Encouragement and Hope

June 20th, 2014 dsisler

As you may know, our lead pastor and a few others on staff are giving daily Bible readings to ponder through the summer. On Monday, we receive a listing of five passages to read each day. We’ve been given the S.O.A.P. method for reading and meditating on these verses. It’s been such a joy to be in God’s Word in this manner. Today’s passage was especially meaningful.

 

daisy 2Romans 15:1-4 is the passage of the day. These four verses are packed with wisdom. Bear with one another. Encourage the weak. Please our neighbors for the good it brings out in us. But then there is this little gem.

 

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

 

If you’ve read my blog for any period of time you know my love of Scripture. It’s even more endearing to me after reading this verse.

 

Life is tough. Junk happens. And to be honest, sometimes seeking guidance from God’s Word is the last thing we do. But when we are at the end of our rope we can find encouragement and hope through God’s Word. The Bible contains the sweetest words we could ever read.

 

Another little thing I read this morning was a reminder to use Scripture to fight off the attacks of the evil one. When we face these battles with the words, “It is written,” the devil must flee. He knows the power of God’s Word. When we use Scripture against him, he’ll find another to attack.

 

I believe God’s Word holds the key to every difficult (or lovely) situation in our lives. They may not be specific words, but as we’ve seen in Romans 15:4, we will find encouragement and hope by spending time in God’s Word. And sometimes that is exactly what we need.

 

If you are facing a battle today, pick up your copy of the Bible. Read Romans 15:4. Let the evil one know that you aren’t going down without a fight. Be specific. Speak it out loud. Don’t be afraid of the one who wants to destroy your faith. God is bigger and stronger and more powerful than anything the deceiver will throw at you. Ever.

 

I’ll be praying for you today. Oh, I don’t know specifically what is going on in your life, but God does. I don’t know each name of those who will read my blog, but God does. And God will work in your life, because His Word says He will.

 

It is written.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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The Quest

June 19th, 2014 dsisler

I don’t know what to write about this morning. I’ve had my morning devotions and time with God. I’ve read a bit. I’ve looked at pictures. My mind has been swirling. But nothing has really hit me for a topic today.

 

???????????????????????????????So I started reading verses of Scripture that are highlighted in my Bible. There are some precious verses. Words that have meant something special to me through the years or those I’ve found particularly motivating recently. Here’s a few:

 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 – NIV)

 

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15 – NIV)

 

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 – NIV)

 

“To him who is able to keep you from falling an to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25 – NIV)

 

In the midst of reading these passages, I stumbled all over this one…again. And oh how I love 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 wonder what God has prepared for me. I know what I’d like it to be. I know the direction I’d like my life to go. I know the experiences I’d like to have or the pleasures I’d like to know. But this verse tells me that God has bigger and better things prepared for me. Things that I could not even imagine.

 

The last place in this world I imagined myself was in SE Asia and yet, I’ve been there. I always imagined myself living into old age in Ohio, but I’m sitting in my office viewing the Colorado Rocky Mountains as I type. I never dreamed of being a writer but God opened my mind to pull out the bits and pieces I’ve learned through the years and there are people who actually read my blog! I have a blog!

 

I’m sure you have similar experiences. It’s amazing what God is able to do through those who love Him. So why are we surprised? This verse of Scripture was written in A.D. 55. That’s 1959 years ago. And yet, we’re taken back when God does miraculous things in our lives.

 

Today, I will hold tightly to 1 Corinthians 2:9. I will be prepared for the next adventure God will bring into my life. I will not be surprised by the work He is going to do through me. I will love Him with all my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength and I’ll be prepared to go with Him.

 

Are you willing to join God on the quest He has prepared for you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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By the Seashore

June 18th, 2014 dsisler

I love my Colorado Rocky Mountains, but if I could be anywhere or vacation in a place of my choosing, it would be on a beach. I love the breeze. I love the smell. I love the saltiness of the air. I love, love, love the ocean.

 

I am excited to say that my office move has been a good one for me. While it’s not quite ready to reveal, there are plenty of little shoreline touches that warms my heart each time I walk into my office. The palm trees. The seashells and sand. The colors. The décor. And yes, even a little devotion book that I found brings me to the seashore.

 

by the seashoreI picked up Devotions for the Beach…and Days You Wish You Were There by Miriam Drennan last week. I believe I’m going to read this devotion book over and over because I wish I were at the beach every day of my life!

 

What wasn’t surprising in this book was that the first devotion centered around Jesus’ encounter with His disciples on the beach. You know the morning Jesus called them to have breakfast on the seashore in John 21?

 

The disciples had been out fishing all night long and had caught nothing. As they were heading into shore someone on the beach suggested they throw their nets on the other side. Thinking they had nothing to lose, they did so and caught an abundance of fish.

 

As soon as the disciples felt a difference in the weight of their net, they knew who had made the suggestion. John exclaimed, “It is the Lord!”

 

Imagine the scene as the disciples pulled their boat ashore. Jesus, sitting next to a fire, preparing fish for breakfast. Oh what a thrill it must have been to be with Jesus in that setting. Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had caught and come have breakfast with Him.

 

I love Miriam’s take on this setting. She suggests that while this group of men had seen pretty remarkable things from Jesus (miracles, teachings, death, resurrection, post resurrection visits), in this moment, Jesus wanted them to sit, relax and enjoy being in His company and eat the food He had prepared for them.

