Please Forgive Me…

January 19th, 2013 dsisler

But I must offer a previously posted post today. Yesterday was another one of those long days I spoke of earlier this week. Today I offer The Best of the Best. Some of my favorite passages of Scripture. I pray that you’ll be blessed by the reading of God’s Word.

 

The Best of the Best

 

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or passage? If you are like me, you might have several. Why is it your favorite? Does it remind you of a specific time in your life? Does it remind you of something God has provided to you? Do you simply love the message? Whatever your reason, we can become attached to passage in God’s Word and whenever we hear it, we are comforted.

 

As I said earlier, I have several that I truly love. Each for a different reason, but each has a special place in my heart. Think of it like my children and grandchildren. I love them all, for different reasons, but the main reason is that they are my children and grandchildren. They are connected to me in a way that no other human is. My blood flows through them and that means we are family.

 

My first favorite is Lamentations 3:22-23. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

 

I am so thankful that each day is a new day. That all of my “mess ups” can be put behind me each morning. And there is nothing like the feeling of being loved. And not just love, great love! And because of that love, I can withstand anything that Satan wants to throw at me.

 

But most importantly, I love these verses because it states once again, God is faithful. Even when I am not. He will greet me each morning with something new. The choice is up to me. Will I meet Him and bask in His faithfulness and love? Or will I ignore Him and throw aside the mercies and compassions He longs to give me?

 

My second favorite verse if 2 Chronicles 16:9a. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

 

King Asa had rejected God’s strength and relied upon treaties with another country to keep his kingdom secure. This verse is in the middle of the account. God is looking to strengthen, but His desire is that our hearts are completely committed to Him.

 

What alliances have I chosen instead of God’s strength? This verse is a reminder that He is searching. Now, am I that one whose heart is fully committed to Him?

 

My third favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

The apostle Paul asked that God take away his “thorn in his flesh,” but God had other plans. Paul was reminded by these verses that it is only through God’s strength that we are able to do anything.

 

I too, boast that I am weak. I know that I couldn’t make it through a day without God’s strength or grace.

 

As I view it, there are many great verses and passages in God’s Word. I love them all, because I love God’s Word. But I really love specific ones because of what I have gained from my insight into the verses. And because I’ve been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, I know what it means to be part of a family.

 

I’d love to hear from you. What is your favorite verse and why?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Plantar Fasciitis

January 18th, 2013 dsisler

I have suffered with plantar fasciitis for several years. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know the pain can be horrific at times. After the initial diagnosis nearly five years ago, I was able to live pain free for quite a while. But unfortunately, it wasn’t permanent.

 

Recently, my left food has caused such problems that I decided to head back to the doctor for more treatment. My primary care physician sent me to an orthopedic podiatrist in hopes of getting this pain under control.

 

www.webmd.com

I heard some pretty startling facts. If you suffer once, from this foot ailment, chances are near 100% that you will continue to suffer with this problem. A strict stretching regimen will cure this ailment nearly every time. The stretching of this connective tissue must be done daily for the rest of my life.

 

So, to begin with, before getting out of bed each morning, I must do a stretch to relax the tissue.  I then must stretch and exercise my feet five times per day for the next three months. Without fail. I cannot miss a single time.

 

After this steady, intense period of time, the plantar fascia should be feeling much better, however, I’ve been instructed that I must stretch and exercise my feet one time per day for the rest of my life.

 

There are other things that I can add to the regimen, like icing my feet at the end of the day. I can add ibuprofen to help with the inflammation. A boot can be worn at night to keep the tissue stretched or a shoe orthotic could be purchased. If the pain is beyond what I can tolerate, a steroid shot can be given.

 

Well, this is certainly more than I expected for some pain in my feet. But to be honest, the pain has steadily grown to the point that I dread standing up. I know it’s going to hurt. I know it will nearly bring me to tears. So this “fix” seems pretty doable. Pretty simple.

 

So here are some of my thoughts and how God can use this situation in my life as a teaching moment.

 

It takes effort on my part.

Like my foot stretching and exercising, if I don’t make the effort to develop my relationship with God, it will eventually shrivel up. At first it might take a lot of effort. But once the routine is there, it will be easier and more natural to spend time with God.

 

Prayer, Bible reading and Bible study will all bring us closer to God. We get to know Him as we learn about Him through this special time. And our time with God must be daily and regularly. Don’t miss a day. The effort will be worth it.

 

It is an easy fix.

Who would have thought plantar fasciitis could be cured this easily? Without surgery. Without any real invasion. It’s just stretching and exercise.

 

Guess what? It’s that easy with God too. Pick up a Bible. Pray a simple prayer. Talk to God. It’s His greatest desire to spend time with you. It really is easy.

 

Stretching is the best.

Sometimes our faith needs a bit stretching. It’s during the times of trials or suffering that we draw closer to God and find that we are stronger on the other side.

 

It may not mean that the issue has disappeared, but it does mean that you’ve chosen to step closer to God and allow Him to take control of the situation. In the end, your faith will have been stretched and you will be better for it.

