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10 Bible Studies for Individual and Small Group Study

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As you plan to abide this year, the most important thing to read is, of course, straight from your Bible. Along with that, it can be helpful to read through Bible studies and topical studies with a trusted author and even with a small group for discussion.

Bible Studies and Topical/Devotional Studies

One big difference to distinguish: Bible studies versus Topical/Devotional studies. Bible studies focus on studying the verses themselves with induction study, reflection, Bible journaling, etc.

Topical/devotional studies usually have accompanying devotions, chapters in a nonfiction book, etc. but are founded on and include discussion of verses.

Both of these kinds of studies are beneficial and both have a place in our spiritual growth. Regardless of what kind of study you choose, three things that may help offer a well-rounded study include:

  1. founded in Scripture,
  2. opportunities for prayer, journaling, and reflection,
  3. well-researched and inclusive.

Most devotional books or Bible studies could be completed individually or with a small group, but some are specifically written to be used as one or the other. Below are some favorite recommendations.

10+ Bible Studies for Individual and Small Group Use (DoNotDepart.com)

5 Bible Studies to Read Individually

  • HelloMornings offers both a Scripture memorization community and Bible study community as you plan to work in Bible study time to your everyday life. They do new plans every couple months that focus on book of the Bible or even one chapter.
  • She Reads Truth has some gorgeously formatted Bible study plans that encourage journaling and reflection. When you buy the books, you get solely the Bible reading and reflection/study questions. But, you can also follow along in the app or on the website for free and read daily devotions to accompany the Scripture reading.
  • We offer Bible studies here at Do Not Depart, too! You can look through our archives to find many month-long studies, 8-week studies, and more. One of my recent favorites was our Philippians 2 study.
  • Once-A-Day studies offer a way to read through the entire Bible in one year. This brand of reading plans often give you an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, and a Psalm or Proverb within each day’s reading. These books divide up the Bible into 15-minute reading portions to help you dive into God’s Word daily. I reviewed the Once-A-Day Women’s Bible here and highlighted some of my favorite features, as well as mention several other types.
  • Do Not Depart founder, Katie Orr, has three Focused15 books to lead readers through one way to do inductive Bible study.

5+ Studies to Complete with a Small Group

These are just a few great studies and books out there! What are some of your favorite Bible studies or devotional books/studies?

Both Bible studies and devotional/topical studies have a place in our growth. A few recommendations:

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As you #PlantoAbide this year, what are some of your favorite Bible studies and devotional studies?

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The Why, What, and How of Bible Journaling

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[NOTE: For Matthew 6 memorizers, get your printable journaling page here]

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You read the Bible. Pray through some of the Psalms. Maybe memorize favorite verses here and there.

But have you ever tried journaling through the Bible?

Why journal?

Journaling is a spiritual discipline that leaves a tangible footprint.

Writing helps hone your thoughts now, clarifying and capturing the swirling ideas that rumble loose in your head. It’s listening and recording how your heart is hearing God’s love for you.

But journaling has the added benefit of laying down a record for later, too. Today’s lessons can be reused in future circumstances if you’re ever doubting God’s promises or need reminders of how He’s brought you through a tough time or want to celebrate again a victory He won for you.

What is Bible journaling?

At its most basic, journaling is simply writing down what the Spirit whispers to you as you read through scripture. There are no rules or requirements.

However, you have many options to guide you along the way.

• Journaling Bibles
Easy to find online or at bookstores. They have wider margins than a regular Bible, specifically designed to record your notes, prayers, or questions.

• Artistic Journaling
A hot trend. [Google “bible journal” and see.] Don’t just record words, but create your own art in the margins of your regular Bible or Journaling Bible. You don’t have to be an artist to do it. [Read Teri Lynne Underwood, “Three Reasons I Love Using my Journaling Bible”]

Journaling-Bible-Teri-Lynne-Underwood

• Digital Journaling
If screens are your preferred medium, keep a digital journal as a regular Word document or via an app created specifically for Bible journaling.

• Notebook
Use a spiral bound notebook, a decorative journal, or loose-leaf paper in a binder to record your Bible reading and thoughts.

How to Bible journal

1. Write side by side in the margins

As you’re reading your Bible, jot down any insights or questions directly beside the verse you’re on. This has been an effective method for years and still works beautifully for many.

