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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Week 9: Tuesday YES to GOD study

Better late then never right? Sorry about the delay.

OH my goodness our nine weeks of reading and discussing Lysa TerKeurst's book, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" has come to an end today. This has been nine weeks of God getting hold of my heart and giving me the desire to say YES to Him. I've gotten to know so many incredible women of God and have really been blessed with your testimonies of how great our God is. Okay, here we go...remember that words in blue are from the book.


CHAPTER 9: Radically Blessed


We can't pursue the radically obedient life and still continue to flirt with disobedience in certain areas of our life. We can't be both red and green toward God at the same time. It gets us nowhere. It's confusing. It's dangerous.


Oh wow! Lysa could not have written that anymore clearer for us. We can't have both God and the world. Just can't. Doesn't mix like oil and water doesn't. We either will live for Him or not. I love that God wants our whole hearts and won't settle for anything less than that. Those last three sentences in blue describes life to a tee when trying to fight your heart desire to live for the Lord. When we try to fight against the life that our hearts wants us to lead we are left confused, risking everything for nothing and not going anywhere. Scary place to be in. I know, I've been there, done that.


I loved how Lysa addressed all of our excuses for not saying YES to God.
1.) Not able...Christ's power is made perfect in our weakness!
2.) Make mistakes...Grace will shown to us!
3.) Bad mood or feeling rebellious...choice!


Obey based on your decision to obey, not on your ever-changing feelings.



Lysa also reminds us to ask God for help with keeping the desire to be obedient. We have a God who listens to us and will respond to our cries of help.
PRAY!!!
He will help us to want to obey Him and will give us His power to do so.






Listen closely to what Lysa says here: lasting obedience must be born out of desire, not duty. I just read a blog today that really hit on this. My blog friend Tracy tells a beautiful story of caring for her husband's aged aunt. God showed her that He is all that she and her husband needed in the times they got tired of tending to his aunt's needs. Click here to read it for yourself as God's reminder was sent to them just as their caretaking was becoming duty.

Lysa wraps the book up by telling us that if we choose to live a life of radical obedience to whatever God asks of us then we will be living a life that is...

ADVENTUROUS

NOT A WASTE

WORRY-FREE FOR OUR FUTURE

NOT WORN OUT

SEEING OTHERS THROUGH GOD'S EYES

BLESSED WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

and last but not least we will live a life that is

CHANGING THE WORLD!

Now what woman in her right mind doesn't want that kind of life?



This book has really been a life changer for me.

My Grandparents own a Garbage company. They have two huge trucks and about 3,000 customers. Everyday Monday through Friday the crew picks up the trash that people don't want. People leave bags of junk out at the curb and our guys pick it up, throw it in the truck and run the blades. The blades crush the garbage so they can make room for more garbage. When the hopper is full, they drive to the dump and empty their trucks so the next day they can collect more trash.

What if my Grandpa decided he didn't want his sons to dump the garbage out of their trucks? What if he decided that he wanted them to keep everything they collected? If he did this, he wouldn't have a successful company because he wouldn't have room enough to haul every one's trash. He can't have it both ways. He can't tell his customers that he will haul their garbage for them and then keep it. To run a successful business he has to let my uncles dispose of the garbage at the landfill.

Same thing with us.

We cannot be a woman walking God while we are having an affair. We can't pray for our friends then get on the phone and mask our gossip as a prayer request.



Bottom line is that we can't be the garbage hauler and collector at the same time. We either dump the garbage and live for Jesus or keep the garbage and live a life full of confusion, danger and missing out on the plans God has for us.



I hope this book allowed God to reach a depth of your heart you didn't even know existed. I have grown so much during these last nine weeks I am just amazed at my Father. At the beginning of this study I was hit hard with some situations I had no control over. Husband's surgery and a granddaughter born in the same week just about drove this control freak out of state. Did I fail in how I reacted? You bet. Was I shown grace? More than I deserved, but this whole facing trials and living life under pressure has brought me so much closer to God. So close that I don't want to return to where I was just a week ago.

