All to Jesus

As a child of five I made my initial commitment to Christ.  We had been playing church.  My nine year old brother was the preacher.  Something he said in his ‘sermon’ pricked my heart, and I knew I had sin in my life and needed forgiveness.  Later in the day I told Wiley about it and he led me in the sinner’s prayer.  I confessed my sin.  Jesus forgave me.  I received His forgiveness. From that day until this He has been with me. 

As a young adult I sought the Lord earnestly about raising my children, being the wife and mother that my family needed, teaching Sunday School and other functions in the church.  I knew that I did not know how to fulfill these roles, but I believed that God did.  Therefore, I sought God for help in all that he allowed me to participate in.

This is a little humorous story my daughter loves.  With four child of my own and many that were not, it was difficult to find a quiet place to hear from God in the daylight hours.  I had a habit of staying up after everyone else was asleep to meditate and listen for God’s direction.  One Saturday night it was getting late when direction came.  I began writing everything down, but I kept dropping off to sleep.  I would jerk back awake and continue writing.  When I finished, I went to bed without reading it over.  The next morning I was teaching my adult class in the auditorium when I stopped suddenly.  There in front of me on my paper was the word ‘enchiladas’.   I decided quickly to share with the class what I was looking at.  We all had a good laugh and continued our study.

Mary was very young when Gabriel made his visit with her, but she made an amazing commitment.  “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word’.   How was she able to make such a total consecration to the Lord?  Let’s go back and see what really happened in this encounter. 

First we see God the Father sending Gabriel to the chosen person, in the correct location, at the precise time in order to fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the birth of Christ.  These prophecies spanned thousands of years yet our all-knowing God covered them all.  He is the master weaver of lives.

Next the angel encountered Mary and frightened her somewhat. However, Gabriel came with a message of love and assurance of God’s presence with her.  Lo, I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20) Mary’s God, my God, your God is an ever-present God.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Joshua 1:5)  Mary knows that she has a God who loves her and is with her. 

After that, Gabriel gave Mary the assignment that God had chosen for her.  When she asked how this could possibly happen he reminded her of the all-powerful God who had been at work in the world for many generations.

Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 gives us insight into her knowledge of God’s Word.  Many of the lines in her song were quotes from the Old Testament.  She begins by expressing how God, knowing she was not a significant individual, chose her and did mighty things for her.  Mary will be the mother of the Messiah; therefore, all generations will know her and call her blessed.  Instead of worrying about what people would say or do about her pregnancy she is praising God.   Mary could have been filled with fear at what lay ahead, would Joseph reject her, would he put her away privately, or would he have her stoned to death; instead she called what God had done for her mighty and blessed.   I believe Mary had confidence that her God would go before her and make the crooked places straight.

So, Mary‘s God knows everything, is personally present with his children and has power that is limitless.  How could she possibly think that her plan would be better?  She did not!  I hope that you will not.

These are some thoughts the Lord gave me recently. 

It is a foolish thing when God by His Spirit pricks your heart and you continue as though He had not prompted you.  Don’t you know that as long as the iniquity continues so does the affliction.

I challenge everyone who reads this to KNOW your God.  Study the Bible and see what God did through the ages.  Participate with God’s people and the work He is doing in their lives.  Remember what He has done and will do for you and yours.  Write it down.  Who knows He might ask you to write a book sometime.  Last but not least spend time with our great God in prayer.  Listen carefully before leaving the place of prayer and God will give you the answers you need. 

Thanks for listening to me.

Many Blessings,
Virginia

Many thanks to my mother for sharing things God has been speaking to her heart for many years.  I am so thankful God in his wisdom gave her to me or me to her, which ever way that works! Her words this week bring to my heart the words of hymn I've heard her sing and watched her live.

All to Jesus I surrender;
all to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
in his presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender;
humbly at his feet I bow,
worldly pleasures all forsaken;
take me, Jesus, take me now. 
All to Jesus I surrender;
make me, Savior, wholly thine;
fill me with thy love and power;
truly know that thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to thee;
fill me with thy love and power;
let thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
all to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.