Outflow

had a great night at Ruths Chris Steak House...the girls, Pattie, Marcie, Valerie, Winston, and Steve and I were all decked out...It was a great way to celebrate their 50th birthday...

seeker
Ps 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,

surrendered...

Jesus is the greatest example of someone who was surrendered to the will of the Father.

Ps 40:8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.

Phil2

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.

He made himself nothing;

he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.

And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.

Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

He came to do the father's will...always obedient, always connected, always concerned, always caring, always giving, always healing, always looking for ways to serve others, only doing what he saw the Father doing. His food, His drink was to do the fathers will. He was obedient not holding on to his rights but letting the Fathers will to be His will...

So many times we seem to hold onto our rights, and have less than perfect attitudes...What's a right? The next time someone takes 'your' parking spot think about the feeling you have and why you have it. The next time your boss asks you to do something you don't want to do, or to do something you will not receive recognition for, what do you think? How do you feel? More than probably all the above can be seen as our rights, or our entitlement.

One person i talked to was very upset because they were recently married and her perceived entitlement to security, care and love were not being met according to her expectations. So she pushed for her rights, you can guess what happened, He pushed for his rights, fireworks...not a good way to start a marriage that's for sure. Learning to let go of our expectations takes time...

Last night we had a table reserved for 6 we arrive table is set for 5, so we had to wait...but wait a minute, this is an expensive place!...my expectations were violated...how did I handle it?...I just smiled, said no problem... and let it go. However, I have seen emotional outbursts over such small deals...Why? the bottom line entitlement or perceived rights violated.

Jesus had a way of being firm yet, humble...able to let go of his rights to be a surrendered servant even while suffering.

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously...

How'd he cruse through life...he kept entrusting Himself to Him who has the final say. He was surrendered...