Chapter One
YOUR DECISION
The decision to include God in your life is the best one you could have ever made. For whatever reason life has brought you to this crossroad please know it is God's desire that you be a part of His elite family. It is a place of privilege where "Many are invited, but few are chosen" (Mat 22:14). Meaning God calls all to salvation, but He knows who will accept Him and who will reject Him. Always remember; He chose you. You did not choose Him.
"God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 1:2 (NLT)
Chapter Two
SUBMIT YOUR WILL TO HIS WILL
A major part of the surrendering process is the desire to crucify self--the person in you who wants to be in control. In my early Christian walk, I wanted the blessings of God, but I wanted them my way, and in my time. As a single parent, I always felt that I had to have complete control over every aspect of my life. I acted as an independent entity in which all of my life decisions were made by me alone and were based on circumstances, past experiences and failures.
When I got married, I brought this same attitude (that I could do it all myself) into my relationship with my husband and into our home. It wasn't until I received salvation that I learned to submit to my husband, recognize him as the head of our home and give him the place he deserved and the place God ordained for him. Thinking back on those days, I guess it was not so much him (my husband) I was learning to trust, but God.
"Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing." (NIV) |