2. Pick one verse from many

I keep two kinds of separate Bible journals. For my daily Bible reading, I use my Kindle before I get out of bed each morning, highlighting verses of interest as I go. Later in the day, I return to the highlighted verses, and choose only one verse out of three chapters to journal about.

I copy that verse by hand on notebook paper, then write a few sentences about why it stood out to me. Perhaps it was reassuring or particularly relevant or maybe even confusing. I then file these pages in my Bible notebook (details on how to make your own Bible notebook). The whole process is quick but meaningful.

Nehemiah-bible-journaling

3. Go deeply with only one verse

The second type of journaling I do coincides with what I’m memorizing or studying. Here I look at only one verse for several days, writing on a double-spaced, printed copy of the chapter. On day 1 I write brief notes about the Hebrew or Greek roots using e-Sword.net or StudyLight.org. On day 2 I record anything significant from commentaries about the verse. Day 3 is when I record my own thoughts and experiences with the verse. Again, it doesn’t take long, but it creates a record of what God is teaching me.

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But for you, what’s the best way to journal?
The one that you’ll use.

And one that you’ll occasionally re-read. It’s valuable to look back on your own personal history with God alongside the Biblical narrative from ancient times.

Experiment with different methods to find one that works for you. [Pinterest has tons of ideas.] It might include sharing on social media: Use Twitter as a 140-character journal about the verses you’re reading. Or blog or Instagram about the study you’re doing. Or keep it private: Write a one-line-a-day diary of love notes between you and God, tucked quietly in your sock drawer for no eyes but yours and His.

  • Journal the lessons you want to remember.
  • Write down memories of God’s goodness you don’t want to forget.
  • Record the insights the Spirit gives you to use.

Your growing relationship with God is worth treasuring.

[Printable “Bible Journaling through Matthew 6” ESV]

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The Basics of #BibleJournaling – Why, What, and How #PlantoAbide

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Do you journal? What works for you? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.

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Plan to spend more time this year in God's Word and pursuing a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Find resources to help you plan in this month's series "Plan to Abide."

Where does Jesus live? Then and now

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1-Corinthians 6-19

GOD BESIDE US

From the beginning, walking in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, God wanted to live among His people.

But we know the story: our sin and His holiness created a gap in our relationship (Genesis 3:8).

It was temporarily patched during the time of Moses by God’s bold move to allow His presence to travel alongside His people through a special box, the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:8-22).

[Side note for us word geeks . . .  “Ark” doesn’t mean boat, but rather container.

→   The “ark” of the Covenant is the Hebrew word aron, meaning chest or coffer (yes, also used for “coffin”) for holding something valuable.
→   Baby Moses was placed into an “ark” of bulrushes in the river, a different Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→   Noah’s “ark” is also the Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→   Jews today place the Torahs in their synagogues in a “holy ark” (Aaron Kodesh), a special box made to preserve its contents, facing toward Israel.

Interestingly, all these “arks” are containers that protect things. They are places of refuge.]

But what the Israelites couldn’t have known then (we can barely grasp it now), is that the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant would one day become our reality—God living inside of us.

GOD IN A BOX?

It seems strange to us now. God in a box? The Ark was a small chest made of acacia wood, covered in purest gold. Around 4 feet tall and around 2½ feet wide, it was kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and later in Solomon’s temple.

Its lid—called the mercy seat—was a heavy gold plate with two gold cherubim on top, facing each other, wings spread out.

God would appear in a cloud between the wings of the cherubim (Exodus 25:22).

WHAT WAS IN THE ARK…THEN AND NOW?

Three important items were inside the Ark. Can we uncover the foreshadowing of Jesus in them? And discover the living reality of them now in us? [Print this list of scriptures to study for yourself in more detail.]

1. Words

  • Then . . . enclosed in the ark were the two tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments. They symbolized God’s covenant with His people.
  • Now . . . Jesus (the Word became flesh) lives in us, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

2. Manna

  • Then . . . the Ark contained a gold jar of unspoiled manna to remind the Hebrews that God provided for them during their wilderness wanderings.
  • Now . . . we have the living Bread inside of us, again reminding us that God continues to meet our daily needs, today and forever.

3. Aaron’s rod

  • Then . . . Aaron’s walking stick with its miraculous buds was kept in the Ark to symbolize God’s power.
  • Now . . . God’s very Spirit lives on in His priesthood of believers, each one of us together who declare His praises, shining light in dark places.

WHERE DOES JESUS LIVE NOW?

