Did I Belong?

February 9th, 2016 dsisler

 

Last week I had the opportunity to sit with a group of co-workers and discuss a discipleship program that was presented to us. The four of us on staff work in spiritual development of different groups in the church. We are excited about this particular curriculum and this was a great opportunity for us to chat with one of the developers of this program.

 

???????????????????????????????It soon became clear to me that I really didn’t belong in the room. Oh, I believe I contributed to the conversation and added my thoughts, but honestly, I walked away feeling a little inadequate. Here’s why.

 

Two of the folks sitting around the table have master’s degrees. One has multiple master’s degrees (and maybe more….I don’t know). And the other person carried a doctorate. There I sat with no degree at all. I was surrounded by “thinkers” and “philosophers” and only a handful of years of college under my belt with nothing to show for it. I certainly didn’t belong in this room, at this table, in this conversation.

 

Yep, I was kinda down on myself.

 

But then it happened. As I was studying to lead a group of ladies through the Armor of God, Priscilla Shirer reminded me of the enemy’s tactics. The enemy doesn’t want me to believe I’m “good enough” to sit at the table with folks who have much more education than I. He wants me to sit in a corner, have a pity party for myself and become paralyzed when it comes to Kingdom work.

 

So I put on my armor and headed into battle with the enemy. I began to whittle out the lies Satan has pushed on me through the years. I battled against the proud spirit he wants me to take hold of. I fought. Fought for my identity in Christ to cover me and to remind me of who I am and to whom I belong.

 

I am tired of the lies Satan feeds me. I want to live in God’s truth and Jesus’ righteousness. That’s the table, that’s the conversation, that’s the room in which I belong.

 

Psalm 139 provides a beautiful reminder of how God created each one of us. Remember some of these phrases?

 

“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13 – NIV)

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14a – NIV)

“When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.” (Psalm 139:15b-16a – NIV)

 

What a great reminder that God was involved in every detail of our creation. I need to remember this!

 

What’s more, God has placed me in this position for a specific reason. Psalm 139:16b (NIV) continues to say, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” That meeting last week was set in place years ago. I was there for a purpose. And if God thinks I’m “good enough” to be sitting with that group of people, then I should as well.

 

And another “what’s more,” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) reminds me that I am “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Last week was already prepared in advance for me. But the real news here is that God prepared me for last week. He has worked on me and given me everything I need to face each situation, each day. I only need to recognize His preparation!

 

Perhaps you’ve been listening to and believing the lies of Satan for far too long. If so, I would encourage you to put on God’s armor and head into battle. Believe and be transformed by God’s truth. Know that God is going before you and will be with you as you go. You have God’s protection. Accept it and believe it.

 

I must admit, no one sitting around that table made me feel like I was inadequate or didn’t belong. I was accepted by my co-workers and the lovely gal we met with. Instead of dwelling on what I wasn’t, I should have embraced who and what I am in Christ.

 

This is exactly what I intend to do today! How about you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Once and For All” – Monday Musical Musings

February 8th, 2016 dsisler

 

I have some special memories of my college days. People I drew closer to. Places visited. Events that seem like they happened yesterday. Classes and professors that helped to develop my foundation of faith. College days. They were exciting for me.

 

A special occurrence for me was when my Dad would have a speaking engagement in the Cincinnati area. When he spoke nearby, I was by his side. We’d travel and talk. These are precious memories for me.

 

At one speaking engagement, a woman sang a special just before Dad spoke. I thought the song was pretty. The music, the melody, and even the lyrics I thought were good. Until Dad and I had a conversation in the car on our return trip to my grandparents’ home. I must have mentioned the song because we had a long discussion on this one.

 

Dad filled me in on why this song was scripturally and doctrinally incorrect. That was my first lesson on paying attention to the lyrics of a song to see if they fall in line with what I believe. But more importantly what didn’t fall in line with what God’s Word said.

 

I’ve known people who have chosen not to sing certain songs in corporate worship. Some because of the doctrine found within the lyrics, others because they felt the lyrics weren’t quite as they should be (like placing more importance on the cross over Jesus’ love for mankind while on the cross).

 

Kind of makes you wonder about the songs we sing doesn’t it? Do you actually believe what you sing? Are you singing along because you like the tune, or the rhythm, or the way the band sings it? Or are you singing praise to God because you believe what you are singing?

 

The ladies who are taking my 1 and 2 Peter class will get an idea of how important this is. They will be writing out their own statement of faith. They will need to figure out what they believe and why they believe it. Once complete, they will have a firm foundation to hold everything else against. Teaching. Music. Others thoughts and beliefs. Everyday happenings in life. What they hear. What they see. What they experience. It will all be held up to their statement of faith.

