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The Prince of Peace with Peace for Today…

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Out of the many themes that are associated with Christmastime, this one resonates in my heart. Something inside me greatly desires peace.  I thrive on routine and habit… because, well there’s peace in that. I tend to get anxious when life’s hiccups happen.

And because that’s how God wired me, I’m so thankful to know the Prince of Peace Himself. I need Him… and I certainly need His peace.

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament, The Prince of Peace... with a printable Christmas ornament
And I’m not the only one who needs His peace– our restless world does. There have been so many tragedies lately. So much heartache. Whether it’s a massacre in Paris or San Bernardino on the news, a child sick with cancer on a Facebook feed, or personal unrest in any painful shape, I think we can all see a God-sized hole we could label “Peace Missing.”

But before we despair, we can turn to God. He is ever near us and He’s waiting to comfort us with His love, wisdom, and might.

And that’s what God did for the Israelites when they were at their most unrestful state. His chosen people were spiritually wandering away from Him and their sin invited both danger from the enemy and discipline from the hand of God (Dan:5-7). The northern tribes had been conquered by Assyria, and the Kingdom of Judah would soon be conquered by Babylon. The majority of the inhabitants would be driven as captives into Babylon, far away from the Promised Land, far from their homes, their culture, and from everything they knew.

Unrest. Lack of peace. Heartache.

But God stepped in. Through the encouraging words of Isaiah, God reminded His children that He hadn’t forgotten them and His peace hadn’t truly left. He had a plan that would bring joy and peace to each heart. His plan was personal, powerful, and would change the whole world!

6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Oh, Jesus, the Messiah! What a promise of peace to the restless, fearful, broken heart!

Peace for You, Today

That’s why Jesus came down from Heaven 2,000 years ago to reach us. He didn’t want us to continue to stumble blindly. He wanted to offer the whole world His marvelous light. And while the Israelites had to wait about 700 years from these prophecies of Isaiah for Jesus to be born, today, we have ready access to the saving, peace-giving knowledge of Christ.

If we are ever on the brink of despair, we can remember that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. He is our Mighty God. He is the Everlasting Father. And He most certainly is the Prince of Peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14;27)

Jesus came to establish His heavenly kingdom. Many Jews mistakenly thought that the Messiah was coming to be a warrior King who would lead them to freedom from Roman rule– to bring physical peace between governments. But instead, Jesus came to offer each heart on earth (past, present, and future) eternal peace. Peace not like the world gives, but peace that comes from having the truth of His presence living right inside us.

And that peace within us flavors the way the think, the things we say and do, and the way we interact with others.

Peace gives us hope, satisfies us, and fills us with joy.

If you’re craving the peace of Jesus today, find encouragement in these verses:

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

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7)

“For he is our peace…, And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” (Eph 2:14 a, Eph 2:17)

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa 26:3)

I pray that whatever your circumstances, His presence in your heart would bring you great Peace this Christmas.

Names of the Messiah - Printable paper Christmas ornament
And, as a physical reminder of who Jesus is (as described in Isa 9:6-7) our friend, Ashely Taylor, has made an elegant Christmas ornament as a gift for you. It’s very simple to print and assemble. We hope you’ll hang it on your tree — or wherever you need a little Christmas cheer!

How has knowing the Prince of Peace affected your heart and spirit?

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament: The Prince of Peace offers peace for you today! #FindingJesusInTheOT

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Bethlehem: House of Bread

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Bethlehem means "House of Bread." Learn more about the prophecies of Jesus' birth, why the meaning of Bethlehem is significant, and download gift-able recipe cards to give with homemade bread this Christmas.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Micah 5:2

Bethlehem – it almost didn’t seem like a real place to me as a child.

I grew up thinking of it as a quaint, almost fictional, setting for the first Christmas – a town bustling with sandal-wearing people, lots of animals, and suddenly one night, a baby born in a small open pole barn surrounded by lots of clean hay.

I suppose I read a lot of Christmas picture books.

