I’m Alright (Sabbatical Post)

January 28th, 2016 dsisler

 

I used to be clumsy. Not as clumsy as some, but still clumsy. I remember vividly walking into walls on more than one occasion and falling down a flight of stairs in high school. After the flight of stairs incident, I began to walk a bit slower. Take my time and know exactly where my feet were going. That in itself didn’t help with the walking into walls thing. I continued to do that all through high school.

 

I remember a specific day as I was walking in downtown Akron, Ohio I slipped a bit. I caught myself before falling completely, but when I turned to see what had caused my misstep, I saw a banana peel. I didn’t see it before, but there it was. I actually slipped on a banana peel.

 

I’m not sure if clumsiness is hereditary, but if it is, my children were certain to get the gene. Especially my daughter Candace. She has struggled with this throughout her life. She’d fall, and before she could even assess the situation, would quickly say, “I’m alright.” Falling down stairs, running into walls (or falling through walls), or tripping over something are everyday occurrences for her.

 

In my recent Bible searches, I came across the small book of Jude. Have you ever read it? Recently? I hadn’t. It’s only one chapter. 25 verses. It is a short letter written to a group of believers. We don’t know who, but it was a disturbing situation for certain.

 

This group of believers had been infiltrated by some who felt that they could continue in sin. They believed that they had already been saved and didn’t need to live a Godly life. Jude clearly states that this is an untruth. The real problem was that they were leading others into this belief as well. This is just a portion of the encouragement Jude gives.

 

“Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others who mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 20-22

 

I love the phrase, “snatch others from the fire to save them.” It is such a vivid reminder for us to keep watch for brothers and sisters who are being led astray. We must not allow false teachers or even other believers to change the Gospel. For any reason.

 

But the reason I bring up the book of Jude is the last section of the book. Remember, I was talking about clumsiness and falling. Well Jude encourages once again against falling. Not physical, but spiritual falling. He closes his letter with this Doxology.

 

“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen.” Jude 23-25

 

Jude gives us another wonderful reminder that we can be kept from falling. Through our faith and trust, God is able lend us a helping hand. His gracious helping hand. All you have to do is reach for it.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Greater is He (Sabbatical Post)

January 27th, 2016 dsisler

 

Wow! I’m tired this morning. My mind is foggy. My eyes are puffy. By the way I feel this morning, you would think I stayed out late or didn’t sleep well.

 

Barns01But neither of those are the case. I went to bed at a decent time, slept well, and slept in (until 6:15 a.m.). So why do I feel like this? I’m not sure, but I can relate to how the disciples felt on Jesus’ last night on this earth before His resurrection.

 

Jesus specifically asked them to stay awake and pray. He asked them to be alert. He asked them to watch. He asked them to pray.

 

But time after time, they were found sleeping because their “eyes were heavy” (Matthew 26:43).

 

Jesus felt the urgency that night. He knew what was going to take place. He knew after this night, everything would change.

 

The disciples obviously didn’t feel the same urgency. I suspect if they knew what was about to take place, they would not have slept. They would have been alert and doing exactly as their Rabbi had requested. They may have even tried to follow Him just to be near Jesus.

 

But that wasn’t the case. After finding the disciples asleep yet again, the betrayal was in full swing and Jesus was arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, and eventually crucified.

 

I wonder how well the disciples slept after the crucifixion. Did they lie awake at night asking themselves “what if?” What if they hadn’t fallen asleep? What if they had stayed awake and prayed? What if they had been more aggressive? What if they had more faith as Jesus asked them on more than one occasion? What if?

 

But the reality was they didn’t do any of these things. Jesus put it in plain words in Matthew 26:41 (NIV). “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

 

Another truth is nothing they could have done that night would have made a difference in the outcome. Jesus’ sacrifice would have taken place. It was part of God’s plan. It was God’s way of saving mankind.

 

Where the difference would have been found was in the disciples themselves. They missed an opportunity to grow spiritually because they were tired.

 

In truth, I’m no different. I allow my physical body to dictate my spiritual life. I say, “My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.”

 

I believe that when I am feeling this way, it’s an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to take over. When I acknowledge and accept His power within me, I am able to continue. I am able to grow. I am able to prove to myself that my spirit is able to overcome my body because of the One within me.

