Walking with Jesus

September 7th, 2012 dsisler

There is an old song we used to sing at camp and youth group called “Walking with Jesus.” The lyrics are:
Walking with Jesus, walking every day, walking all the way.
Walking with Jesus, walking with Jesus alone.
There’s a little secondary part that says:
Walking in the sunshine, walking in the shadow,
Walking every day, walking all the way.
I believe there is another section, but these are the realities of life. The good and bad. And we are to be walking with Jesus through all of them.
1 John 2:6 (NIV) says, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
I believe this passage leads us to the question, how did Jesus walk?
Jesus Had a Purpose
Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Jesus Had an Action Plan
Jesus prayed. All the time. John 17:1-26 is just an example of Jesus’ prayers. There are many occasions where Jesus went away to be alone with God.
Jesus Had a Team
The disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 10:1-42; Acts 9:1-19). This group of trusted men were Jesus’ closest earthly companions. In the end, Jesus trusted these men to carry out His mission. To follow through once Jesus returned to be with His Father.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) tells us Jesus’ last earthly words to this group, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Jesus Trusted God
As the final moments of Jesus’ life approached, Jesus asked for the cup to be removed. But Jesus also trusted that God knew what He was doing and that whatever God willed, it was okay with Jesus. Matthew 26:39 (NIV) says, “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
Jesus Had Determination
To follow through with His purpose. His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 27:32-28:15) secured salvation for mankind. He was determined to complete the task God sent Him to earth to do.
If we use these as guidelines to walk as Jesus did, then we too must have a purpose, an action plan, a team, trust in God, and determination.
Our purpose must be to glorify God. To share His salvation with others. To mature in our relationship with Him.
Our action plan must include prayer.
Our team must include a group of Christian believers and Christ’s Church.
Our trust must be completely in God. That His will in our lives is more important than our own.
Our determination must be to follow through with God’s mission as Jesus did.
These are just a few ways we can walk as Jesus did. When we make the choice, we make a commitment. To walk with Jesus in the sunshine and the shadows. To walk with Jesus all the way.
Perhaps you can think of other ways we can walk as Jesus did. If so, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you. Until then, let’s do some walking with Jesus.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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The “Zinger”

September 6th, 2012 dsisler

I had a garage sale a couple of weeks ago. There was (and still is) a tremendous amount of stuff in my basement. This sale was an attempt to loosen my grip on some worldly possessions and declutter.
One item I sold was an old Singer sewing machine. It was one that I grew up with and on which I learned to sew. There was some tugging at my heart because it was a possession that had been passed down from my Mother to me, but my Mom had encouraged me to purchase a newer version of a sewing machine and I actually use the new one!
The woman who purchased the Singer was very excited. She had used one just like it as a young girl growing up in Russia fifty years ago. She hadn’t thought of purchasing one in the States until she saw the “Zinger.” Memories flooded her mind as she spoke of her childhood home. This machine was more than a sewing machine, it was a memory maker.
As she placed her prize possession into her car, she clasped her hands together, swayed a little, and expressed her excitement audibly with a smile-filled sigh. She had found a treasure.
As I watched her drive away, I thought how perfect it was that I had given her something she could value, cherish and love the rest of her life.
But then, of what worth is it really?
It is a rusted, old sewing machine. Something that will be placed in a landfill once she is gone. What could I have offered her that is of real value? What could have truly made a difference in her life?
Jesus.
I never asked if she knew Jesus or if she had even thought of Him. I just sold her an old sewing machine.
This is what Jesus had to say about the topic.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 – NIV)
When I look at life from this perspective, anything that rust or moth or thieves can take from me is of no value. That means nothing of this world is of any value. Nothing. My treasure, and that dear woman who bought my old sewing machine’s treasure, should be heaven. Let me rephrase that. It is heaven.
Here’s my dilemma. I missed several opportunities. I didn’t share my greatest treasure with the treasure seekers at my garage sale. Oh there were a few people where the topic was brought up, but to be honest, those conversations were among other believers.
So I have a plan for my next garage sale. While others are looking for the perfect treasure, I plan to have The Greatest Treasure present and in prominent view. Jesus will be part of it. He must be part of it. To be honest, I don’t know how this is going to look, but I am anxious to see how it turns out.
The “Zinger” sewing machine lady will bring a smile to face each time I think of her. She brought new excitement to an old, lifeless machine. She shared that excitement with me and I’ve discovered a new excitement of my own.
I pray that you’ll encounter someone today who will touch you in some way as well. It could be anyone. Look around and find that person who is excited about life. Maybe you are that person! Share that excitement with others. What I do know is it is contagious!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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I Second That Emotion

