Prayer Walk – Part 2

June 25th, 2012 dsisler

Today’s post is a continuation of yesterday. A prayer walk written earlier this year. If you didn’t get a chance to read that post, it can be found in the archives.
Station #3 – Apple Orchard (Branch of Righteousness)
Apples are one of the easiest fruit to pick and use.  They’re big and easy to pick, they can be eaten fresh, cooked, canned, frozen and made into many tasty and healthy dishes. Apples are fat, sodium, and cholesterol free. A medium apple has about 80 calories.
Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples on the outside of the tree will ripen first.

 

www.longmontian.blogspot.com
The trees in this orchard stand as a representation of what is good in nature and how it was used in the past and what they mean for the future. With this particular orchard, the fruit is free for harvest.
In Scripture we see Jesus as being the Branch of Righteousness. God’s judgment was falling on the nation of Judah because of their sin and rebellion against God. But Jeremiah looks beyond that time of destruction to the day when God would send the Messiah, the Branch of Righteousness, who would rule over God’s people with love and mercy.
Unlike an apple tree, our spiritual growth comes from the inside. We produce fruit with the help of the Holy Spirit to become people that God can use in His kingdom.
At this station, we will praise God for being the Branch of Righteousness. For His willingness to redeem us through His Son.
1) The hope to which he called you (redemption and righteousness);
2) The riches of his glorious inheritance (fruit we bear);
3) His incomparably great power (Christ ruling within our hearts).
Station #4 – Amphitheater (Zealous God)
An amphitheater is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances. We in Colorado know of this type of venue because of Red Rocks. We head to an amphitheater to see a concert or a play.

If we look at it from the performer’s point of view, it is a place where they can share something. Their craft, their music, their message. They are proclaiming something from the amphitheater.

We too are to be proclaiming something. We are to proclaim the Gospel with the help of Zealous God. We are to share His light with those in darkness. Remember we are to be infused with God’s Zeal.

At this station, we will praise God for filling us with His zeal. For giving us a message to be proclaimed.
1) The hope to which he called you (we have a message of hope to share);
2) The riches of his glorious inheritance (we have been rescued from darkness);
3) His incomparably great power (go and tell this message…Christ is within you!).
Station #5 – Prairie (Breath of the Almighty)
The Rocky Mountains prevent moist air from moving over the Great Plains keeping the prairie grasslands extremely dry. Wind runs rampant across the plains. Despite the conditions, many plants and animals such as wildflowers, antelope, mule deer, prairie dogs, and coyotes make their homes in the prairie grasslands.
Just as the wind is part of what makes the prairie what it is, the Breath of the Almighty makes us what we are. Elihu told Job that he owed his life to the Breath of God. God breathed into the nostrils of Adam to make man a living soul. It was God’s own breath that brought Adam to life.
The Holy Spirit, or the Breath of the Almighty, also energizes us in a spiritual sense. As the Spirit breathes on us, we receive power, we are cleansed, and love is kindled within.
At this station, we will praise God for His breath. Without it we would live in a spiritual parched and dry land.
1) The hope to which he called you (you don’t have to live in the desert);
2) The riches of his glorious inheritance (the Holy Spirit is within us);
3) His incomparably great power (the Holy Spirit is at work in us).
Tomorrow will be the conclusion of this prayer walk. Together, the three days take us on a journey. A walk with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Praising them throughout.
Nothing compares to being in God’s presence. I pray that you’ll enjoy your time with Him today.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Prayer Walk – Part 1

