But if you say so
I was in the first few weeks of stepping into the book of Luke as the 13th disciple.
Wait. Let’s pause.
That sounds odd, right?
What do I mean by the 13th disciple?
Jesus had followers from the beginning of his ministry. One day, after an all night prayer session, he chose twelve of them as leaders of the early church.
They were chosen to watch his every move, listen to his every word. To leave behind what was comfortable to help him reach others with a gospel of hope. These followers would be challenged and transformed, and they would help build a Church that would reach into this very conversation today and others around the world.
You and I are disciples.
What if we began to live as disciples in our modern-day life?
What if we were to take everything that we heard Jesus teach or lived by example, and simply followed him?
Would it change anything?
For me, it did.
It taught me a lot about myself.
Let’s talk about the invitation.
For example, but if you say so.
Simon Peter thought he was the expert of his life. Most days I think that too. Yet Jesus had a plan for him that Simon couldn’t even imagine. The problem is that it led him away from his excuses.
One day I was asked to do something and it felt BIG. It also felt right. I knew without a doubt that it was from the Lord, but I started to answer with a very spiritual response: I’ll pray about that.
Except it wasn’t really about prayer. This was my delay to the BIG request because I felt really small and uncertain.
I love how the Holy Spirit works. Instantly I remembered how Jesus stood before Simon Peter and simply said, “Go into the deep,” and he asked him to try one more time.
Simon Peter didn’t think it was going to work, but he said, “But if you say so.”
In that response he was whispering yes where no wanted to take root. He was handing the reins of his life — as well as all of the conflict boiling in his thoughts and heart — to trust Jesus.
We’ll talk more about this in the book, but saying yes to the invitation wasn’t really about the heap of fish that Simon Peter caught.
It was going into the deep with Jesus. . . wherever he leads, whatever he asks, whatever miracle he’s trying to do in and through you.
What is your “but if you say so” moment right now?
Are you willing to whisper yes where no wants to take root?
Suzie
This is today’s assignment.
- Read Chapter One
- Watch the video
- Go deeper with the questions at the end of Chapter One with your group
- If you are studying alone, join me on my Facebook page
- Discuss the discussion prompt at the end of the video.
My prayer today will be to see that area. I hold onto my comfort zone tightly. Today I pledge to step out and step with Him.
Lord, thank you for Sheila’s faith and her heart for you.
Simply a joy to get started together today! I love that Peter didn’t know the outcome of saying yes and followed into the deep!
I am so excited that the day is finally here! Suzie, I am praying for you as you begin to teach us this study. I am so happy to be a part of this amazing journey, and can’t wait to see what God has in store! I know He is up to something good, and many women are going to be following His call, and casting their nets, just one more time!
I love this book and so excited for this study. Just last week the devil was bringing me down and I let things keep me from doing what God has called me to do. I need to trust Him and step out.
I just LOVE that each time I read and re-read a chapter, God shows me something different!! I am so excited, as our small groups get started today, to see ALL the things God shows me through the eyes of the women He’s led into our group!! Suzie, your video teachings are just so very powerful and so anointed! I love how stories that I read and have heard preached about since a young child, now have such deeper and richer meanings through your teaching, as you show us exactly the message Jesus meant to give while walking alongside His disciples. I’m so encouraged and excited, yet humbled and honored to consider myself one of His own disciples, as well. His 13th disciple, as we are studying this book together this summer. I can’t thank you enough for writing this book and for taking time out to do this study for us!! Praying for you and for all the ladies joining our small groups across the country and world, including all the leaders!! God bless you!
PS- the one area I feel God asking me to “cast your nets” one more time is to remain faithful & keep showing up at the job I don’t enjoy and is actually worsening my health. I am believing and trusting that He is preparing me for His calling on my life.
Oh Suzie, I’ve responded “spiritually” to a request from God as well.
I caught myself quoting scripture to Him, explaining why I thought maybe what He asked was’t the best idea. Then I realized I was acting JUST LIKE THE DEVIL who also quoted scripture to Him–except He twisted it into a jumbled lie! I essentially ended with “If you say so.” And I whispered “Yes” with my heart and did what He asked.
What did God request of me? He asked me to get on my knees in a HUGE crowd of people last year at She Speaks. After three times of gently prodding, I finally obeyed!
