“O” – A to Z Challenge

April 18th, 2016 dsisler

 

I’m not feeling up this challenge today…either allergies or the virus my husband has had for the past three weeks has hit me hard this morning. Please accept my apologies for reposting one of my favorite posts. How I need to be overwhelmed by God today!

 

“Overwhelmed”

 

Music has always held a special place in my heart. I remember listening to the radio in our car as a very young child and singing along to the melody. I treasured my first stereo and record player. Memories flood into my mind as I remember specific moments in time when music was at the center of the memory.

 

oWith this love for music so deeply embedded within, it’s kind of ironic that when I get in my car most days any more, I never turn on the radio. I rarely listen to music in my car and when I do, chances are pretty good that it will be the narration of a chapter in the Bible or a Christmas tune.

 

So what do I do when I’m driving along without music in the background? I spend a lot of time with Jesus.

 

We talk. I think. He spurs my memory. I delight myself in Him! I am quite often overwhelmed by Him.

 

When I first heard the chosen song for today, I felt an instant connection to the lyrics as well as the melody. Oh how I love this song!

 

As you read through these lyrics and listen to this song, I pray that you too will be overwhelmed by God’s presence. I pray that you will find that moment when you are so overwhelmed by God that everything else (the cares of the day, pain, busyness, ________?) will fall to the side.

 

Today I pray that you will delight in God’s presence. I pray that you will be captivated by His beauty. I pray that you will be overwhelmed by Him.

 

“Overwhelmed”

 

I see the work of Your Hands
Galaxies spin in a Heavenly dance, oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

 

I hear the sound of Your Voice
All at once it’s a gentle and thundering noise, oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

 

I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

 

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

 

I know the power of Your Cross
Forgiven and free forever You’ll be my God
All that You’ve done is so overwhelming

 

I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

 

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

 

You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful
Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful
You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful

 

You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful
Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful
You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful

 

You are Glorious, You are Glorious
Oh God, there is no one more Glorious
You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious[i]

 

 

You won’t want to skip over listening to this beautiful song. Click here!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Overwhelmed,” Words and Music by Michael Weaver and Phil Wickham, Word Music LLC, Phil Wickham Music, Seems Like Music, Weave Country, 2011.

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Still Amazed

April 17th, 2016 dsisler

 

As I read through today’s repeat blog post, I am yet again and still amazed by what God has done in my life. The opportunities that have presented themselves are so remarkable. I am thankful that God is still at work in my life and that He loves me enough to fulfill some of my wildest dreams. I pray that He is doing the same in your life.

 

On another note, I pray that you will be thinking of and lifting your prayers and petitions to the Lord on behalf of our friends in Ecuador. Rocky has close ties with the people in the area where the 7.8 earthquake hit yesterday. Our concern is deep. Thank you for praying with me.

 

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The Quest

 

I don’t know what to write about this morning. I’ve had my morning devotions and time with God. I’ve read a bit. I’ve looked at pictures. My mind has been swirling. But nothing has really hit me for a topic today.

 

So I started reading verses of Scripture that are highlighted in my Bible. There are some precious verses. Words that have meant something special to me through the years or those I’ve found particularly motivating recently. Here’s a few:

 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 – NIV)

 

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15 – NIV)

 

“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)

 

“To him who is able to keep you from falling an to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25 – NIV)

 

In the midst of reading these passages, I stumbled all over this one…again. And oh how I love this verse. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 – NIV)

 

I wonder what God has prepared for me. I know what I’d like it to be. I know the direction I’d like my life to go. I know the experiences I’d like to have or the pleasures I’d like to know. But this verse tells me that God has bigger and better things prepared for me. Things that I could not even imagine.

 

The last place in this world I imagined myself was in SE Asia and yet, I’ve been there. I always imagined myself living into old age in Ohio, but I’m sitting in my office viewing the Colorado Rocky Mountains as I type. I never dreamed of being a writer but God opened my mind to pull out the bits and pieces I’ve learned through the years and there are people who actually read my blog! I have a blog!

 

I’m sure you have similar experiences. It’s amazing what God is able to do through those who love Him. So why are we surprised? This verse of Scripture was written in A.D. 55. That’s 1959 years ago. And yet, we’re taken back when God does miraculous things in our lives.

 

Today, I will hold tightly to 1 Corinthians 2:9. I will be prepared for the next adventure God will bring into my life. I will not be surprised by the work He is going to do through me. I will love Him with all my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength and I’ll be prepared to go with Him.

 

Are you willing to join God on the quest He has prepared for you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“N” – A to Z Challenge

April 16th, 2016 dsisler

 

No snow in my neighborhood…yet. Colorado is under a winter storm warning and apparently it is snowing in some parts of the Denver metro area, but not up in my neck of the woods. But if the forecasters are correct, we are to get our fair share by the time Monday rolls around.