 

It is no different for you or me. We must also have this firm foundation and belief system to hold everything against. I would encourage you to do this exercise sometime.

 

Recently, Chris Tomlin put out a new song about his own beliefs. We sing it. It’s popular. But does it line up with God’s Word? Well I would like for you to figure that out on your own. Here are the lyrics and a link to listen to the song is below it (as usual). Once you’ve spent some time with this song, determine if it does line up with God’s teaching. If it does, you’ll know you can sing it the next time it is sung at your church. I pray that you will not just examine this song, but any others that you hear or sing in worship. If it doesn’t line up with what you find in God’s Word, friends, we better not be singing it.

 

“Once and For All”[i]

 

Once and for all

The Father’s love

He is the light in the darkness

Who took on flesh

And took our place

The weight of the world on His shoulders

The weight of the world on His shoulders

 

Chorus:

We believe our God is Jesus

We believe that He is Lord

We believe that He has saved us

From sin and death

Once and for all

 

Once and for all

Our debt is paid

There on the cross it is finished

The Lamb of God for us was slain

Up from the grave He is risen

Up from the grave He is risen

 

Bridge:

Jesus, Jesus

God from God

Light from Light

You are our salvation

Jesus, Jesus

God from God

Light from Light

Your kingdom is forever

 

Click here to listen to “Once and For All.”

 

What do you believe?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Once and For All,” Words and Music by Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, and Ed Cash, Worship Together Music, A Thousand Generations Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Open Hands Music, Valley of Songs Music, Thank You Music, Alletrop Music, 2013.

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Another Beautiful Sunday

February 7th, 2016 dsisler

 

I’m excited to be heading to church today. I can’t wait to see what God is up to. I know He is on the move. So many prayers have been answered. So many lives have been touched. So many life-changing stories. Yes, God is on the move.

 

?

I pray that you are excited to worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ today too. It is another beautiful Sunday!

 

Here’s a repeat blog post…enjoy!

 

Lessons from a Child

 

In preparation for our Vacation Bible School program at church, I bought a Bible for my granddaughter last week. She is six years old and reads very well, so I felt she would be able to read and understand the early reader’s version of the book I love so dearly. I also found a pink and brown Bible cover to make it a bit easier to carry.

 

I didn’t know how she would react, but she was filled with enthusiasm and could not wait to start reading it. She was also filled with questions.

 

She asked if it was a chapter book. I explained that it was and how unique the Bible was because of the different books found within the pages.

 

She asked where to start. I explained that she could start anywhere, but I mentioned that it would be good to start with the beginning of Genesis (to learn the biblical account of creation), but then go to the New Testament to read of God’s love.

 

After this discussion, she looked at me and said, “I’ll need lots of paper.” I asked why. “When I read a chapter book, I write down the main characters and what happens in each chapter.” Yes, she would indeed need lots of paper.

 

I was thrilled to see her excitement to read my beloved book. Through the week, I would find her hidden away searching the pages of her new Bible. Even now, thinking of those precious moments cause my heart to leap for joy. I pray that she will continue on her faith journey and learn how to live a good life (1 Peter 2:12) through God’s Word.

 

My question for each of us would have to be, “Do you still find excitement in reading God’s Word?”

 

I know I’ve taken God’s Word for granted through the years. With multiple copies of several versions on my bookshelf, it’s easy to believe that they will always be there. With free time that I sometimes use mindlessly, it’s easy to believe that there will be plenty of other opportunities to read God’s Word.

 

It is such belief that gets us (me in particular) into trouble. If I am not actively pursuing God’s message through the Bible, I am not learning. I am not growing. I am not filling my mind with God’s precepts.

 

Which brings me to another question. “What do you learn when you read the Bible?”

 

I find that when I am most open to God’s message, I learn. Even after I’ve read a section over and over, it is amazing that I can still find something new to learn. And what is even more amazing to me is that as I listen to the Bible, I hear ideas, concepts and words that I don’t read.

 

And yet another question. “Does boredom keep you from reading God’s Word?”

 

Unlike so many other activities, I don’t find reading the Bible to be a chore or mundane. As much time as I spend in this book, I never grow bored with reading its words. In fact, I find that as I read the Bible, I am spurred to do something. Love others. Transform. Practice hospitality. Rid my life of sin. Clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Encourage others. And this list could go on.

 

Maybe it’s time for us to pull out the notebooks and start from the beginning. To read God’s Word through the eyes of a new believer or a young child. Perhaps it’s time to bring excitement into our Bible reading experience. I truly believe all that we need to know can be found in the Bible. We just have to look for it.

