Shoes

October 5th, 2014 dsisler

 

This morning I will be sharing a blog post from my A to Z challenge. The post is about a shoe collection my Mom has. I know you’ll enjoy it.

 

This morning as we head to worship, perhaps we could revisit Moses’ encounter with God in Exodus 3. Moses found himself in God’s holiness and was asked to remove his shoes (Exodus 3:5).

 

What is it you do to recognize that you are in God’s holiness? I know of people who remove their shoes during worship. That in itself is a good reminder. I don’t have an answer or even a suggestion, but I do believe God would like to acknowledge His holiness as Moses did.

 

So today, let’s be reminded that we are standing on holy ground when we worship. We are in God’s presence and that makes it holy. I can’t wait to be in His presence!

 

Have a beautiful morning of worship!

 

Just the Right Shoe

 

DSC02256I’ve collected several items through the years. As a child I collected staples…I’m not sure what that says about me. I’ve collected angel figurines, houses, farming tools, dishes, Christmas décor, and anything with the word “joy” in or on it.

 

Other people I’ve known had other collections like rocks, salt and pepper shakers, fossils, Precious Moments figurines and art work to name a few.

 

DSC02260My Mom has a few collections. Miniature oil cans, thimbles, Bybee pottery, and my favorite, Just the Right Shoe figurines by Raine.

 

These shoes are miniature replica of interesting and beautiful shoes. Some I’ve love to have in my wardrobe. The pictures are some of my favorites. But the thing is they are only the right shoe.

 

There are several passages in the book of Psalm that tell us about the right hand or right arm of God. We are reminded of the power, and the works of the right hand or arm of God. Let’s see what is said.

 

We find joy and eternal pleasures at the right hand of God. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

 

We find salvation at the right hand of God. Psalm 17:7 tells us, “Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”

 

We find victory at the right hand of God. “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” (Psalm 18:35)

 

And in Psalm 44:3 we see, “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.”

 

And also Psalm 45:4. “In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds.”

 

We find stability at the right hand of God. Psalm 63:8 says, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

 

And Psalm 73:23 reminds us, “Yet I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand.”

 

In Psalm 139:9-10 we see, “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

 

We find amazement of mighty works at the right hand of God. Psalm 98:1 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

 

“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous; ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’” (Psalm 118:15)

 

I think I’d like to sit a while at God’s right hand. To see and hear and feel and know all that He can accomplish single handedly.

 

It has been fun, as Mom’s friends and family, to add to her shoe collection. Shoes that remind us of something or someone. Shoes to commemorate a special group of people. Shoes that are whimsical or beautiful. But in the end, they are just for pleasure. They are pretty little things for everyone to gaze upon.

 

God’s right arm is not like that. It is useful. It has purpose. Are you within the comfort of His right arm? If not, why not? Wrapped inside, you’ll find everything you could ever hope for.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Stop What You’re Doing

October 4th, 2014 dsisler

 

My husband Mason is a photographer. Over the past few weeks we’ve been able to get into the mountains and view the beautiful colors of the aspen trees. They have been exceptionally gorgeous this year.

 

???????????????????????????????Mason has a habit of seeing something that catches his eye and he says, “stop.” Since I am the one driving 99% of the time, it’s up to me to get him where he wants to be.

 

Sometimes it’s possible. Other times it’s more difficult to find a turn off and get back to where he actually saw the great scene.

 

Perhaps you’ve encountered something similar with your day-to-day living.

 

There are times that we need to stop what we are doing, sometimes right in the middle of it. Words of discouragement flowing from our mouths. Improper thoughts. Actions that simply are not very Christ-like. In the moments we are caught up in sin, we must stop. Get away from the situation and head toward God.

 

In Scripture, we find some examples of when we are to stop. Let’s see what God has to say.

