Remain, Love, and Bear Fruit

January 29th, 2013 dsisler

Finally, snow is blanketing Colorado this morning. It has been a dry, warm January (winter for that matter), but when the snow started yesterday afternoon, it was enjoyable to be out and about in it. And as the snow settled on the trees and the sun began to set, we entered into a winter wonderland that was pure beauty.

 

Now I’m not a fan of cold weather, so I’ve enjoyed this unseasonably warm winter. However, I must admit that I’ve missed seeing snow. There is no green. It’s all dried up. So everywhere you look here in Colorado is brown. Not very attractive. But that has all changed this morning.

 

I also will admit that when I moved from Ohio to Colorado, I never dreamed I would miss rain. But I do. When I can stand in the rain, I do so.

 

So what exactly am I doing out in the rain or in a falling snow? I’m being refreshed. I’m being rejuvenated. The feeling of life is being restored to my body.

 

At times, we encounter this same feeling within our souls. Everything is dried up. It’s all brown. There’s no green to be found. Sometimes we call this “spiritual burn out.”

 

Whatever we call it, we are not to be in this place. God never intended for us to be withered. So how does it happen? I believe it’s because we’ve cut ourselves off from the Vine.

 

Jesus speaks of this in John 15. He is the Vine. We are the branches. And over and over we are told to remain in Him. Apart from him we cannot survive. Connected to the Vine we thrive and bear fruit. But we must remain in Him.

 

In this section of Scripture (John 15:1-17 – NIV), Jesus repeats “remain” eleven times, “love” eight times, and “bear fruit” nine times. I believe these are the three main ideas He wants us to hear and put into practice in our lives.

 

So we are to remain in Him. A synonym search for remain renders such words as continue, endure, persist, keep on, stay and linger. Synonyms for the Greek word are abide, dwell, and live.

 

These words help me to understand the true meaning of remain. It’s always. It’s continuously. It’s never-ceasing. But it’s more than that. It’s residence. It’s permanence. It’s life.

 

And the great news is that as we remain in Jesus, Jesus remains in us. Now that is a wonderful promise.

 

We are also to love. Love God and others are the two greatest commandments. And this passage once again points us in that direction. God loved Jesus and Jesus loved us and we are to remain in that love.

 

We see Jesus’ love for us in verse 13. “Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus’ love for us is greater than we could ever imagine. What a shame it would be to step outside of His great love.

 

And then we are to bear fruit. Actually, we are called to bear much fruit. And if we don’t bear fruit, the gardener will cut off those branches. We will dry up, wither. There will be no life in us.

 

You see, there is no life outside of Jesus. There is nothing outside of Him. So we must bear fruit. It is our lifeline.

 

By bearing fruit, we show the world that we belong to Jesus. By obeying God’s commands, we show our love to the Father and the Son.

 

The end results of remaining, loving, and bearing fruit for us are greater yet.

 

We receive joy. Jesus’ joy. Complete joy.

 

We become Jesus’ friend. A friend who is in the know. A friend whom Jesus died for.

 

We are chosen. Chosen to go and bear fruit. Fruit that will last.

 

We are given what we ask for. Through the power of Jesus’ Name, our requests are granted.

 

I don’t see any reason not to follow Jesus’ commands here. We receive so many benefits by remaining in Jesus, loving God and others, and bearing fruit. Why would we want to remain in a withered state?

 

There is a great hymn written in 1890 that I thought of yesterday. As I sang through the words, I was reminded of how God wants to work in my life. That as I remain in Him, I am sheltered from the “desert” this life offers that continues to dry up and wither my soul.

 

As you read through the words of “He Hideth My Soul,” I pray that you’ll see just how beneficial it is to remain in Him. It is a great comfort to me this morning.

 

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,

A wonderful Savior to me;

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,

Where rivers of pleasure I see.

 

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,

He taketh my burden away;

He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,

He giveth me strength as my day.

 

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,

And filled with His fullness divine;

I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God,

For such a Redeemer as mine!

 

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise,

To meet Him in clouds of the sky;

His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,

I’ll shout with the millions on high.

