Iron Sharpens Iron

June 25th, 2014 dsisler

Over the past couple of days, I’ve been reminded of Proverbs 27:17 several times. I believe God has placed this verse before me so that I might think about this it. You know meditate upon it and see what God has to say through this verse.

 

The nature of verses in Proverbs is that they are stand-alone verses. There is nothing before it or after it to give me a better understanding of this verse. So how does this verse of Scripture relate to my life?

 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV)

 

RADAI cook a lot and one of the most important tools in the kitchen is a good knife. I’ve searched and searched for the perfect set of knives through the years. I’ve settled on the knife collection by RADA Cutlery. Their blades are strong and yet flexible. They aren’t cheap, but they aren’t the expensive brands either. The handles fit well in my hands, they are light-weight, and they are shiny…as long as they are NOT put in the dishwasher!

 

I have come to understand that my search for Christian friendship has been a similar experience. Through the years I’ve found some beautiful believers who stretch me. Their thinking, their beliefs, their lifestyle are similar to mine and yet, they push me one step further. These are the people I can look to for sharpening. They are able to expand my thinking and imagining. And then they urge me to get out there and do what I’ve learned.

 

Back to the knives. Like any other knife, RADA knives become dull with use. My knife drawer holds another tool that is just as important as the knife. My knife sharpener. With a couple of swipes, the knife blade is ready to go to work again.

 

There have been times in my life when I too have become dull. I’ve allowed sin to my focus instead of Jesus. It’s during those moments when God’s Spirit has brought me back to Jesus. Through Scripture, through godly people, and through a desire to be more like Him, I’ve been sharpened and ready to go back to work for the Kingdom.

 

Another element to the knife sharpener is that it is one sided. The knife doesn’t sharpen the knife sharpener. The knife sharpener sharpens the knife. But in our lives, we must be on the lookout for others who need to be sharpened. As we become more focused on God’s will for our lives, we are able to see others who need the same focus. We are able to point others to Jesus and help them see how to live more like Jesus.

 

I am blessed with some pretty spectacular folks that God has brought into my life. These people love me with the love of the Lord and when shown in a godly way, have helped me to see sin that God hates. I’ve been able to see the ugliness and dullness of what sin can do in a life. And I know that’s not how I want to live.

 

So I must ask these questions. Who is sharpening you? And who are you sharpening? I pray that you have found your sharpening friends.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Don’t Get Lost

June 24th, 2014 dsisler

I’m not sure why, but years ago I started saying “don’t get lost” when saying goodbye to my loved ones. After the usual goodbye sayings—you know, “have a good day,” “I love you,” etc.—the last words to my kids were “don’t get lost.” If they were going somewhere with the possibility of them getting lost, it made sense. But then there were other times it really didn’t, like when heading to bed.

 

mapMy kids have heard it their lives and they aren’t surprised when they hear it. However, Mason hasn’t quite figured it out. Why would I say “don’t get lost” when he’s heading to the local grocery store or to work. These are places he frequents often and chances are pretty high that he wouldn’t get lost.

 

I would like to say that these words flowed from my mouth to remind my kids and family of what was expected of them. Of what our family valued. Of who they were in Jesus. But to be honest, I don’t recall determining one day to say “don’t get lost” for these purposes.

 

I do believe however, that through the years, “don’t get lost” had these deeper meanings. They became words that my children expected to hear and I would hope have grown to cherish as adults.

 

“Don’t get lost” was and still is Jesus’ message. We are so easily distracted in our spiritual lives. When we find ourselves in these situations, Jesus is there to remind us not to get lost. He reminds us how to get back on track. By following His way, listening to His truth and being filled with His abundant life.

 

In John 13, the disciples seemed to be losing their way. They wanted to follow Jesus to the death, but Jesus knew they would get lost. Jesus offered words of encouragement to His beloved group of followers in the beginning of John 14 and then Thomas spoke words that perhaps you’ve expressed.

 

“Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5 – NIV) Have you been so lost that you didn’t know how to get “unlost?” I know I have. And even in the times I knew the way, how to get myself “unlost,” I wasn’t sure that I would be able to find my way or be accepted once I returned.

 

It’s during these times when Jesus’ words from John 14:6 (NIV) are exactly what we need to hear. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

 

Jesus is the way to get “unlost.” He is the way to the Father. He is the way to truth and life. Jesus is the Way.

