Tis the Season

October 7th, 2016 dsisler

 

Good morning folks. I am struggling with my allergies this morning (they’ve been horrible all week!) and I can’t seem to get my head unclogged. So I am going to repost an older blog that is just as relevant today as it was early in my blog-writing days. I pray that God will be able to use these words to encourage you today.

 

Near Sighted

 

I am nearsighted

 

???????????????????????????????I am nearsighted. Now if you’re trying to remember how this works, when you’re nearsighted you can see things that are up-close but things further away seem blurry.

 

I have tried bi-focals on several occasions, but they just never seemed to work for me. So when I need to read or use the computer, I simply remove my glasses and do my reading. It works relatively well, but it isn’t perfect.

 

I recently had an eye exam. My eye sight has improved! In fact, over the past few years, my eye sight has steadily improved. Well, my nearsightedness has improved.  My far sightedness has remained the same, however.

 

I was actually pretty excited about it. I hoped that one day I would be able to toss my glasses completely. Then I mentioned it to my youngest daughter. She worked in the optical department at a local eye glass store and she mentioned that at my age it is common for this phenomenon to occur.

 

Wow was I disappointed! Of course, the “at my age” conversation wasn’t all that fun either.

 

I have learned through the years how important eyesight can be. Knowing people who have lost their sight due to disease or accident has helped me to see that this is one sense that I would be disappointed to lose.

 

But what about our spiritual sight. Am I spiritually nearsighted? Am I sometimes too focused on myself to miss what others are battling? Do I see things that are up-close in focus but things further away seem blurry? Yes, sometimes I believe I fall into this trap.

 

If I’m really honest, I might even say that it occurs more often than not.

 

Jesus had something to say about this during the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23 – NIV)

 

When my eyes are strictly focused on myself or those closest to me, I miss the opportunity to be filled with God’s light. But sometimes this is so difficult to do. So where do we begin to widen the view we see with our eyes?

 

Psalm 16:8 (NIV) shares how David was able to do so. “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” We must keep our eyes upon God.

 

We also must keep God’s commands and precepts in sight. Psalm 19:8 (NIV) says, “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

 

We must turn from worthless things. “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” (Psalm 119:37 – NIV) Focusing on things that are not important will draw our attention away from God’s purpose. Worthless things will always cause farsightedness.

 

When we’ve set our eyes upon God, focused on His precepts, and turned from worthless things, our eyesight will improve!

 

The passage of Scripture that I have used as the structure for this blog is from Ephesians 1:18 (NIV). “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…”

 

I am certain that each of us would want this for ourselves. For our spiritual eyes to be unselfish. For our spiritual eyes to be healthy. For our spiritual eyes to have 20/20 vision.

 

It is possible. But it will take effort on your part. You will need to open your spiritual eyes to see what God is preparing for you. You will need to open your spiritual eyes to see others before yourself. You will need to open your spiritual eyes to God’s wonderful law and see how His light will shine through your eyes.

 

All this I pray for you!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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What Do You Remember?

October 5th, 2016 dsisler

 

It’s beginning. The autumn season is here. Cooler temperatures coax me to so many of my favorite things. Sweaters (without getting too hot), hot cider, pumpkin spice deliciousness, squash soup, candles burning, fall décor, apples, visits to the pumpkin farm and so much more.

 

???????????????????????????????As I become excited for what is to come, I am reminded of awesome things from years ago when I was a child. Of visits to the apple orchard. Of driving through the Adirondack Mountains to view the beauty of autumn. Of cool, damp days that seemed to invigorate me.

 

Isn’t it interesting how our minds work that way? We see something and we’re reminded of a place. We smell something and we’re reminded of a person. We hear something and we’re reminded of an object.

 

We make connections. We make associations.

 

And guess what? God created us that way. God wanted us to remember…remember Him. God puts people, places, and things in front of us daily so that we would be reminded of Him.

 

1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV) tells us to “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” As we see His creation daily, we are to remember Him.

 

Psalm 63:6 (NIV) says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” When we hear the chime of a clock through the night, we are to think of God.

 

Isaiah 46:8 (NIV) says, “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.” What are we to remember? That God is God. There is no other like Him. There are none like Him.

 

But the wonderful thing is that as God asks us to remember Him, He won’t remember our sins. Each time we sin, He isn’t reminded of our past sin. Take a look at Jeremiah 31:34 or 2 Corinthians 5:19 or 1 Corinthians 13:5.

 

And if you still would like some proof of this concept, let’s look at Psalm 103:12 (NIV). “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” He will not be reminded of our past. He will not remember our sin.

 

I don’t know about you, but I thank God daily that my past is in the past. I thank God daily that my sins from today (after repentance) will not be remembered tomorrow.

 

So I think remembering God throughout my day is a good trade off. I’d gladly think of God than think of my past. I’d gladly think of God than think of a temptation in front of me. I’d gladly think of God just because.

