The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter Ten

The Heart Of Worship

from JoeUser Forums
The heart of worship is surrender. It is the natural response to God's amaxing love and mercy. We give ourselves to Him, not out of fear or duty, but in love.

True worship--bringing God pleasure--happens when you give yourself completely to God.

There are three barriers that block our total surrender to God--fear, pride and confusion.

CAN I TRUST GOD?
The more you realize how much God loves you, the easier surrender becomes. Surrendering to Him brings freedom, not bondage.

ADMITTING OUR LIMITATIONS
We don't want to admit we're not in charge of everything. We accept our humanity intellectually, but not emotionally. When faced with our own limitations, we react with irritation, anger, and resentment. We want to have it all, and do it all, and we become upset when it doesn't happen.

WHAT IT MEANS TO SURRENDER
Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. Surrendered people obey God's word, even if it doesn't make sense.
(This was a HUGE stumbling block for me--I always want everything to make sense and be logical......)
You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on Him to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God.
You also know you're surrendered when you don't react to criticism and rush to defend yourself.
(It was an amazing release and relief when I reached THIS point)
Genuine surrender says "Father, if this problem, pain, sickness or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another's, please don't take it away."

THE BLESSING OF SURRENDER
First, you experience peace. Next, you experience freedom. Third, you experience God's power in your life.

THE BEST WAY TO LIVE
Surrender is not the BEST way to live, it is the ONLY way to live. All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment and self-destruction.
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1,411 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's funny, but my realization that I couldn't have a "perfect table" at Easter though at first disappointing was something I quickly got over/ I surrendered quickly this time. So maybe I am making progress.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am reading this book and find it so helpful in realizing my true identity as a child of God. I like your summary.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Poet Mom, I have written a response to Chapter one under your entry: Things you May or may not ... Have a great day.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Poetmom, Here is my response to your thoughts on Chapter Two:
My mother taught me early on to trust in God’s Providence. That meant to trust His plan. To trust in His love…to believe that even when others put evil in my path, He can draw good out of it. God tells us in Romans 8:28: We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him.”
Yes, God wants only the best for us, but even we, ourselves, and others do not always choose what is best for us. That is not God’s fault. It is the fault of our bad choices or other peoples’ bad choices. We, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward our ultimate destinies by our free choices and what we prefer to love. We can go astray, putting other things in God’s place. Thus there is moral evil, far more harmful than physical evil in this world. God respects our freedom. We are certainly no accident and God provides for us generously. In his great goodness has given us a Helper, a Comforter, a Guide in the Holy Spirit. We many listen the Dr. Phil or Oprah and their advice may sound great, but they can’t give us the power to follow that advice. But if we listen to the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts, we will get the greatest advice and with it will come the power to change. We can’t make lasting changes in our lives by our own efforts. At least, none that will last through eternity. Only God can do that. We need only trust in His power. Then He gets all the credit for any good that we do in Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit is so often forgotten as Jesus’ great gift to us. What do we get if we develop a real fellowship with the Holy Spirit?
He is the One who has the power
1. To convince us that we need Christ in our daily lives.
2. To bring us to repentance when we sin.
3. To quicken our spirits and give new life to dead feelings.
4. To reveal Jesus to us.
5. To teach us to glorify Jesus
6. To bring Jesus teachings to our remembrance when we need it.
7. To anoint us for service.
8. To empower us to live a joyful Christian everyday life.
9. To open up the Word of God to our understanding.
10. To come to know God’s thoughts and ways as it pertains to everyday living.
11. To give us the strength and wisdom to obey God’s Word.
12. To be our life force.
Just to mention a few! Have a great Sunday!