It's Skyline Time

Skyline Chili is one of my favorite foods. It is a Greek-style chili that some call Cincinnati chili. However, Skyline is the original and the best in my opinion.

During my college days in Cincinnati, Skyline Chili was a staple. Our curfew was 11 p.m. But we could easily leave campus at 10:15, walk to Skyline Chili, eat a three-way or coney dog, and be back to the dorm by 11 p.m.

On my visits to Ohio to see family, Skyline Chili is a restaurant we frequent often, because I need to get my chili fix before I leave. I also purchase cans of Skyline Chili to take home so that I have a little to hold me over until my next visit.

Skyline Chili is a regional thing. There are no restaurants in Colorado and you could not purchase it here...until now!

Several months ago, my daughter called me from her local grocery store very excited. “Mom, they sell Skyline Chili!” So naturally, on my next visit to the grocery I looked to see if my store carried it. But no, I was disappointed. However, I knew I could get it in the Denver store.

I had forgotten about Skyline Chili. So imagine my excitement when I found a display at another nearby grocery store! Yes! I could purchase this product in my own state. When I wanted it. And the hassle of transporting those cans had come to an end.

Sometimes I think this is exactly how we treat God. We are not consistent with our Bible study, prayer time, or quiet visits with God. We run to Him when we have an issue. Or we talk to him about a problem. But it’s usually on our schedule and according to our own needs. We have no real desire to be in God’s presence on a daily basis.

However, if you are in a situation like this, might I suggest that you work a little harder at taking your relationship with God to the next level? God wants to hear from you (and me) on a regular basis. Just because. Or because you want to be in God’s presence.

So let’s take a look at Psalm 16 and see what benefits David says there are in being in God’s presence.

Safety

“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” (Psalm 16:1 – NIV)

All Goodness

“I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2 – NIV)

God’s People

“As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3 – NIV)

Devotion

“The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.” (Psalm 16:4 – NIV)

Security

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup you have made my lot secure.” (Psalm 16:5 – NIV)

Future

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6 – NIV)

Instruction

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7 – NIV)

Firm Foundation

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8 – NIV)

Joy and Rest

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,” (Psalm 16:9 – NIV)

Everlasting Life and Jesus

“because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” (Psalm 16:10 – NIV)

A Path

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 – NIV)

If nothing else, these benefits should draw you to a closer relationship with God. Why not see for yourself the wonderful benefits of being in God’s presence on a regular basis. Get to know Him. Learn of His ways and teachings. Love and praise Him through the good times and lean on Him through the bad. It’s exactly what He wants you to do.

As for me, I keep thinking of Psalm 84:10 (NIV). “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

I pray that you can say the same thing.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Study to Show

I am studying and leading a study on the book of James by Beth Moore. I’ve been surprised. I’ve been taught. I’ve been open to learning new ideas from this small book of the Bible. And I will say, it has been a great study.

Until now. This week we have studied chapter 3. And chapter 3 verse 1 of James is one that most teachers of Scripture know. “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1 – NIV)

I have read and heard this verse for many years. I’ve been a teacher since I was 16 years old. I began teaching Sunday School with 4^th and 5^th graders. Then just out of Bible College I began teaching women, along with children and adolescents.

I understand that teaching is not something to take lightly. Not only as I lead women in studying God’s Word, but even as I write this blog, I am teaching.

So this passage is always in the back of my mind.

But in this study, I’ve learned more about this verse and I’d like to share some of what Beth Moore has to say about it.[i]

She reminds the teachers who are studying this book that there are “a handful of land mines that go with the territory.” Here are the things she shared:

The temptation to teach more than we know.

The capacity to mislead.

The capacity to be misled.

The temptation to use the platform for personal agendas or opinions.

The demand for self-discipline.

The pride and humiliation.

Oh my. Yes there are some “land mines” that go along with teaching. These will lead to disaster.

But Beth Moore doesn’t stop here. She encourages those who feel led to teach to teach. To be honest, there is nothing else a teacher can do except teach.

She makes another statement that I am living proof of. “God often likes to teach the bigger lesson to the teacher.”[ii]

As I prepare to teach or lead or write, I know the extra weight I take upon myself. I know that each sentence I speak or write will be critiqued. I know that what I say must be truth.

That is why I dig into God’s Word more and more to find those truths. If it isn’t in God’s Word, I will not put it to pen or into words. I’ve had to rethink some of my own beliefs because of this very task.

