Cues theme song*
“iiiiii surrender all, iiiii surrender all” throw a little snot and tears on that bad boy and you got us, on a Sunday morning after a good ol’ Sunday message, live and in color. Then, the next day, we are side eyeing everyone and everything at work and walking around like – “I wish aaaaaaa would.” Oh, so I’m the only one? Okay, Okay. So, maybe you get it right the next day. But, how about the following Sunday after pay day Friday? When you skip on giving your tithes for the 17th time in a row. Whispering “God, I got you on the next check” and slip maybe two dollars in the offering bucket (that’s a whole other blog post) I still ain't pull your card yet? Hmmmm. How about, when you have every curse word from here to South Park coming out of your mouth? Refusing to forgive someone who hurt you, months ago, and they already apologized. Oh, and our generation's favorite one: Already having plans to make it clap for “bae” later. (I know these phrases may be a bit straight forward, but I need y’all to get this thing) So, let’s rewind back to the snot and the surrendering. I’m almost 100% positive when you were there, laying out before the Lord, you really wanted to surrender. The Pastor delivered a message that you felt was directed straight toward you, and you truly desired to change but then over the next few days, you’re back to your old self. What happened? “But, Ariel, I’ve tried repeatedly. I’ve tried to surrender all, but it just didn’t work. I am tired and no matter how hard I try, I end up back where I started.” Trust me, I’ve been there so many times before. So, what is the true meaning of surrender? True surrender is sacrifice. True surrender is giving up that person/place/thing that looks like a yes, when God tells you no. 1. a: the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another. Surrendering: • Giving up your attitude because something simply didn’t go your way • Forgiving the unforgiveable • Loving the unlovable • Taking your little tail home instead of being laid up with your little boo thang, setting up the atmosphere to get your claps off • Cutting off that television show that you have recorded (every episode) and going to sit at the Lord’s feet to listen to what He has to say about you • Dying to yourself • Clearing the stage for things you have set up as idols But how do I do that? You need to learn how to think like Jesus because I am telling you, you are not going to do it with the mind you have now. Peter 4:1-2 tells us Jesus legit went through everything we are going through. I encourage you to place your whole life before God and literally take everything you do and include him in it. Romans 12:1-2: “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” I am in the middle of a challenge called 30 for 30. The 30 for 30 challenge is when you give your first 30 minutes from the time you wake up to God. Those first 30 minutes can look like anything from turning on your favorite worship song and worshipping Him, writing to God, dancing, singing, crying out to Him about your frustrations or a combination of everything. But, you must be intentional about this time. Your body will fight you, especially if it’s like 6:30 a.m.! It will tell you, just to go back to sleep, you need rest. FIGHT BACK! Fight back like your life depends on it because it does. I encourage you to get a Bible you can understand. I always tell my grandmother, half-jokingly, I have no idea how you continued to be a Christian with the King James version.The King James version doesn’t make any sense to me, but it may for you, I’m just not the smart. Ha! I recommend the message version bible - its legit. I also encourage you to get an accountability partner, someone who will hold you in account for your relationship with Jesus. I am always happy to be that person or connect you with someone. Let me tell you something - contrary to popular belief, you are not perfect and nor will you ever be. God’s love is being PERFECTED in you, and there will be times you mess up, but that’s why we were given Jesus, which is so dope to me. Let me also be real with you - this process will be very uncomfortable and will sometimes make no sense to you (faith). But, I promise there is so much goodness on the other side of your surrender and obedience. God loves you more than anything you can ever imagine, and He wants me to let you know He has a plan for your life and He will blow every bit of your mind if you let him. Just say YES! I had anxiety as I began to prepare this blog post and even as I end it. Which is hilarious because the Lord is like “this is what I’m talking about right here. Cast your cares, child, and write this blog post. It’s called sacrificing and surrendering how you feel for my Glory.” I am surrendering all I am, all who I thought I was and pushing through this feeling of anxiety because I know my life is bigger than how I feel. I know God has given me purpose, and my little raggedy emotions will try to challenge it every step of the way. But, I will not fold. Thank you, Jesus! My prayer is that this blog gives you a fresh perspective and pushes you to surrender your life to Jesus. I hope this moment is the moment where Jesus Christ makes all things new in your life. And for the person who is tired of the same old attempts to clean up your life, the same old dead paths to find joy, your past has haunted you, your future has paralyzed you and no matter how hard you try, you still can't get it together - let me remind you the beauty of the Gospel is this: “Jesus came so that you Would not have to get it together But so that you could offer Him The broken pieces of your fragmented life Your uncertain future And so that all things could be made new.” Let's pray together and say this: “Heavenly Father, I need a new start I need Your grace, I need Your mercy I give my life and all of my sins I turn from my own ways... To trust in you Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me I believe You rose again, to give new life I place my hope in You Make me a brand new person Give me a brand new start And I will live for You All the days of my life.” Grace Mercy Salvation Forgiveness Hope Restoration This is a brand new day You're a brand new person You have a brand new home, in Jesus name.” - A
1 Comment
Brenda Bethel
12/3/2016 09:24:38 am
You just don't know how proud I am you right now!
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