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Week 10
Who's in Control?
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly." John 10:10b
A strong sense of security is something most people (especially ladies and
girls) are constantly looking for. What most people don't know, however, is that
real security is only found in the Lord. In this chapter and the next, we will discover
how to yield all areas of our lives to the Lord, and
experience true inner peace and security.
Key Truths:
God created me and all that I have: therefore, it all belongs to Him.
"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who
dwell therein." - Psalm 24:1.
God has appointed me to be a wise steward of what He has entrusted to me.
"...For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required;
and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." - Luke
12:48b.
I carried nothing into this world when I was born, and I will take nothing
out with me when I die. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it
is certain we can carry nothing out." - 1 Timothy 6:7.
I should use my time, abilities, money, and material possessions for God’s
glory. This is possible as I strive to use these “temporal” things for
eternal purposes — to further God’s Kingdom.
Characteristics of one who has not fully surrendered to God:
(Place a check beside any that you see in your own life.)
- Worrying about my time, money, reputation, future, etc.
- Wondering whether or not I should follow God in an area.
- Not wanting to discover God’s will in an area.
- Clinging to what I know is wrong.
- Getting overwhelmed with the work I have to do.
- Planning my way apart from God’s direction.
- Surrendering everything in my whole life to God except for a few select areas I want to keep control of myself.
Have you ever specifically surrendered your life to the Lord, giving Him full
mastery over it? If so, when?
On a separate sheet of paper, draw a circle.
This circle represents your entire life. Write down
inside the circle specific areas of your life -- as many as you can think of. (Friends, education, clothes,
future plans, car, job, entertainment, music, etc.)
Are there any areas in your life – no matter how small – that you are
hanging onto yourself? Is there any area in which you would not feel
comfortable saying. "Lord, whatever You want for this area of my
life is just fine with me."
List these "unsurrendered" areas below:
Read Isaiah 55:8-9 and Jeremiah 29:11. Who do you think will do a better job
controlling your life: you or God? Give a reason for your answer.
In order to experience God's fullest power and blessing, I must
surrender every area of my life to the Lord.
CONCEPT TO THINK ABOUT: Would you be willing to accept God’s plan
for every area of your life, even if it sounded to you like the worst idea you could imagine?
The devil tries to keep me from God's best by tempting me to believe that
wholehearted surrender to the Lord will take away all my fun, make me a
"religious fanatic", and ultimately ruin my life.
Read the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22.
When Jesus told the rich man to give his riches to the poor, Jesus was
revealing the man's unwilling heart. The fact that the man refused to obey
proved that his riches were more important to him than following the Lord.
Sometimes in Scripture, God refers to Himself as a "jealous" God.
This means that He wants to have First Place in our hearts and lives. Whenever
there is anything in our lives that we would be unwilling to give up for Jesus,
we are actually practicing idolatry, because we are treating something as more
important than God.
What thing(s) in your life are you treating as more important than Jesus?
Jesus gave up His own life in order to win life for His children. In a
similar way, we must daily give up mastery of our own lives to the Lord,
choosing to “die” to ourselves in order that Christ may live a truly worthwhile life through us.
Read John 12:24-26. What things must change in your life in order for you to
live in accordance with this principle?
Read and think about the following Scriptures:
Psalm 81:10-16
Proverbs 14:12
Isaiah 55:8-9
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Corinthians 2:9
If you’ve refused to surrender an area of life to God, ask His forgiveness, and surrender it
today.
AREA OF LIFE
DATE SURRENDERED TO GOD
Remember that surrendering control of every aspect of our lives to the
Lord is not a once-and-done thing! We in our sinful nature are often taking back
into our own hands areas that we had previously surrendered to the Lord. When
this happens, we must surrender again and give them back to Him.
Specifically surrender every area of your life to God; imagine yourself laying each one on the
altar. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” — Romans 12:1.
Ask God to accomplish His perfect will in every area of your life, no matter what it is. This
means that you want Him to be in charge of what friends you have, what clothes you wear, what job you get, etc.
Each morning, renew your commitment to the Lord in prayer, surrendering that day to Him and
submitting to His plans for it. “...If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,
and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23b.
Week 10 memory work: Choose at least one verse from the following list.
Memorize the verse(s) that you think will be the most helpful for you to remember:
"So, Kara." Grandpa's eyes twinkled over his silver-rimmed glasses.
"You're entering tenth grade this fall. What are your plans for after high school?"
Several of Kara's relatives turned to listen in. She smiled good-naturedly. "Oh,
Grandpa, just the normal thing. Get a cool car as soon as I can afford it, go to
the community college, and get a job that my dad approves -- the latter will
probably be most challenging!"
She giggled. "And then I'll get married to Prince
Charming and have angelic children."
"Sounds good to me!" her aunt said with
a laugh.
As Kara thought about it later, she realized that her humorous answer really wasn't far from her
true feelings. What would any other American girl want to do but live a normal, comfortable life, with people to love her and
money to spend? Why sacrifice for far-away missions, or wear herself out trying to change the world?
Some people were so serious. Why not just have fun in life?
What do you think of Kara's perspective? How would
the lesson in this chapter apply to her plans
for the future?
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