Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Say Yes to God ~ In All Things

    Really God?  RADICAL Obedience?


As most of you know I volunteer for Proverbs 31 Ministries On-Line Bible Study Ministries. We are in Chapter 1 of an amazing book by Lysa TerKeurst - AND, across the US and 120 countries there are over 22,000 ladies reading this book and studying the Word with us.  Does that not just make you want to squeal!  It does me!  The book, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God".  

The very last sentence of Chapter 1 is where my focus was  this morning - not only is it highlighted PINK but today it now has blue ink circling it too.  Check this out!...................

It is the call of the radically obedient woman who makes the choice to say yes to God
 Lysa TerKerust.

My first knowledge over 'radical obedience' came from David Platt in his book 'Radical'. It is one you will have to read yourself to understand how David sees 'RADICAL'.   How about being told to list your house with a realtor when it wasn't even on the minds of you or your husband? (Lysa's experience!)   Now, let me take this down a few notches, I am all for being obedient - but God hasn't yet placed something really 'radical' in my path yet. (I am looking for it to come at any time though) and wonder how I will react when that time comes.

In dealing with my routine of hitting the gym (not because I'm trying to maintain my fit body, but because I have another 70 lbs. to lose in order to reach my goal), I struggled this morning. I did a mile on the treadmill (at my own pace! nothing radical about that) - and I so wanted to quit - I had an internal battle raging.......Instead of quitting I programmed the machine and this time took off working 100% harder than the first mile.  AH, obedience.  God has been my biggest cheerleader in this fight to get healthy and fit.  I want to serve Him in big ways.  I want to be radically obedient in all things - for me it has to start with my weight.  I was over 100 lbs. overweight.  Do you think our Father in Heaven is looking upon us saying "It's ok Kelley, don't worry about that 70 lbs.  You are ok at your current weight" - I don't think so!  It's not healthy.  I am totally disgracing my body, His temple.  Radical Obedience,  to keep on fighting to be the best I can be for Him.

My bible reading today took me to Nehemiah.  What an incredible leader.  This is an excerpt from my study bible:

'Simply claiming we have done as much as others isn't enough; we must do as much as we can as long as the Lord enables us' - Notes from the book of Nehemiah.

That's pretty powerful! How many times do we do just enough to get by, or we work until we feel we have done as much as our friend or neighbor.....THAT is not enough.  Nehemiah says we must do as much as we can as long as the Lord enables us.  (This my friend is the thinking that kept me going on the treadmill today - I gave the 1st mile 50% effort - that IS NOT the effort the Lord enabled me with).

In our P31 Bible Study Lisa says that the 'Road That Leads to Blessing' can only be achieved when you 'give walking in obedience your full attention'.   

Walking in obedience, in all things, is going to change our lives.  In Lysa's case, she was told to put her house on the market and sell it. Can you imagine hearing that from Jesus?
Take some time today and read the first few chapters of Nehemiah. He had concerns and felt called to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  He followed up on what he cared about and knew would bring glory to God. 

I'll close with this excerpt from my study bible:

A trait leaders share is an attitude of attentiveness that sees opportunities and cares what happens next. 

How can you be obedient and take the next God given opportunity so you can make a difference in what happens next?
Until Tomorrow
In God's Light,
<3 Kelley

Recommendations:  "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" by Lysa TerKeurst.  Lysa's book can be purchased on the Proverbs 31 website.  All proceeds from the books go back into purchasing more books!    www.proverbs31.org

Our Online Bible Study can be found on the Proverbs 31 website as well. Follow the headers for "Online Bible Studies"

Join me in saying Yes to God and becoming RADICAL in my obedience for Him!


6 comments:

  1. Thank you again Kelley for another inspiring devotion. Loving this study and God is really pushing me out of my comfort zone.

    Cannot wait for the day you are called to full time ministry. You will be fantastic. I just know in my heart that God has great and wonderful things planned for you to do.

    Have a blessed day and thank you again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Phyllis! All in God's perfect timing! Some days it's hard to sit back and wait but He has convicted me on what has to get done first - and those things are being resolved - He is preparing me, and I'm okay with that!!! I'm so glad that you are inspired and are pushing out of your comfort zone! That is KEY! If you are comfortable you aren't doing enough or aren't doing the things that need to be addressed. You are on the right path my sweet friend! So thankful for your insight and friendship here!

      Delete
  2. Thank you Kelley for this great post. Chapter 1 of What Happens When Women Say Yes to God is full of such good stuff and really making me do some serious soul searching. As I verse mapped our key verse, I kept thinking How do I love God with all my heart, all my soul & all my strength? and God told me to follow His example - radical/biblical obedience. I put on my verse mapping - In everything, ask "What would Jesus do?" and then do it! Say yes. One of my favorite scriptures that I have on my desk is Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work at it with ALL your heart, as working for the Lord, not men... Love you girl! So thankful God has brought us together as friends so I can be here, cheering you on as He calls you to do the radical. He has good things planned for you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so my sister from another mother!!!! Thank you for sharing your heart and our wisdom and your friendship! I am so thankful for you! I told our OBS leaders to look out cause Melanie Shannon is going to shine with P31 OBS. You are so wise and so precious! I love you - keep sharing your verse mapping and scripture and everything with me so we can grow together!!!! xoxox

      Delete
  3. I have to diligently and intentionally surrender ALL to God a fresh and anew each morning expecting to experience God. I can sense God's presence ALL around me ALL throughout the day and do not have to wait until I'm in church to experience God. (this concept is new to me and I am LOVING it!!) I am learning also how to be honest with God without fear! God already KNOWS anyway so all I am really doing is coming into agreement with Him! That doesn't need to be "scary!" Wonderful blog Kelley, thanks for sharing your heart with us!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Janet!!! You are in my thoughts often! Continued prayers for you as you adjust to this new life, which certainly was not in your plans. I am thankful that you remain strong in your faith and that even with the loss of your husband are able to remain strong in Christ and that you are growing daily in Him! I'm here for you always! We have got to get lunch together soon! I will reach out to you for a few open Saturdays or Sundays after church since I'm already in Camden! HUGS to you my sweet friend!

    ReplyDelete