Romans 12:2 "Our Transformation Through Christ"

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:2

The amazing thing about surrendering to the lordship of Jesus Christ is that in the act of humbly yielding to Him, you regain your life. The power of Christ transforms you into a new creation that is so much better than the old one. The old one was controlled by vain desires and selfishness. It sought pleasures for self and certainly didn’t see the big picture of life. Every decision and thought was reduced to, “How will this affect me.”

When we are transformed, the “me” is taken care of hidden in Christ. My troubles are temporary and fleeting. My joys are precious gifts from Him. My future is in His hands, and I don’t have to worry about it. My family, neighbors, co-workers, and the people I pass on the street need me to show them His love. I’m just a conduit of caring and compassion. The world may be in chaos, but in this new life, I rise above the chaos to a peace and joy that passes all understanding. Do I still have troubles. Yes. But I face them resting safely in the Father’s capable and protective hand.

Further Thoughts:

1. Find Scripture that says we are changed, renewed, transformed when we receive Christ.
2. Is transformation an event or a process? Support with Scripture.
3. How has God transformed your life?

Father, thank You that I don’t have to stay where I am, but You transform me. Continue to work on my heart to make me more like You. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:9 "A Way to Make Us Worthy"

…who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…. ~2 Timothy 1:9

We are all sinners. Romans 3:23 says, “For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We can choose to be good people, but that will not pay the price for our sins nor will it make us worthy to be in the presence of God. We are only made worthy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Matthew 10:38 says, “…and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Our worth is not by anything we do but by who we choose to be. Just as he called the disciples to follow Him, in the same way Christ is calling us to follow Him with our life.

Surrender of the heart is a very difficult action. We want to guard ourselves from submitting to anyone. Our natural tendency is for self-preservation and self-control. In other words, we want to be our own God. But if we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and accept the unearned gift He is offering, then and only then will we be worthy to enter into a relationship with the Father. It’s the grace of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that makes us worthy.

Further Thoughts:

1. Why did God choose to be in relationship with me?
2. Am I made worthy to be in His presence? Why or why not?
3. Am I choosing daily to take up my cross and follow Him? If yes, in what ways? If no, why not?
4. Relationships take work. Am I willing to become all God wants me to be? If not, what is hindering me?

Father, You did all You needed to do to make me worthy to be in a relationship with You. Now I choose to be the person I need to be. Amen.

2 Peter 1:12-21 "A Reminder"

Read 2 Peter 1:12-21.

"So I will always remind you of these things even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have." NIV

I was recently talking with a friend about how little believers study their Bible's. Then I was reading about research done by a large mid-western church and they confirmed in their studies that the percentages are not very high. Why is that? Time. Difficult language and cultural references? Do not see the relevancy? Act of duty instead of an act of love?

Many factors could influence why believers are not studying the Word, but the fact remains that no matter what stage in our Christian walk we are, we will never know enough of the Word and the things the Father wants us to learn. We need to be constantly reminded of the Truths that will prepare us to face difficulties and victories, guide us in our relationships, help us to resist temptation, and so on. And it will never end. In fact, the more I study the Word, the less I feel I really know about my God. In the depths of His Word He becomes vaster and vaster (Yes, I made a new word. Did you understand my meaning? Then it works. :) 

I can't just be reading about the prophesies or looking through the life of Jesus and walk away and say, "Well, that's that. I've read it." We must constantly come back to it again and again to learn new Truths that the Holy Spirit wants to reveal. Maybe we are going through something that the Word can address. More often than not the Lord reveals Scripture to me that prepares me for something that is about to happen. Then when I go through that whatever event, I know immediately what He was trying to teach me and I am prepared to scripturally face anything. I may have read that passage before, but by studying it again, the Word became active in my life right now where I am at.

The Word of God never becomes stale. It is alive and active -- changing, directing, molding us into the people God has called us to be. "... and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place." Thank You, Father, for Your Word. May I never become dulled to its meanings or complacent with the study of it. I cherish what you have to say to me.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is the Word difficult for you to get into? Here's some possible reasons why: 1)You have received Jesus as your Savior, but have not completely surrendered to Jesus as the Lord of your life so His words do not carry a relevancy to your life. Full surrender is the beginning of a desire to know Him more. 2) You need an easier translation to read.  3) You need study helps.  4) You don't allow time to reflect on what you have read and make application to your life. 5) You need an accountability partner to help you develop good habits of study and reflection on the Word.     These are just some possibilities. But you can ask the Lord to reveal to you your particular reason.
   

2 Peter 1:1-11 "Adding to Faith, Part 2"

Read 2 Peter 1-11.

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure...." NIV

For Part 1, read here.

"to perseverance, godliness:" So often people see godliness as something to strive for. If I do enough good things, I will be like God. If I read my Bible more, if I pray more, I will be godlier. While all these things are good and need to happen, godliness comes from being, not doing. It's being surrendered to Him. Being unselfish. Being a child of the King. Being open to whatever He has for my life. Being faith-filled. I can strive and strive and never make myself like God. But if I surrender to His Spirit within me and follow His lead -- knowing His character -- I can at least become a dull reflection of His beauty and love.

