Alexander Clark, a Scottish missionary in Africa, related the account of an African who had been severely mauled by a lion. He had almost died, but Mr Clark had cared for his wounds and gradually nursed him back to health.
The African left, but he later returned, bringing with him his whole family and all his belongings. He told Mr Clark, “By the law of the African forest, the redeemed belongs to the redeemer. I was dead, but I am alive. I am now yours. I BELONG to you. Here are my six wives, my children and my cattle. We ALL belong to you. Do with us whatever you will.”
WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED.
WE were DEAD, but we are ALIVE
[Eph 2:1-4]
Have we UNCONDITIONALLY surrendered our ALL to our Redeemer?
Have we handed over to Him
EVERYTHING we ARE
and EVERYTHING we HAVE?
Do we acknowledge that we, the redeemed,
BELONG to the Redeemer, completely and unconditionally?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is the temple of Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have from God,
and YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN?
For YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE.
Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Tis far, far better to let God choose
The way that we should take;
For when we leave the choice with HIM,
He will guide without mistake!
God ALWAYS gives the BEST to those leave the choice with HIM
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MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
Just this morning in prayer I heard the Lord tell me “You are trying to live your Christianity as a democracy. You have given me the right to make the law but you have reserved the right to veto.” A powerful rebuke! One I am taking to heart as I search my motives.
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That is a message I often get too. We have to be reminded so many times that God is only satisfied with 100% control. How patient He is!
How wonderful it will be when we are freed from the very presence of sin and we are able to love, serve and worship our great God without any distractions!
We are one day closer!
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I have to agree fully…. giving everything to the Lord is a joyful, fulfilling experience. I believe the key is to understand and remember all He has done for us…. that’s what makes it such a joy!
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Yes, Rob – or better still, all He IS DOING for us. We don’t want to live on past blessings, but on a moment-by-moment experience walking hand-in-hand with the omnipotent – yet personal – creator God. What a joy! What an amazing God!
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I don’t have much to say, Angela.
I read this the first day you posted, and I have been thinking about it much since. Oh that I could truly give myself to Him this way!!! Sometimes I feel that I have fully surrendered, but something catches my attention and off the altar I go! These days I am learning that the dying to self is a daily process.
“God ALWAYS gives the BEST to those leave the choice with HIM”
Lord, I am Yours. Make me satisfied in being fully surrendered to you. Amen.
God bless you, Angela. Your posts always lead me to think.
ann
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Ann, as you say, dying to self IS a daily process – a moment by moment process. Contrary to what some people think, the old nature still exists and rises up to make us want to put ourselves first. Then we have to remind it that it is dead – crucified with Christ. We submit to God, resist the devil and have the unbounded joy of watching the devil flee. Just think: if we were perfect, that joy wouldn’t be ours!
One day soon we will be free from the very presence of sin and will know what it is to worship and praise our great, amazing God wholeheartedly, with no distractions!
We are one day closer!
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It is not surprising that many of us often frown upon people like the ones mentioned in your post. Still, there is so much we can learn from their way of life. Their steadfastness and commitment to culture and belief is astonishing. The apostle Paul, like the hunter, knew he belonged to the Redeemer. He reminded us of that essential fact in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
Thank you so much for sharing Angela. God blesses.
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Noel, if Christians realised the extreme privilege and joy in yielding our all to the Lord, and the enormity of the blessings received, there would be no hesitation in a complete surrender.
God blesses indeed – abundantly and constantly!
What an amazing God!
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What a story, Mentor Angela, that showed so clearly what we are to do as His redeemed. And I really loved this at the end . .. ” God ALWAYS gives the BEST to those leave the choice with HIM”. :) Praying to leave the choice with Him. God bless you , one who belongs whole-heartedly to Him!
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Deb, I think of the hymn of contrasts:
“Make me a captive, Lord, And then I shall be free.
Force me to render up my sword, And I shall conqueror be”
It is only as we yield completely to Him that we find true freedom, peace and joy.
It is only as we yield completely to Him that we taste of His best – and His best is waaaaaaaaaay beyond best!
What an amazing God!
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