An Every Day Yes!

*Author’s Note:  I do want to stress something. There should never be a book, a devotional, a podcast, or a video that should replace the daily reading of God’s Word. When I read the book that I reference in this post, it was in addition to my daily quiet time with Jesus. 🙂

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Today is a YES kinda day!  You – my dear sister in Christ –  you are God’s masterpiece, and He has such awesome plans for you and your life. I’m so excited to share with you the tips and strategies I gleaned from Lysa Terkeurst’s book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. (You can purchase from the link.)

Girls, this book! It literally changed my life and my walk with Jesus. Within the tattered and torn pages, I have highlighted #HolySpiritSlaps (“Moments when the Holy Spirit speaks into your mind and heart so clearly that there’s no mistaking that God orchestrated the message you see or hear just for you!”), marked up words, annotated the margins, dogeared a few go-to pages, and placed post-it note bookmarks for favorite passages. While reading it, I kept it in my purse, took it with me in my car, carried it in my “mom bag” to ball games, and I even read it while waiting for doctor’s appointments. You name it, if I thought I would have a few spare minutes to read, that’s exactly what I did. The excitement I initially had about this book hasn’t fizzled.  I still share it with friends, and it is still one of my favorite things. There is nothing more empowering than linking arms with other Jesus Girls.

Maybe you are wondering what the big deal is about saying YES to God. When I discovered this book, God was stirring in my spirit a desire to become more obedient. I attended church, served in the church, and I had a daily quiet time. However, I had become comfortable, almost passive.

Last week in my blog post, Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes and a Whole Latte Jesus, we learned about the dangers of becoming lukewarm Christians as John described in Revelation 3:15-16. God never desires for us to become complacent as we are walking within our calling. We can easily detour our path to the lukewarm trail.

“You’re blessed when you stay on course,  walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.”
Psalm 119: 1-6 (MSG)

What if…

What if _____________? You can fill in the blank. Go grab your journal and a pen and ask God to remind your Spirit of something He has asked you to do, but you said, “no”.  Let this be your starting point of saying yes.

His Word says He has a plan – a plan for your obedience to bring Him glory, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 19:4 (NLT)

Being obedient begins with learning about our Father. Priscilla Shirer stated in Discerning the Voice of God, “Creating time, space, and opportunity to hear God is paramount for those of us who desire to sense His Spirit’s conviction, to receive His detailed guidance, and to discern His intimate leading.”

“Yes Girls”, spend time daily reading about Jesus in addition to listening and talking with Him in prayer.  

Those words from chapter one of What Happens When Women Say Yes to God  removed so many spiritual not-enoughs from my breastplate of righteousness. She simplified my desire to “Become A Better Jesus Girl” with all the things I didn’t need. I was able to unburden doubting myself, my abilities, and my qualifications to even be used by God!  

I had two lips and a heart that desired to say, YES to God. That was enough.

Now here is the time when you need to go get a note card.  The more you read and learn about me, you will understand my Note Card Theology (#notecardtheology). If you have the desire to be a girl who says YES to God, copy this prayer (page 14) onto your note card and read it daily.

Ladies, I truly believe He is calling us to be Yes Girls. It’s overwhelming to realize God has chosen us to join Him at work in our world all around us. We must constantly strive to discern His voice; He calls us to be obedient in the hard assignments as well as the easy ones. May He always see us as good and faithful servants, longing to say, “YES GOD.”

Time to Unfold

• • Read God’s Word: Listen to God speak this week through His Word.
  • Pray: Listen to God speak through prayer. Learn His voice.
  • Do: Be a girl who says “YES” to God.
  • Repeat.

Following hard after Him,