It’s Sunday!

August 14th, 2016 dsisler

 

It’s Sunday! Woohoo! Are you making preparations to head to worship? I pray that you are.

 

I love today’s repeated blog post. There are so many elements from two years ago that fit in to my world today. I pray that you will find time to renew yourself, your quiet time or your relationship with God. He makes all things new.

 

New

 

We are in the throes of August. Back-to-school traditions are in full swing and some schools have already started. Fall programming at churches are ready to begin. The thought of cooler weather lingers on everyone’s minds. Life is about to change.

 

Daytona Beach 021mAugust has always been a special month for me. My oldest child was born on August 21. My second child was born three years later on August 23. As you can imagine, August birthdays and back-to-school shopping were nearly always combined.

 

August also means that women’s Bible studies all around the world are about ready to begin. Women from all walks of life will spend more time in prayer and study with Bibles in hand starting in just a few weeks. Not that these same women don’t study and pray during the summer, but there’s just something about the fall and the re-gathering of these faithful women that makes me believe the evil one isn’t as excited for August to end as we are.

 

The church I attend and where I work is gearing up for a final push this fall as well. We have our end of summer bash tomorrow night at a local water park and I know the kids are going to have a blast. The kids and students will be promoted to their new classes this Sunday. New neighborhood groups are being formed. Even our current message series is pushing our folks to something a little bigger, to a relationship with Jesus that’s a little deeper.

 

We rarely think of it this way, but August is a time of new beginnings. New studies. New grade levels at school. New teachers. New clothes. For some, new life in Christ.

 

There are plenty of passages that speak to this idea of new. King David spoke of a new song in Psalm 40:3. Solomon said “there is nothing new under the sun” in Ecclesiastes 1:9. Isaiah heard new things from God as stated in Isaiah 48:6. God spoke through Ezekiel 36:26 and said new hearts and new spirits were to come.

 

There were new names (Daniel 1:7), new days (Zephaniah 3:5), a new teaching (Mark 1:27), a new command (John 13:34), new life (Acts 5:20), a new way of the Spirit (Romans 7:6), a new covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25), new creation (Galatians 6:15), new birth (1 Peter 1:3), a new heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:13), new everything (Revelation 21:5).

 

Early in Jesus’ ministry He was asked why His disciples didn’t fast and pray as John the Baptizer’s and the Pharisees did (Luke 5:33-35). Jesus replied with encrypted words that we now understand, but for His audience, I’m sure they wondered what bridegroom he was talking about.

 

Jesus then went on to share a parable with those around Him. “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘This old is better.’” (Luke 5:36-39 – NIV)

 

Jesus’ audience understood this parable. They used goatskin to hold wine. As fresh wine fermented, the wine would expand. As it expanded, the new goatskin would stretch. If an older skin was used, it would not expand any further than it already had, so it would eventually burst.

 

We see in this parable that Jesus brought a new way of life that could not fit into or be confined by the old religious ways. Jesus also used this moment to show how some would be reluctant to change from their old traditions and look earnestly at the message Jesus was teaching.

 

Paul later expanded on this idea of new life, new way and new attitude. In Ephesians 4, Paul said it this way. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 – NIV)

 

Perhaps this is the perfect time of year to think of new beginnings. Maybe it’s the time we should think about resolutions. For me, this is an exciting time. I am rejuvenated by the possibilities of the fall.

 

I pray that you are able to jump into a small group or Bible study. I pray that if you need an attitude adjustment, need to take off the old you and put on Jesus or are ready to take a step toward Jesus that you will do so this fall. Jesus is waiting to join you on this journey.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Intentional Living

August 13th, 2016 dsisler

 

I’ve been in two long days of leadership training through Willow Creek. As usual, there were some awesome speakers and I have pages of notes to go over to find the best of the best pieces of wisdom that I can use in my work life, my personal life or my spiritual life. It’s kind of overwhelming.

 

DSC00374But what I love about the Global Leader’s Summit is that this same information can be used in any business or church. These tools and tips are useful whether I’m running a women’s ministry at church or a coffee shop up the street. These are the best practices of influential leaders across the globe.

