Letting Go: Embracing Meekness and Trusting God

 

Summary

Taking a deep breath, I want to share with you the essence of what it means to truly let go and let God. This is the heart of meekness, a concept that is often misunderstood. Meekness is not about weakness; rather, it is about surrendering to God's will and allowing Him to be the manager of our lives. When we let go and let God, we open ourselves to a life free from stress, worry, and anger. This act of surrender is not passive but an active choice to trust in God's plan and His timing.

The first step in this journey is to make Jesus the manager of our lives. We often find ourselves in conflict with God, thinking we know better. This internal struggle leads to stress and confusion. By allowing Jesus to take the driver's seat, we can find peace and clarity. It's about deciding in advance to obey God, trusting that He knows what is best for us.

Next, we must establish God's word as the authority in our lives. Without a clear authority, we are swayed by conflicting opinions and indecision, which only adds to our stress. God's word provides a stable foundation, guiding us in truth and righteousness. It is not there to restrict us but to protect us and lead us to a fulfilling life.

Embracing God's Spirit as the power for our lives is crucial. We cannot rely on our own strength to live out God's commands. It is His Spirit that empowers us to do what seems impossible. By submitting and surrendering to God, we tap into a power that is beyond our own capabilities.

Finally, keeping Jesus as the focus of our lives is essential. When we fix our eyes on Him, we can navigate the challenges of life without sinking into despair. Jesus is our guide, and by focusing on Him, we can live a life that is aligned with His purpose for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Make Jesus the Manager: Allowing Jesus to manage our lives reduces stress and brings peace. By surrendering control, we align ourselves with God's perfect plan, trusting that He knows what is best for us. [02:28]

- Establish God's Word as Authority: God's word provides a stable foundation in a world of conflicting opinions. By making it our authority, we simplify decision-making and protect ourselves from unnecessary pain. [13:34]

- Embrace God's Spirit for Power: We cannot rely on our own strength to live out God's commands. By embracing His Spirit, we access the power needed to overcome challenges and live a life of obedience. [21:13]

- Keep Jesus as the Focus: Fixing our eyes on Jesus helps us navigate life's challenges without sinking into despair. He is our guide, and by focusing on Him, we align our lives with His purpose. [24:45]

- Trust in God's Unchanging Nature: Unlike the ever-changing world, God's laws and promises remain constant. By trusting in His unchanging nature, we find stability and assurance in our journey. [18:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - Let Go and Let God
- [01:04] - Four Ways to Relieve Stress
- [01:36] - Make Jesus the Manager
- [02:41] - Stop Quarreling with God
- [03:27] - Understanding God's Plan
- [04:07] - Let Jesus Lead
- [05:29] - The Dance of Life
- [06:36] - Trust and Obey
- [07:06] - Bend with the Wind
- [08:15] - Life as a Roller Coaster
- [10:06] - Establish God's Word as Authority
- [13:19] - The Purpose of God's Commands
- [18:03] - The Dependability of God's Word
- [20:21] - Embrace God's Spirit
- [24:28] - Keep Jesus the Focus

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Job 22:21 - "Stop quarreling with God. If you agree with him, you will have peace at last, and things will go well for you."
2. Matthew 16:24 - "Anyone who intends to come to me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am."
3. Hebrews 12:2 - "We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Job 22:21 suggest is the result of agreeing with God? How does this relate to the concept of letting go and letting God? [02:41]
2. In Matthew 16:24, what does Jesus mean when He says, "You're not in the driver's seat; I am"? How does this relate to making Jesus the manager of our lives? [04:07]
3. According to Hebrews 12:2, what is the significance of keeping our eyes on Jesus? How does this help us navigate life's challenges? [24:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between meekness and weakness? [00:17]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the act of "quarreling with God" manifest in a person's daily life, and what are the potential consequences of this behavior? [02:41]
2. What are some practical ways a person can allow Jesus to lead in their life, as described in Matthew 16:24? [04:07]
3. How does focusing on Jesus, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:2, provide strength and guidance during difficult times? [24:45]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers to live according to God's commands, and why is this important? [21:13]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you tried to manage your life without God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how might surrendering to God have changed the situation? [02:28]
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to let Jesus take the lead. What steps can you take this week to allow Him to guide you more fully? [04:07]
3. Consider a decision you need to make soon. How can you use God's word as the authority in this decision-making process? [13:34]
4. Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in this situation? [21:13]
5. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus? How can you minimize that distraction this week to keep your eyes on Him? [24:45]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's circumstances. How did focusing on Jesus help you, or how could it have helped you, to find peace and direction? [24:45]
7. What is one practical way you can remind yourself daily to trust in God's unchanging nature and promises? [18:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering Control to Jesus
When we make Jesus the manager of our lives, we experience a profound shift from stress to peace. This act of surrender is not about giving up but about trusting in God's perfect plan for us. Often, we find ourselves in conflict with God, believing we know better. This internal struggle leads to confusion and anxiety. By allowing Jesus to take the driver's seat, we align ourselves with His wisdom and guidance, finding clarity and tranquility. It is a conscious decision to obey God, trusting that He knows what is best for us. [02:28]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 2: Anchoring in God's Word
Establishing God's word as the authority in our lives provides a stable foundation amidst a world of conflicting opinions. Without a clear authority, we are easily swayed and left indecisive, which only adds to our stress. God's word is not meant to restrict us but to guide us in truth and righteousness, protecting us from unnecessary pain. By making it our authority, we simplify decision-making and align ourselves with a life that is fulfilling and purposeful. [13:34]

Psalm 119:105-106 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a daily practice of reading and meditating on God's word to ensure it remains the guiding authority in your life?


Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit
Embracing God's Spirit as the power for our lives is essential because we cannot rely on our own strength to live out His commands. It is His Spirit that empowers us to do what seems impossible, enabling us to overcome challenges and live a life of obedience. By submitting and surrendering to God, we tap into a power that is beyond our own capabilities, allowing us to fulfill His purpose for us. [21:13]

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your daily life to overcome specific challenges you are facing?


Day 4: Focusing on Jesus
Keeping Jesus as the focus of our lives is crucial for navigating life's challenges without sinking into despair. When we fix our eyes on Him, we are guided through difficulties and remain aligned with His purpose for us. Jesus is our guide, and by focusing on Him, we find stability and assurance in our journey, allowing us to live a life that reflects His love and grace. [24:45]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to ensure that Jesus remains the central focus of your thoughts and actions?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Unchanging Nature
In a world that is constantly changing, trusting in God's unchanging nature provides us with stability and assurance. His laws and promises remain constant, offering us a firm foundation on which to build our lives. By trusting in His unchanging nature, we find peace and confidence in our journey, knowing that He is faithful and His plans for us are good. [18:19]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt uncertain or anxious. How can trusting in God's unchanging nature provide you with peace and assurance in similar situations in the future?

Quotes


"Let go and let God if you'll begin to practice this phrase in your life it will definitely relieve stress when you let go and let God it will definitely eliminate worry when you let go and let God it will definitely diffuse anger if you'll let go and let God and it will definitely do all kinds of benefits like injure hurt end resentment if you'll let go and let God." [00:37:36]

"Make Jesus the manager of my life now the problem is we want to be the manager of our own lives so we argue and we disagree with God we think we know what's best we think we know better and the reason why you're under a lot of stress is constantly in your mind you're fighting God you don't think about it but you do it all the time you think you know better than God." [00:94:04]

"God says I made you because I have a unique plan for your life and I made you that way so you could fulfill the plan I have for you now the stress comes when you try to be the manager of your life and you don't understand the way God made you and so you start trying to plan your plan for your life you get under stress you do not let go and let God and you're uptight all the time." [03:08:959]

"Jesus says anyone who intends to come to me has to let me lead you're not in the driver's seat I am I like that say you're not in the driver's seat I am now here's what Christians do we know that when we become Believers in Christ we say okay Jesus Christ you take over the driver's seat we then promptly hop hop into the back seat and do backseat driving." [04:50:159]

"Meekness letting go and letting God is saying God I really believe you're smarter than me so I'm going to do what you tell me to do Tom's going to talk about the next one on the back of your outline the second e and meekness if I want to really enjoy God's power in my life is to embrace God's spirit as the power for my life." [20:11:24]

"God never asks us to do anything without being willing to provide us the power to do it look at this verse from Ezekiel 36 I will put my spirit in you and I will enable you to live by my laws The Secret of power in life The Secret of reducing stress in life is living life not by your willpower but by God's power." [21:28:08]

"One of the reasons you and I face so much stress is we try to do it on our own when God is willing and able to give us the power that we need to live life you see meekness is really about two words that we we don't like it's about submitting and surrendering and those are those are scary words for us." [21:30:44]

"Do not let those Human Relationships that have let you down keep you from trusting the only one who will never let you down you can trust him in any and every circumstance to give you the power that you need he will never hurt you the fact is you and I are saved by God's grace that's how we're forgiven but we also live by his go by his grace." [23:80:64]

"Hebrews 12:2 says we must keep our eyes on Jesus who leads us and makes our faith complete do you remember when Peter was walking on water that Miracle out there in the in the Bible as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he's doing the impossible what no nobody could do but when he took his eyes off Jesus he looks down at the water he sank." [24:81:12]

"The reason why some of you are sinking today is you got your eyes on your problem you got your eyes on your circumstance you've got your eyes on the difficulty you've taken your eyes off the Lord here's my question has what you've been living for up to this point made the life that you've always wanted or has it betrayed you and left maybe an emptiness that you really don't like to admit." [24:85:60]

"Who's going to be in charge of your life and no doubt some of you are locked in a WWF match with God over this and you may think you're the rock but you're up against The Rock of Ages and you're going to lose your arms are too short to box with God why box with somebody who loves you made you sent his son to die for you and knows what'll make you happy happy more than you do." [25:36:88]

"God's laws are immutable they are unchanging and if you want to get healthy again emotionally if you want to get healthy again relationally if you want to get healthy again physically or any other way you just need to make Jesus Christ the manager of your life and you need to make God's word the authority of your life and you need to commit the commitments that David did in Psalm 119." [19:57:08]

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Transcript
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