Living for Jesus!

September 25th, 2015 dsisler

 

DSC_0070We receive a lot of sales catalogs from various places. Bible book stores, home supplies stores, auto supply stores, woodworking stuff, diabetes materials, unique gift ideas and I could probably go on and on. I am sure that in the catalogs that sit on our kitchen table, you would be able to find just about anything in this world you’re looking for.

 

Obviously some of these catalogs are what catches my eye and they are the ones that I peruse. In a recent flip through one catalog, I saw a sign with this quote on it.

 

“Find something you would die for and live for it.”

 

If you are like me, you have probably asked yourself these questions, “Would I die for my faith? Would I choose death over renouncing Jesus?” If you are like me, you have probably answered these questions with a resounding “YES!” But would you or I really?

 

I think this quote helps me to see that if I am not living out my faith on a daily, hourly, minute-to-minute basis, I don’t know that I would have the ability to die for my faith. My faith must be so ingrained in my heart and soul that there would be nothing for me to live for without my faith.

 

I like the quote. But maybe it should be:

 

“Live for something you are willing to die for.” Or “Live for Jesus…He died for you.” Oh I don’t know…I’ve got it pretty mixed up in my mind now.

 

Here’s what I do know Scripture says about living for Jesus and how it can affect our day-to-day lives. See if these verses help you in your walk with Christ.

 

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 – NIV)

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31 – NIV)

 

“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.” (Romans 12:2 – NIV)

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV)

 

“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 – NIV)

 

“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:5-6 – NIV)

 

Persecution is part of our faith-walk. Maybe we haven’t known what it is really like to be persecuted as some of our fellow Christians around the world. But if we hold unswervingly to these verses of Scripture and follow the guidelines, then if and when we do face persecution (and even death), we will be able to withstand it all because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Today, let’s all strive to live for Jesus. Live to follow His guidelines and walk the way He did. Let’s live for Him because He died for us.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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The Neighborhood

September 24th, 2015 dsisler

 

My neighborhood is under attack! It is exploding with new houses, construction, very large pieces of machinery, road closures and detours. It’s noisy, dusty and teeming with strangers. Growth, new life and improvements are promised, but this stage is not pretty. I get it, but boy is it frustrating.

 

???????????????????????????????One problem is that there is only one entrance and exit from our neighborhood. More and more people added to the neighborhood means more and more people trying to get through the tiny hole in the funnel. Maybe you’re getting the picture.

 

I’m thankful for progress. I’m thankful for new neighbors. I’m thankful for the boost in our economy. I am thankful. But it’s hard.

 

The same can be said of our spiritual growth and progress. Sometimes we have to get into God’s Word and really study a passage. Sometimes we have to read and come to understand precepts in Scripture that lead us to remove something from our lives. This growth process leads to transformation. And transformation leads to a deeper relationship with Jesus as well as a life that reflects Him.

 

But, this transformation cannot happen on your own. I am not qualified or able to jump on one of these big pieces of machinery in my neighborhood. I would destroy more than I built if I did. Just like the folks in my neighborhood who are building and changing and transforming, there are things in my spiritual life that I cannot do on my own. These are the areas that I must give to Jesus and allow God’s Spirit to do the work.

 

Temptation can be overwhelming, but when we give it to Jesus, he provides a way out for us to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). If you find yourself continually falling into sin because of temptation, this is a matter to give over to Jesus. Whether it is a sexual in nature, tongue related or a matter of the heart, we just have to allow God’s Spirit to work on it.

 

I will continue to work my way out of my neighborhood. I will put up with the inconveniences. But I sure look forward to the final transformation that is taking place. I am looking forward to my spiritual transformation as well. I pray that you are going through the transformation process as well.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Word of God Wednesday

September 23rd, 2015 dsisler

 

For today, I thought I would share a few verses of Scripture that speak on the topic of God’s Word. I pray that these words will help you to see the importance of being in God’s Word, how God’s Word is relevant in our world today, why you should be applying its words in your life and gaining a better understanding of who God is and the role He desires to play in your life.

