HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF FUND thru Samaritan’s Purse – $11,800
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
THE CALL TO TOTAL SURRENDER
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Total surrender to Christ is one of the most significant and ongoing aspects of the Christian life.
It is more than a one-time decision—it’s a daily commitment to lay down our old selves, habits, and desires, allowing Christ to transform us completely.
This transformation marks the shift from our old nature, governed by sin and self, to a new identity in Christ, where grace and surrender lead us forward.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul reminds us that being in Christ means becoming a new creation.
The past no longer defines us; our failures, mistakes, and sins are erased by His grace.
But the new life we receive is not passive—it calls for an active, continual surrender of every area of our life to God.
This surrender doesn’t come without challenges, but it brings us into a deeper relationship with Christ, filled with His peace and freedom.
In the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), we witness the power of total surrender.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a man despised by many because of his dishonesty and greed.
However, his encounter with Jesus changed everything.
As soon as Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home and heart, he didn’t just feel remorse—he acted.
He surrendered his possessions, offering to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he had wronged fourfold.
Zacchaeus’s life was a clear testimony of total surrender.
He didn’t hold back parts of his life for himself; he let go of the things that defined his old self—his greed, dishonesty, and selfishness.
In exchange, he received the blessing of Jesus, who declared that salvation had come to his house.
This is the essence of surrender—letting go of what we hold dear, trusting that Christ will replace it with something far better.
In our walk with Christ, we often struggle with fully surrendering certain areas of our lives.
It might be a relationship, a habit, a fear, or even our pride.
We often convince ourselves that we need to maintain control over these areas because of fear or uncertainty.
However, just like Zacchaeus, we are called to surrender it all—to let Christ into every corner of our lives, even the parts we are most afraid to expose.
Consider this: Are there areas of your life that you have yet to fully surrender to Christ?
Perhaps you’re holding onto past hurts, old habits, or selfish ambitions that keep you from walking in complete freedom.
Surrender means trusting that God’s plan is better than ours, even when we can’t see the outcome.
When we let go, we make room for God’s grace to work more powerfully in our lives.
Imagine your spiritual life like a ship anchored in a harbor.
No matter how hard the wind blows or how strong the current is, that ship will not move forward until the anchor is lifted.
The anchor represents the things we refuse to surrender—our need for control, our old habits, and our fears.
Until we release these things, we will remain spiritually stuck, unable to move forward into the abundant life Christ has for us.
Just as a ship cannot sail freely with its anchor down, we cannot live fully in God’s grace and purpose if we are anchored to the things of our past.
Total surrender is about lifting that anchor and trusting Christ to guide us wherever He leads.
One of the most profound truths of the Christian life is that surrender is only possible through grace.
Grace, simply put, is the desire and power to do the will of God.
It’s not something we can muster up on our own; it is a gift from God.
His grace enables us to let go of control and trust Him completely.
Legalism tells us we must earn God’s favor through our own efforts, but grace frees us to live a life of surrender, knowing that God is working in us and through us.
In Philippians 2:13, Paul reminds us, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Surrender isn’t about trying harder; it’s about relying on God’s grace to change our hearts and minds, making us willing and able to do His will.
As we grow in grace, surrender becomes a joyful response to His love rather than a burden.
PRAYER
Lord, I surrender everything to You today. Show me the areas of my life where I am still holding back, and give me the strength and grace to release them into Your hands. I trust You completely with my future, my fears, and my desires. Transform my heart and life, and guide me to live fully in Your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ASSIGNMENT
Take a moment today to reflect on one specific area of your life where you have been hesitant to surrender to God.
Is it a relationship? A habit? A fear of the future?
Write it down as a symbol of your commitment to let go and trust God completely.
Share this with a trusted Christian friend or mentor who can help keep you accountable as you walk in this new freedom.
Let this be a step toward living a fully surrendered life.
Remember that surrender is not about perfection—it’s about positioning your heart to receive from God.
When you let go of control and allow Him to guide your life, you open the door to blessings, transformation, and freedom that you could never experience on your own.
Total surrender doesn’t mean a life without challenges, but it does mean a life lived in the fullness of God’s grace.
The freedom and transformation that comes from surrender are beyond what we can imagine.
Like Zacchaeus, who gave up his old ways and received the blessing of Jesus, you too will find that when you surrender to Christ, your life is made new.
The things that once held you back will no longer have power over you.
Instead, you will walk in the power of God’s grace, bearing fruit that glorifies Him and fulfills your purpose in His kingdom.
May your life be a reflection of this surrender, and may you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Ben Bruce – Shoulder Surgery Today
Melba Torbich – Visitation Sunday 1-3 Funeral Celebration 3:00 PM Caldwell Cowan FH Covington
Carol Lawhead
Danny Jarrard
James Parker
June Davis
Kim McClain
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Matt Barron’s Mother
Victims Of Storm And Chemical Fire
Amy Garner’s Mom
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Daniel Cooper’s Mother
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donna Plunkett’s Brother in law
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Ellen Boyd
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
James Burnette
James Parker
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sandra Graham’s Family
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
Tom Witcher