I have been married to Tony for 32 years. We have 3 great kids who all love the Lord and had the nerve to grow up! I'm looking forward to the adventure God has in store through studying this special book and from all of the participants’ insights.I love this book! Each page brings more insight and challenges me to step up and fortify my relationship with my Saviour. As I see it, chapter one was getting us ready to prepare ourselves to distinctly listen for God's voice (Ready); chapter two was equipping us with tools to discern God's voice (Set); and chapter three is launching us into the realm of radical obedience to God's voice (GO!).
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As Lysa described her experience in answering yes to what God asked of her I was particularly struck (or convicted?) by her comment, "The point here is that there may come a time at some point in your life when you will need to decide between your will and His." Regrettably, I hit that point all the time. I'm too good at coming up with rationalizations, or excuses for doing what's on my plate instead of fervently seeking what God's will is. My desire is to do His will and respond to Him with radical obedience. I don't want to miss anymore of the blessings He has planned.
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I was reading Psalm 103 this morning and was blessed by the clear confirmation of God's lovingkindness and His mercy. Psalm 103:11 "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him." Psalm 103:17 "But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him." The Lord seems to be shouting at me; "regardless of how radical my request appears to you, I love you more than you can understand and I will help you every step along the way".
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Lisa speaks of a "sweet secret place" where she communes with the Lord in an uninterrupted fashion. She uses this time to stay connected to the Vine so she can by God's strength produce the fruit of the spirit. She pours out her problems, seeks God's power to make the best choices, and best gets filled with God's Spirit.
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As I was praying and dwelling on this post my mom called once, my sister called twice, Amvets came to the door seeking donations, the dryer timer went off, and I don't even have little kids at home anymore! I need more time in my "sweet secret place" without the interruptions of life. I too easily become unfocused and leave my time with God unfinished because of meaningless distractions.
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My prayer for each of us is that we spend more time in communion with our faithful, loving, and amazing God. That through this time we will be strengthened to say YES to radical obedience and share with each other what kind of spiritual blessings God has bestowed on our lives. God Bless all of you.
19 YOUR Comments Here!:
I think that Gods' love is both my challenge and my comfort. I too am so easily distracted and the sad part is sometimes I want to be distracted, because I am scared of what he will ask of me. I need to see the big picture more and trust that when God asks something of me He will also provide the tools; courage, wisdom, faith, and joy that I will need to do it. Please pray that I can "just do it"!
I have to share that even last night I was awakened in the middle of the night and felt the spirit telling me to give up something that I was enjoying(a book)and it was hard but I decided I better agree with God and I know that I will be blessed because I obeyed!
Humility, I'm so glad you put the book down and obeyed what you heard the Lord telling you. I know you either were, or will be blessed by that action. I know (in my head) from God's promises that He will provide the tools; and support necessary for what He is asking of me. However, my faith is too often lacking and I need that added measure of faith to "just do it". My prayer is for all of us to follow God's prompting today and know we answered yes to Him.
As I was reading through this chapter, I thought"this would be a hard one for me". About half way through it I thought no way would I be receptive to anything like what God asked Lysa to do, and actually stopped reading for a bit. It was too hard.
But then I finished the chapter and realized that obedience isn't necessarily completing something as much as it is being willing to complete something. I think, for me, the danger would be thinking I could fudge on it. But not so because God knows our hearts, and if I were really only willing to go part way, He'd know.
This is an area where I think I'm sorely lacking. Diane
Diane, can I ever relate to your response. When I think of Abraham and how close he came to sacrificing his son Isaac I'm sure I could never step out in faith the way Abraham did. Of course we know God intervened, provided an alternate sacrifice and blessed Abraham beyond measure for his faith. I also think of Ananias & Sapphira in Acts Chapter 5:1-11. They held back some of the proceeds they had promised to the church and then lied about it. God struck them dead on the spot! God knows our hearts and knows when we're holding back. The Lord is working hard on me in this area, thank you for sharing your struggles. God Bless you Diane
I have to agree with Humility, Gods love is very comforting and challenging. I think when I face the challenge my knees start shaking and I start doubting myself , that I'm not capable of the challenge so why should I bother. I feel like I am getting tested so much and at times you feel like a rubber band getting stretched beyond our means. I've had to really take a look lately of what is really important, it's not things, where you live what you drive. I have pushed myself to get ahead , seems like forever. I buy a business, buy a condo that had my dads name in the address, thinking I'm sure it was a God thing bringing me to this street. Boy am I learning DIFFERENTLY! Business is really slow, up and down, more down,losing my condo, gaining more weight( You can NOT eat your problems away.) I'm leaving the condo so I can be more godly, spend my money more wisely. I know God has given me a good lesson, first swallow that pride. It will get you no where. I am so excited right now. Yes God I can do it!! Do it right. Deep down in my heart I want to be so obedient, I want for people to see how God blesses us. Some of our best blessings are as small as the mustard seed. I don't want to miss it!5 years ago getting ahead is totally different then it is now. Thank you God for your patience.
Thanks to every woman that is giving their love and support to this beautiful study.
