Lead Me to the Rock

November 9th, 2014 dsisler

 

In my Bible study this morning I read several verses in Psalms where King David recognized that God is the Rock. In this Rock we can place our hope, our despair, our loneliness, our weakness. But then I read Psalm 61:2 (NIV). “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

 

DSC02392mI realized that sometimes I am guilty of running to the Rock when I need Him most. I have excuses. I’m tired. I forget. I’m too busy. If you’re honest, you’ve probably said the same thing.

 

What I love about Psalm 61:2 is that David’s prayer was that God would lead him to Himself. Like us, David was probably forgetful, tired or overwhelmed by life. But David also recognized that if he were led to the Rock, he would find what he was looking for.

 

It’s the same for us. Maybe today your prayer should be that of David’s. It was my prayer this morning. Lead me to the Rock. Take me to the Rock when I forget, when I’m too busy and even when I’m tired. What refuge we find in the shelter of God’s wings!

 

My repeat blog post today if from the Blogging A to Z challenge and about the number one. Enjoy!

 

One – Blogging from A to Z

 

In high school, I was part of a wonderful choral group. It was exciting and we had some great performances. I remember a specific concert when we performed a montage of music from the musical “A Chorus Line.”

 

One of the snippets was from the song “One.” At the time, this tune didn’t mean a great deal to me, but as I look at it through spiritual lenses, I can see my Heavenly Father in each line. Take a look at the words and see if you don’t agree.

 

“One”[i]
One singular sensation
Every little step he takes.
One thrilling combination
Every move that he makes.
One smile and suddenly nobody else will do;
You know you’ll never be lonely with you know who.
One moment in his presence
And you can forget the rest.
For the guy is second best
To none, son.
Ooooh! Sigh! Give him your attention.
Do I really have to mention?
He’s the One!

 

Yes, God is the One! The One who created our world and universe. The One who created mankind in His image. The One who performed mighty acts throughout Scripture. The One who exhibited gentle deeds through the ages. The One who offers forgiveness and grace to those who accept Him. The One who seeks to strengthen those who are fully committed to Him.

 

He is the One! The One who sees us. The Mighty One of Jacob. The One who is our Mediator. The One who is the Lord. The One who is the true God. The One who is our Redeemer. The One who is the Lawgiver. The One who is seated on the Throne. The One who holds all authority and power. The One who is God and Father over all. The One who is over all and through all and in all.

 

The One who leads and guides. The One who offers eternal life. The One who is faithful and true. The One who is the Good Shepherd. The One who is the Head of the Church. The One who is truth. The One who is an Advocate. The One who heals. The One who is Messiah. The One who is Jehovah. The One who brings comfort.

 

There is no doubt about it, He is the One!

 

Shall I go on?

 

The One who is the Ancient of Days. The One who is the consuming fire. The One who is the fountain of living waters. The One who is my salvation. The One who is my husband. The One who is the keeper. The One who sanctifies. The One who is anointed. The One who is the Bread of Life. The One who is the Bridegroom. The One who is the Living Stone. The One who is life.

 

The One who is the Messenger. The One who is the great Physician. The One who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The One who is the hope of glory. The One who is Immanuel. The one who is our deliverer. The One who is faithful. The One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The One who is the power of the Highest. The One who provides wisdom.

 

He is the One!

 

Isaiah 44:6 (NIV) tells us what God says about Himself. “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” God Himself tells us that He is the One!

 

I am so thankful that my God is able to help me through the difficulties of life through His Holy Spirit and that I have found abundant grace through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Through His Oneness with His Son and Spirit, I am able to receive all that I need through Him. He is the One!

 

I am certain I haven’t listed all of the descriptions of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit above. But what I can tell you is that I believe each one that I’ve listed. God is all of these and so much more. He is the One!

 

Perhaps one of these descriptions has touched you today. If so, why not tell me about it? I’d love to hear from you.

 

Perhaps I’ve missed one that really helps you through your day. If so, I’d love to hear from you too.

 

Give Him your attention. One moment in His presence will change you forever. Because, He is the One!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] One, A Chorus Line, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, 1975.

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A Few Thoughts on Writing

November 8th, 2014 dsisler

 

For someone who uses the computer and electronic devices for all communication, I will admit that I love paper. If I find pretty paper while out and about, I will buy it. Not because I need it, but because I like it and want it.

 

???????????????????????????????For the most part, these paper extravagances don’t cost much. A dollar here and there, but when I put it all together, I’ve got a pretty good sized stack of pretties. I can’t imagine what my stash would look like if I did scrapbooking! That paper is really pretty!

 

While I love paper, in Scripture we find words written on other objects. Words were written on stone (Exodus 28:9-12; Deuteronomy 27:1-7), on scrolls (Deuteronomy 17:18; Isaiah 30:8) and on the hearts and minds of those who believed (Proverbs 7:3; Romans 2:15; Hebrews 10:16).

