LIVE IT OUT! — Sarah Francis Martin

You all!!! We did it. We have journeyed together. We have done the tough stuff. We have dug deep. Thank you for joining me on the Just RISE UP! study over the past month. Let’s finish strong with Chapter 5.

Influence.

That’s a big word.

Obedience and authenticity.

Those are big words too.

But before we get too intimidated by the enormity of these concepts, let us remember that HE is WORTHY. Right?

Watch the video below for my thoughts on rising up with influence.

 

Dig IN!

~After you’ve had a chance to read sections one and two of Just RISE UP! chapter 5 I would like to hear your definition of the word, influence. I wrote that influence means making impact and having effect. What are your definitions for the word?

I think as we’ve decided to make Jesus famous, the idea of influencing others to do the same is exciting? Is it for you? It is ok if you feel ill-equipped…I do too! Here is the remedy for that:

Now that you have welcomed the Anointed One, Jesus the Lord, into your lives, continue to journey with Him and allow Him to shape your lives. 7 Let your roots grow down deeply in Him, and let Him build you up on a firm foundation. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always spill over with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7 THE VOICE)

~In this passage are so many great Scripture word pictures to hold on tight to as we consider our influence on those around us for the kingdom. What sticks out to you in this passage? (I personally love the “let your roots grow deep.”)

~What actions can you take in your personal, private relationship with Jesus to allow this Scripture to permeate into your more public life of faith…influence?

~On page 143 in Journal 1 I asked you to consider who is in your sphere of influence. What did you write down? Let’s be creative together and give each other ideas on what our spheres of influence look like. (I’m thinking about the regular cashiers I see at the grocery store every Friday…they are in my sphere, too!) How about you?

Journal IT!

In chapter 5, section 2 “Influence on the Narrow Road” we talk about making tough life decisions in order to walk in obedience to God. I talked about how I decided to stop watching a television show that was chock full of sex scenes and ugly language because it was filling up my mind with that ugliness. In your journal, prayerfully list out some “small temptations” and even the bigger temptations that deter you from that narrow road…

There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. 14 Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many people manage it. (Matthew 7:13-14 THE VOICE)

~Journal through how you might see how walking in obedience to the Lord leads to more authentic faith and therefore more influence. I would LOVE to hear your answer to this in the comments!

Pray About IT!

Use the following prayer prompts to guide you in conversation with the Lord.

~Lord, help me keep my eyes open as I go about my day to recognize who is in my sphere of influence and to whom it is that You want me to reach out . . .

~ I pray that You will strengthen my faith as I dig my roots deep in You . . .

~Lord, it is hard choosing the narrow road, but I know I will find life and fulfillment on that road. I trust that You hear my cry for help as I take steps down Your narrow road . . .

Let’s Chat About IT!

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment with any thoughts on this chapter thus far. Let’s chat!

Share IT!

Want to encourage your friends on social media? Feel free to grab these graphics and use #JustRISEUP

 

Welcome to Wednesday. Thank you for joining in on the Just RISE UP! journey. If you are curious what this is all about…read more HERE. Would love for you to join in.

Check out my video blog for this week to give you some added thoughts of where I’m personally coming from on this topic.

 

This week’s topic, Dreams, Purpose, and God’s Agenda (CHAPTER 4), is really weighing heavy on my heart. You see, I love to think and ponder and dream. I’m an ideas person. But, God has brought me to a place where I know that I know that I know that His agenda has greater value than my best laid plans. Do you know what I mean? I just really want to please Him with my life and my ministry. But, good intentions on my end don’t always equal God’s best.

Oh He is good, though. God has sweetly started showing me something that takes this weight off my heart. I’ve written about it with in Chapter 4 of Just RISE UP! and over the past year, this Truth is digging deeper and deeper into my understanding. When I go around and around thinking about whether or not a big brainstorm or dream is of God, He reminds me that He is my delight. Yes. I ‘ve sought after Him first and His presence. Therefore, the desires of my heart are in fact in line with where God is moving around me, what He is doing in His kingdom.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4 ESV)

Oh but I can only move forward in prayer! Prayer protects me from myself. Prayer keeps my focus centered on Him because pride is ever waiting at the doorstep waiting to make it’s appearance.

I’ve come to a place of allowing myself to dream, to ponder, to brainstorm because I’m covered. I’m covered in things that He delights in and my heart is transforming toward craving those things as well. This transformation didn’t happen overnight. No. It has come after many heartaches. Many closed doors. Many hours waiting at the Throne asking Jesus to take away my wants and desires because I want HIM more. I’m replacing those dreams I put on a pedestal with an all out pursuit of God and His presence in my life.

So, yes. We serve and love others as we do ministry with our lives. We even ask God to do big things with us. But, what about the BIG THINGS in which He is doing IN us? Oh these are everlasting and set us up to be more available to take our place in His kingdom. Our dreams and plans transform into bigger and better, more eternal, more important when we seek after Jesus first.

Thank you for letting me get real and raw here. I really just did a brain dump here. Thank you for listening! I thought I would leave you today with a quote from the end of Just RISE UP! chapter 4.

What changes for us with our new perspective is that we recognize that God alone fulfills our desires and purpose. Seeking Him first brings us to a new depth of seeing the world around us. We learn to distinguish what is fleeting and temporary about life and live for that which is eternal and satisfying to our hearts. The One who knows every hair on our heads, who hand crafted us for a specific purpose, knows what will make our hearts sing with delight. There is no need to chase tirelessly after dreams and purpose when we know we can rest in His presence to find true fulfillment of our desires. Rest in assurance that the desires God plants in our hearts and nurtures with His presence and His Word will not only bring us to wholeness but will also give us purpose. (Just RISE UP! page 135-136)

 

Please leave a comment with any thoughts you have or any revelations you received as you studied this week! Leave a comment…let’s chat.