Birth life, not death – James 1:14-15 {Memory verse}

June 1, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:14-15 (ESV)

Plan B:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17 (ESV)

MEDITATE

We each have our own specific set of temptations. When something dangerous dangles in front of us, we have a choice: take the bait or keep swimming.

James lays out the process clearly in this week’s memory verses: desire–>sin–>death. Let’s pray for help to refuse the lure and stop sin before it begins.

PRAY

Lord,
I want to birth things of life into this world, not things of death. You don’t tempt me to sin; You promise me blessings. I trust You this week to help me stay true to You.

Birth things of life, not death. Memorize James 1:14-15 with me. #HideHisWord

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Why Abide – Wrap Up

May 29, 2015 by Patti Brown 3 Comments

There are so many important and compelling reasons to spend time reading and studying the Bible. This month we have looked at just a few of the countless reasons to abide in God’s Word:

to seek truth and avoid being deceived by the enemy
to grow in our knowledge of and love for God
on the hard days, Scripture is the pathway to hope
when we abide in God’s Word, we grow in faith
the truths that we learn in the Word bring us peace

What other reasons are there? We also study scripture:

out of obedience (Proverbs 4:20-21)
for guidance (Psalm 119:105)
for instruction (2 Timothy 3:16)
to be His disciples (John 8:31)
to grow in discernment (Hebrews 4:12)
to grow in purity (Psalm 119:9-11)

Why do you study the Bible? We encourage you to take the time today, and every day, to seek the Lord in His Word!

A wrap up of posts in this month’s series #WhyAbide

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Why do YOU study the bible? #WhyAbide

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Why Abide: Peace in the Storm

May 27, 2015 by Patti Brown 4 Comments

When the alarm on my phone blared loud, the teenagers were just finishing up the third meal in a long-anticipated marathon of movies and food. The last thing anyone expected was a tornado.

There were eight of us – seven teens plus me, their adult chaperone and meal manager. Our minds had been on the next movie, but now a tornado was heading right toward us and we had to figure out where to squeeze eight people.

There was no safe place with only interior walls that would fit all of us, so we had to separate. The five girls went into the walk-in pantry, the two boys into a coat closet, and I shoe-horned into a small closet of shelves that gave me just enough room to stand.

I have never been separated from my kids during a tornado warning. I knew my daughter would be anxious, and I wasn’t there to help calm her, to pray with her. So I started texting. For thirty minutes the three closets communicated via smart phone.

Abiding in His Word

To abide means to remain, and while you can not literally read God’s Word every moment of every day, every choice you make to fill your mind with scripture allows it to take hold deep within.

You can bring His Word into your day through reading, studying, memorizing, putting scriptures up around your house or listening to scripture-based music. Even just pondering a verse is filling your mind with truth.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

While we could have looked up scriptures on our phones while we were in those closets, the verses that came to mind were scriptures we had read many times, studied, and even memorized. A steady diet of God’s Word as our spiritual food had saturated our minds with truth.

Truth Brings Peace of Mind

So often our greatest fears are of the unknown. Deep peace comes when we speak truths that are known and eternal. Jesus said:

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

When we are anxious, when we don’t even know how to pray, we can pray God’s Word.

The peace of God is not circumstantial. You can literally be in the eye of the storm and know His peace. God’s peace is supernatural and beyond human comprehension.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Thankfully, the house we were in was not hit by a tornado. But the volume of rain was record-breaking, and the Central Texas area continues to be deeply affected by both tornadoes and flooding.

Peace Scriptures to Memorize

If you have not practiced the discipline of scripture memorization, I urge you to give it a try! You can join our Hide His Word facebook community for support and ideas for memorizing. Here are some scripture about peace to consider committing to memory:

– Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7-8

– I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

– Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

– In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

– For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

– You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

– And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Colossians 3:15

We continue to abide in God’s Word because we know that what we can truly count on is that which is eternal. The storms may come and go at any time, but His Word stands!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8

God’s Word brings peace in the storm! #WhyAbide

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When a tornado is bearing down, this is where your thoughts should be. #WhyAbide

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Review James 1:1-13 {Memory verse}

May 25, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

This week is one of our two scheduled breaks from memorizing. Take the time to meditate on the verses you’ve already learned or to play catchup.

Here is where we’ve been so far.

Who is humble? – James 1:1
When trials come – James 1:2-3
Endure to be made complete – James 1:4
Go to the Source – James 1:5-6
Open your hands (and LINK UP) – James 1:7-8
Low or high, rejoice – James 1:9-10
Beauty is seasonal – James 1:11
Want to stand strong? – James 1:12-13

See you back on Monday, June 1, with James 1:14-15 for Plan A and James 1:17 for Plan B!

Abiding to Grow {in faith}

May 21, 2015 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Maya Angelou once said something to the effect of:

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

I think of this concept of always learning when I think of abiding. As Patti said at the beginning of this series, abiding means remaining. Staying.

**Just because you stay doesn’t mean you are stuck.**

While we remain in His Word, we can grow.

