It’s Gonna Be a Great Day!

December 14th, 2014 dsisler

 

Perhaps you recall this slogan from the 1980’s Kellogg’s commercial. Today it’s more than that. It is going to be a great day for several reasons. First, it’s Sunday and if you’re like me, you will be heading off to worship soon.

 

DSC_0003Secondly, we have a guest speaker this morning at Rocky Mountain Christian Church and we are very excited that Lee Strobel will be sharing his story with us. If you live in the area and know a friend or family member who has dismissed Jesus, perhaps this is a message they need to hear. Lee’s message is powerful and compelling.

 

Your local congregation may not have a guest speaker like Mr. Strobel this morning, but might I say that your local pastor has a story to tell as well. It’s Jesus’ story. And Jesus’ message is more powerful and more compelling than any man’s. So don’t hesitate to invite your loved ones to hear Jesus’ message. It will change their life.

 

This Sunday morning I share the letter “s” from my A to Z blogging challenge. I pray that you will find shelter in the arms of God today.

 

Shelter in Place – Blogging A to Z

 

This past week has brought some great tragedies as well as some great victories. For those who are struggling through the healing process in Boston, my heart and prayers are stretched your way. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering you bear. For those who have lost a loved one this past week, I pray for strength and comfort as you deal with this loss.

 

As the events of last week developed, a phrase was repeated on Friday for those living in the Boston area. Shelter in place. For these communities, this phrase meant to remain inside. Keep doors locked. Not to answer the door unless it was a uniformed or well identified officer. Report any suspicious behavior.

 

While I would never suggest I understand what they were feeling, I might venture a guess. Perhaps fear. Perhaps uncertainty. Perhaps frustration. Perhaps anger. Perhaps loss of control.

 

These would be justifiable feelings during a day of violence in the streets of a city or town. And perhaps, there were even more emotions I cannot comprehend.

 

I heard this phrase during the day as I sat close to my television, my mind continued to dwell upon God and the shelter that I have in Him through the storms of my own life. I am certain I would feel many of the above emotions on a daily basis if I weren’t sheltered in His care.

 

So today, I offer some wonderful visions of being sheltered by God. I pray that you’ll find peace, comfort, safety and perhaps joy as you read through the following passages.

 

Deuteronomy 33:27a (NIV) tells us, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” In His arms we have refuge. In His arms we find protection. With God, we are in the shelter of His loving arms.

 

In Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV), David shares these words. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” This is one of my favorite verses about being sheltered. Knowing that I can trust my God in times of trouble to shelter me is very reassuring.

 

David certainly knew about God’s shelter and protection and asked for it frequently. In Psalm 5:11 (NIV), David rejoiced in God’s refuge. “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” We can rejoice in God’s protection as well, because we love His name!

 

Another passage in which David praised God for protection is Psalm 32:7 (NIV). He says, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” When we hide from our enemies within the shelter of God’s protection, we will be delivered.

 

We read in Psalm 31:28 (NIV) that when we act justly and are faithful, God protects and is faithful to us. “For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.” Oh and don’t forget our shelter is there for our protection forever!

 

And finally in Psalm 40:11 (NIV), David says, “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.” God’s love and truth always protect. What a promise!

 

I pray that these passages are as comforting to you as they are to me. The world we live in belongs to the evil one and that means there will be trouble here. But as we look to God, we know we are within His sheltering arms. We certainly can shelter in place with Him.

 

If you are waking this morning to fear and anxiety in your life, why not give it all to God? There may be consequences, but you can have peace and be sheltered in God’s loving arms in the midst of these troubling times. You’ve tried it your way, why not try it God’s? It is worth a try.

 

For those of us who are already sheltered in God’s arms, let’s keep these verses close to our hearts. They will continue to remind us that He is sheltering us. We have no reason to fear.

 

I’m reminded of a song…perhaps you know it. “Forever Reign,”[i]

 

You are good You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love You are love
On display for all to see
You are light You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life You are life
In You death has lost its sting

[Chorus]
Oh I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God You are God
Of all else I’m letting go

[Repeat Chorus]

My heart will sing
No other Name
Jesus
Jesus

 

If you’d like to listen to this beautiful melody, click here to hear Hillsong’s version of this song.

