Have you ever felt the sting when a resounding 'yes' from God unexpectedly turns into a 'no'? Sounds weird huh? What do you do?
Join me, your host Lyvita, on an unexpected journey through the life of Jarius and myself in understanding God's perfect timing. And also, the importance of asking the right question.
Resources Mentioned on the Episode and suggested reading & social media handles:
· Sign up for The Me Project Academy Newsletter for resources on decluttering your mind in order to grow in Christ, academy news and new releases of the podcast.
Thanks for listening. I pray this episode was a blessing to you. Leave a comment or rate this episode . Then pass it on. Share this link: https://lyvitabrooks.com/
Have you ever felt the sting when a resounding 'yes' from God unexpectedly turns into a 'no'? Sounds weird huh? What do you do?
Join me, your host Lyvita, on an unexpected journey through the life of Jarius and myself in understanding God's perfect timing. And also, the importance of asking the right question.
Resources Mentioned on the Episode and suggested reading & social media handles:
· Sign up for The Me Project Academy Newsletter for resources on decluttering your mind in order to grow in Christ, academy news and new releases of the podcast.
Thanks for listening. I pray this episode was a blessing to you. Leave a comment or rate this episode . Then pass it on. Share this link: https://lyvitabrooks.com/
Lyvita:
Welcome to Hanging Out With Jesus Podcast, where we build up the brokenhearted by bringing interviews, inspiration, information and tips on how to break the chains of anxiety, fear and discouragement, so you can complete the mission God's called you to do intentionally and dearly. For more resources, including our free newsletter, visit HangingOutWithJesusPodcastcom or click the link in the show note. Hi, I'm Lyvita, bible teacher author, founder of the Me Project Academy and your host. Thank you so much for joining me for this week's episode. My prayer is that this message challenges you to get out of whatever rut you are in and begin spending time with the Lord. If you haven't already, I'd love for you to go ahead and subscribe today to this podcast so you can get the latest updates from me and you don't ever have to miss a new episode. This is episode 93. I'll be sharing how we should act when God says no after saying yes. That discussion and more is coming up after updates from me and the Me Project Academy.
Lyvita:
You may need your calendar for this. I have three things to share and dates are included. Three things I'd like to invite you to join me in. Number one. I'm going to teach a Bible class for five weeks in March called Facing the Unknown. Facing the Unknown. I like that title. It begins March 1st to the 29th. It's on a Friday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. That's March 1st to the 29th and it's every Friday from 6.30 to 8. You can register at themeprojectacademycom or click the link in the show notes.
Lyvita:
Second, now, this is for my book lovers, writers and creatives. February is Library Lovers Month. We just missed Library Shelfie Day. I didn't say selfie, it's Shelfie Day and it's always the 4th Wednesday of January. It's a day of posting a few of your favorite books on a shelf in some unique way. I saw one where the guy put all his books and it looked like he had a screen of the books behind him, but then he had all these books just floating in a circle as he took a picture. Oh, that was cool. So I was thinking this was a good opportunity to introduce the world to Christian books, authors and Bibles. So on February 12th, take 20 minutes to post your unique books on hashtag Library Shelfie Day on Instagram. Yeah, and if you don't do Instagram but you do Facebook, then put it on the Me Project Academy Facebook page and that's February 12th and it's hashtag LIBRARYSHELFIEDIY okay, so so that's February 12th now if you want to hang out with me and other book lovers and writers, then get on my newsletter the link is in the show notes because we will be doing some unique activities for the month February. Now the newsletter comes out every second and fourth Thursday of every month, so send me some of your pics so I can put it on in on the newsletter. This way we could get to meet each other and each other. Number three put on your calendar.
Lyvita:
February 7th, it's world read aloud day. I'm doing a zoom call where we can read our favorite children's story, short stories, poetry, just as long as it's under a thousand words. You can even read to your best friend or child while we cheer you on. So registered to participate. The link would go out from the newsletter, so make sure you join. If you're new to this podcast, welcome. As you can see, we have activities, things that we do together, and and if you want more information about what we do in the academy, make sure you subscribe to our email community. The link is in the show notes or just go to the me project academy.
Lyvita:
Calm now. Come walk with me where we intentionally and daily hang out with Jesus. Lord, thank you for allowing us to be in your presence again together, or such a time as this, to talk about how we should respond when your yes seems to turn into a no. And Jesus name you pray, amen. Saints, have you ever believed that God gave you a yes to a particular question, then turned around and said no sounds unreal. Has it ever happened to you or someone you know well? Recently, I asked God for something specific. I know I heard a yes, saints. I know I heard a yes, but then you know how you get that funny feeling. So you, you ask it again. Well, a couple of days ago I did. I asked again and God said no, y'all. That took me for a loop. I had to say what you know.
Lyvita:
When I realized that text stating that my hope and dream would not occur simply because the snow closed down everything, that the thing that I asked for God was really saying no to Y'all, I had a choice of how I was going to respond. Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion states for every action there is a reaction. Same is true in our lives. It's called choices. Now I had the choice of being upset with God, pouting, letting this one thing mess up my whole day and my BFF was in town or spending time with the Lord seeking his face about what happened. I chose the latter. It was clear that I needed to return to when I originally asked a question around this topic, versus when I last asked a question. What I didn't realize until I look back at my journal. I added a date to my question. God wasn't saying no to my original question. He'd already answered and confirmed that many times. He was saying no to when it would happen.