 

I heard a long time ago that if you’re ever lost it’s best to stay put and let rescuers come to you. It’s the same with Jesus. If you’re lost and know you can’t do any more on your own, stop. Wait for Jesus to come to rescue you. Walk alongside Him in His truth. Jesus will get you “unlost.”

 

Let’s make today a great day for Jesus and remember, don’t get lost!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Living on Bread and Water” – Monday Musical Musings

June 23rd, 2014 dsisler

If you’re like me and been around church your entire life, you’ve heard the account of the woman a lot. There have been sermons, Bible studies, lessons, skits, and songs written about this particular event to the point that it might be too familiar.

 

IMAG1492I found this to be true yesterday morning. I was with a small group of believers at church and we read through the passage in John 4. I heard this verse and I was touched. “When the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.” (John 4:40 – NIV)

 

As often as I’ve heard or read this passage, I must have forgotten that Jesus stayed with in this Samaritan village. He taught a group of people who had been cast away by their Jewish brothers because of their inter-marriage with non-Jews. And yet, they still believed God and His promise of a Messiah.

 

Suddenly, this group of people were in the presence of the Messiah and they knew their lives would never be the same. Jesus offered them living water so they may never thirst again.

 

We sometimes miss another section of this passage when Jesus’ disciples returned with food (John 4:31-38). The disciples urged Jesus to eat, but He told them He had food they didn’t know about. Not food that was stashed in His pocket or hidden under a nearby rock. No, the food Jesus spoke of was doing the work of the Father.

 

The song I’d like to share with you today is called “Living on Bread and Water.” As you read through these lyrics and listen to the recording, pay close attention to the lyrics in verse two.

 

Sometimes we miss the important pieces in biblical accounts. The water Jesus offered the woman at the well and the bread He spoke of are also available to us. I pray that we are as anxious to be in Jesus’ presence as the Samaritans were and that we will also fill up with on the Living Bread and Water Jesus has to offer. When we do so, we will never be hungry or thirsty again.

 

Enjoy today’s melody. It’s a treasure!

 

“Living on Bread and Water”

 

There came a woman to a well she thought she would draw water there

But Jesus offered her so much more.

He said, “Whosoever drinks from Me will never thirst for eternity.”

The woman said to Him, “Give me to drink.”

 

And now she’s Living on Bread and Water that flows from the Father,

Oh she’ll never thirst or hunger anymore.

She’s got all she’ll ever need; she can now walk free

Because of Jesus the Living Bread and Water.

 

I was drawing from an empty well;

Growing weak I nearly fell from a hungry soul dying without bread.

But I found in Him a great supply of bread and water to satisfy,

And now I have in Him eternal life.

 

And now I’m Living on Bread and Water that flows from the Father,

Oh I’ll never thirst or hunger anymore.

I’ve got all I’ll ever need; I can now walk free

Because of Jesus the Living Bread and Water.[i]

 

Click here to listen to Ken Turner and Valor III singing this special song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] “Living on Bread and Water,” Words and Music by Jeff Rowland.

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The Good Ol’ Summertime

June 22nd, 2014 dsisler

Yesterday marked the first day of summer, which means there will be days filled with family and friends, picnics, barbeques, vacations and visits to amusement parks all across the country.

 

Daytona Beach 021mWhile I love summer just as much as the rest of you, I would like to remind you not to neglect your time with God. Don’t take a vacation from your summer Bible reading program, your church or your opportunities to show God’s love to those around you.

 

Today’s re-post on encouragement is part five. I pray that you are encouraged by this series and that in turn you are an encouragement to others.

 

Encouragement – Part Five

 

I have learned a great deal about encouragement over the past five days, and to be honest, I am struggling to see the end of this series. Yes, series. It was never intended to be such, but it has grown and blossomed into a multiple part series.

 

Part one included the elements of encouragement. There are three. First, is the idea to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; to hearten. Second is to give support to; to foster. And third is to stimulate; to spur.[i]

 

Parts two, three, and four included nine ways the apostle Paul was encouraged.

 

The remainder of this series will include the ways that we, as Christians, are encouraged.

 

Romans 12:6-8 talks about the gift of encouragement. I pray that we have all known someone who has this spiritual gift. These are the people who you look forward to being near. Who always have a good thing to say about someone or a situation.

