This week we are going to journey into Part 2 of our study of the Lord's Prayer: "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Jesus, Matthew 6) Surrender is a word associated with weakness for the most part. Yet, in relationship with God surrender can release power, energy, focus, ability, and grace. We become a conduit for God to accomplish far more than we might ever dream. When we open our lives and allow God to plant a dream in our heart we unleash a supernatural power to accomplish things we never thought possible. In order to understand the possibilities of this power we need to open ourselves up to the Lord.
What does surrender mean for us? It means releasing control. It is a shift of our attention to what I want, my own selfish ambition, and overemphasis on my will to God's control of my life, time, and resources. It is a handing over to a supernatural ability that God wants to unleash.
Second, it is about leaning to be content. Philippians 4:11-13 says, I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens...I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength... Happiness and success is so tied to personal contentment and trusting that each moment of your day is under the care of "Our Father" - a loving caring, competent, parent who knows us and loves us.
Third, surrender means to set aside my own selfish plans in exchange for God's more successful design. We get caught up with our own little world and we forget that God has a bigger design. God reveals that in prayer we align ourselves to listen to that plan. Prayer is not like a vending machine where we drop a coin and get what we want - it is more like getting aligned with God's plan.
Fourth, surrender involves trusting our future to God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 So most of the time we want to know, predict, be told what our future is going to turn out to be like. Yet, have that does not allow us to fully live in the present. When we trust God with our future we can really live today. We will be studying this more in this weeks podcast at www.bethanylaporte.org
Live Fully Today,
Pastor Dennis
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