No Looking Back....

A beautiful sunset.....From album of Bram & Vera photos....

These are the words that are constantly on my mind ever since I came back to KL.

Technically, i've been back in KL for about 10 days, another 8 days were spent in China so that is not counted. Got a nice break from the heat in China...So far, it's been like floating through one day after another.

"Lord, make me willing to be willing..."

Corrie Ten Boom, Not I, But Christ

If there is something you cannot and dare not surrender, then pray this prayer: "Lord, will You make me willing to be made willing to surrender completely?" If you pray this, your loving Savior is going to do it.

Jesus' life was one of complete surrender. He bought us with a high price. He lives in your heart through His Holy Spirit. You limit Him with your anxiety and unwillingness. He is longing to help you. Trust Him by completely surrendering to Him.

The Germans have a hymn which says: "Instead of thinking of myself, I will throw myself into the ocean of love." This is surrender. There is nothing more glorious - no longer I, but He. As soon as we throw ourselves into the arms of Jesus in full surrender, we shall be surrounded and filled with the ocean of God's love.

It is the Lord Himself who is willing to help us to surrender fully. The Holy Spirit tells us we can go to Him about it. But even when we do so, often doubts enter our hearts: Was it real? Was it complete? There is a wonderful verse of Scripture that has greatly helped me. The Lord Jesus said to a father who came to him with his demon-possessed son: "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). Then this man called out: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24).

If you and I now come and say: "Lord, I dedicate myself in full surrender to You," this may be said with a trembling heart; we may feel no strength, no certainty at all, but we will succeed! Do no be afraid. Come just as you are, and the power of the Holy Spirit will begin to work in you.

Just now I am reminded of the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane. The Holy Spirit strenghtened Him to surrender completely, but what distress, what fear came over Him! If you are weak and fearful, just trust in and surrender to the work of God's Spirit in you. Trust that God accepts you.

Look up to Him. Sometimes we are much occupied with ourselves, but we must be occupied with God. Don't be afraid to say: "Lord, I do not quite understand, but i surrender completely so that You will bless me and make me a blessing." If you say this in your heart - perhaps with fear and trembling - then you can be assured that God will take notice of it. He listens. He writes it into His Book, and from that moment, He takes complete possession of you. Perhaps you do not feel it, or realise it, but now you belong completely to Him.

It is such joy that we can talk about all things with Him. Just tell Him everything - you have doubts, you do not understand, or whatever it may be. You belong to Him. And now you must not only talk to Him, but also listen to His voice.

Listen to the Lord. If you do not hear His voice at once, then wait patiently. He is a Good Shepherd, and a good shepherd talks to his sheep. Waiting on the Lord is a blessing in itself. Do not immediately put down the receiver. He loves you, and He longs to say many things to you!