The real Bethlehem was not quite what the picture books depict. For one thing it was little. So insignificant it was not included in the lengthy list of the cities of Judah in Joshua 15. For another, I have raised animals and believe me, hay does not stay clean and sweet smelling. Not to mention the fact that the bible only tells us that Jesus was laid in a manger, not where that manger was. There is a good possibility it was in a cave, likely at the back of a house, a common arrangement in those days.

Unlike my picture books, the real Bethlehem was small, smelly, and insignificant in the world’s eyes. Just another town.

And that made Bethlehem of Judah the perfect place for God to reveal His glory in His only begotten Son. After all, God loves to show forth His greatness in the weak things of the world!

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

The Importance of Bethlehem

Despite its size, by the time Micah was prophesying about the coming ruler of Israel, little Bethlehem had seen its share of important events among Jesus’ ancestors.

  • Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin on the way to Bethlehem. Genesis 35:19-20
  • Naomi and Elimelech left Bethlehem with their young sons, to escape a famine. Ruth 1:1-2
  • It was upon Naomi’s return to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law that Ruth met Boaz and became his wife. Ruth 4:11
  • Samuel went to Bethlehem to find Jesse’s sons. 1Samuel 16:1
  • And it was in Bethlehem that Samuel anointed David as King of Israel. 1 Samuel 16:13

Then finally, centuries after Micah lived, His prophecy was fulfilled.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Luke 2:4-6

House of Bread

In addition to fulfilling prophesy, Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was in some ways a prophesy itself.

The Hebrew for Bethlehem is two words – beth (house of) and lehem (bread.) Thus Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread.”

Jesus was born in the “house of bread” – how fitting that He called Himself the bread of life!

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

The Lord Jesus Christ is our ultimate spiritual sustenance!

Give the Gift of Bread

Bethlehem means "House of Bread." Learn more about the prophecies of Jesus' birth, why the meaning of Bethlehem is significant, and download gift-able recipe cards to give with homemade bread this Christmas.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, I find myself in the kitchen more than usual. I love to bake, and at Christmas I always bake one item without fail – our Christmas braid. It is a recipe handed down from my mother-in-law, and I have made it for our family’s Christmas breakfast for 21 years.

Homemade gifts are a lovely way to give a little bit of yourself along with your present. If you would like to bake a delicious and pretty Christmas braid as a gift, we have included a printable recipe card you can attach, that includes information with the meaning of Bethlehem and related scriptures.

If you prefer a less sweet bread, you will find a recipe for whole wheat bread on the printable as well. This one is our family’s favorite daily bread.

Bethlehem means "House of Bread." Learn more about the prophecies of Jesus' birth, why the meaning of Bethlehem is significant, and download gift-able recipe cards to give with homemade bread this Christmas.
The recipe cards are designed to be printed double-sided, so that on one side you will see the recipe, and on the other you will see scriptures. I recommend printing on card stock if you can. Just wrap your bread in foil or plastic wrap, punch a hole in the corner of your recipe card, and run a ribbon through the hole to tie around your gift of bread!

Special thanks to Ashley Taylor for creating this printable!

How did Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfill prophecy? #JesusInTheOT

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Bethlehem means “House of Bread” and Jesus is the Bread of Life. #JesusInTheOT

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Printable bread recipe with scriptures to add to a lovely DIY gift. #JesusInTheOT

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

 

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament

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Did you know that the whole Bible points to Jesus? Even the Old Testament…

The entire Old Testament points toward Jesus as Savior, and if you miss that, you’ve missed the entire point of the Scriptures. Jesus is the Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy.” -Adrian Rogers

If you look, you can easily find Him there. Not only does the Old Testament point to Him, but He was present, as part of the Godhead.

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament, with Printables for you from DoNotDepart.com

As one of the triune parts of God, Jesus created {and sustains} all things (John 1:3, Col 1:16-17), was the Rock that accompanied Israel through the desert (1 Cor 10:4), some scholars say He was the fourth person who walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Dan 3:25), Jesus refreshed Elijah in the wilderness (1 Ki 19:5-7), and Himself claims to be the Great I Am of the Old Testament (John 8:58).

