Priority

May 16th, 2015 dsisler

 

Here’s another lesson I learned at the Senior Administrative Assistants Conference. The word priority, by its very nature, can only be one thing. As soon as we pluralize this word, it loses its meaning.

 

Duh!

 

???????????????????????????????But how often do we say, “I need to get my priorities straight”? Nope. You need to get the priority straight.

 

What is that one priority? I think in each area of our lives we can have that one priority. For my home, I want it to feel comfortable. For my work, I want to be better each day. For my relationship with my spouse, I want to live our lives as one. For myself…ugh. There are too many priorities!

 

So what would our one priority be in our relationship with God? This is tricky. My first thought was Matthew 6:33 (NIV). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” That’s a good one.

 

But then I thought of Jesus’ response to the question, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” In Mark 12:30-31 (NIV), Jesus responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

 

Now what? Jesus has given us several things to place in high prominence in our life. So which one are we to make our top priority?

 

I don’t know that I have the answer, but I believe the two go hand-in-hand. When we love God as spelled out in Mark 12, His kingdom and His righteousness will always be first. When we love God and put His kingdom and righteousness first, I believe we will naturally love others as Christ loved us.

 

But did you catch how we are to love God? Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. Not just with these four elements, but with all of them. My entire heart is to be God’s. My entire soul is to be God’s. My entire mind is to be God’s. And my entire strength is to be God’s. All of me is to be God’s for His use. In His kingdom!

 

This is my priority.

 

Will I mess it up from time to time? Certainly. Will I make another important thing my top priority? Probably. But if my goal each day is to love God with my whole being (with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit), I will have a better chance of hitting the mark.

 

So what is your priority? I pray that your priority is God’s priority. If not, maybe it’s time to get your priority straight!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Survival Kit

May 15th, 2015 dsisler

 

I am still rethinking and reliving my time at the Senior Administrative Assistant Conference last week. I learned so much, and yet, there were moments of fun and smiles along the way as well.

 

IMAG1501For fun, we received an Administrative Assistant Survival Kit. Inside this little kit were items that we might need to help us with our job. Take a look at what we received.

 

  • Marbles – to replace the ones lost on the job
  • Starburst – for that burst of energy you’ll need
  • Payday – need we say more?
  • Paper Clip – to help hold it all together
  • Mint – because you are worth a “mint” even if you are not told so often
  • Rubber Band – to remind you to stay flexible
  • Peppermint Patty – to help you keep your cool
  • Piece of String – for when you get to the end of your rope
  • Tootsie Roll – to help you roll with the punches
  • Matches – to light your fire when feeling burned out

 

Obviously, this was not a serious survival kit. The candy was eaten pretty quickly and the rest of the kit is still in the bag. But I suspect a spiritual survival kit is exactly what some might need. So let’s see what we can come up with. What shall we put in our survival kit?

 

God – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 – NIV

 

Jesus – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 – NIV

 

Holy Spirit – “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.” John 14:26 – NIV

 

Prayer – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 – NIV

 

The Bible – “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 every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NIV

 

Worship – “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 – NIV

 

Fellow Believers – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 – NIV

 

A Kind Word – “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25 – NIV

 

Strength – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right o to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7 – NIV

 

Hope – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 – NIV

 

Belief – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 – NIV

 

Gratitude – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 28:7 – NIV

 

An Anchor – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 – NIV

 

Endurance – “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 – NIV

 

If I were really in need of a spiritual survival kit, I would want to start with this kit. But I must say, there are a boat load of items I find in Scripture that I am thankful to have as I need them.

 

Perhaps these are exactly what you need today. If so, I pray that you will spend time with each item in this kit. Become acquainted with the item. Learn about it. Use it. Enjoy it. Rely upon it. After you’ve spent some time with each item, I will venture to guess that you won’t feel like you’re surviving any longer. I believe you will know what Jesus called, abundant life.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Summer Reading Plan

May 14th, 2015 dsisler

 

This is the most difficult time of the year for me. Bible studies have stopped. My routine is out of whack. I flounder a bit. But eventually, my schedule settles and I find contentment in my day-to-day rhythm of life.

 

booksI thought I’d share one of my goals for the summer. My summer reading plan, because part of me telling y’all this is that I will be held accountable for what I’ve said. I will accomplish this because I’ve told you, my most trusted and valued blog reader my plan.

 

I’m already in the middle of this beautiful book called A Sudden Glory by Sharon Jaynes. It’s a borrowed copy of the book, but my plan is to purchase the book and read it again! It’s that good. Her main idea is that in Christ we “live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Good stuff.

 

As a partner book, I will be reading Becoming Spiritually Beautiful, again by Sharon Jaynes. In this book, Ms. Jaynes helps readers to understand that real beauty begins on the inside and works its way out. Another reminder to look at myself from God’s perspective.

 

At the Senior Administrative Assistants Conference last week, we had the privilege of hearing Joan Burge speak to our group about being the best assistants we can be. She’s written several books, but the one we received is Become an Inner Circle Assistant. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Especially in light of Jesus’ inner circle. I look forward to gleaning much from this book.

 

And finally, I plan to read through C. Gene Wilkes’ Bible study, Jesus on Leadership: Becoming a Servant Leader. There are seven principles of servant leadership and I will be asking God to join me on this journey of serving others with a heart like Jesus’.

 

Now I also have other things to do this summer. Write a Bible study. Handwrite a portion of the New Testament. Memorize Scripture each week. Read God’s Word on a daily basis. And prayer walk.

 

Perhaps I have lofty goals. But I believe my main and ultimate goal is to keep my mind occupied and to be with God. If I accomplish these, I will be content.

