As we celebrate another Thanksgiving, let us give thanks for all the blessings that God has bestowed us with. Let us thank Him for the joy in our lives and the love that surrounds us. But as we thank Him for all the good in our lives, let us also thank Him for the valleys in our lives because the valleys help us put life into proper perspective. It is the valleys that gives us perseverance which allows us to mature spiritually. So today, be thankful for both the mountain tops and the valleys. May you enjoy Gods' peace and grace and His blessings this Thanksgiving. Be blessed.
Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is to surrender.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What area of my life am I holding back from God?
Verse to remember: "Surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13
My response:
This chapter starts with a blunt statement: the heart of worship is surrender. There are many bad connotations to the word surrender. In today's world, it is synonymous with the words defeat, loss or giving up. There are three barriers to surrender: fear, pride or confusion.
It is a must for us to surrender to God. It's us dying to our old selves and letting God make us a new person. We can't do that unless we surrender our hearts and our lives to Christ. When we ask Him to come into our hearts and be Lord of our lives, we can't do that without surrendering ourselves to Him. I've often had a hard time coming to grips with this truth because surrendering is releasing control. And control is something I covet and need. Being out of control is a great fear I have, which is another stumbling block to surrendering our lives to Christ. When I don't surrender, I'm saying to God that I don't trust Him completely, that I still need some element of control. Only when I truly surrender can His peace come into my heart and rule my life.
Someone once told me that I like to be in control - that's probably true some of the time, not all. I hate the unknown. I guess you can say I want to be sure that when A happens B results.
ReplyDeleteThere are several areas of my lives I have decided to just abandon for now. I know I should take them to God but I am so afraid of what His answer is going to be. The Bible says Gods plans are to prosper me, yet, I am nervous. I am afraid God's answer is going to be what I am comfortable with. So I just come up with what I now think is a cob out- "If it is God's will, it will happen."
I am sure there are a number of us out there who are also having trouble letting go and letting God take over. We think we know what's best for us, forgetting that our ways are not His.
I need to let go more and let God be in coontrol of my life!
I totally understand where you're coming from. I struggle with that on a daily basis. Sometimes when it seems as if I'm fighing against something, I stop and think, "What if I'm going against God's will?" I guess one of the things I've learned in my walk with God is that I must constantly pray for discernment from Him. I also desire to know His Word more intimately because that's where He has all the answers for us.
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