"to godliness, brotherly kindness:" Brotherly kindness is loving the believers around us. They are our family -- forever. It doesn't matter what denomination or what town they live in, we have a bond between us that must be nurtured. There is no room for envy or competition, bickering or hatred. We should all be working toward the same goal and doing it with kindness and love between us. When a brother hurts, we hurt with them. When they rejoice, we throw the party. When they are in need, we do all we can to meet their need. When they struggle, we afford them grace and help guide them back to the Truth. We can't run this race alone. We need each other to finish well.

"to brotherly kindness, love." The Lord has been impressing on me more and more to love others better. How do we love? Seeing others with the eyes of the Father. All people are His creation and He loves His children dearly. He desires that none should be lost but come to a saving knowledge of Him. If we can just look at others -- really look at them -- with grace-filled, loving eyes, we will see people who are hurting, confused, blinded who need to know Jesus. And since I may be the only "Jesus" they ever see, I need to love them fully. This takes a lot of selflessness. It's setting aside biases and judgements through which I may be tempted to filter my love. Loving with abandon in whatever way others need it to be. Whether they need help financially, help with children, moral support, friendship, or even just a kind word and smile, I need to be ready to give. My Lord is the author and embodiment of pure love and His Spirit can love through me if I am willing to be used. Lord, open my eyes to the need. I am willing. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What of today's attributes do I need to work on more? Is God putting me in situations where I can exercise more godliness, brotherly kindness, or love? How will I do that?
   
2. Find Old Testament people who did each of these really well. What distinguished them in this attribute?
   
3. How did Jesus embody all of these attributes. Do a study and list an example for each of these seven virtues.
   
4. How are all these virtues related to our faith? (see vs. 5)
   

1 Peter 5:5-10 "The To Be List"

Read 1 Peter 5:5-10.

"And the God of all grace... will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." NIV

Peter gives a whole grocery list of items to live by and come out strong in the Christian walk. 

Be submissive to elders: We have lost the value of the wisdom of our elders. The Lord says to submit to that wisdom. Let them lead as He has commissioned them to lead. Follow their direction and we will do better than wandering in our own ignorance.

Clothe ourselves with humility toward one another: Haughtiness and pride will not get us anywhere in the kingdom. If we are to work together as a community in the love of Jesus Christ, then humility must reign. If we humble ourselves before our Lord and before each other, God will recognize us in due time. Our society works so much for accomplishment recognition that we think we have to do that in the church as well. But if we are working for an audience of One, we don't need to look for the accolades of the masses, but seek the approval of the Master alone.

Cast all your anxiety on him: Oh, how I wish more people would get this one. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. Worrying serves no purpose but to waste time and cause high blood pressure and heart attacks. The Lord has everything under control and if we just diligently take concentrated time with Him, our perspective on life, God, our place in this world because strangely clear and the burdens and concerns simply lift off of our shoulders. He cares for me, so why would He not have my life under control.

Be self-controlled and alert: The enemy is like a crouching tiger just waiting for the right opportunity to pounce. His temptations come in not one at a time like a bullet, but more with the tenacity of a machine gun. I must remain alert and on my toes ready to duck from the barrage. And if I ever think I am suffering for my beliefs, I just have to consider my brothers and sisters in China and know my life is easy.

My strength, firmness and steadfastness is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. Circumstances of life may try to distract me, but my hope never wavers from His amazing love and grace. I will continue to rely on Him and Him alone to hold me up as I humble myself before His throne.

Further Thoughts:

1. Humility is not a popular thought. Everyone is taught to look out for number one. What ways can you show humility in your family, work, neighborhood and church this week? 
   
2. Are you a worrier? Why? What have you gained by worrying? Ask the Lord to help you to surrender control and trust in Him alone. It's a daily burden to lay down.
   
3. Look up other Scripture on these different attributes of living a surrendered Christian life.
4. Is this list related more with what to do or what to be? Explain.
5. How do you remain alert to the enemy's temptations? How can you be proactive against him?

1 Peter 2:4-12 "Living Stones"

Read 1 Peter 2:4-12.

"...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." NIV

Peter has been telling us that we have received God's mercy through Jesus Christ and will receive our inheritance. Now, we need to prepare our minds for action and as purified followers, love one another deeply from the heart. As strangers in this world, we do not conform to its ways, but put off malice, envy, deceit, hypocrisy, etc. All of these actions lead us up to the fact that we are being transformed into a spiritual house for our Lord. He resides in us and we must surrender our "home" to Him as a holy residence. My acceptable sacrifice, therefore, is allowing Him full reign and use of my being. I may be dealing with the Almighty Creator of the Universe here, but He is a gentleman and will not overstep the bounds of free will. So it's my job to, through His power, overcome the enemy that battles for my soul and allow God to use me in any way He chooses. I do so not out of the law, but out of love for my Lord and Savior. I am in relationship with the Almighty and choose to do nothing less than serve Him with my entire being.

That idea and all it encompasses is overwhelming to me, yet at the same time very simple. Consider the vastness of the universe; God spoke it into existence. Then realize that He wants to use you for His honor and glory. That is so humbling. Who am I? The answer is "No one." But I was chosen by huge God who is the I AM. And that's all I need to know.

Further Thoughts:

1. How precious are you to God? Read Psalm 139 and then read Luke 23:26-46 and give thanks.
2. How big is your God? Read Psalm 33 and then watch this amazing video from Louie Giglio's tour, "How Great Is Our God."

1 Peter 1:22-2:3 "Unselfish Love"

Read 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.

"...have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." NIV

The last half a year or so I have been praying that God would help me love others and Him more and myself less. He's given me many opportunities to live that out, but it begins not so much with actions, but with an attitude of the heart that then leads to actions. That's exactly what this passage is talking about.

