A Fantastic Day!

July 26th, 2013 dsisler

I’ve been working a lot of hours this week due to a personnel change and it’s beginning to be apparent. Two nights ago I went to bed at 9 p.m. I couldn’t even stay awake to watch the 9th inning of the Colorado Rockies baseball game.

 

And then as I was completing my closing procedures at work yesterday, I heard myself singing. For those of you who have preschool children and watch Sprout television, you’ll recognize this one.

 

“Yay! Hooray! We had another fantastic day and now it’s time to say…Goodnight!”

 

I laughed.

 

I’m not sure that the store had a fantastic day as far as business, but I had a productive day. On Thursday’s, cleaning is on the “to do” list. Dust the shelves and clean the glass. Everything (books, Willow Tree figurines, and everything in between) gets moved and the dust from the week is removed. I added floor mopping and mat washing to the job list as well.

 

I had a fantastic day!

 

It was just an ordinary day that somehow, someway was turned into a fantastic day.

 

I wonder if that isn’t how it was for some of the folks who encountered Jesus. Ordinary people doing ordinary things and suddenly everything changed because Jesus walked by.

 

Maybe it’s exactly how the Samaritan woman at the well felt when she met Jesus on her daily trip to gather water.

 

She was going about her day-to-day tasks. Much like I did yesterday. Dusting. Cleaning. Preparing meals. And then she went to the well for her daily amount of life-sustaining water. She had no idea that this particular day would change her life.

 

But the One she met at the well offered her living water. Eternal life-giving water that would never leave her thirsty again. And this woman, this sinful outcast woman, accepted what Jesus had to offer.

 

She didn’t keep it to herself however; she went to her town and brought others to hear of Jesus’ offering. Many believed that Jesus was the Messiah that day. Their words in John 4:42 (NIV) help us to understand their belief. “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

 

The people from this Samaritan village found love, joy, grace, and forgiveness at the well that day. They met the Savior of the world. Their personal Savior.

 

Each of us has the opportunity to meet the Savior of the world. We have a choice upon meeting Him. I made my choice to accept Jesus as my Savior years ago. Have you?

 

If you have made that commitment, let’s be intentional about making our days fantastic and productive for God’s Kingdom.

 

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, why not make today the best, fantastic day you’ve ever known?

 

I’m sure as the Samaritan woman was finishing her tasks for the day, she could be heard singing, “Yay! Hooray! I had a really fantastic day and now it’s time to say…goodnight!”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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A Light to My Path

July 25th, 2013 dsisler

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 4th or 5th 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.

 

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A Walk

July 24th, 2013 dsisler

Perhaps you watched it. The tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon by Nik Wallenda on June 23, 2013. If you did, you were joined by 13 million viewers in the United States. I must say, the television in my home was turned on, but I couldn’t watch.

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/1010930_590542984324044_2068129668_n.png

 

I have a fear of heights. I can fly in a plane and even look out the window, but put me on the edge of a balcony and my stomach flips and flops until I’m forced to back away. And yes, even television programs can cause this same reaction.

 

So seeing this high wire dare devil walk on a 2-inch wide wire for 22 minutes and 54 seconds was not enjoyable for me and I found myself wandering through my home looking for things to do.

 

I could however hear what was going on. I heard Mr. Wallenda praise Jesus, pray to God for safety and for conditions to improve, and thank God for the beauty he saw. What a testimony to the 13 million viewers.

 

Mr. Wallenda’s influence that night was staggering. I thought of my own influence of others. I wondered how I do in my day-to-day life. Do those around me know that I am a believer because of my words? My actions? My countenance? Or do I have an influence at all?

 

I know that I have influence over some. I wouldn’t be a Bible study leader or even have followers on this blog if I didn’t. But how visible or audible is my influence?

 

The Apostle Paul was a great influencer as a Jewish leader and destroyer of those who were Jesus followers. But as he came to know Jesus, his influence grew astoundingly.

 

By teaching and preaching God’s truth of the Gospel, Paul was able to point others to God’s grace and forgiveness. Not only was his life changed, but he led others to that same changed lifestyle.

 

After Paul’s account of his conversion in Galatians 1, we see the influence he had on the early church. “And they praised God because of me.” (Galatians 1:24 – NIV)

 

This is a tough question to even type. Do others praise God because of me or am I the one they pray to God about?

 

I don’t know that I can answer any of these questions, but what I can do is my best. Give it my all. Be the woman of God that God wants me to be. In the end, it really will be up to God if I did what He called me to do.

 

Nik Wallenda’s story is written down in the book, Balance: A Story of Faith, Family and Life on the Line.[i] Take a look at Nik’s words the first page.

 

“God is my center.

 

God’s grace is the balancing pole that keeps me from falling into self-obsession and self-deception. Whatever I have achieved—and will ever achieve—is the result of my relationship with Him.

 

This book is a continuation of that relationship. I invoke His Holy Spirit in helping me understand my past. I need His insightful compassion to illuminate my story and the story of my remarkable family.

