December 24th

What could we possibly have to give to our Savior who gave everything for us and gives everything to us that we could possibly need? He certainly doesn’t need anything. So what can we give Him that He doesn’t already have? Well He may not need anything, but He doesn’t have everything does He?

He doesn’t have all of us does He? I mean, He doesn’t have all of your heart/life/mind or all of my heart/life/mind, does He? I wish He did, but it is a process. I have to stay surrendered to Him. I have to loosen my grip on my life and my will. I have to continue to lay myself on the altar and submit to Him and His will instead of mine. And sometimes that means sacrifices, doesn’t it? But compared to His sacrifice it is nothing.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

You say, “But wait”…

LOL, we really can’t argue with that one when there is this one:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

We were bought with a price, a big one, our Savior’s life. At the very least we could bless Him with absolute and persistent, progressive surrender. We could find something to surrender everyday and just bless His heart everyday. That would be wonderful gift to give Him.

Another gift we can give Him is to take that surrender one step further and put it into action…

By being obedient.

John 14:23 “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”

Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

1 John 2:4-6 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

We have to live what we believe. Our lives must reflect our faith or it is worthless. Jesus reflected truth and love in everything He did, from birth to the cross and resurrection. We need to live the way He lived. Not that we become homeless and wear our sandals out walking, but that He becomes first in everything and our lives are no longer about us but about Him in every decision. And yes, if He makes it clear to you to sell everything and give to the poor and move to some humble place to minister, then do that. But chances are He has work for you to do right where you are now and you just need to humble yourself and be willing to let Him use you. It might mean getting rid of your pride and being willing to look a little foolish if the people around you don’t respond to the message you are projecting. It might mean not spending as much on coffee so you have some extra change to donate to someone in need. It might mean actually giving until it hurts. It might mean taking time to teach someone to read. It might mean cleaning a widow’s house or dropping off groceries or doing laundry, mowing a yard, taking out trash. It might mean spending more time praying or being willing to pray for someone in the middle of the grocery store. I don’t know what it will mean for you each day but I do know that it means being willing to do whatever He is calling you to DO each and every day.

This Christmas let’s begin to give Jesus what He doesn’t have yet, all of ourselves, more and more each day. He certainly deserves our surrender and our obedience.

Jesus, forgive my stubborn selfishness. Help me to let go and surrender more of myself to you each day. Help me to live the way you are calling me to live. Help me to make the choices that you desire for me. Help me to surrender my will and understanding and walk in your will for my life. I love you and I want to give back to you. Thank you for your perfect love Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.