My New Bible

May 24th, 2013 dsisler

I received a new Bible for Mother’s Day from my husband. You might think that with all the Bibles I have sitting on my shelf that one more would not be the perfect gift, but it was.

 

My new Bible is the updated version of New International Bible. The first printing of this version was in 1984. Since then, they have made a few changes to their translation of certain words, phrases or concepts. This newer version remains true to the manuscripts while allowing the modern reader a better understanding of God’s Word.

 

My new Bible is a Thinline. That means it is slender and sleek. It is lightweight (compared to my big blue study Bible that weighs nearly four pounds). It is easy to carry. It feels good in my hands. It is easy to take with me.

 

My new Bible is also large print. I love the Thinlines that I have on my shelf, but the print is so small they are unusable. I cannot read the words because they are nearly unreadable for me. The solution? Larger print! I can actually read this Bible without strain on my eyes.

 

It may seem that my 1984 version of the Bible is obsolete, but I can guarantee it is not. It is still very useful for my writing and Bible study preparation. It is always handy. It’s always sitting on my desk ready to be used. It has markings and notes and it’s not very likely that it will be going any place any time soon.

 

So here are some of my thoughts on God’s Word and the impact it has on my life and those who choose to read it and make changes in their lives because of what they read.

 

God’s Word is not obsolete

It is still a best seller. With nearly six billion copies sold world-wide, there is little doubt that any other book has sold near this amount. So why is that? Because God’s Word contains hope for the world. Jesus is that hope. It’s only through Him that we find fulfillment in this life. He is the One who offers significance. He is the One who brings us from our despair and provides life. There is nothing obsolete about hope.

 

God’s Word is timeless

The Bible has withstood the tests of time. It has survived, endured, lasted, and remained. It has been preserved, maintained, upheld and conserved by faithful servants of God. Regardless of what mankind has tried to do to God’s Word, it has survived it all and is still able to speak to those very people who tried to decimate the Bible and its message.

 

God’s Word is relevant

If you don’t believe me, read through these passages and tell me if it was written for today’s society or for the generation of 70 A.D.

 

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.” (Romans 1:29-31 – NIV)

 

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21a – NIV)

 

“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13 – NIV)

 

God’s Word offers all that we need

As we live as believers in this world, the Bible gives us valuable information so that we are able to withstand the troubles, temptations, and trials that come along with life. I pray that you find comfort from these words and that you will hold tightly to them as you go through your day.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 – NIV)

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 – NIV)

 

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5 – NIV)

 

Oh how I love God’s Word and what I find between its pages fills my life with such hope and joy that I cannot keep it to myself. I must share what I’ve learned through study with others. That’s one of the reasons I write this blog each day. To share a tidbit of what God has to say through the Bible.

 

I pray that you are reading God’s Word on a regular basis (daily would be wonderful!). God’s message is too valuable to leave sitting on your bookshelf or coffee table. Pick it up today. Read it. Come to love it as I do and you’ll understand why I do what I do.

 

I pray that you are also sharing what you’re learning. It may not be in written form, but in some way relaying this message to others. It might possibly be the one thing needed to change that person’s life.

 

I pray for those who haven’t come to know God as I do too. If you are reading this and fit into this group, please let me share more of this message with you. I would love to point you to God through His Word. Just let me know by making a comment.

 

Today, I am blessed.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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When This You See…

May 23rd, 2013 dsisler

The mother of my grandchildren, my daughter Bethany, does a great job of giving thoughtful gifts. Gifts that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

 

This past Mother’s Day was no different. She showed up with a framed piece of art with handprints of the three kids. I’m sure it wasn’t easy getting the two-year old and the four-month old to cooperate, but it looks great.

 

The verse that goes with the handprints says, “Baba may hold our hands for a little while, but she will hold our hearts forever.”

 

There are other items around my house that are reminders of my grandchildren. Of course, Joy has overtaken my home with her name in many pieces of décor. Grace now has a prominent place in my living room. Percy and Archer share a photo frame that sit on top of the entertainment center.

 

There are Willow Tree figurines. Photographs. Artwork. Toys. A highchair. A baby swing. Child protective electric outlet covers.

 

All of these little reminders are in place so that I might remember my grandchildren. With my past memory issues, maybe this isn’t so far-fetched. But at this stage in my life, I certainly would never forget my babies!

 

I have a little sampler that hangs in my bathroom that says, “When this you see remember me.”

 

There is a little part of us that perhaps believes someone just might forget us. That we might fall through the cracks in another’s mind. That we might not be as unforgettable as we’d like.

 

How blessed we are that we are not far from our heavenly Father’s thoughts. And we have that assurance from Scripture.

 

In the Old Testament, we read of God remembering those He loved. Noah (Genesis 8:1), Abraham (Genesis 19:29), Rachel (Genesis 30:22), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19), Israel (Psalm 98:3; Psalm 115:12), and King David (Psalm 119:49).

