Blanket of White

October 18th, 2013 dsisler

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.

 

snow2Yes, 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.”

 

snowDavid 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

 

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One Thing

October 17th, 2013 dsisler

I am not a great reader. Compared to my husband who can read a novel or book in a few short days, sometimes it takes me months to finish a book.

 

DSC02392mOne of the reasons is that I can’t seem to finish a book quickly is that I find other books with amazing titles that grab my attention. I start reading them and soon, I have three or four books I’m reading and not any of them are complete.

 

I have four at this time that I’m reading chapter by chapter, every fourth day. Don’t ask me why. I’m intrigued by each of them and it’s what I do. Here’s the list.

 

Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll.

Smart Women Keep it Simple by Annie Chapman.

Love Does by Bob Goff.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.

 

There is no rhyme or reason to how I read these books. I pick up the book I feel like reading at the moment and read a chapter.  However, the reason I chose to place Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World is because something caught my attention in this book.

 

If you remember the story of Mary, Martha and Jesus in Luke 10:38-42 (NIV), Jesus told Martha, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

 

Mary got it. Martha didn’t. Jesus had to tell Martha to “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 – NIV)

 

There are many days that we need that same reminder. We need to focus on the one thing that is needed.

 

But here’s what caught my attention. The phrase, “only one thing is needed” also referred to food portions. Take a look at this quote.

 

“Perhaps in a subtle turn of words, Jesus was issuing two invitations:

  • First, to know him—to put worship before work
  • But also, not to overdo—even in our efforts on his behalf.”[i]

 

Mrs. Weaver goes on to say that in Jewish culture, they typically only used one common bowl placed in the middle of the table. Martha may have been a bit extravagant in her food preparation, so perhaps Jesus may have let her know that she had over done the whole meal. She was reminded to keep it simple. One thing.

 

And another quote by Charles Spurgeon. “Her fault was not that she served. The condition of a servant well becomes every Christian. Her fault was that she grew ‘cumbered with much serving,’ so that she forgot him and only remembered the service.”[ii]

 

It’s easy to get our lives out of perspective and out of balance. Even when it comes to serving Jesus. When our service keeps us from meeting our Savior face-to-face, we need to be reminded of the “one thing.”

 

We can’t do it all, but we can do one thing. As we sit at Jesus’ feet, blissfully drinking in all He has to offer, we are preparing ourselves to tackle the next one thing. It may be mudding-out a flood ravaged basement. It may be sitting beside a loved one in a hospital bed. It may be doing five loads of laundry today. It may be sitting at a computer all day.

 

Whatever your next one thing is, you’re ready. You’re prepared. And Jesus is right there with you reminding you of the one thing.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

If you’d like to leave a comment, please click here.


[i] Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (Colorado Springs:  Waterbrook Press, 2002), pg. 62.

[ii] Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (Nashville: Nelson, 1994), January 24, Evening.

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Lofty Ideas

October 16th, 2013 dsisler

Perhaps you’ve seen the television show where inventors present ideas to investors. These inventors seem to have the perfect solution to a problem and they’ve put together the perfect product. Sometimes these ideas are really good. Sometimes, not so much.

 

ideaWhile I have only seen this show a few times, I am reminded that sometimes what we believe to be a great idea is a flop to others. I am reminded that we probably will not be successful at everything we try to do.

 

Why is it that sometimes great ideas end in failure? Why on some occasions are multiple attempts made before success? Why is there a saying, “If at first you don’t succeed; try, try again?” Why can’t an idea always work the first time?

 

Maybe the idea was too lofty…unattainable. Or maybe it really had no merit and wouldn’t work regardless of how many times you try. Perhaps the method isn’t suitable for the plan.

 

There are obviously many reasons a plan or idea won’t work on the first attempt.

 

The book of Proverbs has some great wisdom tidbits and Solomon gives us some great advice on planning. Maybe some of these verses might help with a situation you are in right now. Let’s take a look.

 

Proverbs 14:22  (NIV) “Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.”

 

Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

 

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

 

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

 

Proverbs 20:18 (NIV) “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.”

 

Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

 

Proverbs 21:30 (NIV) “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”

 

Yes, sometimes our plans may fail, but we know for certain that the plans of the Lord will never fail. 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV) gives us the advice David gave to his son Solomon. “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”

 

Yes, when God is in the middle of our plans, there will be success. It may not be the success we desired or hoped for, but it is the success God was seeking. And nothing can succeed against Him!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Harvest Apple

October 15th, 2013 dsisler

My husband and I have a favorite restaurant we enjoy visiting for breakfast. It’s a local place and their food is so good. We drive a little further to get there. We wait a little longer to sit down to breakfast. But if we aren’t in a hurry, it is worth the wait.