June 24th, 2012 dsisler

I took my Tuesday night Bible study ladies on a prayer walk to close our year of a Bible study on prayer in April. I searched the area to find a park that held all of the elements for a good prayer walk. There just happened to be a park with a learning center, so I felt that was the perfect location for this walk.
I scoured the learning center for unusual aspects and then headed home to write. What I found was that in writing the prayer walk, I was on my own journey. A journey that led me to a better understanding of God’s purpose for prayer in our lives.
Over the next two (or three) days, I’m going to share this walk with you. Why not join me on this journey? Pray as you read through these sections. You’ll have to imagine the setting, because I didn’t take pictures. But I pray that you’ll walk this prayer walk in the imagination of your mind.
Introduction
We are here at Roger’s Grove Park. It is a park, arboretum and outdoor learning center. Here we’ll be able to use some of their space to learn what God has to say to us. We are not only going to pray, but we are going to learn as well.
In the middle of Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving for the Ephesian Christians, he prays this. Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV) says, “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.”
Paul desired for their hearts to be enlightened. God does as well.
That is exactly what Bible study does. It gives spiritual understanding to our lives. Helping us to see clearly what God’s Word has to say to us. When our hearts are enlightened, we are free of false beliefs and are no longer ignorant.
There are three ideas mentioned where our hearts should be “enlightened:”
1) The hope to which he called you;
2) The riches of his glorious inheritance;
3) His incomparably great power.
As we move on through our prayer walk and praise God for being who He is, keep these three things in mind. Allow God to bring a greater understanding of each of them in your life and in relation to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Station #1 – Mosaic (The Potter)
This artwork was created by Susan K. Dailey. It is titled, “Along the River.” Here we see a windmill, nature scene, animals, and the river.
Susan K. Daily.com
It is a beautiful piece with great detail. It also tells a story. The story of this area and how it has changed through the years.
We too, are a piece of artwork and have a story to tell. We are God’s masterpiece and because of the change He has made in our lives, our story becomes part of His story.
Remember Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)? “You are our Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter; and all of us are the work of your hand.”
This mosaic also represents the broken pieces of our lives that when placed side by side, a beautiful work of art is fashioned. God can take what we think is unfixable and mend it. He can make beauty out of ashes.
At this station, we will praise God for being our Potter. Think of the three elements listed above in relation to this topic. Remember the beauty God has created in your life.
1) The hope to which he called you (beauty from brokenness);
2) The riches of his glorious inheritance (how your life has changed);
3) His incomparably great power (what He is able to do in your life).

Station #2 – River (Fountain of Living Water)

We know this river well. It flows through this town and meanders out across the prairie. Where ever this river flows, life flourishes. Plants and animals find refreshment at its banks.
Water is essential for life. Water is essential for our spiritual life as well. Jesus spoke of such living water in John chapter 4. He tells the Samaritan woman that “everyone who drinks this water (from the well) will be thirty 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.” Come Living Water!
At this station, we will praise God for the Living Water He freely gave through Jesus. Without Him, we would indeed be dry and parched.
1) The hope to which he called you (refreshment, hydration, and abundance);
2) The riches of his glorious inheritance (eternal life);
3) His incomparably great power (His ability to bring such life to our lives).
I pray you’ll stop by again tomorrow for the continuation of this prayer walk. To learn what God might have in store for you as you make your way through this “park.”
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Christmas in July