 

nI guess this is okay. I’m stocked up with food, I am warm and have electricity, I have plenty to do around the house, there’s always Bible study and prayer and of course, spending time with my hubby. Holed up in the house is an okay thing today.

 

Now that my family and friends across the country know that we aren’t buried in a foot of snow, I can think about what I really want to talk about this morning.

 

In the small Book of Nahum, there’s a beautiful verse, a reminder for each of us to cling to when we face turmoil, struggle or disappointment. These are words to memorize, place in your heart and believe whole-heartedly.

 

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him…” (Nahum 1:7 – NIV)

 

This book goes on to share what was going to happen to Nineveh for their rejection of God. God’s plan was to destroy this city. Jonah was sent to give the message of its destruction. And in the end, the people of Nineveh repented and turned to God. They placed their trust in Him. They recalled God’s goodness. They believed He was their refuge. They knew God could deliver them from their times of trouble.

 

Do you turn to God when you’re facing trouble? Is He your refuge? Do you trust that God cares for you? Do you trust Him?

 

When the storms of this life threaten, who is it that you turn to? When trouble is looming, in whom do you trust? When uncertainty is knocking at your door, who is your refuge?

 

For all of these questions, I pray that your answer is God. I pray that you know that God is the One who cares the most, is able to do the most, and who is willing to provide all that you need when you need it.

 

No snow now, but that may change as the day goes on. But regardless of what the weather is doing outside, I know that I have the peace of God inside. I pray that you do as well.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“M” – A to Z Challenge

April 15th, 2016 dsisler

 

My grandkids crack me up. It seems that each time I am with them, I laugh and find myself smiling days later as I think of their shenanigans and the things they do. Last weekend was no different. Here’s a few things they did.

 

mWe played outside. Basketball, skating, searching for a frog, finding a turtle (a figurine, not a real one) and picking up favorite rocks. Then inside, we pulled out Pie Face again. We play this game on Easter and the moment we started, Percy started laughing and never quit. He did the same thing this go round. His laughter is contagious and we all found ourselves laughing at him.

 

nativity sceneApparently the nativity scenes were in on the action as well. Looks like this little lamb got a lift!

 

 

lamb on car

 

And then, Percy wanted to do something special. So I took a cue from my brother (he does this with my oldest granddaughter) and sent him on secret missions. I tried to explain that he needed to be quiet and stealthy and get from one location in the house to another without being seen. He didn’t quite get it, but he had fun and it was something he could do on his own. By the end of the day, Percy had touched Gido’s big toe, brought paper from my desk and distracted Gido as Joy passed by on a secret mission of her own (his dance and song were priceless!).

 

Secret mission work is tough work. But Percy was up to the challenge.

 

As a believer in Christ, each of us has a mission. Jesus shared that mission in Matthew 28:19-20. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

That is our mission. To make disciples wherever we are. But for me, I sometimes think it feels more like a secret mission. A secret for myself that I don’t share with others. Do you feel that way sometimes? It’s hard to put ourselves out there and share this great news with others, but it doesn’t have to be? Jesus is with us through each twist and turn of sharing the Gospel.

 

Today you may find yourself on your own mission for Christ. If so, I pray that you will find the boldness and courage to share the Gospel by utilizing the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you believe you should be on mission for Christ, I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to make disciples. And if you just don’t want to be on mission? Sorry, you don’t get a pass on this one. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is to make disciples. Each one of us. So start praying for the Holy Spirit to give you what you need to carry out this mission.

 

I’ll be praying for you throughout my day for God to reveal moments for you to be on mission for Him. It really is exciting! God be with you!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“L” – A to Z Challenge

April 14th, 2016 dsisler

 

Life. I remind myself quite often that I am living the good life. I have a sign in my office to keep this thought before me. I thank and praise God each time I think of the goodness in my life.

 

lBut I realize that life isn’t good for everyone. I realize that some are hurting. I realize that some have no hope. I realize that circumstances have drained them of every ounce of positive thinking.

 

If you find yourself in this situation and live in my area, I would like to invite you to an event this evening that just might help you to see that, even when life throws you a curve ball, you are able to lean upon God and hold tightly to His goodness. You can find more information about this event by going here.

 

“Life” happens, the good and the bad. So how can we make it day after day when life is difficult?

 

We can hold on to God’s grace

“My (God’s) grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 – NIV)

 

We can lean into His strength

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10 – NIV)

 

We can find contentment in God

“…I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether living well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11a-13 – NIV)

 

We can praise God for His faithfulness and compassion

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your (God’s) faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 – NIV)

 

Life can be difficult and if you find yourself in that situation today, please let me know. I’d love to be praying for you and your situation.

 

Please know that God cares for you deeply. He asks you to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 – NIV) Why not let Him carry your burden? A life in God’s arms is pretty amazing. Isn’t it time you started living?

 

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 southwest Ohio.

    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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