Blog - Do Not Depart

The Giving of Self as True Thanksgiving

November 25, 2014 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

Have you caught yourself doing it yet? Like me, have you allowed your focus to be pulled away from true thanksgiving?

Yesterday our family headed to the grocery store. (I’m not sure why we thought the Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving would be a good time to shop, but we found ourselves there anyway.) After wedging our way into a spot at the turkey freezer, we found the right bird. We finished shopping for the last few things we needed to complete our menu, and waited in line to pay. That’s when the sweet young checker asked me if I was ready for Thanksgiving.

“Yes! This should be my last trip. I started preparing a few weeks ago, but I think this finishes all of the shopping. Now it’s just cooking.”

We laughed and talked more. When we were done, I felt sort of dissatisfied. I became aware that my focus was in the wrong place. I was thinking “meal” (and serving) when I should have been thinking “thanksgiving” – as in me giving thanks to God. As in pouring out my heart to Him in worship for what He does and has done for me. As in giving myself to Him in response to His selfless giving to me.

As we’ve seen over the past month, Psalm 118 is so beautiful and it gives us so many reasons to be thankful.

26 “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
28 You are my God,
and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.

“Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord…”

These are the very words that greeted our precious Savior when he entered Jerusalem the final time to give His life for us. But here, the Psalmist refers to the champion who has gone out and fought battles in the name of the Lord. So, the words apply to Jesus but also to those who serve in God’s name.

We can easily be overwhelmed or distracted with the details of serving and the serving itself. It’s easy, even in the joy of it all, to have our focus shift to the wrong perspective.

But when we serve in God’s name, we are blessed and we bless God.
When we focus on His light, everything else becomes becomes clear.

We Believers can join together in procession to the “horns of the altar” with a joyful heart, worshiping, exalting, and praising God! On Thanksgiving, as on all other days, our focus should be set on glorifying Jesus through the giving of ourselves in willing sacrifice to God. (Rom 12:1) Yes, on the altar we place ourselves—to the God who is the source of everything we have and to whom we should ever be thankful!

I love these words in reference to Psalm 118:27 by Charles Spurgeon:

“The sacrifice which we would present in honour of the victories of our Lord Jesus Christ is the living sacrifice of our spirit, soul, and body. We bring ourselves to his altar, and desire to offer him all that we have and are.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Yes! All that we have and all that we are!

How can we give ourselves? By giving the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving (Heb 13:15) and by devoting ourselves wholeheartedly to our God and Savior!

“Devotion is the mother, and she hath four daughters.

Constancy: “Bind the sacrifice.”
Fervency: Bind it “with cords.”
Wisdom: Bind it “to the altar.”
Confidence: Even to the “horns” of the altar.
—Thomas Adams, Puritan clergyman

So, rather than keeping our minds on our to-do lists, meal prepping, and getting the house cleaned, let’s create a quiet space in our minds and hearts (and homes, too?) to give thanks and worship to God as we give Him ourselves in True Thanksgiving for His salvation, light, goodness, and love. Let us give ourselves to God in constancy, fervency, wisdom, and confidence!

Has your focus been cloudy? How can you present yourself to God as a sacrifice ready to give thanks?

Give God your self as an act of True Thanksgiving. Psalm 118 study #GiveThanks @DoNotDepart

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A visual look at Psalm 27:1-2 {Memory verse}

November 24, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

We’re taking a break this week from learning any new memory verses so we can concentrate more on giving thanks for God, family, and friends.

We’ll return on Monday, December 1, to begin learning Psalm 27:3.

Mark your calendars for next Wednesday, December 3. It’s our Winter Link-Up! Get your blog posts written about memorizing scripture–any angle you’d like to talk about–to share with others.

We offer you today these beautiful pictures, originally posted in our Hide His Word Facebook group, of the two verses we’ve already hidden in our hearts.Thanks for sharing: Amy B, Brooke E, Dianna M, Jody C, SaConda L, Susan M, Susan T, and Theresa.