When We First Hear the Word

When did your faith begin?

As a child when your parents read to you from your early years?

As a teen when a friend shared the gospel?

As an adult when you finally felt open to asking questions and receiving answers?

Your situation could be any number of possibilities, but we all started our faith with an event – we heard the Word somehow, somewhere.

Romans 10:17 says:

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

True words about Christ share His message.

Hearing His message brings faith.

It may be as simple as that, but not always easy.

In between, we have to decide.

Decide to listen. Decide to believe. Decide to trust.

(That’s a big one there. Trust.)

Once We Trust

Once we listen, believe, and trust, then what?

I’m always drawn to the practical advice in James 1:22-25 (NIV, emphasis added):

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

We listen, then we do.

But how do we do?

We act out of faith.

We love because we have first been loved (1 John 4:19).

We deepen our understanding of His goodness through faith (Philemon 1:6).

We witness more grace along with growing faith (1 Timothy 1:14).

Growing in Faith

Christ is the perfecter of our faith, and we grow in faith as we fix our eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:1-2). Since He is the Word of God (John 1:1-14), remaining, staying, abiding in His Word keeps our minds, eyes, and hearts focused on Him.

As we grow in faith, we are compelled to act out of that faith and love.

Remember how Romans 10:17 said faith comes from hearing the message, being the Word about Christ?

A few verses earlier, in Romans 10:14, we see a reversed trail of how growing in faith expands to others:

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

When you abide in His Word,

and grow in faith,

You share that faith.

and spread His Word to other ears.

Some of those ears may listen,

and believe,

and trust to then call out to Him.

Just like you first learned when you first believed.

How did you come to your faith? Who listened, believed, trusted, and shared His Word to you? How does abiding in His Word specifically help you grow in faith?

Abiding means remaining, staying. But just because we stay doesn’t mean we are stuck. #WhyAbide to grow in faith:

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Who listened, believed, trusted, and shared His Word with you? How does abiding grow your faith?

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The Hope Found In Scripture

May 19, 2015 by Lindsey

Hope can be hard to find at times, can’t it?

Especially when the hard days seem more frequent than the easy ones…or when your prayers don’t feel like they’re making it past your bedroom ceiling.

It’s hard to have hope when life is hard.

But one thing God has been teaching me is that reading the Word is most important on the hard days.

Yes, it’s important every day, but on the hard days, God’s Word is like raindrops to land plagued by drought.

On the hard days, Scripture is the pathway to hope.

Romans 15:4 says it this way:

The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled (New Living Translation).

THAT is why we abide in the Word: because the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement when nothing else can.

Not too long ago, after I experienced three miscarriages and then learned I was pregnant again, fear suffocated me. I worried I might move the wrong way or eat something I shouldn’t or do something wrong and cause another miscarriage. (Fear doesn’t always understand logic or reason, does it?)

Every moment I wondered, “Is it going to happen today?”

My fear, instead of lessening as the pregnancy progressed, only got stronger.

Then one day, I decided something had to change. Fear wasn’t helping me. It wasn’t going to keep me from losing another baby. It wasn’t going to do anything good for me. The only thing it was doing was making me miserable.

I attacked my fear with Scripture. I memorized a few verses about worry, peace, and fear. Then, every time I felt worry creeping back into my heart, I recalled a verse.

God used Scripture to give me hope.

It wasn’t hope that my pregnancy would progress without complications. It wasn’t hope that the outcome would be different this time.

It was hope that He would be faithful to me. He would be faithful EVEN IF things didn’t turn out well.

God can use Scripture to give us hope in His promises.

Here are some of those promises.

Bible Verses to Give You Hope:

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Romans 5:3-4 – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Isaiah 40:31 – “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Micah 7:7 – “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Psalm 62:5-6 – “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 28:20 – “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

So if you’re struggling to find hope today in the hard, dig into the Words that are guaranteed to help.

Let’s Talk: What other verses have given you hope on a hard day?

If you’re struggling to find hope, dig into the Words that are guaranteed to help. @LindseyMBell

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One reason we abide in the Word is because of the hope Scripture provides. @LindseyMBell

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Bible Verses that Offer Hope from @LindseyMBell

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Want to stand strong? – James 1:12-13 {Memory verse}

May 18, 2015 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
James 1:12-13 (ESV)

Plan B:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

MEDITATE

When you’re tempted to give up, to lash out, to sink in, remember these verses. God pulls for you to remain standing. He’s your biggest supporter and would never trip you up.

And when the trial is over and you’ve made it through, know there will be a reward. God promises so.

PRAY

Lord,
I know You are never the one behind my temptations. I want to stand the test for You. Thank You for blessing me with rewards when I do.

Want to stand strong under trials? Memorize this with me: James 1:12-13. #HideHisWord

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This week Plan A and Plan B groups are both memorizing James 1:12 (also vs 13 for Plan A). We’d love to hear from either group—how is your memorizing going? Please share in the comments. Next week is a break for everyone!

Should you keep reading your Bible?