 

It is a life-style change.

[Big sigh!] I don’t like exercise. But in this case, it really is what’s best for me. So my attitude must change. My life-style must be changed for the better.

 

When we make that same realization about our spiritual life, we will soon see that spiritual growth and development are also life-style changes. As mentioned earlier, it does take effort on our part. But a spiritual life-style change is so worth the effort.

 

I must continue, even if I’m feeling better.

So the trial or suffering has passed. You survived. Life returns to some kind of normalcy and all is well. Please don’t stop spending time with God until the next big issue arises!

 

You’re on a roll. Keep it up! You’ll find God on the mountain tops as well as in the valleys of your life. He’s there all the time. So don’t stop!

 

Life will be better.

For my feet, I’ll be able to walk without pain for the rest of my life if I continue with my stretching and exercise. The key is to continue with what I’m doing.

 

In life, there’s no guarantee of no more pain if we walk with God, but we have the assurance that He will be with us through it all. And because God is with you, life will be better.

 

I honestly cannot imagine going through my life situations without God by my side. I’m certain I would be angry, bitter and out of sorts most of the time. Well, to be honest, there are times when I am that way. But as I give my burdens, my feelings, and my reactions to God, I am stretching my faith. I am keeping myself on my regimen. I am allowing God to do His work in me.

 

Perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation. Perhaps you need to work on developing your relationship with God. Perhaps it’s time for you to begin a spiritual regimen. If so, I’d love to chat with you about it. Why not drop me a line? Let’s see what God has in store for you.

 

I’ll leave you today with some encouraging words from God’s Word. I pray that you’ll find some comfort in reading them. I know that I do.

 

“God did this (creation of world and man) so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” (Acts 17 27-28 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Today

January 17th, 2013 dsisler

I almost feel guilty to say this. My life and my world are going pretty smoothly. Life is good all around.

 

But I know that isn’t the case with everyone this morning. There are people waking to anniversaries of tragedies in their lives. There are people waking who know this may be the last day they spend with a loved one. There are people who don’t have a job to go to today. All is not well.

 

Today may be a difficult day for you in your world.

 

If this is the case, today I offer encouraging words from our God through His servant King David. David knew the ups and downs of life, but he also knew to whom he could run when life turned against him.

 

Let’s take a look at Psalm 18:30-36 (NIV) to see how God provided for David in such times.

 

God’s ways and words were perfect and flawless (v. 30a). David could depend on that even if he could not depend on anything else.

 

God was a shield and refuge (v. 30b). David repeated this concept over and over throughout his life and his Psalms.

 

God provided strength and direction (v. 32). Again, this is an idea that was never far from David’s thoughts.

 

God provided steady feet (v. 33). Steady feet meant swift action. There were many times David needed to have steady feet.

 

God trained David’s hands and arms (v. 34). I’m sure David appreciated this as much as I love reading about it. Hands and arms fit for service made David a willing servant of God.

 

God provided protection and sustenance (v. 35a). David reveled in God’s protection. David was blessed to be sustained by God. All the more reason to praise Him through the battles.

 

God stooped down to make David great (v. 35b). Although David was prepared for each battle, it was God who provided the greatness. David acknowledged who it was that made him great.

 

God broadened the path to protect David’s vulnerability (v. 36). Narrow paths might have been the downfall of many soldiers, but not for David. God always provided exactly what David needed as he needed it. In this case, a broader path.

 

Can you see how God can help us as well? Are there a few points listed above where you can find strength to face this day?

 

Even as I look at this list with a good day facing me, I am encouraged to know that God will be with me through the day and He provides for me in each of these areas.

 

I would encourage you to choose one or two of these phrases to hold on to today. Repeat it throughout your day. Find comfort and strength in those phrases. Find comfort and strength in God.

 

At the end of the day, I pray that you’ll be able to acknowledge that God stooped down and made you great!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Grace and James

January 16th, 2013 dsisler

There is a little phrase in the Book of James that has caught my attention. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been looking for something with the word “grace” in it. Or maybe even the fact that I’ve been searching for a good verse of Scripture from James to display in my home. Whatever the reason, I have found a line that has taken on new meaning for me.

 

“But he gives us more grace.” (James 4:6a – NIV)

 

If you are anything like me, you’re going “phew” right about now. Yeah, I need more grace because sometimes my life doesn’t exactly line up with the teachings of the Bible. And it’s in those moments when God gives me more grace.

 

Now just because I have the opportunity to receive more grace doesn’t mean that I have the right or should continue in sin. The Apostle Paul has a few things to say about that.

 

Paul also mentioned that grace abounds where sin resides in Romans 5:20b (NIV). “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” But Paul goes on to say, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2 – NIV)

 

So how are we to live? James offers a five-step plan for us to follow.

 

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.” (James 4:7 – NIV)

Submission is a hard word for us to swallow. But in my study of submission through the years, it has become easier to understand and easier to implement into my life.

