a young New Englander questioning everything, including God, possibly have envisioned a life in rural Texas as a conservative Christian homeschooling mama who loves to write about Scripture?

God gave me the next thing. Then the next, and then the next. And here I am, living a life filled with joy and love every single day!

You don’t have to know what is going to happen in five years. Ask God for today. He will guide you and grow you.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Samuel had to trust God’s timing as He revealed the next king. #BelovedStoriesOT

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Sometimes God reveals His plan one step at a time. Trust Him with your future! #BelovedStoriesOT

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Are You Happy to Suffer? – Matthew 5:12 {Scripture Memory Challenge}

May 28, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 4 Comments

Why did Jesus say to rejoice in persecutions? Can anything good come from pain?

Memorize This Week

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 (ESV)

Not If, But When

Are you happy to suffer? Let’s be real. I’m not.

If at all possible, I’d relieve all pain. I don’t want to hurt. I don’t want to be talked about. I don’t want to endure any of the things Jesus has been talking about in our past two memory verses (Matthew 5:10-11).

But here’s the thing. Hard things will happen. Jesus didn’t say if pains come, rejoice and be glad. He implied persecutions would come from believing in Him.

Rejoice? Yes

This week’s memory verse gives us good news though! In Matthew 5:12 we understand there is more to come. There is reason to rejoice. A reason to be glad.

Really? Why?

Because you will be rewarded. Not only a little. But a lot.

We could debate what that reward is, when that reward comes, to whom it comes, etc. But the thing we can agree on is this: if Jesus said, “For your reward is great in heaven,” we can count on it being true.

So as you memorize Matthew 5:12 this week, see if you can look forward to the reward that is coming, sooner or later.

Also read James 1:2-4 and Philippians 4:11-13.

It’s hard to rejoice in persecutions. Why should we? #HideHisWord

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Please share your thoughts here.

Seeking God’s Presence – 3 Simple Lessons from Exodus 33

May 24, 2018 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

From childhood, I’ve loved the story of the Exodus and how God lead His people from Egypt into the Land Flowing with Milk and Honey, otherwise called the Promised Land. Over the years, Exodus 33 has become especially meaningful as I’ve learned of the importance and reward of obedience, and of seeking God’s presence while following His lead.

This chapter of Exodus brings to mind something that happened when I was a very little girl. Not paying attention, I wandered away from my parents while we were in a large store. All of the sudden I felt very lonely and afraid! The place that had looked safe, inviting, and interesting just moments before instantly became a place of danger and fear.

I didn’t want to make my way to the front of the store all alone, but I did because I desperately wanted to be with my parents. It was only after the store clerk paged my parents, then returned me to them that I felt safe again. I didn’t want to be anywhere where they weren’t.

Exodus 33 is a bit like that. The Israelites spiritually “wandered away” and Moses desperately sought the presence of God for spiritual safety and direction.

It’s in the chapters that come just before that we are told of Moses going up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law. While he was gone, the Israelites greatly disobeyed and worshipped the famous “golden calf.”

Seeking God's Presence - 3 Simple Lessons from Exodus 33. Read more #BelovedStories at DoNotDepart.com

Moses’ Intercession

Without Moses’ pray of intercession and conversation with God in Exodus 33:12-23, God had decided not to accompany the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. Why? The people had proven themselves stiff-necked and rebellious.

But in verse 13 Moses prays,

“Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” (Exodus 33:13)

Not only did Moses pray, reminding God to consider the Israelites, he prayed asking God to show him His ways.

God will never disappoint us when we ask Him to show us more of Himself so we can understand more about His ways and who He is.

Seeking God’s Presence

Like a lost child would seek the safety and leadership of their parents, Moses sought hard after God.

And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:15-16)

It is God’s presence that made the Israelites distinct from those nations around them. Without God, they were lonely, lost wanderers. With Him, they were following their Mighty Leader in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22 and 33:9).