It’s not too late for you to sign up and join us as we memorize all 14 verses of Psalm 27.

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Beautiful images here of Psalm 27:1-2 & reasons to thank the Lord. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-3a2 #HideHisWord @DoNotDepart
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What stands out to you in these two verses that you are most thankful for? Please leave us a comment.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

On This Day {Psalm 118:22-25}

November 20, 2014 by Caroline Leave a Comment

This month we’ve been learning about gratitude together. Its presence, its power, and its effect.

King David wrote Psalm 118, so some of these lines are written with his perspective on events in his life. But, as many theologians have agreed before us, the key reference here is Christ. Lindsey wrote on Tuesday about how Psalm 118:19-21 prophesized about Christ opening the relationship between Savior and believer. Psalm 118:22-25 expands on that thought:

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us, we pray, O Lord!
    O Lord, we pray, give us success!”

– Psalm 118:22-25

That Savior was not just ignored or unwanted – He was rejected. But, now He’s the cornerstone, the aligning, adjoining piece in the foundation of our faith. (Psalm 118:22)

Psalm 118:23 says this is “marvelous in our eyes.” Why is it marvelous? Because He is here for lasting love. And because this is “the Lord’s doing.” God did this. And because God did this, we can rejoice (Psalm 118:24).

In fact, because God made this day (this salvation day, the Sabbath day, and every other day), we can rejoice any day.

Psalm 118:25 takes an interesting turn. Suddenly the psalmist is praying for salvation and guidance.

Realizing that He is our Savior, that this is God’s plan, and that we can rejoice spurs prayer.

This knowledge (with open eyes) leads to gratitude (and open hearts) and prayer (and open to be filled).

Gratitude spurs action, particularly prayer and praise and love. All of those actions affect us and everyone else we encounter.

On this day (and everyday), we can see His work.

On this day (and everyday), we can rejoice.

On this day (and everyday), we can pray.

On this day (and everyday), we can praise.

On this day (and everyday), we can love.

What can you do to share love on this day?

Because God made this day (and every other day), we can rejoice *any* day. #GiveThanks

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Knowledge leads to gratitude. Gratitude spurs action, including prayer and praise. #GiveThanks

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More Than a Holiday – A Christmas Family Devotional

November 19, 2014 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

It is easy to let the busy-ness of December distract from the real purpose of Christmas. Helping your children be intentional can require some planning. Right now is a good time to be thinking and planning for how you can keep Christ in focus for your family during the quickly approaching Christmas season!

I recently discovered a rich resource for families, designed to be used for the month of December, that helps keep attention where it should be.

“More Than a Holiday,” by Scott and Sarah Nichols, is a 25 day devotional for families. Each day focuses on a different topic. The various characters and elements of the Christmas story are among the topics, as well as some major theological issues, such as prophecy, truth and sin nature.

Every chapter includes at least one suggestion for each of these six categories:

A Closer Look – designed for parents, this section explains the historical context and theological significance for that day’s scripture
Daily Reading – scripture reading to be read aloud as a family
Daily Devotion – read together after the scripture
Let’s Talk – discussion questions
Prayer – a simple prayer related to the day’s topic
Family Time Activities – a number of options are usually given; these might be games, crafts, books to read together, a skit, or a meaningful activity

I like the fact that More Than A Holiday gives you a range of options. This makes it flexible enough to be adapted to families with children of different ages.

It is simple enough to use with preschool children, if you opt to focus most heavily on family activities. And if you have older children you can incorporate more discussion of theology. We are planning to use this as our family devotional this year, and because our oldest is 17, we will be reading the “A Closer Look” section aloud in addition to the scripture and devotion.

I am really impressed with the depth of the “A Closer Look” section. The authors provide a fascinating underpinning for parents and older children, with extensive discussion of scripture, theology, history and culture. The reference section for the footnotes is seven pages long!

If your family needs a shorter devotional, the authors have created alternate schedules you can follow. You can find 7 day, 10 day and 14 day reading options here.

