The Legend

June 7th, 2012 dsisler

Our granddaughter Joy has been staying with us this week so she could attend Vacation Bible School with me. It’s always fun to have her around. She brings joy and laughter each time she comes.
One of her favorite things to do is play games on our WII. She plays a game that her uncle Philip played when he was her age. Zelda[i].
At one point in the game, it takes the player to a darker realm, where evil forces have subjected the kingdom to darkness and surrender.
The princess is held captive and it is up to the young hero to save her and the kingdom. To encourage him, the princess says, “Fear is a nameless evil.”[ii]
That phrase caught my attention. I think there is some truth to it. If we allow fear to go unchecked or won’t talk about what we are fearful of, it can become a dark place in our lives.
So what does the Bible say about fear? Paul encounters a time when he stated, “For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6 – NIV)
There will be times in our lives when conflict will hit us from the outside and fear will well up within, but when we remember that God comforts the downcast, we are able to move past the fear.
In Psalm 34:4 (NIV), David shares how he dealt with fear. “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” We must ask God for help with fear. When we ask, He will answer.
And Proverbs 14:26 (NIV) tells us “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”We have a secure fortress in our God, therefore we don’t have any reason to fear anything.
Psalm 27:1 (NIV) speaks of this idea as well. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” There is nothing for us to fear with God on our side!
And finally, 1 John 4:18 (NIV) says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” According to this verse, love casts out and overshadows fear. If we fear, we cannot be secure in our salvation.
The princess and her hero will overcome this darkness. There will be no reason for fear. I know this because I know how the game ends.
You and I will also overcome the darkness of this world. Fear will be banished. I know this because I know that Jesus is victorious. And because He is victorious, we are too!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i]The Legend of Zelda, copyright 2006, Nintendo
[ii] The Legend of Zelda, copyright 2006, Nintendo
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Days Gone By

June 6th, 2012 dsisler

An interest in genealogy has seemed to explode in our society. The websites that give help with finding information about our ancestors are very popular.
I am no different. I am interested in where I came from. Who came before me in my family. I recently looked at the 1940’s census to find out all I could about my great grandparents, grandparents, parents, great aunts and uncles. It was an interesting journey.
Several years ago, one of my women’s Bible study groups wanted to work through a fun study during the summer. We found five novellas written by Francine Rivers on the five women listed in Jesus’ genealogy. While some of the content is fictional, a portion of each book is straight from Scripture. We thoroughly enjoyed reading through the summer and working on the studies included in each book.
Can you name these five women? If you are like I was years ago, you probably have skipped over the sections of genealogy in Scripture. So why not read the account of Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1?
The first gal mentioned in Matthew 1:3 is Tamar. Tamar and Judah give birth to Perez and Zerah. Tamar’s story can be found in Genesis 38 and is filled with disappointment. But in the end, Tamar was blessed with two sons and a place in Jesus’ lineage.
The second is Rahab (Matthew 1:5), mother to Boaz. Rahab was a woman saved from Jericho and some say a prostitute. Although her story contained untruths on her part, she believed in the God of the Israelites and knew that He would be her salvation. Rahab’s story is found in Joshua 2 and Joshua 6:22-23.
Ruth is mentioned next (Matthew 1:5). Wife to Boaz and a woman who loved her mother in law so dearly, she was unable to leave her. In the midst of great trial, Ruth proclaimed, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.” (Ruth 1:16-17a – NIV) Ruth’s dedication was remarkable and God took notice!
Next in line is Bathsheba (Matthew 1:6). While she is not named specifically, she is referenced by her husband Uriah. David sinned with Bathsheba and great pain was the result of that sin. But again, God saw something special in Bathsheba and she was granted a special place in the genealogy.
Last, but not least is Mary (Matthew 1:16), the mother of Jesus. She was given the special honor birthing the Messiah, God’s own Son. Luke 1:28 (NIV) tells us of when the angel appeared to Mary. He said,“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Yes, Mary was favored. Her character flawless. Her faith unshakeable. Her trust immeasurable. God’s plan of salvation was delivered to the world through her.
These women weren’t the only women in Jesus’ lineage, they were the women God felt should be mentioned. They are indeed special.
I am thankful for my heritage. I’m also thankful for my spiritual heritage. Church history and God’s Word gives me a great account of those who came before me to preach and teach the Gospel. I am proud to be who I am!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
If you are interested in reading more about Jesus’ genealogy, these are the books I’d recommend.
Callis, B. (2005) Biblical Genealogy: Abraham to Jesus Christ. Bloomington: Author House.
Rivers, F. (2000) Unveiled. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Rivers, F. (2000) Unashamed. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Rivers, F. (2001) Unshaken. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Rivers, F. (2001) Unspoken. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Rivers, F. (2001) Unafraid. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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From Memory?

