Second Verse, Same as the First…

August 12th, 2013 dsisler

This week you’ll be reading posts that you may have already read. I’m taking a little break from writing a post daily to prepare myself for a new job. I pray you’ll understand.

 

So of course there were a few posts about music to share (again) with you about music. But I chose this particular one because it not only speaks of a specific song, but it also speaks to worship and how music integrates with our worship.

 

So enjoy “All My Fountains.” It’s one of my favorite songs!

 

“All My Fountains” – Monday Musical Musings

 

I love to worship God. I love to praise Him for who He is and for what He has done in my life. I love to be in His presence to adore the One who dramatically changed me forever. The good news? We have the opportunity to worship God all day long, every day. It isn’t reserved for Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

 

As a matter of fact, Romans 12:1 tells us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Our daily lives are to be our worship!

 

I also love to attend a worship service. My home church is pretty large. A mega-church. Not one of the largest in the country by any means, but still a mega-church.

 

While I was on staff for nearly six years, I learned the ins and outs, the mechanics of putting together a worship service at LifeBridge Christian Church. I believe because of that, I enjoy it so much more. I know the time and effort the team must expend each week for our worship services to be as they are.

 

One of my new, favorite worship songs is of course, by Chris Tomlin. And just a note, I believe God has poured out so much talent into this one person. He writes just the right words. He puts them together in a way that gives great meaning for our worship.

 

I ask God’s continued blessing upon Mr. Tomlin and the work he does for God’s Kingdom! I would also ask that for every Christian song writer. These men and women use their talents to spread the Gospel. It might just be the only way someone will hear the message.

 

Favorite worship song…yes, it would have to be “All My Fountains.” It’s taken from the passage in Psalm 87:7 (NIV), “As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”

 

Everything in our lives must come from God. Everything.

 

All My Fountains

This dry and desert land, I tell myself, “Keep walking on.”
Hear something up ahead, water falling like a song.
An everlasting stream, your river carries me home.
Let it flow, let it flow.

A flood for my soul, a well that never will run dry.
I’ve rambled on my own, never believing I would find.
An everlasting stream, your river carries me home.
Let it flow, let it flow.

Open the heavens, come Living Water;
All my fountains are in You.
You’re strong like a river, your love is running through;
All my fountains are in You.

Come on, and rain down on us, rain down on us, Lord.[i]

 

If you’ve never heard this song, you may want to listen to it by clicking here.

 

I know what it’s like to be in a dry and desert land. Both physically and spiritually. It is difficult to breath. It is difficult move. But when the relief comes. When the rains fall. When my soul is back in line with God’s Word, I know in that moment that there is nothing of value outside of God’s will.

 

The refreshment. The restoration. The renewing. It all comes from God. All my fountains must be in God. Must come from God.

 

What fountains are you chasing today? I pray that you will seek The Fountain of Living Water. I pray that you will make Him the center of your life. There you will find all that you’ve been looking for.

 

Come Living Water!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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[i] All My Fountains, Chris Tomlin, Passion 2011, Album: “Passion: Here For You” Copyright 2011, sixtepsrecords/Sparrow Records

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It’s Sunday

August 11th, 2013 dsisler

The first day of the week. I pray that today you’ll be in God’s house worshiping His Name above all others. I pray that you will not neglect the fellowship of believers. I pray that you will not forget to remember what Jesus did when He gave Himself for you. I pray that you will listen intently to the Word of the Lord spoken by His messenger today.

 

It is a good day to be in God’s presence!

 

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1 – NIV)

 

Today I’d like to share a post from last spring about a trip to Florida with my family. One of my favorite stories and so much to learn from God in the midst of it. Enjoy!

 

A Fish and a Kayak

 

On my recent trip to Florida with my family, my brothers became pretty good at fishing in a kayak. They learned the pattern of the tides, the current of the water, and how far out into the bay they could go.

 

On these fishing excursions, each of them caught quite a few fish. Most were too small to keep, but they were content with spending the day slowly drifting on the water.

 

The problem they encountered was that when they found fish, there was no way to anchor the kayak to that spot. Before they could get their line reset, they were beyond the location and would once again need to drift until more fish were found.