Getting rid of self is 2:1. Think about that list -- malice..., deceit...., hypocrisy..., envy..., slander of every kind. All of these sins center in selfishness, power over another, my way. None of these actions center on others and their needs. None! As the child of the Almighty, I am called into relationship first with Him, and secondly in relationship with others. Perfect relationship looks to meet another's needs before my own and that only happens with a pure love. Pure love can only come from the One who is pure love -- our Heavenly Father. As I surrender my own selfish desires and perspectives to embrace Him and His love, that love can flow through me to others. That is all that matters in this life -- living out the love of Christ so others see Him through me.

My heart has been breaking more and more for other people. I don't know what God is doing in me, but I do know I can't keep doing life as I have been. Our time here is just a speck and a lot is still to be done. The grass and flowers are going to die, but God's plan will endure.

Lord, continue to break my heart for others. Use me to be a light in the darkness. Direct my path daily and shine through me, for I am nothing but Yours.

Further Thoughts:

1. How am I actively surrendering my will to God every day?
2. Do I love with an unselfish love? Am I allowing God to love through me? If not, why?
3. Spend an entire day consciously moment by moment paying attention to everything you do -- is it a selfish attitude/action or are you looking out for others first?

James 4:1-10 "Submit and Listen"

Read James 4:1-10.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." NIV

Here's how to live the Christian life in a nutshell. Every component you need is right here in these three little sentences. Yes, we've seen it in "Love the Lord your God with all you heart...." and "Love your neighbor...." But here it is broken down alittle more.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God." The Greek for submit used here means:
to arrange under, to subordinate
to subject, put in subjection
to subject one's self, obey
to submit to one's control
to yield to one's admonition or advice
to obey, be subject

This is full surrender to His lordship. Placing God in complete control of your life and obeying His commands. He is the master and I am the servant in every area of my life. No options, no pulling anything back, no saying "no" to His leading. Really, if we do this everything else will fall into place. But let's break it down even more.

"Resist the devil and he will flee." Even the most surrendered will be tempted by the enemy. Therefore, we must always be battle-ready to resist his enticements. And speak it out loud. Remember, the enemy can't read your thoughts. There is amazing power in the spoken word. Make him flee with your voice and the authority God has given you over the enemy. If you claim that authority, he truly has no power over you.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." I don't know how often I have heard believers say that God has left them. That is completely unbiblical. God said He will never leave us or forsake us. If we think God has left, in actuality, we have left or God is just being silent. (He does that sometimes. I don't know why expect maybe to test our faith.) But the truth remains, God is always with us and always in control. If we are not "feeling" Him, we may not getting still enough to hear. Again and again when I have believers tell me of the chaos and confusion they are feeling, they've stopped having their time alone with God. It's like trying to use your cell phone day after day without ever recharging the battery. After a day or two you have no power to draw from and the chaos of the world begins to take over your thinking.

Get solidly connected to the Lord DAILY. Draw near to His sweet presence. And the quarrels, selfish desires, worries, worldly enticements will all just fade away. Your compass will once again have found true north.

Further Thoughts:

1. So many people in the Bible took time away to be with the Lord. Look at the life of Moses, David, the prophets, and Jesus. They all sought God's face regularly. They truly knew the source of their strength.
2. Do you need to recalibrate your compass. Take some time away with the Lord. His presence is the answer to every need you may have. The difficulties don't all go away, but when placed in His capable hands, you don't have to worry or fret anymore and peace is restored.
3. Watch this video and listen to the David Crowder Band, "Come and Listen"

Matthew 26:57-68 "Seeing the Truth"

Read Matthew 26:57-68.

"The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.'" NIV

Okay, first I have to laugh at his question. He wants Jesus to answer the question under oath to the "living God." The living God is standing right in front of him. So Jesus needs to answer under oath to Himself. What irony.

So I was wondering what I would be thinking if I was the high priest. Would I have been one of the leaders trying to find a way to kill Jesus? Would I have put Him on trial? Now these Jewish leaders had been raised studying the prophesies about the coming Messiah. They knew what was going to happen. So why when the Truth is standing in front of them, the fulfillment of all the prophesies they have learned, can they not see Him? What hinders us from seeing Jesus for who He is and believing?

Well, Jesus has already shown in previous chapters that the religious leaders had allowed sin into their lives through greed and corruption of power. They loved being in charge more than they loved the God they were supposed to be serving. When we displace the object of our love, we miss seeing the truth. We're back to focus and priorities again. In whom will we place our faith? The religious leaders had transferred their faith from the One True God and His Word to their man-made laws and selfish ambition . It didn't matter that Jesus was fulfilling the very prophesies they had heard all their lives. They couldn't see the Truth.

When we displace our love and can't see the Truth standing right in front of us, it can disorient us when circumstances become difficult. The Jews were very oppressed during this time by the Roman rule. Here they were in their promised land that God had vowed to them so many years before, but they were living under the iron fist of the Romans. They expected a Messiah to come riding in on a white horse ready to rally an army that could defeat the Romans. Instead they get a 33-year-old carpenter's son riding on a borrowed donkey. Not exactly the valiant warrior they were looking for. But because the focus of their love had been diverted, they couldn't see that Jesus could be the Messiah. Their vision was clouded by misdirection and circumstances.

