“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.'” — Mark 8:34-35
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Surrendering is the beginning of obedience. When we surrender, we release control of everything we think we have a hold of. To surrender is to cease resistance and submit to authority. When we surrender, we allow the Spirit of God to lead us so we are no longer being led by our flesh.
When we pray, we surrender and submit our requests, dreams and desires to a Holy God who loves us and hears us. When we come to the saving knowledge of who He is, we exchange our sinful, selfish, pride-filled lives for an eternal life in Heaven, and an abundant life on earth.
You cannot walk in true obedience until you let go of your will and accept the will of God. Surrender. Jesus told a crowd and His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
To deny means to not allow yourself to have what you had before. It is the turning away of the old to walk into the new; it is the surrendering of an old way of thinking, doing and responding in order to receive new orders. When we lay down our lives, we yield power, possession and control to a trustworthy God who promises to never leave us nor forsake us.
Where do you need to surrender or let go today? Is it your career, future or plans? Where do you need to trust God and obey?
— Fleceia Comeaux, Houston Dash chaplain
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