 

What reminds you of God? How do you remember Him throughout your day? I pray that you are reminded of His grace, His peace, His love, His comfort, His joy today. Because I can guarantee, He is thinking of you!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Jesus, Hold My Hand” – Monday Musical Musings

October 3rd, 2016 dsisler

 

I needed an uplifting song this morning, so I began searching lots of music. As soon as I started a song, I knew it wasn’t right. You know, the lyrics were great, but the music was a little depressing.

 

I liked the sound of the Singing Americans, but it took me a while to find the one song I wanted to share today. But then this old hymn popped up. And when I started listening to it, I knew it was the perfect song for today.

 

The lyrics are awesome, but the way these guys sing this song is outstanding. I pray that you will enjoy this as much as I did.

 

You may be facing a giant mountain today. If so, Jesus will walk beside you, but He will do so much more. You’ll have someone to talk to. You’ll have His righteous right hand upholding you. You’ll be comforted by His peace. You’ll find beautiful rest for your weary soul. You’ll find protection in His presence.

 

As you read through these words and listen to this tune, I pray that you’ll meet Jesus where you are. I pray that you will acknowledge your need for Him. And I pray that you will cry out to the One who loves you more than anyone else.

 

“Jesus, Hold My Hand”[i]
 

 

As I travel through this pilgrim land
There is a friend who walks with me
Leads me safely through the sinking sand
It is the Christ at Calvary.

This would be my prayer dear Lord each day
To help me do the best I can
For I need Thy light to guide me day and night
Blessed Jesus hold my hand.

Chorus:
Jesus hold my hand
I need thee every hour
Through this pilgrim land
Protect me by thy power.

Hear my feeble plea
O Lord look down on me
When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there
Blessed Jesus hold my hand.

Let me travel in the light divine
That I may see the blessed way
Keep me that I may be wholly Thine
And sing redemption’s song someday

I will be a soldier brave and true
And ever firmly take a stand
As I onward go and daily meet the foe
Blessed Jesus hold my hand.

(Chorus)

When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there
Blessed Jesus hold my hand…

 

Click here to listen to an awesome version of this song by the Singing Americans.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

[i] “Jesus, Hold My Hand,” words and music by Albert E. Brumley, Hartford Music Company, 1933.

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Swerving and Swaying

September 30th, 2016 dsisler

 

As I was out and about yesterday, there were two vehicles in front of me with their flashing lights on. The rear car was being towed by the front car. It wasn’t a safe situation, so I kept my distance.

 

fall-folliageAs I followed this pair, I realized that neither of them were very good drivers. If one swayed, the other followed. They were in both lanes of this two lane road and also on the shoulder.

 

On occasion sparks would fly. The chain between these two vehicles didn’t seem to be the safest way to transport the obviously disabled car.

 

And then it happened. The chain broke and both vehicles took a quick right turn and stopped by the side of the road. I was thankful that while these two vehicles were figuring out their next strategy that I was able to get around them safely.

 

The swerving, swaying, jerking, unexpected movements and unsteadiness remind me that sometimes in our lives we seem to be following God’s plan well. And then something causes us to become unsteady and get off track. It could be an incident. It could be someone. It could be an attitude. It could be a temptation.

 

Whatever it might be, we suddenly find ourselves on the side of the road of life in a broken-down vehicle and what seems to be the one who took us down this road.

 

When we are in this position, we have the best roadside assistant plan available. Grace. We can call on the One who is able to do far more than we could imagine. We can call on the One who has lavished His great love upon us. We can call on the One whose mission is to seek and save the lost. We simply need to call Him.

 

But what is best is if we strive to never get in this position at all.

 

So how can we be steadfast in our daily walk and not wind up on the side of the road?

 

Ask for God’s help! Psalm 51:10 (NIV) gives us David’s prayer. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David realized that a steadfast spirit would wane with the situations of life and that only God could restore it within him.

 

Know that God will come to your aid just when you need it. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” What a blessing to be able to approach God’s throne with this request.

 

What are the results of being steadfast? Psalm 112:6-8 (NIV) assures us, “Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

 

Are you catching some of these phrases? “renew a steadfast spirit,” “restore and make you strong, firm, and steadfast,” “no fear of bad news,” “his heart is secure,” “trust,” “look in triumph on his foes.” What promises! And God can make these promises because He is steadfast in all His ways.

 

Psalm 111:7-8 (NIV) tells us that our God is steadfast. “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.” I don’t know about you, but that spurs me on to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful!” (Hebrews 10:23 – NIV)

 

By staying the course, sticking to the narrow path, we know we are heading in the right direction. I pray that God’s words would resonate in your mind when you are tempted to get off track.

 

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Precious Words of God

September 28th, 2016 dsisler

 

I needed a little break this morning, so I dropped by Pinterest and found some beautiful words from God’s Word filled with encouragement. Since I needed them, I thought you might too. So here are the verses that stuck out to me today. I pray that you will find exactly what you need in these words as well.

 

nehemiah-9-10

 

psalm-27-1

 

psalm-107-2

 

psalm-147-4

 

lamentations-3-22-23

 

ephesians-3-20

 

philippians-1-6

 

philippians-4-6

 

1-peter-5-10

 

1-john-4-4

 

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 Jacksonville, Florida.

  • 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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