Blowing in the Wind

January 23rd, 2015 dsisler

 

We live in an area where there aren’t many mature trees. There are a few spotted across the horizon, but none close by. The larger trees are nearly always by a river or water source. This was farm land for a while. Before that, mining. And I am not sure, but maybe the large amounts of gas and oil below ground may have something to do with it as well.

 

???????????????????????????????When I return to Ohio, the first thing I notice are the trees. They are everywhere. They are large and green and plush and beautiful.

 

I love trees and I love what God says about trees.

 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 – NIV)

 

We can relate the ideas in this passage with our spiritual journey. For the tree, being planted by water with a good root system is the lifeline of the tree. Without the root system that draws nourishment and water to the tree, it would not thrive, and perhaps die.

 

We, too, must be firmly rooted. If our root system, our foundation is not stable, we will not be able to stand up to the pressures of this world. If we are unable to reach the nourishment and the water needed, we would not be able to thrive.

 

Through prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers, we can guarantee that our root system is strong and healthy.

 

With our root system prepared and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we are then ready and able to meet the troubles we encounter. Let’s see what our tree might encounter and what lessons we can learn.

 

1) It does not fear when heat comes. Troubles will come. Jesus said they would. But when we have a complete trust in God, we will not fear the troubles. We might even welcome them, because we mature through these struggles!

 

2) Its leaves are always green. Do you feel “green” today? Green represents life. As a Christian, we have abundant life and as a result of that, we should be green! Our lives should be a reflection of the abundant life given through Jesus.

 

3) It has no worries in a year of drought. We go through times when we feel parched. When our spiritual lives are not being filled because of circumstances or situations. It is during these times we can utilize the deep connection and trust we have in our God. There is no reason to worry during these times…God will take care of it all.

 

4) It never fails to bear fruit. The fruit that we bear shows that our roots are reaching the source. With the Holy Spirit living within us, we are able to strengthen the characteristics within ourselves.

 

The tree is able to stand up against the elements and we know the blessings we receive from trees. Fruit, shade and visual beauty. From this illustration, we can see that reaching deep to the Living Water is where we gain our strength. We, too, are able to stand up to the elements of this world and are able to bless those we come into contact with.

 

As a person who places their complete trust and confidences in God, you don’t ever have to worry or fear. You can be assured that you will always feel alive and bear fruit. Like the tree planted by the water.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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What Are You Afraid Of?

January 22nd, 2015 dsisler

 

I’m studying Gideon (Judges 6, 7 and 8) this semester and God has already opened my eyes to lessons being taught by Priscilla Shirer.

 

Slide22Israel had been given the land flowing with milk and honey. Their real estate was a large portion of land from the Mediterranean Sea to beyond the Jordan River. From the wilderness to their south and as far north as Mt. Herman. As you read through the distribution land, you see that each tribe was given a specific piece of land and commanded to conquer the people living within those boundaries.

 

But if you look at a map that has the actual land they possessed highlighted, you will find that they had given up a great deal of valuable land to the enemy.

 

Scripture tells us that they were fearful of the iron chariots that the armies on the plains used. The Israelites chose to fight in the hill country where these chariots were useless. The hill country was where Israel knew they were superior and that’s where they landed.

 

What they never quite understood was that it wasn’t their own abilities that brought their victory. Oh I suppose they learned a few military skills and were able to fight well, but God didn’t send them to the Promised Land to be on their own. God wanted them to trust Him. To follow His commandments. To love Him with all their heart, soul and strength.