 

Everyone is under submission to someone. Some more than others. But being in submission to God, my Creator, is much easier knowing that submission assists in ridding my life of my sinful nature.

 

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 – NIV)

You would think this one would be easy, but the devil knows exactly how to tempt me (see yesterday’s post). But let’s remember that although we are tempted, God makes a way for us to escape the tempter’s snare (1 Corinthians 13:10).

 

God is faithful and He will be with us as we resist the devil.

 

“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8 – NIV)

Getting close to God only comes one way. Moving toward Him. To do so, we must build and grow our relationship with God. Bible study, prayer, and meditation all play a part of this precious courtship.

 

The result will be well worth the effort. Close proximity to God will never be suffocating or over-bearing. It will be refreshing and wonder-filled. And He will give more grace!

 

“Wash your hands, you sinners.” (James 4:8 – NIV)

I am a hand washer. Not a germophobic necessarily, but I don’t like to have dirty hands, especially in the kitchen. I understand this line.

 

When I am “dirtied” by the world or my sinful nature overtakes my spiritual common sense, I must wash my hands. Wash my hands of the filth of wickedness, the bacteria of sin, the sliminess of iniquity.

 

Clean hands prevent illness in our physical world and according to James, our spiritual world as well.

 

“Purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 – NIV)

Our hearts are to be single-minded according to James. Our hearts must belong to God completely. There isn’t room for two Lord’s on the throne of our hearts. Therefore, we must purify our hearts.

 

King David mentioned clean hands and a pure heart in Psalm 24:4-5 (NIV). Listen to his words. “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.”

 

The blessings we receive during this purification process are far more valuable than anything this world could offer. Anything!

 

Sounds easy doesn’t it? This five-step process. Of course we cannot do it alone. God’s Holy Spirit is with us to lead and guide us along the way. And when we slip up, God is always there to provide more grace.

 

I pray that your day will be blessed by drawing near to God. By asking His assistance in your most difficult situations. And especially by the abundance of grace that God lavishes upon each of us.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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My Time

January 15th, 2013 dsisler

I seem to be having issues with time management. I just can’t seem to get everything done that needs to get done. You know, the important things. Bible study preparation. Blog posts written. Quiet time with God. One-on-one time with my husband.

 

And then there are the “not as important” items on my “to do” list. Like mopping the kitchen floor. Doing a load of laundry. Taking down the Christmas tree and Christmas decorations.

 

But in my analysis, I found that my time management wasn’t so much about not having enough time to do these things, but much more to do with what I was actually doing with my time. This really hurt. Wounded me through and through.

 

You see, I found this little game on my phone. I installed it thinking it was something my granddaughter Joy would love. What I found was that it was addicting for me!

 

And because I needed more “pearls” to get ahead in the game, I started playing another game get free pearls. And then I put both of those games on my Nook. And there you have it. Addiction. Time consuming, time eating, time-wasting addiction.

 

And the worst part is that I gave up my special time with God to play these silly games!

 

Now granted, I have recently had a new grandchild added and I am spending time with this new addition. I had my two-year-old grandson spend the night and I spent quality time with him. But the relationship that I chose to push to the side was with God. And oh, how that hurts my soul.

 

Perhaps you’ve been in a similar situation. Perhaps you know exactly what I’m talking about. Or it may not be a game that has taken over your time. Maybe it’s a person. Or a television show. Or the internet. Anything we place between ourselves and God is an idol and that is sin.

 

God is a jealous God. He wants us. He wants all of us. He wants the quality part of us. And if we do not give ourselves to Him completely, we are just mouthing the words.

 

I read through Psalm 38 this morning. David had made some errors in his life. He knew he had sinned. This Psalm speaks of David’s feelings toward that sin.

 

David mentions guilt, burden, wounds, sinful folly, mourning, searing pain, feeble, utterly crushed, groaning, anguish of heart, strength failing, failing eyesight, alienation, traps, harm, ruin, deception, iniquity, troubled, evil, and slander.

 

As I read through this Psalm, I realized that many of David’s emotions and feelings were exactly what I was feeling. I had disappointed myself, but more than that I disappointed God.

 

In the middle of this Psalm, David lays his heart open for God to do the healing. David knew exactly what to pray for and he did so. It became my prayer as well. “All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.” (Psalm 38:9 – NIV)

 

David ends this Psalm with yet another request from God and one that I also prayed. “Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.” (Psalm 38:22 – NIV)

 

You see I cannot do this on my own. I’d just fall back into my old habits. But when God joins me in the battle, in the struggle, in the temptation, I can be victorious. Together we can overcome this sin.

 

Remember, anything that I place between myself and God is sin. It’s that simple. For me, playing a simple game intended for enjoyment became a sin. It may not be for you, but I would dare say there is something else that you could call “sin.”

 

So today, let’s examine our lives and become aware of the areas we are lacking self-control. Let’s call out to God to help us through the removal of said issue. And then bathe in the luxury of His grace and forgiveness.

 

This is what I plan to do today.

 

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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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