It’s Over

October 27th, 2012 dsisler

A simple statement. And yet holds much impact. Whether it’s a serious situation, an exciting time period, or a turn of events, the words “It’s over” means there is nothing more to come.

I wonder if that was how the Disciples felt after Jesus died. He was gone. The Disciples were in hiding. Peter had denied Christ three times and his wounded spirit was probably inconsolable.

The Disciples had spent nearly three years with Jesus. Side by side with the Messiah, hearing and learning all that He taught. Just what were they to do with the information they had? What were they to do with the knowledge? I’m sure they were confused. Not knowing what their future held.
Suddenly, Jesus was back. But only on occasion. So this group still didn’t know exactly what to do.
Some went back to what they knew. Back to their life before Jesus. John 21 tells of such a circumstance. The fishermen of the group were fishing when Jesus presented Himself to them. They had breakfast and Jesus gave Peter instructions. “Feed my sheep” and “Follow me.” But these instructions were vague. Peter’s questions probably continued, uncertain to how he was to follow the instructions.
Then Jesus gave the Disciples further instruction in Acts 1. “On one occasion, while he (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave this this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts 1:4 – NIV)
Now the Disciples had to wait. In Jerusalem. For a gift. And that they did. Perhaps they were still a little foggy on what their future role in the Kingdom would be, but they knew by following Jesus’ commands, they were being obedient to their Master.
And wait they did. But they were busy. They replaced Judas with Matthias (Acts 1:12-26). We also see in Luke 24:53 (NIV), “And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
The Disciples knew God wasn’t finished with them yet, they just didn’t know how He was going to use them.
I kind of know how the Disciples felt. I’ve spoken the words, “It’s over.” My service trip to SE Asia is over. But now what?
What am I to do now? What does God want me to do with all the information I’ve learned and the knowledge I’ve gained? The same questions that the Disciples had.
My SE Asia team and I are all back to old routines. Back to our way of life before the trip. Meetings, family life, group gatherings, writing. Nothing seems to have changed, and yet I am changed. Perhaps some of the same feeling the Disciples felt.
So really, now what?
I believe I can do exactly what the Disciples did.
I can wait.
This is probably the hardest part of this plan. But if I look at it with anticipation, the wait will be more exciting. There will be unexpected revelations along the way and I will be able to see God through it all. And isn’t that worth the wait?
I can stay connected at church.
The Disciples “stayed continually” at their church. I don’t think that is feasible, but I do believe any time spent in God’s house and with His people is time well spent. These connections allow me to share my journey and keep my experiences fresh in my mind. And of course, listening to Scripture, worshipping God and hearing God’s message proclaimed will allow me to stay in tune with God’s leading.
I can praise God.
This is an easy one. Remember the old tune, “Blessed Assurance?”[i]The chorus states, “This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.” How privileged I am to be able to praise God all day long!
I know for certain that God will show up at just the right moment and say, “Now…this is what I want you to do.” I cannot wait for that moment!
If you are going through a similar situation, take a look at the steps listed above. Implement them into your life. Know that God is with you through it all and He does have a plan. You need to be obedient and patient. He will come through.
Of course, we know how God used Peter and the other Disciples. After the Holy Spirit fell upon them, great messages were spoken. The Church was established. Gentiles were invited into the Kingdom. And their efforts were substantially magnified because God was in the middle of it.
I don’t know if God will use my service trip to this degree, but I do believe He isn’t finished yet. There is much to process. There is much to share. There is much for God to be part of. And when God is in the middle of it, there is no telling what the outcome will be.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i]Blessed Assurance, Frances J. Crosby, 1873
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Let it Snow…Again!

October 26th, 2012 dsisler

Last night, my area of Colorado saw its second snow of the season. Yes, I wrote about snow yesterday, but today I’m writing about it for a different reason.

