Awake!

August 6th, 2015 dsisler

 

One of my favorite ways to spend time with God is through coloring. As I color a picture or create a page of doodles, I find my mind drawn to God’s presence. I am always on the lookout for a coloring sheet to use during this special time. It may be a verse of Scripture or a phrase or a picture that I’m attracted to. But when I’m in my coloring zone, it’s a good place.

 

I started coloring a sheet while on my weekend getaway last week for Precept training. I figured I was going to have my colored pencils and pens with me, so I tucked one page in with my notebook. I was so thankful that I did.

 

And I chose one that really made me smile as I began the coloring process. If you notice, there is a lot of detail to this one. I obviously didn’t finish it while I was away. I’ve obviously not finished it yet! There are so many little tiny intricate things to color on this page. But what really brought a smile to my face are the many facets of these words and what they mean in my life.

 

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8a – NIV) Oh how I love these words. It’s the title of one of my favorite songs, so that’s probably why I was drawn to this page. But the more I’ve prayed over these words, the more I’ve realized how much my soul needs to be awakened to.

 

God’s Word

The Holy Spirit

My surroundings

The people around me

God’s creation

Worship

My relationship with God

Jesus’ sacrifice

 

There is even a section of coloring page that has a rain cloud with rain drops. As I colored this section I prayed that God would awaken my soul even during the difficult, disappointing moments of my life.

 

Three little words. A grand awakening!

 

Perhaps today you are feeling a little blah. If so, I might suggest you pray these three words. You don’t need a coloring sheet to pray or to get closer to God. All you need is an open heart that is willing to be awakened by God’s Holy Spirit. “Awake, my soul!”

 

“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.” (Numbers 6:24-26 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Pinterest – Word of God Wednesday

August 5th, 2015 dsisler

 

I haven’t shared Pinterest images lately, so today, I thought I would share some verses of Scripture that I’ve found on Pinterest. These aren’t just any snippets from Scripture, these are words of wisdom, guidance, reassurance, encouragement or precepts that I need to keep in mind today. Perhaps you could be reminded of them as well.

 

Enjoy. Bask in God’s Word. Blessings to you my friend!

 

Psalm612

Psalm911

Psalm1413

Psalm10312

Isaiah4031

Zephaniah317

Zechariah46

Romans1212

Galatians69

Ephesians429

Philippians46

1Thess516-18

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Precept Upon Precept

August 4th, 2015 dsisler

 

I mentioned last week that I would share some of what last weekend entailed. I attended a Precept Upon Precept leader training weekend. It was two days of solid work in God’s Word. I learned a lot about the Precept Upon Precept Bible study method, but I also learned a great deal about Abram!

 

We spent time in Genesis 11-15. We did some cross referencing to gain some insight into these few chapters of Genesis, but in the end, I walked away with some deeper understanding of the call of Abram, the man himself and how he and God worked together to create the mighty nation of Israel.

 

If you don’t know about the Precept Bible study method, a Bible student reads through a passage of Scripture and marks key words and phrases with colored pencils. These markings help the student choose a theme for the chapter as well and remember what that chapter was really about…the main focus of the chapter. There’s more to it, but this is a good start.

 

Now I have to tell you, my biggest fear of the weekend would be that I would get caught up in the technical part of the study. What color should I use? What symbol? Am I doing this right? I was really fearful of the “do things right” attitude that pops up on occasion.

 

When it was all said and done, I think I did pretty well. I did my best (never finished any of the assignments given), worked through these chapters of Genesis and walked away with a greater sense of being able to study God’s Word using this method.

 

So I get home, pull together all of my materials: my Inductive Study Bible, my notebook, my colored pencils and pens. I begin with prayer and ask God to direct my time in His Word. I choose the book to study. And I’m ready to go.

 

Ha!

 

I didn’t get very far! Why? I have allowed the technical part of this study method to trip me up. I knew it would eventually. So what’s the problem? I decided to study 1 & 2 Peter, since I’m writing a Bible study on these two books for the spring. My first assignment was to mark all references to Peter in a distinctive color.

 

Well there you have it. What color? What symbol? This will be a symbol to be used throughout my Bible for Peter. It has to be right. What do I need to do?

 

Well first of all, I need to get over the whole wrong symbol/color thing. Yes, these markings will be extremely helpful as I continue to study God’s Word until I die. But are they necessary? Are they essential? Are there any wrong markings? No! Are these insightful? Are they useful? Yes! This is where my focus must remain.

 

I think life can be this way sometimes. We can get caught up in technical things and miss the relationships. Maybe we miss the beauty of God’s creation. Maybe we miss what God wants us to see and feel and experience. Friend, don’t miss out of what God has in store for you by getting freaked out over a tiny marking in your Bible (or your equivalent). Don’t miss the people who cross your path because you’re looking down at the path.

 

As a reminder, take a look at this verse. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 – NIV) I can’t begin to imagine what God has in store for me as I study His Word using the Precept study method, but He does. His plan is bigger and greater and far more thrilling than what I can think up. So I’ll do my part. I’ll study. I’ll be a good student. I’ll wait for His guidance. And then I will see how God will work it out in my life.

