SELECTIVE SURRENDER

It is important to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God in ALL our affairs.  Selective surrender will take us back into trouble.  Through prayer and meditation on God’s Word we will begin to know the God we are now trusting to help us turn our life around.  God’s principles for living a meaningful and purposeful life are tried and tested throughout generations.  We can trust what God says will work.  Our lives will change as we consistently follow God’s ways and not our own. 

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?  Who holds the wind in his fists?  Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?  Who has created the whole wide world?  What is his name—and his son’s name?  Tell me if you know!  Every word of God proves true.  He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.  Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.  (Proverbs 30:4-6 NLT)

Our thought patterns need to be informed and changed by God’s word.  We can ask God to change the way we think so that our thoughts are in line with His directions.  God is pleased with us when we do this.  He will bless us with peace in our hearts and calm our emotions. However, if we try to live our life with selective surrender to God’s will, our chosen disobedience will cause us to stumble and fall. 

O Israel, stay away from idols!  I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.  I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me. Let those who are wise understand these things.  Let those with discernment listen carefully.  The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them.  But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.  (Hosea 14:8-9 NLT)

Turning our will and our life over to the care of God requires that we fully surrender our will to His will and faithfully follow His ways. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the half-hearted way I am choosing to live.  Help me to fully surrender my will and my life to You and to wholeheartedly follow Your ways in all my affairs.  Amen