Proverbs 17:17

February 7th, 2015 dsisler

 

Last night I had the privilege of being with a group of ladies who I would consider my friends. Women on staff that I work with and wives of the men I work with got together last night for an evening of fun. We each brought something to share and as it turns out, we like spicy. Good food, good friends and good conversation are always a good combination.

 

sunriseGod created us with companionship in mind. Adam was unable to find a suitable companion among the animals God created, so Eve was given to Adam. Together they formed the very first friendship…and God was always invited to their parties!

 

There are some friendships we find throughout Scripture that help us understand friendship and we might even learn how to be better friends.

 

Ruth and Naomi were “in-laws” but their relationship grew into friendship and (Ruth 1:16-17). These two had a beautiful friendship. What love and devotion we see from Ruth toward Naomi.

 

David and Jonathan became friends the moment they met (1 Samuel 18:1-3). We are just naturally attracted to some people. It’s these folks who you probably have long-lasting friendship with.

 

Elijah and Elisha found friendship in the common bond of servanthood (2 Kings 2:2). Serving side by side is a wonderful way to find a new friend. Try it sometime.

 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego formed a deeper bond in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19-30). The friends who stick around when you’re going through a difficult time are a treasure.

 

There was a great friendship between Jesus, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Their relationships were like family (John 11:1-44). Sometimes family can be our best friends…but if you need to step outside that boundary, find friends like Lazarus, Mary and Martha!

 

The Apostle Paul was close friends of Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3-4). This team worked together making tents, but it created a bond between them in their spiritual realm as well. This friendship was based on their relationship with Jesus.

 

Paul also had a deep friendship with Timothy, whom he called “son” (Philippians 2:19-26). Mentorship will allow friendship to blossom. If you aren’t mentoring someone, why not consider it?

 

Jesus has a desire to be our friend as well. We read in John 15:14-15 (NIV) these words of Jesus. “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

 

As wonderful as earthly friendships are, my friendship with Jesus must be greater than any earthly friendship. James warned us of what friendship with world means (James 4:4).

 

Friendship. Just another blessing God has given to us. I pray that you are able to find good Christian friends to help you along this journey we call life. But I also pray that your friendship with God is deeper than any you find here on earth.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Oops! I Did it Again

February 6th, 2015 dsisler

 

I received a phone call a week or so ago from a lovely lady at my previous church. They are preparing for an upcoming seniors gathering. I used to cook for these gatherings, so they called to ask if I had a recipe for the coconut rice I served for the Luau.

 

riceI kind of knew the answer, but said I would look through my recipes to see if I could find it.

 

I looked. I was afraid that I had “doctored” up an existing recipe (that’s the answer I kind of knew) and sure enough, that’s what I had done. What was worse is that I didn’t even remember what I had done to make it this memorable.

 

There have been times in my life when I’ve “doctored” up the Word of God. I’ve added my own thinking, relied on my own experiences and trusted my own memory to state or believe something about God’s Word that just wasn’t true.

 

It’s been during these times that I’ve been humbled and moved to place my heart in the hands of God for realignment.

 

Perhaps you’ve found yourself in a similar situation. Maybe you are there right now. If so, I’d offer these words of encouragement. A prayer for you to lift up to God and find comfort and peace in His working.

 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 – NIV)

 

For another take on this passage, here it is from The Voice. “Explore me, O God, and know the real me. Dig deeply and discover who I am. Put me to the test and watch how I handle the strain. Examine me to see if there is an evil bone in me, and guide me down Your path forever.”

 

I am so blessed to have a daughter who has helped me through the years and who also remembered the rice. She began to describe the rice to me. There were scallions and mandarin oranges in the rice. That was very helpful. It jump-started my brain and I was able to come up with a decent resemblance of what I used for “my famous coconut rice.”

 

So here is the recipe…my version of coconut rice. Enjoy!

 

Coconut Rice (serves 6)

 

1 cup long grain white rice

2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

½ cup unsweetened coconut milk

6 oz. canned mandarin oranges

2 green scallions (finely sliced)

1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped)

 

Combine water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and add rice. Return to boil. Cover and simmer on low for approximately 20 minutes. Turn off heat and let rest for 5 minutes.