Linda
I am really convicted about what the author addressed on page 49-50. She was talking about how she is particular about her house. She likes things to smell nice, to look nice and tidy. She likes quiet and order. I do, as well. She admitted to feeling bitterness and resentment when something is out of place, after just having cleaned up. I've been there many times. . . always feeling guilty for it later. Then, she went on to say that one of her sons asked her to teach him to dance. The last thing she wanted to do was dance. My kids often ask me to stop what I'm doing and play a game, go outside or just do something with them. I need to be treasuring these moments more! What is a house, anyway, without your family? It's nothing. What matters is the time you spend with them not the time you spend cleaning house. I was very convicted and will strive to let everything else go and just be with my kids . .and my husband! The mess can wait.
As I seek God this week in my sweet secret place (oftentimes it's the bathroom), I will be praying for joy, peace, and gentleness. Praying for God to soothe my soul in the midst of daily life. Praying for all of you, as well.
Awesome post, Pam!
Linda it sounds like the Lord has been refining you in His fire and making you more like Him everyday. It's so easy to fall into a materialist mindset and thinking that's where God's blessing lay. I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It's clear that your heart is in heaven and not with your possessions on Earth.
Linda, you spoke of God's blessings and I want to share with you how God blessed me through you. Last week I ran into a friend of mine and was sharing the 5 questions (filter) to discern God's voice from Chapter 2. I could only remember 4 of them. On Sunday, you handed me a beautiful card/magnet with the five questions laminated. I immediately put it in my bag that I carry with me. Next time if my memory fails me I have them right there! I felt very blessed by your act of kindess. Thank you and God Bless you.
I'll be back later with my official chapter 3 comment, but Pam's words (in a comment of her own) are sticking with me --> "God knows our hearts and knows when we're holding back."
Tamera,
I was so happy when I read your post about keeping your house clean and et... I've raised 2 generations of kids. My first set you could eat off my floors. Beds always made, kitchen cleaned. Not now, Mom is busy. 20 years later people say to me, especially family, What happened to you? Your house was always so clean and blah blah blah! God became alive in my heart with my twins. If they needed me or it was time to run to soccer practice I dropped everything and we went and I stayed and watched. This time around I didn't want to miss a moment with my kids. I want to leave them memories and with God as #1 as our leader and knowing how important love and family is how can you go wrong?I honestly feel that part of being obedient to God is to nurture, protect, and love our children and let them know they are more important than a dumb glass or bowl broken. Also who cares if you can name your spider webs? Certainly not your children!!
May God bless you more and more for every little dust bunny you ignore.You can even let the kids on it and make a game of naming the bunnies. Trust me they will remember the time yall spent laughing and doing silly things.
Ladies,
I made little magnets of the 5 questions to help you discern God's voice. I tried to get them handed out Sunday but I know I missed a few. Please come up to me and get yours or if you know someone in our study that doesn't attend our church you can still get one and give it to them.
Thanks and God Bless
Linda LeBaron
I was walking at the lakes this morning pondering the last few comments about getting caught up in trivial concerns about our house, and missing special moments with our children. I started thinking through so many memories I have with each of my kids. God has prompted me to write letters to each of my kids documenting some of my favorite memories of times with them. Many are things they won't remember because they were too young, or the moment was insignificant to them. You never know what tomorrow brings so I'm going to follow God's prompting and get writing!
I think that is an awesome idea! I would love one from my Mom or Dad. I will pray that it flows easily and is a blessing to all.
I am glad I put down that book it just did not sit well with my spirit and I was able to get my money back too. It feels good to know that I listened and obeyed, that I did not rationalize or ignore God's leading.
"One thing you can be assured of is that God has already worked out all the details of what your obedience will accomplish - and it is good."
I know, I know, I know, I know this. I trust His goodness. I assume His faithfulness. Although I think I have a high degree of reckless abandon when it comes to following the Lord, my faith starts to wobble when I focus on ALL the steps/things needed to accomplish His "bigger" leadings. Somewhere deep inside I'm afraid I'll find myself alone in desperate situation. That maybe He won't be there to depend upon.
When hesitation to obey rears its ugly head, that's often the issue for me. "Alone" is a lie, of course, but - oddly enough - it's a lie that can be experienced & felt ... paralyzing our action and robbing away our blessings.
We are NEVER alone. His plans are GOOD. Isn't it so obvious how TRUTH SETS US FREE!! Free to obey. Free to trust. Free to love.
Oh - "One thing you can ..." is a quote from page 45.
Yes! We are free to obey, free to trust, and free to love. My prayer for all of us is that we embrace that freedom and act on it without fear or hesitation.
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."
Colossians 1:9-12
Was reading through the blogs and came upon Tamara's and it reminded me of a needle point my mother sent me. The poem goes something like this: Washing and cleaning can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up much to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs and __?__ go to sleep for I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
I think I found the missing words in the poem.
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow...
For babies grow up,
we've learned to
our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs...
dust go to sleep...
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep!!
By Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
Beautiful poem! Thank you for sharing.
How true it is. Our babies really do grow up all too quickly.
Love,
Tamra
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