Say Yes!

This is the first week of the "What happens when women say yes to God" bible study. My hope is that this study will open our eyes to what the Lord is telling us to do, and to help us find the courage to do what He asks of us everyday.

What I would like you to do first is to sit quietly, allow God to be present with you, open you heart and your mind to Him. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to learn today.

Lysa begins this chapter writing about a time on a plane, a time when she was tired and wanted nothing more then to close her eyes and sleep for a while. God had other plans. I will skip straight to the detail most important, she was asked by God to give a total stranger her Bible. Just pause for a second and imagine yourself in this situation, a total stranger sits next to you on a plane, engages you in a conversation that you would much rather avoid altogether, you end up talking to this stranger about a topic your passionate about, God, so that makes up for it, and then out of nowhere, God tells you to give this man your Bible, a Bible that you cherish, a Bible that you have written in, highlighted, cried over, smiled over, prayed with......etc...

I was convicted when I read this. I wondered, could I give someone my Bible? Would I even be open to a conversation or would my attitude get in the way? The question is, do we open up and allow God to use us in those moments that He has paused for someone else? Are we listening to the gentle whispers and nudges the way that Lysa was that day? I know how she felt, so exhausted that the last thing on your list of things to do would be to chat with the person sitting next to you. How many times do we say "no" to God when He wants to use us? How many times throughout our busy days do we pause to say, Lord, I am here and a willing servant, use me in whatever way you can today. Do we allow Jesus to be seen in our actions?

Saying "yes" to God won't always be easy. Sometimes the things He will ask us to do will take us completely out of our comfort zone, are you ready?

Questions:

1. Think of some people in the Bible who said yes to God.

Read Genesis 22:1-19

2. Has God asked you to do something that was difficult? Did you say yes, or did you say no?

3. How would your life be changed if you said yes every morning before getting out of bed?

I have some work to do, this I know for sure. I have to be ready to say yes to God even before I know what it is He will ask of me. Scary. "God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called". I need to remind myself that "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

Please write down any ways that this chapter spoke to you. I would love to hear from you. Write down some of the inspirational people from the Bible and from your everyday life who have said yes to Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and lets become the "yes" women that we need to be.

Father,

Thank you for Lysa, thanks you for using her and for giving her the strength and courage to share with us what You have done in and through her. Open our eyes and our ears to hear you. Remind of us of your strength, reveal yourself to us. Forgive me for saying no when I should have said yes. Amen

Blessings,