 

The first thing we must stop is sinning. Isaiah 1:16b-17a and 1 Corinthians 15:34a share the same thought. “Stop doing wrong, learn to do right.” (NIV) “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning.” (NIV)

 

Let’s remember, if we are going to remove a behavior from our lives, we must replace it with something else. Isaiah says to learn to do right. Fill the void with good as you stop doing wrong.

 

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV) reminds us to “Stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” We need to grow up and stop acting like children when it comes to our spiritual lives! We need to put aside evil, sinful thoughts and get into God’s Word. Get to the “meat” and become spiritual adults. Learn what God has to say about all areas of your life. Then you will stop thinking like a child.

 

Then there are a few things we are to do in relation to others. Romans 14:13 (NIV) says to stop judging. “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

 

Judging. It’s something we’re good at. But God clearly states that it’s not our job. Our job is to keep others from stumbling by making sure our lives are following the path God has laid before us. Another great example of what we are to fill the emptiness with. God’s love for others.

 

And in John 6:43 (NIV), Jesus was speaking to a group of Jews, but His words speak to me. “Stop grumbling among yourselves.” I find myself falling into this trap over and over. Grumbling. Complaining. Believing that I could do better. Hah!

 

Perhaps I could do better, but guess what? I wasn’t asked to do it! Someone with more qualifications, more abilities, more anything was asked. My role is to support. Lift up. Encourage. Not grumble.

 

Finally I’d like to look at a verse that brings everything into perspective. In the book of Job, God’s faithful and eloquent servant, Elihu, presents God’s case to Job. Over and over, Elihu brings Job to an understanding of God’s goodness.

 

In Job 37:14 (NIV), Elihu asks Job to “Stop and consider God’s wonders.” When we adopt this view of life, we too, will not be able to contain the joy, love, or hope within us. These qualities, God’s qualities will flow from us.

 

God’s wonders. They are boundless. They are limitless. They are amazing.

 

I encourage you to stop. Right now. Stop and spend some time praising God for who He is. For what He has done. For what He is preparing to do. Then inquire what He desires for you. What He is asking you to do.

 

He might reply with “stop.” Stop sinning. Stop thinking like a child. Stop judging. Stop grumbling. Stop and consider. Stop.

 

Stop. Get out of the situation, way of thinking, or busyness of life. And then, run to God.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Apples, Apples and More Apples

October 3rd, 2014 dsisler

 

My dear friend at work asked me several weeks ago if I’d like some apples for cooking and baking. Of course I said yes. This week she delivered. I have more apples than I know what to do with, but they are straight from her apple trees and I know come mid-January I will be thankful for the apple butter, the dried apples and applesauce that I plan to make this weekend.

 

Apples

Two full baskets of apples!

Here are a few facts about apples that you may or may not know.

 

Apples are one of the easiest fruits to pick and use.  They can be eaten fresh, cooked, canned, frozen and made into many tasty and healthy dishes. Apples are fat, sodium, and cholesterol free. And a medium apple has about 80 calories.

 

And yet another piece of trivia. The apples on a tree ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples on the outside of the tree will ripen first.

 

Unlike an apple tree, our spiritual growth comes from the inside. We produce fruit with the help of the Holy Spirit to become people that God can use in His kingdom.

 

On a day-to-day basis, I must grow spiritually. Sometimes the growth is barely noticeable and other days I grow in enormous ways. But if I do not grow, I become stagnant. So I’m determined to grow!

 

I’ve spoken of Jesus’ message in John 15 on numerous occasions. Jesus encourages us to grow. To produce fruit. To remain in Him. His words are nourishment to the soul and as we come to understand His words, we understand that we must grow.

 

In Romans 7:4 (NIV), Paul also encourages us to bear fruit. “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.”

 

We also read of growth through the Gospel. “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” (Colossians 1:6b – NIV)

 

And again in Colossians 1:10 (NIV). “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

 

We must continue to grow in knowledge and in bearing fruit. Each day we must get into God’s Word to see where growth should take place and then we must allow growth to take place. It may be difficult. It will be work. But when good fruit is produced, it is worth it all.

