“G” – A to Z Challenge

April 8th, 2016 dsisler

 

Are you as impressed and amazed as I am when you use Google as your search engine? The design and graphics are different from your usual logo on many days. Some are use animation and some are stationary, but regardless, some are pretty amazing.

 

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Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you read God’s Word that you are amazed or impressed as well? What I love about God’s Word is that I can find great words of wisdom or guidelines or promises each day that I may not have noticed in the past.

 

Here are a few things that we know about God’s Word.

 

First, it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). God was active in the writing of His Word. Because of His work in this book we call the Bible, we can without a doubt say that it is inerrant (without error or infallible) and it is the final authority on all issues. 2 Peter 1:20-21 reminds us of this truth as well.

 

We also know that God’s Word is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16b-17 – NIV) Everything we need each day is in God’s Word. There are plenty of commentaries and books written about the Bible, but if you really want to know what God’s Word says about a specific topic, just go to the original source.

 

And then we know that God’s Word is “living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 – NIV) This is the amazing part for me. I read Scripture with fresh eyes and a fresh heart each day because of my deepening relationship with Jesus. It’s through these eyes and heart that I find this verse to be true.

 

While Google is pretty amazing, God’s Word is more than amazing. In Scripture we find God’s words, breath and life given to mankind. What a precious gift!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“F” – A to Z Challenge

April 7th, 2016 dsisler

 

I watched a news program several weeks back of a group of people who cannot recognize people by looking at their faces. It’s called face blindness (or the medical term is Prosopagnosia) and this condition affects about 2.5% of the population.

 

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Can you imagine? They don’t recognize famous people. They don’t recognize friends. They don’t recognize family. The folks who were on this news program had come up with skills to help them determine who people were, but it wasn’t by the face that was before them. They used voice recognition or hair styles to help them know who they were talking to. And just about all of them said they just smile a lot. To everyone they see.

 

An even bigger question for me would be “Can you imagine not recognizing God’s face?”

 

You and I know people who fall into this category. They don’t see God’s face in creation or in the beauty of this world or in a human body or in a believer’s life. Spiritual face blindness is much more prevalent than physical face blindness.

 

Take a look at these reminders from Scripture about the face of God. I pray that you will find encouragement in them. Know that His face is recognizable and that He knows who you are.

 

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Number 6:24-26 – NIV)

 

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11 – NIV)

 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 – NIV)

 

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 – NIV)

 

In what ways do you recognize God’s face? Where will you look for His face today? Let’s not allow our spiritual face blindness to keep us from seeing God’s face. Seek His face. What blessings and riches are in store for those who will.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“E” – A to Z Challenge

April 6th, 2016 dsisler

 

I have couple of gauges in my life that remind me that I’m about to run out of something.

 

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In my car, the little screen in front of my eyes tell me when I am nearing empty in my gas tank. A lit gas pump comes on first. Then my approximated miles to empty goes to dashes. Then my fuel level light flashes. It would really be hard to run out of gas in my current car. So, I can thankfully say, that I have never allowed my gas tank to reach “empty.”

 

The other gauge that lets me know if I’m nearing empty is on my coffee maker. It has “fuel gauge” look to it and if the needle is pointing toward “F,” I know I have more coffee to drink. But as the coffee is poured (actually you push a little lever and the coffee dispenses below the lever), that needle moves to the left. Eventually, the needle lands on an “E” and then it’s time to make another pot!

 

There are times when I feel empty in my life as well. Separation from loved ones, loneliness, sadness, illness, loss or busyness are all times when I might feel empty. There are plenty more, but you understand the word empty in relation to my life.

 

While God is God and He can feel any way He wants and in ways we cannot comprehend, perhaps He may have felt emptiness in the very beginning. Genesis 1:2 (NIV) says, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” What a description! It’s no wonder God wanted to create something of beauty.

 

Look at some of the terms. Formless. Empty. Darkness. Deep. For us, these terms might be related to how we are feeling emotionally. If we aren’t careful, we begin to feel this way when we encounter times of loneliness, depression, or change.

 

And here’s something to keep in mind, God didn’t want things to stay this way. He chose to create something better. Something more splendid. Something more uplifting. He created the earth in all its glory.

 

God doesn’t want us to stay in a state of emptiness either. He would love to take your life and create something beautiful out of ruins. Beauty from ashes.

 

God wants to take away all of your hurt, your anguish, your pain. He wants to replace these feelings with joy, love, and grace.