I find it amazing that the very first verse in our Bible points to Jesus. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

The Hebrew word for God used in this verse is Elohim. …A plural word that allows for further expansion of the concept of a triune God revealed throughout the gospels and New Testament.

And not only was Jesus present, but the Scriptures also prophesied both a physical-Jesus-with-us-in-the-flesh coming, and the purpose He would accomplish by putting on flesh and taking our sins. Without the putting on of human flesh, being born in the humblest of states to Mary and Joseph over 2,000 years ago, the work of our Messiah and Savior could never be accomplished. And matter of fact, the Bible contains over 300 prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus.

And He fulfilled them all. (That befuddles the best of mathematicians!)

Jesus Himself met with disciples on the road to Emmaus, in His post-resurrection form, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

This month at Do Not Depart, we’ll be looking into specific scriptures of the Old Testament that show us Jesus. We pray that the more we look at Him as Christmas draws near, the more our hearts will warm in adoration, worship, and praise!

And since this is a printable tools month, each post will contain a special something you can print and use to help you remember all we’re discussing.

Be blessed, and Happy Advent!

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament. A new topic with printables for you! #JesusInTheOT

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Want to find Jesus in the Old Testament? Prepare your heart for Christmas! #JesusInTheOT

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Don’t look directly at the sun! But the Son?

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sun-flare

DON’T LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN

Were you told as a child, “Never look directly at the sun! You’ll go blind!”?

I was. It made me skittish to look toward the sun at all, lest I accidentally linger too long on that ball of fire and live in darkness forever.

The sun is the brightest and most prominent object in our sky. Everyone depends on it. Our lives are scheduled around it. We get our energy from it.

King David knew that too, albeit in a different way than we know now through scientific knowledge. He wrote poetically in Psalm 19:4-6 that God uses the sky as a tent for the sun. The sun sets out each morning, and like a strong man, it runs its course with joy, always on the move, from one end of the heavens to the other.

But as it turns out, our mama’s advice about not looking at the sun IS valid. We should NOT look directly at the sun, because, well, we really could go blind. Just like setting fire to paper by focusing sunlight through a lens, the same thing can happen to the lens of our eyes. And once our retina cells are killed, they don’t regenerate.

So instead we give quick glances toward the sun or look through other mediums or settle for images from high-resolution telescopes.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SON?

Does the same advice apply: Don’t look directly at the Son?

By our actions, we sometimes imply the answer is yes.

Instead of looking directly at Jesus, we may give Him quick glances. Or we think our work FOR Him is the same thing as gazing at Him. Or we are satisfied with simply hearing what others say about Him.

What happens when we look directly at other things (even good, godly things!) instead of on Jesus?

  • When we focus on church, we become discouraged by flawed people
  • When we focus on culture, we lose hope that good always wins in the end
  • When we focus on ministries, we turn them into idols

Anything other than Jesus placed at the center of our lives will eventually create blind spots. And if those things are stared at long enough, they can cause us to lose our true vision altogether.

SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Look directly at the Son!

Continue to love your church, work among your culture, minister with your gifts, but stay centered on Jesus.

  • Talk to Him
  • Praise Him
  • Thank Him
  • Confess to Him
  • Worship Him

As you do, you’ll discover in your daily circle around the earthly sun that your spiritual vision is becoming clearer and stronger.

May the eternal Son always stay the brightest and most prominent object in your atmosphere.

Psalm-27-4

Should you stare directly at the Son? You won’t go blind. #BeautifulWorldPerfectWord

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Have you ever been tempted to stare at the sun?
How do you keep yourself focused on Jesus the Son?
Please share in the comments.

We’re studying Psalm 19 all month. Read it often throughout July. Check out our other posts here.

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

Children of Light – Eph 5:8

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Live as children of Light Eph 5:8 A shareable Scripture graphic from DoNotDepart.com

 

Father, help us today to boldly live as children of light! Let us shine the light of Christ in a dark world and share your love with those around us.

