Since pleasing G.o.d is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that. The Bible says, "Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.' "Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.' Fortunately, the Bible gives us a clear example of a life that gives pleasure to G.o.d. The man's name was Noah. Fortunately, the Bible gives us a clear example of a life that gives pleasure to G.o.d. The man's name was Noah.

In Noah's day, the entire world had become morally bankrupt. Everyone lived for their own pleasure, not G.o.d's. G.o.d couldn't find anyone anyone on earth interested in pleasing him, so he was grieved and regretted making man. G.o.d became so disgusted with the human race that he considered wiping it out. But there was one man who made G.o.d smile. The Bible says, on earth interested in pleasing him, so he was grieved and regretted making man. G.o.d became so disgusted with the human race that he considered wiping it out. But there was one man who made G.o.d smile. The Bible says, "Noah was a pleasure to the Lord." "Noah was a pleasure to the Lord."

G.o.d said, "This guy brings me pleasure. He makes me smile. I'll start over with his family." Because Noah brought pleasure to G.o.d, you and I are alive today. From his life we learn the five acts of worship that make G.o.d smile.

G.o.d smiles when we love him supremely. Noah loved G.o.d more than anything else in the world, even when Noah loved G.o.d more than anything else in the world, even when no one else no one else did! The Bible tells us that for his entire life, did! The Bible tells us that for his entire life, "Noah consistently followed G.o.d's will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him." "Noah consistently followed G.o.d's will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him."

This is what G.o.d wants most from you: a relationship! It's the most astounding truth in the universe-that our Creator wants to fellowship with us. G.o.d made you to love you, and he longs for you to love him back. He says, "I don't want your sacrifices-I want your love; I don't want your offerings-I want you to know me." "I don't want your sacrifices-I want your love; I don't want your offerings-I want you to know me."

Can you sense G.o.d's pa.s.sion for you in this verse? G.o.d deeply loves you and desires desires your love in return. He your love in return. He longs longs for you to know him and spend time with him. This is why learning to love G.o.d and be loved by him should be the greatest objective of your life. Nothing else comes close in importance. Jesus called it the greatest commandment. He said, for you to know him and spend time with him. This is why learning to love G.o.d and be loved by him should be the greatest objective of your life. Nothing else comes close in importance. Jesus called it the greatest commandment. He said, "Love the Lord your G.o.d with "Love the Lord your G.o.d with

all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."

G.o.d smiles when we trust him completely. The second reason Noah pleased G.o.d was that he The second reason Noah pleased G.o.d was that he trusted G.o.d, even when it didn't make sense. The Bible says, "By faith, Noah built a ship in the "By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told... As a result, Noah became intimate with G.o.d."

Imagine this scene: One day G.o.d comes to Noah and says, "I'm disappointed in human beings. In the entire world, no one but you thinks about me. But Noah, when I look at you, I start smiling. I'm pleased with your life, so I'm going to flood the world and start over with your family. I want you to build a giant ship that will save you and the animals."

There were three problems that could have caused Noah to doubt. First, Noah had never seen rain, because prior to the Flood, G.o.d irrigated the earth from the ground up.' Second, Noah lived hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. Even if he could learn to build a ship, how would he get it to water? Third, there was the problem of rounding up all the animals and then caring for them. But Noah didn't complain or make excuses. He trusted G.o.d completely, and that made G.o.d smile.

Trusting G.o.d completely means having faith that he knows what is best for your life. You expect him to keep his promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary. The Bible says, "He takes pleasure in those that honor Him; in those who trust in His constant "He takes pleasure in those that honor Him; in those who trust in His constant love."

It took Noah 120 years to build the ark. I imagine he faced many discouraging days. With no sign of rain year after year, he was ruthlessly criticized as a "crazy man who thinks G.o.d speaks to him." I imagine Noah's children were often embarra.s.sed by the giant ship being built in their front yard. Yet Noah kept on trusting G.o.d.