 

Thanks for stopping by this morning.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Forever Reign, Reuben Morgan and Jason Ingram, 2010

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Aurora Borealis

December 13th, 2014 dsisler

 

Memories. Some of my memories are vivid. Some are vague and then, some don’t even exist.

 

For instance, my family tells the tale of a trip we took to the Great Smoky Mountains. It involves a picnic lunch of hot dogs, a bear eating said hot dogs and our family sitting in our green station wagon watching said bear eat our hot dogs. I don’t remember a single portion of this event. My family continues to tell me that I was there.

 

aurora-borealis-aurora-borealis-10324872-700-556Then I have a vivid memory of having seen the Aurora Borealis. So since my memory couldn’t recall a bear chasing our family, I doubted that I had indeed seen the Northern Lights. One sibling said she has never seen them, while another said that he had. My Dad confirmed however, that yes, we saw the Northern Lights on more than one occasion.

 

It is amazing how within the same family memories of an event don’t quite line up. Why? Perspective. Attitude. Impact.Not paying attention. I really don’t know how or why, but it happens.

 

So I suspect that as the disciples gathered after Jesus’ death, some of their memories didn’t line up. I wonder if they tried to recall Jesus’ teaching. I wonder if sometimes their recollection of Jesus’ words didn’t quite match another’s.

 

I do suspect they tried to recall Jesus’ words about His death. Perhaps they had some aha moments in those few days from Jesus’ death to His resurrection. At least I believe they did. And I really wonder if one of them mentioned the portion of Jesus’ teaching from John 2:19 (NIV)? “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

 

While this reference could be a vague memory, what about Matthew 20:17-19 (NIV)? “We are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

 

Oh how I want to believe they remembered these words. How comforting it would have been for them if they had.

 

However, if they are like most of us, their memories raced to the times when they were not in line with Jesus’ teaching. Perhaps the moment they tried to shoo the little children away from Jesus. Or when they fell asleep instead of praying. Or the moment one of them betrayed the Son of God.

 

It’s kind of natural for us to lean toward the memories of failure instead of grace when we are at our lowest point. But if you know anything about Jesus at all, you know that He is the redeemer of our past failures. We no longer need to recall those times. Our memories should be filled with the love, comfort and salvation that we have received through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Today, don’t allow your memory to be filled with your past. Look to your present and future. Let’s hold tightly to the Apostle Paul’s words. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 – NIV)

 

Now, isn’t that a wonderful thing to remember?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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A Fruit Salad

December 12th, 2014 dsisler

 

I remember a lot of things about my grandparents. Some are deeply touching, while other memories bring a smile to my face or cause me to laugh. One thing I recall about Grandpa Rich is when he would help out in the kitchen. His job was to prepare fruit salad for our large family gatherings.

 

Daytona Beach 014mI don’t know that I ever ate any of the fruit salad my grandfather made. You see, I am not a fruit lover. I really don’t know why. It’s not like fruit makes me ill. Or that I completely dislike the taste of fruit. If I have to eat fruit, I will eat it. But when there are plenty of other choices, I’ll chose something else.

 

I’m not a fruit lover. Jesus, however, is all about fruit.

 

In John 15:1-17, Jesus dedicated an entire portion of teaching to fruit. In His teaching on the Vine and the Branches, Jesus mentioned nine times that we are to bear and produce fruit. Jesus also mentioned eleven times in this passage that the only way to do so is to remain in Him.

 

“If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5 – NIV) Only through Jesus can we bear fruit. And only through Jesus can we produce a great harvest of fruit and fruit that will last.

 

In another teaching segment, Jesus spoke again of fruit. He mentioned in Matthew 7:20 (NIV), that good and bad are recognized by their fruit. “By their fruit you will recognize them.” When we bear good fruit by remaining in Jesus, others will know that we belong to Jesus by our fruit.

 

So, what fruit are we to produce?

 

Fruit of Repentance

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 – NIV)

 

Fruit of our Attitudes

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 – NIV)

 

Fruit of the Light

“For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” (Ephesians 5:9 – NIV)

 

Fruit of Righteousness

“This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 – NIV)

 

Fruit of our Deeds

“And we pray this in order that you may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:10-12 – NIV)

 

Fruit of our Lips

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 – NIV)

 

Fruit of Wisdom

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 – NIV)

 

I may not like the fruit of this world, but I certainly love the fruit of God. My desire is to bear fruit so that others might see God through me. The only way for that to occur is when I remain in Jesus and allow God’s Spirit to do His powerful work in me.