 

While there were some great leadership tips, one session in particular was geared toward anyone. John Maxwell reminded us to live intentionally by adding value to people. Let me tell you his thoughts on how we can add value to people every day.

 

First, we must value people. As we think of this idea, remember all the instances in the Gospels where Jesus valued people. The woman at the well. Zacchaeus. The woman with the bleeding disorder. Jesus valued each of these people and He showed it. I believe we can be a lot more like Jesus in this area.

 

Next, think of ways to add value to people. Be prepared ahead of time and know how you can add value to another person in different settings. Jesus thought of the woman at the well long before He sat down at that well. He knew He would encounter her. And we can do the same. We need to give ourselves margin in our lives where we can actually spend time with someone is just one way to be prepared.

 

And then we need to look for ways to add value to people. Mr. Maxwell called these people “added value liver’s” and “added value looker’s. I am not as good at this one as I should be. I don’t tend to look people in the eye…if I don’t, I won’t see the hurt they’re feeling or understand the need they have. If I don’t know about it, I don’t have to do anything about it. But that’s not the way Jesus lived His life.

 

Then we can add value to others. What we’ve thought of and prepared to do and seen, we need to do it. We need to meet a need. We need to speak to someone. Maybe we need to embrace someone. The point here is to do it.

 

And finally, we need to encourage others to add value to others. This isn’t something I can keep to myself, so I’m sharing it here, with you, my readers. Follow these same ideas and you too can live an intentional living life.

 

I want to end by sharing a quote from John Maxwell. He says, “When you change your thinking from ‘What am I going to receive?’ to ‘What am I going to give?’ your entire life begins to turn around.”

 

Paul wrote in Acts 20:35 (NIV) that Jesus said, “’It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” If we believe Jesus said these words, then our lives must show it.

 

What do you need to change in your life so that you can live an intentional life? How can you show others that you value them? What steps do you need to take to make a difference in another’s life?

 

I know where my weakness is and I intend to be more intentional in looking for ways I can add value to other’s lives. I pray that you will not just think of this as another nice post, but that you will actually take these words to heart and allow God’s Spirit to massage it. Let Him do the leading…but join Him on the journey.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Temptation

August 12th, 2016 dsisler

 

As I’m writing the Book of Luke, I was touched by the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by the devil. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve read this passage (in Luke, Matthew or Mark) or heard a message about it through the years, but I have to say, I found a few things interesting that I believe we can keep in mind when we face temptation.

 

???????????????????????????????First, the devil knows Scripture. In Luke 4:10-11, Satan shared a verse or two with Jesus. However, he twisted it so that it fit his need at the time.

 

The lesson I believe we should learn from this is that even the evil one and evil people know Scripture. They may even quote it to you. But beware, it probably is not accurate information. So don’t take their word for it. Look it up. See if it is indeed what the Bible says.

 

We can also learn that we must be careful with how we use Scripture. No taking a verse out of context to make it prove our point. No misquotes. No adaptations. If we are going to use Scripture, we must use it accurately. Remember Paul’s encouragement to Timothy? “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) Great words of advice for each of us.

 

Second, the devil decided to wait for another opportune time to tempt Jesus again. “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13 – NIV)

 

The lesson we can learn here is that we shouldn’t expect Satan to give up. Like this encounter with Jesus, he will wait for an opportune time to tempt you and me. It’s important for each of us to know when we are most vulnerable. Maybe when you’re tired, or angry, or hungry, or alone, or when you’re with a specific person, or away from home, or                                   (you can fill in the blank here). When you (and I) know your weaknesses, you (and I) can be prepared for when it happens.

 

And just how can we do that? Put on your armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Be prepared for battle. Don’t just stand there and allow the evil one to pummel you with his fiery darts. Take your stand and fight.

 

And take a cue from Jesus. He used Scripture to battle temptation. You can do the same. Find a passage of Scripture that helps you through your specific temptation and keep it handy. Using God’s Truth in the battle will expose the lies of the father of lies.