I’ve found that some things that I’ve been taught in the past don’t line up with God’s way of thinking. If it doesn’t line up, it cannot be true.

I am also a firm believer that you, as a student or reading, should not take everything I say or write for complete truth. I am human. I make mistakes. I would urge you to evaluate all that is read in my blog. Study it to make certain that my words line up with God’s Word. In doing so, you’ll be growing yourself and gaining new wisdom and insight into Scripture.

Are you a teacher? I pray that you have a greater understanding of your role in light of God’s Word.

Do you sit under a teacher? I pray that you are not presuming that teacher knows all. Take the time to understand God’s Word for yourself.

Regardless of which role you are playing, know that it is God’s desire for you to hold His Scripture close to your heart, to understand what He has to say, and to obey all that God has placed within Scripture.

Psalm 119 is filled with verses to give us examples of this truth. Psalm 119:11; Psalm 119: 16; Psalm 119:28; Psalm 119:43; Psalm 119:74; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:114; Psalm 119:130; and Psalm 119:161.

And although my words may not be perfect, God’s Word is flawless. “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6 - NIV) See Psalm 18:30 for further confirmation.

Psalm 33:4 (NIV) tells us “For the Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” God’s Word will not fail us. He is always right. He is always true. He is always faithful.

Today as we study, teach or listen to God’s Words being presented, keep in mind that we each have a responsibility. To know the Bible. I pray that you’ll find great joy, many blessings, and deeper devotion because you are reading and studying God’s Word.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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[i] James: Mercy Triumphs, Beth Moore, Lifeway Press, 2011, pages 110-111.

[ii] James: Mercy Triumphs, Beth Moore, Lifeway Press, 2011, page 112.

God's Word

One of my greatest joys is to teach women about God’s Word and how it relates to our daily lives. I love how God used and uses His Bible to show us the inadequacies and the successes as we go through our spiritual journey. When I can share these truths with others, I’m so blessed.

I lead a wonderful group of ladies on Tuesday evenings that I have grown to love and cherish because of their desire to go a little deeper into Scripture to find the greater value of knowing God’s message inside and out. But they’ve gone beyond knowledge. They implement these truths into their daily lives. They live out their faith. They are spiritual warriors in their own worlds.

While I love getting deep in God’s Word, I also love teaching those who know nothing or very little about God. I love sharing the Gospel. I love sharing God’s grace and forgiveness. I love sharing the importance of learning and studying God’s plan through His Word.

Several years ago, I was asked to lead a study on a wonderful book called A Newcomer’s Guide to the Bible[i]. The book is a great tool for beginners, but I found it to be inspiring for me as well. It gives a clear view of how the Bible is a complete work. How it fits together perfectly. It shows that God had a plan from the beginning and how He connected that plan throughout.

We really wanted to use this in our women’s Bible study program, but the problem is that this book is all reading. A person going through the book would never have to open the Bible by reading this book. So our women’s ministry director and I took on the task of writing a companion study to go along with the book. It was the first study I’d ever written and I must say I was hooked!

I say all of this because I am now working one-on-one with a young gal and we are going through A Newcomer’s Guide. This will be my 4^th or 5^th time, but I can see how God will show me different ideas this time through…just as He has done in the past.

You see, God’s Word is very relevant for our lives today. It is living and active. And it points us to the exact place we need to be in our relationship with God.

Perhaps you understand what I am saying. Verses pop out that you’re certain you’ve read before, but never meant anything to you until a certain moment. Or a passage will have greater meaning depending on what is happening in our lives. That’s how God’s Word works.

This also validates that we must never stop studying the Bible. God will always show us something as we approach our study time with an open heart and mind. Don’t ever underestimate what God will teach you when you’re an eager vessel.

Perhaps we read verses of Scripture like Psalm 119:105 (NIV), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” and wonder how God is able to do this. But He does. God directs us through His Word to show us the path we are to take. And as we study Scripture, we’ll gain more insight into that path and we’ll learn to hear His voice.

I’d love to hear from you about this topic. Have you experienced anything I’ve mentioned today? If so, how? What new information has God shown you through your study time? Has He pointed you directly to a passage that you needed for a specific situation?

I can honestly say that He has for me.

I pray that you’re getting into God’s Word today. I pray that new insight will be shown to you because of your eager heart. I pray that God will show you exactly what He wants you to learn today.

