“Once Upon a Time…”

February 23rd, 2016 dsisler

 

I’m sure you’ve heard these words before. “Once upon a time…” Many stories, fables and fantasies have started with these very words. “Once upon a time…” So why do these words draw us into their tale? Because of what used to be. How life, the world, times once were. We want to remember and reminisce.

 

???????????????????????????????For the most part, this is a look back to better days. When things were perfect. The king and queen ruled a perfect land…until an evil villain showed up to mess things up. A peaceful land was enjoyed by all its subjects…until an enemy army attacked. Light and sunshine and rainbows reigned…until darkness and gloom rolled in. The words “once upon a time” are a reminder of how things were when life was good and perfect and without trouble.

 

Peter asked his readers to remember how things used to be as well. But the difference was that Peter wanted his readers (that includes you and me) to remember when things weren’t so good. Take a look at his words. “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10 – NIV)

 

Yep, at one time, once upon a time, we were not God’s people. We chose to live the sinful life. We chose to rebel against God’s precious gifts. We were aliens and strangers to God. We didn’t want to bask in the glorious riches God wanted to give. Nothing. We wanted nothing from God.

 

But then the Prince of heaven changed everything for us. When we accepted Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords, we became the people of God. We received mercy. And what a beautiful life we have in Him.

 

Now I’m not saying that life is easy-going once we allow King Jesus to sit on the thrones of our hearts. There will be trials and tests and temptations that will try to waltz in and kick King Jesus off that throne. Friends, it is in these moments that we must stand firm. We must remember who we are: God’s people. We must remember what we’ve received: mercy. We must fight the battle to protect our hearts and minds against the evil of this world (Ephesians 6:10-18 provides the perfect battle plan).

 

But remember, we’re not alone. God’s Holy Spirit is within us to give us all that we need to fight the battle. God is still on His mighty throne and cheering you on through the battle. And Jesus? Well, He knows exactly what you’re going through. He lived through His own trials and tests and temptations and He wants you to finish well. We need this heavenly army surrounding us to fight well.

 

“Once upon a time…” Maybe it’s good to remember on occasion how things used to be before Jesus showed up in my life, but I think I’ll stick to what Paul had to say about the past. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 – NIV)

 

Press on child of God’s Kingdom!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“No Other Name but Jesus” – Monday Musical Musings

February 22nd, 2016 dsisler

 

I’m not sure how this is possible, but I’ve never shared this song with you! This song has been on my radar for quite a while. Sandi Patti recorded it on her Christmas album that I have (okay, it’s a cassette tape…but it still works!) So I’ve loved this song for that long!

 

???????????????????????????????And it’s even more amazing because of my great love for every name of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit mentioned in Scripture. These names are priceless treasures for me.

 

Jesus’ name is powerful for us as believers. Jesus is the Head of the Church. Jesus is our Advocate, our Shepherd, our Bread of Life, our Lord of all, our Messiah, our Savior, our Truth, our Light. When we call upon the Name of Jesus, we recognize, acknowledge and accept Him for who He is and believe that He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20 – NIV)

 

So this morning, let’s remember the Name above all names. Jesus.

 

“No Other Name but Jesus”[i]

 

Above His name there is no other name
The one who is eternally the same
There is no other name
 

The first and last, beginning and the end
He was the King who made the common man His friend
There is no other name, let every tongue proclaim
And sing the name of Jesus
 

Magnify and praise the name of Jesus
No other name but Jesus
There is power in the precious name of Jesus, Jesus
Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus

 

He created all there is with his own hands
And yet the smallest need He understands
There is no other name

 

The one who said, “I am the great I am”
And then He gave Himself, a sacrifice for man
There is no other name, let every tongue proclaim
And sing the name of Jesus
 

Magnify and praise the name of Jesus
No other name but Jesus
There is power in the precious name of Jesus, Jesus
Forever He shall reign as King of Kings, Lord of all and every living thing
From now on we’ll worship Him and praise the name of Jesus
 

There have been many recordings of this song, but here’s a great one by Steve Green with the Gaither Vocal Band. Click here to listen!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “No Other Name But Jesus,” Words and Music by Gary McSpadden, Billy Smiley and Chris Christian, Yellow House Music, Paragon Music, Home Sweet Home Music, 1983.

