Humbled

July 10th, 2015 dsisler

 

Over the past few days, I’ve had a few lessons to learn. One of which is humility. Without going into the details, God has pointed out to me through others, His holy Word and Holy Spirit that my heart needed softening in the humility area.

 

front porchI’ve read all of the Scripture about humility many times in my life. I’ve even thought I had mastered humility. But that’s the reality of humility. Just when we think we’ve got it, pow! I’m tossed right back into the pride arena.

 

So today, I’d like to remind myself (yet again) of why humility is important for Christian living and how to attain humility.

 

Why?

Number 1: Wisdom accompanies humility. Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

 

Number 2: We are lifted up when we are humble. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 – NIV)

 

Number 3: Because God commanded us to be humble. Here are just a few verses to keep in mind: Micah 6:8; Romans 12:16; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 3:8.

 

How?

Number 1: Submit to God. James 4:7 (NIV) tells us to “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

 

Number 2: Come to Jesus as a little child. In Matthew 18:3-4 (NIV), Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Number 3: Become a servant. Again, in Jesus’ teaching, He spoke these words in Mark 9:35 (NIV). “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

 

Number 4: Pray, seek God’s face and turn from your wicked ways. King Solomon heard these words from the Lord Himself. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 – NIV)

 

Number 5: Join Jesus in the yoke. Again, take a look at Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 11:29 (NIV). “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

 

Number 6: Be teachable. Psalm 25:8-9 (NIV) tells us that, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

 

Once again, I’ve learned a few things about humility and how it relates to my Christian living. I pray that God would continue to use me, His humbled servant to share His message with others. I pray that He will do the same with you.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

Gems

July 9th, 2015 dsisler

 

I enjoy finding small sections of Scripture that turn out to be real gems after studying them. Sometimes I hear a verse in a sermon. Sometimes I read the verse in a Bible study. Other times I’m searching the Bible for a different purpose and out pops a surprise.

 

Daytona Beach 021mRecently I’ve had a couple I’d like to share with you.

 

Here’s one. 1 Kings 1:1 (NIV). This is what it says. “When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him.”

 

Just a glimpse into David’s later years, but it touched me to know that this great king of Israel was cold. I don’t like being cold. It takes so long for me to regain my warmth. I think that is what David was experiencing.

 

If we think of this in terms of our spiritual lives, we must not allow our hearts to grow cold. We must not allow our spirits to be away from the heat source. Because it takes a long time to warm up again.

 

Satan knows just how to keep us in the cold. Let’s not allow him to gain any ground in this area.

 

Another verse I’d like to share with you is also from 1 Kings. 1 Kings 9:3 (NIV) is a verse where God is speaking to Solomon after the temple was complete. “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”

 

God would reside in the temple. In that place. But it would be more than that. He was claiming it as His own. His Name would be there. His presence would be in the temple. His eyes would keep watch. And His heart would remain in this location.

 

This was important to the Israelites. To know their God was in their presence. To know His temple was His dwelling place.

 

We, as New Testament Christians have taken on a special role. We are the temple of God. “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.’” (2 Corinthians 6:16b – NIV)

 

Just as God was among the Israelites in the past, He walks and lives among us today. Within us.

 

And since we are His temple, His Name, eyes and heart are within us as well.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – NIV)

 

My body houses the living God. The Spirit of God. Why would I choose to defile it? What am I doing that would cause harm to my body?

 

These are questions each of us must answer for ourselves. I know for me, I allow my laziness and lack of self-control to affect my physical body (the temple of God) and that in turn affects my spiritual life.

 

Two different ideas. Two moments of spiritual growth. Areas where my heart and my mind need mending. I am so thankful that God has placed these gems throughout Scripture. It’s up to you and me to find them and store them in our hearts.

 

I would love to hear from you! What spiritual gems have you found recently?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

Galatians 6:9-10 – Word of God Wednesday

July 8th, 2015 dsisler

 

 

It’s another Wednesday morning and a day to remember God’s Word. I pray that you will be encouraged by the passage chosen today. Have a blessed day!

 

IMAG1501“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10 – NIV)

 

Questions to consider:
Is your weariness (physical or spiritual) preventing you from doing good?

Are you persistently seeking to do good things?

How can you help a fellow believer with a specific burden they carry?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

Lie Detector

July 7th, 2015 dsisler

My daughter Candace starts a new job next week. She was screened pretty heavily, but they stopped short of a lie detector test.

 

When she mentioned this test, I remembered years ago, I had to undergo a lie detector test in order to work for a jewelry store. In this particular job, I wouldn’t be handling the jewelry at all. Not even close to it. My job was in the office, making phone inquiries of would be jewelry purchasers for credit purposes. I guess they wanted to be sure I could be trusted.