 

God’s Word is amazing and exciting. There is so much within the pages and regardless of how many times I read it there is still more to learn. But maybe I’m biased. After all, my heavenly Father wrote the book!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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My Thoughts for Praise in Motion

February 6th, 2016 dsisler

 

Rocky offers a wonderful experience for ladies called Praise in Motion. We focus on a specific message from God’s Word and then we move to music that points us to God. Our instructors are gifted ladies who help each person in the room to move a little bit more, both physically and spiritually. Tuesday evenings are very precious to me.

 

Several weeks ago, our Praise in Motion team asked if I would share with the group during focus time. I was so honored and blessed. So today I thought I would share with you what I shared with the ladies on that evening. Maybe it will encourage you to move a little bit more, both physically and spiritually.

 

My life verse:

 

“This is the good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy and my body is at rest. Who could want for more? You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave or leave me to rot alone. Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with you, the pleasures are never-ending and I know true joy and contentment.” (Psalm 16:9-11 – The Voice)

 

To be honest, there isn’t much to add to these verses, but I want to break them down so that as we move through our worship and praise this evening, these are the items you should think about, ask for God’s direction and at the end of the evening, I pray that you are able to say these words with me.

 

This is the good life—who could want for more?

There may be not-so-good things happening in your life. We live in a fallen world and the enemy is hard at work to keep you from thinking that life is good. But please don’t believe what Satan has to say. He is a liar and a deceiver and he has no business telling you that what you have isn’t a good life. Why is it a good life? Because of Jesus. In Jesus we have abundant life. That is what we need to believe.

 

Because this is the good life, we can make these three statements:

 

My Heart is Glad

Think about these questions with me. What makes you glad? What puts a smile on your face? What causes your heart to skip a beat? Perhaps it’s the laughter of a young child. Maybe it’s being caught in a rainstorm or seeing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset. Or could being in the presence of a good friend make you glad…and that good friend could be your heavenly Father!

 

I pray that you can say what the psalmist said in Psalm 92:4, “For you, O Lord, make me glad…” First and foremost, we must find our “gladness” in the Lord. All these other things add to our good life.

 

My Soul is Full of Joy

Joy. It’s one of my favorite words. Joy is a name in my household. It’s my middle name, my daughter’s middle name and her daughter’s first name. When Joy was born, I started collecting anything that had “joy” written on it. I have plaques, pictures, artwork, candles, figurines…well, you get the idea. Every room in my house has some form of the word joy in it. Joy is evident, it is visible, joy is prominent in my home.

 

But what about in my heart? I’ve come to a better understanding of what joy is all about. It has nothing to do with the physical circumstances in my life and everything to do with my spiritual well-being. Regardless of what may be going on around me, I am filled with joy because of Jesus who is the joy-giver, the abundant life-giver.

 

Nehemiah understood the power of joy. He reminded Israel that “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) If you are having some difficulty in this area, maybe this is a good reminder for you as well. Don’t allow your joy to be stolen by the enemy or the junk going on in this world. Allow God’s joy to give you the strength you need to face tomorrow.

 

My Body is at Rest

Once we stand up, we won’t be at rest. But there is not a better sleep aid you could possibly purchase from the pharmacy than this hour and a half. God created our bodies to toil and rest. It’s a cycle. And when the rhythm of this cycle is in sync, our bodies will be able to rest well.

 

Of course there are other things that might keep us from resting. Guilt, shame, sin, harsh words directed toward us or that passed through our own lips, grief, despair, brokenness and this list could go on and on. If anything is keeping you from rest tonight, maybe it’s time to seek the Great Physician and Healer of your soul. Remember, Jesus came to offer you abundant life.

 

There is more. Through all of this, we are not alone. This verse specifically says, “As I walk with you.” God is with you. He is with you on the mountain tops as well as the valleys. God is walking along with you. God is providing exactly what you need when you need it. Do not doubt for a moment that He isn’t.

 

Tonight as we begin the motion portion of our evening, think on these things:

  • What makes you glad?
  • What brings you joy?
  • When are you at rest?

 

And remember:

  • God is directing your path.
  • God is leading you to a beautiful life.
  • God provides never-ending pleasures.
  • God is the provider of true joy and contentment.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Yikes!

February 5th, 2016 dsisler

 

You know what it feels like when you have deadlines approaching? Sometimes there’s anxiety. Sometimes lost sleep. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes there’s a sense of peace (if and when you know that everything is covered).

 

???????????????????????????????Well I’m feeling a little bit of all of these. I passed one deadline already…Get Yourself Ready is complete and in the hands of my Bible study ladies. This was a big one. But not my only deadline.

