Week four in Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, closely follows on the heels of last week’s study where we looked at the messes we make when we stray from God’s plan, and how He can use it for His glory. While God loves us no matter what, His desire for us is obedience. Sometimes that means doing something we do not want to do, other times it means waiting for His timing. Neither is easy, and we often seek to take matters into our own hands, much like Jonah did. We often end up with the same result. While we may not be swallowed by a fish, we end up in situations that are not good for us, and God rescues us. He still wants us to be obedient and do what He has called us to do. Before we can do that though, our hearts must be transformed and we must be willing to obey. Once we are, God will send us out on the path He has called us to. We will not be going alone, but with the Holy Spirit. Nothing we face is too great or difficult because He is empowering us. We should never do things on our own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit so God alone gets the glory. I do not want people looking at what I have done. I want them to stand back from something and say, “Wow! Look what God has done! ” He alone!
When we choose to meander on our own paths, and seek out our own ways, God is not finished with us. He will be there waiting when we are ready to come back and do what He has asked. He will offer his never-ending grace and forgiveness. Just be ready to be obedient, as that is what He truly wants. Instead of writing more for you to read, I really feel the Lord is asking us to spend some extra time searching our hearts for areas of disobedience. If you find some, go to Him in prayer. He is waiting to take you in His arms, clean up the scrapes and bruises, and set you back on the journey He has called you to. If you know He is calling you to something, spend time in prayer and commit to it. He loves you unconditionally and more than you can imagine. Go to Him, and embrace your Divine Intervention.
In audio session four, Priscilla recommends reading the book by Iris Blue. The book is called Iris: Trophy of Grace.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for clarity on how to reach the Ninevites, the people God wants you to serve. We welcome any prayer needs from the group and ask that you will print a copy of the prayers, place them, in your workbook and pray for these women. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.
Priscilla Shirer Quotes
- Only after we’ve been squeezed by God can we be poured out. (from audio session four)
- The bible bulges with account after merciful account of individuals who’d blown it and yet were offered the clemency that only a compassionate God like ours could give.
- Our second chance brings us full circle to the place where we have to chose full obedience.
- God gave the Spirit to the disciples as an internal compass to help them find their way.
- Obedience necessitates self-denial.
This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
For Next Week
- Read Week Five, pages 105-125 in the workbook
- Listen to the Session Five Audio (optional)
- OR…Listen to the Session Five Video (optional)
Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like
- Do you see God actively searching for you, or hiding from you? Why? (page 89)
- What keeps you from moving forward in obedience to God? (page 92)
- Are you currently at Joppa, the place of decision and the crossroad of obedience? (page 93)
- Have you ever tried to compensate for your rebellion with God? What did you do to make amends? (page 99-100)
On page 89 Priscilla asks you to write a letter of your second chance story. If you’d like to share it here with the group, email us and we’ll post it for you.
Laying Down My Life,
Shannon
About Shannon
God is definitely actively seeking me. He is always pulling on my heart strings and my conscience. Bible verses will just pop out at me and the sermon on Sunday is like the pastor is following me around all week and sees the things I need to do and don’t. Sometimes it is just plain spooky. God is a truly awesome God.
I’m having a similar experience Judee. Yesterday I put some verses on Twitter, and later in the day I saw them in my Bible study. In the evening, one of the verses was sent to me by a random email. God was pounding those verses into my heart!
I love that, when you hear a Bible Verse over and over.. .it’s like, Hello! THere’s God speaking again!
1.God is definetly trying to get my (our) attention and we still are waiting for what he is doing or wants us to do.
3. He is doing something to us financially. We just recently sold a boat that we hadn’t used in three years (it had been paid off). We were holding on to the money because my husband is not working. It was heavy on my heart to give 10% of that to our church. That was a big decision as it is a test of faith as we don’t know where any other money is going to come from next.
God has placed me in similar situations where I can be obedient. Each time my husband lost his job (8 times and counting) we followed our heart and always listened to His voice.
1. Do you see God actively searching for you, or hiding from you? Why? I saw Him searching for me when my husband was in a hospital and I was 5 months pregnant with my 2nd daughter. I’d left the Catholic Church and when my husband was ill in ICU, I saw three priests. The first priest met me at the information desk, we were both looking for patients. The second time, the priest rode the elevator with me and never said a word. The third time, the priest asked for directions and then I saw him on the floor my husband was on. I remember thinking God was calling out to me and wanted me to return. Later, when my husband survived ITP a rare blood disease with a platelet count of 1,000 and my daughter was 6 months old, I started a journey of finding a church family and became a Believer when I found my second church. Who knew I’d eventually lead Bible study! God did.