In what areas of your life do you need to trust G.o.d completely? Trusting is an act of worship. Just as parents are pleased when children trust their love and wisdom, your faith makes G.o.d happy. The Bible says, "Without faith it is impossible to please G.o.d " "Without faith it is impossible to please G.o.d "

G.o.d smiles when we obey him wholeheartedly. Saving the animal population from a worldwide flood required great attention to logistics and details. Everything had to be done Saving the animal population from a worldwide flood required great attention to logistics and details. Everything had to be done just as G.o.d prescribed it. just as G.o.d prescribed it. G.o.d didn't say, "Build any old boat you'd like, Noah." He gave very detailed instructions as to the size, shape, and materials of the ark as well as the different numbers of animals to be brought on board. The Bible tells us Noah's response: "So G.o.d didn't say, "Build any old boat you'd like, Noah." He gave very detailed instructions as to the size, shape, and materials of the ark as well as the different numbers of animals to be brought on board. The Bible tells us Noah's response: "So Noah did everything exactly as G.o.d had commanded him." Noah did everything exactly as G.o.d had commanded him."

Trusting G.o.d completely means having faith that he knows what is best for your life.

Notice that Noah obeyed completely completely (no instruction was overlooked), and he obeyed (no instruction was overlooked), and he obeyed exactly exactly (in the way and time G.o.d wanted it done). That is wholeheartedness. It is no wonder G.o.d smiled on (in the way and time G.o.d wanted it done). That is wholeheartedness. It is no wonder G.o.d smiled on Noah.

If G.o.d asked you to build a giant boat, don't you think you might have a few questions, objections, or reservations? Noah didn't. He obeyed G.o.d wholeheartedly. That means doing whatever G.o.d asks without reservation or hesitation. You don't procrastinate and say, "I'll pray about it." You do it without delay. Every parent knows that delayed obedience is really disobedience.

G.o.d doesn't owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can't. Instant obedience will teach you more about G.o.d than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding.

Often we try to offer G.o.d partial partial obedience. We want to pick and choose the commands we obey. We make a list of the commands we like and obey those while ignoring the ones we think are unreasonable, difficult, expensive, or unpopular. I'll attend church but I won't t.i.the. I'll read my Bible but won't forgive the person who hurt me. Yet partial obedience is disobedience. obedience. We want to pick and choose the commands we obey. We make a list of the commands we like and obey those while ignoring the ones we think are unreasonable, difficult, expensive, or unpopular. I'll attend church but I won't t.i.the. I'll read my Bible but won't forgive the person who hurt me. Yet partial obedience is disobedience.

Wholehearted obedience is done joyfully, with enthusiasm. The Bible says, "Obey him gladly." "Obey him gladly." This is the att.i.tude of David: This is the att.i.tude of David: Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey." Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey."

James, speaking to Christians, said, "We please G.o.d by what we do and not only by what we believe." "We please G.o.d by what we do and not only by what we believe." G.o.d's Word is clear that you can't earn your salvation. It comes only by grace, not your effort. But as a child of G.o.d you can bring pleasure to your heavenly Father through obedience. Any act of obedience is also an act of worship. Why is obedience so pleasing to G.o.d? Because it proves you really love him. Jesus said, G.o.d's Word is clear that you can't earn your salvation. It comes only by grace, not your effort. But as a child of G.o.d you can bring pleasure to your heavenly Father through obedience. Any act of obedience is also an act of worship. Why is obedience so pleasing to G.o.d? Because it proves you really love him. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey my commandments." "If you love me, you will obey my commandments."

G.o.d smiles when we praise and thank him continually. Few things feel better than receiving heartfelt praise and appreciation from someone else. G.o.d loves it, too. He smiles when we express our adoration and grat.i.tude to him. Few things feel better than receiving heartfelt praise and appreciation from someone else. G.o.d loves it, too. He smiles when we express our adoration and grat.i.tude to him.

Noah's life brought pleasure to G.o.d because he lived with a heart of praise and thanksgiving. Noah's first act after surviving the Flood was to express his thanks to G.o.d by offering a sacrifice. The Bible says, "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD ... and sacrificed burnt offerings on it. "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD ... and sacrificed burnt offerings on it.

Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we don't offer animal sacrifices as Noah did. Instead we are told to offer G.o.d "the sacrifice of praise" "the sacrifice of praise" and and "the sacrifice of thanksgiving." "the sacrifice of thanksgiving." We praise G.o.d for We praise G.o.d for who he is, who he is, and we thank G.o.d for and we thank G.o.d for what he has done. what he has done. David said, David said, "I will praise G.o.d's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD." "I will praise G.o.d's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD."

An amazing thing happens when we offer praise and thanksgiving to G.o.d. When we give G.o.d enjoyment, our own hearts are filled with joy!

My mother loved to cook for me. Even after I married Kay, when we would visit my parents, Mom prepared incredible home-cooked feasts. One of her great pleasures in life was watching us kids eat and enjoy what she prepared. The more we enjoyed eating it, the more enjoyment it gave her.

But we also enjoyed pleasing Mom by expressing our enjoyment of her meal. It worked both ways. As I would eat the great meal, I would rave about it and praise my mother. I intended not only to enjoy the food but to please my mother. Everyone was happy.

Worship works both ways, too. We enjoy what G.o.d has done for us, and when we express that enjoyment to G.o.d, it brings him joy-but it also increases our our joy. The book of Psalms says, joy. The book of Psalms says, "The righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy." "The righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy."

G.o.d smiles when we use our abilities. After the Flood, G.o.d gave Noah these simple instructions: After the Flood, G.o.d gave Noah these simple instructions: 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.... Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.... Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

G.o.d said, "It's time to get on with your life! Do the things I designed humans to do. Make love to your spouse. Have babies. Raise families. Plant crops and eat meals. Be humans! This is what I made you to be!"

You may feel that the only time G.o.d is pleased with you is when you're doing "spiritual" activities-like reading the Bible, attending church, praying, or sharing your faith. And you may think G.o.d is unconcerned about the other parts of your life. Actually, G.o.d enjoys watching every every detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting, or eating. He doesn't miss a single move you make. The Bible tells detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting, or eating. He doesn't miss a single move you make. The Bible tells us, "The steps of the G.o.dly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives." us, "The steps of the G.o.dly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives."

Every human activity, except sin, can be done for G.o.d's pleasure if you do it with an att.i.tude of praise. You can wash dishes, repair a machine, sell a product, write a computer program, grow a crop, and raise a family for the glory of G.o.d.

Like a proud parent, G.o.d especially enjoys watching you use the talents and abilities he has given you. G.o.d intentionally gifted us differently for his enjoyment. He has made some to be athletic and some to be a.n.a.lytical. You may be gifted at mechanics or mathematics or music or a thousand other skills. All these abilities can bring a smile to G.o.d's face. The Bible says, "He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do." "He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do."

You don't bring glory or pleasure to G.o.d by hiding your abilities or by trying to be someone else. You only bring him enjoyment by being you. Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting G.o.d's wisdom and sovereignty in creating you. G.o.d says, "You have no right to argue with your Creator. You are merely a clay pot shaped by a potter: The clay doesn't ask, Why did you make me this way?'" "You have no right to argue with your Creator. You are merely a clay pot shaped by a potter: The clay doesn't ask, Why did you make me this way?'"

In the film Chariots of Fire, Chariots of Fire, Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, "I believe G.o.d made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel G.o.d's pleasure." Later he says, "To give up running would be to hold him in contempt." There are no Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, "I believe G.o.d made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel G.o.d's pleasure." Later he says, "To give up running would be to hold him in contempt." There are no unspiritual unspiritual abilities, just misused ones. Start using yours for G.o.d's pleasure. abilities, just misused ones. Start using yours for G.o.d's pleasure.

G.o.d also gains pleasure in watching you enjoy enjoy his creation. He gave you eyes to enjoy beauty, ears to enjoy sounds, your nose and taste buds to enjoy smells and tastes, and the nerves under your skin to enjoy touch. Every act of enjoyment becomes an act of worship when you thank G.o.d for it. In fact, the Bible says, his creation. He gave you eyes to enjoy beauty, ears to enjoy sounds, your nose and taste buds to enjoy smells and tastes, and the nerves under your skin to enjoy touch. Every act of enjoyment becomes an act of worship when you thank G.o.d for it. In fact, the Bible says, "G.o.d... generously gives us everything for our enjoyment." "G.o.d... generously gives us everything for our enjoyment."