If we keep our eyes focused on the Truth, surrendered to His ways, and not allow the circumstances around us to intercept His leading, we will stay on course.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is your love focused on Jesus Christ or do you focus on self first?
2. Have you surrendered your life to His lordship?
3. Are circumstances distracting you from from God's plan? Remember, He is an out-of-the-box thinker. Don't try to place Him in a box. The "logical" answer according to our human paradigm may not be the right answer. Be open to whatever and wherever He leads.

Matthew 26:36-46 "Refocusing"

Read Matthew 26:36-46.

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." NIV

What strikes me first about this passage is vs 37. Jesus was sorrowful and troubled. Except for Jesus' sadness at the death of Lazarus, I don't recall Him being sad or troubled (KJV: distressed). The Greek word for distressed is "to be troubled, great distress or anguish, depressed." Jesus has felt every emotion we have ever felt. And here we see Him very distressed about what He is soon going to face. After all, He wasn't a deity in a glorified body. He was the Almighty God in a human body that can suffer pain. Naturally, He would be troubled facing the agony He knew He was going to suffer. But pay attention to what He does with His distress. He hands it over to His Father. He doesn't just ask that His future be taken away, He asks that the Father's will be done. Even in His complete distress, He is surrendered to the will of His Father.

How often have I been in distress and just wallowed in it. My mind will race through scenario after scenario attempting to predict the future or manipulate it. Yet, no one has faced such a terrible future like Jesus did... and He went to prayer. In my distressing times, I should be falling on my knees in prayer rather than crying out in foreseeable pain. God's will is to be done no matter what. I am merely a servant that obeys His commands and should be submissive to His will -- even if I must go through some pain for it to be done. If the Almighty's Son had to suffer for God's purpose for mankind, I can endure anything for His will to be done.

Jesus' words to His disciples that had fallen asleep on the job still ring true to us today. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up Scriptures on distress, worry, cares.
2. Is something causing you distress or trouble? Surrender it to the Father's will. He will either take it away or it will serve His purpose, and He will give you strength to endure it. Either way, we must let it go. His will be done.
3. How is surrender and trust or faith related?
4. Look at the different times Jesus spends in prayer. In those times He is essentially refocusing His perspective. When we get caught up in the doings of life -- good or bad -- we can lose our focus. Time with the Father gets that back. Consciously and purposefully, refocus several times throughout your day today.

Matthew 26:17-19 "A Certain (Available) Man"

Read Matthew 26:17-19.

"'Go into the city to a certain man....'" NIV

How many times have we read the Lord's Supper story? We know they are in an upper room. We can see Jesus and the twelve reclined around a table. Most of us have probably seen it reenacted in our Easter pageants. The tables are filled with bread, bowls of fruit, and glasses for the wine. The scene is instantly familiar. But have you stopped to wonder whose house they were in?

Jesus sent the disciples to "a certain man." Who was this man? Had Jesus met this person on His travels? Was he someone that Jesus had healed? Was he a prominent man in the city or a religious leader? Or was he a simple tradesman or shepherd?

Did the man know the disciples would be coming? Did he know what was meant by Jesus' message, "My appointed time is near?" If so, who told him? An angel? Or did Jesus warn him at a previous meeting? Maybe the man was still expecting Jesus to make a political or military take over and thought that was the time that was near.

Whoever this man was and whatever he did or did not understand about Jesus' message, he willingly served the Master without question. An unknown man that provided the setting for one of the most dramatic and symbolic events in our Christian rites. His name is not given; he is not immortalized in the Scriptures or da Vinci's The Last Supper. A man of obscurity with a very important role - to serve the Master when called.

We are each people of obscurity in the Christian realm. There are very few Billy Graham's or D.L. Moody's walking the earth. Most of us are simple servants striving to live in the world but not be of it, to learn from the Rabbi, serve Him, and serve others. There are no marquees announcing our accomplishments or awards adorning our mantles. But we are each called to do what Jesus asks us to do. It may seem small and insignificant such as cleaning the house and making a few loaves of unleavened bread. But the purpose is great when the Master arrives.

Lord, I don't desire fame or recognition; position or wealth. I just want to be available to do whatever you call me to do when you call me to do it. Lord, here I am.

Further Thoughts:

1. Many of the patriarchs were people of obscurity. List some of them and their origins. (i.e. Moses: a poor Hebrew slave's baby rescued from massacre.) Like Moses' walking stick became a source of power when God used it, so can we be used for great deeds when in the hands of the Master.
2. Are you ready and willing to serve when the Lord calls? What should you be doing in preparation for His assignments? How are you serving in between the bigger jobs?
3. Do you feel you are not usable by God? If yes, that is a lie that the enemy has led you to believe. We are all given gifts and talents that God can use. (Find the Scripture that supports that statement.) If you don't know your gifts, ask your pastor for a spiritual gifts test. You will probably find you knew your gifts all along.
4. How does this readiness for service fit with the greatest commandment?

Matthew 22:34-40 "The Greatest Commandment, Part 1"

Read Matthew 22:34-40.

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." NIV

Did you really think I'd skip over this passage? Of course not! These few sentences are the heart of all our Christian walk and purpose on this earth; so they are getting two posts.

Today I just want to address the loving God part. Actually, I could use 3 posts to cover heart, soul and mind; four if using Mark's version that includes strength. But I'll try to do it all in one.

