Surrender
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." (Phil. 3:7)
When we surrender to something or someone, there is a sense that we have lost our dignity and we often view ourselves as weak and inferior. However, it takes courage to surrender--courage to step out in faith, believing that God grants His greatest blessing to those who are fully surrendered to Him.
A surrendered Christian is one who has given up the fight to own his own life, for he understands Christ's promise, "He who loses His own life for my sake shall find it." (Matt. 10:39). A surrendered Christian is one who has learned to be content in all things because he has discovered the Lord as his helper. (Phil. 4:11) A surrendered Christian can say " I will not be afraid, for God is with me." (Heb. 13:5-6) A surrendered Christian, though he may be weak in the flesh, is strong because he has allowed God's power to be demonstrated through weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)
Frances Havergal, the writer of the hymn, "Take My Life and Let it Be", once said, "There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness." She learned the secret of letting go of all of the trappings of this world, in order to gain the richest treasures that heaven could afford. The more she gave to the Lord, the more He gave her in return. She eventually gave God all that she had; her material possessions, her mind, her will, her voice, her feet, her life. And God gave her Himself. All she desired was more of Him; and so the cycle of surrender continued in her life. She could say along with the apostle Paul, "I count all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ." (Phil. 3:8)
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Simplicity
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matt.18:3)
It amazes me that the Christian life is based upon principles that are basic as well as complicated. Even though the God of all creation possess thoughts and ways that are far beyond those of man, He has fashioned our steps to His Kingdom with simplicity!
I am still trying to digest the meaning of Matthew 18:3-4 when Jesus admonished his disciples to become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. When you observe little children, it is easy to see that they believe and receive with no hesitation. They speak of the joy and pain in their hearts with no inhibition. Children run to open arms where safety and security await them. Most importantly, children need guidance from those in authority over them.
The more I depend on God, the more I see that He longs to fulfill His faithfulness and sufficiency to me--His child. For those of us who dare to come to Him with child-like faith, and receive Him with all of the fullness that He offers, we will gain the mind of Christ and inherit power to change the world. Simple faith and simple obedience equals mighty men and women of God!
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to (simply) take Him at His Word
Just to (simply) rest upon His promise
Just to (simply) know "Thus saith the Lord."
"Blessed are you who are poor in spirit (you who are simply relying on God, one day at a time, one step at a time), for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matt.5:3)
Thank you, God, for the gift of simplicity!
It amazes me that the Christian life is based upon principles that are basic as well as complicated. Even though the God of all creation possess thoughts and ways that are far beyond those of man, He has fashioned our steps to His Kingdom with simplicity!
I am still trying to digest the meaning of Matthew 18:3-4 when Jesus admonished his disciples to become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. When you observe little children, it is easy to see that they believe and receive with no hesitation. They speak of the joy and pain in their hearts with no inhibition. Children run to open arms where safety and security await them. Most importantly, children need guidance from those in authority over them.
The more I depend on God, the more I see that He longs to fulfill His faithfulness and sufficiency to me--His child. For those of us who dare to come to Him with child-like faith, and receive Him with all of the fullness that He offers, we will gain the mind of Christ and inherit power to change the world. Simple faith and simple obedience equals mighty men and women of God!
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to (simply) take Him at His Word
Just to (simply) rest upon His promise
Just to (simply) know "Thus saith the Lord."
"Blessed are you who are poor in spirit (you who are simply relying on God, one day at a time, one step at a time), for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matt.5:3)
Thank you, God, for the gift of simplicity!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Transparency
"Search me, Oh God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
The Psalmist asked God to search his heart to find his anxious and offensive thoughts. The all-seeing, all-knowing God already knew David's thoughts and motives, yet David offered himself as a transparent offering to his creator. By doing so, he admitted his frailty before God. He took one step further, and requested a response from God regarding his personal thoughts and feelings. What a tremendous act of courage!
David knew the One who knit him in his mother's womb. (Ps. 139:13) He knew that his frame was not hidden from God when he was made in the secret place. (Ps. 139:15) As he reflected about the way he was fearfully and wonderfully made, David realized that he was loved the most by the One who knew him most intimately.
Joyous communion with the Heavenly Father occurs when we come before Him in total transparency. He sees us for who we are and then we are overcome by the fact that He would love us with unfailing love no matter what we have done
Transparency toward God produces dependency, trust and security in Him. True worship begins when we surrender all of who we are to all of who God is--all of our desires, needs, thoughts, and shortcomings to His infinite power and conditional love.
"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them..." (Ps. 139:17) May we never forget the beauty of our transparency before God because it is the birthplace of God's greatest work in us!