 

Perhaps this event is why John later wrote, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 – NIV)

 

With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to overcome all that comes with this earthly body. Even tiredness.

 

Today I am living proof. I sat down at my computer and didn’t know where I was heading with this post. And yet, 631 words later, I have a blog post. It wasn’t me. I wanted to write, “I’m tired. I’m not writing today. Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

 

But God’s Spirit took over and because He is greater than anything that I encounter, I have shared a little something from God’s Word that might encourage you today.

 

I don’t know about you, but I think I’m ready to get this day started!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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My New Bible (Sabbatical Post)

January 26th, 2016 dsisler

 

I received a new Bible for Mother’s Day from my husband. You might think that with all the Bibles I have sitting on my shelf that one more would not be the perfect gift, but it was.

 

???????????????????????????????My new Bible is the updated version of New International Bible. The first printing of this version was in 1984. Since then, they have made a few changes to their translation of certain words, phrases or concepts. This newer version remains true to the manuscripts while allowing the modern reader a better understanding of God’s Word.

 

My new Bible is a Thinline. That means it is slender and sleek. It is lightweight (compared to my big blue study Bible that weighs nearly four pounds). It is easy to carry. It feels good in my hands. It is easy to take with me.

 

My new Bible is also large print. I love the Thinlines that I have on my shelf, but the print is so small they are unusable. I cannot read the words because they are nearly unreadable for me. The solution? Larger print! I can actually read this Bible without strain on my eyes.

 

It may seem that my 1984 version of the Bible is obsolete, but I can guarantee it is not. It is still very useful for my writing and Bible study preparation. It is always handy. It’s always sitting on my desk ready to be used. It has markings and notes and it’s not very likely that it will be going any place any time soon.

 

So here are some of my thoughts on God’s Word and the impact it has on my life and those who choose to read it and make changes in their lives because of what they read.

 

God’s Word is not obsolete

It is still a best seller. With nearly six billion copies sold world-wide, there is little doubt that any other book has sold near this amount. So why is that? Because God’s Word contains hope for the world. Jesus is that hope. It’s only through Him that we find fulfillment in this life. He is the One who offers significance. He is the One who brings us from our despair and provides life. There is nothing obsolete about hope.

 

God’s Word is timeless

The Bible has withstood the tests of time. It has survived, endured, lasted, and remained. It has been preserved, maintained, upheld and conserved by faithful servants of God. Regardless of what mankind has tried to do to God’s Word, it has survived it all and is still able to speak to those very people who tried to decimate the Bible and its message.

 

God’s Word is relevant

If you don’t believe me, read through these passages and tell me if it was written for today’s society or for the generation of 70 A.D.

 

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.” (Romans 1:29-31 – NIV)

 

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21a – NIV)

 

“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13 – NIV)

 

God’s Word offers all that we need

As we live as believers in this world, the Bible gives us valuable information so that we are able to withstand the troubles, temptations, and trials that come along with life. I pray that you find comfort from these words and that you will hold tightly to them as you go through your day.

 

“Do not conform 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)

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 – NIV)

 

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5 – NIV)

 

Oh how I love God’s Word and what I find between its pages fills my life with such hope and joy that I cannot keep it to myself. I must share what I’ve learned through study with others. That’s one of the reasons I write this blog each day. To share a tidbit of what God has to say through the Bible.

 

I pray that you are reading God’s Word on a regular basis (daily would be wonderful!). God’s message is too valuable to leave sitting on your bookshelf or coffee table. Pick it up today. Read it. Come to love it as I do and you’ll understand why I do what I do.

 

I pray that you are also sharing what you’re learning. It may not be in written form, but in some way relaying this message to others. It might possibly be the one thing needed to change that person’s life.

 

I pray for those who haven’t come to know God as I do too. If you are reading this and fit into this group, please let me share more of this message with you. I would love to point you to God through His Word. Just let me know by making a comment.

 

Today, I am blessed.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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All is Calm (Sabbatical Post)

January 25th, 2016 dsisler

 

I’ve recently found a recipe on Pinterest for something to help with the calming of children. It’s called a calming jar and it is to be used during time out or any time a child need to focus their attention on something other than the situation at hand.