 

BreakfastSomewhere along the line, we heard that restaurant menus have more germs and bacteria on them than anything else in a restaurant. So after ordering our food, we head into wash our hands.

 

At this particular restaurant, you might find me going to the restroom on more than one occasion. I seem to be drawn to that little room at the back of the hallway. Not because I need to use the facilities, but because they have the best smelling deodorizer.

 

I asked on one visit and was told the scent is harvest apple. Well that seemed to make sense. You see, I was reminded of earlier periods in my life. Of heading to the apple orchards and picking apples. Of driving through the Adirondack Mountains to view the beauty of autumn. Of the scent of apples (in any shape or form) baking.

 

Yes, I am reminded of harvest and apples and autumn when I walk into that bathroom.

 

Isn’t it interesting how our minds work that way? We see something and we’re reminded of a place. We smell something and we’re reminded of a person. We hear something and we’re reminded of an object.

 

We make connections. We make associations.

 

And guess what? God created us that way. God wanted us to remember…remember Him. God puts people, places, and things in front of us daily so that we would be reminded of Him.

 

1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV) tells us to “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” As we see His creation daily, we are to remember Him.

 

Psalm 63:6 (NIV) says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” When we hear the chime of a clock through the night, we are to think of God.

 

Isaiah 46:8 (NIV) says, “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.” What are we to remember? That God is God. There is no other like Him. There are none like Him.

 

But the wonderful thing is that as God asks us to remember Him, He won’t remember our sins. Each time we sin, He isn’t reminded of our past sin.

 

Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV) says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” God wanted us to remember this one, so He repeated again in Hebrews 8:12.

 

2 Corinthians 5:19a (NIV) reminds us, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” God isn’t keeping tally. He isn’t keeping a book of records, because God loves us. Because God is love!

 

1 Corinthians 13:5b (NIV) repeats the idea. “[Love] keeps no record of wrongs.”

 

And if you still would like some proof of this concept, let’s look at Psalm 103:12 (NIV). “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” He will not be reminded of our past. He will not remember our sin.

 

I don’t know about you, but I thank God daily that my past is in the past. I thank God daily that my sins from today (after repentance) will not be remembered tomorrow.

 

I don’t know about you, but I think remembering God throughout my day is a good trade off. I’d gladly think of God than think of my past. I’d gladly think of God than think of a temptation in front of me. I’d gladly think of God just because.

 

What reminds you of God? How do you remember Him throughout your day? I pray that you are reminded of His grace, His peace, His love, His comfort, His joy today. Because I can guarantee, He is thinking of you!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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“Kings and Queens” – Monday Musical Musings

October 14th, 2013 dsisler

We had a pretty awesome worship service yesterday. It revolved around children, but not our children. It was child sponsorship Sunday.

 

tiaraMy church is partnering with Mission of Hope in Kenya as well as Compassion and Stadia in Ecuador to change the lives children in those areas. With these partnerships, we pray that 200 children will be sponsored by our church.

 

The passage that was used in yesterday’s service is Mark 10:13-16 (NVI). Jesus cared about children. This passage tells us that He even “took the children in his arms.” This was Jesus showing love to the least.

 

I found it interesting that just this week I mentioned that we have within us the Spirit of sonship or adoption (Romans 8:15). Obviously these sponsorships are not adoptions, but because we know Christ’s love, we are to love others. We have the Spirit within us to move us in that direction. Child sponsorship is an easy way to do so.

 

Our worship leader ended the service with a song that I share with you today. My eyes teared up as the words “boys become kings, girls will be queens” was sung. Yes, these children who live in the slums of our world will be kings and queens in God’s Kingdom.

 

However, in God’s Kingdom, it doesn’t matter what age you are when you come to Christ. Each of us become heir to the riches of God’s Kingdom when we accept Jesus as our Savior. That’s showing love to the least.

 

So today, I share “Kings and Queens” by Audio Adrenaline. What a blessing we can be to those less fortunate.

 

Verse 1:

Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved

Chorus:
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these

Verse 2:

Break our hearts once again
Help us to remember when
We were only children hoping for a friend
Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten
Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open
(Chorus)

Bridge:

If not us who will be like Jesus
To the least of these
If not us tell me who will be like Jesus
Like Jesus to the least of these[i]
(Chorus)

 

If you’d like to listen to this song, please click here to watch a beautiful video of children.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

If you’d like to leave a comment, please click here.


[i] “Kings and Queens,” by Audio Adrenaline, on the album Kings and Queens, 2012.

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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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