Games

July 18th, 2013 dsisler

I play a game on my phone that has captured my heart. I am not dependent upon “friends” to supply me with anything. No one else has to “build” or “harvest” or do something to make my game experience better.

 

Nothing dies if I don’t get to it in time. The quests are mostly doable. It is a mind-numbing, time-wasting, video game that is addicting.

 

I originally put it on my phone for Joy (my granddaughter) to play, but it hasn’t interested her at all. So it’s been me and the fishes for months and I am at level 25.

 

Upon realizing my addiction to this game, I’ve tried to squash the temptation of picking it up and just harvesting a little bit of algae and it has worked…for the most part. But like anything else that pulls my attention from what’s important, it may be time for me to call it quits.

 

It’s so easy to become side tracked or distracted from God’s plan for our lives. And most people start something (a game, a craft, a hobby, a relationship) thinking they can handle it and it won’t be a problem. But I’ve come to realize that nothing is as innocent as it seems in the beginning.

 

Time wasted, relationships hurt, and financial hardships are just a few of the issues caused by mindless activities. Not to mention how these seemingly small things can turn our relationship with God into mush.

 

There is nothing in this world that is worth ruining our relationship with God over. Nothing. God gave this message to the Israelites from the beginning. God shared this same message throughout Scripture. So why do we do it? Why do we let something as senseless as a video game get between me and God?

 

Because the evil one is in this world. And he is up to his old tricks. He makes us believe there isn’t a problem. He assures us that it’s harmless. He twists the truth. And we are the ones who accept his lies and fall into his trap.

 

Jesus warned those listening to Him (and us) of the capabilities of the evil one. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-23), Jesus speaks of how the evil one is able to snatch away what is sown in the hearts of those who have heard the Gospel.

 

Jesus also said there was a way to escape the evil one. In Matthew 26:41 (NIV), Jesus shared these words. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” (Luke 22:40; Luke 22:46)

 

Jesus knew that prayer was one way to battle the evil one. He prayed for His disciples and for us in John 17:15 (NIV) when He said, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

 

We also see from Jesus’ example of resisting temptation that reciting Scripture is a great way to walk away (Matthew 4:1-11).

 

Our dear friends Paul and James weigh in on this subject as well. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV), “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

 

What a promise! When I feel like I’m over my head, God will be there to help me get out of the situation. Of course, this only works if I want it and if I’m looking for an escape route.

 

And in James1:13-15 (NIV), Jesus’ half-brother provides information about what can happen if we don’t take that escape route. “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

 

No beating around the bush here. When we flirt with temptation from the evil one we open the door to sin. And according to James (and Jesus, and Paul, and every other Bible book writer) sin leads to spiritual death.

 

So my little fish game that gobbles my time is leading me down a path of destruction. Oh there are much bigger things in my life that have the capability to do the same thing and now that I am more aware of the whole temptation thing (and it is in writing), I am compelled to look at each activity and weigh it against the health of my soul.

 

The good news is that God has provided a way out. I can delete the game. I’ve walked away from other games in the past and I can do the same with this one. I can choose to use that regained time in better ways. For greater purposes. And that is exactly what God calls me to do.

 

So today, the little fishies will be deleted from my phone. Instead of a few minutes throughout the day harvesting algae, I will pull up my Bible app and read a chapter from God’s Word. A much smarter decision.

 

What temptation is the evil one placing before you? While we seem to place labels to temptation, they are all the same in God’s eyes. If it takes you away from God’s presence, it is wrong.

 

So today, I ask that you join me in seeking those things that pull you away from God. The evil desires that entice us from His presence. And once you’ve identified it, set a course to remove it. Ask God’s forgiveness, His protection, His guidance, His grace to cover you through the process. Then you too can say, “Away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

To leave a comment, please click here.

Share

Decisions, Decisions

July 17th, 2013 dsisler

Making decisions can sometimes be difficult, especially when it is a decision where it will make a major impact in your life. There have been times when I’ve made these decisions without consulting God. Somehow, most of those decisions were the right ones and something good came from it.

