“Only King Forever” – Monday Musical Musings

January 26th, 2015 dsisler

 

Writing about music each Monday has proven to be a little difficult on occasion. Sometimes I can’t find a recording (or the right recording) of the song to share. Sometimes I can’t find who wrote the piece. It can be a little frustrating when I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for.

 

cool-sheet-music-background-pq3wplniI typically Google the title of the song with “sheet music” added. 90% of the time, I find what I’m looking for. The sheet music will have the author of the song, the date it was written, as well as the publisher. This saves so much time.

 

But those illusive pieces drive me nuts. I search and search until I give up and hope that one day, someone, someplace will share this information on the internet.

 

When I do find the sheet music to these worship songs, I enjoy looking at the music. Reading through the piece. Playing the piece in my mind. Music notes on a sheet of staff paper are a beautiful piece of art.

 

Sometimes I miss playing the piano. Just to sit down and play through some of these songs would be a wonderful thing…but I haven’t played in so long, I’m afraid it would sound pretty bad.

 

Now you’re probably asking why I quit playing the piano. Well, to be honest, I wasn’t all that good at it. Obviously, the more I played the better I was, and for a while, I was pretty good, but never great. At least when there were people singing they didn’t hear my mistakes as much.

 

I also decided that I wanted to do other things…like spend more time in God’s Word and write a blog. In order to do these other interests, piano practice slowed and eventually stopped all together.

 

Thankfully, there are many other ways to enjoy music. Like writing, and singing, and listening, and enjoying music. Music brings such joy to my life. Thankfully, it hasn’t moved on. It’s very much alive in my life.

 

So today, the tune I want to share is about the King of my life. You know, music is beautiful, but nothing beats the Name of Jesus. And this song gives praise to Jesus. “Only King Forever” will get your toes tapping while speaking truth to your soul. I pray that you will be blessed by this worship song.

 

“Only King Forever”

 

Our God a firm foundation
Our rock, the only solid ground
As nations rise and fall
Kingdoms once strong now shaken
But we trust forever in Your Name
The Name of Jesus
We trust the Name of Jesus

 

Chorus:

You are the only King forever
Almighty God we lift You higher
You are the only King forever
Forevermore, You are victorious

 

Unmatched in all Your wisdom
In love and justice You will reign
And every knee will bow
We bring our expectations
Our hope is anchored in Your Name
The Name of Jesus
Oh, we trust the Name of Jesus

(Chorus)

 

We lift our banner high
We lift the Name of Jesus
From age to age You reign
Your kingdom has no end[i]
(Chorus)

 

If you’d like to listen to this beautiful praise song, click here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Only King Forever,” Words and Music by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Wade Joye and Mack Brock, Sony/ATV Tree Music Pub/Elevation Worship Pub, 2013

 

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Encouraging Words

January 25th, 2015 dsisler

 

Just want to share some encouraging words before moving into today’s blog post. “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47 – NIV) Believe it!

 

The repeated blog post I share today is from the Blogging A to Z challenge I participated in. We’re nearing the end of the alphabet…just “Y” and “Z” left. Enjoy!

 

Yesterday – Blogging A to Z

 

Yesterday I had the privilege to be part of a grand party. A close friend, sister in Christ, a spiritual daughter is getting married and we started the celebration yesterday with a bridal shower.

 

???????????????????????????????Her faithfulness to God has been amazing. She’s waited. She’s served. She’s gone. She’s done all that God has asked her to do. But God’s faithfulness is even greater and in His perfect timing, has brought a wonderful, godly man into her life.

 

Yesterday was a great day. I’m not the only one who has fond thoughts of yesterday. There have been plenty of musicians whose songs have included thoughts of what was.

 

Paul McCartney with the Beatles sang of “Yesterday.” Karen Carpenter wished for “Yesterday, Once More.” Mary Mary also sang of “Yesterday.” However, Chad and Jeremy realized that “Yesterday’s Gone.”

 

While I’ve had some pretty wonderful yesterdays, there are many yesterday’s I’d like to forget. Especially the ones where I’ve sinned against God. Those yesterday’s seem to be the ones I remember the most.