 

Jesus invites us to do the same. In the midst of all that we are doing, perhaps the most important thing we can do is to sit and have breakfast with Jesus. Oh, I realize that we can’t physically have breakfast with Jesus, but we certainly can partake of His spiritual breakfast.

 

Quiet time, with Jesus on the beach. That’s what Jesus wants for each of us. He desires to spend those precious moments with us to bask in His presence. He wants to open our spiritual minds to new and amazing things found in Scripture. He wants to listen to our requests and praises. He wants to calm our spirits and refresh our minds. All of that can be done in those moments alone with Him.

 

I’m not going to the beach today. At least not a real beach. But I am going to be with Jesus. And in His presence, I’m at the beach every day.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

Do you have a favorite place to be with Jesus? Where? Tell me about it!

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The Sofa Challenge

June 17th, 2014 dsisler

Over the weekend, I asked a couple of guys to come over and move a sleeper sofa from the lower level of my home to the upper level. I knew it would be a challenge and one that I was dreading. If you’ve ever moved one, you know why. They are heavy. They’re bulky. They’re awkward.

 

sofaHowever, the sofa needed to be moved. So I connected with a young guy on staff and asked if he could bring a couple of friends over to move this sofa. He said it wouldn’t be a problem.

 

On Saturday, three were expected, but one backed out. There were only two. But they assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem and that they would indeed get it upstairs.

 

I watched as they started up my winding staircase. I also watched as they lifted it directly over their heads to round the last two curves. Honestly. It was like bench pressing a couch! They did it with such ease that I stood there with my mouth gaping. It was pretty remarkable.

 

They placed the sofa in its new location and I thanked them for their efforts. I also said, “You two are too young to know that you’re not supposed to do that.”

 

I fed and paid this pair for their work. They were my heroes! And they are still talking to me.

 

I recall those times in my life when I was too young to know better. When I was certain I could get away with a sin or that sin wouldn’t affect my life. I was too young to realize that there was no way to love both God and the world. Perhaps you’ve experienced this as well.

 

James warned his readers of this dangerous thought pattern. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 – NIV) There is no way we can dabble in sin and get away with it. When we live this way, we are God’s enemy. We’ve joined forces with God’s greatest enemy, the evil one. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be in that camp.

 

As I’ve matured, both physically and spiritually, I’ve come to recognize my sin for what it is. Separation from my heavenly Father.

 

Oh, I still sin. I still allow my sinful nature to overpower my desire to be more like Jesus. I’m old enough to know what I should do. I’ve read and studied enough Scripture to know the things I ought to do. And when I don’t, I sin (James 4:17).

 

When I sin, God “gives more grace.” (James 4:6 – NIV)

 

Growing old (or older) does have its advantages. I’m wiser today than I was at 16. I’m smarter today than I was at 22. I’m more generous now than I was at 30. I’m more thankful now than I was at 35. And I was reminded of this verse this week. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31 – NIV)

 

I am old enough to know that I can’t attain righteousness on my own. I will foul it up every time. But God knew that and He had a plan. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 – NIV)

 

How have you grown “older” in your spiritual life? Do you continue to seek wisdom from God’s Word? Are you allowing Jesus’ righteousness to cover you? Will you be a friend of the world or an enemy of God? I pray that you are old enough to know better!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Here I Am, Lord” – Monday Musical Musings

June 16th, 2014 dsisler

I don’t recall the first time I heard this song, but it was popular during my college days. For those called to the mission field, this became their anthem. For those going into ministry, these lyrics shared their heart’s desire. And even the student and music ministry crowd could use these words as a statement.

 

IMAG1492But what about the students, like me, who were caught between majors? To be honest, I just wanted to learn about God’s Word. Forget the classes that I had to take along the way to fulfill the requirements of my major. I suspect that’s why I have so many credits and I’m nowhere near a college degree!

 

Well, for everyone who didn’t fall into the above categories, the message of this song is still our anthem, our heart’s desire, and our statement. As a matter of fact, it fits in nicely with my personal mission statement.

 

“With God’s Spirit leading me,

I will direct others to Jesus through my

words, actions, writing, teaching, prayer, and example.”

 

My personal mission statement expresses my desire to share God’s message with others. That’s what this particular song shares as well. Whatever the mission, use me.

 

I have been amazed at how God has used me through the years when I least expected it. Mentoring and teaching has always been a part of who I am, but it’s mainly been in the local church.

 

However, when God’s call came for me to go to a foreign mission field, I was surprised. God had never touched my heart in that way before. But what was I to say except, “here I am, Lord!”

 

So as you read through these lyrics and listen to this melody, I pray that you will stop and focus on what God is calling you to do. Whether it’s to go around the world or across the street, I pray that you will listen to His voice and that you will say, “here I am, Lord!”

 

“Here I Am, Lord”

 

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.

 

I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

 

Chorus:

Here I am Lord, It is I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

 

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them,

They turn away.

 

I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?

(Chorus)

 

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save

 

Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?

(Chorus)[i]

 

Click here to listen to John Michael Talbot’s version of this song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] “Here I Am, Lord,” Dan Schutte, 1981, OCP Publications.

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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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