 

In Psalm 20:7 (NIV) King David spoke these words of wisdom. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

 

What is it that you are fearful of? What has the enemy made you believe you could never have? Why are you hiding in the hill country when there are great victories to be won? Could it be that you are not trusting in the Almighty God who is able to do “immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine?” (Ephesians 3:20-21 – NIV)

 

Maybe today is the day that we stop living within our own boundaries and step foot into the place that God has already given. There will probably be a few battles to take on along the way, but I believe we can move forward because the victory has already been won through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Let’s not trust in ourselves or our own abilities or our own strength. Let’s trust in the name of the Lord our God. The victory is ours!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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And More Snow

January 21st, 2015 dsisler

 

We are expecting another round of snow here in Colorado today. It’s hard to say how much snow we will get (because every forecaster has a different idea), but according to said forecaster’s, it does look like we’ll get some.

 

Daytona Beach 021mKnowing what is to come, this is the kind of day when I want to curl up and snuggle with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a good book (my good book would be God’s Word or a commentary).

 

As I think of my day however, I don’t believe lounging around in my pajamas is a possibility. Life doesn’t just stop today because I’d like it to. There are places to go and people to see and things to do. So today, I’m thankful for all the tools and resources God has provided to help me and you through a day when we really don’t want to do anything. Let me share them with you.

 

We have God’s Word. Today I can hold on to the promises and blessings that I have learned through Scripture. When I don’t feel like doing anything, God’s Word prompts me to get active. I find encouragement and strength to keep moving. If you feel a bit lethargic, ask God to lead you to the right passage to motivate you.

 

We have prayer. Our communication with God is a vital link to motivation. Through prayer, we are able to gain wisdom and insight into circumstances. Through prayer we are able to ask God to get us moving. Allow yourself to spend this time with Him in all situations.

 

We have the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is within us to lead, direct, comfort, and convict, as well as other duties. Don’t ignore how He is leading you. Believe it to be His guidance.

 

We have a fellowship of believers. What would life be like without good Christian friends? Friends who will give good, sound, Christ-like advice when it’s needed? Or a shoulder to cry on? Or a friend who will just sit with me? I find great encouragement from my friends in Christ who help me to see when I’m not doing my best for God’s Kingdom. I pray that you have some of those friends in your life as well.

 

There is always something to do. There are always people to see. There are always places to go. My prayer today is that I choose wisely and do the exact things that Jesus needs me to do. To be the person Jesus needs me to be today. Maybe that should be your prayer today too.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Dreams

January 20th, 2015 dsisler

 

I had a weird dream last night. The communications director at church is a good friend. She was involved. In my dream, Kayla and I decided I needed a second job. So we were trying to figure out what I should do. Our first option was to drive people around in a car. You know, like a chauffeur. But we decided that just wouldn’t work.

 

???????????????????????????????So the job we landed on was for me to drive people around in wheel chairs. Yeah, so that was it. I started my second job, with her help of course, driving folks from place to place in a wheel chair. I had my own wheel chair and everything. I was kind of like a chauffeur.

 

Now don’t ask me what it all means. I could come up with a few scenarios. Like I dreamt this because when Kayla and I go out for lunch I always drive. Maybe I know deep down that I’m not a great driver and should stop hauling people around. Or maybe I just dreamt this because I had Chicken Schwarma for dinner last night and it didn’t set well with me.

 

If I were Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar, I might start looking for a person to really interpret this dream. I would search until I found my own Joseph or Daniel to help with this crazy dream. Or I could really chalk it up to the fact that Mediterranean food has a strange effect upon my mind.

 

What I do know is that when I seek an answer from God, I look to His Word for wisdom. I seek His counsel through prayer. I wait and listen for what He has to share with me. I allow God’s Spirit to lead and guide. And I stand firm in my belief Jesus Christ is always with me.

 

Perhaps you’re thinking, “I’ve never had this experience before…what do you mean?”

 

When I felt called to go on my service trip to SE Asia, God opened every door for me to go. I raised all of the money I needed. My passport came very quickly. I had no uneasy feelings about taking this journey. There was great peace. I believe that was God telling me, “Go. I’ll be with you.”

