Good Morning! Thank you so much for stopping by today! I mentioned Monday in my post that I attended a retreat this weekend and made some great new friends. Jesus Friends. Now that is something than anyone would want to write about! 🙂

God has had me parked in my notes that I took this past weekend. “Surrender” was the topic for the weekend. So I knew right off the bat that there was going to be some uncomfortable conversations with Jesus and me. As I told someone today, God put me in a place where my panties got a little twisted (*serious uncomfortable situations*). But in the end, the glorious teaching I received is one I am treasuring!

Here are some of the thoughts I walked away with and I wanted to share them with you.

Romans 12:1-2 ” Dear Brothers and Sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the customs and behaviors of this world, but let God transform you into a NEW person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect.”

The way I see this scripture there are 3 important take away points to consider.

1 – Live your life as a living sacrifice. Do I do that? Is it holy and acceptable with what I am doing and how am I spending my time, or better yet managing my time for Jesus?

You see, the way I use my time, honor my body by my food choices, speak to my husband and children and honor their requests, these are all representing my SPIRITUAL WORSHIP to God. Remember, we are to be a holy and living sacrifice…not a dead one.

I always think throughout my day if my choices are glorifying God… would I be doing them if He was in the room? The things that we watch on TV, listen to on the radio, or even websites that we visit for many, many minutes during the day.

2 – If it looks like the world rather than Jesus – don’t do it! If “everyone’s doing it” that is a red flag. Do not follow the customs or behaviors of the world.

3 – Let God transform the way you think. The main way you can transform your mind for Jesus is to SOAK UP SCRIPTURE! Be creative.

Here are a few of my suggestions:
* Read different versions of the Bible, (New Living translation, Message, God’s Word Translation are a few I consider). You can do this
for free through YouVersion.com or Biblegateway.com.
* Post these scriptures on index cards around your house, car and bathroom.
* Listen to Christian music – KLOVE is my personal favorite and KSBJ from Texas,
* Download and listen to different podcast of preachers (Steven Furtick from Elevation Church, Louie Giglio from Passion Church, Craig
Groschel from Lifechurch.tv, or Perry Noble from New Spring church are a couple that I listen to weekly).
* Commit to be discipled by someone who is further along in their walk with Christ. Meet with them once a week for one hour to read
and study the Bible. I began doing this 9 years ago and it RADICALLY changed my LIFE!
* Go on a RETREAT with your church. I have to say, I wasn’t sure what to expect by signing up for a retreat at my new church…I
mean, I didn’t know anyone. God said to me rather abruptly, “You know ME!” So, I jumped way out of my comfort zone, and BOY did
God bless my socks off! Sooo absolutely glad I went!!

“God calls us to lay down our lives on the altar of sacrifice means that we give HIM all that we are – our rights, our reputation, our desires, our future plans, everything that concerns us – first, for a lifetime, then day by day, moment by moment, decision by decision” ~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Praying today for all your Surrendering moments with Christ. As a friend once taught me, WE ALL HAVE STUFF! We have to learn to SURRENDER it to God everyday! Satan wants us to keep it in our wagon, God DOES NOT!

My next post will be discussing the 4 areas we need to surrender in. OUCH! You won’t want to miss that one! 🙂 I hope to get it posted by Sat. morning but if “LIFE around the King’s house” calls then it will certainly be Monday!

Blessings to you my friends!