Everyone needs a Donna Miller in their life, particularly this one.

She is a LIGHT to every person she meets. She is OVERFLOWING with joy and gratitude. She is just one of the BEST, you guys.

She opens every prayer with, “Heavenly Father, we come to your throne of grace as your girls…” It’s just the sweetest.

I met this amazing woman when I began Bible Study Fellowship last year. My bestie and I were assigned to her group and she was just the most incredible leader. Her heart is so big, so ready to love.

She embodies the book of Proverbs AND the heart of Jesus. I wish I was kidding, but I’m not. Solomon wrote so much on wisdom, but this one in particular reminds me of my friend Donna.

If you want to grow in wisdom, spend time with the wise. Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them.
Proverbs 13:20

I would follow her anywhere. I can’t wait for you to read her testimony. If you don’t have someone you’re walking next to in life that is leading you towards wisdom, holiness, and godliness, then I pray that our Father would bring someone along your path. Enjoy reading, friend!

How would you describe your life before Jesus?

My testimony is one of knowing Jesus always. I grew up in a Christian home and don’t remember a moment of not hearing about Jesus, going to church, and having a mother and father who built a home on Christian principles. I was baptized at 11 and worked hard to read my Bible and do things God’s way. I followed the rules, went to a Christian high school and college, protected myself from influences that would take me away from God, and yet, there were many times I doubted whether my baptism showed a real transformation. My church tradition preached salvation in certain ways that emphasized the moment of baptism as your saving moment….I spent 20 years having nagging doubts about my moment.

How did you meet Jesus? The Holy Spirit? god as father?

As a newly married, young teacher, I attended the required Garland all district beginning of school in-service programs. One morning, a beautiful, classy woman was walking down the hall and invited a group of us to Bible Study Fellowship. I didn’t know what it was, but she was the kind of lady I wanted to be…so I went. I struggled that first year in Acts because I came face to face with how the Bible could be taught differently than what I understood growing up. This was hard to reconcile because BSF required just using the BIBLE to answer questions each day. I always had Bible-based teaching, but now I was asked to pray that only the Holy Spirit teach me from the Word of God. I was asked to study without looking at commentaries, recalling what I’d learned from other preachers or teachers, or relying on my “raising”…just the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and me.

I met Jesus through the Word of God. BSF helped me be accountable to God’s Word and through that process, scales fell from my eyes. I saw Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit through the avenue of Bible study, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to do what He does…teach me.

At 40, I was baptized again. This time, as I stood in the water, I testified to those watching that Jesus saves me by His blood. He washed me clean. He took my place. I was symbolically going into the water to be buried with Him and raised to a new life. In the almost 20 years since that day, not once has there been a nagging doubt about my salvation. Not one.

How do you journal or track what the holy spirit is teaching you? what does your quiet time typically look like?

My quiet time changes in scope often, but one constant is the Word of God only. BSF has taught me that it’s the Bible that does the teaching, not devotional books where each page has a short, hand-picked, uplifting verse and the rest of the page is someone’s idea of what the one verse means. I find I need the whole Word of God and to let the Holy Spirit do the teaching. My one exception is Morning by Morning by Spurgeon (updated by Alistair Begg.) However, it’s an add-on to Bible study, not the only part. Spurgeon goes to the hard places and shows me that I need to lament over my proclivity to make God an idol by making Him into who I want Him to be and not who He is.

I always get up early in the morning to do my study. If it’s not done first, I won’t get it done. During the BSF year, I’m using this time to study my lesson and read the references for that day. My rhythm right now in the summer is writing what I’m feeling when I wake up (worries and concerns I had through the night), write prayer requests, pray, read the Chronological Bible (Old Testament is always good to keep us humble before a mighty God), then write take-aways, then pray. It’s amazing the way the prayer at the beginning and the prayer at the end changes.

what scripture(s) do you go back to when you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, etc.? What do you do to build your faith?

“Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Proverbs 1:33
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai,
you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.
He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me,
the only God for me, and my great confidence.
He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy,
and he will protect you from false accusation
and any deadly curse.
His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.
You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night
nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.
Don’t fear a thing!
Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you,
nor will the powers of evil launched against you.
Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed,
you will remain unscathed and unharmed.
you will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment,
for they will be paid back for what they have done!
When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High,
our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm.
How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?
God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go,
defending you from all harm.
If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you
and keep you from stumbling.
You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness,
trampling every one of them beneath your feet!
For here is what the Lord has spoken to me:
“Because you have delighted in me as my great lover,
I will greatly protect you.
I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face.
I will answer your cry for help every time you pray,
and you will find and feel my presence
even in your time of pressure and trouble.
I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast.
You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you.
For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!”
Psalm 91

If you’re willing to share, what is one of your most memorable prophetic words someone has given you? How are you stewarding that prophecy?

I’m very careful to allow the Holy Spirit to speak into me through God’s Word, not someone else. He speaks memorable Words every day as I go to the Word.

Just a few more questions that i’m curious about! What song do you have on repeat these days? What are you reading that is changing you?

So Will I by Hillsong United on repeat..repeat…repeat! There are more, but this is the big one right now.

I’m reading White Awake by Daniel Hill. It’s making me more aware of what it means to reach out to my brothers and sisters of different racial backgrounds. The chapter on lament was meaningful to me.

We love you, Donna…

Here are a few photos from our 18-19 Bible Study Fellowship Class. If you aren’t involved in a life group or Bible study, I highly recommend looking for a group through https://www.bsfinternational.org/. There are groups that meet all over the world. This year, we’re studying Acts and the Letters. I cannot recommend BSF enough. I’ve met some of the most incredible women through this group and I’m so grateful that the Father brought all of us together!