Surrender: Definition – to give oneself up into the power of another.

The picture we usually have in our minds when we think of the word surrender is the white flag of one side in a battle, surrendering to the other, with the likelihood of unpleasant consequences like imprisonment, or execution.

However, I believe surrendering is what God is really asking of us. He is asking for us to give ourselves up to his power, but different from surrendering to our enemy, we are giving ourselves up to someone who loves us and wants what is best for us.

Psalm 37:7 God’s Word translation writes, “Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”

Dear Lord, You are the ultimate power and love. Surrendering ourselves to you gives us great comfort and strength. Help us keep that in our minds so we will have the strength to do your will and the comfort of knowing that you have us in your care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” -Revelation 1:8

As humans we talk about time being constrained by time. “You only have 24 hours in a day,” we say. We look at things as past, present, or future.

Though it is difficult for us to understand, God is not constrained by the concept of time. He created it. And though he is too awesome for us to even comprehend; he is also aware of each of us, and our individual situation.

Psalm 103:13 says, “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” and Luke 12:7 says, “..even the hairs on your head are numbered.”

There is no limit to God’s power, and we all should be in awe and grateful that he cares about each of us, individually.

Dear Lord, How amazed and blessed we are that you will hear our prayers and have unlimited ability to intervene in our lives. Send your care, healing, comfort and favor on your children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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You may be familiar with the illustration Jesus gives his disciples in Luke 11; Where he tells this story; you have visitors late one night, and you don’t have any food to provide them, so you go to your neighbor’s house to ask to borrow some food. The neighbor tells you to go away because he and his family are already in bed. You keep on knocking until finally your neighbor gives in and gives you some food, not because he is your friend, but because you are so persistent; the NIV versions says “..because of your shameless audacity, he will get up and give you what you need”

What I had not realized until recently, is that this illustration is immediately before this familiar passage in Luke 11:9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” NIV

The Living Bible writes it this way. “…And so it is with prayer—keep on asking and you will keep on getting; keep on looking and you will keep on finding..”

It is pretty clear that Jesus was saying, “pray with persistence,” even “audacity” which the dictionary defines as, “bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints.” This is probably a little uncomfortable for some, including me; being pushy and persistent with God, but that is what He told his disciples.

Dear Lord, help us remember to come to you boldly asking you for the things we need, and want to help us live our lives to glorify you. Help us also pray boldly for you to help our churches, and those in need of your healing, peace, protection, and joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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We use the word “good” often in our day to day speech. If we think about what it means, we realize that it needs a standard or measurement to have meaning. Most of the time, the person who says, “that is good” is the one who is setting the standard. For example if you hire someone to complete something, when you say, “it’s good,” then it is based on your standard.

Matthew 19:16-17, says, “Someone came to Jesus with the question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus said, “There is only One who is good, But to answer your question, if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” In this story, the standard Jesus is describing for “good” is perfection; No minor deviations, or little mistakes, “perfection.”

Can anyone but God achieve perfection?

This leads us to why Christianity is not like any other religion. Other religions have their lists of actions and behaviors that must be performed in order to achieve the goal. In Christianity, there is nothing we can do to be saved.

God saves us.

Dear Lord, only you are “good.” What a joy it is to know that we don’t have to be good to be saved, we just have to accept the gift you offer us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Some bible verses just tell us things so clearly that it is almost hard to accept what they say.

Proverbs 22:4 is one of these. Saying, “True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”

Wouldn’t we and our world be better off if we pursued these objectives of humility and the fear of the Lord?

Dear Lord, In the Bible, you tell us many times in many ways to submit to you and let you guide our ways, promising that you will lead us in life when we do. Help us humbly follow your direction so that we may live the lives you desire for us, and bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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