 

DSC00374I wonder how this might work on adults? Put one of these jars into the hands of someone who is angry or disgruntled and just maybe, their attitude might change? It might be worth a try in some instances.

 

But for me, I know where my calm comes from. It’s not from a jar. It’s not from myself (I know for a fact that I can get pretty worked up). It can’t be bought. It isn’t found in a location. My calm and my peace comes from God and His Holy Spirit who lives within me.

 

I’ve been on several interviews over the past three years and finally decided to be honest when asked the question, “How do you deal with a difficult customer/patient/client?” I can almost guarantee my response was the reason I wasn’t chosen for the job interviewing for.

 

So you’re probably asking, “What did you say?” Well, let me tell you.

 

First, I told them I would pray. Ask God to be in the middle of the situation and direct my words and my actions.

 

Second, I told them I would rely on the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead and guide me through the situation.

 

I must be honest, this method doesn’t work 100% of the time. It only works when I am open to the God and His Spirit to work in me. There are occasions when I miss the opportunity and the old me shows up instead of the God-working-in-me me.

 

So my response would still be the same if I were to go on an interview today. However, I must be willing to initiate this plan in order for it to work correctly.

 

I believe that God’s Spirit has a great effect on me and my emotions. When I allow Him to work through me, it is amazing what He can accomplish. I am calm. I am at peace. I am open to opportunities. I am a reflection of Him.

 

When I don’t allow the Holy Spirit to work through me, I am frenzied. I am uncertain. I am in turmoil. I am a reflection of me.

 

So today, as we head out into this world, let’s be mindful of how we act. Let’s be prepared to ask God’s Spirit to step in when necessary. Let’s be focused on what God wants us to do instead of what we want to do. Let’s use God’s Spirit. He is much more effective than a calming jar!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! (Sabbatical Post)

January 24th, 2016 dsisler

 

Summer will arrive next week…schools will be finished…vacations will begin…the heat of June, July and August will be oppressive…women’s Bible study will officially be over.

 

While there are some enjoyable events and happenings that go hand-in-hand with summer, I am always sad to see my time leading women in Bible study come to an end. I find great joy in sharing God’s message with others who want to know His Words.

 

So I am sad. There are only two more weeks that we will be together and what lessons we will cover! We are studying “Follow Me” by Randy Sprinkle and this book has changed my way of thinking on prayer and being a prayer walker and warrior.

 

Mr. Sprinkle brought to mind a correlation between our spiritual battles and the provisions we have while in battle. Let me share these with you.

 

As we read through Ephesians, the Apostle Paul helps us to understand the three primary forces at work around us as we live as Christians in our daily lives. In Ephesians 2:1-3, we are battling against the world (v. 2), the ruler of the kingdom of the air (v.2), and our sinful nature (v.3).

 

Oh how blessed we are to see that we have a great hope so that we are not left in this state nor are we left alone.

 

“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 3:4-5)

 

If these two verses don’t make your heart leap for joy, I don’t know what greater message I could share with you today to lift your spirits. God loved us, when we were unlovable. God saved us, when we were unsaveable. God made us alive, when we were dead. Hallelujah!

 

Paul reminds us again in chapter six of Ephesians of what and whom our battle is against. We are to take our stand against the devil’s schemes; the rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world; and the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12).

 

And as we see later in the Book of Ephesians, God didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves in this world and against the evil one and even against ourselves. He offers His armor, His full armor, for our battle. It’s up to us to put it on, but He’s giving it to us.

 

Let’s look at the equipment we have been given.

 

The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)

 

The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)

 

The Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

 

The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

 

The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)

 

The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)

 

With all of this in mind, we as believers are also told to do a couple of things from this chapter. We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). We are to stand firm (Ephesians 6:11; 13; 14). We are to pray (Ephesians 6:18). We are to be alert (Ephesians 6:18).

 

Yes, there is a battle raging all around us and the evil one is continually looking for ways to drag us back to our former self. But we have a far greater power within us to lead us into this battle. Don’t give up the fight. Keep your armor on. Be alert. Be prepared. And do it all as you bathe it in prayer.

 

I’ve got the victory. You’ve got the victory. We’ve all got the victory now!

 

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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