God will never disappoint us when we ask for His presence. Yes, there may be fear-filled times where we don’t feel like it*, but we can take heart in knowing that Jesus will never leave us! (Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5)

It is God’s presence that makes the journey of life bearable, isn’t it? Our God knows us personally! He knows our names (Exodus 33:17) and cares for our every need. Why would we want to go anywhere without Him?

Experiencing God’s Glory

During Moses’ conversation with God, Moses asks to see God’s glory. I love God’s response:

And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ (Exodus 33:19 a)

But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20)

Can you imagine this scene? It’s amazing! And I love the simplicity of it. Moses asked and God granted.

What if we do the same?

God will never disappoint us when we ask to see His glory and His beauty revealed in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 7:7)

The Bible teaches us that God’s glory is revealed in Christ. Hebrews 1:3 says:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3)

And the beauty is that anyone who seeks Him has access to Him.

We don’t need to wander aimlessly, afraid or lonely. We can pray for God to show us His ways, His presence, and ask to see His glory revealed in Christ! We don’t have to go anywhere without Him.

We just need to ask.

How has God shown His presence lately? Have you asked Him to?

Ali

Seeking God’s Presence? Here are 3 Simple Lessons from Exodus 33 #BelovedStories

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*If you need a reminder that God is with you in dark times, here’s a great article from Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/jesus-will-not-leave-you-alone

Beloved Stories: When God Puts a Dream in Your Heart

May 22, 2018 by Alyssa Howard 1 Comment

My favorite Bible story as a child was the story of Joseph. (His story can be found in Genesis 37, 39-47.) His life was full of promise and victory, yet he also encountered humiliation and defeat. Little did I know as a child that this story would inspire and encourage me so much as an adult. As I have faced my own share of ups and downs, Joseph’s life reminded me that God always keeps His Word. At a young age, God put a dream in the heart of Joseph and then carried it through to completion. Has He put a dream in your heart as well?

Joseph was a dreamer…

Joseph had high hopes for his life because God put dreams in his heart. At an early age, God gave him actual dreams about his future as a ruler. He didn’t know how it all would play out, but he knew in his heart that God had a unique plan for his future. Has God put a dream in your heart? Has He inspired you towards action in some way? Perhaps you’re like Joseph and are unsure how God is going to get you from point “a” to point “b.” Trust that He will get you there and don’t lose hope.

Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers…

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? In their jealousy, Joseph’s brothers did the unthinkable. They sold their own brother into slavery and then faked his death. Not only was this cruel towards Joseph, but can you imagine being their father Jacob? The grief he would experience would leave him broken for many years to come.

Joseph endured trials and periods of waiting…

Being sold into slavery wasn’t his only dilemma. Joseph was also wrongly accused and thrown into prison. And even though God gave him favor in prison and never left his side, he still had to endure a time of waiting and wondering.

Joseph received his promise…

When reading the story of Joseph, it’s easy to forget how many years pass before God’s promise was finally realized in his life. But the truth is that everything Joseph endured prepared him for all that God had planned for his life.

Joseph forgave…

God worked all things together for his good and for the good of the Israelite nation. When face to face with his brothers once again, Joseph made the decision to forgive them. In the end, his entire family came to Egypt, which is right where God needed His people to be for all He had planned for their future.

When I was younger, God put dreams in my heart. They weren’t actual dreams like Joseph, but they were dreams nonetheless and I knew that God had inspired them. But I faced opposition in my life. Betrayed by close friends, I found myself beaten up and without hope. I spent several years of my life working through what had happened to me. I have to wonder if I experienced some of the same emotions Joseph undoubtedly felt in prison. Did God still have a plan for my life? Had He forgotten about the dreams He placed in my heart? Would I ever recover?

Today, my life looks very different. I find myself in awe of the healing God has done in my life. It wasn’t overnight, but rather it took time. I had to take things one day at a time. And when I look back, I can’t help but wonder if everything I went through was exactly what needed to happen to get me from point “a” to point “b.”

