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"The Power of a Surrendered Heart"

by Cindy McGill

Vol VII 12/23/2004

"TO GIVE ONESELF UP INTO THE POWER OF ANOTHER"

Lately, I have been meditating on how I can love God with ALL my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

What does that really look like? Is it possible?

That would mean that everything in my life would take second place to my love for God. EVERYTHING. Wow!! What a thought.

I asked the Lord how I might obtain such a love and I felt He whispered to me, "Surrender."

According to the dictionary, the word surrender literally means:

1 a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

2 a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence) intransitive senses : to give oneself up into the power of another : YIELD

Now, that is powerful -- "To give oneself up into the power of another." That is just what Jesus did for the Father and for us.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE

There is no more secure place to live, than to give our lives up to the One who is the essence of Love itself and gave Himself up for us. The One who made us and only has our best interest in mind. Our Destiny Maker, our Path Creator, our Heart Transformer, our LORD.

Romans 12:1-2

"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Surrendering to the Lover of our souls is a very safe place.

Proverbs 18:10

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

SURRENDERING OUR WAYS

We know that His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. As we place ourselves back on the potter's wheel in this season of transformation, we will find that God wants to reshape our hearts and minds so we aren't hindered in the coming days by our own expectations or comfortable ways. His skillful shaping and molding in our lives only gives way for greater fruitfulness in His kingdom. He is the MASTER potter.

Seeing what lies ahead, He takes us and transforms us into a vessels of honor to be used by the King.

SURRENDERING OUR HEARTS

God can do much with a surrendered heart. A heart that will be made tender by His love. A heart that is quick to forgive, patient, and looking for the good in people. This kind of heart is willing to undergo that "circumcision" or "cutting away" of any hardness that has formed on it because of hurtful times. The Surgeon of the "circumcision" always gives a Holy Ghost anesthetic, when such a procedure is required.

This heart-tenderizing transformation produces strength to move forward in overwhelming compassion, creating an atmosphere where miracles can flow. It's what Jesus experienced when He healed people oppressed by the devil. This tender heart hears God's heart, and God's heart is for the lost and dying world.

SURRENDERING OUR LIVES

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

Recently, I was in a conference where the leadership was talking about our need for change in our churches. It seemed so evident to all, but in the elevator I overheard one of the pastors express an unwillingness to change.

The comment went something like, "...That would strip away my whole identity. We are fine the way we are."

There is a danger sign when our "identity" is wrapped up in how we do things, how we function, our gifting, or our callings. We must be careful that we don't lose sight of the One who gave us these things. What if the Lord wants to use us in a new way? It is more about who Christ is in us than who we are in Christ.

THE POWERFUL RESULTS OF SURRENDER

A surrendered life produces great freedom to new expressions of the Spirit. This must have been what the people felt who were gathered in the upper room in Acts 2. They began to have a POWERFUL encounter with the Holy Spirit and the result didn't just affect their lives, but the whole city and region, IMMEDIATELY.

Surrender is what Mary chose in obedience to a request made to her by God. Until that time, such a request had been unheard of; but the result of her surrendered heart caused Jesus to be born through her. Mary LOVED Jesus, with all of her heart, all of her mind, all of her strength, and all of her soul. This love is the result of SURRENDER.

GIVING GOD FREE REIN IN OUR LIVES

As we enter into this season of harvest, where spiritually hungry people are looking for the true "Bread of Life," let us keep a surrendered heart so Jesus can be birthed through us and then in the ones we meet.

Let us set aside these next few days and weeks to surrender to God and let Him transform us -- according to His plan for our lives -- for the upcoming season we are entering into. Let's give God free rein in our lives and ministries to add to or to take away anything He sees would not be useful for the upcoming days...

Surrender to the King of all Kings and WE'LL GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY...CHRIST THE LORD!!!

Have a very blessed Christmas.

Cindy McGill

CLICK HERE: www.hopefortheharvest.com