 

In the New Testament, Jesus remembered the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43).

 

But throughout Scripture we see glimpses of what God remembers (and doesn’t remember).

 

God remembered His covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:15-16). God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 2:24). God remembered the covenant He made to a thousand generations (Psalm 105:8; Psalm 105:42; Psalm 106:45). God remembered us in our low estate (Psalm 136:23). God did not remember our sin (Isaiah 43:25). God remembered to be merciful (Luke 1:54). God remembered gifts to the poor (Acts 10:31). God doesn’t remember our sin and lawless acts (Hebrews 10:17).

 

Remembrance is not a one way street however. God has asked us to remember too.

 

Remember the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8). Remember the commands of the Lord (Numbers 15:39-40). Remember the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 8:18; Nehemiah 4:14). Remember what God has done (1 Chronicles 16:12). Remember His covenant and obey His precepts (Psalm 103:18). Remember God’s ways (Isaiah 64:5). Remember this (2 Corinthians 9:6). Remember our former state (Ephesians 2:11-13). Remember hospitality and prisoners (Hebrews 13:1-3). Remember our leaders (Hebrews 13:7). Remember this (James 5:20). Remember the words of Christ and the apostles (Jude 1:17).

 

Unfortunately, our memories aren’t as good as they should be. I sometimes seem to forget God completely. It’s at those moments when I must cry out to God and ask forgiveness. Then I must make an extra effort to remember all that He has done for me. To remember where I was and that I don’t want to wind up there again.

 

There are so many things to remember, but we have a special gift from our heavenly Father to help us. As a believer, we have His Holy Spirit within us to remind us of all we’ve learned. Jesus offered these words in John 14:26 (NIV). “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” How blessed we are to have this wonderful gift!

 

So, how is your memory? Do you remember all that God has done for you? Do you remember to spend time with God? Do you remember to acknowledge Him throughout your day?

 

If you struggle with this, why not place strategic items around your life to remind you to think of God. For me, it may be the sampler in my bathroom that sparks my memory to praise God. It might be a verse of Scripture hung in my office. It might be a small rock in my purse that when touched prompts me to think of God. It might be an alarm set on my phone. These are just some of my ways to remember God throughout my day.

 

Yours may be completely different and I would love to hear how you remember God. Why not leave me a comment to tell me how you do so? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

 

What it boils down to is that we must try to remember God as we go about our busy lives, because He is remembering us. All the time.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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God’s Word via Pinterest

May 22nd, 2013 dsisler

I love Pinterest. I love looking at the creativity of others and tucking it away in my mind and on my boards. I’m especially drawn to the passages of Scripture that are designed to look appealing to the eye. Those pins get me every time!

 

So today I’m going to offer you some of my favorites…there are so many and if you don’t believe me, just pop on over to my Pinterest board with all of these little gems. You can do so by clicking here. You’ll soon understand.

 

One of my favorites of late has been this beauty using Psalm 34:1 (NIV) as its inspiration. “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

 

Another one that I like is from James 4:8 (NIV). “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

 

And how about this one? “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 – NIV)

 

Here’s another version of one verse in this section.

 

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) offers encouraging words for those who are weary. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

 

Jesus’ words to be kind are reflected in this verse found in Ephesians 4:32 (NIV). “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

In Romans 12:12 (NIV) we find these words. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

 

And finally the last one I’d like to share with you is from Jeremiah 31:12b (NIV). “They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.”

 

God’s words are such a blessing to me. I pray that you find comfort and care in each of these today. I pray that hope and joy fill your life and thoughts because of reading His precious word. I pray that your life would be filled with God’s abundant mercies as you learn and accept all that God has to offer you.

 

This is just a sampling of His great love for us. Would you like to know more? If so, please let me know. I’d love to share what God has in store for you.

 

If you are feeling a little weary today because of the troubles in this life, take heart. Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). His victory is our victory as we offer Him our struggles and worries.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read through this post. It has been fun searching God’s words through this new website, Pinterest. If you’d like to leave me a comment, you may do so by clicking here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Difficult Times

May 21st, 2013 dsisler

It has been difficult to sit down to write today. With the destruction of communities in Oklahoma and the threat of more severe weather today, my thoughts and prayers are migrating to that area of our nation.

 

With that in mind, I’ve decided to share a piece that I wrote last year and the lessons I learned from watching a mama robin care for her eggs and ultimately her baby chicks.

 

As we continue to pray for those affected by yesterday’s tornado, let’s keep in mind that we are not left alone and we have a heavenly Father who cares deeply for us as we try to make sense of this tragedy. May God richly bless the community of Moore, Oklahoma.