June 5th, 2012 dsisler

I am in a skit every day this week for Vacation Bible School at my church. We are stranded on a deserted island…hoping to get home by the end of the week.
My character recites Bible verses. Lots of Bible verses. Under most circumstances, it would be great. The problem is that the director wants me to quote these verses from the New International Readers Version.
I know them ALL by the King James Version or the New American Standard Version!

So instead of “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” I’m supposed to say, “Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.”

The one verse that I really like in the New International Readers Version is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. It says, “God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”
So, “God’s Word is useful for teaching us what is true.” Knowing God’s truth helps us to determine how to distinguish between truth and falsehood in our world. Satan tries so hard to keep us from knowing right from wrong. Learning God’s truth will always lead us in the right direction.
“God’s Word is useful for correcting our mistakes.” Knowing what God’s Word says about His commands helps us to stick to doing things correctly. Mistakes happen. God’s Word shows us how to make things right and how to continue to work at following His commands.
“God’s Word is useful for making our lives whole again.” Oh how God wants this in our lives. He created us to desire Him and Him alone. Without God, we are empty. With God, we are complete. Filled. Whole.
“God’s Word is useful for training us to do what is right.”Again, when we know God’s commands and do our best to follow them, we can live our lives doing what is right.
The last section of this passage says, “By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.” Yes! Just by learning, memorizing, and implementing God’s Word into my life, I am prepared to do good things for God’s Kingdom.
Memorizing Scripture has never been easy for me and maybe the verses I quote this week will be a little of each version, plus some paraphrasing on my part. I pray that God’s message will be clear through each skit and that He receives all the glory for the week.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Psst!

June 4th, 2012 dsisler

I have a special way to call my granddaughter Joy. When she hears “psst,” she knows I want to talk to her.
My grandson Percy has learned that when I say “psst, psst,” I want to get his attention.
It doesn’t matter where Joy or Percy are in the house, they seem to hear my voice and they stop what they are doing to see what I want.
I found a passage of Scripture that tells us about God’s voice. Let’s see what Psalm 29 (NIRV) describes.
Praise
The first section of this Psalm tells us that we are to praise God. We are to worship the Lord because of His beauty and holiness.
“Praise the Lord, you mighty angels.
Praise the Lord for his glory and strength.
Praise the Lord for the glory that belongs to him.
Worship the Lord because of his beauty and holiness.”
Praise is more than just singing worship songs on Sunday mornings. We are to praise God with our entire lives. With everything that we do. With each word that we speak. With each thought we think.
God’s Voice
The second section of this Psalm gives a description of God’s voice. Notice how powerful and mighty it is.
“The voice of the Lord is heard over the waters.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful.
The voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees.
The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon into pieces.
He makes the mountains of Lebanon skip like a calf.
He makes Mount Hermon jump like a young wild ox.”
The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert.
The Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists the oak trees.
It strips the forests bare.
And in his temple everyone cries out, “Glory!”

