Nothing that is not God's will can come into the life of one who trust and obeys God. This fact is enough to make our life one of ceaseless thanksgiving and joy. For "Gods will is the one hopeful, glad, and glorious thing in the world" : and it is working in the omnipotence for us all the time, with nothing to prevent it if we are surrendered and believing. H.W. Smith
i am in the painful process of releasing in my heart that which the Lord has clearly asked me to surrender... he led me to Abraham's situation. this man willingly gave up what was most precious to him. somethings i have fought tooth and nail not to let go of .but in the end its never more clear that i must release my all to him if i desire to walk in full relationship with my Master.
He is a king and requires no less than our full and undivided affection.
however as i sit here and begin to understand the struggle we as humans face in holding to tightly to our possessions i realize i am not alone . we have such a cloud of witnesses who likewise were asked to give up such precious things: an entire nation, Abraham with his son Isaac ; Everything that makes up life including wealth, family, and health: job;. His Freedom:Paul; . A dream and vision for the future : Joseph. what did these men have in common: they chose to submit in the most pressing of situations and received in return a much greater inheritance that would be permanent one in which moth or rust could not destroy. still one thing comes to mind: as great a testimony as these individuals possesed were they not also just mere men. flawed humanity prone to the same weaknesses as all the rest. in other words this could not have been any joy ride for them. we often do not get to see this side of the story only the glorious outcome or end of one who gives all. however i cannot help but think each one suffered a great deal and did not give it all with out having first warrings within and without. if we study the psalms carefully evidence of battle is found amongst the lines filled with hope.
as i read Philippians the first chapter i am amazed at the revelation of God's sovereignty in Paul's life that could only have been realized in the face of such opposition. he was imprisoned but it was here that such beautiful life flowed. here that others were encouraged to boldness and proclaiming the gospel more openly.(see Phil1:14) even in the midst of such captivating moments where seemingly our hearts and minds have been locked into a frame of thinking that contradicts God's word: if we choose like Paul to submit ourselves to the Truth of this Glorious Gospel, despite our fears others will be brought to such salvation and freedom. as i look around and see evidence of Gods hand in my life i am amazed even as a prisoner others are experiencing God's freedom. his fruit still flows. be encouraged dear friend. when all is dark and even your own heart deceives you God is greater still. others are being set free simply by your testimony and willingness to daily surrender all that is valuable to you.
the words of Paul read:" do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries for such constancy and fearlessness will be a clear sign proof and seal to them of their impending destruction. but a sure token of your DELIVERANCE and SALVATION and that from God." (Phil 1:28)
One thing can be sure. you will never be able to out give our wonderful Giver of all things good......Here is a quote that has filled my heart with such gladness as i choose daily to surrender all to my king.
."And from that day to this, people have been learning that when at God's voice, they surrender up to Him the one thing above all else that is dearest to their very hearts, that same thing is returned to them by Him a thousand times over. Abraham gives up his one and only son at God's call, and with this disappear all his hopes for the boy's life and manhood and for a noble family bearing his name. But the boy is restored, the family becomes as the stars and sands in number and out of it in the fullness of time appears Jesus Christ. That is just the way God meets every real sacrifice of every child of his". C.G.Trumbull
when we hold up our white flags to the Lord we cannot always know the exact outcome but one thing can be certain no man or woman ever having truly committed a thing to the Lord did not receive in return all and much more than they could have thought or imagined. it is at times a most painful and difficult process. but as you give yourself to this faithful and just King. Life will abound more and more and that which was so esteemed in your eyes suddenly pales in comparison to the splendor and glory found in the face of our dear Lord. may he bless you abundantly with a greater revelation of himself as you raise your open hands to him.
i am in the painful process of releasing in my heart that which the Lord has clearly asked me to surrender... he led me to Abraham's situation. this man willingly gave up what was most precious to him. somethings i have fought tooth and nail not to let go of .but in the end its never more clear that i must release my all to him if i desire to walk in full relationship with my Master.
He is a king and requires no less than our full and undivided affection.
however as i sit here and begin to understand the struggle we as humans face in holding to tightly to our possessions i realize i am not alone . we have such a cloud of witnesses who likewise were asked to give up such precious things: an entire nation, Abraham with his son Isaac ; Everything that makes up life including wealth, family, and health: job;. His Freedom:Paul; . A dream and vision for the future : Joseph. what did these men have in common: they chose to submit in the most pressing of situations and received in return a much greater inheritance that would be permanent one in which moth or rust could not destroy. still one thing comes to mind: as great a testimony as these individuals possesed were they not also just mere men. flawed humanity prone to the same weaknesses as all the rest. in other words this could not have been any joy ride for them. we often do not get to see this side of the story only the glorious outcome or end of one who gives all. however i cannot help but think each one suffered a great deal and did not give it all with out having first warrings within and without. if we study the psalms carefully evidence of battle is found amongst the lines filled with hope.
as i read Philippians the first chapter i am amazed at the revelation of God's sovereignty in Paul's life that could only have been realized in the face of such opposition. he was imprisoned but it was here that such beautiful life flowed. here that others were encouraged to boldness and proclaiming the gospel more openly.(see Phil1:14) even in the midst of such captivating moments where seemingly our hearts and minds have been locked into a frame of thinking that contradicts God's word: if we choose like Paul to submit ourselves to the Truth of this Glorious Gospel, despite our fears others will be brought to such salvation and freedom. as i look around and see evidence of Gods hand in my life i am amazed even as a prisoner others are experiencing God's freedom. his fruit still flows. be encouraged dear friend. when all is dark and even your own heart deceives you God is greater still. others are being set free simply by your testimony and willingness to daily surrender all that is valuable to you.
the words of Paul read:" do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries for such constancy and fearlessness will be a clear sign proof and seal to them of their impending destruction. but a sure token of your DELIVERANCE and SALVATION and that from God." (Phil 1:28)
One thing can be sure. you will never be able to out give our wonderful Giver of all things good......Here is a quote that has filled my heart with such gladness as i choose daily to surrender all to my king.
."And from that day to this, people have been learning that when at God's voice, they surrender up to Him the one thing above all else that is dearest to their very hearts, that same thing is returned to them by Him a thousand times over. Abraham gives up his one and only son at God's call, and with this disappear all his hopes for the boy's life and manhood and for a noble family bearing his name. But the boy is restored, the family becomes as the stars and sands in number and out of it in the fullness of time appears Jesus Christ. That is just the way God meets every real sacrifice of every child of his". C.G.Trumbull
