Do Not Depart

Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

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What’s in your mirror?

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"Morning face" while camping ... NO mirrors allowed!

The Saturday morning sight caught me a little by surprise. Looking in the mirror I couldn’t help but utter an “Ew!” when I saw myself. Knowing my husband was gone to a meeting, I decided to ignore “the face,” throw on a robe, and answer the coffee pot’s call. I left my baggy eyes, dark circles, and dry skin at the mirror and settled into my comfy kitchen chair.

What do you do with what you see in the mirror? You could be the kind of gal who gets to work with her toolbox to cover up and enhance. You might be the kind who exfoliates down deep. You may even be the kind to up your water intake, back up your bedtime, and offload cares through prayer. We all respond to what the mirror shows us.

God’s Word is like a high magnification mirror. We all respond to what the mirror shows us.

James 1:23-25

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

God’s truth exposes us for what we are. To hear what God wants and then walk away without action would be foolish. Instead, as we learn the Word and implant it in our memory, we’re called to act on it. Doing something about what we see in the mirror of God’s truth leads to blessing. That blessing overflows to those around us.

 

I was just getting a refill to freshen up my coffee breath when the garage door opened and my husband walked in. With a look of concern, he came to me and tenderly asked if I was okay. “I’m fine. Why?” I responded.

“You look like you’re really upset, like you’ve been crying,” he said in a slightly nervous tone.

Nope. Just morning face that I ignored, forgot about about, and got comfortable with. Shoulda been a “doer” and done something about it! The next morning when I looked in the mirror, that same gal met me, but I dealt with her. I think we were all better for it; you could even say we were blessed!

  • How will you respond to what you see in God’s word today?
  • Will you walk away and forget about it, or will you deal with it?

How to talk to God with His words

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Whose words?

We know God’s words are powerful. When He speaks, things happen (Psalm 33:9).

So what happens when we speak His words? Are things more likely to change if we pray His exact words?

Well, they’re not meant to be a magical “Abracadabra!” It’s only God’s power behind the words that make them work anyway. But when we reflect His words back to Him through our prayer conversations, we are ensuring we’re in agreement with His will.

Jesus said if we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us (John 15:7). Whose words? His words.

I’m not suggesting we forgo original prayers. God forbid. We need to talk things out using our own words with our heavenly Father just like we do in earthly relationships.

But we can effectively supplement those times by occasionally praying scripture.

How?

1. Pick out a scripture.
Find scriptures that speak to you. (Can you stop reading and go find one right now?)

2. Make it personal.
Personalize it by substituting “I” and by addressing God directly, instead of as “He.” For example, Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” You can pray that back to God by saying, “I will seek You, Lord, while You may be found; I will call upon You while You are near.”

3. Write it down.
Put a few in writing so you can pray more directly instead of converting in your head on the fly. Keep a notebook or a document on your computer with several scripture prayers you can automatically turn to.

4. Say it aloud.
You may find it helpful to say these prayers aloud. There’s something about hearing your own voice repeating God’s truths to Him that makes them even more real.

Where to find texts

1. Psalms
It’s easy to begin with Psalms. Many are already in the form of prayers. As you read them, address them to God. My personal favorites include Psalm 16, Psalm 27, Psalm 139, and Psalm 145.

2. Jesus’ example
Jesus was the master prayer. The example He gave His disciples to pray—including us—is in Matthew 6:9-13.

3. Other Bible prayers
By substituting their specific circumstances with yours, you can adapt the principles in prayers found throughout the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17), including King Solomon’s prayer at the temple dedication (1 Kings 8:22-30), King Hezekiah’s prayer of deliverance from enemies (2 Kings 19:15-19), Elijah’s prayer for God to reveal Himself at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-37), as well as the apostle Paul’s prayers in the epistles, including Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, and Colossians 1:9-12.

4. Favorite scriptures
But don’t limit yourself to scriptures already clearly articulated as prayers. Do you have a favorite Bible verse that proclaims truths or promises? Be careful not to take it out of context, but if it does apply, let God know you believe His words by exclaiming them back to Him.