 

Are you anxiously waiting to see what God has in store for you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Thy Word” – Monday Musical Musings

August 3rd, 2015 dsisler

 

If you know me at all, you know that I love music. But you also know that I love God’s Word even more! And when you put these two elements together, it’s a winner in my book!

 

IMAG1489Years and years ago, the song “Thy Word” was made known to the world. It’s been used pretty well through the years and perhaps many are tired of hearing it. But here’s the thing. The lyrics are so powerful!

 

So don’t think of yourself sitting around at camp singing this song. Don’t think of yourself singing this song in youth group. Read through the lyrics of this song with fresh eyes. What do you see?

 

The Word, God’s Word is a compass for our lives. The Bible shines a light for us to see. This light will guide our feet as we wander down the path of life.

 

Regardless of our situation in life, the Bible has a word of encouragement, instruction or redirection.

 

Are you afraid? Isaiah 2:10 is a verse you need to recall.

Do you feel lost? Take a look at Psalm 25:4-5.

Feeling unloved? Remember Ephesians 2:19.

Do you feel like you’re alone? You’ll want to keep 1 Peter 5:7 nearby.

 

This is the short list. The very short list. God’s Word is relevant, important and essential for living in this world around us. It is living and active and will guide us as we go through our days. Now that’s a Word I want to keep handy!

 

So as you read through these lyrics and listen to the song (see below), really think about how God’s Word can be a vital part of your life. There is nothing sweeter than finding a new revelation or insight into a passage of Scripture. In order for that to happen, you must be a student of Scripture. I pray that you will find a deep desire to spend quality time in the Bible. It will lead and guide you as you never thought possible.

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 – NIV)

 

“Thy Word”

 

Chorus:

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

 

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way

Still You’re there right beside me

Nothing will I fear as long as you are near

Please be near me to the end

(Chorus)

 

I will not forget your love for me

And yet my heart forever is wandering

Jesus be my guide, hold me to Your side

And I will love You to the end

(Chorus)

 

Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end

Chorus:

 

And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path[i]

 

Click here to listen to the Maranatha Singers version of this inspiring song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Thy Word,” Words and Music by Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, Meadowgreen Music Company, Word Music, LLC, 1984.

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A Little Tease

August 2nd, 2015 dsisler

 

Good Sunday morning! What a week I’ve had! It’s been good and there is so much to tell you, but it will need to wait until Tuesday! Can you wait that long? I think this is what they call a “teaser.”

 

DSC00470mToday’s blog post is about worship. Pretty appropriate for today wouldn’t you say? I pray that you will enjoy this post as well as the song that is mentioned. And then I pray that you’ll make your way to a worship service of your own. I can’t wait to spend time with God and His people!

 

Worship

 

I love to worship God. I love to praise Him for who He is and for what He has done in my life. I love to be in His presence to adore the One who dramatically changed me forever. The good news? We have the opportunity to worship God all day long, every day. It isn’t reserved for Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

 

As a matter of fact, Romans 12:1 tells us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Our daily lives are to be our worship!

 

I also love to attend a worship service. My home church is pretty large. A mega-church. Not one of the largest in the country by any means, but still a mega-church.

 

While I was on staff for nearly six years, I learned the ins and outs, the mechanics of putting together a worship service at LifeBridge Christian Church. I believe because of that, I enjoy it so much more. I know the time and effort the team must expend each week for our worship services to be as they are.

 

One of my new, favorite worship songs is of course, by Chris Tomlin. And just a note, I believe God has poured out so much talent into this one person. He writes just the right words. He puts them together in a way that gives great meaning for our worship. I ask God’s continued blessing upon Mr. Tomlin and the work he does for God’s Kingdom! I would also ask that for every Christian song writer. These men and women use their talents to spread the Gospel. It might just be the only way someone will hear the message.

 

Favorite worship song…yes, it would have to be “All My Fountains.” It’s taken from the passage in Psalm 87:7 (NIV), “As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”

 

Everything in our lives must come from God. Everything.

 

All My Fountains

This dry and desert land, I tell myself, “Keep walking on.”
Hear something up ahead, water falling like a song.
An everlasting stream, your river carries me home.
Let it flow, let it flow.

A flood for my soul, a well that never will run dry.
I’ve rambled on my own, never believing I would find.
An everlasting stream, your river carries me home.
Let it flow, let it flow.

Open the heavens, come Living Water;
All my fountains are in You.
You’re strong like a river, your love is running through;
All my fountains are in You.

Come on, and rain down on us, rain down on us, Lord.[i]

 

I know what it’s like to be in a dry and desert land. Both physically and spiritually. It is difficult to breath. It is difficult move. But when the relief comes. When the rains fall. When my soul is back in line with God’s Word, I know in that moment that there is nothing of value outside of God’s will.

 

The refreshment. The restoration. The renewing. It all comes from God. All my fountains must be in God. Must come from God.

 

Now if you feel the need to listen to this beautiful worship song, click here!

 

What fountains are you chasing today? I pray that you will seek The Fountain of Living Water. I pray that you will make Him the center of your life. There you will find all that you’ve been looking for.

 

Come Living Water!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] All My Fountains, Chris Tomlin, Passion 2011, Album: “Passion: Here For You” Copyright 2011, sixtepsrecords/Sparrow Records

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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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