 

8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” – Eph 5:8-14

 

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Eph 5:8 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Live as children of light! A shareable image of Eph 5:8 #Spread the Word

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I am the Vine – John 15:5

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donotdepart.com A shareable Christian graphic of John 15:5

 

A limb detached from a tree is dead. The thought that it could bear fruit is absurd, isn’t it? We, detached from our Savior, are spiritually dead and can bear no fruit. Jesus is such a sweet vine, it’s a pleasure to stay, abide, and bear fruit for Him.

Father, help me to be satisfied completely in Jesus. Let me abide today (and everyday!) that I may bear fruit that will honor and glorify you!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:10-11

Jesus is the vine! A shareable graphic of John 15:5 just for you!

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Let the Little Children Come to Me – Matthew 19:14

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Matthew 19:14 Visit DoNotDepart.com for more shareable scripture graphics! #SpreadTheWord

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.
– Matthew 19:13-15 (ESV)
Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

 

You are free to share our image with Matthew 19:14 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)
Visit DoNotDepart.com for more shareable scripture graphics! #SpreadTheWord Let the Children Come - monthly feature on helping children to abide in God's Word via DoNotDepart.com
Today’s shareable scripture image is Matthew 19:14. #SpreadTheWord

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“Let the little children come…” Matthew 19:14. #SpreadTheWord

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No Condemnation – Romans 8:1

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Romans 8:1. Visit DoNotDepart.com for more shareable scripture graphics! #SpreadTheWord

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

– Romans 8:1-11 (ESV)

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Romans 8:1 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

Visit DoNotDepart.com for more shareable scripture graphics! #SpreadTheWord

Uncommon Gifts Wrap-Up and Review

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Were the Christmas gifts given and received in your life all you hoped for? Sometimes earthly gift leave us feeling surprisingly … disappointed. Not so with #UncommonGifts. The best gifts are uncommon, given out of sacrifice for the love of giving. They outweigh the love of self, loving both to be given and received.

Uncommon gifts wrap-up and review

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

The Do Not Depart team prays that you have been encouraged by this month of celebrating our Savior and reflecting on the uncommon gifts we each have to offer Him. As we peer into the dawn of a new year, let’s give Jesus our best.  Our #UncommonGifts.

A Wrap-up of Uncommon Gifts

The best gifts are #UncommonGifts

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Uncommon Gifts Christmas

The Wise Men: A Gift of Worship

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It’s so important that our hearts be behind our actions.

I remember when my children were little and they would bicker. I’d tell them to apologize to one another, and mean it. I’m not sure if the “and mean it” part really helped, but I couldn’t stand to hear that begrudgingly offered “Sorry!” murmured only because they had to say it, not because it came from the heart. We would spend time discussing their heart-attitude and how much that meant to one another, and how much it meant to me as their momma.

Life is really all about the heart.

The Wise Men: The Gift of Worship at www.donotdepart.com
photo credit

The wise men give us a good lesson that. In Matthew 2:1-12 we find the story of the Magi who watched the skies and noticed an unusual star. We aren’t sure how they knew this star meant the King of the Jews had been born, but they knew. And they followed it to King Herod. (I wonder if they thought a son had been born to him?) They were then pointed in the direction of Bethlehem.

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  ~ Matt 2:11

The gifts they offered were fit for royalty, yet given to baby born into poverty. Yes, they gave great gifts to this child they’d traveled so far to see. And, they gave Him their hearts. They worshiped.

And rather than head back to Herod and disclose the location of this perfect, God-in-human form baby , like he’d requested, they went home another way after being warned to do so in a dream.

What do the Magi teach us?

  • As they were hopeful of a newborn king, we can place our hope in the King of Kings.
  • As they were expectant, we can come to God in worship, being expectant that He will respond in love.
  • As they prepared for a journey, we should take time to prepare our hearts to worship and give praise to God.
  • As they were doers, we should worship God by our doing and by living our lives for Him.
  • As they sought Him at all costs, we should seek our Lord eagerly- with our whole hearts!
  • As they gave kingly gifts, we should give the Lord our very best gifts—our hearts!  (See Isa 29:13)

We can use their obedient, heartfelt worship to inspire us to do likewise.

