Turned Over Control

Turned Over Control 

by David Brenneman 

We submit to the control of God in our lives or to someone or something else.  

We know this by where our time is spent, by where our money goes. 

We know how deep the problem is by what indeed we elevate about our relationship with Jesus.  Many people do indeed and yet live in denial of the truth. 

What we wear is a huge thing in at least this western world. Designer clothing and shoes are the most visible. Sports teams, movie characters, fictional things like anime. It can easily be company "merch" aka merchandise.  

But what does this have to do with controlling your heart and mind?  What feelings do you associate with these "things"?

Zeal and passion ought only be attributed to a right relationship with Jesus.  What the Spirit reveals to us, what He teaches us.  The Great Commission isn't His orders for Disciples who became Apostles. It wasn't His orders to future Pastor's or Elders.  "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" wasn't for a select few in the "higher ups" of a church organization. 

Do you ever find joy at any level when you realize something new in reading your Bible?  Do you have a committed time and place to meet with Jesus?  Do you have a regular time of talking with Him?  Have you asked Him questions about His book? Have you the desire to want what He wants?  Are you more concerned about your self image than seeing His character in you?  

The child that people who are blessed to have in life look up to their parents. As toddlers they begin to mimic the behaviors that they see makes their parents happy more than they do what doesn't. 

Do you try to walk in life in a manner worthy of the calling you have in Christ?

When you get upset about words that someone says...is it a Godly anger or something else?

When was the last time you were truly learning something new from your time in God's word?

These questions aren't for you to answer for me.  They are for you to look in the mirror and ask yourself. 

Jesus wasn't a suggestion maker. 

Jesus didn't leave a book or two on suggestions, good practices that you might try or not. 

Jesus didn't give you a certificate of participation just because.  

If we call ourselves followers of Christ, would there really be enough evidence to convict us?  Or would the prosecution dismiss the case because of that lack of evidence?

The other day I had reason to explain why I couldn't participate in many evening time opportunities at the church that we attend.   Jesus wants to meet with me at this early morning hour and I will not change that time.  If it means disappointing people so be it.  Jesus and I talk on my way to work in my truck.  In the evenings I am in my Bible reading to end the day too.  Even if it means being up later than I should be.  These are immovable times in my day to me.  The Disciples had daily immovable times with Jesus.  That's why they were called followers of Christ Jesus.  

We have a world culture of control. 

Control of how we think, what we think, what we ought to accept as truth and what we are strongly suggested to treat as a lie.

We have a world that's not ever going to get to a utopia state that every single political figure proclaims they have the ability to produce.  

We have a world that is cursed by sin.

It's not a wonderful place to live.  It's nothing that Jesus and His Father imagined when it was first created. 

We live in a world where so many people are taught to put their heads in the sand to avoid life.  Drugs are rampant to escape life. To escape life and keep from thinking about the consequences of life.

As Dr. David Jeremiah called it...Jesus is either just a resident in your heart and mind or He’s the President of it. He’s either just another person suggesting a good life or He’s in charge, making the decisions of your life.  We choose whether or not He’s accomplishing His work in us or we are not.  Believers can be removed from the world due to stubbornly refusing to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. These people are not living a life that glorifies our Father in Heaven.  

Certainly be forewarned...people who's lives give Jesus Christ a bad name do not tend to live long. 

It's at ONLY the name of Jesus Christ that every single knee shall bow and every single tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  

To the degree we are selfish, to that same degree Jesus isn't in the driver's seat. 

Take a good look at your life, how you're dressed, how you talk, where your mind goes, what excites it, everything. 

Scripture says to do everything that you do to the glory of God and of Christ Jesus.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.