Lesson 6 "From Challenge to Change to Courage...God's Master Plan" for your Life!

 "From Challenge to Change to Courage...God's Master Plan" for your Life!

Lesson 6

by Sharon Leaf

"Am I up to the challenge?"

"Do I really want to change?"

"Am I a woman of courage?"

Today's women are facing many Challenges.  Challenges that call for Change.  Speaking from experience, I can tell you that Change can be scary, but as we trust in the Lord we realize that God allows Change for our benefit.  However, when we're going through these Challenges and Changes we sometimes 

cannot see the forest for the trees.  

But when we allow God to direct our path, 

Courage comes on the scene ...

then anything can happen!

Part 1 ~ Preparing to serve

   We have the ability to commune with God.  He desires fellowship with us far more than we could ever desire for ourselves.  That we could bring such joy and satisfaction to the Lord who has all of the heavens to enjoy is such a mystery to me. We are created in God's image and likeness so we have the unique ability to recognize the Father's voice, with the capability for intelligent, satisfying communion with Him.  The Lord desires to bring us into an experience of communion with Him so that we might become one with Him inn the ongoing purpose of mankind.

   If Jesus understands joyful surrender, then so can we.  He lived to do exactly what His Father asked Him to do.  This is what God desires of us.  The goal of the Christian life is not only to live well and prosper; it is to live a surrendered life to Christ.  As we surrender, He will fill us with His peace and show us the destiny to which we have been called.  The joy of the surrendered life is knowing that god always has a tremendous return in mind for our obedience.

   The Lord desires our attention.  He is amazingly resilient to let us come back to Him time and time again.  God is so absolute in His goodness, so full in His love, that He can expose Himself to the agony of rejected love without bitterness or change.

   His love for us is intimate.  He knows our thoughts, the number of hairs on our head (which changes momentarily!), the talents we ourselves may not even know that we have.  He is a God of such great love that we cannot even imagine how close He will let us come to Him.  As we learn to love obedience, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit can work hand in hand to supply all of our earthly needs.  How exciting is that?

   Love conquers all.  The Bible has much to say about love.  Love is patient, love is kind.  We are called to mirror His love.  "... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."

Part 2 ~ Relationship with Him

    We determine how deep we will allow Him in.  Where are we in our faith in Him for handling our life tasks?  Below is listed three levels to help access our relationship for dependence on Him.

1. Accepting Child ~ We rest in Him, feel peaceful, respond to Him, and avoid doing wrong, so we can stay in a place of comfort.
2. Searching Youth ~ We talk to Him and expect Him to answer.  Obedience feels good, even when challenged.
3. Seasoned Warrior ~ We wake each day wanting to know how He will use us.  We have relinquished control of the tasks and strive for self-control of our emotions (peace), our body (respect), and our thoughts (proper).

Part 3 ~ We must learn to Wait

   Our hearts must be prepared for Him before we are ready to serve.  This is vital to obtaining the bigger assignments and essential in understanding the Holy Spirit in us.  When Rob and I were on the train through Siberia I was content to go with the team to the elderly homes, the orphanages, and street witness in the cities.  Then one day my team leader came to me and said, "I want you to be the team leader now."  My heart raced and I thought I was going to faint right on the spot.  Was I ready for the challenge?  Then I remembered that God is not looking for perfection.  He is looking for an obedient heart, and a heart that serves Him cheerfully.  I had to change from a faint-hearted lady to a courageous warrior!  Yes, I was a team leader!  Why ?  Because I did what I did best: I showed the Russian people the love of God through my hugs, my smiles, and my encouraging words.  Then when they asked me why I was so happy--through my interpreter of course--I shared the gospel of Jesus Christ.  How could they resist?

   God is waiting for us to submit and allow Him to carry out His will through ... us!  What are you waiting for?  The truth is, Christ never moves away.  We are the ones who shrug Him off.  So He waits ... 

Until next time ...

Whether near or far ...

Keep Reading, and keep that a body movin'!

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

www.sharonleaf.com

      

"From Challenge to Change to Courage...God's Master Plan" for your life! Lesson 5

 "From Challenge to Change to Courage...God's Master Plan" for your life!

Lesson 5

by Sharon Leaf

Our first home in Fort Mill, South Carolina...Snow!!!  2006
A view from our upstairs veranda. We lived on a pond.

Today's women are facing many Challenges.  Challenges that call for Change.  Speaking from experience, I can tell you that Change can be scary, but as we trust in the Lord we realize that God allows Change for our benefit.  However, when we're going through these Challenges and Changes we sometimes 

cannot see the forest for the trees.  

But when we allow God to direct our path, 

Courage comes on the scene ...

then anything can happen!

