Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Surrender: Let Go and Let God Work

This devotional was so good that I wanted to share with you. It is ever more important with such challenging days and uncertain futures to fully surrender our lives to God.

Heather Harris
February 17, 2009


Surrender: Let Go and Let God Work
by Rick Warren

"Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him."
Psalm 37:7 (GWT)

Surrendering your life means:

· Following God’s lead without knowing where he’s sending you;
· Waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come;
· Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;
· Trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances.

You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work.You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more.

You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself.

Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You are not self-serving, you don’t edge others out, and you don’t demand your rights.

The most difficult thing for many people to surrender is their money. Many have thought, “I want to live for God but I also want to earn enough money to live comfortably and retire someday.”

Retirement is not the goal of a surrender life, because it competes with God for the primary attention of our lives. Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and money,” (Matthew 6:24 NIV) and “Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).
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The supreme example of self-surrender is Jesus. The night before his crucifixion Jesus surrendered himself to God’s plan. He prayed, “Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine” (Mark 14:36 NLT). Jesus didn’t pray, “God, if you’re able to take away this pain, please do so.” He began by affirming that God can do anything! He prayed, “God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering, please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that’s what I want, too.” Genuine surrender says, “Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another’s life, please don’t take it away!”

This level of maturity doesn’t come easy.In Jesus’ case, he agonized so much over God’s plan that he sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it requires intense warfare against our self-centered nature.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.
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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Greater Love Has No One But This....

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the thoughts of love in the air!

Jesus said in John 15:13-17 (NIV), "Greater love has no one but this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command (see command at the end). I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I have chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit (fruit of the spirit according to Galatians 5:22-23 are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

Jesus showed us the greatest love when he paid the price for our sins, he died for us to have an abundant life free from sin. "God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV).

During this month, when love is in the air, accept Jesus' love for you and in turn love one another.

Heather Harris
February 5, 2009