"What will you give up for me? Will you follow Me even when circumstances don't make sense? Will you follow Me wherever I lead? Will you trust me no matter what?"
John Henry Jowett wrote, "Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing."
As I sat silently listening I sensed more questions stir within me. Are you willing to die to yourself, your pride, your dreams, your ambitions and surrender them for MY greater plan?
Living our purpose demands constant surrender. A delicate lines exists between faith and works. On one hand God calls us to press on and relentlessly pursue His vision, to courageously fulfill all He has called us to. Yet, at the same time, He requires us to hold loosely to each dream to ensure it doesn't become a snare for our affection.
If you are like me, the task at times seems impossible. BUT NOTHING is impossible with God. The key to faith is trusting in God's abilities not our own. It requires dying to self daily and taking up our cross to follow after Him.
Today, I was once again humbled by the love of my Father. Who gently reminded me..."Julie, you can't... BUT I CAN!" He reminded me of His love with pictures of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. Friends, we are not alone. Our job is not "to do" but to love. God requires our admiration not our accomplishments. We are eternally loved and empowered by the Creator of all things.
So, I encourage you to join me once again. Relinquish every concern. Cast off every fear and weight. Take up your cross and follow HIM wherever HE LEADS. Let us determine together to declare the words of John the Baptist, "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30, NIV)
PRAYER: Father, fill us with Your strength. We surrender to you all that we are and all that we have. Use us for Your glory and grant us Your favor. May we know the joy and sense the peace of Your Presence. In Jesus name, amen.
Thank you Julie for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Clark
Julie I love this. Everyday I die a little more, so that OUR FATHER can shape me and mold me and prepare me more for what HE HAS PLANNED FOR ME in these COMING DAYS...
ReplyDeleteWHEN I WAS ABOUT TO LOSE EVERYTHING OUR BUSINESS OUR HOME AND SO MUCH MORE, THE LORD BROUGHT SUCH A PEACE INTO MY LIFE AND HEART...WHISPERING SO SOFTLY....SURRENDER...SURRENDER IT ALL TO ME...I WILL NOT LET MY CHILDREN PERISH...I AM YOUR FATHER....YOUR PROVIDER....AND WHEN I TOTALLY SURRENDERED IT ALL TO HIM, MY BURDEN AND HEAVY WEIGHT WAS LIFTED...THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS TODAY.....
Thank for sharing this Julie... the well that you draw from will never run dry, God will fulfill His purpose in our lives in Jesus' name. Amen
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