Lysa TerKeurst - Is God Speaking to Me?: How to Discern His Voice and Direction

Contents

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Is God Speaking to Me?

Taken from What Happens When Women Say Yes to God 2007

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8262-7 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8263-4 (eBook)

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Contents

Hi friend,

Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to us today? Or even more sowhether what youre hearing is really God speaking to you, or just your own thoughts?

I understand. Ive wrestled through these very same questions. But what Ive discovered through my own study of Scripture is that God absolutely does still speak to us through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16), through His son, Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-2), and through the Holy Spirit that lives in us as believers (John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 3:16).

Yes, the Lord is speaking to us and inviting us into a more satisfying relationship with Him than weve ever known before. And our job is to respond in obedience. But you dont have to learn how to do this alone!

What youre holding in your hands is a collection of words that could change the very way you live your life. These crucial chapters are taken from my book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, and it was written after a season of learning how to do just that. If you resonate with what you read here, I hope youll pick up a copy of the book.

I pray that this will be the starting place and inspiration for you to live a radically obedient life that honors God. What happens when women say yes to God? We are changed in the most beautiful of ways. Ive often said people may not care to meet our Jesus until they meet the reality of Jesus working in us and through us. Theres no better sermon for the world to encounter than a soul who lives saying yes to God.

Forever changed by saying yes,

Whatever God says, do it.

I t all started several years ago on the day God told me to give away my Bible.

I was exhausted from traveling and speaking. All I wanted to do was to get to my assigned seat on the plane and settle in for a nap. Imagine my absolute delight at being the only person seated in my row. I was just about to close my eyes when two last-minute passengers made their way to my row and took their seats.

Reluctantly, I decided to forgo my nap. The last thing I needed was to fall asleep and snore or, worse yet, wake up with my head resting on the shoulder of the guy beside me. No, I didnt need another most embarrassing moment, so I pulled a manuscript out of my bag and started reading.

What are you working on? the guy asked. I told him I was a writer and I was working on a book about leading women to the heart of God. He smiled and said he thought God was a very interesting topic. I agreed and asked him a few questions about his beliefs. Before long, I found myself reaching into my bag and pulling out my Bible, walking him through some key verses that dealt with the issues he was facing. He kept asking questions, and I kept praying God would give me answers.

All of a sudden, I felt God tugging at my heart to give this man my Bible. Now, this was not just any Bible. This was my everyday, highlighted, underlined, written in, and tearstained Bible. My kids had even drawn pictures in this Bible. I started to argue with God in my head, but His message was clear. I was to give away my Bible.

I emptied it of some old church bulletins and other papers, took a deep breath, sighed, and placed it in the mans hands. Id like for you to have my Bible, I said. Astonished, he started to hand it back to me, saying he couldnt possibly accept such a gift. God told me to give it to you, I insisted. Sometimes the God of the universe pauses in the midst of all His creation to touch the heart of one person. Today, He paused for you.

The man took my Bible and made two promises. First, he said he would read it, and, second, someday he would pass it on, doing for someone else what I had done for him.

Before I knew it, the plane landed and we were saying our goodbyes. As I stepped into the aisle preparing to disembark, the woman on the other side of the businessman reached out and grabbed my arm. She had been staring out the window the entire time we were flying, and I thought shed been ignoring us. But her tearstained face told a different story. In a tone so hushed I could barely hear her, she whispered, Thank you. What you shared today has changed my life.

I put my hand on hers and whispered back, Youre welcome. Then a knot caught in my throat as tears welled up in my eyes. I didnt have another Bible to give away, so I gave her one of my books and hugged her goodbye. It has been said that we are to tell the whole world about Jesus, using words only if necessary. I saw this powerful truth come to life. Though I never spoke to this lady about Jesus, she saw Him through my obedience. How humbling. How profound.

As I got off the plane that day, I could barely hold back my tears. Three peoples hearts were radically changed. I believe the businessman came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I believe the same is true for the lady. But my heart was changed in a dramatic way as well. While on the one hand I was overjoyed at what God had done, I was also brokenhearted by the flood of thoughts that came to mind recounting times Id told God no. How tragic to miss Gods divine appointments. I just kept wondering, How many times have I told You no, God? How many times because I was too tired, too insecure, too uncertain, too busy, or too selfish have I walked right past Your divine appointment for me and missed experiencing You? I lifted up my heart to the Lord and whispered, Please forgive me for all those times Ive said no. Right now I say yes, Lord. I say yes to You before I even know what You might ask me to do. I simply want You to see a yes-heart in me.