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!

Say Yes to God - What if I Just don't Get it!

I'm sharing from my Journal this morning!  Let me set up my surroundings first!  I am sitting outside in Florham Park, NJ at the beautiful Hamilton Park Hotel; outside by the pool and gardens!  It's quiet and beautiful as I sit overlooking gardens and flowers - it's very cool, temperatures have to be in the 60s.  What a nice change from the muggy heat of SC! This is what I keep telling my husband I need at home - my own personal garden with the perfect chair - sweet table - but oooops - I don't think I can put an order in for the 60 degree weather yet!

 I worked out this morning as well! I have set myself up for perfect Jesus time.  I find it so hard to get this time at home, I do not have that perfect place yet.  I recommend you make this perfect place if you don't have it yet; it is 1st on my priority this weekend! You will find you get so much more out of your time with Jesus. 

I prayed before opening my bible and asked Jesus to put me right where I was supposed to be - He did!  I love it when a plan comes together.  I had been reading in Job a week ago and somehow the page got crumpled and that's where I opened today!  Today's reading was different than last week's tho!

He is tying my bible reading to my online bible study  (I love when that happens!!!!). We are reading What Happens When Women Say Yes to God - by Lysa TerKeurst.  Here are a few of the highlighted lines from Chapter 1 (this weeks chapter)...let me start right there...

'Look at my loss as a sacrifice of praise to God'

'Being a woman who says yes to God means making the choice to trust Him even when you can't understand why He requires some of the things He does.'

'When you look at your every day circumstances through the lens of God's perspective, everything changes'

Can I just say WOW! 

Here are the scriptures to accompany my quiet time today - along with some personal thoughts. Yes, I am going to share those with you!

James 1:12 - God blesses those who wait patiently, endure testing and temptation 
v18. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true Word - we became his prized possessions.
v21. Get rid of all the filth in your life and humbly accept the Word God has planted in your heart for He has the power to save your souls. (WOW)

My prayer for weeks has been

Dear God, when is it my turn to be blessed in big ways?  When will my marriage and home life become 'Godly' - Will we ever pray together? Attend church together? When will I not be alone in worshipping and loving you? When will my husband love you first and foremost? and when will our marriage reflect you in all things? and yes God, sorry for the whining......but it's been a long, long time. When will it be YOUR perfect time for me? When can I have what others have? (ouch, yes, all those things that do not reflect trust in Him and His timing) - I'm human.

For several years now I have worshipped alone on Sunday, with just my daughters and grandchildren. It is painful every Sunday as I watch sweet couples pray together, worship together, and love the Lord - together.  How I envy (covet?) those couples.  A sweet, beautiful young  child of God that went to Nicaragua with me on a mission trip is getting married very soon.  As I look at pictures of she and her soon to be husband, God shows and reflects in their smiles.  Together they love God, they worship and praise Him.  I am so happy for her and for this life God has laid out for her. But then I say,

God, I'm no Spring Chicken!  in fact I'm nearly 50!  Can you speed this process up please!!!?

However, every day I surrender my life to Him and know that He has a plan for me.  I continue to praise and worship Him and I love God in huge ways.  He defeated the Cross! For me.  Whatever He plans MUST be enough for me. I must be in acceptance.


Luke 14:12 - When you put on a banquet do not invite your friends, brothers, relatives, invite the poor, cripple lame and blind.
Our motives for serving others is not to obligate them to serve us.

I am not sure why God laid this verse out for me this morning.  (as I type this the sun is now up and warmth has replaced the chilly air......ahhhhh just perfect).   Perhaps this verse is just a reminder that we are called to serve. We are to serve those that are the worst of the worst as well as those that are righteous.  We cannot pick or choose who we serve.  When we SAY YES TO GOD, we SERVE.  We serve all in His name.  All of our works should bring nothing but glory to Him. When we are at this place in our lives, it is our desire to always find positive and good in even the worst.  - YES, I think I now understand why this was laid on my heart.

Job 33:14 - For God speaks again and again though people do not recognize it.  He speaks in dreams, He whispers in their ears, and He terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from wrong doings and he keeps them from pride.  He protects them from the grave and disciplines on the sick bed.

 He does indeed.  We have got to be still and listen.  We must pay attention for those whispers and the nudges.  When we SAY YES TO GOD - he will provide us direction and wisdom (Proverbs 31:26) We have to position ourselves to hear from Him.  This is a loud busy world, don't miss His message.  He will try many ways to get through to us.  Slow down long enough to be still in Him. Recognize the messages. 

Job 33:23 - But if an angel appears from heaven a special messenger to intercede for a person and declares that he is upright- he will be gracious and save him from the grave. for I have found a ransom for his life. 
25-Then his body will become healthy as a child's firm and youthful agin.
26 - When he prays to God He will be accepted.  God will receive him with Joy and return Him to good standing.

My boss is traveling with me this week.  She reminds me at times that she  believes in angels of protection. She said this again yesterday.  So, this verse did not surprise me when I read it this morning.  Several times in the past couple of week topics have turned to angels, messengers? protectors? I like to think so - the Word tells us so -  angels in the bible have brought special messages - the Word says they can intercede for a person...Yes, I am thankful for angels. I am thankful for God as he uses people to bring messages as well - for He continues to use even my corporate boss as a vessel for Him. AMEN!

After an incredible time with Jesus - I must now return to the corporate world of meetings. ahhhhhhh Looking forward to the day when God blesses me with full time ministry.  Until then, He continues to fill me with wisdom, strength, and endurance in Him.  AMEN, Can't ask for more than that!

Until tomorrow!
In God's precious and Holy Light
<3 Kelley