surrender – Judy in the Sky

Read Psalm 36 – If they only knew…. Beloved, do you remember the old you, prior to Salvation? The old me was guilty of the :1-4 accusations. On the outside I was a nice person, but on the inside there was no fear of God, I was prideful about my sin and did not reject the things that were wrong to God.

There is an analogy about sheep standing on a vibrant green hillside. They look so white and pristine, but then the snow fell and their filth was apparent in contrast to the pure white snow.

Owning who we were apart from Jesus is essential to our surrender, Salvation, and celebration of who God is… Then the snow continued to fall, and the dirty fleece was covered in pristine white… as we emerge, clothed in Jesus Christ – hallelujah!

Verses :5-9 is a shift of focus from the wicked to the glory of God. There is a song by the band, THIRD DAY, and they sing these verses. If you know it you might find yourself reading to the tune.

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains. Your justice like the great deep.” :5-7

Do you feel the change in your heart as you read these verses of adoration? Do you feel the weight of this world lighten as you turn your focus to Jesus?

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. ” :7

God bless your day.

Read James 4 – (2min, 27 sec if you were thinking up an excuse to put it off) We get in our own way so often. James asks, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” :1

The one you’re fighting with may be in the wrong, but where is your pride in the situation? Is there another way? Do you imagine Jesus standing next to you shouting, “Yeah! You tell em!” Of course not!! Instead Scripture reminds, that the Holy Spirit yearns jealously for us (:5).

Beloved, when you go off course, you will feel the Holy Spirit’s presence cringing within you, but you also have the free-will power to push his voice to the side. You can do this so much that you no longer hear it. Scripture tells us to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. That is power, that is fighting with God on your side, and the first step is on you. Lay down that pride, instead submit to God… give a quick prayer before you respond to the person who has ruffled your feathers, “Jesus, give me words.”

Verses :13-16 speak about setting goals and leaving the Lord out of them. Hold on loosely to this life; it can change in an instant. Always strive to be in the center of God’s will. “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” :15

You might enjoy listening to the David Crowder Band’s – HOW HE LOVES US. It kept spilling into my thoughts as I read this morning. May Jesus’s love fill your heart as the Holy Spirit guides your thoughts, words and actions today!