This passage says that we are to love God with our entire being. He covers it in each of the parts that we are made of -- heart - emotions; soul - spirit; mind - intellect; and strength is physical body. In every area of our life, we are to live it in love to Him. How do we do that?

Heart: Where do we place our passions and priorities -- our time? Are they in activities that serve Him or serve ourselves? Scripture says that our words come out of our heart. Are my words reflecting a heart devoted to God or do they fall short? If they are not glorifying Him, why not? What in my life have I not surrendered to Him that is controlling my passions? I want my heart to be completely devoted to God and that will be shown by the words I speak and the activities I choose to invest my time in.

Soul: This is our spiritual side; the part that makes me the person that I am. My soul encompasses my personality and God-given gifts. This is the only part of me that will continue on after my body is dead and gone. It's what makes me the individual that God designed me to be. Am I loving Him back with what He gave me to be me? Do I allow my personality to reflect the personality of Christ or do I allow the enemy and sin to distort what God created? Am I using the gifts He placed within me for His glory? I don't have to be in full-time career ministry to minister. My gifts were designed to be used in any job I take so He will be glorified.

Mind: My intellect. What am I filling my mind with? Do I fill it with Truth and Thanksgiving or with lies and the filth of the world? What I read, listen to, and watch will affect my mind and determine if it is turned towards God or towards earthly passions. Another aspect of loving God through surrendering the mind is by not retaining pride in my intellect. Too often we try to figure things out on our own. We rely on education and reasoning skills and don't rely on God's leading and power in our life. That is pride -- the opposite of surrender. In following and loving God with our mind, we must follow the instructions of Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Lord, help me to guard what I put into my mind and to use it only to glorify You through surrender and trust.

Strength: My physical body and it's actions. This one is closely tied with the heart -- my actions and where I spend my time. Am I wasting my strength on things that either are of the world and against what God teaches, or just plain laziness? Or am I working diligently for Him and His purposes? Unfortunately for some, loving God with physical strength means even to death for Him. The Persecuted Church is very real in many countries. To this point, the U.S. has been spared, but our day could be coming. Will I love God with all my physical strength when my faith is put to the test? God, let it be so.

God doesn't command us to love Him on Sunday or in those times that I open my Bible or go to an occasional spiritual retreat. I am to love Him with my whole being all of the time. That is full devotion. It is not just for the church leaders or a special few to follow. He calls all of us to full devotion to Him and His purposes with our entire being.

Lord, if there is any area in my life that is not completely devoted to You, please reveal it to me so I can surrender it to You. I want every part of my being to glorify You and You alone.

Further Thoughts:

1. This is a very short synopsis of this verse. Do further studies in the Scriptures and commentaries on the heart, soul, mind, and strength and all they encompass.
2. Does God demand full devotion? Support your answer with Scripture.
3. Examine your own life. In each of these areas, how are you doing? Remember, not that every activity in our life must be centered around something spiritual. For example, working out at the gym. How can I love God with my workout? I'm taking care of the body that He gave me to use for His glory -- keeping it healthy. I can develop relationships with others in the gym -- relationships that may possibly lead to salvations. I can simply show the love of Christ to others while I am in the gym through my actions and attitude. Even in sweaty workout clothes, I can be Christ with skin on to someone who needs to see Jesus.
4. Make a list of your activities and how you can love God through them.
5. Are there areas in your life that you are not loving God? If you aren't sure, ask Him to reveal them. Then change them. You can choose to live in full devotion. Choose this day who you will serve and then do it with everything you've got.

Matthew 16:24-28 "Cross Carrying"

Read Matthew 16:24-28.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." NIV

Have you made your "to do" list for today? If you are like me, you've at least mentally thought through what you are going to do today. So tell me, did you consult the Lord first? Okay, granted, there are things I don't think we need to ask Him about - i.e. showering, take the kids to school, go to work, etc. There are things we must do to live and exist in this world. But there are little and big "appointments" throughout our day that we may or may not plan where God has a special purpose for us. It could be as small as stopping to have a conversation with your neighbor at the mailbox to hopping on a plane to as big as a job change. God works in the little and big things of our lives. The question is are you ready?

How do we prepare for God's redirects to our plans? Well, I think the very beginning is to commit every day to do whatever He calls you to do. My husband has developed a wonderful habit of rolling out of bed right to His knees and spending a minute of committing His day to the Lord - wherever He may take him. That is about as close to physically taking up our cross daily as you can get. The cross is a symbol of death and punishment. By carrying our cross, we are dead men and women walking. If I am dead to myself and acknowledging that I am only alive in Jesus Christ, then I will submit to the Father's leading in my life - WHATEVER that may be.

After we have surrendered -- again -- our life to His leading, we must continually remind ourselves throughout the day's distractions that we are committed to following God's plan. I've mentioned this before in another post, but a friend recommended setting your electronic calendar to reminder you every few hours to stop and acknowledge God. I set my phone to give me a simple reminder tone at 10:00, 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00. When I hear that tone, I stop what I'm doing and focus on the Lord. This simple action reboots my mind toward Him. My goal is that 1) I don't need the alarm anymore. It's automatic. and 2) That someday, my mind would be in constant communion with Him. I don't even know if that is possible with all the chaos and activity of life. But I sure desire to be in that place. At least, if He wants to "interrupt" what I am doing, I want to always hear His voice to change directions.