The Psalmist asked God to search his heart to find his anxious and offensive thoughts. The all-seeing, all-knowing God already knew David's thoughts and motives, yet David offered himself as a transparent offering to his creator. By doing so, he admitted his frailty before God. He took one step further, and requested a response from God regarding his personal thoughts and feelings. What a tremendous act of courage!
David knew the One who knit him in his mother's womb. (Ps. 139:13) He knew that his frame was not hidden from God when he was made in the secret place. (Ps. 139:15) As he reflected about the way he was fearfully and wonderfully made, David realized that he was loved the most by the One who knew him most intimately.
Joyous communion with the Heavenly Father occurs when we come before Him in total transparency. He sees us for who we are and then we are overcome by the fact that He would love us with unfailing love no matter what we have done
Transparency toward God produces dependency, trust and security in Him. True worship begins when we surrender all of who we are to all of who God is--all of our desires, needs, thoughts, and shortcomings to His infinite power and conditional love.
"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them..." (Ps. 139:17) May we never forget the beauty of our transparency before God because it is the birthplace of God's greatest work in us!
Friday, January 18, 2008
January 18, 2008
Absorbing Nutrients
I am one of those people who gets bored easily. But when something captivates me, I am awestruck and impressed, never forgetting what I have seen and heard. Surely, in this society of sensory overload, it is increasingly more difficult to be awestruck. I believe the key to remain awestruck, is creativity, which stimulates appeal. If something appeals to us, we will then ingest it--much like food. If the food presentation isn't good, we will probably turn up our noses and walk away. But if the presentation is appetizing, our mouths will water and we will immediately begin to savor every bite. In doing so, our bodies will naturally absorb important nutrients better than any vitamin could ever benefit us.
So would I rather take a pill or savor a plate full of pan-seared tilapia, whipped potatoes and asparagus drizzled in herb butter?
We live among a generation who wants nothing to do with the church. If we listen to them for very long, we will discover that it's not the message of the church they dislike, but rather the way it is presented.
Just as the restaurants need the creativity of its chefs, communicators in the church need to work skillfully with the gifts they have been given: crafting images, writing songs, painting pictures, telling stories, etc. to help whet the appetites of those hearing and experiencing the truths of God's Word.
This is one of the callings that I believe God has given me. I don't want to ever become so concerned about what exact spiritual "nutrients" are needed, that I forget what the meal should actually taste like. I want to feast on the riches of the truths of God's Word and savor every bite; I want to participate in that Divine feast in every way possible. God help me to express the truths of your Word creatively so that it becomes irresistable to those who need to absorb the "proper nutrients"!
Absorbing Nutrients
I am one of those people who gets bored easily. But when something captivates me, I am awestruck and impressed, never forgetting what I have seen and heard. Surely, in this society of sensory overload, it is increasingly more difficult to be awestruck. I believe the key to remain awestruck, is creativity, which stimulates appeal. If something appeals to us, we will then ingest it--much like food. If the food presentation isn't good, we will probably turn up our noses and walk away. But if the presentation is appetizing, our mouths will water and we will immediately begin to savor every bite. In doing so, our bodies will naturally absorb important nutrients better than any vitamin could ever benefit us.
So would I rather take a pill or savor a plate full of pan-seared tilapia, whipped potatoes and asparagus drizzled in herb butter?
We live among a generation who wants nothing to do with the church. If we listen to them for very long, we will discover that it's not the message of the church they dislike, but rather the way it is presented.
Just as the restaurants need the creativity of its chefs, communicators in the church need to work skillfully with the gifts they have been given: crafting images, writing songs, painting pictures, telling stories, etc. to help whet the appetites of those hearing and experiencing the truths of God's Word.
This is one of the callings that I believe God has given me. I don't want to ever become so concerned about what exact spiritual "nutrients" are needed, that I forget what the meal should actually taste like. I want to feast on the riches of the truths of God's Word and savor every bite; I want to participate in that Divine feast in every way possible. God help me to express the truths of your Word creatively so that it becomes irresistable to those who need to absorb the "proper nutrients"!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
January 16, 2008
More Than Conquerors
I tend to forget how powerful God really is. Romans 8:37 says "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." I usually just brush by this verse, but today I read about a legend of an ancient civilization that gave me a new perspective. The ancient Phrygians believed that every time they conquered an enemy, the victor absorbed the physical strength of his victim and added so much more to his personal strength and valor.
Could it be that every time I victoriously encounter a trial or temptation, my spiritual strength could be doubled? 2 Chron. 20:15 says," Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the enemy. For the battle is not yours but God's. Take up your positions and stand firm to see the deliverance the Lord will give you."