5. Prayer books
You may already have a favorite book (please share below!); many are available straight from scripture. My favorites are compiled by Kenneth Boa in his Face to Face books: Vol 1: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship, and Vol. 2: Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth.

Benefits

By grounding your prayers in God’s living and active words (Hebrews 4:12), you will honor the Father, you will pray effectively (James 5:16), and you will strengthen your faith, drawing closer to God through His truths, being transformed into the woman of God you are designed to be.

Use Spirit-inspired words for Spirit-filled prayers.

Lord,
Your word that goes out from Your mouth does not return to You empty. May it accomplish that which You purpose, and succeed in the thing for which You sent it.
~ Isaiah 55:11

Do you do pray with scripture? Have a favorite verse? A useful prayer book? Let’s share our experiences.

Abiding Fruit :: The Great Truths of Romans 6

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I was a slave

Dominated. Defeated. Hopeless. I had no choice but to sin. It was my master.

I died

At the cross my iniquities—all of them—were placed on Jesus.  When he was tortured and crucified on calvary a part of me died too. The part of me that could do no good. The part that separated me from a holy God. It was dealt a mortal wound.

I was baptized

When I acknowledge my separation from God, and asked Him to be Lord of this sinner’s heart, I was given the Holy Spirit—God came to live inside of me. He baptized me and sealed me as His own.

I was buried

It was in His burial and resurrection that Christ displayed His power over sin. Through the baptism of the Spirit, in that first moment of grace-led faith when I entered into the Kingdom of God, I was baptized into His death and burial.

I have been given new life!

I was joined with Christ not only in His death and burial, but also in His resurrection! I have been brought from death to life. I have been enabled to walk in newness of life.

I have been set free!

I have been set free from the slavery of sin. It no longer my ruler. My chains are gone. I now have a choice to walk in obedience.

I have been given a purpose!

I am to be a tool for righteousness, to bring glory to the one who holds me in His hands. I have been made alive to God.

Applying the truth

Romans 6:1-14 is filled with deep, deep truths. But these truths were not meant for us to read and nod in approval. They are to transform our living. It is in knowing who we are in Christ, and what we’ve been through with Him (burial, death, and resurrection) that we can begin to hope for any change in our lives.

Change comes only through the work of Christ on our behalf. The work we need to focus on is in believing:

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11

It is finished

With His dying breaths Christ said, “It is finished.” Do you believe that? That your sin nature is dead? That there is nothing left to do to obtain right-standing with God? That God sees you through the perfection and obedience of Christ?

It is in abiding—remaining in Christ and resting in His completed work on our behalf—that we experience fruit in our lives. It is not in trying harder, but through pursuing Jesus and allowing Him to bear fruit in us.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17 ESV)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

 

What did you see this week in Romans 6? Have you seen the fruit of the Spirit more evident in your life over the last few months, as you’ve leaned into Him as your source?

 

Abiding Fruit: Self-Control

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I quickly get discouraged when I feel certain areas of my life become unruly. I feel it lately, as I am surrounded by sweet treats that are so hard to say no to. I experience it every morning as I try to get up early to meet with the Lord, and more often than I would like, I choose to snooze.

Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

 

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I don’t need to teach a lesson today on what self-control is. We all know what it is, and most of us would say we lack it. Whether it be in regards to the way we eat, what we say and do, or our maybe our thought-life; there are probably at least a few areas in each our lives in which we lack self-control.

Although, I did find something very interesting in my study of self-control this week:

Enkrateia.

That’s the greek word for self-control.

It’s used four times in the New Testament. (Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:23, and repeated twice in 2 Peter 1:6)

That’s it. Four times.

So as I came to this week of study, a bit discouraged and defeated, I was comforted that I didn’t find a bigger list of things for me to control in my life.

Isn’t Self-Control Just Trying Harder?

I find it incredibly fitting that self-control comes right in the middle of our Believing Better series. This series was a bit of a last-minute leading from the Lord, and here we are studying self-control, something which can easily be mistaken with the Cycle of Try Harder.