 

Chorus:

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,

That shadows a dry, thirsty land;

He hideth my life in the depths of His love,

And covers me there with His hand,

And covers me there with His hand.[i]

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] He Hideth My Soul, Lyrics: Frances Jane (Fanny J.) Crosby, Music: William James Kirkpatrick, 1890.

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A Job Interview

January 28th, 2013 dsisler

I am going on a job interview this morning. I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs over the past two years and to honest, I’m pretty weary of the whole process. However, when I am called for an interview, I get excited. Not that I’ll get the job. If my track record for interviews continues, I will not get it.

 

What I like about job interviews is it allows me to reflect upon my life and see how I’ve lived through my work place and work ethics. It gives me the opportunity to see how I’ve grown in all areas of my life, not just my work skills.

 

One particular area I know that has grown is sharing my faith and my beliefs during a job interview. In years past, I never mentioned my faith during the process. Not that I was ashamed of it, but there never seemed to be occasion to mention it.

 

But what I’ve come to realize is that the interviewer isn’t going to bring it up. If I want to talk about God and how He leads me through my day, I must be the one to initiate it. And I have.

 

My interviewer today sent a list of questions to answer before I even showed up. Of course, two of the questions asked how I might deal with an angry client. You know, someone who isn’t getting what they want fast enough. It’s a pretty typical question.

 

My response? I am a Christian. I rely on God’s Spirit to lead and guide me through situations such as this.

 

I’m not sure how this will go over in this particular job, a hospital setting in a liberal city, but I do know it’s what God would want me to say and how He wants me to live.

 

I cannot separate my faith from other areas of my life. It’s who I am. I am a child of the King at home, at work, at the mall, at the voting station, and at a baseball game. And not only am I a child of the King, the King sits on the throne of my heart. I cannot compromise my faith or my beliefs depending upon the situation I’m in. It must be all or nothing. It’s what Jesus asks of us.

 

Jesus told His disciples in John 14 about the gift of the Holy Spirit He would send to help them after He left. He said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-18 – NIV)

 

God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Comforter, the Breath of the Almighty, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Grace and Supplications, the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, this is the Spirit with me and in me.

 

Without God’s Spirit I wouldn’t care about others. A job would be a job. But with God’s Spirit, I am able to show compassion to those who may seem unworthy by others standards. With God’s Spirit, I can be a reflection of Jesus to those I connect with.

 

So today, I won’t apologize for who I am or to whom I belong. I’m a Christian and God’s Spirit leads and guides me in each situation. Oh, how thankful I am for God’s Spirit. Can you say the same?

 

How does God’s Spirit lead you through your day? Do you utilize this precious gift as much as you should? What Name of the Holy Spirit mentioned earlier is most impactful to you?

 

Why not drop me a line? I’d love to hear what you have to say about God’s Spirit.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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A New Day Dawning

January 27th, 2013 dsisler

Years ago, as a child, I had the opportunity to meet the Good Twins. They were traveling through Upstate New York and they stopped by our small congregation. I vividly remember their music filling the small church building where my father ministered.

 

Years later as a young mother and minster’s wife, I had the opportunity to meet them once again. They performed for yet another small congregation, but this time in Ohio. They hadn’t changed. Their music was just as delightful as I remembered and their kindness was unforgettable.

 

One of our daughters became ill during the concert and fell asleep in one of the pews. After tearing down their equipment and before leaving, they each stopped by to say goodbye to little miss Candace. It was a touching moment for us.

 

I recall one of their songs. I can hear it in my mind just as if they were standing here singing it this morning. Their voices clear and with harmonies that can only be found in siblings and even more so with twin brothers. Read through the lyrics of New World Coming.

 

There’s a New World Coming
And it’s just around the bend.
There’s a new world coming
This one’s coming to an end.

There’s a new voice calling
You can hear it if you try.
And it’s growing stronger
With each day that passes by.

There’s a brand new morning
Rising clear and sweet and free.
There’s a new day dawning
That belongs to you and me.

Yes a new world’s coming
The one we’ve had visions of.
Coming in peace, coming in joy, coming in love.[i]

Now you may recognize this song from another source, Mama Cass. While I am unsure of her intent, the Good Twins sang this song with Christ in mind. When we allow Jesus to be the ruler of our hearts, each day is a brand new day and the new world is definitely heaven.

