I Know Better

October 25th, 2013 dsisler

My daughters and I are taking my grandkids to Boo at the Zoo tomorrow. The grandbabies will be dressed as “Sophia the First,” “Jake the Pirate,” and “Rapunzel.” It will be crowded (more in the parking lot than inside the zoo), but it is fun to go and watch people and see how the kids interact with others.

 

318402_10150365327400502_1307764648_nSeveral years ago my daughter and I took Joy to Boo at the Zoo in her “Jessie” the cowgirl from Woody’s Round Up Gang. She looked so cute from her red cowgirl hat down to her sparkly red boots.

 

She apparently looked convincingly life-like. As we were waiting to go into the zoo, a young girl walked up to Joy and gave her a bear hug. She didn’t want to let go. The little girl’s father joined the pair. He apologized and explained that his daughter thought Joy really was Jessie. When she saw Joy, she had been mesmerized and was drawn to the life-sized version of her favorite character. It was such a cute scene.

 

As grownups, we too can be attracted to things in this world that pull us away from the safety and security of our heavenly Father. We believe what we’re taught. We are swayed by a great speaker. We don’t take the time to investigate. And pretty soon we’re bear hugging the enemy himself.

 

So how can we keep from falling into these traps?

 

First and foremost, we must be teachable. We must want to know what God has to say about situations in our lives. King David understood this important step and he asked God to help him. In Psalm 119:66 (NIV), David is quoted as saying, “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.”

 

When we allow our hearts and our heads to learn from God and then put it into practice, we will be filled with knowledge and good judgment.

 

As a Christian, we have God’s Spirit within us to lead and guide us. He will help us along our journey to discern who and what we need to stay clear of.

 

Jesus told His disciples of God’s Spirit in John 14:16-17 (NIV). “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be with you.”

 

With God’s Spirit, who is our Counselor and Truth, we are able to distinguish between good and bad, true and false, righteous and evil. This will help us to remain close to our Heavenly Father and to be safe within His arms.

 

We also must know God’s Word. As studiers of the Bible, we have an obligation to know what is within its pages. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) tells us, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

 

Knowing what God’s Word says is part of our responsibility. The Bible will help us to stay on the right path (Psalm 119:11). It is a light (Psalm 119:105). It is a means to our preservation (Psalm 119:93). It leads to understanding and insight (Psalm 119: 99-100).

 

The combination of God’s Spirit and God’s Word will help us as we go through this life. But we must be willing to listen and obey. Listen with our hearts to what the Holy Spirit is telling us and know when things are out of line because we have studied God’s Word.

 

I pray that your spiritual discernment will keep you from falling into the evil one’s traps. Keep studying. Stay focused. Listen to God’s Spirit. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 – NIV)

 

It will be a good day tomorrow and I look forward to seeing the many characters out there. Some young ones may believe them to be the real thing, but I know better. My little princesses and pirate are just pretending.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Your Words

October 24th, 2013 dsisler

I read the results of a survey recently. While I wish these numbers were higher, I am encouraged that some Americans seek God in times of trouble. Take a look.

 

“A quarter of Americans have searched the Bible within the last month to help deal with pressure. When asked, ‘Where do you turn when you feel pressure? a majority of Americans (52%) say they turn to someone who will listen. Forty-five percent turn within themselves and 36 percent turn to prayer.”[i]

 

God's WordIf you had been asked this question, what would your answer be?

 

I love that there is a group who search God’s Word for guidance. I find great pleasure and comfort when I spend time in God’s Word.

 

Perhaps you’ve seen a few lists of passages to read when you face certain situations. There are plenty out there and they can help when you don’t know where to begin. Let me share a few with you.

 

If you’re stressed, take a look at Psalm 55:22; Psalm 119:76; Philippians 4:6; or 1 Peter 5:7.

 

If you need strength, read through Joshua 1; Psalm 121; Isaiah 40:28-31; or 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

 

If you are unsure of yourself, God’s Word has something to say about that. Take a look at Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:9; or 1 John 3:1.

 

God’s Word also helps us through times of sorrow (John 14), times of worry (Matthew 6:19-34), times of loneliness (Psalm 23), times of rebellion (Psalm 51), times of discouragement (Psalm 126).

 

Yes, there isn’t a time in our lives when we cannot go to God’s Word to find the answer. It’s just a matter of taking the time to find it and then actually reading what God has to say about each circumstance in life. God has provided.

 

I enjoy God’s Words so much, that I have a Pinterest board devoted to Scripture combined with artwork. What a great way to see all that God has in store for us. Click here to see my Scripture board.

 

Perhaps you have a favorite passage to turn to just when you need it. If so, please share! We all would love to hear it and read it as well.

 

God has given us a great resource for us to examine, believe, encourage and put into practice. I pray that you will find all that you need within the pages of your Bible.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] Facts and Trends Magazine, Volume 59, Number 5, Fall 2013, pg. 8, Source: LifeWay Research and Bible Studies for Life.