June 23rd, 2012 dsisler

My daughter, Candace asked the other day, “Why is it ‘Christmas in July?’ If we wanted to celebrate Christmas half way through the year it should be ‘Christmas in June.’ That just sounds funny, but I suppose if it had always been ‘Christmas in June’ it wouldn’t sound funny.”
I did a little research and found a couple of reasons. Some felt that it was because we go through a sad period in July, so this helps to brighten and bring cheer to our lives. Some say it is a retail ploy to get us to buy during the summer months.
I think the real answer, however, is that the southern hemisphere is in their cooler climate during July. We equate Christmas with colder weather, so some brilliant person came up with the idea to capitalize on this idea and “Christmas in July” was born.
For those of us (meaning me) who love Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to pull out Christmas decorations. I’ve been known to have Christmas in July parties and have decorated my home for such parties.
I think God knew we would love celebrations. He gave the Israelites many festivals and celebrations to fill their hearts with joy and hope. God instructed their use of these festivals for them to remember what He had done and for what He would do in the future.
While there are too many to mention here, there are many great websites with all the festivals listed in the Bible. One that I found interesting is http://maranathalife.com/teaching/jew-hol.htm.  
There is a ton of information on this website, but I thought this piece of information was interesting. “You can divide the Jewish festivals into two distinct groups. The spring festivals showed the first coming of Christ, while the fall festivals showed the second coming.”
Maybe this is how we should look at our “two” Christmas’. The December Christmas to celebrate the first coming of Christ, His birth. The July Christmas to celebrate and anticipate His second coming. I’m not certain this will catch on, but it will change my way of thinking when it comes to Christmas in July.
The feast I’d like to chat about is the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:26-32). While other feast and festivals are filled with dancing and food, this day brings fasting and purification.
On this day, the High Priest followed guidelines given by God. One goat is sacrificed for the sins of the Israelite people and a second goat is sent into the desert as a scapegoat. The scapegoat carried the sins of Israel with it.
As a Christian, I can see God’s foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice in this day. The sacrifice freely given by His only Son Jesus meant that no others would need to be made. Jesus’ was “once and for all time.” (Hebrews 10:10 – NCV)
Hebrews chapter 10 goes on to tell us, “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14 – NIV) Jesus’ one time sacrifice took on all of the world’s sin from that moment on. What a burden He carried to the cross. My burden. Your burden. Because of His great love.
How different our lives would be if Jesus had not come. If He wasn’t willing to offer this gift for us. I pray that I will never take His gift for granted and will solemnly accept what He’s given.
I do believe there is cause for celebration as well. My life is different because of Jesus. I don’t have to live with my sin for an entire year before asking for forgiveness. I don’t have to carry guilt and shame day after day. I am able to break free of its hold daily.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”(2 Corinthians 9:15 – NIV)
“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25 – NIV)
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 – NIV)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Purpose or Re-purpose?

June 22nd, 2012 dsisler

I recently re-purposed an old tool box. I filled it with plants, attached it to a ladder and placed it on my front porch. I have a collection of both tool boxes and ladders, so this project wasn’t as difficult as you might think.
In our world today, people have coined the phrase, “re-purpose.” Take an item that is of no value in itself or for its past purpose, and recreate it into something beautiful, useful, or beneficial. Trash to treasure.
If you don’t know how to do this, don’t worry! There are plenty of books, websites, and pieces of advice on just how to go about re-purposing something.
And if you don’t have the time or talent to do this on your own, there are shops out there that sell this type of product. Second-hand shops have gained new momentum in sales because of our desire to re-purpose items.
It’s no different with our lives. We believe we’ve come to the place where we know our purpose and have set out on the right path, but then life changes. Jobs are lost. Homes are taken. Lives are turned upside down.
We have no option but to “re-purpose” ourselves and our lives.
But then there are those who are looking for the first purpose in their life. “Why am I on this earth?” “Is this all there is to life?” These may be questions you’ve asked. And they are legitimate questions. We must figure it out.
Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life”[i]has sold over 30 million copies! 30 million people throughout the world are asking those same questions. You are not alone.
According to Mr. Warren, we are on earth for these five purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission. I believe it is that simple. I may not have the specifics of his book here, but the main purposes he gives are pretty simple.
I’ve put together a few of my own thoughts on this topic. Let’s take a look at them.
God is in the middle of it and He isn’t going to abandon your journey. Psalm 138:8 (NIV) says, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” God knows what your purpose in life is. His Word is filled with those purposes. Searching Scripture and learning what they are will bring satisfaction to your soul.
The apostle Paul had many purposes before meeting Jesus. After that introduction, Paul changed. His life changed. His purpose changed. Paul was re-purposed for God’s use. He says in Acts 20:24 (NIV), “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Sharing the Gospel was Paul’s purpose. Paul was open to God’s leadership and moved in God’s direction. Of course, this is one of our purposes as well. To share God’s grace with those we come in contact with.
Paul speaks of heaven in 2 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV). “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” It is a purpose for which we were created. To spend eternity with God in heaven.
Verses 1-4 speak of moaning while in this “earthly tent.” That doesn’t sound pleasant, but once in heaven, we have the opportunity for life to flow through us and to be part of the heavenly dwelling. Now that is a wonderful re-purpose! I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to be part of it.
I believe it is easy to fall into the trappings of our world and spend much of our lives searching for our purpose while here. But I say search God’s Word to find your purpose. Seek God’s Kingdom first and foremost. These aren’t my words, they are Jesus’ words of encouragement to us. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 – NIV) Are you ready to begin the re-purpose journey?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i]Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, 1997, Zondervan
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NAPA Know How