Many scholars have various ideas on the meaning and symbolism behind the Wise Men’s gifts. But one thing upon which they agree is that in the very least, the gifts acted as a fund to help Mary and Joseph travel to Egypt to keep Jesus safe from being killed by Herod. And this of course fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matt 2:15)

Had the Magi not come to worship and bestow gifts upon Jesus, events may have been different. Instead, they gave sacrificially—their worship and treasure—and thereby secured protection of our Holy Savior. They followed their hearts and worshiped. In in their obedience, they became a crucial part of God’s plan.

And just like I’ve seen with my children, life is about the heart. Worship is about the heart!

Here’s a free printable of verses to help you give God the uncommon gift of heartfelt worship. Hang it somewhere you can read over the verses and meditate on them throughout the day.

Worship Verses Printable on donotdepart.com

How does the response of the Wise Men to the Kingship of Jesus inspire you to worship the Lord? How can you demonstrate the uncommon gift of worship throughout December and beyond?

The Wise Men can teach us much about heartfelt worship. #UncommonGifts @DoNotDepart

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A free printable of verses to inspire a worshipful heart. #UncommonGifts @DoNotDepart

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One Really Good Reason to Give Thanks

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One Really Good Reason to Give Thanks - Do Not Depart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Needless to say, being locked out is never fun.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUT NOW…everything has changed.

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

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

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

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

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*photo courtesy: unsplash

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

Jesus Is…

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Who is Jesus?This month at Do Not Depart we’ve tackled a huge question: Who is Jesus? Although we will spend an eternity discovering the full answer, we have touched on a few vital truths.

Let’s recap what we’ve learned:

Jesus is the True Sacrifice – Ali reminded us that Jesus was the final and full sacrifice for sin. “We can have hope because we have a loving Savior who gave himself to rob our sin. We no longer need to live under guilt and condemnation! We’re set free from the punishment of sin! And we’re able to approach the throne of grace confidently (Heb 4:16) any and every time we draw near to God.”

Jesus was fully human – Lindsey showed us from Scripture that Jesus was 100% human. “Because Jesus was fully human, he understands fully what it’s like to be human… He understands our struggles…  our fears … and our feelings of abandonment when God seems distant.”

Jesus was fully God – Jesus was 100% human, but Scripture teaches He was also 100% God. (God’s able to do math like that!) Lisa laid out a list of reasons why we must accept the deity of Jesus. “Everything is different for us since Jesus is divine. Awakened to a higher purpose, we have a fuller joy now and a kingdom home with God forever.”

Jesus is our High Priest – Jesus is the only mediator between us and God the Father. He gives us access to God. I love how Caroline reminded us that because Jesus is our High Priest, “we can come to Him any time, any place, with anything on our hearts.”

Jesus is the Messiah – Jesus is the Promised One, the Deliverer, the Savior, the One God’s people had long waited for. I loved Patti’s conclusion: “Jesus our Messiah bore our every sin. He was anointed to make intercession for us with His very life, and save us from an eternity of separation from God. Jesus is the Anointed Savior Who was promised from the beginning – our Messiah and our hope!”

We could say so much more about Jesus! But instead of me rambling on, I ‘d like to share some words from the Nicene Creed, crafted by some of the early church fathers at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again
according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;
and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.

Jesus – who is our Savior, our Sacrifice, our High Priest, and our God – is coming again as King!

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NIV

 

Why you should care if Jesus is the Son of God

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Here we looked at Jesus being fully human. And why that matters to us.

But what about Jesus being fully divine? Does it make a difference if He also is or isn’t a God? Would that affect our everyday lives?

Yes, it makes a difference, and yes, it greatly affects us!

Because. . .