You see, if Joseph’s brothers hadn’t betrayed him and sold him into slavery, he would have never seen his dream realized. Did it break God’s heart when Joseph faced struggle and hardship? The Bible doesn’t say for certain… but knowing the character of God, I believe it did. And what the enemy meant for harm, God turned it around and used it as part of His plan for Joseph’s life.

Has God put a dream in your heart?

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him… even the things that are difficult and don’t make sense. Our journey in life can seem complicated and messy at times, but God is faithful to use every part of our story to bring us closer to Him.

Has God put a dream in your heart? #BelovedStoriesOT

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How Can You Revile Me? – Matthew 5:11 {Scripture Memory Challenge}

May 21, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

In this week’s memory verse, Matthew 5:11, Jesus continues with the theme of blessings for the persecuted.

Memorize this week

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Matthew 5:11 (ESV)

What Does Revile Mean?

Revile isn’t a word we use every day (the NIV uses “insult”). What did Jesus mean when He used revile? And how can we be reviled today?

Going back to its Greek root, oneidezo, revile means to reproach, to disapprove or disgrace, to call by evil names.

Jesus was often reviled.

He was accused by the Jews of having a demon (John 8:48).
He was labeled insane (John 10:20).
He was slandered on the cross by the chief priests, scribes, elders, and even robbers (Matthew 27:39-44).

Blessings in Reviling

As believers in Jesus, we, too, can be spoken about in critical ways. How do we handle it?

How did Jesus handle it?

He didn’t pass it on. When Jesus was reviled, He didn’t revile back. He left it all with God instead.

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
1 Peter 2:23

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do likewise.

“When they call us names, we say, ‘God bless you.’ When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them….”
1 Corinthians 4:12-13a, The Message

If anyone abuses us on account of Jesus, we don’t bad-mouth them back. We can ask God to bless them. Loving our enemies is difficult, but Jesus said to do it.

When we do, we, too, receive blessings. Yet another mystery of grace found in the Kingdom.

When people say bad things about you #HideHisWord Memorize Matthew 5:11

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Please share your thoughts here.

Can I Have Yours? {Dagon’s Story and Ours}

May 17, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 30 Comments

When I want what you have but God didn’t intend it for me, it will fall flat. Like Dagon. We’re connecting our stories with Old Testament stories this month.

I’ll Have What They’re Having, Please

She was born this January.

As typical grandparents, we were thrilled to get out first grandchild. As expected, she was beautiful and sweet and the best thing ever.

But the problem was location.

When I was younger and raising my own small children, my parents lived down the road. Even though I was a stay-at-home mom, if I had a dentist appointment or a dinner date with my husband, I could drop the girls off at my parents’ house at a moment’s notice. And because they lived so close, my parents came to our girls’ school functions and saw them often, along with their other grandchildren who all lived nearby.

I dreamed for the same proximity with my own grandchildren. It’s what I see with my brother and his grandchildren who live in the same town. It’s also true for my sister and her first grandchild born last year.

I want what they have.

But that’s not my reality.

Bring Me the Box

It reminds me of this story from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel (read the whole thing in 1 Samuel 4-6; it’s a crazy story!).

It was a time of war between the Israelites and the Philistines. The Philistines were dominating. After the Philistines killed 4,000 Israelites in battle, the Israelites brought in their secret weapon: the ark of the covenant.

The ark was a portable sacred chest, the Israelites most prized possession. It was covered in gold. It contained a copy of the Ten Commandments and a sample of manna. Its lid was the Mercy Seat.

This holy box signified the very presence of God. It was their protective talisman.

The Philistines knew this about the ark, too. When they saw it coming, they were thrown into a panic. But instead of the ark’s presence bringing them bad luck, the Philistines continued to win. In addition to killing 30,000 Israelites, they also stole the ark of the covenant for themselves.

They wanted something that was not theirs. They thought they could grab God’s promise for someone else and make it their own.

