The Lord’s Prayer – Word of God Wednesday

June 17th, 2015 dsisler

 

Writing is one of my favorite things to do and I have set myself up to write a lot over the next few months. To help ease the stress of writing deadlines, I’ve decided to dedicate Wednesday’s to something a little different. Perhaps a little lighter on the writing side by me, but pretty hefty wisdom, encouragement and direction from God.

 

???????????????????????????????I don’t know how it will look each Wednesday, but with the flexibility of Word of God Wednesday, I’ll be able to share a message from Scripture and then move on to one of my writing projects. It might be as simple as a passage of Scripture that has touched my heart or a Pinterest pin or an urging to memorize a specific verse from the Bible. I won’t know until each Wednesday when I sit down at the computer. But whatever it is, it will be Bible focused.

 

And so, it begins.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father in heaven, let your name remain holy.

Bring about Your kingdom.

Manifest Your will here on earth, as it is manifest in heaven.

Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less—

And forgive us our debts as we forgive those who owe us something.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[But let your kingdom be, and let it be powerful and glorious forever. Amen.]

 

Matthew 6:9-13 – The Voice

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Enchanted

June 16th, 2015 dsisler

 

One of my favorite movies to watch is Enchanted. I know, it’s silly. But I like the music. I like the silliness. I like it. So when I run across it while scouring the hundreds of television channels we have to watch, if my husband isn’t around, I click on this movie to waste time…yes, waste time.

 

But there are a few lessons to be learned in this story. I’m going to share one with you today.

 

The storyline goes like this. In the cartoon land of Andalasia, a prince meets a beautiful girl and they are set to be married. However, his evil step-mother, the queen, does not want them to be married. The queen disguises herself as an old woman and sends the beautiful girl to the real world of New York City. Once in the city, the beautiful girl meets a handsome man and his young daughter who takes her in.

 

The prince joins the story in New York City and is on a quest to find his bride. He does, but of course, the handsome NYC guy and beautiful girl eventually fall in love and the beautiful girl stays in the real world. The prince goes back to his la-la land.

 

A little side story is happening as well. The queen has an admirer who is willing to do anything the queen asks, which included killing the beautiful girl. In the real world, the admirer comes to find just how the queen has been using him and really doesn’t care for him at all.

 

Once the entire cast is finally in the real world, the queen meets up with her admirer. Her words to him? “Hello worthless. Miss me?”

 

Ouch!

 

You know I have to admit, I’ve felt like the admirer many times in my life. Worthless. Useless. Rejected. Dismissed. Incapable. Unable.

 

Here’s the thing. Living with these thoughts in my head is where the evil one wants me to be. This is where he wants to find me crumpled up in a corner. In this state of mind is where the father of lies wants me to remain.

 

But I have news for this sinister. I don’t believe these lies. I know who I am in Christ and it isn’t any of the above mentioned. Let me share some Scripture with you to show you who I am in Christ and who you are in Christ as well.

 

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (Matthew 15:16a – NIV)

 

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 – NIV)

 

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 – NIV)

 

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5 – NIV)

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 – NIV)
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 – NIV)

 

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6 – NIV)

 

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 – NIV)

 

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a – NIV)

 

Like the queen in Enchanted, the evil one’s plot in our lives can be eliminated. We must allow Jesus to take captive every untruth that dwells in our hearts and minds. We must believe the truth that Jesus speaks over us. Jesus’ truth will win over Satan’s lies every single time. Believe it.

 

However, if you are struggling with your identity in Christ, spend some time with Jesus. He is the One who loves you the most, who knows you the best, and who is able to do some remarkable things in your life. Isn’t it time to be the handsome prince or the beautiful princess that you are?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Your Great Name” – Monday Musical Musings

June 15th, 2015 dsisler

 

As I sit here this morning, I realize how blessed I am. I have lots of possessions. Cars, a home, things to occupy my time. I have a beautiful family. A husband who loves me. Three wonderful children and three exquisite grandchildren. We all have jobs. We are all healthy. While my life isn’t perfect, I am blessed.

 

But I also know as I sit here this morning that there are those around me who are not in the same situation as I am. There are homeless folks nearby. There are those who have no work to go to today. There are people who are lonely because they have no family. There are many who are sick and need a healing touch.

 

Today’s song reminds us that whatever our lot in life, when we know Jesus we have all we need. Regardless of our circumstances, Jesus is everything.

 

What I love about this song is that it is about Jesus’ Name. Over and over the lyricists tell us that the sound of His great Name will drive out anything that is a hindrance to our walk with Jesus. As we speak the great Name of Jesus, the enemy loses ground in our lives. What a beautiful Name!

 

Today I would encourage you to speak the great Name of Jesus often. Don’t allow the evil one to tromp around in your life today. Send him packing as you speak the Name of Jesus.

 

Take a look at these words and hold onto their promises. Jesus. Let’s praise His Name as we sing this song together!