 

And as a Christian, I know for certain that Jesus offers new life and a new world in peace, joy and love.

 

But these are not my words or my ideas. Let’s read through some of Jesus’ words as He spoke of such a life and world.

 

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15 – NIV)

 

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 – NIV)

 

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 – NIV)

 

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b – NIV)

 

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31b-32 – NIV)

 

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b – NIV)

 

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26 – NIV)

 

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-4 – NIV)

 

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 – NIV)

 

Of course this is just a partial list of what Jesus had to say. Just a sampling. But in this small group of verses we recognize that the blessed new day the Good Twins sang of only comes through Jesus. It is only through Him that we can believe the words to this song.

 

Well, today is a new day. The sun has risen and it looks to be a bright day here in Colorado. But as I look to this day on my spiritual journey, I can say it too is a bright day. For my today belongs to Jesus. He holds it in His hands.

 

This same assurance can belong to you today. It’s available to anyone who seeks Jesus and gives their life to Him. There is a new world coming and it is just around the bend. There is a new day dawning and it belongs to you and me. Don’t you think it’s about time to enjoy life with Jesus?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] New World Coming, Mama Cass Elliot, 1970

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Study to Show…

January 26th, 2013 dsisler

If you read my blog yesterday, you know that I’m going to give you some tips on how to study the Bible today. I may go overboard…if I do, please accept my apology.

 

Reading God’s Word and studying it are two different things. Yes, we must read the Bible, but when we go a little farther, dig a little deeper, we come to understand all of God’s message. And what a message it is!

 

To begin, we must understand that there is purpose for studying God’s Word. We find three in the New Testament. First, Bible study is useful for transformation. Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

Bible study is also useful to equip us for service. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) that “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.”

 

And finally it is useful to impact our world. Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5:13-16 that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. And the reason? “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 – NIV)

 

After you understand the purpose of Bible study, the first thing I would say is to get a good study Bible. Now some of my peers may be cringing at this point. But new Bible studiers must start somewhere and I believe an excellent choice is Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible. The version is easy to read and the notes are pretty decent.

 

You may want to gather some items before beginning as well. You may need a diary or notebook to take notes of your study. You may need a few pens or pencils. I have found that Sanford makes a good dry pencil specifically designed for Bibles. They come in multiple colors and you can use them to highlight verses in your Bible.

 

Of course, this brings up the question of whether to write in your Bible or not. It really is up to you. There is nothing in Scripture that says we shouldn’t. But I have found that if I don’t write it down, I will forget it. So if I find something useful to write in my Bible for teaching purposes, I will write it or underline it in my Bible.

 

After you’ve gathered your materials, you then must choose a book to study. You might consider 1 Peter, 1 John or perhaps James. Once you’ve chosen your book, the studying begins.

 

Take some time to learn about the book, the author, and the setting of the book. This is where your new study Bible will come in handy. All of this information is available just before the book.

 

And ask yourself these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? The reporter questions. Find out these important elements and you’ll already have a better understanding of the book.

 

You’ll also find an outline of the book listed in this section of the study Bible. After you’ve studied the book, you may want to re-write the outline. Make a personal outline of the book.

 

Then you will want to read through the book several times. Get to know the style of the writer. Get an idea of what’s coming up. You also might consider listening to the book. I have a full set of audio CD’s of the Bible, and I love listening to what God is saying. I hear things that I don’t read. This is a valuable tool for me.

 

Then it’s time to begin the study. Read a verse or a section of your chosen book and see how this passage is to be interpreted. The content and context of the passage is important and relevant. Far too many have chosen a verse to back up a point where the verse was completely taken out of context. We must be careful to know how to use God’s Word.

 

Of course, if all of this Bible study doesn’t change us, what good is it? You’ll ask yourself that question several times if you chose to study the Book of James! There must be change, therefore there must be application.

 

After studying the book, ask how does it relate to my life? Where does this book specifically speak to me and my life?

 

Then meditate on what you’ve learned from studying this book. You may ask yourself, how might this knowledge effect change in my life? What does God want me to learn from this book?

 

Finally, practice what you’ve learned. As you implement these principles into your life, you will see the good in studying God’s Word and you’ll be ready to start again with another book.