 

Fluff rice and add coconut milk, mandarin oranges, green scallions and cilantro. Stir to combine. Cover to keep warm.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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A Quiet Life

February 5th, 2015 dsisler

 

I live a quiet life. There I’ve said it. I don’t do anything big and bold. Nothing exciting happens to me. Some may say my life is boring, but I’d say, my life is quiet.

 

Daytona Beach 021mI have read stories of or have met people who have done some pretty remarkable things in their lifetime. Skydivers. Mountain climbers. Life changers. Public speakers. Their lives are huge. Their personalities are huge.

 

You probably can recall some biblical characters that fit this description. Joshua. David. Daniel. Peter. Paul. Even as a boy David did more than I have done in my entire lifetime.

 

But then, I find great comfort in reading stories about Ruth, Esther, Priscilla, Lydia, Lois and Eunice. These women lived quiet lives.

 

There are even some beautiful verses of Scripture that tell us we are to live quiet lives. Take a look at a few.

 

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – NIV)

 

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV), we read that we are to pray for “kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

 

And in 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV) we see these words. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

 

Phew! I’m so glad these verses exist. It means that I can continue with my quiet existence.

 

Or does it?

 

Ruth led a quiet life until God called her to step out of her comfort zone and live among God’s people. He called her to a life that would be anything but quiet as she became the grandmother to King David (Ruth).

 

Esther also led a quiet life until God called her to be queen and to ultimately to be in a place at such a time to save her people from annihilation (Esther).

 

Priscilla led the quiet life of a tent maker, alongside her husband until God called her to travel with Paul to Ephesus. In Ephesus Priscilla was able to work with the new church and to explain the way of God more adequately to Apollos (Acts 18:18-28).

 

Lydia was a seller of purple. She worked in the market place and while some may believe this was a brave life, it was a quiet life. Until God called her to sit by the river outside the city gate. It was here that her life was markedly changed. She heard the message of Jesus, believed and was baptized…along with her household. Lydia opened her home to Paul and his band of disciples. Her life suddenly became exciting (Acts 16:13-15)!

 

Lois and Eunice lived their quiet existence in Lystra until God called them to rear a young lad named Timothy. They were called to teach him the ways of Jesus and to prepare him for his exciting life of companionship to Paul. How their quiet little lives were changed by this calling (1 Timothy 1:5).

 

While I may believe I live a quiet life, and am happy to live in the ways mentions above, when God calls to action, I must be prepared to step out of my comfort zone and do as He asks. I’ve tried to obey. I started writing this blog. I went to SE Asia. I lead women in Bible study. But have there been times when God asked for more, but I didn’t respond.

 

Sadly, I must say yes. I’m sure you can say the same. So what is it that we are to do? Say yes when God asks us to put some extra life in our quiet lives. His ask may be as simple as say an encouraging word to that young mom to raise money to start a non-profit organization. Whatever it is, do it. Don’t hesitate. Do it.

 

I do love my quiet life. But I wonder, what is God up to?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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On the Lookout

February 4th, 2015 dsisler

 

I needed to find something at work yesterday. I looked in the logical place. It wasn’t there. I asked a few people if they knew where this item might be. No one had seen it. One of our facilities guys went searching for this item and when he found it, he brought it to my office.

 

mag glassThis is what he had to say. “I looked everywhere. Just when I was ready to give up, I thought of one more place. It was there. The last place I looked.” The crazy part is that it was in the room right next to where this item was supposed to be and where I looked. I was so close, but didn’t find it.

 

Jesus told a couple of parables about items that had been lost. The lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). The lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). The lost son (Luke 15:11-32). In each of these parables, the lesson to be learned is that no matter how long it takes, God is not willing for one soul to be lost. It is His greatest desire to rejoice over the one who was “once lost, but is now found.”

 

So how does God search for the lost? God does some of the same things the woman searching for her lost coin did.

 

Seeks to Save

Jesus came to earth for the purpose of redeeming mankind. Luke 19:10 (NIV) tells us that “the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” I don’t know about you, but I am thankful that God didn’t give up on me after my first effort to ditch Him. He continued to work on my heart until it was softened to His message. How blessed we are for God’s diligence.