We are here as servants of the Most High. Like a king's servant responds immediately to the summons of their master, we must be ready at all times to answer the call of our Lord. We must completely surrender our desires and schedules to His plans for our life. It's the only path a dead man can walk.

Further Thoughts:

1. Have you died to self and accepted the path that God has laid out for you? Then do it again. We must take up our cross daily to follow Him. See Luke 9:23.
2. If you are a believer, Christ lives in you. His Holy Spirit guides you and gives you counsel. Are you ignoring your closest resident for the pull of all those others around you? How do you pay closer attention to the Father's leading in your life? What habits do you need to form or get rid of? (Add prayer times, get off the computer, for example.)

Matthew 11:25-30 "The Weightless Yoke"

Read Matthew 11:25-30.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." NIV

Because Christ has chosen to reveal the Father to us (vs. 27) we can come to Him, take His yoke, and find rest for our souls. I love the image presented here. I think of two oxen with yokes around their necks. Before Christ, I yoked myself with something -- my own desires, ambition, selfishness, maybe to an addiction or hobby, my career. Whatever it was, I carried the burden for both sides. It's like having half the yoke around my neck and reaching out with one arm to hold up the other half. It's impossible to maintain. Exhaustion, discouragement, and failure are inevitable although many people continue living this way for years.

But when we yoke up with Christ, half the yoke is on His shoulders. And because He is so much bigger than me, my half of the yoke is literally raised off of my shoulders. I'm no longer carrying any of the burden -- He carries it all. It's like yoking up an ox with a Shetland pony. The pony has no control over the direction he takes, but he also has no weight to carry. He goes where the ox takes him -- burden free.

Now the huge difference here is we and Christ are not animals. I'm not some little Shetland pony being led around by a dumb ox. I am yoked with the Son of the Almighty Creator of the Universe. I am yoked with the Savior of Man. I am yoked with God Himself who loves me and cares about where I go and what I do. I am yoked with the Healer, the Provider, the Everlasting. Why wouldn't I willingly give up control to Him. He loves me, cares about me and desires for no harm to come to me. And when it does, if I will just let Him steer the yoke, I will be able to navigate the obstacles. The Lover of My Soul is shouldering the burdens I am supposed to carry. So instead, my soul can be at rest. He is in control.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you tired? Ready to give up control? He'll take it and carry the burden for you. Simply trust Him and surrender. Take some time right now to write down or verbally list all the things you need Him to take control of and then let Him.
2. I had a former pastor that wore a yoke on a chain around his neck. He was never without it. If you are an artist, maybe you want to draw a yoke or mold one out of clay to remind you to not worry, but rest your soul in the arms of Christ.

Matthew 11:1-19 "Forceful Living"

Read Matthew 11:1-19.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." NIV

I don't remember ever reading this phrase before, but I love it. It shows such abandon and passion for Christ. People were so hungry and hurting that they came in great droves to see Christ and receive his message of healing and love. They committed themselves -- many even to death -- to follow the Rabbi. Oh, how I wish I had been there living at the beginning of a revolution that continues to this day.

But what saddens me is how few people still come running to Jesus. The hunger is still there -- the faith is lacking. Over time, the enemy has grown doubt in people's hearts. It began even back then. Look at verses 2-6. John starts questioning Jesus and Jesus must warn John the Baptist of doubting the true Messiah. Jesus begins teaching John's followers, reminding them of the prophesies that John has fulfilled. No matter what John and Jesus did, they had their critics and naysayers following them.

Doubt continues to plague the advancement of the gospel and the growth of the body -- internally and externally -- to this day. How many times must Jesus prove Himself? When will the unbelieving generations stop fighting and surrender to the power that He promises to give? All it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed. Can today's generation not even find that? They have faith in movie stars, athletes, musicians, and themselves. But so many can't seem to find a grain of faith for the Almighty Creator of the Universe to be Who He says He is. They can't trust Jesus Christ to be the Son of God as the prophesies foretold. Where will it end?

"Wisdom is proved right by her actions." The Truth will prevail, and we must plod on to bring as many with us as possible. We must daily surrender to His will and power and deny the force of doubt to invade our thinking. Live as forceful people taking hold of a forceful God. The Body with a passion for Jesus Christ will prevail.

Further Thoughts:

1. Where is John the Baptist prophesied about? HINT: He is referred to as a "messenger."
2. Doubt is a virus that will attack, and if we allow it, fester as in a wound. It will continue to grow unless we eradicate it immediately. How do we do that? What should we do when doubts begin to try to override our faith?
3. In what ways can we live as forceful men and women? Write down what we must do and what we must be. Support with Scripture.

Matthew 10:40-42 "Ambassadors for Christ"

Read Matthew 10:40-42.

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me." NIV

This passage had me thrown for a loop. I could understand verse 40 and 42, but throwing 41 into the mix confused me. Even looking at the passage as a whole invokes different takes from different commentators.

So here is what I see overall being said. Jesus has just told the disciples that He is throwing them to the wolves and to basically expect the worst. But to send them off, in this passage Jesus encourages them that there will be help and those who help them will be rewarded. The reverse of that is that those who don't help them -- such as all those that rejected them, will not be rewarded for they have rejected Christ.

My take away from this passage is two-fold:

• I must take care of Christ's disciples because by doing so I am taking care of Christ.
• When others reject my message of the gospel, they are not rejecting me, but the One who sent me.