 

So what are your plans for the summer?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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The Seventh Day

May 13th, 2015 dsisler

 

I enjoy reading Old Testament accounts of God showing up in people’s lives. Sometimes bizarre, sometimes gently, sometimes with raging force, God showed up in miraculous ways to our Old Testament friends.

 

???????????????????????????????Adam and Eve encountered God on their regular walks through the garden in the cool of the day. Judges tells us that the angel of the Lord observed Gideon from under an oak tree before approaching him. Samuel heard the Lord call to him in the middle of the night. Jacob wrestled with God all night long. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream to ask what he desired. Elijah found God was in a gentle whisper. And Moses encountered God in a burning bush.

 

If you know your biblical stories, you might know that the burning bush incident was not the only time Moses encountered God. In Exodus 24 we see another moment when God and Moses spent time together. Let’s see what happened.

 

God had promised Israel the land of their dreams. God had also prepared the way for them to live in the land. Between God and Israel, there was a Covenant. There were many pieces to this Covenant, but one of the main things God asked of them was that they worship God and God alone. None of the idol worship that they had encountered in Egypt. And in Exodus 24:3 the people responded to God’s Covenant by saying that they would do everything God told them to do.

 

After this confession of faithfulness, Moses was to take Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel to the mountain of God. It’s interesting that Exodus 24:9-11 says that this group of men saw God. The only description of God at this point says that “under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.” (Exodus 24:10 – NIV) How interesting! This passage goes on to say that God didn’t raise His hand against them. This group of men saw God and survived!

 

But then God pulled Moses aside and said, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here.” (Exodus 24:12 – NIV) Moses was given the special invitation to spend some time with God. Here’s something for us to think about. This special invitation is given to each one of us. God wants to spend time with you and me. Are you accepting this invitation daily?

 

As this encounter continues, Moses goes on up the mountain of God and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. From below, the people saw God as a consuming fire on top of the mountain. But that was not what Moses encountered. Another point we might keep in mind is that people encounter and think of God in different ways. Our perception of God determines our reaction to Him. This might be the reason a friend or family member hasn’t accepted Jesus as their Savior. Just a thought.

 

Now here is the interesting piece to this story. Moses sat on the glory-filled clouded mountain for six days. We don’t know what Moses did during those six days, but I suspect he worshiped his God. We don’t know what God did during those six days and I don’t even want to suggest what He was doing. But what we do know is that on the seventh day, God called out to Moses from within the cloud and Moses entered the cloud. There he stayed for forty days and forty nights.

 

Friend, do you hear God’s voice calling out to you? What is God asking or saying? Is God calling you to step into an area of ministry? Is God asking you to come to Him for rest? Is God reminding you of His laws and precepts He wants you to obey? Is God saying “let’s spend more time together”? What is God saying to you?

 

Today may be your seventh day. If so, I pray that you will be alert to God’s voice. I pray that you will respond to the voice of God. I pray that you will enter into a glorious encounter with the God of universe. Because you see, He is waiting for you on His mountain.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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What I Remembered

May 12th, 2015 dsisler

 

I want to share a couple of things that I learned from the conference I attended last week. To be honest, I was overwhelmed. I learned so much, met so many people, spent time in reflection and visited an area of the United States I’ve never been before. But what I want to share with you is that I was reminded to remember what I already know.

 

During reflection time, I remembered how much I love silence. I remembered how much I love to cook. I remembered what refreshes my soul. I remembered that friendship is really important to me and that I’ve neglected some of my friends.

 

While I have some plaFriendsns for each of these items I remembered, I want to share just one piece on friendship today. At the conference we were given a snippet from Mary DeTurris Poust’s book titled Walking Together. This is what she says.

 

“We are not meant to be solitary figures walking a lonely path toward heaven. We are meant for God and for each other. We are one body with many parts, sharing our gifts and growing in faith. Today we pray for the grace to recognize the friends in our midst; to open our eyes, our hearts, our minds to the possibility of what God has planned. We long for a community of friends to journey with us, and we know now that through trust and abandonment, we will be given exactly what we need.”

 

Spiritual friendship. Spiritual friendship with God and with people.

 

So let me ask you first, how is your friendship with God? Are you best buds? Are you a casual acquaintance? Are you somewhere in between?

 

Once you’ve answered this question, we can move on to the next. What is keeping you from having a closer friendship with God? Sin? Distraction? Busyness of life? Stubbornness?

 

God created us to crave something. God created us to crave Him! Why not decide today to take a step closer to God and build this relationship as He designed?

 

After your spiritual friendship with God is on the right track, what about spiritual friendship with others? Now I love my girlfriends as much as the next gal, but I believe we all desire a deeper relationship with another person. In our world today, we might call them an accountability partner or prayer partner. This is someone who is more concerned about our spiritual life than our physical life. This is the person who is able to see us through God’s eyes and lead us down the path to be a better person. To live a life that is more in line with God’s Word and will for our lives. Oh friend, don’t you want that in your life?

 

I must admit, my friendships are lacking. My energy level is depleted by the time working on this friendship thing rises to the top. But what I remembered is that these friendships, these ladies who I’ve invested time with in the past are very important to me. I need to get back in the game with each of them. No more excuses. Just do it.

 

But more importantly, I remembered that I need to be in community with a spiritual friend who will walk beside me through this journey. And that’s what I want to work toward. It has become one of my goals.

 

Maybe this is exactly what you needed to hear today. And then again, maybe not. Let me remind you of what God says about friendship.

 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – NIV)

 

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9 – NIV)

 

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV)

 

Draw close to God and then pull your spiritual friends closer. That’s what I remembered.

 

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 southwest Ohio.

    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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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