But God and His promises don’t work that way.

The details God plans for one person are not the same as He plans for another.

What God planned for my siblings—to have their grandchildren live close by—is not the plan He is working in my life.

Dagon Falls Down

Here’s what happened next to the ark.

The Philistines returned home. They placed the ark in their own sacred temple, at the feet of their own god, Dagon, the pagan deity of corn and the father of the god Baal. Dagon was half-man, half-fish.

But surprise!

The next morning, the people walked into the temple to discover Dagon on the ground. Dagon now lay at the foot of the ark.

They propped Dagon back up, only to discover him bowing in the same position again the next morning. Dagon’s head and hands were broken off, again at the foot of the ark.

What could this mean? Bad news followed more bad news. The Philistines became stricken with tumors. Rats began to overtake their city. Fear ensued.

They no longer wanted someone else’s treasure.

They passed off the ark to other Philistines in the city of Gath. But again, tumors came. People died. They moved the ark to another city, Ekron. But the same thing happened to them.

ark captured dagon — Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts 1993 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

After seven months, the religious leaders held a meeting. How can we get rid of this ark? It’s not good for us. It brings no blessings to our people.

They decided to send it back to the Israelites, along with a gift of five golden rats and five golden tumors. (Yes, this story gets better and better; read the remainder yourself.)

A Lesson for Us?

God puts individual gifts in each of our lives. These gifts are personally designed uniquely for us.

When we want other people’s gifts for ourselves instead, those gifts will fall flat, just like the imitation god Dagon fell flat at the foot of the ark.

What God intends for others is for their good.
What God intends for you is for your good.
Be content with your own treasures.

That’s what I’m learning with my granddaughter.

While she doesn’t live in my hometown like I’d prefer, she’s only three hours away. (I’ve learned to say “only” because many grandparents live across the world from their grandchildren.)

Maybe I’ll be better as a 3-hour away grandmother than I would be as a 3-mile away grandmother. Maybe I’d be too smothering or intrusive if she lived closer. Maybe, maybe there are reasons I can’t understand.

I don’t have to know details. I only have to trust God.

Three hours is close enough for me to drive down often. My daughter and son-in-law invite me frequently for overnight visits. So far, I’ve likely totaled more hours with our grandbaby living at a distance than I might have spent if she lived next door.

Our relationship may not look like the one my own children had with their nearby grandparents. Or that my siblings have with their grandchildren.

But that’s okay. I don’t need to idolize the plan God has for their lives. I don’t need to wish it were my own.

I want instead to be grateful for the grace God keeps giving me (which includes a dependable vehicle, money for gas, and available time).

May we each worship God in the life He’s put before us, not in a dream He has for someone else.

Whether or not these plans look like we imagined, we can trust God to be in them with us.

His presence is the holy thing we need.

When we want what isn’t ours, it falls flat. Look at Dagon. #BelovedStoriesOT

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When have you wanted what someone else has? What happened? Please share in the comments.

(P. S. If you’re a long-distance grandparent, please share any tips you have! I love hearing your ideas.)

And the Lord Heard It: A Story for Parents from Numbers 12

May 15, 2018 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

One of my (many!) favorite genres to read is classic folk or fairy tales that have been updated with a modern twist. There are hundreds upon thousands of tellings of all my favorite stories from Cinderella and Snow White to The Wizard of Oz. I especially love when I find an updated version of an equally old, equally classic but not as well-known story, like The Goose Girl or The Tinder Box. I enjoy this in Bible Study too. Growing up in a Christian home, I have, at times, been arrogant enough to think I know all the Bible stories, so it is always fun (and humbling) when I find one I am not familiar with.

Such was the case when I read Numbers 12. I’ll summarize it for you.

The Story

The Israelites are travelling between Mt. Sinai and the Promised Land. Miriam and Aaron, the older brother and sister of Moses, decide they have a problem with Moses’ wife because she is a Cushite (some translations might say Ethiopian – either way, she wasn’t from Israel!) They start grumbling against Moses, arguing that the Lord has spoken through them too, and, at the end of verse 2, the Lord heard them.