Our first snow was a wet, heavy snow. It stuck to tree limbs (especially those that still had leaves) and was perfect for making snowmen or snow caves. For an area where moisture is hard to come by and that is far behind in rainfall totals, this snowfall is welcomed relief.
Last night’s snow was a lighter, fluffier snowfall. The type of snow doesn’t hold much moisture. It doesn’t stick to trees (unless they still had snow from yesterday’s occurrence) and making a snowman is just plain frustrating. However, the drier snow does make for some great skiing (so I’ve been told) and is much easier to remove.
While we can say, “it snowed” in each of these instances, these two snowfalls were different.
Much like the fact that we as Christians are to be different than the world. We have been called to be different.
Jesus spoke of this in Matthew chapter 5. This is the section where Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. If we blend in with the world, we will be ineffective. But by being salt and light, we have the opportunity to do one thing. Lead the world to Jesus. And in doing so, they will in turn praise God.
There are other passages that make this point as well.
The verse you probably know off the top of your head is from Romans 12. “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.” (Romans 12:2 – NIV) Verse 1 of this chapter tells us that we are living sacrifices as we offer our bodies, minds, and lives to God. We are breaking from the pattern of the world.
Paul carries this message through when he writes to the Church at Corinth. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV) If we are a new creation in Christ, we must be different than what we once were.
Another difference is how we wage war. Again in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul states that “our weapons have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4 – NIV) When we use the weapons given by God and His Holy Spirit, we are able to fight the spiritual battle effectively. Look at Ephesians 6:10-18 to see the armor that God provides the Christian.
In Galatians 2:20 (NIV), Paul points us to another way we are different than the world. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” In a world that says, “Do whatever you want,” God commands us to live by His Spirit, not our own. I know I am thankful for the power that I receive from God’s Spirit when I am weakest. It is by His Spirit that I am able to be different.
Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV) also tells us, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” There are so many points in this passage that shows we are different from the world.
First we see that we believe in a Creator. And that Creator created us in His image. Then we see that we are not to lie. In a world of untruths, honesty brings refreshment. And then we are to be renewed in knowledge. When we study God’s Word, we will be transformed. We will be a new creation. We will be different.
And finally, we can see how different we are from the world because God chose us. Peter speaks of this in 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV). “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
To the world I am ordinary, plain, and unwanted, but I know that I am chosen by God. I know that He has called me from the darkness into light. Because of this truth, I can boldly say, “I am different!”
Wet snow. Dry snow. Different.
Darkness. Light. Different.
Sinful-nature. Spirit-filled. Different.
Conformed. Transformed. Different.
Old self. New self. Different.
Are you different?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Let it Snow!

October 25th, 2012 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.

Yes, 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.”
David 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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The Friend I Forgot

October 24th, 2012 dsisler

I have a friend at church who is such a special lady. She is caring. She is kind. She asks great questions to start conversations. She loves studying the Bible. She is protective of our ministry staff. She prays for everyone. She makes sure everyone remembers the time change. She never misses a service or an event at church. She is forgiving. She is a valuable person who I am blessed to call my friend.