 

As a writer, I enjoy reading what others write. As a believer of Jesus Christ, I love reading what God’s Word says about Him in relation to my writing. Take a look at some of these ideas.

 

“Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!” (Job 19:23-24 – NIV) Of course, I agree with Job and pray that my words would be remembered forever, but what really matters is what Job and I know as recorded in Scripture. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25 – NIV)

 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 – NIV) When my heart is pleasing to God, my writing will be as well. And as this verse suggests, I am only able to write because of the One who as redeemed me.

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 – NIV) God’s Word is my inspiration and my guiding light. Without it, I would have absolutely nothing to write about!

 

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3 – NIV) Full Measure of Joy has been God’s from the very beginning. On my own, I know I would never have been able to share what each of these blog posts contain. And it’s not my success. It’s God’s success. His message has been shared over and over. That’s success in my eyes.

 

And finally, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 – NIV) God’s message has been shared through my words through my blog posts. But what has really happened is that I’ve been transformed. The hours I’ve mulled over passages or re-read Scripture or thought about how it relates to my own life have never returned empty. I’ve always learned. I’ve always grown. I’ve always been transformed. So you see, really it’s not just been for you, my reader, but for myself as well.

 

These are just a few more reasons that I will continue to put pen to paper. With God along on this journey (or maybe it’s the other way around…with me on this journey with God), I find truth in His Word and share how it has changed me and how it can change others.

 

What a blessing it is for me to write for the King!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Just a Prayer Away

November 7th, 2014 dsisler

 

I spent a lot of time in prayer yesterday. I woke up at 3 am and my mind began to ponder all that I needed to accomplish. It was going to be a busy day. I had overbooked my day to the point that there was no room for error. I started my day at that early hour in prayer and it seems at each stopping point in my day, prayer was necessary.

 

prayerA few years back, I might not have thought of the importance of asking for God’s provision on a busy or stressful day. But I’ve learned through the years that I am unable to this thing called life on my own. I must turn to Jesus through prayer and God’s Word to get me through my day.

 

I have friends and family who are going through some pretty rough situations. Health, family, faith, finances and important decisions are in the forefront of their minds. But how blessed we are to be able to take these issues to God in prayer.

 

I was reminded of an older radio evangelist whose theme song was “Just a Prayer Away.”[i] While I cannot find the lyrics for this melody, I did find a recording of Ed Bousman singing this song. As I listened, I was reminded that God is indeed just a prayer away. Maybe it is just what you need today.

 

Today I have places to go and people to see, but it is nothing like yesterday. But I wonder how many times I’ll think to pray to God through this day? Will I rely on Him in my unbusyness as I did in my busyness? All I can do is be more thoughtful, ask God to remind me to pray and then do it.

 

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) reminds me to “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV) is a good reminder as well. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 

How blessed we are to be able to approach God in such a way! Today I plan to be with God more than I usually am. There’s plenty of room around the Throne. Why not join me there?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Just a Prayer Away,” Words by Charles Tobias and Music by David Kaff, Shapiro, Bernstein, and Co Music Publishing, 1944.

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The Family Parrot

November 6th, 2014 dsisler

 

I write a lot about how we are to live. Probably because it’s difficult to live up to God’s expectations. And it’s not just for you, my reader. My writings on living-the-right-kind-of-life are for me as well. We all fall short in this area, but I find that when encouraged (and of course allowing God’s Spirit to do the leading), we find the ability to live according to God’s plans.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPerhaps you’ve read this quote. “So live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.” (Will Rogers) While there is some humor in this quote, I believe there is a real message for us. So let’s take a moment to peruse our lives and see how we are to live.

 

There is a single verse in the book of Acts that tells a great story of the Berean people, but it also sheds some light into the way we should be living our lives. Acts 17:11 (NIV) says, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day.”

 

From this verse I see three areas in which the Bereans excelled.

 

First, they were noble in character. They far exceeded the Thessalonians in this area. While Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica, the Jews who were not persuaded by Paul’s teaching became disgruntled.

 

This group hired “some bad characters,” thugs as we might call them. These thugs stirred up the crowd and soon a mob was formed and rioting began. Paul and Silas fled for their lives.

 

The Bereans weren’t like this. They had chosen to listen peacefully to all that Paul and Silas had to say. They were noble in character.

 

We, like the Bereans, are called to live noble lives (Proverbs 12:4). Have hearts stirred by a noble theme (Psalm 45:1). Think noble thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Have noble purposes (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Plan noble plans (Proverbs 12:4).

 

Outstanding qualities are what defines nobility. We must live lives where others might say what was said of the people living in Berea.

 

Second, the Bereans eagerly received Paul and Silas’ message. Their desire was to learn all that Paul and Silas had to teach them.

 

Are you eager to receive God’s message? Do you long to hear God’s Word preached? Are you listening to what God has to say to you?

 

God has given us a message that is filled with hope, joy, and grace. Why wouldn’t we want to eagerly listen?