So, is self-control just another way of saying “try harder”?

Remember what our series is all about? It is about the FRUIT of the SPIRIT. Self-control is a FRUIT. It is a PRODUCT of being a Spirit-led, healthy Christian.

And, when we get down to the nitty-gritty of 2 Peter 1:3-8, we see a similar message we’ve been learning all along.

An All-Powerful God Has Granted

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue… (2 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Did you catch the amazing truths of what God has given us?

  • All things that pertain to life and godliness.
  • Precious and very great promises.

And do you see why?

  • So that you may become partakers of the divine nature—to escape sinful desire .
  • To fuel our efforts towards maturing our faith.

Remember the Central Command

Most of the commands in Scripture are surrounded by the truths of what Christ has done for us. Here in 2 Peter, amidst the list of qualities that should be increasing in our lives, the commands are preceded by the reality that even our best efforts are worthless with out the power of God in our lives.

Earlier in our Abiding Fruit studies we looked at the central command of Galatians 5—the secret to experiencing fruit-filled living. The central command: walk by the Spirit. Keeping in step with the Spirit brings forth the fruit of self-control.

We aren’t to mainly pursue self-control, but to pursue Jesus. As we do, self-control will come.

Do you struggle with self-control? How do you think pursuing Jesus and yielding to the Spirit will help you live a more self-controlled life?

There is so much more to learn from this passage! What did you see this week in your studies?

Believe better, worry less

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I’m worrying good right now.
That means I’m believing bad.

When we stepped outside to feed our 1½-year-old Golden Retriever Tuesday morning, she lay perfectly still in her dog house and refused to come. A panicky trip to the vet proved that Kandie was a very sick dog.

Cracks of worry

I worried whether she would live or die.
But when the vet called with a surgery option, I worried whether I’d be a wise steward to spend so much money on a dog.

What does this have to do with “believing better”?
Well, maybe everything.

One of my spiritual resolutions for 2011 has been to release my worry into more dependence on God.

So when I find myself anxious about situations and choices, I remind myself there’s a crack in my belief.

Because I believe that what I believe about God affects the way I see everything else.

Do I trust Him or not? Can I honestly answer, “Yes!” if I’m actually living, “Sort of”?

When I read Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:25-34, I detect the fissures that can break open my mountain of worry.

1. He knows

Does God really keep track of everything going on in my life? Is He even aware that my dog has some mysterious illness? Yes, He’s very aware, even of the next strand of my hair turning from brown to gray (Matthew 10:30). He knows every small and large thing I need (Matthew 6:32).

That means He also knows not only that my dog is sick, but what it is that is making her sick.

2. He cares

So if He does know (and I can easily believe He does know), then does He care? If He cared enough to feed every cardinal and mallard and crow outside my window this morning (Matthew 6:26), won’t He care even more about me, one made in His own image? Of course He will. And if He cares about me, He’ll care that I’m hurting over one of His creatures that is sick (Matthew 10:29).

So if I come to believe that He does care (I do believe), the next belief I have to challenge is in His willingness:
If He cares so much, why doesn’t He do something about it?
(This is the hardest one for me.)

3. He works

He IS doing something about it. Whether I realize it or not, God is always at work for my good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). He keeps me fed, sheltered, and clothed (Matthew 6:30). I can see the evidence of that if I’ll look. I must remember to look.

But my dog?

My worries are that (a) she’ll die and I’ll be sad. But hasn’t God proven faithful to sit with me through much larger sadnesses already? Yes. And hasn’t He promised grace to cover those yet in my future? Yes. So even if Kandie does die, God has already strategically planted ahead gifts of grace to see me through it.

But I also worry that (b) I’ll overspend unwisely on a pet. But isn’t God at work here too? If I pray for wisdom (I am)—and if I believe He’ll give it (I do)—I can trust He’ll actively guide me with each decision that I have to make (James 1:5-6), one at a time.

Believe better

So as I believe better—that God knows, God cares, and God works—even about a family pet, I turn away from my sin of anxiety, and become satisfied with how God will handle it all.

