Week 10

This week you needed to:

• Read chapter 10
• Read Psalm 37

Chapter 10: Surrender Your Daily Life to God

Surrender: to give oneself up, as to an enemy.

There is a war raging that we cannot see. Eph 6:12 talks of a battle that is not of flesh and blood. It is a battle raging on another level, for something more dear than human life: human souls.

There are two sides to this war. In John 8:38-45 you hear of the two sides: God and the devil.

In a war, how do we know who the enemy is? Think about the “bad guys” in WWI, WWII, VN War, Gulf War. What characteristics did they have? (wanted us dead, had different beliefs, some abided by the rules of engagement, others cheated)

In the war for our souls, it’s not so obvious who the enemy is. The enemy is a master of disguise.

Sometimes we ourselves think we know which side we’re on, until we wake up one day and find ourselves on the wrong side of the world. James 1:23-24, Luke 6:44

Galatians 5:13-26 will help you understand.

So what do we need to do? Katie says it’s a daily surrender. Sometimes it’s a moment-by-moment surrender. The first step is to make sure that you have truly surrendered to Christ. Can you share when you first came to Christ?

I remember some pictures coming back from the war in the Middle East. There were some Iraqi soldiers surrendering to US Troops. They carried a white flag and walked with hands raised.

I see similar scenes inside churches…think about it. Tissue in hand, a tearful repentant soul raises their hands in surrender to God. It’s the universal signal of surrender!

Another definition of surrender is: To relinquish possession or control of to another.

Luke 14:33 "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”

In South America, they hunt monkeys. Some use arrows or darts, but there is another way. They bore a hole in a log and put some kind of fruit inside the log. The monkey smells then sees the food and grabs for it. But the hole was only big enough for their hand to get down into, not a fist full of something to come back out of. These monkeys and their desire for food overcome their fear of being trapped. They are then easy targets for hunters.

Sometimes we find ourselves holding too tightly onto something. It might be a dream for a big house, a fancy car or prestigious career. We hold on so tightly we don’t see that it is actually a trap. When we find bankruptcy, the repo man or unemployment knocking at the door we find it’s too late to turn it loose.

What are you holding on to too tightly? What occupies your thoughts most of the day? That’s a big clue. Why not surrender this item to the One who can deal with it?

When you became a Christian, surrendering your life was the first step. Now it’s time to start turning the baggage over to Him too. Didn’t He promise His burden was light? Matt 11:28-30

I’m not saying it is easy. I agree with Katie. Surrender may take a moment or it could take years. It could be giving up control over your future plans, or a sweet tooth. The good news is that your obedience will be rewarded.

• One reward of surrender is a transformed life. We start to experience the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and patience… Gal 5:22-23
• Another is a gift of wisdom. Imagine knowing what you’re supposed to do, rather than confusion, uncertainty or indecision!
• The best reward is pleasing God. He is the king of the universe and He will NEVER leave us for let us down.

So Katie’s toughest question came from her pastor’s wife: would we still follow God even if He never did another thing for us? That’s tough. Read what Habakuk in the Old Testament says in 3:17-19

Take 10 days

• Fast from tv and radio—make the house as still as possible and open your Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to show up to reveal what you need to surrender and then listen.
• While you’re waiting, investigate, ask questions of friends and family—what are you hanging on to?
• Think about what would happen if God did take something from you—your health, your child, your job, your car? Prepare to really let go.
• Once you make the surrender, keep seeking transformation. Rom 12:2 If you’re not serious, this was just another new year’s resolution.
• Declare your surrender, either in your journal, to a prayer group, accountability partner. You need to be held accountable for this choice.
• Ask for prayer!
• If it’s too much, try one day of surrender. Try something small. There is freedom.

His call is for unconditional surrender—but His reward is unconditional love.

This week:

• Work on surrendering at least one thing this week
• Read Chapter 11

Week 9

Chapter 9: Expect the desires of your heart

When you read Psalm 37:4, make sure to take into consideration verse five. “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

When we seek our purpose while staying in God’s will, our path is clearer. It’s when we seek a purpose that is outside of God’s will for our own popularity, ego or money that we stray off course. Our compass is faulty and we find ourselves in a place we never intended to be.

Psalm 37 is a good illustration of this.

Katie makes a good point that maybe some of our desires has to do with our own happiness and security rather than God’s purpose or our holiness. It could also be as simple as thinking we don’t deserve such a thing.

The desire we are focusing on is not the type in James 1:14—the sinful desire that births death.

Understanding our passions will help us uncover our desires. What are you passionate about? What do you like to do without being paid?

• Hobbies
• Career
• Instruction to others
• Community contribution
• Lifestyle

You are a steward of your passions. Remember the story of the talents? Matt 25:14-29 Are you burying your passion for something, putting it on a back burner and thereby snuffing out your desires? What is standing in your way, time, money? Why not take it to God in prayer? It’s amazing how He reignites your heart for things that have been long dormant. He will also take care of any stumbling blocks in the way. I’m not saying to abandon your children or shirk your responsibilities…I’m asking you to take a moment and think about your passions and talk to God about them.

Think about some of the women of the bible that had passions: Singing, sewing, praying and fasting, family…

Don’t forget you will have seasons. There will be times you need to set aside one passion for another. There will be times when obligations need to be taken care of. But He also knows about fear, guilt and broken dreams that could be hiding your desires.

If a passion fizzles, check the fuse. God will squelch a passion that you have not given to Him. Are you doing it for personal reward?

