Complete surrender to God

[bduke08]

Last night I started reading an article on completely surrendering your life to Jesus. It says that you must surrender you entire body and let him guide you. And that you must not choose your own path..but the path that God chooses for you when you surrender to "work" for him. I have surrendered...and I want to work for God to complete whatever it is he needs me to do, and whatever task he wants me to do. It says that we should not go after our own desires and choose our own jobs or wife/husband...to let God make these choices. I have faith that God will guide me in the right direction but I'm a bit confused on some of the stuff in the article. Like should I not go after my own goals anymore. It says that we should do Gods will and not our own.

I would like to post the link for everyone to read so you can understand what I'm saying...so if Chad or another moderator will allow that please let me know. But here is a comment from one of the guys that pretty much sums up what I mean:

After reading the article i was inspired to fully surrender my life.
A few questions i have about giving my whole life to God:
How will i know what i am to do with my life? as of now i dont make plans for the future but i have had ideas of what i like. currently a focus of mine God willing is to beat a track record at my school. would it be wrong to still go for it? Then in the article it mentioned doing Gods will and not my own. iv wanted to do this for 3 years i always try to pray for guidence in my life because i know he will guide me. when i think of it i am confused about if it is his will for me or still just my own.

Can someone shed some light on this? I do have personal goals but is that wrong? I want to fully serve the Lord but how will I know what he wants me to do....Bless you all for reading and helping if you can.

 

[Boanerges]

Very good! Jesus (in His earth-walk) did only the Father's will, spoke only the Father's Words, and moved only in the power of the Holy Spirit which is a perfect picture (our example) of surrender. May I recommend reading Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray, it is available as for free on the internet and is absolutely life changing.

 

[bduke08]

Yes I will read it thank you. But could you answer the questions I had? Am I suppose to give up the things I had desired? Not that they were bad...but it says that we must not make our own decisions that we must let God guide us. An example would be that I want to move to the mountains....because I love to mountain bike...but should I wait on God to guide me to the direction I need to go? Instead of making my own choices. This is what I'm finding confusing. Are we suppose to just sit and wait for him to guide us and not control our own lives in any way?

Also how will I know if it is Gods guidance or my own path? I feel so confused on this subject.

 

[lyn]

You can pray each morning for the Lord to guide your day. Read the Bible and listen to God in your quiet time.
Trust him to help you. For the big questios like moving I would wait on God to help you see all that's involved
with it. Like where will you work? Do friends or family live nearby? I will be praying that the Lord will help you.
Take Care and God Bless, lyn

 

[bduke08]

Well I'm about to finish college...and trying to get a job up there. I do have some friends up there. I just don't want to move if this is my own path and not a guidance from the Lord. I will pray that he helps me see his guidance

 

[wilkette]

Spend time in the Word every single day. I am 100% convinced that this is the main way that God speaks to us. The more time you spend in the Word, the more assured you will feel that you are in fact in step with His will for your life - because He'll point out when you're not. Prayer is you talking to God, and the Bible is Him talking to you. One without the other is a one-way conversation.

 

[bduke08]

Spend time in the Word every single day. I am 100% convinced that this is the main way that God speaks to us. The more time you spend in the Word, the more assured you will feel that you are in fact in step with His will for your life - because He'll point out when you're not. Prayer is you talking to God, and the Bible is Him talking to you. One without the other is a one-way conversation.

So true...I need to read the Bible more. I just find it really hard to understand sometimes...which is why I found this site..that the Lord lead me too. I will continue to study and thanks for your reply!

Also can you tell me a good way to study? Should I just read from cover to cover...as I've heard the Bible doesn't really flow that way? Is this true

 

[Truehearts]

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer 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.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

God does care about your goals in life, and now that you are a Christian,
those goals should be aligned with the Lord's will.
You always have to put Him first in everything. Consider whether your decisions are inline with the word of God, that's how you will know his will.

 

[bduke08]

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer 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.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

God does care about your goals in life, and now that you are a Christian,
those goals should be aligned with the Lord's will.
You always have to put Him first in everything. Consider whether your decisions are inline with the word of God, that's how you will know his will.

I still find it a bit confusing if I will know if it is in his will. Are you saying that I should make sure that decisions I make..wont affect my relationship with God so to speak? And will not throw me off course with God? If so this might be an example of what I'm going through. I was wanting to move to the beach..or the mountains. I love both...but going to the beach near me I could be influenced into partying and other sinful things..while that can happen in the mountains..I find to be less influenced. A lot of peace in the mountains and exploring. I've actually been thinking about this move for 2 years. And couldn't decide between the 2 when I'm done with college. So maybe I should go with the mountains since I feel that I will be less influenced to sins. I feel as though i may get thrown off course a bit at the beach but I could try hard not to and pray. This is why I'm confused...I'm not sure what God wants me to do.

 

[Boanerges]

The answer quite simple really:

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we but seek first the Lord by:
Spending time in His Word- (Holy Spirit speak to me through this Word, show me what it means and how to apply it to my life)
Spending time in worship- developing intimacy with Him and pouring out our hearts to Him
Spending time in prayer- talking to Him, including Him in our lives

As we seek Him then our heart will begin to change. Our will, our wants, desires line up with His. As we abide in that Vine of heaven (Jesus Christ) the very life of heaven begins to permeate us and we are changed. It is in this place of union with God that His will (in every aspect of our lives) becomes quite plain. You will clearly start to hear and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.


Much love in Christ,
Your brother Larry.