YES to GOD study: Chs. 10 & 11

WELCOME!

I am thrilled you showed up for our discussion of what God is doing in our lives through our friend Lysa TerKeurst's book, "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith"

If this is your first visit and have no idea what I'm talking about, let me clue ya in. Every Tuesday a variety of God seeking women meet here and discuss the chapters of the week and what struck us the most. Then they post further on their blog and we visit them. You'll find yourself going to Missouri, Canada and even Australia. It has been awesome getting to know these women and hearing about God's greatness in their lives. So if you'd like to join us, get the book and join at anytime! Let's get started...

Chapter 10: Roadblocks and Reassurances

*Remember anything in blue is a quote from the book.

WOW!!! When Lysa shared the story of her neighbor and the driveway I was in awe. Awe of what God would ask her to do and also with Lysa's response to His request. I would only hope I would react the same way.

I remember as a high school student my aunt had a neighbor who was just down right nasty. At the time I was not walking with God so I found my aunt's response to be funny. Looking back at it though I think what a waste of time and energy but above all else, how unpleasing to God. My aunt took the time to paint the side of her privacy fence that faced her neighbor's yard an obnoxious display of neon paint. My aunt is not a Christian so she doesn't grieve over the loss of opportunity on the Lord's behalf, but how I wish my response would've been different. If my aunt and Lysa's neighbor lived side by side how exhausted the two of them would be!

As I got out of my car and started toward her, I had to will my feet to walk this obedience path. But then as my arm reached to give her the water, the heaviness lifted...

The part that struck me about that was "I had to will my feet to walk this obedience path". How hard that must've been for Lysa, but how awesome that she loved the Lord more than herself. She laid her pride down and CHOSE to obey the God she loves.

Now I realize that for that season of my life, my assignment from God was to learn to love my enemy.

Did you hear that? Season of her life. 4 months ago my little grandgirl just slept and pooped. Now she laughs, she "talks", she recognizes, she gets excited; she is in a different season of her little precious life. When I am with Amiyah, I don't try to teach her to walk. That lesson will come in about 6 months when she is ready.

I believe that when God wants to teach us something He really looks at what season of life we're in. God had a specific lesson for Lysa to learn at that point in her life. He knew she was spiritually mature to receive the lesson and she passed with flying colors. He knew that driveway was going to be built on the neighbor's property and He also knew how spiteful the neighbor was, but He allowed it all to happen because Lysa needed to be taught something so she could turn around and teach us. I know I need this lesson right now in more than one way.

This next question Lysa posed to her readers was a real thump on the head for me. What enemy do you need to love at this moment? Maybe it's a neighbor, a prodigal child, an angry spouse, or an unforgiving friend?

My answer was prodigal child of course. Right now I just need to love my daughter Alyssa like crazy right where she is at. She needs to see God in me. She needs to know that although I don't like the choices she has made I still love her. She needs to know when I'm coming toward her I'm going to give her a hug and not wring her neck like the flesh in me wants to. Bottom line is that I just need to love her.

The end of the chapter I loved these points of truth:

*God loves me to much to leave me the way I am~thank you Jesus!

*Whatever circumstance I face I grow by embracing God's plan, not changing my dilemma.

*We will have hard times.

*Say yes to God NOW, to whatever He brings my way.

*The hard place I'm in is not a distraction, but rather God's way.

*Keep focused on God, not my problem(s).

CHAPTER 11: God will make a way

Okay, that Lysa could see God through a bloody nose in a court room was awesome! Great reminder that only through the blood shed of Jesus can our lives be part of something so much greater than our minds are allowed to imagine.


I really loved the part of this chapter titled "The Pain Has Purpose". How often when things happen do I pray for God to remove it from my life. Lysa clearly shows us that Yes, we will suffer in this life. What??? When I became a Christian that doesn't mean that life will be perfect? Oh so far from it, but so worth it!

Something may be causing you to suffer right now, but the pain has a purpose, and you aren't alone. Jesus is right there with you to comfort you in a way only He can, for He knows what real suffering is like.


This morning in my Bible study that I'm doing I read Revelation 3. These verses reminded me so much of the example of obedience that the Lysa and Art chose to have. Verse 8: I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.
Verse 10: Since you have kept my command to endure patiently...

I think when we face a trial we have a choice to make. God's way or my destructive way? I don't know if I would've taken a glass of water to my neighbor like Lysa did or a hose and drenched her with water. They endured their neighbor patiently and they kept His word and NEVER denied His name. And you know what? God took notice. Just like He did with the church of Philadelphia that John writes about in the book of Revelation our God noticed the TerKeurst's and their heartfelt desire that no matter what this angry neighbor did next it was Him that would be honored with their actions and words. Him. Not Art and Lysa, but God. WOW, WOW, WOW!!! To God be the glory in whatever you face today dear sisters!


Okay, you know the drill. Share with us what God spoke to you and if you have more to say on your own wonderful blog then sign up under Mr. Linky below.

Love you,

*Next Tuesday...read chapters 12 & 13!