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faith, freedom, GOD, GOD's love, motivational, overcoming fear, relationship with GOD, surrender, trust
I remember like it was yesterday. It was Noah’s third Christmas and she’d wanted a doll house. But, not just any doll house, my friend. This doll house had all the bells and whistles: 3 ft tall, tri-story, pink, of course with beautiful, ornate furnishings. When she woke up that Christmas morning the smile on her face was priceless. In her amazement she was only able to utter five sweet words: “Is that really for me?” This beautiful memory has been indelibly etched into my brain and on my heart. I believe that GOD has placed in us a joy in receiving gifts because He too delights in receiving them. But, what can we offer GOD Almighty that He doesn’t already have? I mean, what do you offer Someone who already owns everything (Psalm 24:1)? Well, my friend GOD desires your time and your surrender.
The Bible says that when you delight yourself in the LORD by spending time with Him and seeking His face He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). So, it is good to go before the LORD with your deeply held hopes, dreams and ideal future. While in prayer one day I did just that. I went before the LORD and I presented to Him my ideal future. I mean I really did it big. Tears ran down my face as I imagined a life with every good thing I’d ever wanted. It was an extraordinary experience, my friend. But then something happened. Instead of holding this ‘life’ dear to my heart, I imagined putting all of these hopes and dreams into a huge box. I wrapped it beautifully with a big red bow and I offered it to GOD as my gift to Him. He smiled, my friend. I know He did! I made GOD smile. My gift to GOD was the surrendering of my hopes, dreams and future. In surrendering I gave it to Him to do as He saw fit. If this was the life He desired for me… Good. If it was not… Great because I trust that in His love and wisdom He’s got something much better!
If you’d like to make GOD smile set time aside, my friend to sit alone in His presence. Talk to Him about your day and then think of all of your hopes, dreams and ideal future. I mean dream big! After all, this is GOD. Let Him fill your heart and mind with His great vastness. Relax and enjoy this time with Him. Then place it all in a box. And with a pure heart give it over to Him. Surrender it all to Him.
Surrendering requires great faith. It means to remove all of your control over it and releasing preconceived ideas on how things will pan out. It is to give it to GOD trusting that He has your best interest at heart, even if you don’t get everything you want. But surrender also means that you no longer have to worry about how things will work because you have just given full control over to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Surrendering is not easy, my friend so let GOD prepare your heart for it and when you’re ready – Give it up and over to Him. He will smile! He will draw close to you! And the GOD who keeps the universe intact with perfect precision will rejoice over you (Zephaniah 3:17).
So, my friend what does your dream future look like? Is there deliverance from strife, family problems and debt? Is it for a promotion at work, a thriving ministry, or the restoration of a relationship? Could it be the opportunity to spend more time with your family or return to school? Perhaps, it’s to settle down, get married and have children. Whatever your hopes, dreams and future consist of GOD desires to see that you receive His very best, which greatly surpasses our best. He is a GOD that blesses His children. The Bible says that the LORD bestows favor and honor. And no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). He is a faithful GOD who rewards those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 9:10). If you would surrender your future to Him He will order your steps (Psalm 37:23). He will make every single situation turn out for your good (Romans 8:28). He will make sure that His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). And you’ll come to see that in return He will see to it that you receive the gifts of peace, purpose, joy, and a future that exceeds your expectations. So humble yourself before Him today and let the Creator of all that is seen and unseen map out your life. You will not regret it. I promise.
I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you dreaming big and surrendering it all over to GOD. And because of your faith I see that He is setting the stage for the unfolding of the most beautiful future that only He can offer. I’m beyond excited for you, my friend. I really am.
tannygarcia 
As always your blogs are very thought provoking. I continue to study the book of Daniel and your blog brought to mind my studies again making mention of the Hebrew boys. In teaching Sunday school to teenagers, I often remind them the power they have to make God smile when they are thinking, speaking and acting in his will. I asked them to picture God almighty creator of all and everything lovingly smiling down on them and possibly boasting to the heavenly residents that’s my boy/girl. How he is so pleased through their obedience. God often displays his pleasure many times through unexpected blessings. Like with the young Hebrew boys who had given everything to God, their fears, suffering, hardships, dreams etc., unexpected blessings (gifts) were given because of their obedience. They were promoted and their influences were increased. God promises to never leave or forsake us and as you mention will give us the desires of our heart when those desires line up with who we are in Christ and who God is. Oh it is good to get gifts asked for, but for me it’s those unexpected gifts (blessings) that promote another level of excitement and thanksgiving toward the giver.
Awesome word of God. Thank you for commenting on Tanny’s timely word of God. Your words touched my heart. It gave assurance to who God is. We as humans are in search of God’s works. . . searching for tangible things that we can grasp. But, the unseen or intangible is the method God often uses to open our eyes to discover His secret gifts of love. We have to diligently search for god and dye to our will to obtain His divine purpose for our lives. I believe that once your life lines up with God’s purpose; like the “Hebrew boys” you will find fulfillment and favor in or out of your inhabitants.
GOD is to be the only One we can trust with our lives. He is trustworthy, loving and kind. Where would we be without Him? Scary thought!
I enjoyed this. Setting yourself aside unto the Lord is the best thing we can do for Him and ourselves. Blessings to you!
Yes Zari. GOD is awesome!
Tanny! I am astounded… As I sit here with tears running down my cheeks, I am completely overwhelmed by God’s words He’s spoken through you. I HAVE to send you an fb inbox message on this one! Thank you for sharing…KEEP WRITING!
I’m so glad that GOD is working mightily in your life. He is, indeed trustworthy and faithful!
Awesome…I pondered all the things I could place in my box and seal it with grand hoopla only to surrender it to HIM. Thank you again. I think I am getting addicted. That my friend is a good thing. God bless you and yes, I too am overwhelmed by God’s words spoken through you. 😉
Hi Ms. Mares. Yes, I’m still writing and I’ll keep writing until GOD moves me to stop. To GOD be the glory!
Speechless. God truly is using you to speak encouragement into the lives of his children. You are an awesome writer, but then when you seek the Lord, and he imparts his wisdom in you, this is the result. I’m so grateful for your obedience. God bless you!
Hi Phil. I’m so glad you’ve had a chance to read these posts. To GOD be the glory!