Walking in Faith - The Map Chapter 1

Lysa Terkeurst is really funny. She can make you pee your pants laughing :) But when that woman starts getting serious in her conversation about God, its' completely real, instructional and inspirational. I'm joining Lelia and some other ladies for an online bloggy Bible Study of Lysa'a book, What Happens When Women Walk In Faith.

I'm going to give my answers to the questions asked at the end of chapter one, entitled, The Map. But first let me point out some nuggets that spoke to my heart:

Lysa wrote "God really can use any woman who surrenders her inadequacies and circumstances to Him"

Another nugget which resonated strongly with a Type A person such as myself was: "He wants us to put personal conveniences aside, lay our own ideas down, and get past our stubborn will to have and do things our own way and in our own time." Hmmmm - I resemble that remark

Yes another: "If you are a woman who honors God right where you are, you are in ministry." Now I just need to make sure that I continue to honor God where I am. My pastor refers to it as blooming where you are planted. I've adopted that idea. It works well. It makes me smile (well not always but mostly). I pray it makes God smile too.

To complete my four piece nugget meal I loved the following: "Just remember the spiritual paradigm: Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Draw close to God and He will draw close to you (James 4:8)" WOW!

Now for the questions:

What tactics is the enemy using to try to defeat me right now?

My Children - I see pride and rebellion growing in both my girls. More so in my older daughter though. She's 13. It breaks my heart because I have had these girls in church all their lives. I've tried to model more recently quiet time, prayer and service for them. I've tried to be as loving as I can. I feel as if I am failing. He speaks lies to me about my capabilities as a mom. Surely, if you were a good mom they'd have better grades, better attitudes, more respect for you. I can't even imagine what he must be speaking to my children.

Finances - This is an old trick he keeps using over and over because it's always so successful. However, God has given us a plan for resolving our financial issues and allowing Him to release us from the bondage of debt, bad financial decisions and unexpected life circumstances.

Work stress - He uses my own competitive nature against me. There's the uncertainty of an impending merger. Surely, he whispers you need to worry about these things. I know he's trying to keep me focused on these situations instead of God working in the situations.

What are some practical ways to resist Satan?

Prayer - individual and with others
Scripture memorization
Bible Study (so we know what God's Word says, the truth)
Avoiding situations that usually lead to me being vulnerable to his attacks

What are some practical ways to draw close to God?

Listening to worship music
Prayer and Quiet Time
Bible Study
Scripture memorization
Fellowship with other believers
Spending time just listening for Him to speak to our heart
Obedience

One thing I noticed was that just like the spiritual paradigm Lysa pointed out, some of the ways to resist Satan were also ways to draw close to God. I found that to be, as my daughter would say, beast (that means really good, cool, awesome)

I'll end with the pivotal verse of the chapter. Lysa had us circle three key words. I'll bold them for you :)

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)

Be blessed and stop by next Tuesday for more...or join the study if you aren't afraid of God doing something great in you.