 

When I need to make a decision, I spend time in God’s Word reading Scripture and with God in prayer. Before you know it, I’m reading Scripture that is directly related to the decision at hand. And God places wise people in my path who share a good message with me that helps me as well. Whether they share the same quote or a verse of Scripture, through God’s wisdom, it all intertwines.

 

If I am being tempted by the evil one, it might be easy to fall into his trap. But when I am in tune with God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, I am able to put aside the temptation and look directly at my Redeemer. I steer clear of the one who is out to destroy me.

 

And then there is writer’s block. I have no clue what I’m going to write and then I remember. I remember a story or a Bible character that I can relate to in some way. I step out of the way and allow God to work through me. I’m not saying that my writing is equal to the Bible, but what I am saying that when I try to do it on my own, it can take a lot of agonizing on my part. But when I allow God to be in the middle of it (as He should be). I can easily write 700-800 words in a half hour. That’s exactly what I did this morning!

 

You too can have this same experience with God. Don’t believe that you can’t. Being with God and in His Word, allowing God’s Spirit to have control of our hearts and making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life is what God asks. When our lives align with God’s will, He is able to do some remarkable things through us. We simply need to be wiling vessels to do His work in His Kingdom.

 

That’s when the dream ends and life begins.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Then Came the Morning” – Monday Musical Musings

January 19th, 2015 dsisler

 

It’s hard to believe that I have not shared this song with you. This has been one of my favorite songs for a very long time…let’s see, it was written in 1982 and recorded in 1983 by the Gaither Trio. Yes, I have probably loved this song from the moment I heard it.

 

???????????????????????????????Perhaps this was the way the disciples felt after Jesus died. They saw it happen. They were in shock. They wondered why it ended this way. They had devoted their lives to Jesus and now, He was gone.

 

Oh and how Mary must have wondered what God was up to. She knew Jesus was the Son of God. She knew He was the Anointed One. How could the Messiah lead Israel into victory from a tomb?

 

I can’t imagine all the emotions they felt, but I suspect their grief was unbearable. I suspect their hopes and dreams had faded. I suspect they chastised themselves for believing in this man.

 

Just as Jesus brings great hope and joy to our own lives, Sunday morning came with renewed hope, new dreams and greater faith in the Christ. Oh how beautiful that morning must have been. Tears turned to laughter. Mourning to dancing. Weariness to strength.

 

Perhaps your hopes and dreams have been squashed. Maybe you’re under the burden of grief. Or maybe you just can’t seem to find it in yourself to continue on this faith journey. Whatever it is you are going through, Jesus is the One who can lead you to a better place. He will comfort. He will give strength. He will calm your fears. He will be with you. And gloriously, the morning will come.

 

I pray that as you read through these lyrics and listen to this melody that you will be touched by the hand of Jesus. I pray that your eyes would be opened to the miracle of that Sunday morning. I pray that morning has dawned for you.

 

“Then Came the Morning”

 

They all walked away, with nothing to say,
They’d just lost their dearest friend.
All that He said, now He was dead,
So this was the way it would end.

 

The dreams they had dreamed were not what they’d seemed,
Now that He was dead and gone.
The garden, the jail, the hammer, the nail,
How could a night be so long.

 

Chorus:

Then came the morning, night turned into day;
The stone was rolled away, hope rose with the dawn.
Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.

 

The angel, the star, the kings from afar,
The wedding, the water, the wine.
Now it was done, they’d taken her son,
Wasted before his time.

 

She knew it was true, she’d watched him die too,
She’d heard them call Him just a man,
But deep in her heart, she knew from the start,
Somehow her Son would live again.

 

Chorus:

Then came the morning, night turned into day;
The stone was rolled away, hope rose with the dawn.
Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.[i]

 

Click here and you’ll hear Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s version of “Then Came the Morning.” Beautiful!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Then Came the Morning,” Words by Gloria Gaither, Music by William J. Gaither and Chris Christian, Gaither Music Company and Word Music, LLC, 1982.

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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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