All I can say is...may the enemy be sorry for ever messing with me!
More Than Conquerors
I tend to forget how powerful God really is. Romans 8:37 says "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." I usually just brush by this verse, but today I read about a legend of an ancient civilization that gave me a new perspective. The ancient Phrygians believed that every time they conquered an enemy, the victor absorbed the physical strength of his victim and added so much more to his personal strength and valor.
Could it be that every time I victoriously encounter a trial or temptation, my spiritual strength could be doubled? 2 Chron. 20:15 says," Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the enemy. For the battle is not yours but God's. Take up your positions and stand firm to see the deliverance the Lord will give you."
All I can say is...may the enemy be sorry for ever messing with me!
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Good Shepherd
January 14, 2008
I take comfort in this thought today:
John 10:14-15
I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus has tried for Himself all of the experiences through which he will ask me to pass; and He would not ask me to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for me. This is the blessed life--not anxious to see far in front, nor fretting about the next step, nor eager to choose the path, nor burdened with responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. It is comforting to know that the Shepherd is always ahead of His sheep.
He is already in the tomorrows, and all of the tomorrows have to pass before Him before I can experience them.
I take comfort in this thought today:
John 10:14-15
I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus has tried for Himself all of the experiences through which he will ask me to pass; and He would not ask me to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for me. This is the blessed life--not anxious to see far in front, nor fretting about the next step, nor eager to choose the path, nor burdened with responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. It is comforting to know that the Shepherd is always ahead of His sheep.
He is already in the tomorrows, and all of the tomorrows have to pass before Him before I can experience them.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Be Still
January 11, 2008
I am a collector of "words." When a word speaks to me, I think about it, expound upon it, etc. I guess that's what songwriters do... Anyway, the word "Still" has impressed me lately. Of course, my favorite words are found in God's Word--especially this verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
As Christians, our walk with God is full of activity. We clap our hands and sing for joy, we walk by faith, we run toward the eternal prize, we bow down before God, we stand firm in what we believe. The wise Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "Everything is appropriate in its own time." There is a time and a season for everything; a time for every event under Heaven."
There is also a time to be still; to rest and to listen. It is in the stillness and quietness that I can gain strength and hear God's voice. When I am still and quiet, I realize that God is God!
We have many responsibilities in the Christian life and the Bible is clearly marked with instructions about what we are to "do" to lead godly lives. Sometimes, however, situations may be out of our control, or we may go through times of disillusionment, grief or confusion. It is during these trials that is particularly important for me to be still. I need to cease striving to fix things that only God can handle. He promises to work when we roll our burdens onto Him and wait in stillness before him. (Ps. 37:5)
As a bird lets down its wings to rest upon a branch, I want to "let down my wings" and cease from fluttering so that I can gain strength and direction for the journey ahead. I really want to learn the beauty and blessing in the art of being still before God. I want to understand the calmness and peace that comes as I wait in His presence until I hear from Him. Then, I believe that I wil return to ALL of my activities (of which there are MANY!) with greater purpose, greater meaning and greater enthusiasm than ever before!
I am a collector of "words." When a word speaks to me, I think about it, expound upon it, etc. I guess that's what songwriters do... Anyway, the word "Still" has impressed me lately. Of course, my favorite words are found in God's Word--especially this verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
As Christians, our walk with God is full of activity. We clap our hands and sing for joy, we walk by faith, we run toward the eternal prize, we bow down before God, we stand firm in what we believe. The wise Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "Everything is appropriate in its own time." There is a time and a season for everything; a time for every event under Heaven."
There is also a time to be still; to rest and to listen. It is in the stillness and quietness that I can gain strength and hear God's voice. When I am still and quiet, I realize that God is God!
We have many responsibilities in the Christian life and the Bible is clearly marked with instructions about what we are to "do" to lead godly lives. Sometimes, however, situations may be out of our control, or we may go through times of disillusionment, grief or confusion. It is during these trials that is particularly important for me to be still. I need to cease striving to fix things that only God can handle. He promises to work when we roll our burdens onto Him and wait in stillness before him. (Ps. 37:5)
As a bird lets down its wings to rest upon a branch, I want to "let down my wings" and cease from fluttering so that I can gain strength and direction for the journey ahead. I really want to learn the beauty and blessing in the art of being still before God. I want to understand the calmness and peace that comes as I wait in His presence until I hear from Him. Then, I believe that I wil return to ALL of my activities (of which there are MANY!) with greater purpose, greater meaning and greater enthusiasm than ever before!
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