Radically Blessed: The blessings of radical obedience are unending!

It's sad to come to an end to this on-line blog Bible study hosted by Lelia on Lysa TerKeurst book "What Happens When Women Say YES To God". I will be sure to read this book on a yearly basis-it is that good. It will serve as a reminder of what I have strived to become in this transformation process of being radically obedient and a women who says YES to God daily, no matter the circumstances. Thank you Lysa for writing such a powerful book and thank you Lelia for bring all these women together to share and encourage each other in this journey!!

This last chapter is highlighted so much in my book. As I review these highlights I struggle to pick one thought, one statement, one insight that really stands out. This chapter was so full of wisdom, encouragement and inspiration. So here are the key points I am drawn to (quoting Lysa in pink, my prayer in blue, scripture in purple). I pray you will be blessed by these words...

"We can't seek to follow God wholeheartedly if part of our heart is pulled in a different direction". (pp. 141) There's no being luke-warm in this commitment to obedience. Either you are or you are not.

God, reveal my heart to me, show me any hindrance that keep me from being radically devoted, radically obedient to you.

As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man

~Proverbs 27:19

"God doesn't expect perfection from us-He expects a person humble enough to admit her weaknesses and committed enough to press through and press on. He will guide us past the doubts and fears and lift us up to fulfill out calling." (pp.142)

Lord, my life has humbled me of my own weaknesses and sins so that I can reverence You through the good and in the bad. I missed the mark of perfection a long time ago but now I live in your redemptive grace. It is my desire not to be perfect but to be perfectly content and joyful in You and of You.

The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD...

~Isaiah 29:19

"The mark of a truly godly women is one who reveals the power of God not so much in her doing as in her being. She has opened God's treasure chest of joy and so filled her heart with gratitude and love that just being around her inspire you." (pp.144)

Oh Lord, I desire to have You in my being, for you to be reflected and radiated in my coming and my going. It is your joy that resides in my heart when everything else around me is chaotic. I want to be so full of You that I encourage all those I come across on a daily basis. I am your servant. Use me.

Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy...

~Isaiah 60:5

"When we ask God to continually give us the desire to remain obedient, He does. He will help us to want to obey Him and will give us His power to do so. When we say yes to God, we know that our life and the lives of those we love rest in the certainty of His never-changing love for us." (pp.145)

I say YES Lord. But I can't be obedient without Your help. I call on you daily Lord, to guide me and lead me on this journey. I rest in you alone Lord. Help me live in Your love. Help me to love and minister to others in Your love. Help me to be like you Lord.

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD

~Isaiah 11:2-3

When you are committed to radical obedience, you see everyone through God's eyes of love." (pp.146)

Lord, remove my blindness and let me see this world as you see it.

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.

~Isaiah 42:16

"It's about living to give our lives away and making a real impact in this world." (pp.146)

Lord, I want to give my life back to You in full service for you, for you made me and the breath of Your Spirit lives in my body, mind and soul. Take my faults, my weakness and use them to glorify You only. Grow my strength and my willing heart so that I can impact this world for your kingdom.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life

~Job 33:4

"She (Mary) was willing to love Him without reservation, without concern for what others might think or even concern for herself" (pp.147)

Lord, You know I struggle with this so I pray for a Mary spirit, to live outside my flesh and in You. I want to know You. I want to see You and hear You in every area of my life. I have to be a women who says YES to God despite myself, despite what others think, despite what satan throws my way. I want to love You without reservations!

For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him—then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves.

~Deuteronomy 11:22-23

Lelia implied it well in her blog entry-you can't carry the garbage and be obedient at the same time. You can't be living in sin and living in unity with God. OUCH! Obedience means change. What happens when women say YES to God? Lysa commented "the world is change". Powerful. My world starts with my family. I choose to say YES to God to allow Him to radically change me which will effect a radical change within my family. As I look at that task it seems impossible at the moment, but I know God can turn the impossible to possible. I can only hope in Him for this!!

What an amazing journey. Thank you for sharing with me in this. I have so enjoyed entering your world, sharing in your heart, and growing in Christ!

In His Graces~Pamela