Start planning now to help your family stay focused on Jesus during the Christmas Season!

What are your favorite family devotionals?

A new family Christmas devotional with reading, devotions, prayer, and activities to do together! #MoreThanAHoliday #LetTheChildrenCome

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of More Than a Holiday in exchange for my honest review.

One Really Good Reason to Give Thanks

November 18, 2014 by Lindsey 6 Comments

All this month, we’re looking at Psalm 118. Today, I want to focus in on verses 19-21:

Psalm 118:19-21: “Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”

Have you ever locked yourself out of your house or car?

A few months ago, my mother and I were flying home from a conference in Florida. Because of severe weather conditions, we ran into numerous flight delays. Finally, it seemed we would make it home. There was only one issue left to work out: our luggage.

We had both packed light and only taken carry-ons, but our new plane barely had room for us (and definitely didn’t have room for our bags). At the gate, as we rushed to get on the plane that was preparing to take off, they asked us to check our bags at the gate.

Not thinking about what was in our carry-ons (after all, we expected to carry them on with us), we handed our bags over.

About half way through the flight, I asked my mom about her car keys.

Her face dropped as she remembered. They were in her bag we had checked at the gate…that, as you might have guessed, didn’t make it to our final destination.

We were locked out of our car at an airport that was two hours from home.

Needless to say, being locked out is never fun.

As I read this text in Psalm 118, the Lord brought this airport story to mind. Just as we were locked out of my mom’s vehicle, the Old Testament believers weren’t allowed to enter the Temple of the Lord.

In essence, they were locked away, kept back from a holy God because of their sins.

Only the High Priest could enter to commune with God (and even he could only do so after a thorough cleansing).

What I love about Psalm 118, though, is that it is prophesying Jesus. It’s looking forward to a time when we can all approach God’s throne. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.”

That, my friends, is one really good reason to give thanks.

Before Jesus, there was no one to open the gates.

Before Jesus, there was no way to approach the Father.

And before Jesus, there was no way we could ever cleanse ourselves enough to stand before God.

BUT NOW…everything has changed.

Psalm 118:21 says, “You have become my salvation.”

Jesus has become our salvation. He’s the reason we can enter the gates to commune with God. He’s the reason we can now be called righteous. And He is the reason we can give thanks, no matter what this world is throwing at us.

One Really Great Reason To Give Thanks via @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell http://wp.me/p1Su7F-39r #givethanks

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Jesus is the reason we can give thanks, no matter what this world is throwing at us. @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell http://wp.me/p1Su7F-39r #givethanks

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*photo courtesy: unsplash

Haters can’t touch this – Psalm 27:2 {Memory verse}

November 17, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

As the saying goes, haters are gonna hate. Our enemies want us to fall.

However, most of us don’t see “evildoers” coming full-force at us. Or “adversaries and foes” wanting to “eat our flesh.”

Instead, maybe they appear this way:

What spoils a good day for you?
What tempts you to have a bad attitude?
What causes you pain?
What crowds out the good?

Whatever form these vandals take in your life, remember that they are the ones weakened by their efforts. They can’t stay on their feet when you are standing in your safe place with the lights turned on (Psalm 27:1).

This week we’re learning Psalm 27:2. And even though each verse in Psalm 27 is beautiful enough to stand alone, find connections between all the verses as you learn them, seeing how one verse leads into the next. The beauty of memorizing a whole chapter, one verse at a time, is the space and time it gives the Lord to weave all the verses together for you.

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
Psalm 27:2

What is one “enemy” you expect to come against you this week?
How are you preparing to stand against it? Please share.

Haters gonna hate. But haters won’t win. I’m memorizing Ps 27:2. #HideHisWord

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Why are you still here? (Psalm 118:15-18)

November 13, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 33 Comments

I should be at a birthday party today. Happy 21st!

Instead, I’ll be at the cemetery.