It’s not up to me to control the situation; it’s only up to me to believe in the One who can.

Whew. Doesn’t that take a load off?
I believe it does.

Do you have a problem with worrying, too?
What scriptures help you believe better and worry less?

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For the month of December we are sharing posts and quotes to help us escape the Cycle of Try Harder, through Believing Better.

Read more Believing Better posts here.

Walking in the Spirit {Book Review}

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It wasn’t until my freshman year in college that I began to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in my life. Fifteen years later, and I still have much to learn.

So when the opportunity came along to review Walking in the Spirit. I jumped at the chance. Walking in the Spirit, by Kenneth Berding, is a great resource for those who long to know better how to keep in step with the Spirit of God.

Walking in the Spirit provides solid, Biblical teaching with helpful application tips to help us understand exactly what walking in the Spirit is to look like in our own lives.

Walking in the Spirit is the central metaphor for describing what it means to live as a Christian. Life lived according to the Spirit is not simply trying to do the right thing. Nor is it simply trying to live according to God’s Law. Life as a Christian is cooperating with the Holy Spirit in a daily walk. p. 19

Filled with real-life examples and other great analogies, Kenneth Berding teaches on practical doctrines like how to be led by the Spirit, how to put to death the deeds of the flesh, and how to set your mind on the things of the Spirit, to name a few.

If you want to be someone who brings glory to God (and I pray that there is nothing you desire more!), you must learn what it means to walk according to the Spirit. p. 16

If you are, like me, desiring to figure out how you can better depend on the Spirit of God on a daily basis, this book is for you. It is also a great complement to our Abiding Fruit study!

You can head over to Crossway to purchase your copy.

You can also enter for a chance to win a copy of Walking in the Spirit over at Inspired to Action, where I am sharing about how to experience the abundant life Jesus promised.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of Walking in the Spirit, in exchange for my review. Opinions stated are mine.

4 Ways to Give Away the Word

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Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:10

We’re diligent to take the Word in. Through daily Bible readings, sermons, books, memorizations, songs.


But how diligent are we to give it back out?

The Gospel—it is Good News!—isn’t meant to sit passively inside us. The Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). What God gives to us He wants us to share with others, not hoard for ourselves.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16

So how can we give the Word away?
How can we bless others with the words of God so they also can be encouraged and equipped?

4 Ways to Give Away the Word

1. Give through casual conversations

Some believers are naturals at weaving in scriptures throughout their conversations with others. They make relevant connections between everyday conversations and applicable Bible verses, without being preachy. It doesn’t come as naturally to me, but we all can grow in this by becoming more intentional to share what we’ve received.

2. Give through writing

When we’re writing an e-mail or a birthday card, can’t we also jot down a scripture that would be meaningful to the recipient? We have opportunities multiple times a day—either on paper or on-line—to sweeten our correspondence with holy words. Think Facebook, blogs, Twitter, texts, letters, post-it notes. My friend Linda even writes scriptures on her blue jeans. We can let scriptures decorate our homes, our cars, our t-shirts, testifying for Jesus everywhere we go.

3. Give through teaching

This one may seem obvious, but sometimes we drift from using the Word even in Bible classes. Let’s check our curriculum periodically to make sure God’s Word is receiving top billing. Whether teaching straight from a book in the Bible or with the aid of another’s writings, studying scriptures with others is a direct way to pour out biblical truths, strengthening each other’s faith.

4. Give through worship and prayer

God has blessed us with His words; can’t we bless Him back with them? We can include His inspired words in our praise to Him and our prayers to Him, either alone or when we’re gathered with others. It’s easy to find songs that come straight from scripture or we can create our own. As we read through the Psalms or any text, we can echo the words as our own prayers, straight from the heart.

Let’s keep the rivers of living water flowing, not just into us, but through us and out to others.

Jesus cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”
John 7:37-38

How do you spread the Word?
Which ways are hardest for you? Easiest?

Related:

Look into The Seed Company. They translate the Bible into native tongues for people around the world.

Savoring Living Water is (Almost) Here!

