Joy House Berkeley

In Luke 24, we read about two disciples who were disappointed after Jesus’ death, because they thought God’s plans had fallen short. In our lives, we often face challenges to the hope we have in Christ, and hard circumstances can lead to despair. In order to live an abundant life in God, we must learn to come to God in humility, yield our disappointment to him, and receive hope instead.

Romans 13 says that all authority on earth is authorized by God. This doesn’t mean that all political leaders are God’s first choice, but it does mean that we should submit to them and pray for God to work in their lives. Our call, in politics and in the world, is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to participate in the amazing things he is doing here and now.

What does it mean to be fully surrendered and obedient to to the Lord? (James 5:13-18)

In Revelation 5, we get a glimpse of the worship of heaven: both angels and saints worship with their whole being, and they celebrate the victorious Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God. In this season, we are learning how to “give our all” in worship, pouring out our whole being to honor God. Heavenly worship comes not from a place of need but from a place of being captivated by his glory.

Is your life completely yielded to the Lord where you will move through HIs prompting in complex circumstances? (1 Kings 19)

Every great hero of the faith is marked by a relationship with God in which they consistently said yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even when their circumstances didn’t seem to align with God’s plan. It is not our own abilities or achievements that qualify us for a spiritual life; rather, our humility and submission to God’s plan are what bring us into all that God has for us.

Deut. 7:6-9 How do you live your life knowing that you are chosen by God.

In Philippians 2:4-11, we read that what Jesus is honored for most in heaven is how he “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.” In the same way, we also are called to be slaves to the will of God, going wherever he says to go. A life fully submitted to God is the most fruitful and satisfying life that a child of God can live.

God already knows your needs, so how you praying for what is on God’s heart?

Surrendering our lives to Jesus isn’t something that just happens once. As we continue down the path of following God, it’s often good to rededicate our dreams, plans, and lives to the Lord. Today, we recenter our hearts on Jesus and refocus on the biggest priority in our lives: connecting with God and following him wherever he may take us.