I’m not going to lie or make excuses, this word has been a challenge. I am six months into thinking deeply on what it means to “believe” for more, with a persistence which does not let go. At this point, there is no counting the number of times this year I have prayed, “Lord, when I falter, help me in my unbelief.”
In her book, Your Sacred Yes
“As we feed on the Word of God and apply it in daily life, our inner “spiritual senses” get their exercise and become strong and keen …. It is impossible to stand still in the Christian life: we either go forward and claim God’s blessing, or we go backward and wander aimlessly.”
Your Sacred Yes has encouraged me to go forward, to believe God for even more in my life.
It is easy to over-obligate ourselves, saying yes to everything which comes our way. Yet even good things may not be the “yeses” we are supposed to embrace. We must learn to discern that which God is calling us. We must learn to heed the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit as He guides so that we do not strive and strain our way through life.
As we overcome unbelief and walk in God’s yes for us, we find ourselves living with expectancy and an awareness of Him. As our hearts and minds are engaged and do what He says, we become more spiritually healthy. We’re able to navigate life and our circumstances with increasing wisdom.
As we keep on believing, we learn to consistently guard our hearts and minds as those who are set apart for Him. We want to think as He thinks. We desire lives which will look at the injustices around us and dig our heels in deeply and determine we will not drop the ball in our generation.
In John 15, Jesus tells us: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” As our lives move forward in Him, our lives become productive for His purposes.
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8, NIV)
Your sacred “Yes”.
It will bear much fruit.
All to God’s glory.
This book makes a wonderful study whether done alone or in a group. Each chapter includes a prayer, questions for personal reflection, a wise quote from another source, group discussion starters and a declaration of faith. The book will help lead readers into a deeper relationship with God, which will make it easier to discern God’s will and then respond.
**** I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Today I am joining …. Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and RaRa Linkup and Intentional Tuesday and Reflect and Words With Winter and First Friday Book Faves .
Loved visiting with you this morning, Joanne! You have blessed me with this beautifully written post! Thank you so much for sharing this! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! š
Thank you, Tai, for your encouragement. This was a wonderful & easy book to review as it spoke to my heart. Have a wonderful 4th!
You are most welcome, Love! Thank you and hope you have an awesome 4th as well! š
Oh yes, I have SUCH a struggle with this! I am learning, but it is definitely a process. The busyness of life often overshadows what’s truly important and I forget to put God first. Thanks for this reminder!
Kristine, I think we often miss that even a good yes can keep us from our best yes š This was a book filled with many reminders.
Joanne,
I love that the Lord orchestrates divine connections. It was meant for me to be your neighbor at #WordsWithWinter linkup. While my word for this year is not believe (its courage) I have been on a pilgrimage through the valley of belief. And what a process it’s proving to be. I thought I had bold faith and strong belief but God is shedding light. And through it all He’s been faithful seeing that I believe but need help with my unbelief. You said something so key for me, “we find ourselves living with expectancy”. This is exactly what He’s working with me on. I am afraid to expect for fear of being let down. This is a sweet confirmation to trust, say yes and move forward believing.
I am so grateful you found confirmation to what the Lord is showing you. It is surely a journey. I have also been afraid to expect for fear of being let down. But I am beginning to learn (be it ever so slowly) that as I believe Him, things may work out differently but they will always be for my good, for my best. While our words may be different, I find it interesting how they intersect. Perhaps it is as we believe, we will find ourselves infused with courage to do greater things for His honor. Can I just say … I so appreciate that you took the time to share with me. You have prompted me to think more deeply today on this. And it was needed. Most grateful!
Joanne,
I am in awe friend. I thank you for your thoughtful reply. I delight that God has given us this divine connection to strengthen our faith and boost our courage. We have met at this intersection and I’m delighted to have some alongside a kindred spirit along this journey.
Joanne, This sounds like a book I need to read! I was just talking with my kids about the Father in Mark 9 who prayed Lord I believe, help my unbelief, and this is a prayer I regularly pray, so this is a timely post for me. Thanks for sharing with us at #RaRaLinkup!