 

As God inspires me every hour of every day, I pray that the same inspiration informs every page of this book. I pray that the miracle of His limitless love touches me as I write, just as it touches you as you read.”

 

Now those are words of influence.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] Balance: A Story of Faith, Family, and Life on the Line, Nikolas Wallenda, FaithWords: Hachette Book Group, 2013.

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In a Perfect World…

July 23rd, 2013 dsisler

Perfection. What comes to mind when you think of this word? There is perfection in our world. The perfect combination of flavors brings a smile to my face. I believe I’ve seen perfect sunsets. I’ve experienced perfect days.

 

Imperfection. What about this word? I must admit there is imperfection in our world. Computers that aren’t compatible with upgraded programs. Potholes that cause flat tires. The absence of fireflies in Colorado.

 

Perfection and imperfection. We can look at these words through Scripture and find God’s view on them. So let’s do that. Let’s see what He has to say about perfection and imperfection.

 

Imperfection

We know from the Old Testament that the Hebrew nation was to provide sacrifices without blemish. They weren’t to have imperfections. (Leviticus 22:21; Numbers 19:2)

 

We are imperfect. If you read through all of the lists of sins we are to get rid of, you and I both know that we haven’t achieved that task yet. You’ve seen the lists. Galatians 5:19-22; Ephesians 4:22-31; Ephesians 5:3-4; Colossians 3:5-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; and 1 Peter 2:1. Unfortunately, some of those sins are still in my life. I am imperfect.

 

Perfection

Paul’s final words to in 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) were, “Finally, brothers, good-bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” Aim for perfection. Now that I think I can do.

 

Yes, we are to rid ourselves of the sins listed above, but we also have lists to show us how we are to live. Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:23-24; 32-5:2; Philippians 2:14-16; Philippians 4:4-8; Colossians 3:12-17; Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Peter 2:4-5; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 4:8-11; 1 John 1:7; Jude 1:20-23.

 

“Aim for perfection.” Other versions of the Bible have translated this phrase a little differently. Maybe we can gain some insight from them.

 

“Keep things in good repair.” (The Message)

 

“…be made complete…” (New American Standard)

 

“Try to be complete.” (New Century Version)

 

“Aim for restoration.” (English Standard Version)

 

I love the ESV translation. “Aim for restoration.” It seems to help me understand that it is a work in progress. That it is a time-consuming project. Maybe even that it is a never-ending task. I must continue to work at living the way God wants me to live, because I know that it is only through Him that I am perfect.

 

I believe that as we remove a sin from our life, we must replace that void with something. Something good. Remove something from the imperfection list and replace it with something from the perfection list.

 

I also believe that I cannot do this without God and His Holy Spirit working in my life. My sinful nature is too strong for me to battle on my own. And God has given me the perfect tools to go into battle. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us of the armor we are to take up and use. God’s armor.

 

Let’s strive today to live as godly men and women. Let’s utilize the tools (God’s armor and His Holy Spirit) as we head into battle. Let’s aim for perfection. Aim for restoration. Let others see Jesus through you that “…they may see your good deeds and glorify God…” (1 Peter 2:12 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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“Days of Elijah” – Monday Musical Musings

July 22nd, 2013 dsisler

If you were to walk into my office right about now, you’d see me dancing in my seat. I love this song and while the tune and rhythm and style grab my attention (and perhaps yours as well), the lyric of this song brings a smile to my face.

 

Here are the lyrics to “Days of Elijah.” Take a look.

 

“Days of Elijah”

 

These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’

 

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes.

 

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the laborers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

 

There’s no God like Jehovah.
There’s no God like Jehovah![i]

 

The author of “Days of Elijah” scrolls through history and shares the biblical character’s view of their circumstance. Declaration, restoration, guidance, revival, praise, harvest.

 

I see how relevant God’s Word and message are in our world. Each biblical character followed God’s commands and were servants of the Almighty. But as they served God, they also experienced difficulties. Isolation, slavery, trials, famine, darkness, war, death, rubble.

 

These are some of the situations we find ourselves in or experience in our lives.

 

And yet, we find these great leaders of the Bible also found refuge in God. He provided all that was needed. A message. Freedom. Comfort. Provision. Light. Peace. Life. Beauty.

 

We too can experience these in our lives when we come to know God as our heavenly Father and Jesus as our personal Savior.

 

This song offers hope. Joy. Love. And because we have found hope, we offer praise to the God who provided it all.

 

Jesus is that hope. Riding on the clouds. Shining like the sun. Coming to offer salvation.

 

Will you accept that offer of salvation? Will today be your day of jubilee?

 

If you’ve already accepted this gift, are you praising the One who made it all possible? Are you sharing the message? Are you a laborer in the field of harvest?

 

Are you ready to dance with me? If so, here’s the link to a great version of this song. Enjoy!

 

Today, declare with me that there is no God like Jehovah! “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2 – KJV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

To leave a comment, please click here.


[i] Days of Elijah, Robin Mark, 1996

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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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