No one knows for sure what happened to the physical Ark of the Covenant (despite the famous movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark). When the Babylonians plundered Solomon’s great temple in Jerusalem in 597 BC, many presume Nebuchadnezzar’s men stole the Ark. It’s presumably never been seen again, although theories continue to abound about its location.

So where is the true home of the Lord’s presence?

We know where He lives now—in His followers. Can there be any greater honor than to house the Lord’s presence in us, having Him go wherever we go, always bringing His presence to others when we show up?

May we never take this gift lightly, this privilege of being a living treasure chest of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And may we be extra mindful this Christmas to carry Jesus in us with love, joy, and peace.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Please print, study and pray through these fascinating stories of the Ark of the Covenant—then and now—and give thanks for the present of His presence in us.

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God in a box? Not anymore. Free printable: Where does Jesus live? Then and Now #JesusInTheOT

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Where is the Ark of the Covenant now? Is there a living treasure chest? Free printable

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How often are you aware that you carry the Lord’s presence everywhere you go? How can you be more mindful of it? Please share in the comments.

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament. With printables resources for you... at DoNotDepart.com

We Love Because He First Loved Us {1 John 4:19-21}

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We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John‬ ‭4:19-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Source of Love

It is a simple seven word verse.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Yet it contains the whole world.

Everything we are, and everything we are able to do, is because of God.

We breathe because of Him.
We live because of Him.
We love because of Him.

All because of God, Who Himself is Love (1 John 4:8.)

To know that God loves, and to love again–there is a little pocket encyclopedia in two volumes, which contains the smelted-down essence of all theology and of all morality. – Alexander MacLaren

Love One Another

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20

And He Who is the Love that is the origin of all earthly love we will ever feel – that Love wants to be loved back by us loving one another.

God is the source of our love for others, and our love for others is the proof of our love for God. If we love God, we can’t help but love others, and conversely, if we do not love others, then we demonstrate that we don’t truly love God.

It is an endless circle, this exquisite giving and receiving of love. A circle that had its beginning with God Himself, Love incarnate. And in a continued display of the depth of His caring for us, it is when we love each other that we truly love Him.

His taking is in fact a giving. His receiving of our love for Him is in the vessel of our loving others.

Commanded to Love

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:21

Make no mistake – this is no fluffy Valentine love that He is commanding. And yes, He is commanding.

No, this is dying-to-self love, bleeding for others love. We can not only love people who make us feel good, or even just seem like us. We can not merely love others when it is convenient or comfortable.

The love that a God-lover loves is a beautiful mess of trusting Him and not relying on logic. It’s the kind of love that gives away food when your stomach is growling. The kind of love that wipes tears on faces that don’t look like yours.

And the unsettling reality is that if we don’t do it, if we choose not to love, but instead we keep our eyes fixed on ourselves, we are breaking a commandment. We are sinning.

This is the kind of love that doesn’t seek its own happiness, yet always finds joy.

As we look forward to Christmas, we do well to remember that all of our earthly gift giving is only because of the greatest gift of love the world has seen.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Be blessed as you bless others with your love today.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

  1. Read 1 John 4:19-21. Write down the truths, promises and commands you find in this passage.
  2. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Write a list of the words that describe love. Which ones come easily to you? Which do you struggle with?
  3. Read Luke 6:35-36. Who does the word “enemy” make you think of? Ask the Lord to show you whom He wants you to bless today.

Since God Loved Us {1 John 4 study}

The final installment in our study of 1 John 4:19-21. #SinceGodLovedUs

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God is the source of and reason for our love for one another. #SinceGodLovedUs

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Psalm 19 – Wrap Up

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God's Beautiful World and Perfect Word {a Psalm 19 study}

This month here at DND we’ve been studying Psalm 19.  As Caroline stated at the beginning of the series, “Psalm 19 is an ode to God’s beautiful world and His perfect Word. And we want to read about it, revel in it, and praise Him for it together this month.”

Spending time in His creation and His written Word are both excellent ways to be renewed and drawn closer to God.

Didn’t we have some thought provoking posts this month? I was so encouraged by them!

Have you enjoyed lingering in this beautiful Psalm as much as we have? What did God show you through His word this month?

 We’d love to hear what He’s doing in your heart! And if DND is blessing you, please take a moment to share the blessing with others by liking our social media posts, forwarding our articles, and sharing our images. Our desire is to bless and share Christ with our readers.