 

I do love Isaiah 61. There is such hope in this chapter. If you are in this empty place today, pull your Bible out and read through it. Take it to heart. Learn how God wants to heal your broken-heartedness. How God wants to release the prisoner. How God wants to comfort the mourning. How God wants to replace the spirit of despair with a garment of praise.

 

Isaiah 61 is the perfect passage for anyone who is hurting. God provides hope and promises that can take us from the depths of despair to the heights of favor. Don’t let another day go by without calling out to Him. There is no need to run on empty.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“D” – A to Z Challenge

April 5th, 2016 dsisler

 

There are a couple of activities that I have fallen in love with and try to add to my life. One is praying in color. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I find great enjoyment and satisfaction when I color as I pray. It helps me to focus on what I’m talking to God about and it boosts my creativity level. You can find more information about this method of prayer by going here.

 

Another addition to my daily walk with the Lord is Scripture writing. I follow a plan each day and write out a passage of Scripture. I began this endeavor on November 1, 2015 and haven’t missed a day since. Through November, I wrote verses that dealt with thanksgiving and having a grateful heart. In December they were verses that led me to the birth of Jesus. It has been that way since. If you want to check out the plan I follow, click here.

 

If you’ve noticed, I still haven’t given you anything that begins with the letter “d,” right? Well here it is. Doodling. Doodling is a fun way to express what’s going on in your head. I had been a doodler in college. My college syllabus’ were filled with little people and markings. Through the years I had stopped doodling for some reason. But turns out, I still love to doodle.

 

Now I’m not as good at it as I used to be…I need some encouragement and prompts from my Pinterest “friends,” but as I add doodling to my Scripture writing endeavor, deep satisfaction has surfaced. So here are a few of my “doodles” in my Scripture writing journal.

 

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None of these creative methods may be exciting to you. I get it. But I would encourage you to find something that you love that draws you closer to Jesus and do it. You may find this in creating greeting cards, or crocheting baby blankets, or through music. Whatever it is, just do it.

 

The apostle Paul encouraged the Colossian believers with these words. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 – NIV)

 

All of this coloring, writing and doodling draws me closer to Jesus because it’s what I choose to do. You can too. Whatever it is, do it in the name of Jesus and you will draw closer to Him. Have a blessed day and keep doodling!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“C” – A to Z Challenge

April 4th, 2016 dsisler

 

Monday’s in April are always challenging because Monday’s are the day I write about music, but the song must fit in with the daily letter. There are songs out there with single word titles and many more with the first word of the song title beginning with the letter “c.” So I’ve chosen a piece of music that begins with the word “Christ.”

 

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I love this particular song because of the message. Regardless of what is going on in this world or in the heavenly realms, Christ is still the King. His power cannot be shaken. His truth will never fail. The Word still has the answers. And I could go on, or I could let you read the lyrics for yourself.

 

While we may be able to say all of these things listed in the song, what I want to ask is, “Is Christ the King of your life?” “Have you allowed Jesus to set up Lordship over your heart, soul, mind and strength?” “Do you just say the words or have they transformed your life?”

 

If you struggle with this today, take note of Peter’s words from 2 Peter 1:2-3 (NIV) and see if you can find encouragement and the courage you need to make these statements with boldness and assurance.

 

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

 

As you read through these lyrics and listen to this powerful message, I pray that you will recall the power that God has given to you through Christ Jesus.

 

I am praying for you today!

 

“Christ is Still the King”[i]

 

Earth may have its kingdoms,
Hell may wage its wars,
But, they can never hinder
The power of the Lord.
He will not be shaken.
His truth will never fail,
Rest in the assurance
That Jesus will prevail.

 

Chorus
The Word still has the answers,
The blood alone still saves.
God is still our refuge,
And the Gospel still remains.
Souls can still be rescued,
For mercy still redeems,
Rejoice! the tomb’s still empty,
And Christ is still the King!

 

Never be discouraged
Or let your heart forget
There is hope and vict’ry,
For Jesus conquered death.
He’ll return in power,
But ‘til that glorious day
Lift His banner higher.
Stand strong, and keep the faith.

(Chorus)

 

Bridge
Unchanging and unmoving,
Sov’reign and supreme,
Our hope and our salvation,
We still declare, we still believe….

(Chorus)

 

Click here to listen to this beautiful song with a powerful message.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Christ is Still the King,” Written by Rebecca J. Peck and Dianne Wilkerson, Thomas Peck Music, Christian Taylor Music, 2012.

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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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