 

Dissolves Darkness

Jesus also came to earth to provide light. We see in John 12:46 (NIV) that Jesus came “into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in him should stay in darkness.” Part of the search plan is to reveal glorious light that provides a way to maneuver in this dark world. When we come into the light, we can easily be seen and found. Again, how thankful I am for the Light of world, Jesus.

 

Purifies

Once we are in the Light, the dirt and grime of our past lives are swept away and our lives are purified by the blood of Jesus. In 1 John 1:7-9, we find that as we confess our sin, God forgives and cleanses from all unrighteousness. Because of God’s faithfulness, all of this is possible.

 

Unlike my friend who stopped looking after the item was found, God continues His search. He not only seeks to find those who are lost, but for those of us who have already found His righteousness, His eyes are still upon us. Remember, “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12 – NIV) And 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

 

Again, I am thankful for God’s continuous desire to seek those who are lost. I have been found because of God’s faithfulness. Have you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

 

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In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

February 3rd, 2015 dsisler

 

Mason has started a new shift this month. He’s gone from working nights to days and now we have a new schedule to figure out. Day 2 didn’t go so well for me. I woke at 3:45 this morning. I stayed in bed for a while, but finally got up.

 

Moon2I’ve always had this issue. If I wake up any time after 3:30 or 4:00 am, I will probably be up for the day. For me, my brain seems to work best early in the morning. I used to wake up in college early to study. When my children were little, it seemed this was the best time for “me” time. As I’ve grown older this hasn’t changed. I’ve found that it’s easiest for me to write my blog or work on Bible study earlier in the day as well.

 

So what do I do at 3:30 in the morning? Before I get out of bed I pray. Sometimes it will be all that’s necessary to help me fall back to sleep. But if I’m still awake a ½ hour later, I get up and work on Bible study. After that, I move to writing.

 

This little routine works for me. I know, not everyone is wired this way, but I can tell you, there were a few people in Scripture who got up early to see what God was up to. Let’s take a look at some of them.

 

I don’t know if Abraham was a regular early riser, but we find two cases in Genesis when he got up early. In Genesis 19:27, Abraham got up early to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And again in Genesis 22:3 we see the account of Abraham being tested by God. Early in the morning, Abraham took a couple of servants, wood, a donkey and Isaac. They traveled to the place God told him about. There, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his only son because God had asked him to do so. In the end, Isaac was spared and a ram was sacrificed instead.

 

Jacob woke early after his dream of the stairway to heaven (Genesis 28:10-22). It’s hard to believe that Jacob was able to sleep at all with a stone as a pillow, but God was able to use Jacob’s sleep to share His message and pointed Jacob to a time of worship early in the morning. Another very good way to spend our early awake hours.

 

After the Sabbath, a group of ladies went to Jesus’ tomb “very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise.” (Mark 16:1-7) They were unable to prepare Jesus’ body after His death because of Jewish law, but they wasted no time to spend a few moments with their Lord. Mary Magdalene, James’ mother Mary and Salome took spices and oil to anoint Jesus. And what did they find? Not the body of Jesus to anoint, but an angel telling them the good news that Jesus was alive. Now that would have been worth waking early to see.

 

And finally, we see that Jesus seemed to find times of refreshing through the night and early in the morning. In the beginning of John 8, we see that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives at night. Then at dawn, Jesus was found in the temple courts. Early in the morning, Jesus was teaching.

 

Mark 1:35 (NIV) tells us that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

 

I believe we are able to find a list of things we can do when we find ourselves wide awake early in the morning (or late at night if you are a night owl).

 

  • We can think about God
  • We can be reminded of ways God is at work in our lives
  • We can place our trust and faith in God
  • We can worship God
  • We can anoint God as Lord of our lives
  • We can pray to God
  • We can meet God in the moment
  • We can learn about God

 

Perhaps there are other things we can do when we can’t sleep (some not so good), but with these examples, I believe these are a great place to start. Maybe the next time you find yourself in this situation you’ll remember a few of these ideas and will enjoy the extra time with God. I did!

 

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

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