In Him,

Ali

A Bible study on Psalm 19 and God’s #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord

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God’s Beautiful World and Perfect Word {a study on Psalm 19}

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Last month, we spent the month marveling at how God’s creation reminds us of different aspects of Him and our faith.

Let’s keep those observations and truths in mind as we study Psalm 19 this month!

When you think of God’s beautiful world, Psalm 19:1 might quickly come to mind:

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

All of God’s creation — roaring waves at a beach, birds building a nest, rolling hills of millennia-old mountains, leaves dancing in the wind, flowers opening to life-producing sunshine, brilliant shades at sunset — reminds us of Him and proclaims His glory and His handiwork just by existing.

Spending time in His creation can renew our spirits.

As can spending time in His perfect word.

Psalm 19 is an ode to God’s beautiful world and His perfect Word. And we want to read about it, revel in it, and praise Him for it together this month.

God's Beautiful World and Perfect Word {a Psalm 19 study}

Bible Study This Week

  1. Read Psalm 19 once each day, if you can, to let the words sink in to your mind and heart.
  2. Record two ways God’s creation and His Word revive your soul and let your heart rejoice (Psalm 19:7-8).
  3. Stay tuned for the first post on Thursday!

What is one way you can praise Him for His creation and/or His Word today? Share in the comments below!

Join us for a study on Psalm 19 and God’s #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord!

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All of God’s #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord reminds us of Him and proclaims His glory and His handiwork just by existing: 

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Need to catch your breath? Try His

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God-is-the-breath

A BREATHLESS SUMMER?

It’s summer, traditionally a season for less stress and more relaxation, more time off. But are you already out of breath? Is your schedule running you instead of you running your schedule?

When we leave too little breathing room in our lives, we feel drained. Near the end of my father’s death with lung cancer, it hurt to watch him breathe. The in-and-out of air was slow and tiring. Instead of invigorating his body with fresh oxygen, breathing seemed like dreary work.

Our lives can become that way as well when we don’t guard our spiritual breathing.

BREATH IS SPIRIT

Our breath is a gift from God, one of our very first.

Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Genesis 2:7

In the New Testament, Paul taught the Athenians about our marvelous Creator who gives us life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25). In the Greek, “breath” here is from pnoe (G4157). It also means a breeze, wind.

In John 3:8 the root word pneo (G4154—to breathe hard, breeze, blow) and its more common derivative pneuma (G4151—a current of air, breath, breeze, spirit) are both used.

The wind [G4151] blows [G4154] where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit [4151].
John 3:8

A literal translation could be:
The breath breathes hard. . . .  We are brought forth from the Breath.

We are born of that Breath. That Wind. That Spirit. Just as we live physically by breathing in oxygen 10-20 times per minute, so we breathe in God continually for sustained spiritual life.

LET THE WIND REMIND US

So when you’re outside this week, pay attention to the wind. Look for signs of it around you.

  • Are tree limbs dancing in praise to its rhythm?
  • Are birds resting their wings in its current?
  • Do you feel it blowing away your sweat, cooling down your body?

Let the wind remind you to breathe in God’s grace. And breathe out His praise.

Awaken to God’s Spirit breathing through your world. Look for signs of His movement.

  • Do you see evidence of His grace in people you live or work with?
  • Are you breathing in His gifts with each lungful of air?
  • Can you breathe out honor to Him through your mouth for His provisions?

Just as we can’t see the wind, neither can we physically see God. But we know both are here through other ways.

God is very real, leaving His fingerprints all over our world and hearts to remind us of His presence. Pause periodically to notice and praise.

Each day we take around 26,000 breaths. Can we use a few this week to give God thanks for them?

  • Praise Him for His splendor
  • Honor Him for His goodness
  • Bless Him for His love

BIBLE STUDY SUGGESTIONS

  1. Take your Bible (outside, if possible!) and slowly read Psalm 145.
  2. Look up wind/spirit/breath in a concordance.
  3. Close your eyes. Do you feel any wind on your face? Tune in to your breathing.
  4. Pray. Thank God for how He is breathing through your life, in ways you feel and in ways you don’t.
  5. More verses to read: Job 33:4; Psalm 34:1-7; Psalm 51:15; Psalm 67:3-5; Psalm 71:5-8; Psalm 150; Ezekiel 37:5; Amos 4:13; Mark 4:36-41; John 2:21-22.
  6. Pick up a physical object to bring inside. Perhaps a leaf blowing across the lawn. Or a rock that stayed put through a storm. Or a wildflower that sways when you blow it. Let this object remind you this week to stay aware of the invisible Spirit breathing through you.
Need to catch your breath? Let the wind remind you: Pause and praise. #MarvelousCreator

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QUESTION
When is the last time you’ve been really out of breath, physically or spiritually? Please leave a comment below of how God breathes through your life. We’d love to hear.