 

The Apostle Paul knew how heart wrenching “yesterday” could be. The yesterdays before he met Jesus were filled with unspeakable sins against the very One he preached of until his death.

 

Paul speaks of his yesterdays in his letter to the Philippian Church. His words allow for me to forget my past and look forward to something far greater than I could imagine.

 

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14 – NIV)

 

I can forget all of my yesterday’s where sin seemed more important than God. Once I ask God to forgive my sinful acts, they are forgotten by God. His grace and mercy cover me and I’m a beautiful daughter of God.

 

I too, must strive for the goal mentioned by Paul. Pressing on toward the prize. Striving day after day to be Christ-like and forgetting what my yesterday’s looked like.

 

Thankfully our lives are not filled with only yesterday. There is today to do our best to serve the Lord and we have a bright future in tomorrow.

 

You see, yesterday was the beginning for my dear friend and her beloved. The bridal shower is the precursor to the wedding, the main event. In a month, they will be joined in wedded bliss. Their future is ahead of them. Their tomorrow’s are yet to be lived. And what excitement and joy they experience because of what tomorrow holds.

 

It’s the same with our spiritual lives. Yesterday we blew it. Today we have the opportunity to live better. But tomorrow holds great promise.

 

There’s one more song I’d like to share with you. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a version for you to listen to, but the words are wonderful without music. Read through these words and I’ll meet you on the other side.

 

“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”

 

Yesterday He died for me, yesterday, yesterday.
Yesterday, He died for me, yesterday.
Yesterday He died for me, died for me.
This is history.

 

Today He lives for me, today, today.
Today He lives for me, today.
Today He lives for me, lives for me.
This is victory.

 

Tomorrow He comes for me, He comes, He comes.
Tomorrow He comes for me, He comes.
Tomorrow He comes for me, comes for me.
This is mystery.

 

O friend do you know Him, know Him, know Him?
O friend do you know Him, know Him?
O friend do you know Him, do you know Him?
Jesus Christ the Lord, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Jesus Christ the Lord[i].

 

Do you? If not, let me share the possibility of a beautiful future with you. He can take all of your tomorrows and turn them into something beautiful. He will create beauty from ashes. Is that what you’re looking for?

 

For those of us who are followers of Christ, let’s forget our yesterdays and live for Jesus today. Let’s anticipate our future with Him. It’s what I plan to do today.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” Jack Wyrtzen and Don Wyrtzen, Singspiration, 1966.

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What’s Highlighted?

January 24th, 2015 dsisler

 

On occasion, I share some beautiful artwork from Pinterest. These pictures contain verses of Scripture and they allow my mind to visualize God’s Word. Another way I visualize God’s Word is by highlighting verses in my Bible.

 

DSCN0060Today, I thought I would share some of favorites…I’d love to know what verses you enjoy reading in God’s Word, so get your thinking cap on. I will ask the question at the end.

 

I find that as I read through my Bible there are verses that speak volumes. So I pull out my highlighter and mark it. I don’t use a specific color for a specific topic. I just use whatever color I pull out. Consequently, there are random colors throughout my Bible. I sure hope someone doesn’t try to figure out a pattern after I’m gone…they might go mad in the process. Here are some of my highlighted passages.

 

“And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – NIV)

 

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

 

“Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Samuel 1:18 – NIV)

 

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25 – NIV)

 

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:1-3 – NIV)

 

“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” (Psalm 71:14 – NIV)

 

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 – NIV)

 

“…We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9 – NIV)

 

“Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Colossians 4:3-4 – NIV)

 

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 – NIV)

 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called up by his own glory and goodness.” (1 Peter 1:3 – NIV)

 

“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 – NIV)

 

Okay, now it’s your turn. What verses of Scripture stand out to you? What passages do you have underlined or highlighted in your Bible? Why did these verses catch your attention?

 

God’s Word is living and active and very relevant for our lives today. Let’s allow our eyes to be open to His message, let’s allow our hearts to be transformed by God’s Word and let’s share His message with the world…starting with your own sphere of influence. “May the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Blowing in the Wind

January 23rd, 2015 dsisler

 

We live in an area where there aren’t many mature trees. There are a few spotted across the horizon, but none close by. The larger trees are nearly always by a river or water source. This was farm land for a while. Before that, mining. And I am not sure, but maybe the large amounts of gas and oil below ground may have something to do with it as well.