2. What keeps you from moving forward in obedience to God? Uncertainty and perfectionism.
3. Are you currently at Joppa, the place of decision and the crossroad of obedience? Yes, and this time I put both feet back on the path and followed His directions once again.
4. Have you ever tried to compensate for your rebellion with God? What did you do to make amends? Yes, serving in the wrong ministry. I volunteered in VBS children’s ministry and encountered numerous negative challenges: parents dropping off poopy kids and handing me a diaper to change them; caring for a severely autistic child and not being told ahead of time that she was autistic, so when I looked at her in the eyes she screamed for an hour; feeling resented by the leader of “arts and crafts” and being told “we don’t need you here” even though I teach art at school. God clearly did not want me there!
God is definitely searching for me and finding me at that. Of late there has been some definite changes going on and opportunities to serve at my church have started coming up. I had been the one hiding. He also has been on my mind for the entire day it seems. I am being pulled to read more, to watch or listen to podcasts on my ipod. I am beginning to think of how He wants to use me more.
Since last week I have overcome a struggle that was hindering me. Also a bit of shyness in getting out there. I went to check the mail one day while I was very busy and one of our neighbors from Africa who is a student now started a conversation. I thought at first no I am too busy but stayed and so glad I did I learned so much and we had quite a talk about God and I found out some of his mom who I can do some things for.
I am at Joppa about to crossover and step right in to whatever it is He needs me to do.
I have tried to compensate I did all those things listed in the book plus made vows which I know He does not want. Now I know He just wants my obedience and love.
I used the same photo that I posted the first week of Jonah, because we’re back where we started, listening again. I too am very shy, and when God placed a book about women in Christian Leadership into my hands I rolled my eyes like a rebellious child. I scolded Him…”OK God, I’ll read this but I’m NOT going into womens ministry and I’m NOT going to lead a bible study.” Thankfully He prepared me and I listened.
The book: I received this book at a womens conference and was unaware that I had a free copy in my tote bag. I saw the book on the conference table and my friend Debbie Alsdorf had written it, so I bought 2 copies expecting her to autograph them so I’d give them away on my blog. I put them on a shelf and forgot about them. When was asked by Revell Books to be a book review blogger, I was shocked to see the first book they REQUIRED me to read was this same book. God had my attention and before I had finished reading A Different Kind of WILD by Debbie Alsdorf, I knew I was going to lead bible study.
God does work in so many ways. Putting things before us just as we are thinking no I will not do this!
But here you are and doing a good work at it!
1.Do you see God actively searching for you, or hiding from you? Why?
I see God as always actively searching for me, even when I am trying to run away. Why? I simply feel his presence—sometimes when I least expect it! Something happens that caused my mind to immediately realize that He is with me and tugging at me.
2.What keeps you from moving forward in obedience to God?
Fear is, most often, what keeps me from moving forward. Sometimes I’m just unsure whether I am REALLY hearing God or am I just wishfully thinking. I need to pray for clearer visions.
3.Are you currently at Joppa, the place of decision and the crossroad of obedience?
I don’t believe I am. I think I’m in a mindset of obedience right now. This study has made me very aware of my need to obey and listen to God’s call.
4.Have you ever tried to compensate for your rebellion with God? What did you do to make amends?
Oh my, I’ve said multiple prayers, gave more money to worthwhile causes, did most of the things that didn’t work—except the 4 steps. (Acknowledging my disobedience, accepting my divine discipline, asking for forgiveness and acting in the manner in which God originally directed.) I’d try to justify to God, imagine that!
#1. God has pursued me my entire life. When I look back through the years, I am overwhelmed by His grace and patience with me, and I see His fingerprints through every phase of my life so far.
#2. Right now I want to be obedient, but I’m so impatient with Him, I could just…well, have a fit! (typical of me!). Since we moved (2 years ago), we are still “church shopping” for the right “home” for our family. I am so ready to find a place where I can plug in and serve Him, I could bust a gasket….. but I just don’t feel or sense His leading on this yet! So to be obedient = patience right now in this season of my life…. ugh!
My Navigation Tools from Week 4 (they will be different than yours):
~God allows second chances.
~Allow God to find me, don’t hide.
~Take the long road to God’s will, shortcuts not acceptable.
~Move forward without dependence on perfection.
~Act on his will. Sacrifice on His command.