A Culture of Surrender

In 1943, 100 thousand young people in brown shirts filled the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany, the largest stadium in the world at that time. They formed with their bodies a sign for a fanatical man standing behind the podium. The message read, “Hitler, we are yours.” Their commitment allowed them to nearly conquer the world.
A CULTURE OF SURRENDER
From a previous generation with a heaven-sent mission, John Wesley said these words: “Give me one hundred men who love only God with all their heart and hate only sin with all their heart, and we will shake the gates of hell and bring in the kingdom of God in one generation.”
A CULTURE OF SURRENDER
In AD 33, 120 gathered in an upper room, totally obedient to the words of a radical leader, surrendered in their will to a higher calling. And because of their uncommon yieldedness and unwavering commitment to that Man, they shook the entire known world with the aftershocks still being felt over 2000 years later.
A CULTURE OF SURRENDER
It's still about a group of people with a holy zeal, a deepening love for Father God and an uncompromising devotion to Jesus Christ that changes the landscape of sinful society. That's why pastor and author Bill Hybels says that the local church is the hope for world.
The first century church turned the world upside down because they labored together as a culture of surrender.
I am continually blessed by assembled Christ-followers who partner to make a positive difference in communities and among the hurting. There's no greater force in our world today than the church being the CHURCH! It begins with one heart that is yielded totally to the will of Father God. And, that surrendered soul positively infects others... It starts with me and you!
Here's a prayer that I'm learning to pray. It was written by a missionary named Betty Scott with the China Inland Missions:
Lord, I give up my own plans and purposes, all my own desires, hopes and ambitions,
and I accept Thy will for my life. I give up myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever. I hand over to Thy keeping all of my friendships; all the people whom I love are to take second place in my heart. Fill me now and seal me with Thy Spirit. Work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, for to me to live is Christ. Amen.