Refreshing!

July 7th, 2012 dsisler

We’ve seen some hot temperatures over the past month here in Colorado. It was a hot and dry June. Several days were over the 100° mark, breaking several records. It was miserable for most residents of Colorado, but for those in the fire zones, residents and fire fighters alike, it was agonizing.
Now, most of the Midwest states are enduring this extreme heat. Along with the heat, very little moisture and dry winds have raged onto the scene and have created some unbearable conditions. It has been a difficult summer so far for many.
A weather pattern has finally entered my part of the country. Moisture has filtered its way into the mountains and prairies of Colorado. The monsoon season has arrived early. Refreshment has come.
After times of spiritual barrenness, drought, and destruction, God supplies refreshment for our souls. It may come in many forms, but the result is the same. Refreshment.
Refreshment
Refreshment may come in many forms, but it all comes from Jesus. Acts 3:19 (NIV) says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Period of sin and rebellion in our lives can lead to some pretty ugly words and actions on our part. But after repentance, refreshment comes. It comes from God.
Exaltation
Psalm 27:6 (NIV) says, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me.” Refreshment will come after a period of battle and God will lift us up. We will be lifted higher than those we’ve battled and it will be God who does the exalting. We cannot look at this period as a time of victory for ourselves, but as victory for God. In our exaltation, God must be lifted up as well.
Restoration
Psalm 23 is such a comforting passage. It’s one that each of us can quote at least parts of. Verse 3 (NIV) starts with these comforting words. “He restores my soul…” When the refreshing rains come upon our spirit, our souls will be restored. Perhaps your spiritual drought was because you walked away from God. If so, turn to face Him. He is there waiting to bring restoration and refreshment to your life.
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) reminds us, “And the God of all grace, who call you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” Restoration will bring joy to our lives, just as the refreshing rain brings life back to a desert land.
Beauty
Yes, something beautiful will come after refreshment. From all the barrenness, drought and destruction, God will use His wonder-working power and bring forth beauty to be used in His kingdom. The Isaiah 61 passage brings such joy to my heart. God showing mankind His love and grace. And specifically Isaiah 61:4 says, “bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes…” God will make something beautiful out of our lives. Our poverty. Our brokenheartedness. Our captivity. He’s just waiting to send refreshment.
If you are seeking a time of refreshment in your life, why not reach out to Jesus? He has been waiting and will continue to wait. Please don’t let another day go by with a soul that needs His refreshment. It feels so good to stand, with outstretched arms, in God’s refreshing showers.
Colorado’s refreshing rains have come. For now, the ground has received moisture and the fire danger has subsided. For now, the plants and trees will find needed water to bloom and grow. For now, the land is soaking in all that the skies have brought forth. Thank you God for this refreshment.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Small Treasures, Large Lessons

July 6th, 2012 dsisler

I enjoy finding small sections of Scripture that turn out to be real gems after studying them. Sometimes I hear a verse in a sermon. Sometimes I read the verse in a Bible study. Other times I’m searching the Bible for a different purpose and out pops a surprise.
Recently I’ve had a few I’d like to share with you.
Luke 2:15 (NIV) says, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’”
The shepherds went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. This I knew. What I didn’t know was that the meaning of the word Bethlehem is House of Bread. Jesus referred to Himself as the Bread of Life. So, the Bread of Life was born in the House of Bread.
There are so many things to say about this idea. And perhaps someday I will write about the meaning of this analogy, but for now just think of how amazing God is. To make certain from the beginning of time that these two elements fit together perfectly. Our God is an awesome God!
A second verse is 1 Kings 1:1 (NIV). This is what it says. “When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him.”
Just a glimpse into David’s later years, but it touched me to know that this great king of Israel was cold. I don’t like being cold. It takes so long for me to regain my warmth. I think that is what David was experiencing.
If we think of this in terms of our spiritual lives, we must not allow our hearts to grow cold. We must not allow our spirits to be away from the heat source. Because it takes a long time to warm up again.
Satan knows just how to keep us in the cold. Let’s not allow him to gain any ground in this area.
The third verse I’d like to share with you is also from 1 Kings. 1 Kings 9:3 (NIV) is a verse where God is speaking to Solomon after the temple was complete. “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”
God would reside in the temple. In that place. But it would be more than that. He was claiming it as His own. His Name would be there. His presence would be in the temple. His eyes would keep watch. And His heart would remain in this location.
This was important to the Israelites. To know their God was in their presence. To know His temple was His dwelling place.
We, as New Testament Christians have taken on a special role. We are the temple of God. “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.’” (2 Corinthians 6:16b – NIV)
Just as God was among the Israelites in the past, He walks and lives among us today. Within us. And since we are His temple, His Name, eyes and heart are within us as well.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – NIV)
My body houses the living God. The Spirit of God. Why would I choose to defile it? What am I doing that would cause harm to my body?
These are questions each of us must answer for ourselves. I know for me, I allow my laziness and lack of self-control to affect my physical body (the temple of God) and that in turn affects my spiritual life.
Three different ideas. Three moments of spiritual growth. Areas where my heart and my mind need mending. I am so thankful that God has placed these treasures throughout Scripture. It’s up to you and me to find them and store them in our hearts.
I would love to hear from you! What spiritual treasures have you found recently?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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No Flowers?

