Other people can take it away if they are strong enough

He acts willingly, while remaining under the Father's direction

He has no control over what happens to him

Choose surrender when God calls for obedience, even if it costs you something

Wait until circumstances force you to comply

Keep control first, then obey only if it stays comfortable

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord. Thank you for giving yourself for me and for bringing the life that no one can take away. Amen.

Receive the Life-Giving Shepherd

Lord, revive your Church so we stop clinging to control and learn the way of Jesus. Make us willing to obey, ready to surrender what you ask, and confident in the Father's care. Awaken us to faithful courage and deep trust, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church in Willing Obedience

Father, shape my heart to surrender quickly when you call. Give me courage to obey without bargaining, wisdom to know what you ask, and peace to trust your care when obedience costs me something. Form me into a follower who lives by your will, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Shape My Heart to Surrender

Name one area where you are gripping tightly, ask God to show you what surrender looks like there, and ask for the strength to obey him with peace instead of fear.

Pray Through One Place of Control

Bring these to God: fear of losing control, resistance to costly obedience, and confidence in the Father who gave Jesus his charge and can be trusted with your life.

Trust the Father's Direction

Thank God for Jesus' willing self-giving, for his authority over his own life, and for the certainty that nothing can force his love away from those he saves.

Thank You for Voluntary Love

οὐδεὶς{oo-DEES###oo-DEES###no one} αἴρει{E-ree###EH-ree###takes} αὐτὴν{af-TEEN###ahf-TEEN###it} ἀπʼ{ap###ahp###from} ἐμοῦ{e-MOO###eh-MOO###me} ἀλλʼ{al###ahl###but} ἐγὼ{e-GO###eh-GOH###I} τίθημι{TEE-thi-mee###TEE-thee-mee###(I) lay down} αὐτὴν{af-TEEN###ahf-TEEN###it} ἀπʼ{ap###ahp###from} ἐμαυτοῦ{e-maf-TOO###eh-mahf-TOO###myself} ἐξουσίαν{ek-soo-SEE-an###ehk-soo-SEE-ahn###authority} ἔχω{E-kho###EH-khoh###I have} θεῖναι{THEE-ne###THEE-neh###to lay down} αὐτήν{af-TEEN###ahf-TEEN###it} καὶ{ke###keh###and} ἐξουσίαν{ek-soo-SEE-an###ehk-soo-SEE-ahn###authority} ἔχω{E-kho###EH-khoh###I have} πάλιν{PA-leen###PAH-leen###again} λαβεῖν{la-VEEN###lah-VEEN###to take} αὐτήν{af-TEEN###ahf-TEEN###it} ταύτην{TAF-tin###TAHF-TEEN###this} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###(the)} ἐντολὴν{en-to-LEEN###ehn-toh-LEEN###command} ἔλαβον{E-la-von###EH-lah-vohn###I received} παρὰ{pa-RA###pah-RAH###from} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###(the)} πατρός{pa-TROS###pah-TROHS###Father} μου{moo###moo###my}

John 10:18 — Source TextTAB

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