G.o.d even enjoys watching you sleep! When my children were small, I remember the deep satisfaction of watching them sleep. Sometimes the day had been filled with problems and disobedience, but asleep they looked contented, secure, and peaceful, and I was reminded of how much I love them.

My children didn't have to do anything for me to enjoy them. I was happy to just watch them breathing, breathing, because I loved them so much. As their little chests would rise and fall, I'd smile, and sometimes tears of joy filled my eyes. When you are sleeping, G.o.d gazes at you with love, because you were his idea. He loves you as if you were the only person on earth. because I loved them so much. As their little chests would rise and fall, I'd smile, and sometimes tears of joy filled my eyes. When you are sleeping, G.o.d gazes at you with love, because you were his idea. He loves you as if you were the only person on earth.

G.o.d enjoys watching every detail of your life.

Parents do not require their children to be perfect, or even mature, in order to enjoy them. They enjoy them at every stage of development. In the same way, G.o.d doesn't wait for you to reach maturity before he starts liking you. He loves and enjoys you at every stage of your spiritual development.

You may have had unpleasable teachers or parents as you were growing up. Please don't a.s.sume G.o.d feels that way about you. He knows you are incapable of being perfect or sinless. The Bible says, "He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust." "He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust."

What G.o.d looks at is the att.i.tude of your heart: Is pleasing him your deepest desire? This was Paul's life goal: "More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there." "More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there." When you live in light of eternity, your focus changes from "How much pleasure am I getting out of life?" to "How much pleasure is G.o.d getting out of my life?" When you live in light of eternity, your focus changes from "How much pleasure am I getting out of life?" to "How much pleasure is G.o.d getting out of my life?"

G.o.d is looking for people like Noah in the twenty-first century people willing to live for the pleasure of G.o.d. The Bible says, "The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please G.o.d." "The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please G.o.d."

Will you make pleasing G.o.d the goal of your life? There is nothing that G.o.d won't do for the person totally absorbed with this goal.

DAY NINE THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSEPoint to Ponder: G.o.d smiles when I trust him. G.o.d smiles when I trust him.Verse to Remember: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love." "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love." Psalm 147:11 Psalm 147:11 (CEV) (CEV)Question to Consider: Since G.o.d knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most? Since G.o.d knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

10.

The Heart of Worship Give yourselves to G.o.d Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. Romans 6:13 (TEV) Romans 6:13 (TEV)The heart of worship is surrender.

Surrender is an unpopular word, disliked almost as much as the word an unpopular word, disliked almost as much as the word submission. submission. It implies losing, and no one wants to be a It implies losing, and no one wants to be a loser. Surrender loser. Surrender evokes the unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context. Captured criminals evokes the unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context. Captured criminals surrender surrender to authorities. to authorities.

In today's compet.i.tive culture we are taught to never give up and never give in-so we don't hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. unthinkable. We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to G.o.d is the heart of worship. It is the natural response to G.o.d's amazing love and mercy. We give ourselves to him, not out of fear or duty, but in love, We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to G.o.d is the heart of worship. It is the natural response to G.o.d's amazing love and mercy. We give ourselves to him, not out of fear or duty, but in love, "because he first loved us." "because he first loved us."

Offering yourself to G.o.d is what worship is all about.

After spending eleven chapters of the book of Romans explaining G.o.d's incredible grace to us, Paul urges us to fully surrender our lives to G.o.d in worship: "So then, my friends, because of G.o.d's great mercy to us ... offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to G.o.d, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer." "So then, my friends, because of G.o.d's great mercy to us ... offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to G.o.d, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer."

True worship-bringing G.o.d pleasure-happens when you give yourself completely to G.o.d. Notice the first and last words of that verse are the same: offer. offer. Offering yourself to G.o.d is what worship is all about. Offering yourself to G.o.d is what worship is all about.

This act of personal surrender is called many things: consecration, making Jesus your Lord, taking up your cross, dying to self, yielding to the Spirit. What matters is that you do it, not what you call it. G.o.d wants your life-all of it. Ninety-five percent is not enough.