 

???????????????????????????????“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” (Psalm 33:4 – NIV)

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 – NIV)

 

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 – NIV)

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NIV)

 

“For the word of God is living active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Vacation!

September 22nd, 2015 dsisler

 

Wow! What a blast we had last week! It was good to relax and visit with family. But I must admit, it took me a few days to get to that point. I realized several days into vacation that no one was keeping up with me. I would be out of the car and standing at the door waiting for the rest of my party. Ha! They got it a lot faster than I did. Slow down. Relax. Enjoy the moment.

 

Balloon Parade 2014 (11)But there were things to do and places to go and food to eat (we did that a lot on our vacation). Didn’t they want to pack as much into the week as I did? Of course they did…they just wanted to go at a much slower pace and to be honest, a much better pace.

 

I have found that I have to go fast in order to get everything done in a week that needs to get done. I just wouldn’t be able to get through my work load if I didn’t. But what am I missing along the way? Who says I have to accomplish all of these tasks by the end of the week? Why am I running at this pace?

 

Jesus had some pretty important things to accomplish each day of His life. He too had places to go, things to do and food to eat. But we don’t see Jesus rushing from one place to another. We don’t see Jesus rushing from one healing to another. We don’t see Jesus rushing through His teaching so He could get to the next point. Jesus was careful to notice people and places. Jesus was intentional about who He ate with. Jesus purposed to spend time with those who mattered, including quiet time with His heavenly Father. Boy can I learn a lesson or two from my Savior!

 

I went back to work yesterday thinking of all the things I needed to get done, when perhaps I should have been thinking of all the people I could have connected with. Who could I have had lunch with? Who needed a few moments of my time? I was already back to work, work, work instead of having a mind like Christ.

 

Today is another day. I have another opportunity to spend time with people who might need to hear a word of encouragement or discernment or guidance. Maybe someone needs a hug or a pat on the back. So that’s my plan today. To be aware of what those around me need. And then, I’ll do it.

 

What are your plans today? Do you need to adjust your mind-set? Do you need to slow down? Do you need to share God’s grace with someone? Are you willing to change? I pray that you will allow God to show you the areas of your life that need to be tweaked. I’m ready. Are you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Tell Me the Story of Jesus” – Monday Musical Musings

September 21st, 2015 dsisler

 

“Tell Me the Story of Jesus” has to be at the top of my list of favorite hymns. Seems that the lyrics just flow from my lips and the tune is so easy to sing. And if you really want to know the truth, it’s in the key of D. That is my favorite key.

 

IMAG1492Well, since I rarely sing any more, maybe it was my key.

 

One thing that I love about reading lyrics to any song is finding that one phrase that makes the whole song worth it. In “Tell Me the Story of Jesus,” the words that bring out the meaning of this hymn are the last line of the third verse. “Love paid the ransom for me.”

 

Without this great love God had for mankind, there would be no story to tell. Without His willingness to pay the ransom for me, I would know nothing of Jesus. Without Jesus, there is no hope of reconciliation.

 

So, just as this hymn suggests, tell me the stories of Jesus so that I can write them on my heart, believe in their words and allow these stories to transform my life. I pray that you will find this same encouragement from this hymn as I do.

 

Take a look at the lyrics and listen to the version of “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” below. Above all, I pray that your desire to draw closer to Jesus will deepen because of the ransom that was paid for you.

 

“Tell Me the Story of Jesus”

 

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word;

Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell how the angels in chorus sang as they welcomed His birth,

“Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.”

(Refrain)

 

Fasting alone in the desert, tell of the days that are past,

How for our sins He was tempted, yet was triumphant at last.

Tell of the years of His labor, tell of the sorrow He bore,

He was despised and afflicted, homeless, rejected and poor.

(Refrain)

 

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain;

Tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender, clearer than ever I see;

Stay, let me weep while you whisper, love paid the ransom for me.

(Refrain)

 

Refrain:

Tell me the story of Jesus, writing on my heart ever word;

Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.[i]

 

Click here to listen to the Gaither’s version of this beautiful hymn.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

 

[i] “Tell Me the Story of Jesus,” Words by Fanny J. Crosby, Music by John R. Sweeney, Public Domain, 1880.

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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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