Lyvita:
Just one more reason why journaling is important. Y'all Praise God for journaling but, saints, because I chose to spend time with the Lord, he allowed my devotional reading, bible verses and even the inspirational message I listened to for that day to confirm just how much he loved me and to not be discouraged or dismayed because he's got my back. Saints, you may be experiencing something similar right now, when the Lord seemed to be saying yes, but it turned out to be no, and you too are confused. Let me encourage you watch and pray, because God never leaves you hanging unless you aren't hanging with him. Hanging out with Jesus is spending time with him. You've got to hang out with Jesus in the good and the bad, especially when you're confused or upset, the devil roams around seeking whom he may devour. When you are in a state of confusion and angry with God, he jumps at the chance of bringing you down. That's one in the enemy's tactics. Let's not give him a crack to sneak into our lives. This is why I continued my regular morning quiet time and listened to my inspirational message for the day. It provided clarity in the area that could have sent me spiraling in the wrong direction.
Lyvita:
Do you remember the story of Jarius in Mark 5, 21 to 43? Jarius was one of the rulers in the synagogue who fell at Jesus' feet begging that he come with him because his little girl was sick. She was at the point of death, so Jesus did. Now, doesn't that sound like Jesus is going to heal her? Yeah, I would agree, but two things stopped it from happening. First thing that happened is that a lady touched Jesus' garment who had a menstrual cycle problem that lasted for 12 years, and she was healed. I'm sure that was confirmation to Jarius that his daughter would get healed as well, wouldn't you think so? Second, while Jesus was talking to the lady, someone from Jarius' house came up and told him that his daughter was dead. I don't need to bother to teach anymore.
Lyvita:
Y'all, I can see Jerry's heart feeling, can't you? This must have hit him in the gut, in his faith in Jesus was about to spiral. He probably despised the lady who just got healed for interrupting Jesus from going to his house. Saints, when we don't get our way, sometimes that hurt it aches. But just like God spoke to me through these scriptures, he will do the same to you. The proof is right here in a written life of Jerry's.
Lyvita:
Jesus overheard the conversation between Jerry's and the person coming from his house. You know what Jesus said Do not fear, only believe. I know that must have been comforting but also confusing for Jerry's. She's dead, but the one he trusted before she died told him to not be afraid, but only believe. Y'all Jerry's did. He did, because they continued to his house the amazing things that Jerry's and his daughter received, a blessing that was greater than healing. They saw Jesus bring her back to life. That's a blessing beyond healing. Isaiah 4319 says Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it springs forth. Can you not perceive it, y'all? Jesus was a new thing for Jerry's, because all he wanted was his daughter healed.
Lyvita:
So many times we think things are dead in our lives, like there's no way that it could ever happen to us, only to find out that it wasn't it's time to happen. It was just sleeping awaiting for its designated time to blossom, especially for you to see. This came by prayer and believing with your whole heart. God wants us to be. Hold his greatness. That is beyond what we could ever imagine, I think. Notice that Jesus only brought Peter James, john, jerry's and Jerry's wife in the room when he told the little girl to arise, they believe sometimes you got to leave the naysayers out of the room so faith can arise.
Lyvita:
So, saints, the next time you get your confirmation for God all twisted up, don't be like me and ask it again and add something to it, and don't get an attitude. Stop and go hang out with him. He always has something better for you than what you imagine For me. God gave me that scripture. I just shared Isaiah 4319. This is the entire scripture. It says Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers and the desert.
Lyvita:
It's good to ask God questions. Just make sure you are journaling what you heard, when, why, where God will do the rest. Do not be afraid when God says no to something he previously said yes. Just check how you worded it the last time against his original. Yes, I'm finding adding dates to previous questions do make a difference. So continue hanging out with Jesus, regardless of what you hear. God's always got your best interest at hand.
Lyvita:
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God isn't about harming you. He has a future and a hope for you. So hang out with him even more to find out what he's saying to you. By spending time with him and his presence. Let's pray Our Father Yahweh, the faithful one.
Lyvita:
We have a tendency to get upset when our prayers aren't answered according to what we perceive. Help us to grow to a state where, when you say no, we don't get an attitude, but keep seeking your face for clarity. Join it. You've got us and it's eagerly awaiting for us to receive the future and hope you prepared for us when we believe in you with a whole heart. In Jesus' name we pray.
Lyvita:
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, then please consider subscribing to the podcast rating and reviewing it. This helps in moving it forward to being heard by more believers. Also, if you haven't done so, get your free Twice in Month newsletter to keep up with new releases of the podcast and the Me Project Academy activities that we discussed earlier All focus on helping you to clutter your mind, make sense of your heart's aches and improve your self-talk so you can go and do what God's called you to do. All this and more can be found, including my contact information, on hangingoutwithjesuspodcastcom or the show notes. So until we meet again on the airways, intentionally and daily, hangout with Jesus Shalom.