 

It’s only been in the past ten years or so that I have really sought God’s counsel on decision making. I think the difference that comes with seeking God during these times is the peace that comes with the decision.

 

Several years ago, I was making a huge decision. I decided to take a day and spend it in the mountains chatting with God. I found a lovely spot. The scenery was amazing. The weather perfect. With Bible in hand, I sat on a bench, telling God all about the decision to be made.

 

I flipped to the concordance of my Bible to search for verses about mountains…I chose to read Micah 4:2. “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” It was a great verse to start with.

 

Allowing God to teach me something was a good step. Knowing that walking in His path would be the result was even better. I knew I needed Him to point me down the right path.

 

Then I read the entire chapter of Micah 4. It’s interesting that the section starting in verse 6 is titled, “The Lord’s Plan.” Could I possibly have found a better passage to read during this decision making excursion? I don’t think so. And I also don’t think it was by accident that I turned to this passage.

 

There were several verses that led me to believe that my decision was an easy one. Yes, there would be some major changes in my life, but I knew God was leading me in that direction.

 

There is one other verse in this chapter that I have held on to throughout these past few years. Micah 4:10b – “…for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.”

 

This verse tells me that I must get out of my comfort zone to share the Gospel with anyone and everyone who will listen. It may even be that I am to leave the security that I am so accustomed to. But for certain, the Lord will be with me through it all.

 

Maybe this particular chapter will mean nothing to you. Maybe it’s just a chapter in the Old Testament that has no relevance in your life. For me, it was a turning point. A time when I asked God and He answered me. I do believe I can still repeat Micah 4:2. Will you join me? Are you willing to learn what He has to teach?

 

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

If you would like to leave a comment, please click here.

Share

“N.U.N. Day”

July 16th, 2013 dsisler

Early this morning as my husband was getting ready to go to work, I watched our local news. The weather gal (perhaps that’s politically incorrect), meteorologist made the statement that today was going to be a “N.U.N. day. No Umbrella Necessary day.” Apparently there are a few people in Colorado who own an umbrella.

 

I suspect I have a few, but they never seem to be where I need one when I need one. It rains so little here, why mess with and umbrella?

 

But you see I moved from an area where if it wasn’t raining, there was always a threat of rain. The sky was always overcast (you may think I’m exaggerating, but really I’m not). It was dreary most of the time. If you didn’t have an umbrella nearby, chances were very good you’d be caught in a rain storm.

 

So when I moved to Colorado, the umbrellas simply disappeared.

 

Now there’s something to be said about being prepared. Knowing where a candle (and matches) or a flashlight are during a black out would mean preparation. Having all of the ingredients for a recipe before you begin would mean preparation. Designing the route for a road trip before leaving the driveway would mean preparation. Developing a business plan for a new venture would mean preparation.

 

We make preparations each of our lives.

 

But what happens if we aren’t prepared? We’re left in the dark. We leave an item out of a recipe. We wind up getting lost. A business fails.

 

And although some of these may seem minor, when we allow God to join us during the preparation, we just might succeed despite ourselves.

 

Apparently Solomon knew the importance of God being part of the preparation stage for he shared some ideas about it in the Book of Proverbs. Take a look at some of his words.

 

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3 – NIV)

 

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 – NIV)

 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 – NIV)

 

I am not sure what God wants me to learn today (I didn’t know I was making plans for anything special), but two of these verses were found in my reading of the Book of Proverbs today.

 

My plans. My preparations. My purpose. They all must be in God’s hands. I must commit everything that I do today to Him. And the outcome will be success. Oh it may not be my success, but certainly will be God’s success. His purpose will prevail.

 

I may not always have an umbrella with me, but I do have God with me at all times. I have His Word hidden in my heart to pull from when I need it. I have His Spirit within me all the time for comfort, guidance, accountability, strength, protection, and reminders.