 

James takes this idea one step further. James 1:22 (NIV) says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

 

Yes, we must listen and learn, but we then must put that knowledge into action. We must be willing to take that same eagerness of hearing the message and then eagerly follow God’s teachings.

 

Eager receiving equals changed lives.

 

Third, they checked Scripture for themselves to see if Paul and Silas’ message was an accurate one. I love this little section of Scripture because it tells me that the Old Testament scrolls housed in the Synagogue were available for the people to study.

 

The Bereans wanted to know if what Paul and Silas were preaching fell in line with God’s Word. And, after careful examination, they knew that it did. Because it was a continuation of God’s story. It was the best part of the story. Salvation through Jesus Christ.

 

When was the last time you pulled out your copy of God’s Word to see if what you heard was in line with Scripture? I hope it’s often. I would even pray that you check all that I write in this blog.

 

My reason for thinking this way? When you study God’s Word, when your knowledge of what He has to say grows, when you want to know the fullness of Scripture, then you will be blessed beyond words.

 

We can take an example from Timothy. Paul shares his charge to Timothy in 2Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV).

 

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 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.”

 

Knowing Scripture will take you to the highest of heights. It will change you. God’s Word will teach, rebuke, correct and train as you learn from it. And best of all, God will be able to use you in a far greater way because you will be equipped.

 

We can learn quite a bit from this one verse of Scripture and from the Bereans. I pray that each of us will find an eagerness to be in God’s Word daily. To hear His message as often as it is presented. And to live noble lives that praise, honor, and glorify God.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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No Internet + No Heat = Little Accomplished

November 5th, 2014 dsisler

 

Yesterday was a strange day at work. Everyone was a little sidetracked. The internet was off and on all day (mostly off) and because there was no internet, our heating system was all out of whack as well. It was cold in the building. Needless to say, the combination of these two things made it difficult to work. Yes, we were sidetracked.

 

DSC01820Sometimes we do get sidetracked by unforeseen things in our life. Whether it is good or bad, “life” has a way of getting in the way at times.

 

There was a couple in the New Testament who knew what being sidetracked was like and how an unforeseen incident changed their lives.

 

Zechariah and Elizabeth were along in years. Scripture says, “well along in years.” (Luke 1:7 – NIV) Each were descendants of Aaron and Zechariah was a priest.

 

I love the section of Scripture right before this statement. “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” (Luke 1:6 – NIV)

 

I don’t know about you, but I would love to hear God say that about me. To take notice that my obedience to Him is out of my devotion and love for what He’s done in my life (yes that was a sidetrack).

 

So when it was Zechariah’s turn to go into the temple and burn incense, an angel appeared to him and told him of the upcoming birth of his son. Details were given on how he was to be raised, what his purpose in life would be, and then the name was given. John.

 

Zechariah didn’t believe it could be so, because they were “well along in years.” Now here’s my question. How could you not believe if an angel appeared to you? How could anyone possibly believe that it wasn’t going to happen? Well Zechariah didn’t believe and because of his unbelief, he was unable to speak until the baby was eight days old. That is a long time to keep silent. That, I would say, was an unforeseen incident that kept Zechariah side-tracked.

 

But it doesn’t stop there. Elizabeth becomes pregnant. But Elizabeth’s response to this unforeseen event was completely different than Zechariah’s. She spoke these words. “The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:25 – NIV) Elizabeth was thrilled. Her seclusion was a treasured sidetrack.

 

When John was born, we are told that Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives “heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” (Luke 1:57 – NIV) I find it interesting that Zechariah wasn’t mentioned at this point. The priest who was unable to speak due to his unbelief perhaps was still sidetracked. But it didn’t take long for his belief to be revealed to his community.

 

When asked what they were going to name the child, Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. On this tablet he wrote, “His name is John.” (Luke 1:63 – NIV) Immediately, Zechariah was able to speak and he praised God.

 

Through this miracle, their neighbors and friends were filled with awe. It was all they could talk about. They knew that God had been in the middle of this event.

 

Elizabeth’s pregnancy was certainly an unforeseen event. I believe we can look at both Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s reactions to find the best way for us to deal with something that can sidetrack us in our lives.

 

Zechariah was unbelieving. Elizabeth believed.

 

Zechariah questioned. Elizabeth accepted.

 

Zechariah lacked faith. Elizabeth proved to be faithful.

 

Zechariah asked for evidence. Elizabeth acknowledged her gift.

 

Do you see a pattern? Each loved God and were obedient to His ways, there’s no doubt about that. But they reacted to this announcement differently.

 

So I must ask the question, “How do you respond to unforeseen occurrences?” Do you lean more toward Zechariah’s reaction or Elizabeth’s? I think we need to be prepared for the inevitable. Life will throw us a curve ball. There’s no question about that. How we react is really what counts.

 

It’s another day and we’ll be heading off to work. I’m praying there is heat and internet throughout the day. But if not, I’ll find some way to enjoy this little sidetrack.

 

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.

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