 

???????????????????????????????When I return to Ohio, the first thing I notice are the trees. They are everywhere. They are large and green and plush and beautiful.

 

I love trees and I love what God says about trees.

 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 – NIV)

 

We can relate the ideas in this passage with our spiritual journey. For the tree, being planted by water with a good root system is the lifeline of the tree. Without the root system that draws nourishment and water to the tree, it would not thrive, and perhaps die.

 

We, too, must be firmly rooted. If our root system, our foundation is not stable, we will not be able to stand up to the pressures of this world. If we are unable to reach the nourishment and the water needed, we would not be able to thrive.

 

Through prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers, we can guarantee that our root system is strong and healthy.

 

With our root system prepared and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we are then ready and able to meet the troubles we encounter. Let’s see what our tree might encounter and what lessons we can learn.

 

1) It does not fear when heat comes. Troubles will come. Jesus said they would. But when we have a complete trust in God, we will not fear the troubles. We might even welcome them, because we mature through these struggles!

 

2) Its leaves are always green. Do you feel “green” today? Green represents life. As a Christian, we have abundant life and as a result of that, we should be green! Our lives should be a reflection of the abundant life given through Jesus.

 

3) It has no worries in a year of drought. We go through times when we feel parched. When our spiritual lives are not being filled because of circumstances or situations. It is during these times we can utilize the deep connection and trust we have in our God. There is no reason to worry during these times…God will take care of it all.

 

4) It never fails to bear fruit. The fruit that we bear shows that our roots are reaching the source. With the Holy Spirit living within us, we are able to strengthen the characteristics within ourselves.

 

The tree is able to stand up against the elements and we know the blessings we receive from trees. Fruit, shade and visual beauty. From this illustration, we can see that reaching deep to the Living Water is where we gain our strength. We, too, are able to stand up to the elements of this world and are able to bless those we come into contact with.

 

As a person who places their complete trust and confidences in God, you don’t ever have to worry or fear. You can be assured that you will always feel alive and bear fruit. Like the tree planted by the water.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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What Are You Afraid Of?

January 22nd, 2015 dsisler

 

I’m studying Gideon (Judges 6, 7 and 8) this semester and God has already opened my eyes to lessons being taught by Priscilla Shirer.

 

Slide22Israel had been given the land flowing with milk and honey. Their real estate was a large portion of land from the Mediterranean Sea to beyond the Jordan River. From the wilderness to their south and as far north as Mt. Herman. As you read through the distribution land, you see that each tribe was given a specific piece of land and commanded to conquer the people living within those boundaries.

 

But if you look at a map that has the actual land they possessed highlighted, you will find that they had given up a great deal of valuable land to the enemy.

 

Scripture tells us that they were fearful of the iron chariots that the armies on the plains used. The Israelites chose to fight in the hill country where these chariots were useless. The hill country was where Israel knew they were superior and that’s where they landed.

 

What they never quite understood was that it wasn’t their own abilities that brought their victory. Oh I suppose they learned a few military skills and were able to fight well, but God didn’t send them to the Promised Land to be on their own. God wanted them to trust Him. To follow His commandments. To love Him with all their heart, soul and strength.

 

In Psalm 20:7 (NIV) King David spoke these words of wisdom. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

 

What is it that you are fearful of? What has the enemy made you believe you could never have? Why are you hiding in the hill country when there are great victories to be won? Could it be that you are not trusting in the Almighty God who is able to do “immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine?” (Ephesians 3:20-21 – NIV)

 

Maybe today is the day that we stop living within our own boundaries and step foot into the place that God has already given. There will probably be a few battles to take on along the way, but I believe we can move forward because the victory has already been won through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Let’s not trust in ourselves or our own abilities or our own strength. Let’s trust in the name of the Lord our God. The victory is ours!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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    "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19


    I am a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. I lived in the beautiful state of Colorado for 20 years where I found great inspiration for my novels and devotional writings. Currently living in southwest Ohio.

    I am passionate about helping women find their way to Jesus through Bible study, teaching, speaking, inspirational writing and creative Bible journaling.

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