  • If Jesus is NOT the Son of God—we don’t have to obey Him.
    We could ignore His commandment about loving the Father and loving everybody we know. Um, can you imagine the implications in our relationships if we all lost our motivation to love and resorted to self-centeredness instead?
    (See John 15:9-12; Mark 12:29-31; 1John 5:1-2)
  • If Jesus is NOT the Son of God—our past shame still binds us.
    With no perfect sacrifice for our past sins, there would be no permanent forgiveness, no grace. Without a Savior to clean us up, we’d have to carry our dirty baggage around with us from birth past death.
    (See Hebrews 1:3; 1John 4:14)
  • If Jesus is NOT the Son of God—then this life is our only hope.
    Our promise of eternal life would be over if the Way is closed. A bright future forever in heaven would be hopeless.
    (See John 5:24,39-40; 1John 5:11-12; John 14:6)
  • If Jesus is NOT the Son of God—so much for our royal lineage.
    With Jesus not our brother, we’d be just another face in the crowd, made only in the DNA of our earthly parents, not in the image of a holy Creator.
    (See John 1:1-3; Revelation 4:11; Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:15-16)
  • If Jesus is NOT the Son of God—we’re on our own.
    That would mean God couldn’t be trusted and the Spirit never came. We would have no higher power to help us. God wouldn’t live in us, nor we in Him.
    (See John 10:33-38; 1John 5:20; Luke 10:22-23; John 15:26)
  • If Jesus is NOT the Son of God—there goes our community.
    If Christ isn’t worthy of worship, there would be no Christianity. With no mutual blood of Jesus between us, we’d lose our family ties we now have with those in the church (there would be no church).
    (See Colossians 1:18-20; Ephesians 2:12-14)

But since Jesus IS the Son of God . . . we can love beyond ourselves. We start each day with new mercies. We’re assured we’ll live forever. We are a royal priesthood. We are divinely-empowered. We’re included among the bride of Christ. We’re redeemed, delivered, free!

Everything is different for us since Jesus is divine. Awakened to a higher purpose, we have a fuller joy now and a kingdom home with God forever.
(See John 10:28-30; 1John 4:15-17)

Believing in Jesus as my Lord and my God matters to me, both now and later. You, too?

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:28-29

Question:
How has knowing Jesus as the Son of God changed your life? What’s a favorite scripture of yours about Jesus? Let’s talk in the comments.

Is Jesus divine or not? Why it matters here and now

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Why Jesus’ Humanity Matters

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Why Jesus' Humanity Matters - Do Not DepartJesus was fully human.

He wasn’t fully God and partially human or fully human and partially God. No, Jesus was 100% human and 100% God.

In the past few weeks, Jesus’ humanity has taken on new meaning in my life (but I’ll explain more on that in a moment). First, let’s look at what the Bible tells us about Jesus’ humanity:

What The Bible Says About Jesus’ Humanity: 

Jesus was born from a woman, just as you and I were (Luke 2:7).

Jesus grew tired and weak, just as we do (John 4:6).

Jesus became hungry when he wasn’t able to eat (Matthew 4:2).

Jesus grew and became stronger (Luke 2:40).

Jesus learned and grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52).

Jesus cried, just as we do (John 11:35).

Jesus prayed and cried out to His Father in heaven (Hebrews 5:7).

Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus died a real, physical death (Luke 23:46).

In all of these ways, Jesus was like us, and this reality is life-changing. Here’s why: when we’re feeling alone….wondering if anyone understands what we are going through, we can know-WITH CERTAINTY-that Jesus gets it.

He has been there.

Because Jesus was fully human, he understands fully what it’s like to be human. 

Because Jesus was fully human, he understands fully what it’s like to be human. @LindseyMBell and @DoNotDepart

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He understands our struggles when we’re short on sleep. He understands our fears when facing death or pain. He understands our feelings of abandonment when God seems distant.

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine buried her five month old baby girl. Very unexpectedly, this baby became sick and passed away.

In tragic times like these, it’s easy to feel forgotten…to think no one could possibly understand what you’re going through. That is why Jesus’ humanity matters.

Jesus’ humanity reminds us He understands. Because he was fully human, he gets it. He gets you. 

1 Timothy 2:5 say, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  When you don’t know what to pray…when you can’t come up with words to say to Him…you can trust Jesus is there, standing before God, as one Human representing another.

What aspect of Jesus’ humanity is an encouragement to you today? 

