The Battle is Not Yours, But God's. Pt.3

RELINQUISHING TO GOD

Jesus said this: “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31

Ever get the feeling of not feeling totally set free?  Jesus says we are set free in Him so why this burden, why this battle?

I don't know about you but when I am burdened it usually means I have momentary forgotten about GOD'S LIBERATING LOVE  or I haven't RELINQUISHED my concerns, burdens and naggings over to the Lord.

RELINQuISHED means: to surrender, abandon, renounce, release, stop holding onto, to give up on.

The VELCRO SUIT

When we forget how BIG our GOD is it can seem like we are wearing a Velcro suit and Bothersome and all it's vexing relatives are affixing themselves to us.    And it is amazing how clever and cunning and irritating they are and can become.  They are like weeds chocking out the good godly thoughts and spreading their undermining propaganda.   They tell us this little situation and that little situation isn't a big deal- so we stuff them or ignore them but before we know it more burdens come seeding thoughts and imaginations trying to drown us like sands in an hour glass.  They spin doctor us until we feel like a cat trying to get it's bearings on a merry go around.

We all wear the Velcro suit on occasion, there are societies who walk around in Velcro suits and insist on living in them.   They do all kinds of things to cope in their Velcro living style - they live denial, they turn to substance abuse, they shut down, they become depressed, cynical, hateful, or try to lose themselves in the busyness of life.  Is that solving anything? Is that living?      
  
Jesus says: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

God tells us to relinquish the Velcro suit to Him.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4

Think about it, we were not designed to carry the burdens of this life.
  

The world tells us to shoulder our load... have a "I can do it myself attitude" but Jesus says come those who are burdened and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  I will set you free from the world’s garbage.  Come let me teach you- let me teach you how GOOD God is and how He has everything planned and prepared for those who trust Him.  Let me keep and set you free!  Let me show you what life is really about!

GIVE IT IN PRAYER.
When we TRULY give all our concerns to God in prayer we can live in the moment and we do have peace as we go about what God has planned and purposed for us to do.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.”  Psalm 138:8

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

Peter writes, “Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

RELINqUISH all that bothers you....  
RELINqUISH your ways of seeing things...
RELINqUISH  your ways of trying to manage or control your life…
 SURRENDER ALL of it in prayer and trust it to Jesus.

The LORD is our ROCK/ FORTRESS

As I was rereading what I wrote the other day I was given a vision of a mighty cut stone.  The rock thundered a great rumble.  The words “rock” and “fortress” then came to mind.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

“I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2 (NIV)