 

Our women’s ministry at Rocky will be hosting a “girl’s night out” event next Thursday. This is a big step for us. Our events are usually speakers from within our church, but for this night, we decided to bring in an improve comedy team to help us laugh out loud. This was a big decision, but one that we pray will be uplifting to the ladies in our area. I ask that you join us in prayer for this evening…and if you live in my neck of the woods, why not consider joining us for this fun event? You can purchase tickets at rmcc.org.

 

Once this deadline has passed, I’ll be able to relax a bit.

 

Or so you think!

 

Nope. Just around the corner from February 11 is March 19. This is the day my son will take a bride. I’m tearing up as I write these words. I am so happy and thrilled for him. But it’s a big day. It’s a big deadline. And there’s lots of work to do before that deadline. I would ask for your prayers for this day and their marriage as well.

 

Now there’s more going on between now and March 19. There’s a birthday party for our grandson…hard to believe he will be 5-years old! There’s the remembrance day for our grandson…even harder to believe he’s been with Jesus for 5 years. There’s a trip to Ohio…I love road trips! There are still Bible studies to lead, blog posts to write and work at the church that needs to be done. Deadline upon deadline upon deadline.

 

So what are my plans for meeting these deadlines? I think I’ll take my guidance from Jesus. Jesus had a deadline while He was among us. His deadline was the cross. That’s where He had to be on a specific day. To get ready for that moment, Jesus made preparations and set certain things in motion.

 

Jesus Didn’t Waver in His Mission and Goal

Jesus was focused on what and where He was going. Each interaction was intentional. Each lesson was taught with purpose. Each relationship was taken to the next level.

 

My mission must be Jesus’ mission. My mission must be to point others to Jesus and help them deepen their relationship with Him. My interactions must be intentional. My teaching must have purpose. My relationships must be taken to the next level.

 

What about you? Is your mission Jesus’ mission?

 

Jesus Prepared Those Who Would Take Over

Once Jesus began His ministry, He began preparing those who would be the next leaders in His Kingdom. Jesus spent quality time with the twelve apostles, taught them with passion and developed the leadership skills that they would need once Jesus returned to be with His Father.

 

I must do the same. Yes, with my ministry at Rocky, but also in my personal life. Who will pick up the baton once I am no longer here? What legacy will I leave so that my children and grandchildren will have this great desire to share God’s message with others? If I am not intentional in this, this process will disappear.

 

Who are you bringing up beside and behind you to carry on once you are gone?

 

Jesus Continued His Ministry

Knowing that the cross was before Him didn’t sidetrack Jesus from His day-to-day ministry. He talked. He taught. He healed. He encountered. He lived. He cried. He calmed. He challenged. He rebuked. He loved. And all the while, Jesus knew He was heading to the cross.

 

My deadlines are nothing like Jesus’, but my life must reflect His. In my day-to-day ministry, Jesus must be displayed. In my day-to-day living, Jesus must be who others see in my life. My ministry continues regardless of the deadlines I face.

 

Are deadlines keeping you from doing God’s work?

 

Jesus Spent Quality Time with His Heavenly Father

In the last moments of Jesus’ life, who do we find Jesus with? His apostles. His inner circle. But most of His time was spent with God. Prayers for others and Himself were lifted to the God of the universe, Jesus’ heavenly Father. In the midst of His anguish, God was Jesus’ lifeline.

 

God must be my lifeline as well. In the midst of my rushing about, “get my to-do list done” craziness, feeling “out of control” deadline frenzy, I must stop and spend time with my heavenly Father. If I don’t, I won’t find the peace and well-being that is needed for this busy life. I know without a doubt, if this time with God isn’t my top priority, I will be a mess.

 

Do you spend quiet time with God each day? Is this time your top priority?

 

Jesus Met the Deadline

Oh how thankful I am for this. Jesus chose to be taken to the cross without fuss or fight. Nothing could or would keep Him from that deadline. Jesus was present. Jesus was intentional. Jesus was thoughtful. Jesus was there.

 

I fail to meet my deadlines with the grace that Jesus met His. But I can strive each day to be more present. I can strive each day to be more intentional. I can strive each day to be more thoughtful.

 

How do you meet deadlines?

 

Friend, I pray that you are able to take some of Jesus’ examples and place them in your own lives. It’s what I try to do each day. Be a little more like Jesus than I was yesterday. With Jesus’ example, God’s uplifting arm and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide, I am able to do so.

 

Now, let’s get after these deadlines!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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  • About Me

  • "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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    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

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