If my daughter Kali had lived past her first day, 21 years ago today, and the day after that, and the day after that, I’d have been more eager to live those days, too.

But instead, when she died on Day 1, November 13, after being born several weeks premature and in poor health, a part of me wanted to die as well.

Don’t we all die a thousand little deaths in the course of a lifetime? Don’t we all collect bruises on our soul?

The author of Psalm 118 certainly had his own little deaths. He knew about prisons and enemies and destruction. He (and the Hebrew people collectively) had been pushed hard.

But at this point he had not been handed all the way over to death (Psalm 118:18).

Others had. Why not him? Why not me? Why not you? Why not yet?

It took me awhile to understand why I was still living without my baby to care for. Resurrection is sometimes instantaneous, but sometimes one slow Spirit-breath at a time.

For me, it was one small (but big) thing at a time—a meal brought to our house as I recovered from the C-section, a sympathy card delivered in the mailbox, a flower left on Kali’s grave. And one person at a time—with a gentle hug, a conversation including Kali by name, a knowing look.

Each thing reminded me I had reason to still be here. I had a husband who loved me (and was grieving too), a 4-yr-old daughter who needed her mommy, and a God determined for me to know joy again.

It is for the living we stay. For the loving. For the Lord.

If you are here reading this—as I am still here writing it—the Lord still has purpose for you here, too.

Even if you’ve come to the very rim of death, or are in crisis of a little death even today, know He’s kept you from falling over the edge for now, for a reason.

You still have . . .

living to do
love to give
praise to proclaim

God can empower a thousand little resurrections over your thousand little deaths.

So even though I am sad today (for me) that Kali is not here in the flesh, I can proclaim with confidence along with the psalmist in Psalm 118: “The Lord is powerful!” (Psalm 118:15 CEV) I have lived to tell what the Lord has done. And ultimately it is always good.

You can do the same.

Because the Lord is powerful, you are loved by Him today.
Because the Lord is powerful, you can love someone else today.
Because the Lord is powerful, you can say so!

In honor of Kali’s resurrection on the other side, I’ve memorized Psalm 118:15-18 this week and hope to recite it with triumph over her grave later today.

May you find your own special ways this week to sing songs of triumph about the Lord’s purpose in your life. “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” (Psalm 118:16). That’s your shout. That’s your victory.

15 From the tents of God’s people come shouts of victory: “The LORD is powerful!
16 With his mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!”
17 And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.
18 He punished me terribly, but he did not let death lay its hands on me.
Psalm 118 (CEV)

Question:
Who could use your love today? How can you applaud God? We’d love to hear in the comments.

“Why are you still here? To be loved, to love, to praise. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-39A #Psalm118 @DoNotDepart”
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“You have lived to tell what the Lord has done. How will you? http://wp.me/p1Su7F-39A #Psalm118 @DoNotDepart”
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3 Reasons to Thank God in Times of Trouble

November 11, 2014 by Kathy Howard 1 Comment

Are you in the midst of some trial or difficulty or heartache right now? If not, I know you’ve been there and you will be again.

The writer of Psalm 118 knew trouble. His life had not been easy. For example, verses 8-14 alone hint at betrayal and attack. He had learned that men – whether in lowly or exalted position – could not be fully trusted (Psalm 118:8-9). He had felt caught in a hopeless and dangerous situation with no way out.

But in the middle of those trials, he also experienced God’s personal intervention on his behalf. In Psalm 118:8-14, the psalmist testifies to God’s deliverance and expresses his gratitude. In this passage, we find 3 reasons to thank God when we face times of trouble:

