FROM THE INSIDE OUT

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Psalms 131:1-3 

1My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. 3Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

 

 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

MATTHEW 10:39

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

 

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

We often resist this idea of surrender don’t’ we? Surrender in the culture of our world results in defeat, giving up, losing. However, surrender to God as we see revealed in the bible brings victory and success. When we cease pursuing our own self interests and the following of cultural (worldly) norms, we begin building up treasure in heaven. That will never be taken away from us. The discovery that God’s plans for us are infinitely better than anything we could do on our own is life changing. Surrendering our lives completely to God releases us from the constraints and pressures imposed on us by the world. The beautiful outcome of surrender to God and God’s good road for us is that we will experience the reality of a kingdom that will never end.


We have opportunity every day to lay our lives down at the feet of Jesus in response to his great love that we might experience the abundant life only he can give. May your life be completely wrapped up in the goodness of your loving Savior.


So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours





A PRAYER OF SURRENDER

God,

You give me the strength I need to overcome any obstacles I face. You take away my arrogant thoughts and You focus my eyes away from the things I cannot control. You alone have the power to turn my weaknesses into windows through which Your glory can shine through.

You hold my future, and You invite me to take part in the plans You have for Your Kingdom. So help me to lay down my uncertainties for the future and my unmet expectations from the past.

When I feel weak, help me to remember that You are strong. When I feel discouraged, remind me of the confident hope I have in You. Please calm and quiet my soul.

Today and every day, give me the confident assurance I need to lay aside anything that might hinder me so that I can walk in a manner worthy of my calling. And as You do that, I will choose not to be anxious about anything because I know that You comfort and protect me. I will surrender my fears and trust in You for breakthrough.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.



THE TAKE AWAY



Re-read this prayer and then make a list of the areas in your life that you need to surrender.

Then Picture putting those things in a box and then visualize handing that box to Jesus. Use this exercise to make space in your heart for the plans that God wants to reveal to you.