 

Are you growing today? What steps are you taking to ensure growth? Are you learning from God’s Word today? I pray that you are.

 

Well, I guess I better stop writing now and get working on those apples. Have a blessed day!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Beauty of God’s Word

October 2nd, 2014 dsisler

 

You know I love sharing my Pinterest Bible verse finds. So I have a few more to share with you. I pray that as you read through God’s messages that you’ll also find the beauty of the passage through the artwork. Enjoy!

 

Psalm4211

Psalm 42:11

Psalm634

Psalm 63:4

Proverbs356

Proverbs 3:5-6

Isaiah4323

Isaiah 43:2-3

Lamentations32123

Lamentations 3:21-23

John330

John 3:30

Acts412

Acts 4:12

Romans1212

Romans 12:12

Romans1513

Romans 15:13

Ephesians13

Ephesians 1:3

1Peter334

1 Peter 3:3-4

My Father

My Father…

 

If you would like to see more, click here for Scripture pins.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Ambassador

October 1st, 2014 dsisler

 

I enjoy going to the airport. Not just pull up to the door and drop off family and friends, but to go inside the terminal. I enjoy watching people. I enjoy the hustle and bustle. I enjoy the entire experience of airport life.

 

SectCut

A DIA ambassador…love the cowboy hat and vest!

The Denver airport is blessed with volunteers who desire to help visitors. These volunteers are called ambassadors. One day, my goal is to be an airport ambassador.

 

This past weekend I made the trip to DIA for my brother’s flight back home. While waiting for him inside the terminal, I noticed a young man struggling with luggage and the map of the terminal. I decided to try out my ambassador skills to see if I could help.

 

He was looking for a specific airline and it just so happened to be the airline we were headed to. So I gave him directions and off he went.

 

Then, it was our turn to get my brother checked in. We turned the corner and to my surprise, the airline was not there. We turned left and in fact, the airline was to the right. I had misguided this young man and sent him the wrong direction. My heart sank. I had failed at my opportunity to be a DIA ambassador!

 

What a humbling experience. I didn’t know as much as I thought I did. I am sure that my directions caused a bit of stress for the young man. I wasn’t even a real ambassador who had gone through training and I thought I could do the job without it. I was wrong!

 

Airport directions are one thing, but spiritual leadership is another. Spiritual lives and eternity hang in the balance when we mistakenly point others in a direction that doesn’t line up with God’s Word. And yet, God uses us to spread His Gospel.

 

Paul uses the word ambassador on two occasions in Scripture. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) tells us that “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

 

The message Paul shared in this passage is simple. When we allow God’s Spirit to lead and guide us, we are able to share this simple message. When we take ourselves out of the equation and allow Christ to shine, the message is loud and clear. Be reconciled to God. Get right with God.

 

The second time Paul uses this word is in Ephesians 6:20, but let’s start in verse 19 (NIV). “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

 

Paul’s ambassadorship not only included the spreading of God’s message, but his desire was to share it fearlessly. I don’t know that I ask for that zeal to share God’s plan of salvation.

 

Oh yes, I fearlessly walked up to that young man and offered assistance about the airport, but I didn’t share God’s message with him. I didn’t ask if he needed help with his spiritual life.

 

I still want to be an ambassador at the airport, but more than that, I want to be an ambassador for Christ. So today, I will use Paul’s words from Ephesians and ask God to guide the words I speak when I open my mouth. I ask that God will lead me to fearlessly declare God’s message. And I pray that others will be drawn to reconciliation with God.

 

Turns out, I was given another opportunity to help someone that morning. As my brother was going through security, we waited to say our final goodbye. A woman walked up to me and asked me how to get to security. I knew the answer to this one. So I very specifically (and with a bit more humility) pointed her in the correct direction and she made it to the security line without any mishap.

 

Today I declare to be an ambassador for Christ. Will you join me?

 

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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