July 5th, 2012 dsisler
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about purpose and re-purpose. I shared with my readers of the tool box I re-purposed and placed on my front porch. I had purchased an ivy plant, a spikey plant of some sort, and red geraniums to fill the tool box.
After two weeks of diligently watering these plants, the geraniums had not changed. There were no new shoots. No prospect of them flowering. I was a bit discouraged. And besides, I found no beauty in non-flowering plants!
So I went to the internet to do some research. What was I doing wrong (besides the usual reasons for killing plants in my home)?
I learned three things about geraniums.
1) geraniums require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom – the plants sit in full shade all day long;
2) geraniums do not bloom in extreme temperatures – it has been near or above 100° daily since I planted them;
3) geraniums love fertilizer – I have only watered these poor plants…not a drop of fertilizer.
Like geraniums, we require some proper tending. Our Christian faith and walk depend upon it. If we look at the early church, we see exactly what God has provided for our spiritual nutrition.
Acts 2:42 (NIV) says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Let’s take a look at these four elements.
Apostles’ Teaching
Jesus taught the apostles what He wanted them to share with believers. It was part of the commission Jesus gave to His disciples. “…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20 – NIV) It was imperative that the apostles preach and teach the Gospel to new believers. Today, we have God’s Word so that we might know the full message of Jesus. Through its’ words, we are able to gain knowledge and wisdom on how we should conduct our lives.
Fellowship
The new believers were to be encouraged by worshipping together. Being strengthened by the number of other followers helped them when they were faced with opposition. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) encourages us by confirming this principle. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Breaking of Bread
Although this could be an ordinary meal, scholars believe this to reference the Lord’s Supper. As we partake of this special meal, we remember what Jesus did for us and proclaim His gift of salvation until He returns. “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23b-26 – NIV)
Prayer
While the first three elements of spiritual growth have been corporate in nature, this last element is a more private exercise. When we spend time alone with God, we are able to draw near to Him. We are able to know God intimately. Scripture repeats that we are to be in prayer mode at all times. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) says, “Pray continually.”  Through this fellowship with God, our attitude changes. Our spirits are lifted. Our burdens are given to God. We celebrate our joys  with Him.
As we draw closer to God using these four elements, we cannot help but grow and bloom. Our souls will receive sunshine (Jesus), the perfect climate (fellowship with believers and God), and fertilizer (Jesus’ teaching) to encourage our growth.
I will not profess to be an expert on geraniums at this point. I only learned how to best care for them under the circumstances.
I cannot move this beautiful showpiece. I cannot control the weather. I can however provide the nutrients needed to produce healthy plants. I also can purchase artificial geraniums to create the image I was looking for. And that is just what I did.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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Happy Birthday America!

July 4th, 2012 dsisler

It is July 4th! The birthday of our great nation, the United States of America. Happy 236th birthday!
One of my favorite patriotic gospel songs is Statue of Liberty. Here are the lyrics.

