"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!

"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 4)

You Never Know How God Will Use You Until You Let Him

This week we studied chapter 4.

And once again I have a quote from Lysa to share with you:
(pg 70) "I am a woman on a journey of learning how to make sure my reactions don't deny Christ's presence in me. I am a woman who says yes to God not because my emotions and reactions are always perfect. No, I say yes to God because He is perfectly able to forgive me, love me, remind me, challenge me, and show me how to weather trials in ways that prove His Spirit resides in me. I remind myself often that people don't care to meet my Jesus until they meet the reality of Jesus in my life."

Anyone who has ever been in one of my classes for any length of time has heard me say that I really believe that the World is looking (longing) to see that Jesus makes a difference. A difference in our lives, in our homes, in our relationships, in our attitudes, in our dress, in our choices. "...the reality of Jesus in my life."

So, we say Yes. Not on our own strength... (Ps 84:5) Blessed are those whose strength is in YOU. We take HIS hand... and we choose to obey. Obey the whatever that HE is calling us to do. What is He speaking to you about? What is He compelling you to do? To obey?

So, we say Yes. No Matter What. Just like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego. We know our God is able to deliver... to save... to heal... to mend... to "whatever". BUT IF NOT, I will still serve Him, BUT IF NOT, I will still Praise Him. (Ps 84:4) Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing YOUR praise.

How will God use you? How will God use me?

OH, that the world around us may truly see the reality of Jesus in our lives....

as we say YES, GOD...

"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 3)

When Obedience Becomes Radical

So, after teaching this chapter 3 times (remember we have a Sunday night class, a Wednesday Lunch time class, and a Wednesday Evening Class)... I just wanted to share a couple of things that jumped out to me. (and others in the classes)

First, this quote by Lysa (TerKeurst) on page 45, "We need not fear what obedience will cause to happen in our life. We should only fear what our disobedience will cause us to miss."

So, the question to me and to you....
What is the area in our lives that God wants radical obedience? What is keeping you/me/us from doing so? Fear? That was the common answer from my sweet ladies. (the other was lack of discipline - ouch!)

Secondly, look at this passage of scripture. Let it sink in. Read it. Digest it. Meditate on it...

Isaiah 41:13, "For I, the Lord your God hold your right hand. It is I who says to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

He calls us to RADICAL OBEDIENCE - but He... the I AM that I AM is the one who is holding our hand and helping us.

That is awesome.

I am basking in this for a while. Seriously.




P.S. - Make sure you participate in my poll for wives on the right side bar - if you have not already. Thanks-sweet friends :)

"Yes" to God Bible Studies

I am currently leading our Ladies Bible Studies using Lisa TerKeurst's Book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God? We have a Sunday night class, a Wednesday Lunch time class, and a Wednesday Evening Class.

This was part of the vision that God gave me for our Women's Ministry when I went to the SHE SPEAKS conference in June. We had a beautiful banquet to kick off our fall semester with this theme. Then we encouraged ALL of our women to study this book together.

We have approximately 80 of our women studying this together. Imagine the possibilities...

One verse from this week's chapter was, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit..." John 15:8

Just think... 80 Women bearing much fruit - to the Glory of God. WOW...

What happens when these women say "YES" to God...

Only Heaven Knows....

But I am so excited to be a part of it!