"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 5)

I am two weeks late in posting about chapter 5 - but did not want to miss for those of you are following my updates on our classes and this wonderful book/study.



So... "What Keeps us from Saying Yes to God?"



First we discussed - When we choose a life of radical obedience - we can know that we will encounter "naysayers". The word of advice given was, "Never let others' compliments go to your head or their criticism go to your heart."

And a quote from Paul Bunyon, "If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me." These are two truths to remember as we seek to say "Yes" to God, and as we encounter those who will criticize and/or discourage.



Then comes the choice to worry or to worship...

(pg 90) "Worship replaces anxiety brought on by fear with an unexplained peace that can only come from focusing on God." Psalms 141:8 says it this way, "My eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord, in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death."



As we choose to worship - we will experience His Peace... Lysa worded it so well (pg 85)
"The world's way to peace would have me pull back to make life a little easier for me, my circumstances, and my family.
The problem with this is that we were not put here to be all about ourselves--we were put here to be all about God.
We are to die to our self-centeredness so we can have more of Christ in our hearts and minds. Jesus clearly tells us to focus on Him, His ways, and His example, and His peace will be with us."

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."



I will close with this from prayer of Saint Patrick (pg 92).



Let it be your prayer too.



Christ shield me this day:

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.



Oh.... that I may be so filled with Christ...that He is the overflow!

Radical Obedience - that is what we are talking about ...

Yes, God, Yes!