 

My brother Michael came up with a solution. There were small buoy’s, almost like large fishing bobbers, out in the bay. Michael grabbed one of them and tucked it into the kayak to keep him in that location.

 

It wasn’t long before he realized that he was not staying in one location and in fact was drifting. Not only was he drifting, but the buoy was as well.

 

I believe we can get in that same mess with our spiritual lives. If we are not careful, our minds will pull us in a direction that might not be the correct route. Here are a few verses that will help us with keeping our minds from drifting.

 

Hebrews 2:1 gives us a good piece of advice. “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Paying attention will allow us to stay on the correct path that God has set for us to follow.

 

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) Keeping our minds steadfast brings peace because of the trust we’ve placed in God.

 

And how are we to do this? Romans 12:2 gives us a guide. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Renewing our minds will lead to transformation.

 

And Ephesians 4:22-24 gives a little more insight. “You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Putting off the old self and putting on the new self is possible through the attitude of our minds. God’s righteousness and holiness will be evident through this process.

 

“The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Peter 4:7) In this verse we see that being clear minded and having self control go hand in hand. By keeping these two elements in line, prayer will be the outcome.

 

And finally, for what purpose are we to prepare our minds? For action! “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:13) After we’ve set our minds right, we must get our minds ready for action. For whatever Satan might throw our way. We must be ready.

 

Perhaps you remember the old television advertisement for the UNCF, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Especially when it involves your spiritual life. Use your mind. Develop your mind. Keep focused on what really matters. “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2) Quit drifting!

 

My brothers learned the fine art of fishing and kayaking in a few short days. Apparently, there is nothing that a little fishing won’t cure.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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A Little Something About Nothing

August 10th, 2013 dsisler

As you have read or heard, I begin a new position on Monday morning. With this new job, I will have more responsibilities and will be meeting new people and learning all about a church that I know nothing about.

 

So next week, I’ve decided to use old material that I’ve previously written. A week’s worth of writing that perhaps you’ve already read. But I feel that next week will need lots of my brain cells and doing both might not be as productive as I’d like. So I ask for your forgiveness in advance.

 

However, re-reading old material isn’t all that bad.

 

Look at the Israelites response to hearing God’s Word read (Nehemiah 8) when they hadn’t heard it in a while. They were moved. They responded. They reacted. They repented. They rejoiced. They obeyed.

 

And to be honest, I read some of my material from early last year and think, “I wrote that?” There are lines and thoughts that I don’t remember, so perhaps there will be tidbits you’ll be able to take away that you didn’t catch the first time.

 

We can also look at how many times we read God’s Word. Sometimes the same passage read at different times in our lives means something completely different than when we read it last. That’s the beauty of God’s Word being living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It is powerful and will meet us in our lives where we are. It will give us exactly what we need when we need it.

 

For those of you who are new to Full Measure of Joy, you may find something from earlier writings that you hadn’t considered. You may be enlightened in some way.

 

I pray for each of us that God will open our hearts and our minds to what He wants to teach us each day. That we might find encouragement, instruction, rebuke as needed, teaching and training because we spent time in God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

So next week as you re-read some of my writings, I pray that you’ll ask God to show you what He would like you to learn. What He would like to teach you. And then act upon it as the Israelites did. Don’t allow a day to go by without enjoyment in God’s presence. God will richly bless you because of your efforts.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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Watch and Pray

August 9th, 2013 dsisler

Just east of our home are two radio towers. For air traffic safety, each tower has lights. Some remain on all the time. Others flash. Some are red and some are white. But these lights provide warning to small aircraft that these towers are there.

 

At dusk and dawn the flashing lights on one tower changes from the “not so annoying,” normal lights to a strobe light. This flash is much brighter. More prominent in the sky. More annoying to those sleeping and trying to get one last hour of sleep. More  intense for those whose bedroom windows face those towers.

 

Guess whose bedroom window faces east?

 

I’ve wondered why there is even a change in lights and why at these two times of the day. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect it’s because air traffic may have more difficulty seeing these towers at dawn and dusk. As an extra precaution, strobe lighting was added.

