submission and prayer

Last week, we discussed humility, and what it means in our walk with God.  And If I know God well enough, I know that He may of sent a few assignments to check us this week on our humility.  I know that He did for me. 
 
Some assignments are easy peezy and some not so easy, but the awesome part about God, is he gives us a reset button…. And that button is called “Grace.”  Grace will not only bless us when we are in trouble, but when we are the trouble.  Grace empowers us to stand and stay standing, especially when we want to throw in the towel.  And going back to us being the trouble… grace gives us the blessing of conviction vs. condemnation. 
 
What is the difference between the two?
 
Condemnation is the voice of the enemy, and conviction is the holy spirit speaking to us in a way that may hurt a little, but we know it's truth!  And that truth will definitely set us free!!  So discern the way you hear the voice as well.  If it is a voice that is constantly nagging you, and making you feel less than, that is probably the enemy whispering right in your ear.  If it's a still small voice, something that nudges and not judges, then you can probably bet, that is the Lord.  He wants to see us on the right track, and wants to be ruler of our lives, by keeping us safe and sound.  I just wanted to drop that on you today, because I felt it strong on my mind to get that out to you, along with this weeks Monday Motivation 2nd part of Humility, Submission and Prayer.
 
So, here we go!!
 
When we truly submit to what God is doing in our lives, it's almost as if we can sense and feel what He is saying and doing before it manifests in the natural.  If you are not there yet, don’t feel less than, you too my friend will get there!!  I used to be the guy that was scared of God, nervous of the outcomes that were in store, and never really knew exactly what God was doing.  I would see others and hear them talk about Him as if He was right in front of them.  Ever feel that way?  Me too, and it's ok to wonder if it's all real or not.  When you really submit to the Lord, He will begin to show Himself in conversation with others, in dreams, in confirmation and in your gut.  So, yes, it is real!
 
However, submission isn’t the easiest thing to do.  It does take practice and a want from inside, that you know that you know, is more than what is in your present struggles. See, when we are new to the kingdom, all of this is a whole other language.  So, give yourself time to work out the process and allow the Lord to continue to work in you!  But, if you have been a follower for some time, it's time to get to the next level and really lean in. 
 
Everything in life is a heart matter, and when we submit, our hearts desires do change.  So, then our prayer becomes more heartfelt, rather than anxious answers.  God wants to have relationship with us, but it takes more than whining like babies for Him to move.  In our submission to Him, He grants us power to overcome more and more everyday against our enemy.  James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Submission will give you the power to resist.  If there is no submission, there is no resistance.  Pretty simple, now it's time to respond to your circumstances differently now, especially since you now know the truth.  If we continue to function in fear, rebellion or fluffy surrender, God has no choice but to allow us to continue to struggle in our circumstance.  This is where we really ask ourselves the real question, “Am I really tired of being sick and tired of my constant patterns that lead me to destruction?”
 
If you are, then here are 7 different ways that you can go before the throne of grace:
 

1. “God incline and enlarge my heart towards you.” Psalms 119:36,37
2. “God help me to understand what I read.”  Ps. 119:27
3. “God make me diligent to keep your words.”  Ps. 119:2,4
4. “God pour your light on the path of my life.”  Ps. 119:105
5. “God strengthen me in my sorrow.”  Ps. 119:28
6. “God shield me from every kind of distraction.”  Ps. 119:37
7. “God keep your promises.”  Ps. 119:116, 140

 
These are all God breathed scriptures that will help you along your path, whether you are a new believer or a seasoned saint, we all need to return to the basics every now and then.  Prayer is the conduit to the Lord that will strengthen and sustain every part of your life, if you tap in. 
 
Thank you again for allowing me to speak into your life every Monday Morning, now go on about your week, and let's live this week “Set Free!”
 
God Bless,
 
Pastor Paul
 

Listen to "Episode 2 Submission and Prayer" on Spreaker.