June 21st, 2012 dsisler

My son, Philip, just got a new car. Well it’s actually a used car, but new to him. It needed some work, so my husband, Mason, helped out.
At one point, Mason pulled a hose from the engine and saw a crack. He thought it should be replaced, so he asked if I wouldn’t mind going to the NAPA store. I headed inside to gather my purse and keys and then it hit me. I was going to the NAPA store! The new NAPA store! I actually said it out loud. “I’m going to the new NAPA store!”
I then laughed at myself and headed to the NAPA store.
I am a NASCAR fan. Love to watch the races. Enjoy rooting for my driver and his team. And it just so happens, my driver drove the NAPA car for years. I even made a Ukrainian Egg that looks like his race car with NAPA on the side.
Now you know why this was a big deal.
I got to the new NAPA store and couldn’t believe how nice it was. Race drivers on the front door. Big open area inside. It was the nicest auto parts store I’ve ever been in!
Unfortunately, they didn’t have the part, so I left empty handed.
After that experience, my mind wandered to the fact that there are days when I’m not that excited to study God’s Word. Or maybe go to a church service. Or spend just a few minutes in prayer with God.
Ouch!
I want desperately to be as excited to be with God as I am with other areas in my life. I want to run to His Word and say, “I am going to study and learn what God has to say to me today!” But some days it’s just not as exciting as I desire it to be.
So how do I put the excitement back into my study time, my prayer time, my devotional time?
I look with fresh eyes.
Just as we need regular eye exams, we need to examine our spiritual eyes to see if they align with God’s Word. David knew how important this was when he penned these words. “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18 – NIV)
The writer of Hebrews tells us where our eyes should be. “Let us ix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2a – NIV)
By looking at my time with God with a new perspective, God’s perspective, my desire to do so will increase. I will not be able to wait for our next time together.
I listen with open ears.
Isn’t it easy to tune out noise? I’ve heard of people who live in the path of an airline runway not hear the planes taking off after a while. Now that is tuning out.
What if we do the same thing when it comes to listening to God? Not ignoring Him because it’s what we want to do, but because we’ve heard it so many times before.
I believe Solomon knew the possibility and wrote these words for us to consider.
“…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding…” (Proverbs 2:2 – NIV) We must continually turn our ear to God’s voice and words.
Isaiah was thrilled with the prospect of being awakened by God daily. “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” (Isaiah 50:4 – NIV)
Oh, how I want Isaiah’s thoughts to be my thoughts. To say, “Waken me Lord, to listen to what you have in store for me today.”
I approach with a teachable mind.
I believe I join God in Bible study some days and think I know it all. But I know nothing when compared to God’s infinite wisdom. If I am not open to learning from Him continually, I may as well shut the Bible now and never open it again. I must be teachable. Always.
Paul tells the Roman church, “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) We cannot think the way the world thinks. Our minds need to be renewed by God. It is only then that His will becomes clear.
When we are teachable, God’s peace will flood our souls. His perfect peace will be with us. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 – NIV) Now that is worthwhile!
I rest with a renewed heart.
When all the looking, hearing, and teaching moments have occurred, if my heart is not changed, it is for nothing. My heart must rest in God’s love and Word. When I’ve found that place, I can repeat the words of David.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 – NIV)
When my heart is at rest, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:10-11 – NIV)
Storing up precious Words from God…now that is heart changing.
My words today are not just for your benefit, they are for mine as well. I don’t want to take God for granted and with the words written today, I will run into God’s arms daily. I pray that you will do the same.
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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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