 

I believe there are times in our lives where we have more difficulty seeing obstacles that can cause misstep or even sin. There are plenty of passages of Scripture that lead me to that conclusion. Let’s look at some of them.

 

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41 – NIV) When our bodies are not up to the task, we can allow ourselves to be more vulnerable to sin.

 

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9 – NIV) The love of money is a temptation that each of us must encounter during our lives. This passage warns what can come from this love.

 

James gives some insight into a temptation. “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17 – NIV) We may be tempted to just sit by and not do a single thing. According to James, that can lead to sin.

 

David seemed to think that his tongue could cause him to sin. “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.” (Psalm 39:1 – NIV). James also cautioned us against the tongue in James 3:1-12.

 

Paul warns us to be careful when dealing with another who is in sin. Temptation can draw us in if we aren’t. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 – NIV)

 

Another area when we may fall into sin is when we are angry. “In your anger do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26a – NIV)

 

Oh we find ourselves in situations where temptation pulls at us. When we step over the line, we then find ourselves in sin.

 

During times of temptation, we have the opportunity to walk away from that temptation. God will provide that way.

 

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 – NIV)

 

God is so faithful to us…even when we are not faithful to Him. Look for His escape plan. It’s there, just when you need it!

 

Galatians 5:16 (NIV) gives us one way to resist temptation. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

 

And here’s another. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 – NIV)

 

God has also provided His armor to help us in this battle against temptation and sin. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…” (Ephesians 6:13-18 – NIV)

 

Keeping God’s Word close to us is also a way to fight this battle. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 – NIV)

 

When we are alert and watching for the evil one who prowls around like a lion, ambush is much more difficult. God has provided all that we need to resist the devil and his temptations. We must make the choice to follow His guidelines.

 

I know the strobe lights on the towers are necessary. They provide protection, safety, and awareness to those in the skies. When I look at these lights in this way, I am thankful for what they represent and how they are a reminder to me of what I should be doing. Watch and pray.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

Other passages you may want to consider:

Luke 4:1-13

James 1:14

1 Peter 5:8-11

Romans 7:20

 

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Up a Creek without a Wiper

August 8th, 2013 dsisler

I had seen my Dad do this more times than I could possibly count. When a windshield wiper blade became crusted with snow or ice, he’d roll down the driver’s side window, wait until the wiper was near the edge, lift the wiper, and then release it.

 

The wiper would be free of debris and visibility through the windshield was once more restored.

 

I was driving in near blizzard conditions. Heading to work after dropping the kids off at school. The buildup on my windshield was making it difficult to see, so I thought of my Dad’s trick.

 

I opened the window, waited for the perfect moment to grab the wiper blade, picked it up, and released the blade.

 

The problem? The wiper blade released from the wiper arm and flew into a snow bank.

 

I had made my problem even worse. Now there was nothing on my vehicle to clear the windshield directly in front of the driver’s side window.

 

I slowly crept along until I came to a small auto repair shop. I had forgotten it was there. But at that moment, I was thankful for the small business.

 

I asked if they could help me, and yes, they had the wiper blade for my car. The gentleman fixed it and within minutes, I was on my way yet again.

 

I was thankful for the mechanic at the little shop. He was a master at fixing messes…at least my mess. My God can do that same thing. He is the Master at fixing the messes in our lives.

 

What does He fix?

 

He fixes our hearts

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15

 

“May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13

 

He fixes our souls

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes ne lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3a

 

He fixes our lives

“I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

 

He fixes our joy

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45:7

 

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12

 

He fixes our attitude

“To be made new in the attitude of your minds.” Ephesians 4:23

 

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

 

He fixes our broken hearts

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

 

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

 

God is with us to heal us. God is with us to care for us. God is with us to strengthen us. God is with us to fix us. Allowing Him to do so will be the greatest step you’ll ever take.

 

Obviously, my Dad had mastered the “windshield wiper flick.” I certainly had not. Because I have no desire to be wiperless, I haven’t tried this since then. To be honest, I don’t know that I ever will.

 

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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