Surrender!!!

[gloriaglows]

 

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power….. Timothy 3:1-5a [NKJ]

Sound familiar? Read the paper or watch the news any day of the week and see the examples of everything mentioned in this letter to Timothy. Though these are hard verses to swallow, Paul wanted Timothy to be prepared for the days that were to come. Like Timothy, we also need to be prepared!

What are we preparing for?  Many things! We live in a culture that continues to grow in its sinfulness, perversity and hatred of Christ and the values of the Bible. We must prepare to stand for righteousness in the midst of such evil!  We must sharpen our swords, having a usable knowledge of the Word of God! We must crucify our flesh, die daily to selish desires and guard our hearts against the onslaught of our surroundings! We must prepare to fight for the souls around us that are dying in sin! Last, but not least, we must prepare to be knit together as one in the Spirit of the Lord and to become pepared together.

Oo-kayyy. That sounds like a WHOLE lot to accomplish!  How can we do it?!?!

STEP 1:  SURRENDER.  Not to the world, our flesh or the devil, but to the only ONE Who is fully able to show us how to prepare and to walk every step with us. The Servant/Warrior, Jesus Christ, will be our teacher and our guide when we SURRENDER to Him in all things and obey Him, holding nothing back.

STEP 2: SURRENDER To His Word.  If we don’t have a daily routine and plan to study the Bible, we need to start one, TODAY! If we need guidance, we can ask other sisters in the Lord for ideas.  Remember, the more Word in you, the more  wins in your life!

STEP 3: SURRENDER to the Holy Spirit, the Bible and wise counsel regarding what we should particpate in in this culture. Television, movies, books and certain activities are not always just harmless entertainment; much of it can cause great spiritual damage and confusion.  Chances are, if it feels wrong, it is.

STEP 4: SURRENDER to unity with God’s people.  There is strength when God’s people are connected to one another, are interacting, are loving each other and holding each other accountable.  It’s a safety net.  Especially in the time of battle. Our protection is in relationship & fellowship with our brothers and sisters. If we choose to pull back, we will be swallowed up in the culture of darkness around us.

STEP 5: SURRENDER to habitually encouraging ourselves.  As David said in Ps. 42:5: Why are you cast down, O my soul?........Hope  in God…… When the battles we face get difficult, we have to learn to lift up our eyes to the Lord, encourage our own souls and press through the battle! When we leave a battle with the enemy unfinished, we leave an opening for him to gain a stronghold in our lives. Our spiritual battles are with the inclinations of our flesh and the intimidations of the enemy. We must keep fighting UNTIL..!

 

Day 18

 

 

[godsproperty07]

Nov. 19, 2009 at 7:19 PM

Surrendering all that I am to you, my precious Jesus!!! 

Amen!!!!