 

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Caught in the Act

October 23rd, 2013 dsisler

Yesterday I shared how raising our hands to God is useful in other areas of our life, not just in worship and praise. After I posted the blog, I thought that I might have shared the importance of physically doing something, like raising our hands. So today, I’d like to plead my case for adding physical gestures to our worship and praise to God.

 

prayerIn the church I attend, kneeling in prayer is not a common practice. Within our brotherhood, there probably isn’t even room between the pews in most churches to even consider it. But I believe there are times in our worship or when we are in deep communion with God where kneeling would be appropriate. King David speaks of kneeling in prayer in Psalm 95:6 and Jesus knelt in prayer in Luke 22:41.

 

Perhaps kneeling isn’t the only position for prayer. In Matthew 26:39 (NIV), we see Jesus stretched out in prayer. “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed.” During Jesus’ deepest struggle, He felt the need to lie flat on the ground in a position of submission when He approached God. I believe there may be times when this physical act might be appropriate.

 

So let’s talk a little bit more about Jesus and His encounters with others. Our Jesus, who is able to speak a world in existence and calm a sea with a few words, added physical touch to many of the miracles He performed. Jesus understood the importance of and need for physical touch. Let’s look at some of these encounters.

 

In Matthew 8:2-3, Jesus touched a man with leprosy.

In Matthew 9:25, Jesus touched the hand of a dead girl.

In Matthew 9:29-30, Jesus touched the eyes of two blind men.

In Mark 8:22-25, Jesus not only took the blind man by his hand, but Jesus also led him outside the village, spit in his eyes and then touched the man’s eyes.

 

And look how tenderly Jesus’ encounter with children was in Mark 10:13-16. We see Jesus not just touching and blessing the children, this passage tells us that Jesus “took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:16 – NIV) Jesus saw the value of physically doing something with these children and He did it.

 

I will say that there are plenty of passages in the Old Testament that lead us to believe how important it is to physically do something as part of our worship to God. There are sacrifices, acts of becoming clean, encounters with a burning bush and gentle wind, and even a prophet being carried up to heaven in a whirlwind.

 

But one that I specifically would like to mention is found in 2 Kings 19:14-19, specifically verse 14 (NIV). There were many incidents that occurred prior to this chapter. News of an impending attack by the Assyrian armies and even a threatening letter had been received by Hezekiah, King of Judah. These were difficult days in the kingdom for certain.

 

But Hezekiah went before the Lord. Not only did Hezekiah pray, but “he spread it out before the Lord.” He spread the letter from Sennacherib out so God could see it. God knew what was happening to His people. He didn’t need to see the message to know what it was. But Hezekiah felt the need to do something. Something physical, like spreading out a threatening letter before God.

 

Maybe a physical action isn’t necessary in each circumstance of worship or prayer, but certainly I believe there are times when kneeling or lifting up hands or touching another or spreading our difficulties out before God are appropriate. And I believe I’ve given some good examples of why we should consider doing so.

 

I pray that the passages of Scripture I’ve presented today will allow you to look at lifting up hands a little differently. When we view any of these actions as acts of worship, there is no room for judgment. Our hearts speak volumes to God, but when we pair our pure hearts with acts of worship, we are drawn closer to God and allow others to see what God is doing in our lives.

 

What do you need to lay before God today?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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It’s Not Monday

October 22nd, 2013 dsisler

Don’t be alarmed today. It’s not Monday. But I am going share a bit of a song with you today.

 

Local Scenics0171mI have shared the song “Awake My Soul” by Phillips, Craig and Dean in the past. It is a song that I could listen to over and over again. However, in searching all of my posts, I’ve found that I have never shared this song. It’s one of my favorites. How have I missed this one? I will remedy that on another occasion.

 

Last night as I was heading to a prayer meeting, this song came on. Once again, yet again, I was captured by the melody and the lyrics. And on phrase in particular spoke to me.

 

“When I raise my hands I can touch Your face.”

 

I haven’t been a worship hand-raiser for long, at least not in comparison to my age. But this simple act has become an import element to my worship. When I add the above phrase to this act of worship, it really raises this element of worship to a deeper level.

 

Obviously, it isn’t a physical touch of Jesus’ face, but it is a spiritual touch. This phrase suggests intimacy. It suggests that we know Jesus well enough to touch Hi face. It suggests that we are His closest of friend.

 

When our worship is that close to Jesus, we are in true worship.

 

As we look to the Book of Psalm, the worship book in the Bible, we see different reasons for lifting or spreading out our hands to God. Let’s look at them.

 

In Psalm 28:2 (NIV), David is crying out to God for mercy. “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”

 

Then there are a couple verses where David lifted his hands in praise.

