I am happy you stopped by today! We are in Chapter 12 &13 of our blog Bible study hosted by Lelia (http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/) with Lysa Terkeurst's book "What Happens
When Women Walk n Faith". She has broken this walk up into phases: Leaving, Famine, Believing, Death and Resurrection. We are leaving the Believing phase and have entered reading the first chapter related to the the death phase. At first I was hesitant entering this phases. It seems I am living and breathing each one of these chapters as I read them. HOWEVER, I have embraced these chapters and I hold a sense of excitement for what lies ahead!!Chapter 12: Learning to Lead
Boy does my heart and mind echo Lysa's words "I am not ________ enough!" when it comes to leading because I am not. I am not wise enough spiritually. I am not worthy enough. I am not righteous enough. I am not qualified...or am I? Hummm...if I look back, not at my past sins but at what God has taken me from and where God has taken me...through Him I am qualified for whatever He has called me to. Even to lead.
"When you experience God working through you despite your human shortcomings, your confidence in Him and His abilities will grow more than ever before. God rarely uses people who look perfect, He uses imperfect people"
No doubt there...look at the characters in the Bible...Paul, David, Rahab, Moses (just to name a few)...what encouragement indeed!! But I still feel inadequate. So what did Lysa call this? "Stiffed neck".
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.~Deuteronomy 10:12-16
So we are called to cut away anything that holds us back from our calling, that makes us "stiffed neck" or un-submissive to God's will. And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.~Deuteronomy 10:12-16
"My reactions let me know whether or not my beliefs in God and His ability to shape and mold me is real. . . Nothing will make God so real to you as seeing Him change your character."
It is in changing our character that God will be able to use us to be leaders for His glory. Though I am not qualified in my eyes, I am willing to walk this journey of faith and see what God has in store. Chapter 13 Death Does Not Mean Defeat
In order to move forward in faith we have to leave something. I am happy to have left some things behind. Some things I have left behind or have had to give up has been very painful to me yet if I put my spiritual glasses on, these "death" have been worth it in the end. This death has not been a defeat but a growth process with blessings to boot!
"The very things that feel like death are really a birth of something so much better"
For once, death is not so bad. As I look back I can claim Lysa's words:
"The Lord was bigger than the immovable and stronger than the unstoppable"
Death is victory...
"This is not your defeat; this is your valley in the shadow of the mountain your soul longs to climb-a mountain of greater faith and closer intimacy with God than you ever thought possible."
That's worth it isn't it? "Closer intimacy with God than you ever thought possible". Ladies I have seen the impossible work through my life. I welcome the death of my past and embrace the His plans for my future!! We are secure because...
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
~Psalm 16:8-11
What an awesome book! What a blessing these chapters have been in my life. I pray they are a blessing to you also!!
In Him~Pamela (MrsJoeB)
8 comments:
Pamela,
I enjoyed reading your words. Isn't great that God doesn't check our resume for qualifications? He's simply interested in availability and obedience!! I too have experienced some deaths and though at the time it's hard to understand it's wonderful to look back and see God's hand constantly at work. I know that's been true in the past so it's hope to hold onto as death seems to be appearing on the horizon. Thanks for sharing, Jill
The words and thoughts that you have shared with all of us have most definitely been a blessing, Pamela.
I am constantly amazed at all of the different thoughts and ideas that God can give each of us concerning the same verse of Scripture.
There is no end to God's Word. We can talk about it, read it, and study it 24 hours a day, every single day for the rest of our lives, and we would never cease to be amazed and learn something new.
It's truly incredible, isn't it?
I love your thoughts, Pamela.
You are a blessing.
Hugs to you!
Amy:)
"Closer intimacy with God than you ever thought possible".
How true....Lord, I want to know You, like I've never known You before.
Sister, you are a leader, and so loving!
Yolanda
Pamela:
You are more qualified than you know! Your words of wisdom are indeed influential as Lysa said. But I guess as long as we think we aren;t qualified but do what we are asked anyway, we remain humble :)
Hey Mrs.JoeB,
Just poppin in to say hi, and read your sweet insights...
I always think I'm not ___ enough too.
I know you weren't takin a poll or anything but...I stand with thee others... yup; He's qualified you.
I learn something every time I come here!!!
LOL
Hugs,
from the Potting shed
I loved reading your post about these chapters. You just sound so encouraging! Thank you.
Lisa
"Ladies I have seen the impossible work through my life. I welcome the death of my past and embrace the His plans for my future!!"
Amen! to that, Pamela!! The chapter on death really spoke to me, though I was unable to get my post up this week...
I loved what you wrote here Pam:
Though I am not qualified in my eyes, I am willing to walk this journey of faith and see what God has in store.
WOW!!!
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