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Seek

February 21st, 2016 dsisler

 

As our Sunday morning begins, I want to remind you of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 (NIV). You’ll recognize these words as soon as you start reading them. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

 

So I have to ask. What are you seeking first today? God’s kingdom or the kingdom of this world? God’s righteousness or the world’s lower standard of righteousness? Maybe it’s time for some realignment.

 

Today’s repeat blog post is about the wildfires of Colorado from 2013. The message is still applicable today. Enjoy!

 

Wildfires…Again

 

Colorado has once again hit wildfire season. With five fires raging through the state this morning, each person, whether affected directly by the fires or not, are prompted to evaluate personal property and to be prepared for an event.

 

For those who have been evacuated today, my prayers are for peace and safety for yourself and those you love. For those who are battling these wildfires, I pray that you would be safe in the pursuit of these fires. Thank you for your service.

 

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A few more planning ideas have come into play with this particular wildfire season. Last season, folks were asked to be prepared by gathering certain items (irreplaceable items such as photographs or documents) and placing them in vehicles. They were asked to keep vehicles filled with gas for immediate evacuation and to keep those vehicles turned so that a quick exit would be available.

 

This season, they’ve gone one step further to aid with the process of evacuation. Here are their suggestions.

 

  • Decide where to go.
  • Check about Red Cross shelters.
  • Decide on an evacuation route.
  • Make a meeting place for family.

 

These sound simple enough and maybe even obvious to some. But there are others who need this simple advice in order to remain safe and calm during a hectic situation.

 

As I thought of these four guidelines, I wondered how I might relate them to our salvation…and I think I’ve got it.

 

Decide Where to Go

We have two options. We can choose to spend eternity in heaven or in hell. We can choose to spend eternity in God’s presence or outside of God’s presence. Oh, the misery described in Scripture about hell would be horrible in our earthly state, but the real tragedy would be separation from God. For me, this is an easy choice. I want God.

 

Check About Red Cross Shelters

Red Cross shelters provide safety, security and a haven for those who are hurting or in need. The Church can do the same for a hurt and dying world. The message shared by God’s Church is that of hope, love, acceptance and grace. I can’t imagine going through this life without a church family who I know I can count on when things get tough. Do you have this support system?

 

Decide on an Evacuation Route

Jesus is the route. He tells us in the Book of John of His plan. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 – NIV) We must know Jesus. Don’t follow others on a detour. Know Jesus through what Scripture teaches about Him. Stick to the route. It’s the only way. Jesus is the only Way.

 

Make a Meeting Place for Family

Well, you’ve already heard my decision. I’m meeting my family and friends in heaven. I look forward to the day when I see my loved ones who have gone before me. My grandparents, my child, my grandson. Friends who were faithful here on earth to God’s kingdom. But I will also join all of God’s family in worshiping God for eternity. I look forward to being in the throne room of heaven and saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8 – NIV) What a wonderful place our heavenly Father is preparing for us. Why would we want to miss it?

 

We have the opportunity while on this earth to make preparations to spend eternity in heaven. We must choose our final destination. We must seek a place where we can learn of God’s ways and come to better understanding of Jesus. We must stick to narrow path and not be misguided through our spiritual journey. And we must plan to meet up with God in heaven for eternity. These may seem like simple steps to becoming a faithful Christian, but if just one person finds grace through this little piece then I have done my job. I’ve shared God’s message clearly and precisely. And that is always my goal.

 

Please join me today in praying for those affected by the wildfires in Colorado and across the globe. Please join me today in praying for those who are affected by the storms crossing our country. Please join me today in praying for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior. May God’s hands comfort, protect, and keep us all safe today.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Just a Prayer Away

February 20th, 2016 dsisler

 

I love to pray. This is such sweet communion between God and me. Over and over in Scripture we find reasons to join God in this special time. Take a look at some of them.

 

???????????????????????????????Psalm 34:17 (NIV)

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

 

Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

 

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

 

1 Peter 3:12a (NIV)

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”

 

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

 

If you haven’t figured it out by now, God wants to help us in every situation of our lives. But we need to approach Him. We need to ask. And we need to understand that He will always answer our prayer. Always. But God’s answers are in accordance with His will, not our own.