 

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (Psalm 63:4 – NIV) And Psalm 134:2 (NIV) says, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

 

In a section of Book of Psalm, David is filled with grief. He’s separated from his friends. He’s confined. His soul was full of trouble. And in this moment of grief, this is what David did. “I call to you, O Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you.” (Psalm 88:9 – NIV) Sometimes spreading out our hands, as in surrender, is another form of touching the face of God.

 

During his prayer time, we find David lifting his hands to God. “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 – NIV)

 

And finally, in another Psalm, David spreads his hands out toward God when he longed for Him. “I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” (Psalm 143:6 – NIV)

 

I find it interesting that in the next verse David makes this comment. “Do not hide our face from me or I will be like those who go down the pit.” (Psalm 143:7 – NIV) Yes, David understood the importance of intimacy with God. We have that same opportunity.

 

God desires a deep, intimate relationship with each of us. Raising our hands to Him is just one way to be closer to Him.

 

Like David, I long to be close to God. I crave that intimate relationship. I am thankful that King David has shown us that there are many opportunities in life to develop that intimate relationship with God by the simple act of raising our hands.

 

Perhaps you need to cry for mercy, are filled with grief, or you feel distanced from God. If that’s case, maybe it’s time to lift your hands to the One who is able to lift you out of the pit. Maybe it’s time to touch His face.

 

Perhaps your prayer life has gone stale. If you feel that way, lifting your hands to the One who loves hearing your voice is your answer. Spread it all out before the One “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20 – NIV)

 

Perhaps your heart is filled with praise. If so, lift your hands to the One who deserves all of our praise. Enjoy His presence. Praise Him!

 

There are other phrases in “Awake My Soul” that touch me each time I sing them. Perhaps I’ll share more of them as the week goes along. But until then, I pray that you’ll find great joy and peace in God’s presence today.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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“The Church” – Monday Musical Musings

October 21st, 2013 dsisler

I have enjoyed singing for a very long time. Through the years I’ve sung in many choirs of many sizes and they each brought a joy to my heart…well maybe not some of the difficult pieces we had to sing in college choir, but apparently there is great value to singing with a group of people.

 

0005030206R-849x565I came across this study that speaks to this very topic. Take a look.

 

“A study finds singing in the choir is good for your heart. When people sing in a choir their heartbeats synchronize, according to new research. The study found the pulse of choir members tends to increase and decrease in unison, with the regular breathing patterns required reducing the variability of their heartbeats. Singing also can trigger the release of endorphins, which boost feelings of happiness and pleasure.”[i]

 

I am sure this isn’t completely true for corporate worship because there is a big difference between the two. I’m sure the release of endorphins is experienced when singing a worship song with a group of people in worship. I’m sure there are benefits to our health as well. And I am certain that the benefits to our soul far outweighs anything we read in a study.

 

Singing with a group of people does bring physical benefits, but singing with the Church benefits our spiritual well-being.

 

I have always enjoyed the lyrics of the song I share with you today, but I never realized that the title of the song is “The Church.” I thought it was about missions and taking the Gospel to the world.

 

Yes, that is one element, but as the Church of Christ we are to be sharing this message in our own streets in our own neighborhoods. To anyone we come in contact with that is need of this hope. Our Jesus.

 

It seems kind of ironic that when I heard this song that I didn’t connect it to my day-to-day life. I connected it to my SE Asia life. What a mistake I made! The lyrics to this song convicts me of what I need to be doing all the time. God’s message must be shared. Must be spoken. Must be heard. Regardless of where I am.

 

There is a missional element in these lyrics and yes, we want to hear Jesus Name spoken by every lip in the world. But hearing my grandchildren speak Jesus’ Name or sing about His love must be important as well. That is part of my mission too.

 

As you read through and listen to this song today, why not take a look at your own life to see where you might be failing God and His Church.  We have the message. We are the change. It’s time Church to get up, get moving and get sharing.

 

“The Church”

 

Verse 1:
We are the change
the world is waiting for
We’ve got a love
the world is desperate for
We will lead
and take to your streets

Chorus:
Now’s the time for us to rise
and carry hope and let love shine
and show this world that mercy is alive

Now’s the time for us to rise
and carry hope to hopeless eyes
and show this world that mercy is alive

Verse 2:
We’re not afraid
we will abandon all
to hear your name
on lips across the world
we will run
in the wake of your love

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Fill our hearts with your compassion
let our love be active here[ii]

 

If you would like to listen to this beautiful song, please click here.

 

I pray that your prayer today would be the words of the bridge. Ask Jesus to help you to be bold. Ask Him to show you how to activate your love. Ask Him to fill your heart with His compassion. Then be prepared to follow Him.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

To leave a comment, please click here.


[i] Facts and Trends Magazine, Volume 59, Number 5, Fall 2013, pg. 9, Source: Denver Post.

[ii] “The Church,” Mack Brock and Chris Brown of Elevation Worship, 2011, on the album For the Honor released on November 21, 2011.

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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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