First of all, by receiving Christ's ambassadors, I am receiving Him. I have an opportunity to minister to Christ Himself by caring for His ministers. What a privilege that is and a responsibility. Christ has chosen us as His own, and His Spirit lives within us. Therefore, a disciple of Christ, which each of us should be, should be cared for by other disciples and those that recognize the Spirit of Christ within us.

Secondly, as a believer, I am to be completely sold out as a servant of Christ. It is not about me anymore, but about Him. I don't strive to be in the limelight, but to headline Christ so that others will be drawn to Him. My surrender to His ways makes me a walking ambassador for Christ. Therefore, those who receive me receive Him. So the contrary must be true, that those who reject me are rejecting Him who sent me. It's not about me, it's about Him who sent me, and my ego should not be wrapped up in the acceptance or rejection for neither of them are about me. I am merely a conduit of His love and gifts.

Lord, guide me to care with love for those who are Your disciples. Help me to love with Your love. And use me Lord as Your disciple, Your ambassador, to reach a hurting world. Help me to show them the way to You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you afraid to go out as Christ's disciple? Fear is not of God. That would be the enemy's device to stop you from sharing Christ's love with others. Take some time today to search the Scriptures for passages on fear and ask the Lord to remove that from you.
2. As disciples, what are we to do when our message is not accepted? Read Matthew 10:14, 19-20.
3. If you struggle with rejection as a disciple of Christ, you may be dealing with a surrender issue. It's really not about you, but about the One who sent you. Research Scripture on surrender and read associated posts. (See labels below for "surrender.") Ask the Lord to empty you of your ego and fill you more with Him. He's really what your life is all about, and you cannot do it without Him.

Matthew 10:37-39 "The Beneficial Sacrifice"

Read Matthew 10:37-39.

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." NIV

Jesus finishes the persecution and one-aginst-another section with this final statement. He has been referring to some persecution to death, but in general it boils down to a complete separation from the world that sets us apart. In the process, we could physically lose our earthly existence, however, we must experience a daily surrendering of our body, mind, soul, and spirit everyday to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Surrender is a word that scares so many people. War scenes of captured troops, hands raised, being herded at gunpoint into makeshift prisons, forever forgotten, may come to mind. No one wants to give up their own desires and pleasures to be left with an empty, boring life. But Jesus' form of surrender promises so much more than we can ever create for ourselves.

The "things" we create on earth -- home, careers, cars, other toys, various forms of entertainment -- these are all going to be gone one day. Even today, they can carry an emptiness that leaves us begging for more. These things are what make up our life in the flesh -- where we focus our energy and time. But they are fading and someday will no longer exist.

But Jesus' surrender entails guidance, peace, surety, heaven, and worry-free living. If we will give up our control, His Holy Spirit will guide us as we navigate our life here following the purposes God has set out for us. We can walk in a peace that passes all understanding and with a surety that we are loved and have eternity with God to look forward to. This all encompases not a life without difficulties, but one that I don't have to worry about my needs or many of my wants. I don't have to worry about tomorrow, for He has me in the palm of His hand. I don't have to worry about my children, because He loves them more than I ever could. I don't have to worry about how I will accomplish the jobs He has assigned for me to do, because He is the Almighty Creator of the Universe, capable of anything, and His Spirit lives within me. He will equip and empower me for any purpose He may have. My life is not emptied through surrender, but given a far greater meaning and purpose. I must only let go.

Lord, my hands are lifted into the air. My palms are open to you, hanging onto nothing. I can't do anything alone. My life is yours - do with it as it pleases You.

Further Thoughts:

1. God gave Abraham a frightening directive of surrender with his son, Isaac. What in Abraham's beliefs made him trust God with his promised, only son? Read the story in Genesis 22:1-18.
2. Surrender is not giving up control to a life of bondage, but to a life of freedom. Read Psalm 119:32, 146:7, John 8:34-36, Romans 6:6, 14, 20 - 22. Search for other passages on the freedom we now have.
3. Do you struggle with giving up control? If yes, why is that? What are you afraid of? What do you have to lose? What do you have to gain if you do?
4. Pride or fear are the two hinderances to the freedom you can have through surrender. Write down the reasons why they hinder freedom. Support with Scripture.
5. Do not let the enemy feed into these two sins - they will stop you from living the life God has for you to live. Ban them from your life and ... let go.

Matthew 8:18-22 "Count the Cost"

Read Matthew 8:18-22.

"'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.'" NIV

I've talked before about the cost of following Jesus -- salvation is free, living the Christian life will cost you everything. Jesus stresses that point here in this passage. Now does He mean we literally must leave our families and sleep on the ground? Or that we can never bury our dead family members? No, He doesn't. First of all, He did mean at the time that the commitment to follow Him would mean not having a home. And for the Jews, family had a high responsibility to bury their dead. But Jesus knew He had a short time for His ministry and that it would be very mobile. So that was a fact of His ministry at the time.

So what does that mean for us? We still have to make sacrifices to follow Him. We may need to make material sacrifices, relationships, or face persecution. We all must sacrifice our selfish desires to follow His will. But why should we do this? Why should I lay down all my own plans and desires to follow the Rabbi? Why did the disciples? Because they saw that Jesus truly was the Son of Man.