 

“Your Great Name”

 

Lost are saved, find their way at the sound of Your great Name

All condemned feel no shame at the sound of Your great Name

Every fear has no place at the sound of Your great Name

The enemy—he has to leave at the sound of Your great Name

 

Chorus:

Jesus,

Worthy is the Lamb

That was slain for us,

Son of God and Man

You are high and lifted up and all the world will praise Your great Name

 

All the weak find their strength at the sound of Your great Name

Hungry souls receive grace at the sound of Your great Name

The fatherless—they find their rest at the sound of Your great Name

The sick are healed and the dead are raised at the sound of Your great Name

(Chorus)

 

Bridge:

Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty

My Savior, Defender, You are My King[i]

 

Click here to listen to Natalie Grant sing this beautiful song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Your Great Name,” Words and Music by Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neale, Integrity’s Praise Music, Two Nords Music, 2008.

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Praise the Name of the Lord!

June 14th, 2015 dsisler

It’s another beautiful Lord’s Day. I pray that you have a few things to be thankful for at the beginning of this day.

 

Just as a reminder, take a look at what Psalm 113:3 (NIV) has to say. “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” How will you praise the name of the Lord today?

 

Today’s repeat blog post is about a little trip I took a couple years ago. Have fun and don’t get lost!

 

A Roundabout Way to Ohio

 

Today I am getting on an airplane headed for Ohio.

 

A direct flight from Denver to Dayton is $100 more than a flight from Colorado Springs to Denver to Dayton.

 

So I got up early, passed Denver International Airport to arrive in Colorado Springs. I will fly back to DIA and then take the same direct flight from Denver to Dayton.

 

I wondered if I would be able to just get on the plane in Denver. Mason didn’t seem to think that would be a good idea. It’s a good thing the flight from Colorado Springs doesn’t take off until 9:15 a.m.

 

I will get to Ohio, just by a roundabout way.

 

There were several people in Scripture who, like me, took their time getting to where they needed to be.

 

The Israelites

In the desert for 40 years. Wandering about. Wearing the same clothes. Eating the same food. Walking the same roads. It must have been frustrating, but God’s lesson through it all was to learn to depend upon Him. Obey His commands. Live wholly committed to God. That is all He ever wanted from the Israelites, and that is exactly what He wants from us.

 

Jonah

Told to go to Nineveh. Chose not to go. Boarded a ship. Thrown off the ship. Swallowed by a large fish. Deposited by the same fish three days later on land. Continued to Nineveh. Jonah ran from God. We are guilty of doing the same. When we are called to do something difficult, it is easy to run instead of depend upon God for the strength, wisdom, and desire to carry out the task.

 

Paul

Doesn’t understand. Does not do what he wants to do. Does what he hates. Romans 7:15 (NIV) can be confusing. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” But aren’t we again, just like Paul? Doing what we know we shouldn’t and ignoring what we should? Paul urges us to be mindful of our actions and know that we have abundant life through the Spirit.

 

Well, I will get to Ohio in a roundabout way, but in the process I’ve learned how saints of the past have dealt with their own misdirection. Let’s learn to stick to God’s path. It will always lead us exactly where we need to go.

 

“My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.” (Psalm 17:5 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Who’s Watching?

June 13th, 2015 dsisler

 

Do you ever catch yourself watching someone? I do quite often. I love to people watch. But what is even more fun is to watch those you love.

 

Last Saturday, my grandkids, my daughter and I went to the zoo. There were plenty of people to watch there, but my four favorite subjects were the four I entered the zoo with. My little granddaughter Leslieanna couldn’t wait to see all of the animals and she wanted to up close and personal with all of them. The peacock, the goslings and the lorikeets were among her favorites because she could get close to them.

 

I’m sure God looks upon us in the same way. I would say God enjoys seeing us when we are happy or excited, disappointed when we miss the mark and comforts us when we are discouraged. I am so thankful to have a heavenly Father who cares for me as well as watches over me.

 

Take a look at a few verses that show us how God looks at us.

 

“The Eternal watches over the righteous, and His ears are attuned to their prayers. He is always listening.” (Psalm 34:15 – The Voice)

 

“The Eternal Creator of heaven and earth and these mountains will send the help I need. He holds you firmly in place; he will not let you fall. He who keeps you will never take His eyes off you and never drift off to sleep. What a relief! The One who watches over Israel never leaves for rest or sleep.” (Psalm 121:2-4 – The Voice)

 

“The Eternal can see all things; His gaze is fixed on both the evil and good.” (Proverbs 15:3 – The Voice)

 

“The Eternal watches everything that happens on earth so that He may strongly support those who follow Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a – The Voice)

 

“Does God not see the paths of my choosing; does He not count every single step I take?” (Job 31:4 – The Voice)

 

Yes, God watches over you and me and keeps an eye on what we are doing. Even down to the very steps we take each day (even better than a Fitbit!).

 

So I have to ask. What does God think as He watches you?

 

Are your actions in line with God’s plan for your life? Are your thoughts centered around things above instead of earthly things? Are your words pleasing to God’s ears? You may want to consider Who is watching you before you think, say or do anything today.

 

Now, the good news is that God knows you and me. He knows that we struggle with life. He also knows our hearts and motives. So when we miss the mark, He offers grace. When we are disappointed, He offers encouragement. When we mourn, He offers comfort. Those precious eyes of our God and Father are ever seeking to help us in our time of need. How blessed we are!

 

Let’s make today a good day!

 

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 Jacksonville, Florida.

  • 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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