Today's world is quickly changing from one full of paperwork to one that is electronic and paperless. From paying bills to applying for jobs, buying a porch swing or even writing a friend, it is just a click away to submit your payment, your resume, your purchase order or your email.
That word submit has two basic meanings: to offer or to surrender and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many. The average American heart and mind sees these two words in an unsavory manner. They carry the implication of weakness, inability or lack of where with all. The worlds version of surrender is rather unappealing; after all who wants to give up, forfeit, give in and pipe down? Not me, not you, we all think of this as some sort of defeat. It carries the connotation of weakness, inability or lack of where with all. And we, especially us Americans, are not going to give up our say or our rights to anyone!
God wants us to know HIM well enough that we can eagerly offer ourselves, submitting and surrendering to HIM because we trust HIM. ".
Surrender and submission to GOD and HIS Word are a vital part of our relationship with GOD. Without it we block the supply HE is so eager to give us.
Since the earthquake in Haiti, food supplies have been sent to Haiti from many nations and peoples for the people of Haiti. But the government of Haiti is not freely turning them over to the people but is blocking their release. Praise the LORD, recently the government has begun to allowing some food supply to trickle through the blockade to the people. But I have been told that it is no where near what is needed.
The supply is there but the people are not getting it.
The same is true for us Christians. GOD is ready and so eager to supply our every need but often we block the free flow of the supply by doing things our own way. When we refuse or ignore HIS instructions either placed in our hearts or found in HIS word (intended to help us not hurt us) we block the supply.
For example, GOD says, “Judge nothing before the time.” (1)
That word nothing means no thing. Now that includes even our own situations but for the sake of what I want to point out, I am looking at others.
And how easy it is for us to judge another’s actions. We say, “They are wrong." "They should have done this." "They should have done that?” or “Well, look at what they did?”
If it is not our situation and we are not in a place where we can do something, nor have been asked by those in the situation for advice we are to not judge the situation. (period)
If we do judge, our supply of peace and joy is blocked and on top of that we cannot hear the LORD for our own situation because we have turned our back on HIM by refusing HIS instructions.
The Bible says something more. It says the things I judge in others, I do myself. (2)
Ouch!
Losing my peace and joy by meddling in another’s affairs is not worth it!
So now when I find myself judging another, I turn to GOD ask HIM to show me where I am doing that thing I am criticizing and then in submission to HIM I turn the situation over to HIM lifting the people and the situation up to HIM (3) then go my own way.
It is totally freeing, yet I have helped the situation through my prayers. (4)
So don't block the supply you need, submit to GOD's instructions in all things.
(1) I Corinthians 4:3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
(2) Romans 2:1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
(3)Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (for every situation) with all kinds of prayer. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
(4)2 Corinthians 1:11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
That word submit has two basic meanings: to offer or to surrender and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many. The average American heart and mind sees these two words in an unsavory manner. They carry the implication of weakness, inability or lack of where with all. The worlds version of surrender is rather unappealing; after all who wants to give up, forfeit, give in and pipe down? Not me, not you, we all think of this as some sort of defeat. It carries the connotation of weakness, inability or lack of where with all. And we, especially us Americans, are not going to give up our say or our rights to anyone!
God wants us to know HIM well enough that we can eagerly offer ourselves, submitting and surrendering to HIM because we trust HIM. ".
Surrender and submission to GOD and HIS Word are a vital part of our relationship with GOD. Without it we block the supply HE is so eager to give us.
Since the earthquake in Haiti, food supplies have been sent to Haiti from many nations and peoples for the people of Haiti. But the government of Haiti is not freely turning them over to the people but is blocking their release. Praise the LORD, recently the government has begun to allowing some food supply to trickle through the blockade to the people. But I have been told that it is no where near what is needed.
The supply is there but the people are not getting it.
The same is true for us Christians. GOD is ready and so eager to supply our every need but often we block the free flow of the supply by doing things our own way. When we refuse or ignore HIS instructions either placed in our hearts or found in HIS word (intended to help us not hurt us) we block the supply.
For example, GOD says, “Judge nothing before the time.” (1)
That word nothing means no thing. Now that includes even our own situations but for the sake of what I want to point out, I am looking at others.
And how easy it is for us to judge another’s actions. We say, “They are wrong." "They should have done this." "They should have done that?” or “Well, look at what they did?”
If it is not our situation and we are not in a place where we can do something, nor have been asked by those in the situation for advice we are to not judge the situation. (period)
If we do judge, our supply of peace and joy is blocked and on top of that we cannot hear the LORD for our own situation because we have turned our back on HIM by refusing HIS instructions.
The Bible says something more. It says the things I judge in others, I do myself. (2)
Ouch!
Losing my peace and joy by meddling in another’s affairs is not worth it!
So now when I find myself judging another, I turn to GOD ask HIM to show me where I am doing that thing I am criticizing and then in submission to HIM I turn the situation over to HIM lifting the people and the situation up to HIM (3) then go my own way.
It is totally freeing, yet I have helped the situation through my prayers. (4)
So don't block the supply you need, submit to GOD's instructions in all things.
(1) I Corinthians 4:3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
(2) Romans 2:1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
(3)Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (for every situation) with all kinds of prayer. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
(4)2 Corinthians 1:11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
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