I’ve never done a study on the voice of God. I’ve studied His names. I’ve studied His attributes. I’ve studied His commands. What I do know is that we are to know God’s voice. When we hear His voice we are to respond. Respond with repentance, resistance to temptation, obedience, a good deed, or being still to name a few.
This section clearly shows the power in God’s voice. Like that of a thunderstorm with bolts of lightning. Storm chasers run toward thunderous weather. That’s how we should approach God’s voice. Run toward it. Embrace it. Understand it. Know it.
The Lord
Finally this passage concludes with what the Lord does. What His role in His creation is.
“The Lord on his throne rules over the flood.
The Lord rules from his throne as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people.
The Lord blesses his people with peace.”
The Lord. Not just the Lord of the world or the universe, but the Lord of my life is described above. When He is King forever in my heart, He rules, He gives strength, and He blesses me with peace. Why wouldn’t I want God to be my Lord? That is exactly what I need when I face trials and temptations.
I am amazed that Joy and Percy respond to my voice the way they do. My quiet “psst” breaks through all the noise. It breaks through the concentration on a game or activity. It breaks through a television program.
Do you hear God’s voice? He’s saying, “psst?”
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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In a Fog

June 3rd, 2012 dsisler

There is a section of highway that nearly always has fog in the morning. Sometimes it extends a bit further, but mostly it is contained in this particular location.
The issue is that I have to go through this area to get to the church I attend. When I worked for the church, it was a daily trip and there were many days when I dealt with this fog.
But since I don’t work for the church any longer, I only pass that way a couple times a week.
A few months back, I was headed to church for Women’s Bible Study and the fog was especially thick. It extended much further than usual and it was difficult to see.
The drive was slow going. The road difficult to see. Traffic was heavy. It took great concentration to make this short distance without major difficulty.
Then suddenly, I drove out of the fog and into a clear sunny sky. It was as if someone had drawn or raised a curtain, for everything was quickly very clear.
And beautiful!
The view of the mountains at that moment was stunning. There had been a fresh coating of snow over the Twin Peaks and foothills. The sun was bright and the mountains glistened. It was a perfect picture.
Jesus had a few things to say about coming out of the fog or darkness of our spiritual lives. When we walk in this manner, we cannot expect to see Jesus clearly. We cannot expect to understand all that He has to share with us. So let’s see what Jesus has to say.
In Matthew 4:16 (NIV), Jesus quotes from the book of Isaiah, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Jesus was and is the light. He displaced darkness in their lives and in ours as well.
Jesus also taught “the eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light with you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23 – NIV) Our spiritual eyes must be good and free of fog or darkness in order to full of light. Learning from God’s Word will bring our eyes to full potential.
On a couple of occasions, Jesus taught while healing blind men. In Luke 18:41 (NIV), Jesus asked a blind man what he wanted and the blind man said, “Lord, I want to see!” I wonder if this blind man knew all that Jesus wanted him to see. Not just physically, but spiritually as well.
Then again, in Mark 8:22-26 (NIV), we see Jesus healing a blind man. But He healed in stages. Jesus was clearly teaching in this moment. Jesus healed this man completely. “Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” He saw more than his world clearly, he saw Jesus clearly.
The greatest change in eyesight we find in Scripture was the Apostle Paul. In Acts 9 (NIV), Saul saw a great light and was blinded. Jesus spoke to Saul. Saul heard the message of salvation from Ananias. Saul’s eyes were opened and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After a short while, Paul (once known as Saul) began to preach the Gospel fervently. His eyes were fully opened to all that Jesus taught throughout His ministry.
We may have better vision than those living before Jesus, but we still are not able to see everything as clearly as we will once we are in heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV) says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” What a day that will be when we know as we are known. Fully. Completely. That’s what I am living for!
I praised God for the remainder of my journey. He had shown me such beauty that morning. He had proved to me that He could make everything beautiful in His time. He gave me a gift that I’ll not soon forget. He opened my eyes so that I might see more clearly.
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.

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