Angela, it is so true – we can pray like the father in Mark 9 every single day. I am so grateful He answers that prayer with more of Himself.
This just snuggles right up against my pursuit of balance so nicely, Joanne – how kind of you to do that. š Yes – it is a four letter word for me and it means I do what I think I need to do and then tack on a dozen few other things I don’t need as well. I’m learning to find a healthy balance here too – that I need to say yes to Jesus before anyone or anything else. Thanks for sharing, friend. #raralinkup
Tiffany, it is amazing how quickly we can add things on to our list without even realizing it. I am beginning to realize that even those good “yeses” may not be sacred ones. So glad He pulls us back to show us how & what needs to be balanced. Always glad when you share!
Joanne, “believing” has also been a challenge for me. It’s my word too. But through God’s faithfulness, I will keep believing as I find that sacred “yes.” Saying “no” to the good is hard, but I find I have to let go of some good things before God brings me into His best. Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Crystal, I think you are right – it is those good things which trip us up. May we let go as He shows us & press on for His best for our lives. Have a happy 4th!
We must be careful not to become weary and faint as we pray. When we are tired, we might say “What’s the use? and Do my prayers really matter?” Let me say, those thoughts are from the enemy who seeks to discourage our faith and press down on our believer to squash it to bits. If our spiritual eyes were opened, we would be able to see a HOST of angels waiting to carry our prayers to heaven, and bring back the answer. The battle is not with guns, swords, but is with spiritual weapons that are made active when we pray. We have been praying for our city and using a prayer list by a saint who believes we need to made Declarations and Degrees with a voice of prophesy over our city – our loved ones, our families and even over ourselves. God is not dead and He does answer prayer. Thanks for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, may we be faithful to pray for our loved ones, ourselves & our communities with ever increasing measure in the days ahead. I so agree, He does hear & answer our prayers.
I love discovering a new book to read. thank you .And to have one that feeds your growth in your word of the year is extra special. I too have a word: stillness and man does it weave its wisdom and power throughout my life and year. fascinating practice, isn’t it?
Jean, it is a most fascinating journey for sure! It truly was a book I found inspiring to my faith. It was the first I have read of her but somehow, I do not think it will be my last š Happy 4th of July!
Hi Joanne š
This is my first visit to your blog so I’ve been snooping around a bit in addition to reading what you posted for today. Very nice!
I thoroughly enjoyed your review of Your Sacred Yes, and I can most assuredly relate to giving out my “YES” too often, thus being over-committed. I’m getting better about it now that I have physical limitations, but when I was a new Christian with that new “I’m invincible” feeling going on, I thought I was superwoman! I was at church any time the doors were open, I served as a Sunday School teacher, an AWANA leader, part of the Evangelism team, in the Women’s Ministry, sang in the Choir and was part time Church clerk. What happened? Yep — BURNOUT. Within two years, I’d burned out on church. I loved the LORD, but I was tired. I was still a babe in Christ and hadn’t yet learned how to hear His voice; I just assumed I was doing what I should be to be a good Christian. I came pretty close to really wrecking myself in regards to my faith.
Ultimately, I gave up teaching so I could be taught. I had much to learn, still do. The day I stop learning will be the day that they stick me in the ground!
May the love of Christ be poured out on you always my sister.
His daughter,
Jodee
Jodee, it is amazing how difficult it is to realize not every good yes is meant to be a sacred yes in our lives. It truly is OK for us to say, “no”. Thank you for sharing so much with me. I so appreciated all you wrote. And I am with you … I want to keep learning, all of my days. Grateful you stopped & shared for you have blessed me.
Joanne, I read a forward written by Susie Larson and was so impressed. I purchased “Your Sacred Yes” on Kindle. I want my yes to be in response to His invitations and Spirit leadings. Sometimes I get so busy I can’t hear those invitations. I love the title of the book “Your Sacred Yes”. It is sacred because it is part of the intimacy I cherish with our Lord.
Mare, you will very much be blessed in reading this book. I loved it.