 

I pray that you will become excited about studying Scripture. That a great desire will rise within you to seek the presence of God in His Word. For me, it’s what drives me. Learning something new from the Bible each day. Oh, and that’s an amazing thing about studying. You will never know it all. There is always more to learn.

 

If you have any questions about what you’ve read today, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d love to help you get started.

 

It’s not too late in the year to set a resolution. Maybe this year you might resolve to study several books of the Bible. It just might be the best resolution you’ve ever made.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Are You Sure It’s Friday?

January 25th, 2013 dsisler

My daughter and I were at the checkout at our local grocery store yesterday and there seemed to be some confusion ahead of us in line. One customer had forgotten a bag, so they were trying to find her and get it to her. Then the lady directly ahead of us seemed to be out of sorts herself.

 

In her conversation with the cashier, she mentioned the fact that she very happy that it was Friday. Apparently it had been a long week and she was ready to enjoy the weekend.

 

Candace and I listened to this conversation and I never once disagreed with her. It was Friday and I too was looking forward to Saturday. All the grandkids were coming to Baba’s house. If it was Friday, they’d be there the next day. I was very excited.

 

About half way home, I said, “It’s not Friday is it?” Candace quickly said, “No, it’s Thursday. I think the woman in the checkout line is going to be disappointed when she finds out she has another workday this week.”

 

To be honest, I was happy it wasn’t Friday because today (Friday), I have a meal to prepare for 170 people. If yesterday had been Friday, I would have been late getting started. I was relieved.

 

What caught my attention through this encounter was how easily I believed it was Friday. I knew it was Thursday, but just a little conversation with someone and suddenly it was Friday.

 

How did that happen?

 

Perhaps my mind was on other things. Maybe I really wanted it to be different. Perhaps I was hungry, or tired, or weary from shopping. Who knows? But this was a stranger and I believed her.

 

I think this can easily happen in our spiritual walk. We hear a message from our local pastor and we never open our Bibles to see if it is in line with God’s Word. We listen to radio preachers in our cars and, since we’re driving we cannot check it out and it becomes part of our belief without any digging on our own. We have such faith that our teachers know everything there is to know about the Bible that we never look into it for ourselves.

 

This can be dangerous. And I’d like to suggest (again) that you take the time to check out the concepts, the ideas, the Scripture that I use in my blog. Don’t accept what I say to be spot on with God’s Word 100% of the time. I do make mistakes. And I’m not the only one.

 

God’s Word warns us of the false teachers we encounter.

 

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1 – NIV)

 

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 – NIV)

 

Obviously, not every person you hear or read is a false teacher, but we must be aware that they are out there. There are false teachers who deliberately teach a false doctrine for their personal gain. And then others may just misunderstand a passage or misspeak.

 

So what I might suggest is that we are to be studying God’s Word to know it for ourselves. May I offer a few more passages to consider?

 

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 – NIV)

 

You may recognize this verse from the King James Version. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” The only way we can handle the word of truth correctly is by knowing it. We must study it for ourselves.

 

“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) There is much good found in God’s Word, but when we use it for preparation to do good works, then the Bible is being used to its full potential.

 

Timothy was also encouraged to be prepared to use God’s Word in all areas of his life. I believe we can accept this verse for ourselves as well. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2 – NIV)

 

We’ve seen that studying God’s Word is useful to ourselves and others. And to add extra understanding, let’s look at these two verses to see that knowledge leads fullness of God, truth and freedom.

 

“To know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19 – NIV)

 

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 – NIV)

 

You may have a deep desire to study God’s Word but are uncertain where to begin. Join me tomorrow. I’ll share some ideas on how to begin a Bible study regimen so that you too will be prepared with the knowledge of God’s Word.

 

For today, let’s bask in the fullness of God’s Word as we’ve read today. Understanding that we are to be looking into God’s Word for ourselves will nourish the desire to dig deeper. And the deeper we go, the desire grows and grows.

 

It’s Friday. I have lots to do today. But armed with God’s Words in my heart, I am able and capable of walking into each situation today. Let’s head out into this world as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Filled with the knowledge of God’s Word and ready to do some good things for Him. Friday isn’t so bad after all!

 

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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