Martha doesn’t drive, so if she needs to get to church, it isn’t uncommon for her to call. Last night was such an occasion. We had a special prayer meeting at church (which I must say was a wonderful service and very moving) and I was privileged to get to pick her up and take her.
As I was driving to get Martha, I remembered a time when I was to bring her to church. However, I forgot to stop by and get her. It was a Wednesday morning for  Women’s Bible Study. We have a short worship service before heading to study and after the first song, the leader said, “Where’s Martha?”
I immediately stood up and said, “I was supposed to pick her up!” I then proceeded to hustle out of the auditorium, ran to my car, and as quickly as possible drove the mile to pick up this dear friend.
We can be forgetful in our day-to-day lives. It’s common. But we can also be forgetful in our spiritual lives. While this too is common, there is more at stake when we forget God.
But, we are in good company. David mentions in Psalm 119:93 (NIV), “I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” We know there were times when David did forget God’s precepts. Even with a bold statement as this. However, we must strive to never forget God’s teachings. Holding on to them is life.
So let’s see what we are to remember. What we should never forget.
We should never forget God. In Deuteronomy 6:12 (NIV), Moses reminds the Israelites of this very thing. “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
We should never forget God’s words. Proverbs 4:5 (NIV) says, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.”
We should never forget to do good things. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 – NIV)
We should never forget God’s timing. Peter tells us to remember this one thing. “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9 – NIV))
While God tells us that He will not remember our trespasses, God will not forget a few things. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10 – NIV) God never forgets the good we do.
There is one thing that we must forget. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll mention Paul’s words again from Philippians 3:13b (NIV). “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” We must forget our past and remember our future in Jesus Christ.
Martha didn’t let me forget for a while that I had forgotten her. She wanted my cell phone number for future reference and I gladly gave it to her. To be honest, I don’t want to forget Martha again.
I don’t want to miss anything that God wants me to remember either. God prompts me in ways that are just as effective as a phone call and for those reminders I’m thankful.
Let’s not forget today. Let’s be diligent in remembering all that God has shown us through our spiritual journey. Let’s be ready and willing to do what He reminds us to do. Let’s never forget all that He’s done for us. Because let’s face it. The alternative isn’t appealing.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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And Waiting Again…

October 23rd, 2012 dsisler

I have anticipated this day for over two weeks now. The other half of our service team to SE Asia returns home today.

I’ve missed them so much. They were inspirational. They were prayer warriors. They were cheerful. They were wonderful mentors. They led wisely. They are good friends.
Being back in America without them has been okay, but the idea of them returning, to reunite the team is more than exciting to me. It is exhilarating!
I wonder if this was how the Apostles felt after Jesus left them. Acts 1:4-5 (NIV) shares the account of Jesus’ instructions. “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”
They were to wait. Wait for the rest of the team to arrive.
It isn’t fun to wait. I’ve had to wait quite a bit in my lifetime. Wait for pregnancies to come to term. Wait for news of an upcoming, possible job. Wait for the arrival of wonderful guests. Wait for surgery to be finished on a loved one.
Waiting. It isn’t an easy task.
The Apostles kept busy while they were waiting however. After Jesus left them, they returned to Jerusalem to wait as Jesus had requested. We see in the first chapter of Acts that they chose a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:12-26).
In Luke’s account of the time after Jesus’ ascension, we come to an understanding of other things the Apostles did while waiting.
“When he (Jesus) had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:50-53 – NIV)
The Apostles were continuously in the temple. They continuously praised God. Now that was something to do while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. They were preparing themselves for what was to come.
Under these circumstances, I suspect the wait wasn’t as difficult as we might think.
So what should we do while we’re waiting?
Be productive. Don’t sit around with only the wait on your mind. Find something to do that will be of good. It will help take your mind off the wait period.
I believe we can also spend time with fellow believers. Just as the Apostles were always at the temple, we can find ways to be near others who believe as we do. This too will help us from becoming so focused on the wait that we miss the anticipation. The joy of something to look forward to.
And then the last thing we can learn from the Apostles is to praise God while we’re waiting. Of course we should praise God all the time, but in times of waiting, I believe praising God will again take our focus off of ourselves and place it directly on God. And let’s face it, there’s always something to praise God for.
I wish God had brought these concepts to my mind two weeks ago. I might have viewed this wait period much differently. Yes, I’ve done these three things, but I might have done a few things differently.
The good news is that now that I’ve learned a lesson, I can use it the next time I am required to wait. And that starts now.
I’m waiting for my fourth grandchild to be born. A little girl. Oh, how difficult it is to wait, but I know the importance of waiting for this baby to develop fully before birth.
So until that time, I will be productive. I will continually be in God’s house with His people. And I will not stop praising God. And so it begins.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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  • About Me

    "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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