I laughed out loud when I read this because the scene feels so familiar to me. With three young children at home, I spend a lot of my time refereeing. Much of the inane bickering, I tune out, but once in awhile I hear something that absolutely must be addressed.

The Lord calls the three of them out and appears before them in a pillar of smoke. My kids know it’s a big deal when mom has to stop what she’s doing to deal with them! He emphatically reminds Aaron and Miriam that Moses is not an ordinary, run of the mill prophet. Moses actually speaks with God, face to face and that is a big deal. He deserves their respect, not their grumblings.

The Lord leaves and Miriam, the instigator, is found to be leprous. Aaron and Moses pray for her, a nice, brotherly gesture of repentance. God agrees that she may return to camp and be healed in seven days. In other words, someone needs a time out!

My Take Away

I am sure there is a lot to unpack in this story, but what strikes me is how identifiable God is as a parent. I can picture his tone so clearly because I have used almost these exact phrases – Come out you three! Hear my words!

The fact is, so many times in my journey as a parent, I have responded to my children and been caught in a moment of conviction. Like when I tell my son to obey first or to accept my answer, or to just, please trust me! Isn’t that exactly what God asks of me?

Even in his anger, God shows mercy and patience to his wayward children. I am far from a perfect parent but I rejoice in having a perfect example to follow.

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Beloved Stories: Old Testament

May 8, 2018 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

When our oldest son was small, the final piece of his bedtime routine was reading time. My husband or I would lie in his bed and read to him… not one, but five stories of his choosing. His literary tastes were broad—he was as happy to have us read nonfiction about trucks as he was to listen to anthropomorphised stories about bear families.

Five chores would have elicited complaints, but five stories were never too many!

Our little guy grew up to be an avid reader, immersing himself in stories, not only through books, but also via movies, television shows, and even games.

Stories help us understand our world, and understand ourselves. We are wired to process life through narrative. Jesus knew this and frequently taught using parables.

The Bible is filled with stories. Tales of hardship, of hope, of despair, of triumph. Stories of ordinary, flawed human beings rising to something greater than themselves with God’s help.

“On a general theological level, much has been made of the importance of story or narrative as a peculiarly appropriate vehicle for conveying theological truth. The basic reason for attaching importance to theology in story form is the fact that a story is so widely accessible to young and old, to educated and uneducated alike. Everybody likes a good story; and stories linger in the mind long after other things are forgotten. To say this is, of course, not to say anything new but rather to state the obvious. Followers of Jesus, whose favoured means of teaching was the parable, should find nothing surprising in the idea that stories are a particularly effective means of communicating theological truth. Generally speaking, a recognition of the value of story can be a valuable corrective to the dominant tendency in western theology to abstract and to analyze.” – RWL Moberly

We see ourselves in Jacob’s jealousy, or Sarah’s lack of faith. And we are inspired to be more devoted to God like Joseph, or persistent in prayer like Hannah. The stories of the Bible convict and inspire.

This month the writers here at Do Not Depart will be sharing some of our favorite Old Testament stories, and how those tales helped us understand the narrative of our own lives.

What is your favorite Old Testament story?

Stories help us understand our world, and understand ourselves.The stories of the Bible convict and inspire. #BelovedStoriesOT

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Blessed Are the Persecuted? – Matthew 5:10 {Scripture Memory Challenge}

May 7, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

Blessed are the persecuted. Really? Who? And how?

NOTE: This is our last week of memorizing before we take a one-week break! Weekly blog posts and weekly emails will resume on May 21.

Memorize this week

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 (ESV)

Who are the persecuted?

Do you feel persecuted for your faith?

Sometimes we may feel persecuted. And sometimes we truly are persecuted.