 

So regardless of what my day may hold I know I am prepared spiritually. As I make plans for the day, God is in the midst of it. He is there. He is establishing my steps. He is preparing my heart. He is establishing my plans. He offers His purpose that is noble and honest and far greater than anything man has to offer.

 

What are your plans today? Are you prepared? Is God your source of preparation? If so, you are in good hands and He is preparing some great things for your life.

 

If your plans are not with God, why not?

 

It’s a good thing it’s a N.U.N. day because I really don’t know where to find an umbrella in my house. It’s also a good thing that it’s a GOD day. Him I can always find.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

If you’d like to leave a comment, please click here.

Share

“Just Another Rainy Day” – Monday Musical Musings

July 15th, 2013 dsisler

My free three-month enjoyment of Enlighten radio on Sirius is just about up. I’m a little sad because I’ve enjoyed the music so much. But I also know that I will jump back to K-Love or my own CD’s and hear some great music of different styles, so it isn’t that I won’t have any music to listen to.

 

But I must admit the older songs have stories to tell. They bring the listener to a point where they can’t wait to hear what the next line is going to be. And today’s song is that way.

 

Colorado is experiencing our monsoon season…now granted, it may not be like monsoon season in other parts of the world, but you can definitely tell there is more moisture in our air and we’ve had rain showers more frequently this past week.

 

So when I heard this song, “Just Another Rainy Day,” I wanted to hear what they had to say. I wasn’t disappointed. Take a look at the lyrics below.

 

“Just Another Rainy Day”

 

Old clouds are coming and you’re still humming yesterday’s victory tune;
You’ve got it all together but you haven’t seen the weather that’s coming when the day is through.
But if you stop and listen and just pay attention to the word God has today;
He knows what you need and you can believe anything He has to say.

(Chorus)

 

Struggling and trying, on my knees crying, I can’t take it anymore;
Praying to the Father to just come and water this soul with a word from the Lord.
A dry and thirsty season is just the right reason to believe God’s about to move;
In the heat of the day you just trust and obey,
God’s got a flood for you.

(Chorus)

 

Chorus:
If God says build an ark, it won’t be just another rainy day;
If God tells you to start, better not hesitate.
He’s got a master plan he’s working and the best thing for you to do is obey;
If God says build an ark, it won’t be just another rainy day.[i]

 

This link will take you to a version of this song as recorded by Lordsong, but it has also been recorded by the Nelons and the Collingsworth Family. Click here to listen.

 

We experience rainy days throughout our lives and we experience stormy days. But I believe it’s how we respond to those days that shows spiritual growth within us and we are able to be examples to others through our response.

 

According to the songwriters of this song, as we encounter troubles, struggles, or trials, we are to spend time with God and see what He has to say to us.

 

I also love the section of the song that speaks to “a dry and thirsty season.” We’ve all been there. We know what it’s like. But it’s during those times that we receive great refreshment from God. And if we are open to His working, He will do some pretty remarkable things in our lives.

 

God may not be asking you to build an ark today, but He isn’t sitting idle. What is God asking you to build today? A relationship? Or a character trait within your life?

 

Maybe God is asking you to mend or repair something. A broken relationship? Or your relationship with Him?

 

Or maybe God is asking you to take a step of faith. A step that will bring glory to Himself.

 

Perhaps you are going through the worst experience of your life. God has a plan for that too and He wants to be with you through it. Reach out to Him. Allow His love and grace to flood your soul so that you may be refreshed.

 

God has called me to some pretty remarkable things. Writing a blog every day. Going to SE Asia. Leading women in Bible study. Writing Bible studies. These are all things that I know I couldn’t do on my own.

 

But that’s the thing. I would never have been able to accomplish any of this without God being in the middle of it. God made it happen. I simply said, “Yes. Here am I.” (Isaiah 6:8)

 

And the thing that I find most exciting is that I can say, “It won’t be just another rainy day.” What does God have in store for me today? What is He calling me to today? I pray that you find the same excitement in the rain.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

To leave a comment, please click here.


[i] “Just Another Rainy Day,” Cindi Ballard and Darryl Williams, © 1999 Christian Taylor Music (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC), Centergetic Music (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.)