More:
5 things I learned from my “Year of Deep Breathing”

The Marvelous Creator - A Summertime Bible study from DoNotDepart.com

The Marvelous Creator

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A Summertime Bible Study -- worship The Marvelous Creator with us at DoNotDepart.com

Summer is coming soon! Are you looking forward to it? For those of us here in the US, the official start of summer is June 21. And for most of us, that means more time outdoors in God’s gorgeous creation. This is one of my favorite parts of the summer season. And what a wonderful opportunity to better appreciate our Marvelous Creator!

So, this month at Do Not Depart, that’s just what we’ll be focusing on. God, the Marvelous Creator. And we’re setting this month up as a Bible study– each post will have a few reflection or homework questions for you to work on. Our hope is that as you spend time traveling to your destination, vacationing at your get-away, or just playing outside with your kids or grandbabies, you’ll be able to look with fresh eyes at God’s handiwork.

We hope our words and stories will help you remember certain truths about God that He’s reminded us of through His creation. Sandy beaches, splashing waves, forests awash with green, painted deserts, shooting stars, lightning bugs, singing birds, croaking frogs, and your cozy backyard—it’s all His the work of His majestic hands, and it’s all designed to point our hearts to Him.

We serve a powerful, loving, and amazingly creative Master Artist!

I love these verses from Psalms that remind us that He not only carefully wrought the heavens, moon, and stars, but He also created us, and loves and blesses us immensely! He is mindful of our every need, and cares for us attentively.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? (Psa 8:3,4 ESV)

Isn’t He wonderful?

We pray that each day this summer, as you grab your sunscreen, don your flip flops, and make joyful memories with loved ones, you’ll be refreshed and renewed with eyes opened to our loving Father and His marvelous creation. We pray that His handiwork will inspire your worship!

His handiwork inspires our worship! #MarvelousCreator #BibleStudy

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The #MarvelousCreator designed a beautiful world to point our hearts to Him!

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Shine Like Stars: Give and Rejoice {Philippians 2:17-18}

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Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. - Philippians 2:17

We have spent this month reading and reflecting on Philippians 2… on how we who walk with Christ are called to shine like stars in our often dark world.

How do we shine? By…

Our final verses in this month’s study are Philippians 2:17-18.

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

What more can we glean about shining from these two verses?

  • we choose to give
  • we rejoice!

Give

Sometimes God calls us to give sacrificially. To be poured out.

In ancient Israel, many types of offerings were made by the priests on the altar of the Lord. The Old Testament goes into great detail about the nature of these offerings – among them, which types of offerings were to be made for specific circumstances and even the level of offering based upon one’s wealth.

The drink offering was one of the types of offerings. Usually wine, a drink offering was often poured over other offerings on the altar. All offerings required a sacrifice of some kind on the part of the giver.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he refers to himself as the offering. And we can apply this to ourselves as well.

As we selflessly seek to walk with God – to love and serve others, to shine like stars – we are called to lay our lives down and make them an offering. We become as a gift on His altar.

We know that Jesus’ death on the cross was the final offering needed to reconcile us to God. The offerings we make as His children we do out of love, not obligation. Your gift of love as you pour yourself out in His service is a sweet aroma to your heavenly Father!

Rejoice – the Right Response to Serving

Let us not be deceived – you can give and give but not shine.

When you allow God to pour you out in service to others, you can take that gift and twist it. It is frighteningly easy to do.

You can feel used, you can feel sorry for yourself, you can act like a martyr. When you do this, you take the shiny gift of service and muddy it with selfishness.

Paul is clear – serve and rejoice. Give all that you have and all that you are, be poured out to the last drop, and rejoice in what God is doing!

I will be honest: there have been times when I have been poured out and felt so dry that I have thrown myself a pity party. When I look at those times I can see two very clear reasons:

Remember, there is a battle for our minds! And as Ali reminded us, “as both His body and His bride we’re called to be united with Christ in the same mind.”

