This is Chapter 4 and 5 of a Bible study that I am doing. It's called What Happens When Women Walk In Faith by Lysa TerKeurst--her words are in pink. Lelia at leliachealey.blogspot.com is leading this study. Feel free to join us and read the other ladies' comments--there are some awfully insightful girlfriends out there!
Everywhere that I have looked in the past few days is about faith! My two devotionals that I receive daily (Encouragement Today and Girlfriends in God-- Both are excellent!) were on faith this morning. Chapter 4 in the Bible Study just about knocked me over. And a bike ride last night helped me step out in faith to a new friend who was hurting. God is trying to get my attention in a big way, y'all!
Chapter 4 is called "Loving God More than My Dream." Lysa said that..."our thoughts about how God wants to use us are much too small. That is why we hesitate to leave our old ways behind. If we could taste the delights that await us in the promised land, we'd leave everything behind without hesitation...and yet God doesn't work that way. We must choose to leave first. We must see by faith the rewards ahead and then move toward them. What might God be calling you to leave? Does it line up with scripture? Would it cause me to become more like Christ in my thoughts and actions? Do I have a peace in my heart about this when I pray?
Y'all, I could just chew on that one little section all morning! Hebrews 12:2 gives us some insight to this . Lysa says that He is the author of our dream--not us! We don't even dream big enough! We tend to put God in a little box--not give Him full range! When something new and exciting comes up in my life, I tend to want to take glory for it!! Wasn't it my idea? Nope--God had it in mind all along. We simply need to let it go and allow God to take control of it--it's a lot easier when we do. Walking in faith and trust and obedience go hand in hand. I need to see if the dreams that I have are lining up with scripture. Will I become more like Him? I've heard it said that sometimes we are the only Jesus that some people will ever see. Well, I need a holy makeover on a daily basis, girls!
In my previous post, I asked y'all a couple of questions. Your responses were heartfelt, and I do appreciate them. My responses need to line up with what God has in store for me, even though I don't know what it is at this moment. I know that He wants my obedience. I don't know exactly where I'm going--just who I am following. I am praying about this each and every day. Girls, take your questions, concerns, hurts, and joys to Him daily. Lay them down at the cross, and He will lovingly take care of you on this journey we call life.
Blessings,
Susan
Jeremiah 31:31-33
11 comments:
Hi Susan,
I popped over to check out your insight on the Bible study over at Lelia's. Glad I did.
Walking by faith is difficult at times... but always worth it. Looks like God is surrounding you with messages on it lately. His dreams for us are always bigger than our dreams for ourselves. AND... He is the one that works them to completion. How comforting.
I am in a time of seeking the Lord's guidance as to where He wants my service too. I know that He is faithful and will reveal it in His perfect time. I am just waiting.
Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Lynn
Hi again,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog too.
God is forever teaching me lessons for my own life through my children and others. Like when King David, when he was questioned about the person doing wrong and he was quick to say that they should have to pay for what they did... only to have it turned around and then realize that he was the object of the lesson to start with.
I have heard of Heath Springs... I am thinking that it is somewhere around Lancaster and Great Falls... am I close?? Are you close now??
Thanks again for the visit.
Lynn
Susan,
It seems this weeks study has hit us all in about the same area, our dreams and vision...loving God more than them.
I wanted to share a short little tid-bid with you. This past November I found a sign that I WANTED from a little shop in our community. BUT I DIDN'T NEED IT! So I told myself to wait two weeks until my birthday, in case someone blessed me with it.
Well it came and went, and I was in the shop some time later for a gift at Christmas time, the SIGN was still there. A SIGN FROM GOD JUST FOR ME!
I purchased it and we have it hanging above our bed.
"God dreams bigger dreams than we can dream for ourselves".
Is that just not the coolest?
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Susan, thanks for the insight and word of advice as you closed. Why is that I need a reminder to do one of the most important tasks there is? This journey isn't always easy, but it is worthwhile. Thanks for sharing your heart and encouraging all of us as we walk in faith. Jill
2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.
If I would just quit looking for answers and trying to figure things out...maybe if I put duct tape over my eyes?
What an awesome post today! What a wonderful reminder that it ALL needs to go to Jesus!
Love and prayers to you my friend!
Nichole
Susan,
Have you been to my blog since Sunday? It's funny that you mentioned two of your devos were on faith. My posting on Sunday was on faith. I am doing the study with Lelia on Lysa's book; however, I wrote my post before I read chapter 4. I've yet to read chapter 5.
Thanks for these words of encouragement on your post.
Blessings,
Paula
Maybe you can stop by and hopefully gleam some more encouragement on this wonderful subject of faith.
Hey Susan,
You are just so SWEET!!! Thanks so much for stopping by today.
I think it's great you are doing this awesome study.
I have to laugh at your name, RUNNER MOM, I'm soooooooo out of shape. Just looking at your picture makes me tired!!
Pray for this Grammy!!
Have a blessed day my friend♥
Hey Girlfriend,
I just loved this post. Walking by faith, not by sight is so easy to say and so hard to do sometimes. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus who is abundantly loving, entirely good and completely trustworthy we can walk in confidence. Plus our path is much better lit!
You're doing a great job on your blog! I'm so impressed with the frequency, eloquence and insight of your writing.
Keep being the light that you are!
Blessings,
Kelli
God is just really at work through our lives in this study! It amazes me. I loved your post on these chapters. God bless you for sharing your heart.
Susan:
What great insights. You are right - daily makeover is defintiely required. I know it is for me, because I am so hard headed. I just want to run with it, do it my way. All the while He's saying "Slow down that's not the way. That's not MY way."
Since He's really bringing home the issue of faith, I know He's got some big things in store for us all. Tear down the barn ladies! It's most likely not big enough for this gift from God!
You've been tagged! Check out my blog to see what to do! I didn't walk today (formally), but I did move almost constantly...does that count?
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