There are three barriers that block our total surrender to G.o.d: fear, pride, and confusion. We don't realize how much G.o.d loves us, we want to control our own lives, and we misunderstand the meaning of surrender.

Can I trust G.o.d? Trust is an essential ingredient to surrender. You won't surrender to G.o.d unless you trust him, but you can't trust him until you know him better. Fear keeps us from surrendering, but Trust is an essential ingredient to surrender. You won't surrender to G.o.d unless you trust him, but you can't trust him until you know him better. Fear keeps us from surrendering, but love casts out all fear. love casts out all fear. The more you realize how much G.o.d loves you, the easier surrender becomes. The more you realize how much G.o.d loves you, the easier surrender becomes.

How do you know G.o.d loves you? He gives you many evidences: G.o.d says he loves you;' you're never out of his sight; he cares about every detail of your life; he gave you the capacity to enjoy all kinds of pleasure; he has good plans for your life; he forgives you; and he is lovingly patient with you. G.o.d loves you infinitely more than you can imagine.

The greatest expression of this is the sacrifice of G.o.d's Son for you. "G.o.d proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." you. "G.o.d proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." If you want to know how much you matter to G.o.d, look at Christ with his arms outstretched on the cross, saying, "I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you." If you want to know how much you matter to G.o.d, look at Christ with his arms outstretched on the cross, saying, "I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you."

G.o.d is not a cruel slave driver or a bully who uses brute force to coerce us into submission. He doesn't try to break our will, but woos us to himself so that we might offer ourselves freely to him. G.o.d is a lover and a liberator, and surrendering to him brings freedom, not bondage. When we completely surrender ourselves to Jesus, we discover that he is not a tyrant, but a savior; not a boss, but a brother; not a dictator, but a friend.

Admitting our limitations. A second barrier to total surrender is our pride. We don't want to admit that we're just creatures and not in charge of everything. It is the oldest temptation: A second barrier to total surrender is our pride. We don't want to admit that we're just creatures and not in charge of everything. It is the oldest temptation: "You'll be like G.o.d!"' "You'll be like G.o.d!"' That desire-to have complete control-is the cause of so much stress in our lives. Life is a struggle, but what most people don't realize is that our struggle, like Jacob's, is really a struggle with G.o.d! We want to be G.o.d, and there's no way we are going to win that struggle. That desire-to have complete control-is the cause of so much stress in our lives. Life is a struggle, but what most people don't realize is that our struggle, like Jacob's, is really a struggle with G.o.d! We want to be G.o.d, and there's no way we are going to win that struggle.

A. W. Tozer said, "The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with G.o.d's work within us."

We aren't G.o.d and never never will be. We are humans. It is when we try to be G.o.d that we end up most like Satan, who desired the same thing. We accept our humanity intellectually, but not emotionally. When faced with our own limitations, we react with irritation, anger, and resentment. We want to be taller (or shorter), smarter, stronger, more talented, more beautiful, and wealthier. We want to have it all and do it all, and we become upset when it doesn't happen. Then when we notice that G.o.d gave others characteristics we don't have, we respond with envy, jealousy, and self-pity. will be. We are humans. It is when we try to be G.o.d that we end up most like Satan, who desired the same thing. We accept our humanity intellectually, but not emotionally. When faced with our own limitations, we react with irritation, anger, and resentment. We want to be taller (or shorter), smarter, stronger, more talented, more beautiful, and wealthier. We want to have it all and do it all, and we become upset when it doesn't happen. Then when we notice that G.o.d gave others characteristics we don't have, we respond with envy, jealousy, and self-pity.

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What it means to surrender. Surrendering to G.o.d is not pa.s.sive resignation, fatalism, or an excuse for laziness. It is not accepting the status quo. It may mean the exact opposite: sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed. G.o.d often calls surrendered people to do battle on his behalf. Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats. Likewise, it does not mean giving up rational thinking. G.o.d would not waste the mind he gave you! G.o.d does not want robots to serve him. Surrendering to G.o.d is not pa.s.sive resignation, fatalism, or an excuse for laziness. It is not accepting the status quo. It may mean the exact opposite: sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed. G.o.d often calls surrendered people to do battle on his behalf. Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats. Likewise, it does not mean giving up rational thinking. G.o.d would not waste the mind he gave you! G.o.d does not want robots to serve him.