Rejoice Together

Philippians has been called the “joy book” of the bible for good reason. Paul wove the theme of joy deeply throughout his letter to his brothers and sister in Philippi.

Paul encouraged his beloved brethren to rejoice with him, and what a good word this is for us today too!

We each face many earthly struggles and sorrows – there is just no escaping them. In fact Jesus Himself told us to expect them: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b Even in the midst of pain, we who follow Christ can rejoice!

We rejoice together because of Whose we are.

We rejoice together because we believe that God is sovereign, that He is working all things together for good, that we will see Him one day face to face.

Our heavenly Father has made us brothers and sisters, given us to one another to love and enjoy. We bear each other’s burdens and share in each other’s joys.

Our joy in Christ and in one another makes us shine even more!

For further study:

1) Other references to drink offerings in Old Testament include Genesis 35:14, Ezra 7:17 and Numbers 28:7. What happened to the drink offerings?
2) When does Philippians 4:4 say we should rejoice?
3) Consider how your mind plays a role in your ability to rejoice. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. How can you actively engage in keep your mind on the right track? What is the result of thinking about God and His ways, according to Isaiah 26:3?
4) Reflect: how do other believers help you rejoice? Think of one person in your life who rejoices with you regularly and take the time to call them or jot a note to thank them for blessing you in this way.

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Give and Rejoice! – a #ShineLikeStars post on Phil 2:17-18

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We make our lives an offering. Give and rejoice! #ShineLikeStars

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Rejoice together because of Whose you are! #ShineLikeStars

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How to Shine Like a Star {Join Us for a Month-Long Study!}

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One of my favorite biblical “word pictures” is “shining like stars” from Philippians 2:15:

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” – Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

This image was one of the first to strongly impact me as a new believer years ago, and it has an even stronger effect on me now as I’ve grown, walked through types of darkness, and seen just how special and essential light is.

It’s also one of the first analogies that we teach our children. Even young kids can understand that a small light — a single flashlight beam, a candle flame, or a night light — can cause darkness to vanish, and fears to ease along with it. 

Light is powerful; God’s light even more so. Paul calls us to shine like stars in the community of believers to reflect Christ’s original light through us. Through doing so, we imitate His humility, His welcoming love, and His unending grace.

So this month, we are studying Philippians 2 (verses 1-18) together so we can remember how and why to shine like stars. Join us and shine with us!

 Shine Like Stars (a month-long series on Philippians 2:1-18 at DoNotDepart.com}

What verse in Philippians 2 affects you strongly? Share in the comments!

How do you #ShineLikeStars? Study Philippians 2 with @DoNotDepart this month:

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Philippians 2 shows us how we can #ShineLikeStars. Join us for a month-long study on its impact:

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God’s Chesed… How He Loves

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  Learn about God's love for you and what the Hebrew word chesed (steadfast love) means at www.donotdepart.com

Each February it seems one can’t escape the topic of love. I love it that we’re focusing on God’s love in our Love Song series this month! In Kathy’s introduction post, she got us thinking about what real love really is.  She reminded us that the Bible tells us that God is love. (1 John 4:16)

Yes, God is love and His love is illustrated in every single action toward mankind.

In the last post, we learned about the New Testament Greek word agape. And there’s another word that describes God’s love that’s used about 250 times in the Old Testament. There, the Hebrew word transliterated chesed is used to identify the type of love God has toward us.

Chesed has no direct translation in English but it’s defined as favor (toward man), lovingkindness, steadfast love, loyalty, and mercy. Chesed  is a love that involves action and great depth. It implies that those in the love relationship belong together. It’s a love that rescues and forgives. It eclipses the noise of the world around us, the noise inside ourselves, and our afflictions. It lifts us up because of its beauty.

It is love that values its prize… And its prize is you!

Are you in need of that kind of love? I know I am!

Jeremiah the Prophet suffered much as he not only prophesied (much to the Jews’ anger) about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, but also lived to see it.  Though emotionally hurt over what he knew, witnessed, and experienced Jeremiah tells us about the hope he had (and we can have) in The Lord.

He had this hope because he knew of God’s chesed love.

Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD. ~ Lam 3:19-26

Like Jeremiah, we too can know and therefore have hope in the “steadfast love” and “mercy” (both chesed) of the Lord! God’s mercies never, ever come to an end! They are new every single morning! God’s loving faithfulness to you is great, dear Christian sister. That, my friend, is truth. And that’s what real love looks like. You have freedom from bondage because of that rescuing, soul-loving chesed! You may safely place all your hope and trust in His goodness and unwavering love for you. 

He loves you so much. After all… He is love!

When I think about God’s great chesed love for me, the love song that comes to my mind is David Crowder’s How He Loves… Here’s a video for you that shows all the lyrics. I pray that you’ll sit back, watch, listen, and meet with God over the melody and lyrics and be reminded of His great faithfulness, and His steadfast love, and tender mercy. His chesed.

{Wanting a few more verses that tell you about God’s chesed love? Look up Psa 23:6. The word “mercy” in the ESV is chesed. David could place all his trust in the Good Shepherd because he knew God’s chesed. Also look at Hos 2:19 where God longs to betroth Israel in chesed love. And also, Psalm 136, which is a beautiful illustration of God’s hope and mercy and mentions a form of chesed love in each verse.}

How does your heart respond to the depth of God’s chesed love for you? Has His love ever surprised you? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Do you know about God’s “chesed” love for you? Oh, How He Loves! #RealLoveSongs

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You can hope and trust! God loves you with an unwavering, steadfast love. How He Loves! #RealLoveSongs

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The Giving of Self as True Thanksgiving

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The Giving of Self as True Thanksgiving at www.donotdepart.com
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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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Give Thanks {A Study on Psalm 118}

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Gratitude changes pretty much every aspect of our daily lives.

With gratitude, our perspectives on what we have change.

With gratitude, our worries about the future ease.

With gratitude, our views on interruptions and rocky paths alter.

Regardless of what situation we’re currently in, can we remain grateful?

Psalm 118 says, YES.

Why?

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!“

And that’s just verse 1.

We can always give thanks  because He is good. Because His love lasts. Because He is our Salvation (Psalm 118:14).

Give Thanks {A Study on Psalm 118 at DoNotDepart.com this month}

We’re studying Psalm 118 all this month here at Do Not Depart. Each of our writers will read and study a few verses with you each post. We invite you to join us, give thanks with us, and revel in His endless love with us.

Read through Psalm 118 once today. What verses stick out to you? Share them in the comments!

We’re studying Psalm 118 all this month. Join us, #GiveThanks with us, and revel in His love with us:

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Regardless of what situation we’re currently in, can we remain grateful? Here’s what Psalm 118 says:

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Huge Resource for Bible Study, Faith, Family, and More

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We’re big on sharing resources around here, and we have an awesome deal to share with you today.

Last year, we told you about the Ultimate Homemaking Ebook Bundle, a MEGA bundle of numerous ebooks, e-courses, and resources. Well, it’s back!

Keep reading for details, including which resources we think you, as our Do Not Depart readers, will appreciate even more.

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By popular demand, 100+ homemaking bloggers are bringing back The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, and it’s better than ever!

The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is a complete library of great eBooks on homemaking—a truly valuable knowledge base you’ll use for many years to come.

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What are you singing? And why?

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You’ve got a song in your heart. I know because I do, too. These songs can come out when we reminisce about a past experience, or run into an old friend, or uncover a new challenge.

If it’s a good song, it will help us. God will see to that. But if it’s not, it becomes a hindrance, a soundtrack we can’t turn off, bringing up negative emotions and unhealthy thoughts.

Music can use us. Or we can use music. The songs we listen to today matter not only for today, but also for tomorrow.

While we rarely can choose which new songs will come our way (although we can choose genres, artists, radio stations), among those available, we can choose which ones we’ll listen to over and over.

Here are 3 WAYS TO USE MUSIC to build our faith, using the song “Cornerstone” as a model. It’s a modern hymn (2012, Hillsong) based on an older hymn (1834, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote).

[Worship with it here. Also hear why it was written.]

What are you singing and why {donotdepart.com}

1. TEST THE LYRICS
While some songs appeal to us immediately because we love the tune, we don’t want to embed them in our hearts if the lyrics are bad. Examine the words you’re singing to make sure they are true and God-honoring.

In “Cornerstone,” these verses remind us to depend solely on Christ’s righteousness. Even in our doubts, these are lyrics we can sing to bolster our faith in what Christ has done, not in our own works.

Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name

Verse 2
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

2. DO A BIBLE STUDY
Often the writers use a Bible passage as a base text. Look it up in context. But even without specific references, we can study general themes to flood our hearts with God’s truths.

Writers Reuben Morgan, Jonas Myrin, and Eric Liljero likely pulled from Ephesians 2:20 (“Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone”) for their chorus and theme of “Cornerstone.”

Other Biblical references related to this song for study might include: Psalm 118:21-23; Isaiah 28:16-17; Matthew 21:41-43; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Peter 2:6.

Chorus:
Christ alone Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all

3. WORSHIP THROUGH IT
Whether you sing it with others or in the car with your kids or at home alone, use the words as personal worship to God. If you know an instrument, learn the chords so you can play it. Introduce it to your church’s worship team. Download it to your iPod.

When our church sings “Cornerstone” on Sunday mornings, the praise is powerful. Who can’t relate to times of darkness, or the need for more faith, or the profound truth that we stand faultless through Jesus’s righteousness?

Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne

Music touches us in places that words alone cannot. Let’s use those connections wisely to praise our Lord in every way we can. He is something to sing about!

Tweetables:

“The songs we listen to matter not only today, but also for tomorrow. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2SK @DoNotDepart #SingPraise”
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“Music can use us. Or we can use music. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2SK @DoNotDepart #SingPraise”
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QUESTION:
What song will you put in your heart this week? What is one of your favorite worship songs? Please share here.

Cornerstone - Songs Hymns Spiritual Songs {donotdepart.com}

Praising God… Just As I Am

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Praising God... Just as I Am DoNotDepart.comI love music.  I guess I come by it naturally.  My paternal grandfather (who passed away well before I was born) was a musician who started out playing for his preacher-father’s tent revivals and later played with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra.  My father, being the son of a professional musician, began playing guitar at the age of four.  He and my mother, who also grew up singing in a musical family, introduced my siblings and I to music before we were even born.

And, I grew up singing.  Lots and lots.  I’ve always loved the intricacies in the sounds of chords, harmonies, and arrangements, but nothing reaches in and touches my heart like lyrics.  I’m a word girl… a logophile at heart.

Just As I Am

As Julie wrote recently, “Songs speak to our hearts when only music can be heard above the noise, the pain, the questions, or the confusion. God uses worship music to help us grow.”  One song that makes me feel completely overwhelmed and humbled by God’s grace is Just as I Am, by Charlotte Elliott.  I especially like the version by Brenton Brown that includes a new chorus.   I love the reminder of God’s graciousness in reaching out to this sinner just the way I am.  He loves me far too much to leave me where He finds me, so I am ever journeying this path of sanctification.  But the good news is that He will accept my repentant heart (and yours, too) even when it’s grimy with fresh sin.  It’s absolutely overwhelming how much God loves us, isn’t it?

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou will receive,
Will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promises I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Jesus take all of me
I run to You, I run to You,
I lay everything at Your feet
Let my life be Yours

God wants His children to come to Him.  He doesn’t expect us to go and get cleaned up and picture perfect before we come running to Him for salvation, for forgiveness, for help, for love, or even for service.  The truth is that we could never do that anyway.  We aren’t capable of cleansing our own sin.  We need the blood of Jesus to do that!  And that’s why He bids us to come to Him.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psa 51:7)

“…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 b)

 

Yes, we need the precious blood of the Lamb to remove the dark spots from our souls and wash us whiter than snow!  He meets us where we are, and pardons, cleanses, and relieves us of the heavy burden of sin.  Christ covers all our ugly sinfulness with His beautiful righteousness.  To get that, all we have to do is come in faith.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

And this sacrificial act of love is exactly why we can raise our hands in praise and cry out,

“Jesus, take all of me… I run to you, I run to you!  I lay everything at your feet.  Let my life be yours!”

I’m praising God for His grace today and how such beautiful lyrics can illustrate His Holy Word!  Thank you, Lord, for the love that reaches out to your children wherever we are!  And, thank you that I can come to you… Just As I Am!

How does God speak to you, and even enrich your Bible study, through music?

Tweetables:

“Just as I am. We don’t need to get picture perfect before we come to Him.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~ Click here to tweet this.

“Just as I Am. Christ covers all our ugly sinfulness with His beautiful righteousness.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise”  ~ Click here to tweet this.

“Just as I am.  Beautiful lyrics can illustrate God’s Word.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So  @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~  Click here to tweet this.

 

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