May 14, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 17 Comments

Once I finish a book, I don’t usually reread it. The surprises are blown, and I’m ready for something new.

But even with the occasional books I do reread, the second (or third) reading is never the same as the first time. I may catch a few details I missed the first pass, and I may be reminded of truths I need to live more, but subsequent readings are quicker and often just skimmed.

So do we need to reread the Bible over and over?

We already know the major stories.
The essential themes are familiar by now.
It’s not quick (it takes me three years to get through my two-year plan; I long ago gave up one year).
And it’s not necessarily easier each time (Isaiah 55:8-9). Sometimes the more we read, the less we understand.

Yet we can’t stay away from this book. We memorize it; we pray it; we preach it to ourselves.

Here’s why:

The more we read the Bible, the more we see God. And the more we see God, the more we love God.

We can never get too much of Love.

I know, I know—there are many ways to see God. Through nature. Through other people. Through direct experiences with Him. I love these ways. I need these ways. The words written about God are not the only way to find Him. After all, in Him we don’t just read; in Him we actually live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

Even Jesus Himself pointed this out. When He showed up on earth as God in the flesh, He wanted those around Him to come directly to Him, to believe because of the works He was doing. He chastised those who were just searching the Scriptures and yet not coming to Him (John 5:39-40).

We don’t want to make that same mistake: to miss Jesus because we’re keeping our heads in a book, even a book about Him.

So as we read, let’s also look around. Look up. Look in. Ask that the written words point us to the Living Word.

Even in the old stories, regularly discover new things about yourself, about others, about God
Be open to surprises through words that are not static but are breathed-out mercies each morning from God
Invite God to walk daily with you in fresh stories yet to be lived, centering in the present, reframing the past, hoping in the future

Knowing the Bible isn’t the end goal. Knowing God is. The Bible is a means to that goal. As Jesus used Scripture with the two men on the road to Emmaus, we also want Scripture to better enlighten us about Jesus (Luke 24:27).

As A. W. Tozer said,

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

The God we worship determines the kind of people we become. We’re not made in the image of a book, but in the image of the living God. It’s not the Bible we worship; that’s the book we study. It’s the God we’re after, and the book points to Him (John 20:30-31).

Let’s read the Bible not to be known as biblical people, but to become godly people. Because we don’t want to just learn the Bible, or even just learn about God, we want to live like God, to be with God, to love like God.

And if the book can help us get there, may we read on and on and on.

Why read the Bible over and over? Not to be biblical, but to be godly. #WhyAbide

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All month long we’re discussing reasons to abide in the Word.

Do you ever reread the same books?
What are some of your reasons for continuing to read the Bible again and again (or not)?
Please share in the comments.

Pray Like a Crazy Woman! {Guest Post}

May 12, 2015 by Guest Post 1 Comment

Read below for this guest post from Lori Wildenberg.

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
1 Samuel 1: 10-16 (emphasis added)

Hannah wept as she prayed for her heart’s desire.

Her anguish generated her prayer. She was honest and bold. She poured out her soul to the Lord.

After Hannah gave it all to God, her face was no longer downcast and she even had something to eat. Prior to talking with the LORD all she could do was to cry. She was unable to eat (1 Samuel 1:8, 1 Samuel 1:18). The day following her prayer, Hannah got up and worshipped and later had a romantic night with her husband.

Hannah’s heart had been changed.

Her countenance changed before her circumstances. She began to live again: eating, worshipping, and enjoying her husband.

Hannah prayed passionately and tenaciously. She left the cry of her heart at the altar, trusting God with it. She got on with living while she waited and trusted God.

She did all this even before she got what she wanted.

So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

1 Samuel 1:20

Hannah’s example reminds me that it’s good to pray like a crazy woman. I also learn from her that waiting doesn’t mean running in place. Even in the waiting I must keep moving forward.

How do you wait and how does prayer keep you focused on moving forward?

How does prayer keep you focused on moving forward? Join @LoriWildenberg with @DoNotDepart today:

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Hannah wept as she prayed for her heart’s desire. Her heart was changed even while she waited:

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Lori Wildenberg is co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting and co-author of three parenting books. A perfect day in Lori’s world is a hike with her husband, four kids, and labradoodle. Information about Lori’s books can be found over at her website and Amazon. Connect with Lori and 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting on Facebook.

Beauty is seasonal – James 1:11 {Memory verse}

May 11, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

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MEMORIZE

Plan A:

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
James 1:11

Plan B:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

MEDITATE

You’ve probably already enjoyed the beauty of spring flowers this season. But you know that it’s a temporary showing. The blooms don’t last long, nor are they intended to. It’s God’s natural design.

Equally so with cycles and seasons in our own lives. Blessed is the man who doesn’t depend on short-term successes, but rather keeps his trust in God for the long haul.

PRAY

Lord,
Let me not long after fleeting riches or beauty. Let my hope remain steadfast in your eternal wisdom and perfection.

Riches are seasonal; God is forever. Memorize James 1:11 this week. #HideHisWord

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