My prayer…that I would recognize HIS voice sooner and FALL ON MY FACE IN WHOLEHEARTED OBEDIENCE every time. That not only will I whisper ‘yes,’ but instead, that I will scream “YES LORD!” in excitement that He is asking something of His servant. And that I will never hesitate to do what He asks! <3
I have been overwhelmed in catching up on emails. I deleted most of them last night, but kept the 7/22 Proverbs 31 post and read it this morning. And then, Suzie’s blog from today. Okay. I get it. I am stuck in my little bubble. I like my “safe place.” But maybe, just maybe, I am being called to step out of my comfy boat into some deep water. Maybe it is okay to admit that I am scared to put myself out there and serve more deeply. Today I will listen, I will be still.
Amen!
I enjoy looking into God’s Word and finding Jesus there waiting for me, like the friend He is I know he has called me to begin a new journey with him.
My prayer today is to start and finish with Jesus.
Lord, we believe with her. Thank you for this new journey for our new friend. Amen!
All the years of the work I did upon my own will, To see over the last 9 months how he was preparing me for this STEP! I am so blessed to be able to learn/share with you all as we journey together saying “Yes” to help be each others strengths when we need those little extra words of inspiration.
I want to say “Yes, LORD!” Return to me the JOY of knowing YOU, belonging to YOU, walking with YOU! Grant me a willing spirit! THANKS Suzie & helpers for leading us in this beautiful journey!
I’m so glad you joined!
“You step into the deep and I’ll push towards you.”
Thank you Suzie for your encouragement. Even still, I doubt but God is so patient with me.
Love and appreciate you.
<3 a
Amy, every woman you lift out of oppression through Girl Set Free is free indeed. You are walking in the deep, friend. May I pray with you?
Lord, thank you for Amy and her heart to live and walk in the deep. She’s not responsible for the “fish” but for simply walking day by day with you. You take joy in that because her heart is set on the eternal. Bless her, walk with her, speak to her, and remind her that it’s not the ministry that is her responsibility but simply hearing your voice and saying yes, wherever that leads.
Reading every one of these and so excited to begin together!
I want to step out into the deep waters with Jesus. What is holding me back? I just need to say YES and do it!!
Let’s do it!
You can do this. I am right here I will help you
There are a few that come to mind…working on which one has the greatest impact for Him. Well, we will have to wait and see. Thank you for this study and looking forward to beginning it and seeing God’s awesome powers at work.
I feel that Jesus is asking me to take care of myself, to lose the weight, to take care of the total package. The mind, body, heart, soul, and spirit. I can’t seem to get started, lack motivation to do so. No one is holding me back but…..ME! Even though I am scared, I am going to say … YES!! And get started!! My health is at stake. So, but if you say so Jesus, I will do it!
Ditto on all you said and I’ve been feeling the same way Dee but last week the Lord gave me what it took to turn it around Praise the Lord. I want to encourage you to step out into the deeper water, you are not alone.
Thank you Loresa for the encouragement! I am stepping into the deep!! I will keep you in my prayers!
I am praying for you, Dee. I know how hard that struggle is. With Jesus anything and everything is possible!
Thank you Tonya for the prayers and encouragement !! I will pray for you too!
Do we read a chapter a day in the book? Which I already love, I’m in chapter two.
What a blessing! This lesson is before me in God’s perfect timing! My new journal is serving it’s purpose as I note what the Holy Spirit has presented tonight in this reading. I am seeking Him in all things and determined to push deeper and share the blessings He has planned for me and those who witness with me!
Thankful for the eye opening lessons to come!
When my boyfriend got sick the first of April in end of April first of May I felt that the Lord wanted him to read Luke. My boyfriend during this time of being sick has been seeking the Lord, I wonder if the Lord wanted me in Luke as well.
This was an amazing day! I am so glad that he whispered to me to and that I said Yes!
I too am in a comfort zone and afraid to step out… Praying God shows me which way he wants me to go… and to give me the courage to step out….
Suzie, I love how you discussed the fact that Jesus could easily have commanded the fish to overflow the nets on shore, but He wanted a partnership with Peter. He wanted to create a situation where blind faith and trust HAD to exist. Blind faith and trust in Him is so difficult sometimes, and I guess that is the point of it. I want to be someone who says “Yes!” and follows His promptings. Sometimes I let those little voices of doubt in my head lead me (and we all know who that is speaking untruths to us), so my prayer is to listen to His voice and His voice alone; to call out the lies when I hear them; and to be His “Yes!” girl.