The "Son of Man" is used in the gospels 81 times and is only used as a title for Jesus. Daniel, in Daniel 7:13, first prophesies that the son of man would come from heaven. Jesus' rule would not be temporary as the rulers of the day, but would be for eternity after He returns on the clouds. Revelation 1:7 repeats the same prophesy. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth, born to a woman, and became the Son of Man to serve and to save. He truly was the fulfillment of the prophesy. The Jews were looking for royalty, but Jesus instead came in humility. By referring to Himself with this title, He emphasizes that the Messiah did not come in the way the Jews expected, but rather, was standing there in human flesh, living under humble circumstances.

How often do we look for Christ in the big circumstances and miss Him in the simpleness of life? We expect Him to show up for a Billy Graham crusade, but He is doing just as much work through the 80-year-old woman faithfully praying each morning. Both require a sacrifice. Are we willing to follow the Master in whatever He asks? The Divine humbled Himself to the point of equality with His creation. Can we not humble ourselves to serve His purposes? We must decide. When Christ came to earth, He knew the price He would pay -- in humility, punishment, and death. Yet He still came. We must look at the price of following Him very closely and make a decision - do I give my whole self or don't I. In the Christian walk there is great joy and a huge reward at the end. But on this earth, there will be difficult challenges and choices we will face. What will I do with that? Christ gave His all; He expects me to do nothing less.

Further Thoughts:

1. So many people want to ride the Christian fence. What does Scripture say about that? See Revelation 3:15-16 and Philippians 2:1-8 for starters. Search for other Scripture to support full commitment.
2. What happens to those who call themselves Christians and do not walk according to His ways or under His authority? Support with Scripture.
3. What attitude have you been taking with Christ? When He says go, do you go? Why or why not? What holds you back from full devotion? What areas of your life are you keeping back from His control? Why?
4. Read this old hymn, "I Surrender All" as a prayer of full commitment to the Father.

Matthew 8:14-17 "With a Word"

Read Matthew 8:14-17.

"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick." NIV

I am always amazed at the power of the spoken word. It can inspire, praise, destroy, instruct, devastate, or encourage. Words can leave the mouth quickly, but can never return. They begin when we are young and continue till we speak our final words with our last breath. Words can build relationships or divide them forever.

And then there is the power of the words of Christ. They surpass all power that we could ever manufacture with our words. The awesome point, however, is that with Christ living in us, we are given that same power. He even said that we will do greater things than He has done. How is that? It sure doesn't seem like we do. Maybe it's because we are not deliberate with our words. Maybe it's because we are constantly fighting that human nature that wants to use words to our own advantage. Either way, if we submit to the Holy Spirit's guidance, wouldn't our words have a power beyond anything we have ever experienced?

I know I've experienced moments like that -- times where I knew that the Lord was giving me the words to say, and they were having a powerful impact either influencing someone else's life or through healing. Those are amazing experiences and how I would love for them to happen more often. Of course, I'm the only one standing in the way. Once again, we come to surrender, humility, and listening. Humbling myself moment by moment in His presence, opening my "ears" to the Lord's leading and using my words for His glory. Then His power will flow through me for His honor. Lord, let the healing words flow.

Further Thoughts:

1. If Jesus is considered the Word, then doesn't His dwelling in my life change my words? If not, why? (See John 1:1)
2. God gave Moses words to speak that caused amazing things. What were they? What was the irony of Moses using words? If you are feeling that your words are very inadequate, Moses will show you how God can use anyone for His work.
3. Why is humility so important in using words for God's ministry? Read Mark 9:14-29. Why couldn't the disciples cast out the demon?
4. Are your words filled with love, thankfulness, and encouragement, or grumbling and hatefulness? It's a heart issue. (Read Philippians 2:1-16.) Surrender.
5. What is the relationship between thanksgiving and the heart of words we choose to use each day? Support with Scripture.

Matthew 8:1-4 "Faith in His Will"

Read Matthew 8:1-4.

"Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." NIV

This leper reveals so much about what he believes in this one statement. He teaches us how we need to view the Lord every day.

First, he falls down on his knees and calls Jesus "Lord." Now that doesn't necessarily mean that he recognized Jesus as the divine, but he did show Him the respect due one he knew had authority and power.

Next, the man shows deference to Jesus' will. The leper obviously wants to be healed of his disease, but he does not approach Jesus' abilities as if he has a right to them. He humbly is asking according to Jesus' will that he be healed.

And lastly, the leper has faith that Jesus can truly heal him of his disease. His posture, his demeanor, his words all speak of an unwavering faith in the power that the Rabbi possessed.

Each and every day we face trials and difficulties. They come with the territory of fighting a persistent enemy in a fallen world. The question is, do we whine, complain, blame, writhe in our self-pity, and shake our fist in the air? Or do we humbly approach the Master on our knees carrying our pain, blemishes, and needs , with hearts surrendered to His will and with a faith that can move mountains? The leper chose the right path and came away changed forever. The Master touched him, and he was clean.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you truly believe Jesus is Lord of your life? Compare and contrast Jesus as Savior and He as Lord. What difference does that make in our daily walk with Him?
2. Our submission to the Lord's will can be very different if we see Him as Savior or as Lord. How? Support with Scripture.
3. Why can some people have faith in Jesus to save them from their sins, but not have faith in Him to heal, guide, and command their daily life? Where is the hangup and how is it overcome?
4. Many who encountered Jesus "put their faith in Him." Read John 2:11, 7:31, 8:30, 11:45, 12:11. The entire book of Romans speaks on faith.
5. Faith takes a trust in the Master. Stand on the promises of Proverbs 3:5-6. He never fails.