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Lara and Katie have been busy working on their new ebook, Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time.

The ebook releases tomorrow, and they have loads of fun things planned. You’ll want to be the first in line to snag your copy of Savoring Living Water as soon as it is available!

Be sure to check out their (Lara’s and Katie’s) posts today for more info on what’s in store. (It may involve prizes!)

Dwelling of the Lord {Guest Post}

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David, a man after God’s own heart and a man of war, was not going to be the man to build the First Temple. That task was given to his son Solomon. However, David drew up the plans. He said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands; I will therefore make preparation for it.” David understood the importance of building a dwelling place for the Lord. He dedicated the end of his life to gathering a great quantity of building materials for the Temple.

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The building of the First Temple was a monumental task. It was built by 30,000 Israelites; 150,000 Canaanites & even Phoenician artists. Construction began in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign and took seven years (specifics from L. Dolphin).

After reading about the details of the Temple in 1 Kings 6, we learn in the next chapter that it took 13 years to build Solomon’s personal palace.

Did you catch it? I almost missed it the first time I read it.

Solomon spent twice as long building his own palace then he spent building the dwelling of the Lord. He used twice as much of his time, energy, & resources for HIMSELF than he did for His Lord.

This was the beginning of the descent. For many years Solomon pursued a self-centered (proud) instead of a God-centered (humbled) life. He wandered away from fellowship with His God, returning only much later, near the end of the life, to record for us in his book, Ecclesiastes, what he had learned about the emptiness of all of life apart from God.

But can we really judge him? How much of our time, energy, & resources are allocated to our own interests? How much is allocated to serving the Lord?

You may think, “It’s unrealistic for me to spend twice as much time on the Lord’s work as my own!” Is it? Or are we so self-consumed that we choose comfort and convenience over sacrifice and service for His glory?

I’m just as guilty. I’ve found over the last few months that even the small amount of my day that I spend in the Word and in prayer has been cut in half. Yet my time on Twitter and Facebook as more than doubled.

What is a “realistic” solution?

  • Take note of how you spend your time during the day.
  • Evaluate your thoughts throughout the day.
  • What percentage of your thoughts and action on directed toward the “Lord’s dwelling” vs. your personal palace/kingdom?
  • Make one change today:

    • wake up early to spend time in His Word
    pray throughout the day
    find a new ministry opportunity within your giftedness
    teach your children how much God loves them
    encourage a friend with God’s hope
    count your blessings (1000 gifts)
    memorize a section of scripture

    The place in my home designated to meet with Him each morning.

    “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain… It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Ps 127:1-2

    Lastly, with the new covenant (Christ’s death on the cross), the Temple curtain was torn. We were given access to the Holy of Holies, the One True God. His Spirit dwells within us…the dwelling place of the Lord.

    Choose today where you will allocate your time, energy & resources…On the dwelling place of the Lord. Or on building your own personal, comfy palace.

     

     

    Heather MacFadyen has been married for 12 years, is the mother of 3 young boys (pregnant with a 4th child) and, in her “free time”, writes for her blog, www.godcenteredmom.com. Her goal is to encourage other moms (and herself) to daily clothe themselves in humility by placing God in the center, so they can serve their families with joy and to bring God glory.

     

     

    Philippians :: Week 11 :: Contentment in All Things

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    I’m going to perform a brain surgery today. Tomorrow I am going to climb Mt. Everest. After that, I’m going to fly a 747.

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    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, right?

    In case you missed the sarcasm: No, this blog has not been hacked.

    What Paul really meant.

    While I don’t think most of us would ever go this far in “claiming” this verse, I do think it is easy to misunderstand Paul’s heart behind penning these words.

    We must pay attention to the context of this verse.

    Paul is thanking the Philippian church for their partnership with him. They had been sending him financing for his ministry and gifts to encourage him personally. But he wants them to know that, thought he is thankful for them, he doesn’t need them. He needs Christ.

    Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:11-13

    Paul is trying to communicate that, though he has enjoyed their partnership, he doesn’t need their gifts. When Paul stated that he can do all things through him who strengthens, he meant that he has learned the secret to enduring all things: contentment.

