What keeps us from saying YES to God? That's the title of chapter 5 in our blog Bible 
study hosted by Lelia using Lysa TerKeurst book "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God". It really is a phenomenal book-convicting, motivating, encouraging. But what does keep us from saying yes to God? What keeps you from saying yes to God?There was so much in this chapter I am not sure what to go to first. Grace. I love that word. But Lysa stated it has two foes: acceptance & rejection. OUCH. So much grace is left inexperienced because people get lost in the need to be praised (acceptance) or the feeling that one is less than adequate , unworthy, incapable (rejection by self or by others). Here is the truth, pure and simple from this chapter:
"I am precious and accepted, no matter what.
No matter what choices I make,
His love is not based on my performance.
His love is based on His perfect surrender at the cross.
But, I must choose to accept this love
and walk this truth for it to make a difference
in how I journey through life."
Each time we feel life bringing us down...each time we feel the pains of rejection...each time we find our self longing for acceptance we need to remind ourselves that "only He (God) has the ability to fill me completely". AMEN! I have lived that! I have learned that! It is carries me through each time satan tries to bring me down! Ladies, repeat after me: "On God can fill me completely". It you repeat it enough, you will not only start to believe it but you will start to live in it's truth.
"Saying YES to God is a lot more about being than doing"
Bingo! We can serve on every church committee, teach all the Sunday school classes, serve in the AV booth, read our Bible every day but none of that will make the difference if we are not being a women who says YES to God. I quote Lysa from this chapter again:
"As long as my gaze is locked on His, I dance and He smile. The snickers and jeers of others fade away. Though I hear their razor sharp intentions, they are unable to pierce my heart and distract my focus. Even my own stumblings don't cause the same feelings of defeat. My steps so often betray the desire of my heart, but it is not my perfect performance that captures His attention. Rather, it is my complete dependence on Him that He notices. He then whispers. "Hold on to Me and what I say about you. For My words are the truth of who you are and the essence of what you were created to be."
I want to be a women who says YES to God more than ever! Thank you Lelia (http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/) for hosting this Bible study. Thank you Lysa (http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/) for writing this book!
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
~John 8:32
Blessings!
In His Graces~Pamela
10 comments:
A powerful witness to the filling of God! I'm not in the study, but I so enjoy reading what God is teaching everyone through his Word, via Lysa's pen.
peace~elaine
Great thoughts. I love the idea of locking my eyes with His.
"So much grace is left inexperienced because people get lost in the need to be praised (acceptance) or the feeling that one is less than adequate , unworthy, incapable (rejection by self or by others)."
Well said, Pamela. It is sad to think of the blessings and grace I have lost out on, due to all the reasons you mentioned.
The post that I put in Mr. Linky on Lelia's blog is about the woman who lived a sinful life in the Bible.
Her story touched me so much, because she entered that room full of people who didn't think she was even worthy to be in the same room with them, but Jesus stopped them (the naysayers) and welcomed her.
She kept her eyes and ears on Him, not the naysayers.
God Bless,
Amy:)
I have a lot of peace and I was so in awe with the words that Lysa had penned in this chapter. Because I'm getting my worth and value from Him, because He gives it to me.
"Peace is the fruit of the obedient, righteous life." Which Lysa in turn took from Beth Moore out of Living Free.
FREEDOM!
Love to you!
Pamela,
I just had to stop by after your comment on my last post! Isn't God good? I hope things have continued to work out! Hallelujah! I have been praying for you ever since your post about how difficult things have been. Just goes to show how much you are appreciated and needed.
laura
We can serve on every church committee, teach all the Sunday school classes, serve in the AV booth, read our Bible every day but none of that will make the difference if we are not being a women who says YES to God.
AMEN Pamela...love the honesty of your sentence here. Thanks so much for not sugar coating anything!
Blessings,
Lelia
The Lord has really spoken to my heart about 'performance'. It's not about 'doing' but 'being'. It's not about adding one more thing to a line of credentials on our resume. God's eyes are looking to and fro over the entire earth - not for the most involved, exhausted and busiest worker - but for a heart completely devoted to Him.
Saying 'yes' to God will often involve saying 'no' to man.
Resting in Him,
Joy
There was so much to digest from this chapter. I enjoyed your thoughts.
Wow! I'm not doing the study, but I can tell I'm missing out on the good sayings. Saying yes to God means to totally surrender to His ways. And, that, girlfriends, is the hard part. But, as I always say, "when the motive is right, the blessings will follow."
I loved reading through your blog. So much of what you said touches my heart and re-enforces the very things that God showed me while reading this very thought provoking chapter.
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