God’s Word is a precious gift to us. Let’s never take it for granted. Let’s spend as much time reading the pages of this book as possible. Let’s glean potential knowledge and wisdom from its inspiring words. Let’s see what God has to say to us today!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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[i] Armour, Michael C., A Newcomer’s Guide to the Bible. College Press Publishing Company, 1999.

And Lots of Shovels

When my daughter Candace was around 3 years old, we had planted a garden. We set up a home-made irrigation system to ensure a good harvest. To keep the hose from moving into the garden and ruining the beautiful plants, we placed shovels around the edge of the garden. Maybe there were 3 or 4.
 

One day Candace and her dad were inspecting the garden. Her Dad was telling her of the wonderful food we were growing. “We’re going to have lots of corn, and green beans, and squash, and potatoes, and tomatoes…”

“And lots of shovels!” Candace chimed in.

To a three-year-old, it did seem that we were preparing for a harvest of shovels. But as adults, we knew that wasn’t a possibility.

Throughout Scripture, we see references to children. Some insist that we become like little children. Others insist that we grow up and no longer think as children. So let’s see the contrast between the two and how we can determine when to be as little children and when not.

First, we can take note of the love Jesus had for little children. He saw something in their purity. In their faith. In their love. These passages show Jesus’ compassion for children.

Matthew 18: 5-6 (NIV) “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Matthew 19:14 (NIV) “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Mark 9:37 (NIV) “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me.”

Mk 10:16 (NIV) “And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

We also see that we are to believe like little children. In Matthew 18:3 (NIV), Jesus answered the question about the greatest in the kingdom. After calling a small child to join the group, He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

But once we believe, we must grow spiritually. We are not to remain as infants in our faith. We see passage after passage of how we should be growing spiritually into adults.

1 Corinthians 3:2-3a (NIV) “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly.” They were like people of the world instead of people of God. Under these circumstances, it was impossible to grow spiritually.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV) “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” We should not be controlled by evil and we must be mature in our thinking.

Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV) “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV) “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

I believe we can see from all these passages that we are to be as little children in some areas of our faith, but we must continue to grow throughout our lives in order to be spiritually mature.

And as Peter puts it, especially since we’ve “tasted that the Lord is good” we should strive for spiritual maturity. Knowing God’s goodness should be a great motivator for us to grow.

So are you growing spiritually? Are you tasting God’s goodness on a daily basis? Have you graduated from the milk and baby food of spiritual infancy to the meat and potatoes of spiritual adulthood?

If not, why not? What steps can you take to begin the process of spiritual growth?

If so, what are you doing to continue your growth? We cannot lean on what we already have produced in our lives. We must continue growing and learning.

We raised a great crop of vegetables that year. However, we didn’t produce any more shovels than were already sticking in the ground. Oh, to have the eyes and imagination of a child.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

The Perfect Plan

I am not as internet savvy as I once thought. I have been working on getting a website up since April. I purchased a domain, have the tools to design a website, and then launch said website. I haven’t been able to navigate through the website builder and have become frustrated. So I work on it a bit, then quit because it isn’t going the way I had hoped.

I was able to get an email address through this website. I love being able to use donna@fullmeasureofjoy.com. However, it doesn’t work some of the time so again, I’m frustrated that I am unable to use something (that I’m paying for by the way) as I hoped. So if you need to connect with me with a time sensitive matter, I would suggest using one of my other email addresses.

My solution? Allow a professional to do it for me…or to at least show me what I’m doing wrong so I can work on it. We’ll see how that goes.

I am thankful that there are other things that I am able to do on my own. Like study God’s Word, pray, or worship God at any point during my day.

I have been getting some “updated” Bible reading plan suggestions this week. Some of them are designed by biblical scholars while others are written by worship leaders. Some are designed for a week or two. Others are for a month.

But here’s the concept that I love. Start now. Don’t wait for the New Year to make a resolution to read God’s Word daily, because that is still 63 days away! And, you know your success rate on resolutions!

You could get a jump start now, try something new, feel successful about it this go round, and by the time the New Year gets here, you’ll be deep into God’s Word with a better understanding of His purpose for your life.

Sometimes we need a little help to get us going with something (like my website). So I’m here to offer some suggestions on how to start a reading plan. Please don’t be overwhelmed by this idea. You can do it.

And if you need further help with this, please don’t hesitate to connect with me. Post a comment here or send me an email at donnasisler@gmail.com. I’d be happy to help you get started!