But for most of us reading this in the United States, our persecution doesn’t compare to Christians facing incredible hardships in foreign countries for their faith in Jesus.

As you memorize Matthew 5:10 this week about persecution for righteousness’ sake, pray about how you can partner with God to be part of the blessing.

Because frankly, I can’t imagine feeling blessed if I were being persecuted the way some believers are being persecuted. When I read their stories, I fear I wouldn’t respond as faithfully as many of them respond.

But if Christ is true to His word, and I believe He is, then I want to take this beatitude at its face value. If Jesus declares a blessing of the kingdom on those who are persecuted, then it is so.

How can we help the persecuted?

Get educated. Pray. Give. Advocate.

Do you know which country has been #1 on the worst offenders’ list for the past 16 years?
North Korea
How many Christians experience high levels of persecution in the most persecuted countries?
215 million
What percentage of Christians experience persecution worldwide?
1 in 12
(per Open Doors statistics)

Maybe we aren’t being persecuted now. Then what better time to bless those who are being persecuted! Let’s stand with our brothers and sisters around the world.

New HelloMornings Bible Study, Power for the World

May 3, 2018 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, Lisa wrote about the Enjoy the Word conference* and mentioned Kat Lee and her seminar on building the habit of regular Bible study. We here at DoNotDepart are in total agreement with our friend, Kat– regular Bible study is an important, life-giving habit! And HelloMornings has a new Bible study we think you’d be interested in: Power for the World.

Do you know that Kat Lee is the head of the HelloMornings ministry? Your DND team is so fond of HelloMornings! Matter of fact, several of the writers here at DoNotDepart are also on the HelloMornings writing team. And we’ve been working hard over there to produce excellent Bible studies for all women.

HelloMornings and DoNotDepart want women to know: God wants us to know Him, better know ourselves, be spiritually fed, and use our overflow to bless others and point them to Him. Time spent in His Word is the place to go for all of that. Meeting God daily over the pages of the Holy Bible is both personally transformative and soul-satisfying!

Power for the World

The newest study that HelloMornings has released is Power for the World. It’s a six-week study that traces the spread of the Gospel to the nations by looking intently at the first and second missionary journeys of Paul. It highlights history, but also examines what God does (and can do) in the hearts and lives of His people today.

Power for the World is the second of three books in a series titled, Jesus, Light of Nations, a study on the Book of Acts. While this series does have three books (one yet to be released), each book serves as a stand alone study. However, if you’d like to study the entire Book of Acts, all three books must be used.

Does studying the Book of Acts appeal to you? Then check out this link where you can purchase the paperback book on Amazon, and this link where you can purchase a printable PDF of the study directly from the HelloMornings website.

What does the study include?

The HelloMornings Bible studies always include six week’s worth of daily Bible reading assignments for Mondays through Fridays. Each day’s reading is expounded on in a commentary by one of six HelloMornings authors, and includes a Key Verse for you to focus on, write out, or memorize (or all three!). This study features writing by past DND writers, Lindsey Bell and Kathy Howard, and your current DND team writers, Alyssa J Howard and me (Ali Shaw), among other of the HelloMornings Team writers.

After the Bible reading, commentary, and Key Verse, a daily worksheet is included with study prompts and space to journal your thoughts. And true to HelloMornings style, there is also space on the worksheet to focus on your daily and fitness plans.

We’re excited to share this new study with our DoNotDepart audience! We know you’re here for tools and encouragement to abide in God’s Word. And we know you want to dig deep and grow in Him. We pray this is another tool that can help you do just that!

Want to study the Book of Acts? Read about the newest #HelloMornings Bible study at DoNotDepart.com

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(*If you’re interested in the Enjoy the Word conference, but feel it’s too late to join, don’t fret! It actually isn’t too late! You can watch each of the recorded sessions at your convenience. So, you can still purchase tickets and enjoy the sessions when you have time to watch. Head here to find out more: Enjoy the Word Online Conference)

Blessings!
Ali