These last few weeks I have been so weepy with God. Not "boo-hoo", but overwhelmed at just the thought of Him. I want more of Him. I want to live my life completely for Him. I want to believe that what He has up His holy sleeve is so much more than I could ever imagine. I want HIM to be evident in my life to those who have no idea who He is and desire Him by the time we part ways. Oh friends He has to be EVERYTHING. Let's stop chasing the nothings in the world and start chasing the God who parted the Red Sea, raised Lazarus from the dead, turned the wine into water, walked on water and left the disciples breathless when He left the tomb empty.

He wants us. All of us. Let's give in and let Him have His way with us! Allow yourself to be used by Him for His glory.



Using unworthy women with a past seems to be His specialty...I know because I am one that just wants to say YES!

Please post your comments below and if you have a blog and have more to share...sign up under Mr. Linky. Also....my friend Rachel~please share what you have said Yes to God about in the comments section so we can have prayer warriors all over the nation for this Sunday.


Love you much,



*I will be continuing Tuesday's with looking at the fruit of the Spirit one by one beginning with one a week for the next 9 weeks.

Join me next Tuesday for more of saying YES to God beginning with a discussion about LOVE!

Galations 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.


11 comments:

Unknown said...

"You will begin to live in expectation of hearing from God every day. You will start to better understand His character and seek to be more like Him. You will discover the depth of love that the Father has for you that you never even knew was possible." I don't know about y'all, but that really touched me! As did "No time spent experiencing God will ever be a waste." Glory to God, I'm certainly glad about that! :) I took the Blackaby Bible Study entitled "Experiencing God" several years back and I'll never forget that study. It was like no other! To experience God is the best feeling we as Christians can be part of!

And ladies, there is peace and freedom found in the perfect plan of God. WHOO-HOO! Lysa, had so many wonderful insights in this chapter. It is definitely what I would call the God chapter of the whole book! :) I've always loved the story of Mary that Lysa shared. While she had many naysayers, she did what she knew Jesus was worthy of---radical obedience. I want to be more like Mary!

And I don't know about you guys, but I am ready to RESPOND and to CHANGE the World! :)

Lastly, of the verses Lysa mentioned at the end of the chapter, my favorite is:

Isaiah 55:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. 2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy]. 3Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.

Prayers and Blessings, y'all!
Rebecca

p.s. I really hate to end this. I've come to enjoy this online Bible Study with you so much. I was going to say "Maybe we can do another one?" but I see the invitation is already set by you, Lelia. I love the fruits of the Spirit! I'll be back!

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Lelia-thank you for posting this study. Your insight and words have been convicting and encouraging all at the same time. Its been great seeing everyones perspective from these chapters. Everyone has ministered to me in one way or another. Thank you! Its been even better being a part of the sharing of everyone's hearts.
Blog friends-lets change this world!!

In His Graces~Pamela

Kelley said...

Hey Lelia,
It has blessed me so much to visit on Tuesdays and read what women are saying about this book! Thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to be open and transparent.

I really enjoyed this last chapter. It was convicting but it opened my eyes to some fundamental truths! I especially love how you used the analogy of the "trash trucks".

I will hold on to this book and refer back to it often...

Love,
Kelley

Sita said...

The fruit of the Spirit? That's what I'm doing right now..with Beth Moore...and you were right..I am finding it amazing and post as often as I can after each session...
anyway..do love your faithfulness to all the women here...what a ministry God is opening for you..
Love, Sita

Samantha said...

I have so much to catch up on, but I definitely will.

I can't tell you what a blessing your blog has been.

"I want to believe that what He has up His holy sleeve is so much more than I could ever imagine."

I am so with you on this. You put it so well!

Blessings,
Samantha

Yolanda said...