Surrendering is not repressing your personality. G.o.d wants to use your unique personality. Rather than its being diminished, surrendering enhances it. C. S. Lewis observed, "The more we let G.o.d take us over, the more truly ourselves we become-because he made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be.... It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own."

Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. You say "yes, Lord" "yes, Lord" to whatever he asks of you. To say to whatever he asks of you. To say "no, Lord" is "no, Lord" is to speak a contradiction. You can't call Jesus your Lord when you refuse to obey him. After a night of failed fishing, Simon modeled surrender when Jesus told him to try again: to speak a contradiction. You can't call Jesus your Lord when you refuse to obey him. After a night of failed fishing, Simon modeled surrender when Jesus told him to try again: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' Surrendered people obey G.o.d's word, even if it doesn't make sense. Surrendered people obey G.o.d's word, even if it doesn't make sense.

Another aspect of a fully surrendered life is trust. Abraham followed G.o.d's leading without knowing where where it would take him. Hannah waited for G.o.d's perfect timing without knowing it would take him. Hannah waited for G.o.d's perfect timing without knowing when. when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing Mary expected a miracle without knowing how. how. Joseph trusted G.o.d's purpose without knowing Joseph trusted G.o.d's purpose without knowing why why circ.u.mstances happened the way they did. Each of these people were fully surrendered to G.o.d. circ.u.mstances happened the way they did. Each of these people were fully surrendered to G.o.d.

You know you're surrendered to G.o.d when you rely on G.o.d to work, things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let G.o.d work. You don't have to always be "in charge." The Bible says, "Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him." "Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him."

Instead of trying harder, you trust more. You also know you're surrendered when you don't react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don't edge others out, you don't demand your rights, and you aren't self-serving when you're surrendered.

The most difficult area to surrender for many people is their money. Many have thought, "I want to live for G.o.d but I also want to earn enough money to live comfortably and retire someday." Retirement is not the goal of a surrendered life, because it competes with G.o.d for the primary attention of our lives. Jesus said, "You cannot "You cannot serve serve both G.o.d and money" both G.o.d and money" and and "Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be also." "Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be also."

The supreme example of self-surrender is Jesus. The night before his crucifixion Jesus surrendered himself to G.o.d's plan. He prayed, "Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." "Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

Jesus didn't pray, "G.o.d, if you're able able to take away this pain, please do so." He had already affirmed that G.o.d can do anything! Instead he prayed, "G.o.d, if it is in to take away this pain, please do so." He had already affirmed that G.o.d can do anything! Instead he prayed, "G.o.d, if it is in your your best interest to remove this suffering, please do best interest to remove this suffering, please do so. But so. But if it fulfills if it fulfills your your purpose, that's what I want, too." purpose, that's what I want, too."

Genuine surrender says, "Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circ.u.mstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another's, please don't don't take it away." This level of maturity does not come easy. In Jesus' case, he agonized so much over G.o.d's plan that he sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it is intense warfare against our self-centered nature. take it away." This level of maturity does not come easy. In Jesus' case, he agonized so much over G.o.d's plan that he sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it is intense warfare against our self-centered nature.

The blessing of surrender. The Bible is crystal clear about how you benefit when you fully surrender your life to G.o.d. First, you experience peace: The Bible is crystal clear about how you benefit when you fully surrender your life to G.o.d. First, you experience peace: "Stop quarreling with G.o.d! If you agree with him, you will have peace at last, and things will go well for you." "Stop quarreling with G.o.d! If you agree with him, you will have peace at last, and things will go well for you." Next, you experience freedom: Next, you experience freedom: "Offer yourselves to the ways of G.o.d and the freedom never quits.... [his] commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!" "Offer yourselves to the ways of G.o.d and the freedom never quits.... [his] commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!"18Third, you experience G.o.d's power in your life. Stubborn temptations and overwhelming problems can be defeated by Christ when given to him.