 

You probably already know all of this, but it was good for me to write it down. This is for my benefit as well as yours. I pray that when the devil shows up at an opportune time, that you will be prepared to fight the battle. I certainly plan to be.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“And Can It Be?” – Today’s Touch

August 11th, 2016 dsisler

 

It’s Thursday and I’m back to writing about poetry. I searched for something to add here and just didn’t find the perfect poem, so I thought I’d share the words to a hymn. It’s poetry…and its music…however, if you don’t know the hymn, you won’t know the melody and sing it in your head as I do when I read the words to a song.

 

Daytona 500 004Anyway, I thought of this beauty and wanted to share. The music for “And Can It Be?” was written in 1738 by Charles Wesley. It is recorded that Charles wrote this song soon after his conversion. In 1825, Thomas Campbell added the lyrics. These are powerful words, not just for Thomas and Charles, but each one of us.

 

It is difficult to understand how God could love us so much, but the fact is, He does. How precious we are to our heavenly Father!

 

So as you take a look at these words, remember where you were before you encountered Jesus. Thank God for His beautiful grace. Claim your crown. Live for Jesus.

 

“And Can It Be?”[i]

 

And can it be that I should gain an int’rest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

 

He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race!

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, for, O my God, it found out me.

 

Long my imprisoned spirt lay fast found in sin and nature’s night.

Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray: I woke—the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

No condemnation now I dread: Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine.

Bold I approach the eternal throne and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

 

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “And Can It Be?,” words and music by Charles Wesley and Thomas Campbell, public domain, 1738 and 1825.

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Harvest Time

August 10th, 2016 dsisler

 

Let me tell you a little bit about my Scripture writing. I finished the Book of Acts and started working on Luke. I am leading a group this fall that will focus on what Luke has to say about Jesus, so I wanted to have this Gospel under my belt.

 

ApplesWell it didn’t take long for me to be amazed at what I have overlooked through these years as a Bible teacher. I loved reading and writing Luke’s introduction to his book.

 

Written to his friend Theophilus, Luke states that many had taken up the pen to write about all that had been fulfilled. But that since Luke had “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” of Jesus’ life, that he felt it would be good for him to write his own account. (Luke 1:3 – NIV)

 

But it was for more than just documentation. It was “so that you (Theophilus) may know the certainly of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4 – NIV)

 

This Gospel has been handed down from generation to generation so that each one of us might read the words written here and know for certain that all we have learned about Jesus is true. Luke may have been thinking of Theophilus and himself at the time, but God used Luke’s penmanship to record the birth, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

Not too far into the book, I found another interesting piece of teaching. John the baptizer spoke these words. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:8 – NIV) Do these words sound familiar? They should! Jesus spoke these same words in John 15 (and at other times as well). Paul spoke of fruit on several occasions. Romans 7:4, Philippians 1:11, Colossians 1:10 and Hebrews 13:15 are examples. And James, the brother of Jesus, spoke of fruit in James 3:17.

 

This bearing fruit thing is important. But what John says here is that we are to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. As we repent of sin in our lives, good fruit is to replace the bad fruit.

 

And that good fruit should continue to produce so that we ourselves see the production of fruit, but also so that others will know us by the fruit we bear. Jesus reminds us of this truth in John 15:8 (NIV). “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

 

So I have to ask you. What fruit are you producing? Is it in keeping with your repentance? Do others know you are a believer of Jesus because of the fruit you bear?

 

What fruit do we produce? Some are mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Do you have these verses memorized? “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These are the characteristics (fruit) we produce as we remain in Jesus and as we repent.

 

Jesus also says this in John 15. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2 – NIV)

 

If you’re not bearing fruit, God has a plan. If you’re bearing fruit, God has a plan. The fruit we bear shows that we belong to Jesus and as we remain in Him, we produce a lot of fruit.

 

John’s exhortation is for you and me. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Today I pray that you will remain in Jesus. I pray that your fruit is bountiful. I pray that through God’s pruning process you will produce even more fruit. And I also pray that others will know who you belong to because of the fruit you produce.

 

It’s harvest time!

 

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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