Why Jesus’ Humanity Matters via @LindseyMBell and @DoNotDepart

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Jesus – The One True Sacrifice

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Jesus - The One True Sacrifice and what that means at www.donotdepart.com
Photo Credit here, with modifications

Yesterday, I spoke with a very dear friend who’s going through a period of many difficult health issues. Even though her body is weak, her spirit is strong. My conversation with her confirmed to me that though life can be so messy and so complicated, Jesus never fails.

Yes, Jesus never fails us. Our amazing Savior was sent to us by the Loving Father as the one true Sacrifice for all mankind. And it’s only through Jesus that we are offered payment for our sins, eternal salvation, forgiveness, the ability to approach God confidently, and the strengthening, guiding power of His precious Holy Spirit.

We all do things that God doesn’t like. None of us are sinless. And we all know that sin separates us from God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23

“but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isa 59:2

The One True Sacrifice

In the Old Testament, the way to forgiveness and right standing with the Almighty was in bringing sacrifices to Him. Sinful mankind could not approach a Holy God for forgiveness without the shedding of blood.  In God’s eyes, the shed blood covered sins.

“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 , “almost”– see Lev 5:11-13 for exceptions.)

So, an individual must atone for every sin. Future sin would require future sacrifice because there was no sacrifice so perfect that it could cleanse anyone completely, purely, forever.

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshippers, having once been cleansed would no longer have any consciousness of sins? …For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Heb 10:1-2, 4)

So, yes, the blood of bulls and goats could purify or cover sin, but it could never take the stain completely and permanently away! The Old Testament law was just a shadow or preview of something even better that was coming, someone better—who could wash away sin and give us holiness. And His name is Jesus!

God sent us Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice offered for all mankind… for you and for me! Jesus shed His blood to wash away all our sins. No additional sacrifices would ever need to be offered.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. …But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (Heb 10:10, 12)

 

What Does This Mean?

Oh, there is such rich meaning in the fact that Jesus is the only true sacrifice!

Each moment of our daily lives, we can have hope and courage because we have a loving Savior who gave himself to rob our sin. We no longer need to live under guilt and condemnation (from others or ourselves)! We’re set free from the punishment of sin! And we’re able to approach the throne of grace confidently (Heb 4:16) any and every time we draw near to God.

We don’t need to try to find mysterious ways to God, purify ourselves, nor struggle to pay for things we’ve done wrong! And as we accept Jesus as our Savior, He sends us His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us.

Just like my friend brought to mind, Jesus absolutely never fails. No matter if I give into sin tomorrow, or old sin roars at me from my past, I can claim forgiveness in the humbling sacrifice and powerful blood of Jesus. I can walk through life in light of His love and strength. It is only by God’s grace that He has given us Jesus—the one true sacrifice.

How does knowing that Jesus is the one true sacrifice touch your heart today?

Jesus is the One True Sacrifice! We are forgiven and freed! @DoNotDepart

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Who Is Jesus?

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Who is Jesus?Recently, I came across a book my grandmother gave me in 1966 about Jesus and His disciples. It includes a one-page description and an artist rendering of Jesus and each of the twelve. The full-color drawings are beautiful. They just aren’t necessarily accurate. For instance, “Jesus” is portrayed with light brown hair and blue eyes.

In giving Jesus these specific physical characteristics, the artist separated Jesus from His Jewish heritage. Maybe that’s how the artist pictured Him. Perhaps the artist was swayed by his audience’s expectations. But a Jew with blue eyes and light hair would have been very unusual in ancient Palestine. A blue-eyed, light-haired Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible.

After seeing that drawing, I started to wonder about other ways we might have “altered” Jesus into a Savior of our own making. Is our understanding of Jesus accurate? Or has it been morphed by our own worldviews and preconceptions?

Jesus bookJoin us this month at Do Not Depart as we explore the Jesus of the Bible. Our goal is to delve into the truth of God’s Word to better understand Jesus. My prayer for us is that God will correct any misconceptions. That He would expand and explode our view of the Savior. That we would be humbled and fall on our faces in worship.

Have you ever believed something about Jesus that God later corrected? What was it? How did He show you the truth?

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