God is our refuge – When storms are raging all around us, we will always find safety in God’s presence. He is our shelter from the storm. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). From experience, the author of Psalm 118 had learned that people are not fully trustworthy, but God can always be trusted. He learned that he could not always depend on people, but he could depend on God in any and every situation. Like the psalmist, when we’re in the midst of trouble, let’s thank God that He is our refuge. When we hide ourselves in Him, He will be our shelter!
God is our protector – When people and circumstances fight against us, we do not have to wonder or worry about victory. God Himself goes with His people and fights for them (Deuteronomy 30:3-4). When the psalmist was surrounded and swarmed by his enemies, victory came through the name of the LORD. Do you ever feel “swarmed by enemies?” Call on the name of the LORD. Thank Him that He is your protector!
God is our strength – Verse 14 sums up this section of Psalm 118. “The LORD is my strength, and my song; He has become my salvation.” God saves! He will deliver us through trouble with the strength of His might. He is our reason to sing, so let us lift a song of praise and thanksgiving to the God who is our strength!

God is our refuge, our protector, and our strength! Thank Him today, especially in the midst of trouble.

How else can you thank God today? Express your gratitude in the comment section.

Turn on the light – Psalm 27:1 {Memory verse}

November 10, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

Sometimes I’m still scared of the dark, no matter how old I get. When I hear a strange sound at night or lose my bearings or just need to navigate to the bathroom, I want the lights on.

I’m the same way in life. When storm clouds gather, I want the Lord to shine His light through the chaos and illuminate the path in front of me.

As we begin Psalm 27 today—whether you’re memorizing or just reading along—ask the Lord to brighten up the dark spaces around you that have been lurking in the shadows too long. Let His love lead you through enemy territory in full sunlight.

Because don’t we all feel safer when the sun/Son comes up?

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

It’s not too late to register to join us! Get the details here.

We’re turning on the light by memorizing Psalm 27:1 this week. Join us! #HideHisWord

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His Steadfast Love Endures Forever (Psalm 118:2-7)

November 7, 2014 by Patti Brown 3 Comments

My eight year old son has been reading his bible, a chapter a day. He started in Genesis and is steadily making his way to Revelation.

The other day we were sitting on the couch reading quietly, when he turned to me from his chapter in the Old Testament and said, “I don’t understand why God put up with it. They kept doing the things He said not to, and He kept forgiving them.”

I too have wondered. How could God be so patient… so forgiving… so merciful? And not just forgiving of small mistakes. No… patient with those who were willfully disobedient. Merciful to people selfishly seeking their own gain.

Kind of like us.

Even more amazing? His steadfast love lasts forever.

Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

Psalm 118:2-7

This is the covenant love that brought Jesus to earth. This is the everlasting love that made a way for us to enter into an eternity of fellowship with God.

It is difficult for us to grasp this kind of love. My son’s response is more intuitive, isn’t it? People do bad things, they get punished.

Forgiveness is not natural, it is supernatural.

I’ll confess, there are days even now when I lose my head a little, when I forget that our heavenly Father’s love is steadfast and endures forever. Instead I wonder when He is going to punish me for my most recent selfish choice.

Yet I only have to look a little farther along in Psalm 118 to be reminded:

I can call on the Lord any time (v. 5)
He will answer me! (v. 5)
He sets me free (v. 5) Glory alleluia!
He is on my side (v. 6)
I do not need to fear (v. 6)
Man can do nothing to me (v. 6) that will separate me from His love
The Lord helps me (v. 7)

God knows we will be afraid. He knows we need help. He does not leave us in bondage, slaves to our fears and sin.

Are you feeling bound, all tied up in knots today? Do you find yourself at the mercy of your guilt, and afraid of God’s righteous anger?

Remember this, dear believer:

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8

You are His child. (Galatians 3:26) Your Father “redeems your life from the pit… crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” (Psalm 103:4)

Do you think that you can’t be loved by God? It is hard to grasp, but there is nothing you can do to end His love for you.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

You can choose to walk in disobedience. You can choose to reject His love. But He is not going to give up on you.

Every moment of every day you have the chance for a new beginning. Turn to the Lord right now and He will set you free! (Psalm 104:5)

Beloved, forever is a long time. And that is how long God will love you.

Forgiveness is not natural, it is supernatural.

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God is not going to give up on you. His steadfast love endures forever!

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