SAVED AND SURRENDERED

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing really well. We have now settled back into life at home and are pleased about that too!

Have you ever wondered why some people who identify as Christians seem to thrive and grow and have peace and settled faith, even when life dishes up some nasties?

And others seem to struggle?

Have you ever gone through a period of high stress and wondered why your faith isn't working?

Or have you noticed that some believers seem clear on God's will for them, and others are stumbling about in confusion?

Let me introduce you (and me!) to an 'S' word.  

Surrender.

If we look at what the Scriptures say, particularly the early preaching in the book of Acts, we find that Jesus isn't only presented as Saviour, but as Lord.  

In the very first sermon, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified". Acts 2:36 (ESV)

That's a pretty punchy declaration within weeks of the crucifixion, in the city where it happened.

We also find that surrender is a key to victory. It sounds counterintuitive, but we are safe when it comes to surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 (ESV)

I wonder if we sometimes turn that on its head by resisting God and submitting to the devil by fighting for our own way.

I have experienced this wrestle many times in my life. I can confidently tell you that I recognised the moment of surrender by the experience of unexplainable peace that filled my soul in those moments.

Surrendering to God also brings all of the issues and affairs of our life under His will, wisdom and care, and anything surrendered into His good hands can be safely left there.  

2 Timothy 1:12 tells us that God can keep what we entrust to Him, so surrender is the essential ingredient to a salvation that genuinely works for us, not just in the sweet by and by, but in the gritty earthly life we are living now.

It may be time to stop hanging on to our will and surrender to His.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (ESV)

So, can we encourage one another?  Let's surrender our lives to The One who proved His love for us by surrendering His life for us.   

Until next time,

Love, Lynda xx