I loved the one minute prayer/thought that Lysa challenged us with. "praying and asking God to reveal Himself to you & fill you with a desire for Him like never before."

I find myself in the midst of a huge trial in my family that has been going on for close to two full years now. For some reason, the past month it has become an extremely difficult situation for me personally, in the fact that prior to, I've been able to walk in love and honestly/truly turn my cheek. I keep getting hit over and over and over. And I find myself the past 30 days, having a "I don't care attitude". I know this is wrong, and I so desire to say YES to God. To make right choices concerning my brother & his family. To overlook the offense and to walk in love! I ask for your prayers! To be refreshed and continue to show JESUS to all that come into contact with yolanda. He must increase, and i must decrease!

For I'm in this for the long haul....eternity with Christ, and with each one of you.

Thank you!

Lord God, let me see YOU in them. Amen.

Lovingly,
Yolanda

Joyful said...

Lelia, thanks again for running this study. How wonderful it has been to check in each week and be so encouraged and challenged by ladies with hearts seeking Him.

I never did get around to commenting last week - it was just a really crazy week, but I still benefited from all that was shared.

This has been a wonderful study. In many ways I trust that those of us who have travelled this journey together, as we close the page on this last chapter, may our lives continue to live out it's teaching. The adventure to 'yes' is just beginning.

A friend shared with me the other night that she doesn't want to completely abandon herself to God because of the unknown and her loss of control. She asked, "What if He sends me to Africa?" I tried to encourage her that I would rather be in "Africa" (whatever each of our "Africa" might be), then trying to stay safe on my own. Like John Ortberg shares in his book, "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat", Peter walked on water, because the water is where Jesus is.

Fear, comfort, comparison etc...will all attack to keep us from saying 'yes', but just imagine the joy of knowing, without a doubt, that you are in the center of His will for you.

I have started praying in the morning, "Lord, whatever You allow to be asked of me today, I will say 'yes' to You. Father give me the courage to follow."

Evangelist Henry Garland said to D. L. Moody, "the world has yet to see a man (or woman) who is fully and absolutely surrendered to Jesus Christ." After thinking this statement over for a few days, Moody returned to Garland and said, that by the Holy Spirit living in him, "I will be that man". D. L. Moody was used mightily by God. My heart cries out to be that woman - completely surrendered to Him.

Lelia, thank you for saying 'yes' to God and leading us through this study. It has been more than a blessing - it is yielding lasting, life-time, life-changing results.
God bless you,
Joy

Paula V said...

Hi Lelia,
I've not read your post yet. I tried last not but had a migraine and catered to it instead of my desire to read my blog friends.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for visiting my blog and for the MOST WONDERFUL comment you gave. Just as I think I'm not talented or creative enough...not "enough" people are visiting my blog or other people are so talented or get more visits. All that is so crazy. I know I'm pleasing God if I only touch one soul for God but my Spirit wants to reach MANY for His glory.

You have showered me with such sweetness on my heart. Since, I started my blog I wanted it to be about God and giving encouragement from Him and thus leaving my personal life out of it. Slowly, when He prompts me, I am showering my personal life and tying it to God.

So, many have commented on my title "Confident Expectation" and that just amazes me because my original boring title was "Why are We Surprised?" As the blog says, I struggled with the title.

God NEVER ceases to amaze me. As I'm on the verge of tears right now because of His majesty and His pure awesomeness (if that's a word.) God is SOOOOO great.

No, I've not read Joyce Meyer's book on that.

I will read your post and comment by taking up LOTS of your space. Haha.

Hey, thanks for listing me as a blog that blesses you!
Lovingly,
Paula

Anonymous said...

Lelia,

Thanks for asking me to share what God is doing with my "yes".