As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered G.o.d, fell in worship before him, and surrendered his plans. That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho. This is the paradox: Victory comes through surrender. Surrender doesn't weaken you; it strengthens you. Surrendered to G.o.d, you don't have to fear or surrender to anything else. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, "The greatness of a man's power is in the measure of his surrender."

Surrendered people are the ones G.o.d uses. G.o.d chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, not because she was talented or wealthy or beautiful, but because she was totally surrendered to him. When the angel explained G.o.d's improbable plan, she calmly responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants." "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants." Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of G.o.d. Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of G.o.d. "So give yourselves completely to G.o.d." "So give yourselves completely to G.o.d."

The best way to live. Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to G.o.d, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, l.u.s.ts, or ego. You were designed to worship G.o.d-and if you fail to worship him, you will create other things (idols) to give your life to. You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice. E. Stanley Jones said, "If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos." Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to G.o.d, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, l.u.s.ts, or ego. You were designed to worship G.o.d-and if you fail to worship him, you will create other things (idols) to give your life to. You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice. E. Stanley Jones said, "If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos."

Surrender is not the best best way to live; it is the way to live; it is the only way only way to live. Nothing else works. All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment, and self-destruction. The King James Version calls surrender "your to live. Nothing else works. All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment, and self-destruction. The King James Version calls surrender "your reasonable reasonable service." Another version translates it "the most service." Another version translates it "the most sensible sensible way to serve G.o.d." Surrendering your life is not a foolish emotional impulse but a rational, intelligent act, the most responsible and sensible thing you can do with your life. That is why Paul said, way to serve G.o.d." Surrendering your life is not a foolish emotional impulse but a rational, intelligent act, the most responsible and sensible thing you can do with your life. That is why Paul said, "So we make it our goal to please him." "So we make it our goal to please him." Your wisest moments will be those when you say yes to G.o.d. Your wisest moments will be those when you say yes to G.o.d.

Sometimes it takes years, but eventually you discover that the greatest hindrance to G.o.d's blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself-your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition. You cannot fulfill G.o.d's purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans.

If G.o.d is going to do his deepest work in you, it will begin with this. So give it all to G.o.d: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver's seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don't be afraid; nothing under his control can ever be out of control. Mastered by Christ, you can handle anything. You will be like Paul: "I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me, that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency." "I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me, that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency."

Paul's moment of surrender occurred on the Damascus road after he was knocked down by a blinding light. For others, G.o.d gets our attention with less drastic methods. Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event. Paul said, "I die daily." daily." There is a There is a moment moment of surrender, and there is the of surrender, and there is the practice practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The problem with a of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The problem with a living living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar, so you may have to surrender your life fifty times a day. You must make it a daily habit. Jesus said, sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar, so you may have to surrender your life fifty times a day. You must make it a daily habit. Jesus said, "If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me." "If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me."

Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live. Nothing else works.

Let me warn you: When you decide to live a totally surrendered life, that decision will be tested. Sometimes it will mean doing inconvenient, unpopular, costly, or seemingly impossible tasks. It will often mean doing the opposite of what you feel like doing.

One of the great Christian leaders of the twentieth century was Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. Through Crusade staff around the world, the Four Spiritual Laws tract, and the Jesus Jesus film (seen by over four billion people), more than 150 million people have come to Christ and will spend eternity in heaven. film (seen by over four billion people), more than 150 million people have come to Christ and will spend eternity in heaven.

I once asked Bill, "Why did G.o.d use and bless your life so much?" He said, "When I was a young man, I made a contract with G.o.d. I literally wrote it out and signed my name at the bottom. It said, 'From this day forward, I am a slave of Jesus Christ.'"

Have you ever signed a contract like that with G.o.d? Or are you still arguing and struggling with G.o.d over his right to do with your life as he pleases? Now is your time to surrender-to G.o.d's grace, love, and wisdom.

DAY TEN THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE.

Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is surrender. The heart of worship is surrender.

Verse to Remember: "Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." "Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes."

Romans 6:13b (TEV) (TEV) Question to Consider: Question to Consider: What area of my life am I holding back from G.o.d? What area of my life am I holding back from G.o.d?

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