 

The Robin Nest

 

Last spring, a young robin chose an aspen tree in our front yard to build her nest. She was diligent in her work. Her desire was to have the best possible environment for her babies to live.

 

She was successful! The nest was built and then she waited. Waited for the time to lay her eggs.

 

She was successful yet again! She laid three perfect, blue eggs and then she waited. Waited for the babies to hatch.

 

This was probably the longest few weeks of her life. She sat and patiently kept watch over the little ones.

 

She encountered some obstacles during this time. There were storms. Big spring storms that nearly pushed the tree to the ground. One of her eggs could have fallen out of the nest or even worse, the entire nest could have fallen. But Mrs. Robin sat on that nest. She stood (or sat) firmly over her precious eggs.

 

She constantly protected her eggs. The tree she chose is not that old or large. Neighborhood cats, snakes, or other wild animals could easily have snatched one or all of her precious little ones. She needed to watch continuously for those dangers.

 

The day came when the birds began to break through the egg shells. One by one, these tiny ones poked their heads out and let their mother know they were alive, well, and hungry!

 

Her task was not complete. She tirelessly searched for food to feed these little ones. She continued to protect them from danger. She cared for them as diligently as she possibly could be. She was the best mama these tiny robins could have asked for.

 

As I watched this process, I often thought of how God cares for us. Specifically, how He protects us in His everlasting arms or under His wings.

 

In Psalm 17:8, David prays that God might “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Oh how wonderful! Being the apple of God’s eye. Because I am so special to Him, I know the protection found under His wings is all that I could possibly need.

 

We also see from Deuteronomy 33:27a that, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” In His arms we have refuge. In His arms we find protection. With God, we are in the shelter of His loving arms.

 

Mom’s minister stopped by this week to visit and he read Psalm 17:8 and sang a bit of the old hymn, Under His Wings. It was a great reminder of God’s constant care for us throughout our struggles.

 

Under His Wings

Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild;

Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me,

He has redeemed me and I am His child.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,

Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Chorus:

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.[i]

 

When it was time for the babies to fly away, Mrs. Robin was there to watch them leave the nest. She had done her job. She had completed her task.

 

God is diligently watching out for us, protecting us, covering us. Even more so because we are His beloved.

 

Life is so much easier within the arms of our heavenly Father. Regardless of your struggle today, run into His arms. Find rest, peace, and comfort under His wings. I can guarantee that you will find all that you’ve been looking for.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] Under His Wings, William O. Cushing, Ira Sankey’s Sacred Songs No. 1, published in 1896.

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V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

May 20th, 2013 dsisler

Summer will arrive next week…schools will be finished…vacations will begin…the heat of June, July and August will be oppressive…women’s Bible study will officially be over.

 

While there are some enjoyable events and happenings that go hand-in-hand with summer, I am always sad to see my time leading women in Bible study come to an end. I find great joy in sharing God’s message with others who want to know His Words.

 

So I am sad. There are only two more weeks that we will be together and what lessons we will cover! We are studying “Follow Me” by Randy Sprinkle and this book has changed my way of thinking on prayer and being a prayer walker and warrior.

 

Mr. Sprinkle brought to mind a correlation between our spiritual battles and the provisions we have while in battle. Let me share these with you.

 

As we read through Ephesians, the Apostle Paul helps us to understand the three primary forces at work around us as we live as Christians in our daily lives. In Ephesians 2:1-3, we are battling against the world (v. 2), the ruler of the kingdom of the air (v.2), and our sinful nature (v.3).

 

Oh how blessed we are to see that we have a great hope so that we are not left in this state nor are we left alone.

 

“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 3:4-5)

 

If these two verses don’t make your heart leap for joy, I don’t know what greater message I could share with you today to lift your spirits. God loved us, when we were unlovable. God saved us, when we were unsaveable. God made us alive, when we were dead. Hallelujah!

 

Paul reminds us again in chapter six of Ephesians of what and whom our battle is against. We are to take our stand against the devil’s schemes; the rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world; and the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12).

 

And as we see later in the Book of Ephesians, God didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves in this world and against the evil one and even against ourselves. He offers His armor, His full armor, for our battle. It’s up to us to put it on, but He’s giving it to us.

 

Let’s look at the equipment we have been given.

 

The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)

The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)

The Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)

The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)

 

With all of this in mind, we as believers are also told to do a couple of things from this chapter. We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). We are to stand firm (Ephesians 6:11; 13; 14). We are to pray (Ephesians 6:18). We are to be alert (Ephesians 6:18).

 

Yes, there is a battle raging all around us and the evil one is continually looking for ways to drag us back to our former self. But we have a far greater power within us to lead us into this battle. Don’t give up the fight. Keep your armor on. Be alert. Be prepared. And do it all as you bathe it in prayer.

 

I’ve got the victory. You’ve got the victory. We’ve all got the victory now!

 

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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