 

I also love it when others ask me to pray for them. Whether it’s a friend, family member or co-worker, I feel blessed and honored when asked to pray for situations in my loved one’s lives.

 

I know that there are times when we are distracted or feel like we don’t have the time to pray or when we even forget to pray. But just so you know, God is still there. He continues to wait for you to approach the throne of grace. When you do so, your heavenly Father opens His loving arms and wraps you tightly in His beloved embrace. He will always be there. He will never, ever let you down.

 

So today, just remember that God is just a prayer away. Do you need to have a little visit with Him?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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The Wedding Banquet

February 19th, 2016 dsisler

 

My mind is preoccupied. One month from today, my son, my firstborn child will say “I do” to his lovely bride. It seems like there is still so much to do! Final decisions. Preparations. Travel arrangements. And this list goes on and on.

 

sunrise 1-28-15But as I focus on the blessed day ahead, I’m also preparing for another day that is yet to come. The day the Groom returns for His Bride.

 

In one of those Monday morning prayer sessions, I focused on the Church, the Bride of Christ and was once again swept away by the beauty of this picture.

 

I wrote a Bible study a couple of years ago on the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, but I looked at this passage through fresh eyes on that morning several weeks ago because of the wedding preparations we are in the midst of. These are some of the things I learned.

 

The Wedding Banquet Was Prepared

Matthew 22:4 (NIV) tells us that oxen and cattle had been butchered and everything had been made ready for the wedding of this son. Now, I have never butchered either of these animals, but I know what it takes to prepare a feast from meat purchased at a store. This was a lot of effort. But for this child, the father was willing to do whatever necessary to make this day special.

 

The same is true of our heavenly Father. His preparations have been in the works since before the beginning of our time. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to be welcomed into the wedding feast of the Lamb. It’s gonna be awesome!

 

The Invites Were Sent

Apparently in Jesus’ day, guests were invited to the wedding banquet, but no date was given for the actual event. Once the preparations were made, guests were once again invited to come. These guests in Matthew 22 were not very accommodating to their host. They all backed out! What’s more, they refused to join in the celebration. How hurt the father must have been!

 

Folks, let’s face it. We have all received the invitation and many have accepted the invite, but how are we doing on the waiting thing? Where is our focus? I pray that on that glorious day when the Groom arrives to claim His Bride that we are all prepared and ready to go willingly.

 

RSVP’s Were Given

These guests who refused to attend the wedding feast had apparently RSVP’d to join in this celebration. Otherwise, a second invitation would not have been given. So I wonder what changed their mind about attending? Had they heard oxen would be served and they didn’t like oxen? This passage says that some went to their fields and others to their businesses. Are these activities good excuses for refusal to attend?

 

How sad for the folks in our day who refuse God’s invitation to the wedding feast. How much more sadness I feel for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and then turned their backs to Him. Let’s be sure to pray diligently for the ones who are being held in bondage by the world and the evil one.

 

Invites Sent Again

Since no one from the first set of invitations would attend the wedding feast, another round of invitations were given. This time, the invitees were any who could be found. Any one on the street was invited into the wedding feast. The good and the bad.

 

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17 – NIV) The invitation is given. Come!

 

Get Ready

Once the guests arrived, one was spotted that wasn’t dressed appropriately. It may have been the custom for the wedding host to provide wedding clothing for the guests. The reaction from the host makes more sense under these circumstances.

 

We find in other passages of Scripture that the Bride is to be prepared for her Groom. We, as members of body of Christ are to be found “beautifully dressed, without spot or blemish.” (Revelation 21:2 – NIV) We are to present ourselves to him “as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27 – NIV) Are you ready to meet your Bridegroom?

 

Filled

Finally, the wedding hall was filled with guests. I love this part. I look forward to the day when the banquet hall of heaven is filled with Jesus’ Bride. The celebration will begin. The feast will be spectacular. The Bride of Christ will meet her Groom. How glorious!

 

Weddings. They are so much fun, but there is work to be done ahead of time. I pray that you will find words of encouragement through this blog post that will help you in getting ready for the big day. Just remember these words from Revelation 22:20 (NIV). “‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

 

Are you ready?

 

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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