 

Share

Refreshment for the Soul

July 14th, 2013 dsisler

There was refreshment in Colorado last night! Rain and cool temperatures filled the air. I sat on my front porch (small as it is) and thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.

 

double rainbow from last night…stunning!

This morning, I am thankful for that rain and for the reminder of God’s promises. It is a beautiful morning and the air is cleansed of the pollutants and all that remains is refreshment. I am not only thankful for the refreshment of the Colorado air, but I’m also thankful for the refreshment God gives to my spirit.

 

Worship on Sunday morning is one way that God brings refreshment. And it just so happens that today is a day of worship. So as you head into a worship service this morning, open your heart to God’s refreshment.

 

And since it is Sunday, I’m sharing an older post from a Bible study I use quite often. “From Despair to Rejoicing” shows how Hannah was refreshed by God.

 

From Despair to Rejoicing

 

This semester of Bible studies are coming to a close. It is always a sad time for me. Leading women’s Bible study brings such joy, reflection, and discipline to my life.

 

My Tuesday night group completed “Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion” by Debbie Williams. It is a guide to show how praising God from A to Z will transform your life…my life.

 

It’s the second time I’ve led this study. It was much more meaningful this time around. Why? I’m not certain, but I do know that I picked up on a few ideas that I seemed to miss last time through.

 

One example is in the chapter on “eXalted God.” Debbie shared about Hannah from 1 Samuel chapter 1. In a state of despair, Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord. She was accused of being drunk. But she assured Eli that she was not. She was a woman who was in deep “anguish and grief.”

 

If you don’t recall Hannah’s story, she was married to Elkanah, who “loved her.” He gave her special attention. I would say he adored her. But for some reason, she was unable to conceive a child.

 

Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had children and she would taunt Hannah. Year after year. Hannah would become so distraught that she would weep and wouldn’t eat. Elkanah tried so hard to bring his beloved happiness. He wanted to be all she needed. But it was never enough for Hannah. She desired a child. A son.

 

I’m sure Elkanah and Hannah prayed each year for this child, but year after year, Hannah would not bear that child. And Hannah would continue to live with the harshness of Peninnah. Her stinging words. Her mean actions. Her constant hurt toward Hannah.

 

Hannah in her deep despair poured out her soul before the Lord and when Eli understood her situation, he sent her on her way with peace and with the hope that God would answer her prayer.

 

Hannah “went on her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Samuel 1:18)

 

Now here’s the part that I missed in the Bible study. Debbie says, “She left her prayer time a changed woman, although not one circumstance in her life was changed. She was not pregnant. She still had to face the other contentious wife. Yet she was transformed by pouring out her soul to the Lord whom she exalted in worship.”[i]

 

How I’ve missed that in my life. Simply finding peace through God even though nothing changes that I wish would change. Finding that through it all, God is all that I need. Regardless of my circumstance.

 

God did provide a son to Hannah and Elkanah. Hannah dedicated Samuel to God’s purpose and Samuel became a great instrument in God’s plan. When she presented Samuel to Eli, she said, “…I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:28)

 

After this presentation of Samuel, Hannah continued with her prayer to God. “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high…There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:1-2)

 

From deep despair to rejoicing…that is what God did for Hannah. And that is exactly what God can do for you and me. Pray. Allow God’s peace to infiltrate your life. Allow God’s Spirit to change your heart, even if your circumstance doesn’t. And wait. The rejoicing will come.

 

I pray that Hannah’s story will be an encouragement to you as she has been to me. I also pray that if your Bible study is coming to a close as mine are, that you’ll seek out another study to work through during the summer. That is exactly what I intend to do!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

If you would like to leave a comment, please click here.

[i] Debbie Williams, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion (Howard Books, New York), 2006, p. 230.

Share
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

  • Subscribe by Email

  • 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.

  • Bible Studies & Other Happenings

    Bible studies I’m currently leading:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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

  • Categories

  • Recent Posts

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Linkedin