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Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13 (KJV)

Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. Romans 6:13b (TEV)

Question to Consider:
What area of my life am I holding back from God?

The answer to this question is so hard to articulate because, often we don’t even realize exactly what it is that holds us back from completely surrendering our lives. I often fail the trials and tests that are sent my way by hesitating to do what others ask of me. My initial feeling is to say “no” to a request, but when I can’t figure out why I’m saying “no” I realize, there is no reason – they need my help so I must do what is needed. I do this a lot and I am reminded of the saying that delayed obedience is really disobedience. Yet, it happens to me daily, I reluctantly answer my phone – knowing that there is a request for my services on the other end.

After some reflection, I begin to realize that maybe it is my time that I am holding back from God – which is crazy because it’s not my time anyway, but His. He can take it all away from whenever He gets ready. I must remember that each day is not mine, but His, and I should be ready for whatever it is that He has planned for me. I’m going to need continual prayer for this one – but God’s grace is sufficient and He is able to work out a much needed change in my spirit.

Important Quotes:
“True worship – bringing pleasure to God – happens when you give yourself completely to God…Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about.” (Warren, 78)

“If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at Christ with his arms outstretched on the cross, saying, ‘I love you this much! I’d rather die than live without you.’” (Warren, 79)

“Surrendered people obey God’s word, even if it doesn’t make sense.” (Warren, 80)

“You know you’re surrended to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation.” (Warren 80)

“You were designed to worship God – 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.” (Warren, 82)

“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.” (Warren, 83)

“Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event…There is a moment of surrender, and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar, so you may have to resurrender your life fifty times a day. You must make it a daily habit.” (Warren, 83-84)

“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.” (Warren, 84)

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