A little background on the story - I home schooled my 3 children through the 8th grade and then they entered our public high school. When my son graduated in 2006, I was surprised to learn that there was no longer a baccalaureate service for our school, but it was too late to do anything.
This year my daughter is graduating from the same school and the Baccalaureate idea came up in my heart again. I had done some initial checking earlier in the year about having one but discovered that communicating it to the senior class was not looking easy because it was not a school-sponsored event. Since I already had a lot going on in my life (lots of expanding happening in the ministry I work with including a huge deadline for me on May 15, needing to plan for our daughter's graduation and senior piano recital etc), I let the idea sit and was not going to do it.
But God didn't let the idea go away and I remembered a phrase I my husband said years ago..."What is a soul worth?" I asked myself the question, "Is the opportunity for someone's live to be changed for eternity worth the extra work it would take to do this?!!" The answer clearly was, "OF COURSE!!!!" At the same time I was also reading Lysa's book...so at the beginning of May, I said "Yes" to God.
I knew that a baccalaureate service could be a great way to communicate Truth to the senior class as they are in this crossroads of their lives - they are ready to head out on their own and begin making many more life-impacting choices. So I am stepping out in faith and trying to be faithful to what God has put on my heart. The baccalaureate service for the 2008 graduates of Lincoln High will be on Sunday, May 25th at 2 pm in the LHS auditorium. Ron Brown, assistant coach for Huskers will be our speaker. And God is at work... the senior class received a postcard in the mail yesterday about it!!!
Has it been all easy since then? LOL!!! It has been a challenge. The baccalaureate is coming together but lots of other things are happening around me that challenge my sanity. In the last 5 days....Saturday morning we discovered we had water running down the walls of our 100-year-old-house, from the 3rd floor down into our china hutch on the 1st floor. The plumber discovered that when the subfloor in the 3rd floor bathroom was replaced 2 weeks ago, a screw went into our hot water pipe. I now have 2 large holes in my walls to repair + family is coming in a week for our graduation party here at the end of May! Then Leila's post made me laugh as I read about her unwanted guest...we had a bat (the flying rodent kind) in our house Tuesday night - very unwanted!!! And..our internet has been down for 2 days (hence the delayed reply!), very frustrating for me since I work from home and was very limited in what I could do while the work load continued to grow!
But God can meets me where I am!!! Yesterday in my one-year Bible I read 1 Samuel 30:6a,c "And David was greatly distressed..... But David STRENGTHENED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD!." It was a great reminder to me as I was feeling stressed about my circumstances that I needed to go to God right then and He can strengthen me for the tasks ahead. After all, it is not about me. I cannot do this alone. GOD has to work in the students' hearts to come and have open hearts to hear the truth that will be presented!

If you want to join me in praying - pray that the seniors and parents will come to this optional event, that they will hear and respond to the TRUTH! Pray that everything works smoothly technically and that those up front will be sensitive to what God wants to say through them!

Thanks for making it this far in this long post with me!!!
Rachel

Paula V said...

Lelia,
Something is weighing heavy on my heart as I read over your post. The one thing that for whatever reason got my attention was your words: "We cannot be a woman walking God while we are having an affair. We can't pray for our friends then get on the phone and mask our gossip as a prayer request."

Now, I'm assuming when you said the word "affair" you meant a physical affair with another man than one's husband. What IMMEDIATELY jumped out of my mind is the fleshy and mental affairs we have with this world, our selfish desires, chasing our own wants, or saying Yes to ourself. I think we can have many affairs at many times with many things. Basically, we are having an affair we are are not fully focused on God and giving Him all our attention. We have an affair when we seek our own desires to fulfill what we want. We have an affair when we don't say Yes to God.
I think that just might be my next blog posting.

A lot of info to chew on and meditate on. You had some powerful words and some inspiring words...to want more of God and to live completely for Him. The Holy sleeve was good.

I like your analogy of the garbage truck.
Love,
Paula

Anonymous said...

I guess the expression "Better late than never" applies to me.

Thanks for being the facilitator for such a great study Lelia.

Now that you are getting so good at saying YES to God, I can't wait to participate in your next blog study.

Have a great holiday weekend.

Luanne