 

In Scripture, there is mention of such an encourager. Our first glimpse of him is in Acts 4:36-37 (NIV). “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” There was a reason the apostles called this man Barnabas. He was an encourager!

 

Let’s look at two specific passages that speak to Barnabas’ gift. First, Acts 9:26-28 give us the account of Barnabas presenting Saul to the apostles. Saul had been transformed by his encounter with Jesus, but no one believed it. Barnabas did, however, and by taking him to see the apostles, he placed his stamp of approval on this man. Later we see Paul and Barnabas as the great team spreading God’s Word throughout the known world.

 

The second passage is Acts 11:22-24 (NIV). Here we see how Barnabas was utilized by the Jerusalem Church. “News of this [what was happening in Acts 11:19-21] reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

 

Barnabas was thrilled to see how God had been working in Antioch. So much so that he wanted to share their success and growth. In the few verses following we see that Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul and brought him back to Antioch. The Church grew by great numbers and that is where we first see the term Christian.

 

As an encourager, Barnabas rejoiced with the Antioch Church. He was glad for them. He saw God’s grace in this group of people and encouraged steadfastness. He wanted their hearts to remain true to God. And he couldn’t keep their growing faith to himself. He had to tell others what they had done with the Lord’s hand.

 

I think we can all agree that Barnabas was the Son of Encouragement. I am thankful that we have such an example to follow. That we have a model to look to when we need guidance in this area.

 

Encouragement does come easily to some. While for others, it might be easier to wrestle a two-ton elephant. To those, encouraging words seem to be a foreign language.

 

But what does Scripture tell us about encouragement?

 

While I believe there are those who are truly gifted in the encouragement area, I believe each of us must be an encourager. There are so many verses that say, “encourage one another.” And we’ll be discussing those over the next few days.

 

Is there someone you can encourage today? If not, why not pray for God to present an opportunity for you to encourage someone. A family member. A fellow Christian. A complete stranger. Anyone that God places in your path that you can encourage. I pray that you’ll be encouraged by being an encouragement to another.

 

I have been blessed to know such encouragers throughout my life. People who have encouraged me to remain faithful to my beliefs, to guard my heart against the evils of this world, and to love the Lord with all my heart. People who have prayed me through difficult times, shameful periods, and the happiest moments. People who have hugged and smiled their way right into my heart.

 

Thank you!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/encourage

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Message in a Bottle

June 21st, 2014 dsisler

I am still working on the finishing touches in my new beach-themed office. It’s coming along, but I went on a shopping spree to look for new items to add to this room.

 

NigelI found items like this cool pelican friend, who has been names Nigel after the Finding Nemo pelican. There was this great “beach” sign that I love. And an array of picture frames.

 

beachOn a whim (like all of the other purchases weren’t?), I also picked up a message-in-a-bottle. My daughter couldn’t wait to get home to see what message had been included. But to our surprise, there was no message. The paper had areas to fill in the blanks with your own message. I guess if you’re planning to travel, you need to pick this item up before you go.

 

What I’ve been drawn to is how we look at a message in a bottle. I suspect we’ve all dreamed of finding one in our lifetime and that because of finding said message, we’d save someone from a deserted island or from a calamity of some sort. But to be honest, most of us will probably never find such a message along the seashore.

 

message in a bottleSo to fill the gap, we purchase our own message-in-a-bottle “kit.”

 

My question this morning would have to be, “What message would you want to share with the world?” I believe most people who are reading this blog would say, “God loves you!” So if would share this message when we have nothing to lose, where is that same passion in our day-to-day lives?

 

Paul asked the Colossian believers to pray for him. Let’s see what he specifically asked for. “Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Colossians 4:3-4 – NIV)

 

I wonder how many doors God would open for me to share His message if I prayed this prayer. I’m sure it would be more than I could even imagine. And when those doors were opened, would I have the clear message that I should share?

 

Sometimes we make God’s message difficult and confusing. And I’ll be the first to admit that there are some teachings of Paul that can get a little confusing, but the heart of the Gospel can be found in John 3:16. Know that verse and you’ll have a clear message.

 

What is your message today? Are you willing to ask God to open the doors to share His message? I pray that your willingness linked with God’s message will travel across the world. It’s the best message in a bottle anyone could possibly receive.

 

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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