From Bible App/Bible.com
I’m so behind on my blogging – I have two posts in my head waiting for time….But then this morning during my Bible reading and devotional time, I decided to post this. I loved today’s devotional, “Day 4 – The Power of Surrender ” by David Shearman from the Bible App/Bible.com. It is so good, I need to share it here so I can re-read it!
I read this devotional after reading Genesis 27-29. These were the chapters that outlined the life of Jacob. Remember how his mom had him deceive his father, Issac, for his blessing. And then what happened to Jacob after he fell in love with Rachel? He worked for seven years for her hand in marriage. Only to be deceived by Laban, his soon to be father-in-law. He substituted Leah, his oldest daughter. Jacob had to work for another seven years for Rachel. And then I read this devotional. It is so important to come into Alignment with our Lord!!!
Whenever we face difficult or unexpected situations in life, we can panic or we can pray. If we open the Bible, pray, and share our concerns with trusted friends, in due course we will arrive at the truth, which has the power to set us free. The truth is, we can be free from whatever has limited, contained, even bugged us for all or part of our lives.
So how do we align ourselves with God so that we can truly receive His blessings?
Our previous family home had a substantial wooden letterbox to receive the mail. The box had a lock and my grandson, Edward, was very proud that he knew the combination. The padlock had 1,000 possible number sequences but only one opened the lock. It’s about alignment, having everything in the right place. With alignment everything seems easy!
If we get ourselves in line with the purposes of God, things open up to us. Things begin to happen that wouldn’t otherwise happen. This is an exciting place to live. It is thrilling to live with a sense of purpose and watch God at work, doing amazing things. We must learn to be aligned to His plans and ways.
Some of us are still fighting against becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus. But until we absolutely surrender every area of our lives to God and fully come under His Lordship, we are not in line for the full favor of God. People tend to argue with Him about how they use three things – their time, talent, and treasure. But the truth is, “we are not our own, we have been bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Our full freedom comes not only when we cease being slaves to sin, but when we choose to be “slaves to Christ.”
Does that mean we cannot make decisions about where we live or work or who are our friends? Of course not, provided we are surrendered to His Lordship, and that in our choices we retain an inner knowledge of His peace that guides and confirms we are on the right path.
But when we surrender, coming into alignment with God’s plans and purposes, we gain life in abundance. What does coming into alignment mean for you today? For me it is learning to walk and work with Jesus and keep watching how He does it.
Matthew 11:27-30 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Real life.... 