Perhaps you already have YouVersion on your smart phone. If you do, you are ahead of the game, but maybe you didn’t know it! There are quite a few plans already listed through this application, but they’ve recently added some new ones. Check out these plans to see if there might be one you would use. The beauty is that you’ll receive them daily by email. Just the section you need to read. It really doesn’t get any easier than that. 

Biblegateway.com also has reading plans that you can receive by email. Just sign up and you will get exactly what you ask for.

Of course, for those who would prefer opening your personal Bible, there are plans designed for that. If you Google, “Bible reading plans,” you’ll get a slew of them. Search for the one that fits your lifestyle. One that will fulfill your desire to read through the Bible in a year.

My blog usually has tons of Scripture, but since I write topically, my passages aren’t in any particular order. In my internet searching, I haven’t been able to find a blog dedicated to this purpose…perhaps another task to add to my “to do” list.

Here’s the thing. You need to start somewhere. Just you and God. No middleman. No professional. So I would encourage you to consider this idea. If you’ve never read through the Bible, why not start?

If I live to be 90 years old and read through the Bible each year, I still have the opportunity to read through God’s Word thirty-eight more times (I just told you my age didn’t I?). Remember, this is just reading, not studying. Can you imagine what God can teach me through those readings? I can’t! But I certainly would love the chance to find out.

I’ll close with some passages about God’s Word. Recognize some of the benefits you’ll receive by reading through the Bible. You will be amazed that as you begin this process how much you’ll crave and thirst for more. How your desire to be in God’s presence will deepen because you’ve read His Words. Please don’t let another day go by without hearing your heavenly Father’s message.

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

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 – NIV)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 – NIV)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for ever good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NIV)

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Let it Snow!

Wow! We received our first snow of the season in my area last night. As usual, that first blanketing of snow is lovely. It satisfies a longing for beauty. It protects the plants and bulbs under its warmth. It provides moisture to our dry land. It brings a purity with it that somehow seems to purify all that it touches or covers.

Yes, the snow that is covering our landscape is absolutely gorgeous!

I believe we receive some of these same benefits when we live a life that pleases God. Let’s see what God’s Word has to say about it.

God is Lovely

When we are in God’s presence, we dwell in loveliness. Psalm 84:1 (NIV) tells us of this place. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.”

David continues to speak of a yearning within to be in the presence of our lovely God. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2 – NIV)

I pray that you’ve experienced this deep desire. That nothing else could possibly fulfill this desire to be with God.

God Satisfies

David knew this as well. There are three passages in Psalm when David shared the ways that God satisfied. Let’s see what he said.

In Psalm 103, David begins with praise to God. “Praise the Lord, O my soul…who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1a, 5 – NIV) God satisfies our desire with good things.

And in Psalm 107:9 (NIV) David said this about God. “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” David urged Israel to thank God for all that He satisfied, including food and drink. We too must remember to thank God for all that He gives.

David shared another satisfaction in Psalm 147:14 (NIV). “He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.” In this section, David talks of all sorts of weather. Through it all, God satisfied David’s needs and desires. God wants to do the same for us.

God Protects

David was fully aware of God’s protection. When David was being blamed for something he had no control over, God protected him. And in this protection, David found rest and peace.

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 – NIV)

As we place our problems in God’s hands, we allow ourselves the benefits of rest, peace and protection. Why wouldn’t we want to give all of the issues of our lives to Him?

God Provides

David knew this very well and shared his thoughts on this topic in one line. “All my fountains are in you.” (Psalm 87:7b – NIV)

When we come to the understanding that there is nothing apart from God, then we too can make this statement without doubt. Everything we need. Everything we desire, God provides.

In our spiritual walk, we have the opportunity to walk with God and allow Him to fulfill our needs. God’s spiritual provision is all we could possibly desire. Can you repeat David’s words?

Perhaps you’ve heard the current worship song containing this line. I pray that the next time you sing these words you’ll have a better understanding of how God really does provide.

God Purifies

David’s greatest desire after his adulterous affair with Bathsheba was to be purified. He asked for God’s mercy. He asked to be cleansed. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7 – NIV)

In our repentance of sin, we too have the desire to be purified. What a blessing it is to know that God is willing to do just that. We have the opportunity to be washed clean. To be as white as the first snow of the season.

God has so much to offer us. We need to remember all of them. If we jump back to Psalm 103:2 (NIV), David wanted to remember all that God had done for him, too. He didn’t want to forget. “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Let’s not forget. Let’s remember all that God wants to give us. And then, accept them!