    I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

    So, before we sport our coffee mugs and bumper stickers with this overly-used-out-of-context verse, let us be sure that we really mean what we are shouting off the rooftops. I can do all things through him who strengthens me is a declaration that Jesus is enough. If my husband loses his job, Jesus is enough. If my child walks away from the Lord, Jesus is enough. When my soul is in turmoil, Jesus is enough.

    How has the Lord strengthened you as you strive to find contentment in all things?

    There is SO MUCH MORE in this great set of verses. What did the Lord reveal to you through your study of Philippians 4:10-23?

    An Announcement:

     To wrap up our time together, next Friday we will have a linky open! We would LOVE to hear about how the Lord has used this study in your life. So, get your posts ready and head back here to share your heart with us.


    Philippians :: Week 8 :: Are you good enough?

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    It’s good to be good. I get that. God calls us to do good things so he can be glorified (Matthew 5:16).

    But do we carry it too far?

    Not in doing good things (let’s always want that!), but by incorrectly thinking that doing good things makes us good.

    Immediately after Paul told the Philippians to fill up on joy (Philippians 3:1), he gave them a very stern warning:

    “Look out for the dogs!
    Look out for the evildoers!
    Look out for those who mutilate the flesh!”     (verse 2)

    Who were those dogs? They were grace-stealers. They were Jews who were trying to pull the fresh Christians away from grace and back into law.

    They were the voices we still hear today, whispering and sometimes shouting: “You’re not doing enough. You’re not good enough! Is that the best you can do???”

    But Paul gave a confident and reassuring answer that we need to listen to. He said we don’t have to be good enough.

    And he should know. If anybody had a beefy spiritual resume, it was Paul (verse 4). He had credentials. His Benjamite blood line was pure, traceable all the way back to Jacob, as far as a Jew could go.

    He was a Pharisee on fire for obeying the law, far more zealous than any Sadducee. But…

    Was it good enough? Could his credentials earn his salvation?

    Can yours? What do you take pride in?

    Maybe you have a stellar record of church attendance. Or you teach a Bible class or two. Or you make great sacrifices to homeschool your kids. Ah, great items for the resume, yes?

    No.

    While those may be good things, they’re still zemia compared to knowing Christ. Zemia is the Greek word Paul used for “loss” in verse 3. As in detriment. Disadvantage.

    If you’re relying on your own credentials to build your joy, you’re at a disadvantage. You’re wasting energy trying to be perfect on your own.

    Instead, concentrate on knowing better the one who already is perfect. Hang out with him and let his blood rub off on you. His perfection is the only one you’ll ever need.

    When we try to be right by our own goodness, we’re wrong. But when we accept the righteousness from God that depends on faith (verse 9), we go all the way through suffering to the other side of resurrection.

    It’s painful to try to be perfect on our own. And it’s unnecessary. Christ has already done it for us.

    So let’s heed Paul’s warnings and do as he did:

    1. Rejoice in the Lord
    2. Beware of grace-stealers
    3. Put no confidence in our own works
    4. Know Christ and build faith in him

    Because it’s not what you do for him, it’s that you know him.

    And that is reason to rejoice!

    What have you gleaned from Philippians 3:1-11?
    Do you still struggle with trying to do it all yourself?
    How do you lean on Christ?

    Philippians :: Week 5 :: Looking at Y.O.U.

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    {Today’s post is a guest post from Kelly!}

    Paul was not a teacher that candy-coated the truth. He spoke truth for what it is. He wasn’t trying to win your heart or get you to like him, he was trying to point you to Jesus:

    “Be like-minded. Look out for others’ interests.”

    “Respect others; regard them better than you.”

    “Be obedient, even die.”

    “Every person glorify the Father.”

    An “others-focused” theme is present here, because that is God’s heart. In other words, I’m going to turn my attention from me to you. In Philippians 2:2 and 2:5 the word mind is the Greek phroneō which means to have understanding, be wise, to feel and to think. So when I’m responding to you, then I need to apply wisdom in my response. When I think the word YOU, I’m going to think Yielded to Others with Understanding.

    Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 NKJV

    What God desires us to do, He did first as the example for us. Jesus became obedient to the point of death. So should we, because it’s not about us. It’s about others. When this humble obedience is brought forth in us, God is glorified and His name is exalted.

    “Christianity summed up in one word would be “servant.” Paul would say “slave.” ~ Nelson Searcy

    As Christians, we do not think, respond, or feel the way we want, but the way God wants because we are His. We are to die to self and be yielded to others with understanding. God’s heart is unity. It’s much easier to walk in one accord if we live our lives with the attitude of esteeming others better than we are. It’s much easier to avoid strife if we are responding to others with a humble heart. It’s also sometimes easier said than done.

    3 Areas to be Yielded to Others with Understanding:

    *Interests

    We naturally look out for our own interests, but if we are looking out for others’ interests we are going to receive the comfort and fellowship of the Spirit. Showing them this kind of love doesn’t mean we are being nosy, but that our response is with sympathy. A mindset of being considerate in regard to the people we live and work with should be ours.

    “Daddy’s sick, so we’re going to be quiet and then bring him breakfast in bed.”

    “Jane and I both like coffee at work. There’s one cup left; it’s hers.”

    *Opinions

    Being like-minded doesn’t mean we change our views to cater to a differing opinion, but that our opinions should line up with scripture. We can’t choose only the portions of the Bible that we like because we belong to God. If all our opinions line up with scripture, then unity will be much easier to attain.

    *Beliefs

    The area of what we believe is one that needs a true balance of a biblical mindset. When we talk to others we need to be careful that we aren’t unfeeling.

    In light of being yielded to others with understanding, consider the following questions:

    • How are you to respond when you encounter someone who doesn’t agree with you?
    • How can you be in unity with someone when their beliefs don’t agree with yours?

     

    Kelly married her high school sweetheart and homeschools her two boys.

    She writes at kellysinging.com to help others walk the road of bearing good fruit.

     

     

    {Katie here: Thanks to Kelly for sharing her heart with us! Now, what about you? What did YOU learn this week in your study of Philippians? I have been enjoying the discussion each week, and I look forward to your thoughts this week!}

    How to Make a Bible Notebook

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    UPDATE: Want more information on building a Bible notebook? Please see our newest posts and printables here.

    * * *

    Why do you study the Bible?

    If you’re like me, you have many reasons. To know God more. To be transformed into his image. To learn to love others better. To build a stronger faith in Jesus. To reflect his glory. To solidify truth in your heart.

    But if you read the Bible and immediately forget what you learn, how effective is that (James 1:23-24)?

    God often commanded the Israelites to write things down, and their faithfulness to the written Word means we have accurate scriptures today.

    We all know that one effective way to retain what you read is to write it down. In a place you can find again.

    Creating a personal Bible notebook works for me. While I still keep separate notebooks for specific purposes (like my Philippians memory book), I use one 3-ring binder to hold the bulk of my daily studies.

    For example, eight years ago I began copying by hand and journaling one verse per day from my daily Bible reading. I wrote what the truth revealed about God and how it applied to me at the time.

    Now that I’m going through the Bible for the fourth time with this method, I am benefiting from having all my previous notes sorted by book/chapter so I can easily flip through my notebook and be reminded of what I learned from the past three readings.

    Having easy access to lessons God has already taught us through his Word in past situations builds our confidence in his faithfulness in our current and future circumstances.

    Things you need:

    • 3-ring binder
    • Notebook paper
    • Insertable tab dividers
    • 3-hole punch
    • Sheet protectors (optional)

    Decorate your binder to make it personal, then pack in plenty of paper and several dividers.

    Next, decide on the categories you want and make tabs for each. I use these.

    Tabs:

    • Bible Notes
    • Memory Verses
    • Greek
    • Prayers
    • Book Studies

    The Bible Notes section includes my daily verse journal that I write by hand on loose-leaf notebook paper. I also keep an extra copy of my Daily Bible Reading plan here.