 

I don’t have to be a gardener (good thing because I kill plants). I don’t have to be a botanist (good thing because I’m not good at science). I don’t have to like fruit (good thing because I don’t).

 

I simply must know Jesus and let Him do the work. My heart and my mind must be open to the change He desires within me. When that happens, a great harvest of fruit will be produced and others will see Jesus through me. They will know that I belong to Him.

 

Isn’t it exciting? It can be the same for you too. If you haven’t given your life to Jesus, this is the perfect day to do so. The difference Jesus can make in your life is amazing. Why not accept Him today?

 

As a Christian, you know the difference Jesus has made in your life. But how is your fruit harvest coming along? If your fruit crop seems a little skimpy, get in touch with Jesus. Remember, if you remain in Him you WILL produce fruit.

 

I’m thankful for the fruit Jesus produces in me. I pray that you can say the same thing.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Party, Party, Party

December 11th, 2014 dsisler

 

This has been one busy week of partying. I have gone from one Christmas party to another and still have two gatherings to attend. So this morning I would like to offer more of the beautiful artwork I collect on Pinterest that takes Scripture to a new level for me. Please enjoy these precious Words of God.

 

Deuteronomy318

Deuteronomy 3:18

Joshua17

Joshua1:7

Psalm3410

Psalm 31:24

Psalm359

Psalm 35:9

Psalm422

Psalm 42:2

Psalm911

Psalm 91:1

Proverbs35-6

Proverbs 3:5-6

Zephaniah317

Zephaniah 3:17

Galatians69

Galatians 6:9

Ephesians320

Ephesians 3:20

Colossians27

Colossians 2:7

Colossians323

Colossians 3:23

 

You too may find yourself moving from one gathering to another. If so, I pray that you are able to spend time in God’s Word on a regular basis. Find delight in His presence during this busy season of life.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Alleluia!

December 10th, 2014 dsisler

 

I’ve been working through an advent calendar this year that I created. On each day, there is a word related to the anticipation in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Today’s word is alleluia.

 

DSC03927I began my day with searching for this word in Scripture. Nothing in my New International Version Bible. I moved on to my New Living Translation and it shows this word is only found in the King James Version in Revelation 19:1; 19:3; 19:4 and 19:6. I went to Bible Gateway and yes, found that this is the only place alleluia is found.

 

So then I thought I’d try hallelujah. Perhaps that would bring more results. The NIV points me to the same verses above and indeed, the word hallelujah is there.

 

I wondered why we equate the word alleluia with Christmas and the best answer is that “The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah was the reason. We are touched when we hear this majestic melody and are moved to honor Jesus through this piece.

 

Alleluia or hallelujah literally means “praise the Lord” in Hebrew. So while these words do not appear as frequently as I thought, their translation is scattered through Scripture.

 

Some of my favorite passages are:

 

“And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: ‘Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.’” (Nehemiah 9:5 – NIV)

 

“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” (Psalm 102:18 – NIV)

 

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1 – NIV)

 

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1 – NIV)

 

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150: 6 – NIV)

 

In each of these passages, you can replace “praise the Lord” with alleluia or hallelujah. “Alleluia, my soul.” “Let everything that has breath alleluia.”

 

Now you may have already known this. I knew what alleluia meant, I just didn’t realize that word isn’t in our Bibles. I learn something new every day!

 

Today as I think about this word “alleluia,” I will be reminded to praise the Lord. Praise Him in all circumstances, at all times. Alleluia will be on my heart and lips today.

 

What about you? Are you able to praise the Lord today? To believe in your soul that God is good? Are you willing to stand up and praise the Lord today? Are you counted among the people of a future generation who has been called to praise the Lord? I pray that you are.

 

As I recall the Christmas story, there were many who praised God for the gift of His Beloved Son. Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, the angels. Praise flowed from their lips and hearts for the salvation God sent to this world.

 

Let’s not forget in the busyness of this season to praise the Lord in word and deed. Alleluia!

 

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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