Have you tried to fill that desire for passion with a counterfeit passion? Do a reality check…what’s really going on? Do you find yourself saying, “I earned it, I deserve it!” Keep your focus where it should be. Get that accountability partner on board and have them ask you the hard questions.

Abraham’s passion was having a son. And when God asked for his son, he literally laid his child on an altar. Will you surrender your passion to the Lord to do with as He chooses? Will you take your passion for finance, organizing, art, nutrition, writing, singing, and lay it on the altar before God?

This week:

• Read chapter 10
• Read Psalm 37

Week 8

Chapter 8: Walk with Integrity

Just last week a busy bridge collapsed because of the integrity of the structure. The shuttle lifted off this week only after it passed all inspections and the integrity was approved. When you purchase a car, you are confident that the integrity of the vehicle is sound--or it wouldn't make it out of the factory inspection.

With people, you don’t get a safety rating, checklist or factory inspection. You take a chance every time you shake someone’s hand and pursue friendship. Are they who they seem to be?

How did you feel the last time a friend let you down because what they said did not match with what they did? A woman of integrity and duplicity will look the same on the surface; it’s the motive that needs to be evaluated. James 1:6-7, Ephesians 4:14-16 Are you leading a double life?

God will not put up with secret motives. If we are to be a reflection of God, why then do we find it hard to be “doers of the word?” God looks on the heart. 1 Sam 16:7

He doesn’t tell us right away what our purpose is because He knows us too well. “Once her curiosity is satisfied and the excitement wanes, she won’t follow through on the hard work of completing the mission he crafted for her before she was born.”

Don’t do anything until you’re ready to do it without grumbling. Haggai 2:14-15

No ministry by guilt—give with a thankful heart. 2 Cor 9:7 Watch out for the words “should” and “supposed to”. These are huge flags for guilty motives.

A humanistic mindset says, “it is our duty to be helpful to others in order to promote the survival of the species and the earth”. God says we do it because of the love of Christ. 2 Cor 5:14 Jesus still loves His children and sometimes we can be the vehicle for that love.

What’s my real motive for wanting God to reveal my unique life purpose? Is a motive in need of being examined, or does the job just need to get done asap?

Are we like Miriam (Numbers 12) who wants her time in the spotlight? What’s our motive for finding our purpose?

Is it to BE somebody, or to SERVE Christ?

Ask God to examine your heart. Psalm 139:23-24 Make sure to confess it and repent. Then you might think about finding an accountability partner who will help you stay focused on integrity.

Are you ready? Don’t be discouraged if you have not yet heard from God on your purpose. He may still be working on the hearts of those you will be serving or, you have some more training to go thru. I agree with Katie…don’t let your head hit the pillow tonight without making a commitment to seek integrity. He will complete the work He began in you.

God is searching the world for women of integrity! 2 Chron 16:9

This week:

• Read chapter 9
• Check out the service this weekend—It’s a ministry fair and a great way to test drive a purpose!

Week 7

This week you needed to:

• Read John 4:7-42
• Ask God to prompt you to repent of one particular sin this week
• Read chapter 7 and 8

Chapter 7: Wash One Another’s Feet

And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. And there arose also a dispute among them {as to} which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' "But {it is} not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. "For who is greater, the one who reclines {at the table} or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines {at the table?} But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:23-27

Can you believe the disciples were actually arguing who would be greater in Jesus' kingdom? Little did they know they were going to get a huge lesson in humility!

John 13:1-20

Jesus believed in serving others. So much so that He did it by performing one of the most menial tasks: foot washing. This job was for the lowest slave in the house. The original door mat.

He laid aside His garments and took on the role of slave.

If you look at the way they lived in those days, foot washing was needed. They had regular baths, but it was their feet that would get the dirtiest every day. They walked everywhere. They wore sandals. Their land was dry and dusty…I can imagine their feet would be tough and cracked. Even hot and sore. My feet were sore enough from visiting The Holy Land Experience the other day. I can just imagine how sandaled feet in Israel would be like.

Gen 18:4, 19:2, 43:24, Luke 7:44 (Customary to wash a visitor's feet.)

When entering a house, a slave had the task of washing your feet. I imagine these slaves would not even get a second glance from visitors, but they performed a necessary task for health and hygiene.

Jesus used this lesson to illustrate how He would wash away their sins.

It was a menial task for the King of the Universe, an event reserved for sacrificial animals.

But He laid aside His crown and picked up the cross to do what was needed for your spiritual health.

"No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." John 10:18

In fact, daily washing of the Word and confession of sin is necessary.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

If you have been baptized, don’t go overboard like Peter and asked to be washed head to toe. You’ve already had your full bath. It’s the daily washing and confessing that will keep your walk a witness to others.

Ps 51:2, 51:7, Ez 36:25, Acts 22:16, Heb 10:22, Ephesians 5:25-27 Sins washed away.

Our daily walk is strewn with the sins of the day. We might trudge through the mud of gossip, or kick over a can full of anger. Sometimes we wade through grumbling or coveting and at the end of the day our "feet" are covered with filth.

Our Savior is waiting with a basin and towel, ready to remove the day’s grime--willingly.

If you can envision Him in that lowly station, cleaning your feet daily as a willing servant…will it help to take a second thought before going down a path that you know holds a puddle full of sin for you?

Philippians 2:1-11

We are to do likewise and serve others with a willing heart. Whom should we serve? Let Jesus answer for you.

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You {something} to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, {even} the least {of them,} you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:37 – 40