Day 10 - The Heart Of Worship

Give yourselves to God ...Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.

ROMANS 6:13 (TEV)

"In todays competitive culture we are taught to never give up and never give in - so we don't hear much about surrendering.  If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable.  We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering.  But surrendering to God is the Heart Of Worship." p77

"God wants your life - all of it. Ninety percent is not enough.  There are three barriers that block our total surrender to God: fear, pride and confusion.  We don't realise how much God loves us, we want to control our own lives, and we misunderstand the meaning of surrender." p78

"You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda and control the situation."p80-81

"Victory comes through surrender.  Surrender doesn't weaken you; it strengthens you." p82

"Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone.  If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lust or ego.  You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice." p82

"Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live.  Nothing else works.  All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment, and self-destruction...  Surrendering your life is not a foolish emotional impulse but a rational, intelligent act, the most responsible and sensible thing you can do with your life...  Eventually you discover that the greatest hindrance to God's blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself - your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition.  You cannot fulfill God's purpose for your life while focusing on your own plans." p83

"Jesus said, "If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want.  They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me." p84 

Points to Ponder:  The Heart of Worship is surrender.

Verses to Remember:  "Surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purpose," Romans 6:13b (TEV)

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