 

What I remember about the lie detector test was how nervous I was. What questions would they ask? How would they know if I was lying? What information did they know about me that I didn’t know? What I did know is that I was sweating and anxious from the beginning. They strapped me in and hooked me up and all I could do was try to answer each question truthfully. I suspect I even had a few moments when I wasn’t sure what truth was. But I got through the test and I got the job.

 

Life can be this way at times. We know truth. We know what God’s Word says. But then we hear an opinion and it makes sense, but it contrary to God’s precepts and confusion sets in. Let me tell you who is messing with your mind. The evil one.

 

Let me tell you something else. God’s truth is Truth. It hasn’t wavered. It hasn’t changed. It hasn’t swerved. God’s truth is Truth. God’s Truth can be trusted. God’s Truth can be believed. God’s Truth will always prevail.

 

When faced with Truth, even powerful men failed the test. Pilate failed (John 18:37-38). King Agrippa failed and Festus failed (Acts 25:1-26:32). Truth stood before each of these men and their misguided minds failed to see it.

 

We hear truth every day. Sometimes we believe it for what it is. Other times we allow our emotions to blur that truth. So what is truth?

 

Jesus.

 

In John 14:6 (NIV), Jesus makes this statement. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is our ultimate Truth. When we know Truth, we are able to focus on His words and understand how we should live.

 

Jesus also spoke these words about truth. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 – NIV)

 

Jesus not only is Truth, He taught truth. When we listen to Jesus’ teachings and act out truth in our lives, we find freedom. Freedom from what? The destruction that comes with sin.

 

We see untruths in our lives on a regular basis. From Photoshopped images to dishonest people. When we use Truth (Jesus) as our basis for living, we are able to distinguish these untruths. But more importantly, we know when we aren’t living as we should. Truth may set us free, but Truth also holds us to a higher standard.

 

Pilate was so close to Truth he could have touched it, but he missed Truth because of his disbelief. I pray that you recognize Jesus for who and what He is. Truth. When we use Jesus as our compass for truth, we are able to distinguish right from wrong. Good from evil. Holy from unholy. And in Truth we are able to pass the test.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

“Your Presence” – Monday Musical Musings

July 6th, 2015 dsisler

 

Whoo Hoo! It’s July. America we’ve had some great celebrations over the past few days. We’ve celebrated our 239th birthday! Congratulations America!

 

???????????????????????????????July is also the month when the weather begins to turn unbearably hot. Just look at a weather map from the nation and you’ll see the temperatures rise. Phew! July can be a scorcher!

 

To bring some relief from the parties and hot weather, I decided to try some Christmas in July tunes this month. You realize that Christmas is just around the corner. You surely don’t want it to sneak up on you!

 

When I heard the song I’ll share with you today, I was touched by the simplicity. The play on words. The desire to be closer to Jesus during the busy Christmas season. And yes, the guilt. Right? Because there is so much to do during the Christmas season. Sometimes we are just too busy to find the joy of being in Jesus’ presence.

 

So I’m beginning today. Being in Jesus’ presence isn’t just a Christmas thing. Nope. We are to experience it all year long. If I regularly practice being in Jesus’ presence throughout the year, I’ll be more apt to keep it going through the Christmas season. Maybe you need to do the same.

 

Now don’t get me wrong. I spend time with Jesus every day. But sometimes I’m rushed. Sometimes I’m distracted. Sometimes I’m too busy to let the presence of Jesus wash over me. So I want to be more aware of His presence. I want to experience all that He has to offer. I want to be present in the moment. With Jesus.

 

Today as we begin the countdown to Christmas (and believe it or not, there are some of my friends who have started this countdown long ago), let’s plan to be engaged in our relationship with Jesus. Let’s not just talk the talk, let’s walk the walk.

 

As you read through the lyrics of this Christmas melody and listen to the beauty of its harmony, I pray that you too will desire to be in Jesus’ presence on a regular basis and to be fully engaged in His presence. If we start now, we will be ready for Christmas this year.

 

“Your Presence”

 

In the busy Christmas noise,

All the bells the lights, the toys,

I have found you are the only source of comfort and joy.

 

Lord, I want your presence for Christmas

I want your presence for Christmas,

I long to feel your Spirit speaking peace to my heart.

Of all the gifts I may receive,

There’s only one I really need,

And it’s your presence, your presence for Christmas.

 

When the holiday is through

And the year is fresh and new,

All that lingers are the moments, my Lord

Spent worshiping you.

 

Lord, I want your presence for Christmas

I want your presence for Christmas,

I long to feel your Spirit speaking peace to my heart.

Of all the gifts I may receive,

There’s only one I really need,

And it’s your presence, your presence for Christmas.[i]

 

Click here to listen to The Sisters perform “Your Presence.”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Your Presence,” unknown author.

Share
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

  • Subscribe by Email

  • 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.

  • Bible Studies & Other Happenings

    Bible studies I’m currently leading:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

  • Categories

  • Recent Posts

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Linkedin