Surrender All
Dear Friends,
I hope you have had a good summer. Mine has been full of family time, hard work on the business and the vision of Kingdom Advisors, and adjustment time to our new life in South Carolina. Summer time is supposed to be “down time,” but I often discover that life is more full than I plan or hope for during the summer months.
Life is full. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The definition of the Greek word “trouble” is, “a pressing, pressing together, pressure.” Jesus knew that life’s pressures would sometimes steal our peace. Sometimes, the trouble in life has nothing to do with negative experiences and everything to do with the pressure of all of the good things squeezed into one day’s time.
Oswald Chambers is one of my heroes, and the quote I am sharing with you today helps me to understand how to access the peace that Jesus promised in John 16:33. Chambers says, “I have to surrender all my rights and demands and cease from all self effort. I must leave myself completely in the hands of the Lord. And then, I can pour my heart out.”
When I have to pour my heart into life’s demands and pressures, I can do so in the power of the Holy Spirit because I have surrendered my rights and ceased from self-effort. The daily habit of laying down my claims on whatever a day may hold before the throne of God allows me freedom to receive whatever comes that day as from His hand. It allows me to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and to walk in the peace that Jesus promised.
I pray that, when life gets full, you will know the gift of surrender and the grace of His provision.
Blessings,
Ron
Terrific words of encouragement for a busy Monday morning!
Reply to this
One of the best messages I have heard. I can't go wrong with this attitude.
Reply to this
It's funny (ironic) that we talk about giving up things, when we don't own our time, money, or possessions, but are just being stewards. This is a good reminder to correct our thinking and turn our efforts over to God to ultimately bless or not.
He Is No Fool Who Gives What He Cannot Keep To Gain That Which He Cannot Lose.
Reply to this