    Under the Memory Verse section, I keep a printout of all the verses and chapters that I’ve (tried to) learn. Then each day I review one sheet before I begin working on my current verses. This assures all the verses get reviewed periodically.

    I started the Greek tab when I took a Wednesday night class on Greek from a retired university professor at church. I write down interesting words and definitions that bring new light to scripture as well as words that I want to study more later. I keep a copy of the Greek alphabet here and a list of key words that I don’t want to forget.

    The Prayer section holds both prayer lists as well as prayers I’ve written for special occasions, such as the beginning of a school year. Having a record of requests, answers, and praises will motivate you to continue seeking the Lord.

    The Book Studies section includes notes from books I’ve studied on my own as well as with friends. This is also a great place to capture book suggestions for future studies.

    You could also include sections for sermon notes, blog posts, writing ideas, quotes, devotionals, photos, drawings, song lyrics, Bible maps, etc.

    Use pockets in the front and back of your binder or use sheet protectors to store church bulletins, loose notes, or small clippings you don’t want to lose.

    Keeping everything in one place, at your fingertips, can make your study times more fruitful, less scattered, and more faith-building.

    How do you keep track of what you’re learning? What works for you? For your kids? Please share!

    Finding Living Water

    by

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

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

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

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

    Photo Credit

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

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

    Thank you, friends!

    Top Ten Application Tips

    by 8 Comments

    Studying God’s word means nothing if it doesn’t affect our days. Here are some helpful tips, as we focus on what to do as a result of what the Lord is teaching us through His Word.

    1. Consider this: You already know more than you can ever obey.

    Too often we can find ourselves looking for the “next best Bible Study” to revive our spiritual life. Instead of trying to find something to “fix” you, look and listen to what you have already been taught. Oftentimes God is wooing us to apply something, through a few different people and places but we can be too busy or too stubborn to hear what He is saying. Obey what you already know and you will see life change.

    2. Focus on one thing at a time.

    Focusing on too many things is a sure way to fail. We can only do a few things well. Prayerfully search for what God wants you to focus on, pick one and move forward.

    3. Give yourself time…

    Monthly focuses work for me. If I move on to the next thing too quickly, I find myself quickly losing ground I made in the last thing I was working on. Establishing new habits and breaking the old ones take time.

    4. …and grace.

    Discouragement brings us to a halt in our efforts to apply scripture to our lives. You will fail. I will fail. By God’s grace we can get back up and try again.

    5. Take baby steps.

    The steps we take towards change must be specific and realistic. Take small, intentional steps towards what God is calling you to.

    6. Make a plan, and share it.

    Whether it be in a journal, with a friend or spouse, on Facebook, Twitter, or all of the above! Share what God is leading you towards. This helps bring clarity as you process it with others, as well as brings solidarity to your plans. Of course, sharing your plan is also a great source of accountability.

    7. Surround yourself with others who are heading in the same direction.

    My favorite thing about Twitter is the community that I have found from others who are working on the same thing I am. #HelloMornings has been fuel to my efforts in getting up early to meet with the Lord. #HideHisWord is a great source of encouragement and accountability from others who are memorizing scripture. Of course, you can do this without Twitter. Find two or three others who will commit to praying for you, and invite them to join in on what God has challenged you to.

    8. OBEDIENCE is the key.

    Regardless of our well-laid plans we must pay attention to the Lord’s leading. He may later lead us to stop, be still, or focus on something else well before we feel like we are “ready” to move on. If our efforts are not out of obedience, then it is impossible to apply scripture to our lives in a way that will bring life change.

    9. Pay attention to what is driving your efforts.

    Are you driven primarily out of your own strength, or out of an overflow of all the Lord is doing in you through His great grace?

    10. Remember who is ultimately the One who brings change.

    Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3
    But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
    I am sure of this that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 1:6;2:13
    God started the work in you. God is working in you. God will complete this work in you.
    Linking up!

    Top Ten {Tuesday}

    and Thought Provoking Thursday

    This is an edited repost from the Do Not Depart archives.

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