Part 1 ~ Understanding the Will of God ~  God's Perfect Will vs. His Permissive Will

   God chose us before we chose Him.  It is a divine concept that we humans have been given a free will to run our own lives.  God wants us to choose Him, not by force or coercion, but by love.  One of the many ways He shows us His love is by giving us the freedom to handle our destiny.  For Christians we are told in God's word that our steps are directed by the Lord.

Man's goings are of the Lord.  Proverbs 20:24

    We can do good deeds and good works.  We can live morally and properly.  We can reach people in helpful ways.  A determined spirit can be good, but not perfect in doing the actual tasks we are called upon to do.  Actions that are under God's permissive will may be good, but it is different than acting in God's perfect will.  To follow God's perfect will, we take the time to listen, then hear, and then act.

   Self efforts are deceiving, though they may look and feel wonderful.  Few choose to wait for God's perfect direction, but it is here that the Lord is glorified in us, and self becomes dead.  It takes greater wisdom to seek the Master for divine direction.  This wisdom lifts up God so that others are drawn to Him.  When God's perfect will is carried out in our work, our daily tasks, it is anointed.  Non-believers marvel at the results, and believers bask in the glow as they see the touch of God on the task.  Why has God given us free will?  What is the difference between God's permissive will and His perfect will?

   Waiting on God's direction brings clarity to confusion.  How do you perform God's will in your daily tasks?  You must wait for His direction on even the smallest steps  Waiting allows harmony among your workers, among your family.  Waiting allows perfection on the task as God's perfect will flows.  God gives His glory to those who wait.  As He arises within you, you will know it is Him, for He is the one who anoints.

   Rob and I were convinced that God's perfect plan for us was to move to Sweden to attend a year of Bible school.  So, in planning we made a two-page 'to-do' list, and then we sat before the Lord and presented the list to Him.  Daily, one item after another was met--our visas were processed in record time, two round-trip airfare tickets and school tuition were paid in full, warm coats for Sweden't freezing winters (remember, we lived in Southern California where shorts and t-shirts can be worn year round!) were given to us.  The list went on and on.

   Then there were the times when the list looked impossible.  One night when I was packing boxes for storage, I blurted out, "What are we doing?"  I sat down in the middle of the bedroom floor and asked, "Lord, are you sure this is your perfect will for us?"  As I sat awhile and quieted my spirit, I heard a still, small Voice answer.  Yes.  That's all I needed to pick myself up and continue packing.

   Our faith in God increased before we ever set foot on Swedish soil because we trusted God and had to exercise our faith each step of the way.  Have you had one of those Are you sure, God? moments lately?  What did  you do?

Part 2 ~ The WHO Test to find God's Will

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, 

and show thee great and might things which thou knows not.

Jeremiah 33:3

   "WHO do you say I am?" and "WHO do you serve today?" are the questions that help us know if we are drawn to God's perfect plan.  Do you see it?  

    W--wait;  H--hear;  O--obey.  

   You can use the WHO test to find where you are in God's will on a specific matter.  As David spoke in Psalms how he had fellowship with God, so can we!  This usually comes by your personal experience with the living God.  I refer back to the dear old babushka.  If I had hurried out the door, I would have missed a divine appointment scheduled by God.  Instead, I stepped out of my plan and stepped into His glorious plan.  I think I received more out of that encounter with Miss Babushka than she did.  I can't wait to see her again some day to find out!

  How can you apply the WHO test to a current situation in your life to stay within God's will for you?  When has God positively affirmed an optimistic outcome to you?  How did it make yo feel?

Part 3 ~ Prepare for Service

   There are many gestures of kindness we can give to those around us who are in need.  Look around.  Listen.  Hear.  Obey.  We may never know how that kind word or gesture changed the atmosphere of that person in need.  I experience this almost daily since we downsized to our villa on Lake Murray.  We are surrounded by young and old who need an encouraging work OR just someone who will listen to them.

   Can you recall a time when someone reached out to you and touched you?  God knew you needed that touch, that encouraging word.  He asked someone to come to you, and that person listened, heard, and obeyed.  That is total teamwork.  

My friends gathering at my "Le Artist's Studio"
Janet (Popcorn), Jennifer, and Maribeth

   When I first moved from California to South Carolina, I felt lonely.  I had left my dear friends behind to obey God with a new adventure.  From west coast to east coast, all decided within a few months.  But God always provides.  One Sunday I recognized my neighbor at church.  She could have smiled, chatted, then politely walked away.  Instead, she asked for my phone number!  She reached out to me!  I had a friend!  A friend to laugh with, and who gave me wise counsel when I was going through some hard times.  Her name is Janet and I shall never forget her warm, kind heart.  She soon introduced me to her sister Jennifer and a sweetheart of a gal, Maribeth.

   Now, can you recount an instance where you committed to serving others in their time of need?  Think about it.  Pray about it, and I'll see you next time!  We have five more lessons to go, so until then ...

Whether near or far,

Keep reading,

and keep that body movin'!

http://www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

http://www.sharonleaf.com