September 5th, 2012 dsisler

I have been unemployed for two years. Job searching can be an emotionally charged activity. I am learning that I am capable of some emotions I never knew existed.
Several weeks ago, I was chosen to participate in testing for a clerk position at a local library. I was given three time slot choices and showed up at the allotted time. There were nearly 30 other eager job seekers taking the test at the same time. This was one of three time slots and there was only one position to fill. It was discouraging to be honest.
As I looked around the room I took note of the group. There were older women, middle-aged men, and young adults. Unemployment had hit each of these people, just as it had me.
Suddenly, I felt guilty for even sitting in this room. There were obviously others who needed this job much more than I did.
The test was completed. We each went to our respective vehicles and drove home. Perhaps feeling defeated. Some encouraged by their ability. Others just not sure if anything would come of this possible job.
Then I received the email. My score was not high enough to move along in the process. How was that possible? I am a reasonably intelligent person. Surely my score wasn’t that bad! Yet another emotion…anger!
Then my husband said, “You may have scored a 95 which would have been a good score, but if four or five others scored higher, they would have been moved on in the process.”
That statement calmed me and I once again became a rational thinker.
Job searching is emotional and it can bring out the worst in me.
You would think by now I would have learned that my emotions really need to be turned over to God wouldn’t you? But there are times I allow my emotions to get the upper hand.
Anger, guilt, discouragement, and fear are in control. Irritation, helplessness, envy, and doubt creep into my way of thinking. Despair, disappointment, anxiety, and sadness make their home in my heart.
But I know from Scripture that I am not to allow these emotions to rule my heart. I am to banish fear by God’s power (2 Timothy 1:7); I am to be slow to anger (James 1:19-20); I am not to allow my sinful nature to have its hold on me (Galatians 5:19-21); I am to keep hatred at bay (1 John 4:20).
And here’s the real point of the matter. My heart is deceitful. Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV) says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ‘I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.’”
You see if I allow emotions to rule my life, emotions will determine how I live, and that could be disastrous. One day I may feel a certain way, but the next I may feel differently. I am reminded of the passage in Ephesians of being swayed due to immaturity.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14-15 – NIV)
From these two passages we see that we must allow Jesus to be the Lord of our hearts. The King of our emotions. We must allow Him to know our hearts and fill our hearts with His Spirit. Then we will be able to stand firm when our emotions want to take control.
Job searching has brought the emotions out in me for certain. But through these long months, I’ve learned to depend upon God for all my needs. I’ve sought Him when no one else could satisfy. I’ve been uplifted by the everlasting arms of my heavenly Father.
You may be feeling some of these emotions today. If so, I pray that you’ll seek God. Ask Him to search your heart and see what needs to be fixed. Ask Him to be the Lord of your emotions. By doing so, you have the opportunity to live a life of truth and a life free from the lie of hopelessness. And it is freedom indeed!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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The Work of Your Hands

September 4th, 2012 dsisler

It is now 19 days until our team leaves for SE Asia. There is still so much to do. Gathering of items to take. Details of the trip to finalize. Preparation of our hearts and bodies for the journey.
During our last training session, the prayer partner coordinator for our upcoming service trip to SE Asia presented a verse of Scripture to us for our devotions.
Psalm 90:17 (NIV) says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
As I look at this verse, yes, I believe this is what our trip should be based upon. But I also think we need to build our day-to-day lives on this concept. When I allow God to use my hands for His glory, all that I do with my hands will be blessed by Him.
How do I use my hands to bring glory to God?
For me, writing is one way that I use my hands for God’s purpose and glory. I believe He established this love and gift within me to use for Him. When my heart is focused on Him, words flow through my hands at an easy pace. He establishes the work of my hands.
I can be handy, but I am handiest when I use my skills and talents for God’s glory. I am a good cook, but I am the best when I prepare meals for His purpose. When I use my hands for God, whatever it is I’m doing will be better because He has established that work.
The word favor could also be translated “beauty.” Allowing God’s beauty to rest upon us will allow His beauty to flow through us. This phrase is also seen in Psalm 27:4 (NIV). “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
When we gaze upon God’s beauty, we will begin to reflect His beauty in our lives. The work of our hands will be established in His beauty and beautiful results will occur.
As we continue to prepare for our service trip, my prayer for our team would be that God’s beauty would be reflected through us. That the people we meet will see how God’s beauty establishes the works of our hands.
So, how is God using your hands for His glory? What are you doing to reflect His beauty into this world? I pray that He is working within you to establish the work of your hands. He certainly is working within me.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Pay Attention

September 3rd, 2012 dsisler

There are occasions in our lives where we must pay attention. Backing out of a parking spot calls for complete attention. Baking at high altitude demands full attention in order to get the ingredients and their measurements correct. Babysitting an active two-year old requires uninterrupted attention.
My brother used to walk to work from his home. He crossed a highly congested road where there wasn’t a cross walk. He said that he could day dream or think  of other things all day long, but for those two minutes per day, his full attention needed to be focused on crossing that road. It demanded that he was alert to all the happenings in that moment.
If you look up the words “pay attention” in my concordance, these are the verses you’ll find. Some of the verses tell us to pay attention to the wisdom of our parents. Others tell us to not pay attention to those around us or to myths. The message here must be that we are to pay attention to the things we know are true and disregard those things we know to be untrue.
Let’s see what God wants us to pay attention to
“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” (Proverbs 4:1 – NIV)
“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.” (Proverbs 4:20 – NIV)
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.” (Proverbs 5:1-2 – NIV)
“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.” (Proverbs 7:24 – NIV)
“Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.” (Proverbs 22:17-18 – NIV)
“Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant curing you—for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.” (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 – NIV)
“You have heard many things but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing.” (Isaiah 42:20 – NIV)
“Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.” (Titus 1:13-14 – NIV)
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1 – NIV)
What is it that you need to pay careful attention to today? Do you need to be alert to the teachings and wisdom of parents or mentors? Do you need to need to ignore what others or myths are saying? Do you need to read God’s Word and gain a better understanding of how you should be living your life?
There is plenty of unimportant stuff in this world. And I can guarantee, with all the media you will hear of it all. But is that really what you want to be paying attention to? Isn’t it time to pay attention to what is important?
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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