To be honest, this snow won’t last long. The weather will warm up over the weekend and it will disappear. Also to be honest, I really don’t like winter very much. At least I can say I don’t like the cold. But I kind of like snow.

Snow brings a beauty with it that thrills the little girl in me. I pray that each snowfall will remind me of God’s benefits. Maybe you will too.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Missed it By That Much

Have you ever missed out on something wonderful? Something that you know you would have enjoyed if you had been part of it? Something so awesome that it would have fulfilled at least one of your dreams in life?

I have.

Earlier this summer, my favorite race car driver, Michael Waltrip, came to Denver. He was raising money for the folks who lost their homes and possessions in the devastating wildfires we’ve had this year.

Mickey (as he is known by his family, friends and fans) signed autographs at the NAPA distribution center and then delivered a check to the disaster relief fund at the Colorado National Speedway. But it gets even better…he raced that night in his famous NAPA #55 Toyota.

And here’s the crazy part. This speedway is two miles from my house. I hear the cars race on Saturday evenings during the summer. That particular night they were really loud. I remember making that comment.

So how did I miss this? I don’t get a newspaper. I watch the news irregularly. I didn’t follow MWR tweets the week before. And I missed it.

I am not the only one who has missed out on something wonderful.

I’m sure there were plenty of people who missed what Jesus had to say. They sat at His feet hearing His words, but they never really sunk in. They thought His words were entertaining, but that was as far as the words went.

There is one such account we find in Scripture. You’ll know him as the Rich Young Man or the Rich Young Ruler. Three of the Gospels record his story. And the ending is the same in each (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; and Luke 18:18-30).

This wealthy young man had heard Jesus’ message. Perhaps several times. It had made an impact on him and he desired to find out how to guarantee his spiritual salvation. His exact question was, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17 – NIV)

Jesus quoted some of the commands given by Moses in the Old Testament. The ones about murder, adultery, lying, and honoring parents. This young man was pleased to declare that he had kept them all since he was a young boy. Perhaps he thought he had this. Perhaps he thought he was going to be able to get by with these obediences of God’s commands.

But then, Jesus spoke again, with love in his heart for this young person standing before Him.

“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21 – NIV)

Oh, how disappointed this poor lad was. Scripture says his “face fell.” He had heard Jesus’ teachings, but had missed the real message. He hadn’t realized the importance of putting God first in his life.

Upon hearing these words, he knew that he could not do as Jesus requested. Scripture says he had “great wealth.” He wasn’t willing to give it all away for eternal life. And this man walked away from Jesus.

Jesus continued with His teaching after this encounter. Teaching about the rich and heaven. And in the midst of this teaching, Jesus delivered two one-liners that we all know.

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 – NIV)

And, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31 – NIV)

What can we take away from this account?

I believe we can understand the importance of putting God before everything else. Anything that we love more than God will be in the way of our relationship and that relationship will be damaged.

I also believe that Jesus is telling us here that even if there is something between us and God, with God’s help, we will be able to put it behind us. With God, we are capable of placing God first in our lives.

And I believe Jesus is sharing the timely message that a servant heart is what God is looking for. The attitude of our hearts make us usable vessels. When we have a willing, servant heart, God can do mighty things through us.

And lastly, I believe we can understand the importance of getting the whole message. God’s entire message. Don’t pick and choose the parts you want to learn, know and obey. It is a whole package deal. You take it all or leave it all. There can be nothing in between.

I pray that you haven’t missed it. Missed the important message that Jesus shared with this young man. It is a life-changing message. It is a mind-altering message. It is a forever message. If you have missed it, what is holding you back from accepting God’s message? What is standing between you and eternal life? Is it worth it?

If you’ve only captured a part of God’s message, I pray that you’ll take the time to continue studying God’s Word to hear the rest of the message.

And if you haven’t missed it, praise God for His glorious gift of grace and salvation. Praise Him for what He has done in your life. Thank Him for the changes He has made. Don’t take His gift for granted. Share His message with those around you. Let them know exactly what it has meant in your life.

This missed opportunity to meet Michael Waltrip was actually the second time I’ve missed him. I just shake my head and wonder if it will ever happen. I don’t know.

What I do know, however, is that I haven’t missed God’s message. I understand it fully. I have accepted it fully. I try (very hard) to live it fully. I find complete satisfaction in knowing that my future is secure in God my Savior. I pray that you have that same satisfaction.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna