(by pastor Norman)
Christ is our example, as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He showed complete surrender to the will of God saying, “Not as I will, but as You will” as He faced His crucifixion (Matt 26:39; NKJV). Jesus said earlier in His ministry, “I always do the things that please Him” (John 8:29; NKJV). Is this a confession we could make? The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom 12:1; NKJV). We are to surrender our whole lives in worship, relationship and service to Him. Jesus taught His disciples that to truly follow Him and enjoy the God-kind of life, they needed to leave behind any selfish, worldly desires and surrender their lives to Him (Matt 16:24-25). “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33; NKJV). We are to give our hearts to God (Prov 23:26) and love Him, “With all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37b). As we humble ourselves, submit to God and draw near to Him, He will come close to us, care for us, bless us and use us (James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:6, Col 1:9-12). The apostle Paul prayed for the people of Colossae, “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (Col 1:10; NKJV), now that’s real surrender!