In New York Harbor stands a lady,
With a torch raised to the sky;
And all who see her know she stands for
Liberty for you and me.

I’m so proud to be called an American,
To be named with the brave and the free;
I will honor our flag and our trust in God,
And the Statue of Liberty.

On lonely Golgotha stood a cross,
With my Lord raised to the sky;
And all who kneel there live forever
As all the saved can testify.

I’m so glad to be called a Christian,
To be named with the ransomed and whole;
As the statue liberates the citizen,
So the cross liberates the soul.

Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty,
It was there that my soul was set free;
Unashamed I’ll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty![i]

I believe these lyrics show how our Christian faith is intertwined with our American faith. Where religious freedom meets political freedom. As a Christian, my faith must be seen in all areas of my life.
In Scripture we see that our spiritual freedom comes through living by God’s teachings. David knew how to be free. “I run in the path of your commands, or you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32 – NIV) Isn’t this what we are all seeking? A heart set free? David shares the secret. It’s up to us to accept it.
Jesus also spoke of the freedom by following His teachings. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31b-21 – NIV) As we study and implement Jesus’ teachings, truth will become clear. It is the truth that will set us free.
And one more passage from 2 Corinthians 317 (NIV) that tells us where freedom can be found. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” When the Spirit of the Lord resides within us, freedom is abundant.
I am called to live a life that honors God because of the freedom given in America and through the cross of Christ. I cannot take either lightly. Too great a sacrifice has been given for each.
Revolutionary War soldiers fought with great courage for what they believed in order to establish a nation that offered freedom and liberty to its citizens.
Jesus gave His life so that I might know true freedom and liberty. Spiritual freedom. Everlasting liberty.
Today I celebrate both. If you have not already enjoyed Christ’s freedom, why not do so today. The angels in heaven will celebrate your decision. It’s the perfect day for a celebration…there just might even be fireworks!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i]Statue of Liberty, © Words & Music by Neil Enloe, 1974
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Fire in Pleasant Canyon

July 3rd, 2012 dsisler

We have been experiencing record temperatures throughout the country for the past week or so. Here in Colorado, the heat wave in combination with strong winds have caused wild fires to spread quickly.
Fortunately, the wild fires in Colorado are being contained. But there are wild fires across the western states that are continuing to be an issue. For the men and women fighting these battles we are thankful and continue to pray for their safety.
Several years ago I wrote a novel inspired by the Four Mile Canyon Fire. It is an inspirational romance novel and my first attempt at fictional writing. I debated the traditional publishing verses the electronic publishing and in the end, I decided to use Smashwords to publish my first novel, Fire in Pleasant Canyon.[i]
My intention here is not to promote my book. However, I have made the commitment to donate $1 of each book sold to the Red Cross to aid the fire victims of Colorado.
It’s interesting that God’s presence is mentioned in Scripture to be like a consuming fire. Exodus 24:17 (NIV) says, “To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.” They weren’t certain of what was happening on the mountain between Moses and God, but they were certain that it frightened them.
In Deuteronomy 9:3 (NIV) we see the Israelites preparing to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. God assured them with these words. “Be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you.”
Fire can be consuming and devouring. Colorado has seen that first hand. But these passages draw on fire’s properties to show God’s power in our world and lives. He is active and moving. And if God goes before us, we will be victorious!
The writer of Hebrews shares the same thought in chapter 12, verses 28-29 (NIV). “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”
Because of God’s power, we know His kingdom cannot be disturbed by earthly forces. God is greater. God is more powerful. God is supreme. We have no other choice but to worship Him with reverence and awe.
Colorado will be experiencing some relief in the next few days. Our temperatures will begin to drop and rain is in our forecast. We are praying that the monsoon season will relieve our drought conditions. Please join me in praying for those across the United States and the world who have been affected by the elements in this world.
And remember, God’s Kingdom cannot be shaken!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i] Fire in Pleasant Canyon, Donna Sisler, 2012, www.Smashwords.com
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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.

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