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I Surrender All: A Devotional for Easter

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The words of the hymn I Surrender All resonate deeply with the journey of faith. Written in 1896 by Judson W. Van DeVenter, this hymn emerged from a pivotal moment in his life. Van DeVenter, an accomplished artist, found himself torn between pursuing a career in the arts or stepping into full-time ministry. After wrestling with God’s call, he finally surrendered, choosing to dedicate his life entirely to serving Christ. This heartfelt act of yielding birthed one of the most beloved hymns in Christian worship—a timeless reminder of what it means to fully trust and submit to God.

As we approach the heart of the Easter season, I Surrender All takes on an even deeper meaning. It reminds us of the ultimate act of surrender—Jesus Christ offering Himself on the cross for the redemption of humanity. The Son of God gave everything, holding nothing back, for the sake of love. His sacrifice invites us to examine our own lives and to ask: what might God be calling us to surrender in this season?

Surrender is not an easy concept. It challenges our desire for control, tests our faith, and often stretches us in uncomfortable ways. For some, surrender might mean letting go of fear or anxiety, trusting God to provide and guide. For others, it could involve reconciling broken relationships, relinquishing bitterness or pride, and choosing humility and love. Perhaps God is asking you to trust Him with your future, your career, or a dream you’ve been holding tightly to.

Easter is a time of reflection, renewal, and hope. Just as the empty tomb represents victory and new life, surrendering our hearts to God leads to transformation and peace. When we let go of our own plans and fully trust in Him, we find that His ways are higher, and His plans are greater than anything we could imagine.

Closing Prayer

Lord, as we reflect on the profound sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, may we open our hearts to fully surrender to You. Teach us to trust You with our fears, dreams, and burdens, knowing that in You, we find true peace and joy. Transform our hearts this Easter season and help us walk in the light of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Overflowing Cup: A Devotional

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The Woman at the well

“Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up, Lord…” These simple yet profound words from the hymn express a heart yearning to be filled by the Lord’s presence. It reminds us of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:7-14, where Jesus offers living water that quenches spiritual thirst eternally.

Life often leaves us parched, seeking satisfaction in things that fade—success, possessions, or approval. Yet, Christ’s invitation is clear: “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst” (John 4:14). Only He can fill the emptiness within us and give us a life of abundance that overflows.

To lift our cup is to humbly admit our need and surrender to His grace. It’s an act of trust, inviting God to meet us in our brokenness and renew our spirits. When He fills us, our lives become vessels of His love and blessings, spilling over into the lives of others.

As you meditate on this hymn, take a moment to lift your own “cup” to God. Pray for His living water to refresh and sustain you. Trust that He is faithful to meet you right where you are and to fill you—not just for today, but for eternity.

May this devotional remind you of the richness of God’s grace and the sufficiency of His provision in every season. What part of the hymn speaks most deeply to your heart?

FILL MY CUP LORD

George Beverly Shea

Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy;
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
“Draw from my well that never shall run dry”.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

REFLECTIONS ON THE PASSION OF CHRIST

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Reflecting on the Passion Week: A Journey of Love and Sacrifice

The Passion Week, also known as Holy Week, is a cornerstone of Christian faith. It commemorates the final week of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry—a period filled with profound teachings, acts of love, and a sacrifice that changed the course of history. Each day of this sacred week offers a poignant glimpse into Jesus’ unwavering mission and the depth of His love for humanity.

Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry

The week begins with Palm Sunday, a day of celebration as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Crowds welcomed Him with shouts of “Hosanna!” and palm branches, recognizing Him as the promised Messiah. Yet, beneath this joyous occasion lay the shadow of what was to come. It was a moment of triumph mixed with the foreshadowing of sacrifice.

Holy Monday and Tuesday: Cleansing the Temple and Teaching

On Monday, Jesus cleansed the temple, driving out merchants who had turned a house of prayer into a marketplace. This act highlighted His zeal for holiness and reverence. On Tuesday, He engaged in profound teachings and parables, addressing topics like faith, hypocrisy, and the coming kingdom of God. These days were marked by Jesus’ wisdom and authority, which amazed both His followers and His critics.

Spy Wednesday: The Betrayal Begins

Wednesday is often referred to as “Spy Wednesday,” as it marks Judas Iscariot’s decision to betray Jesus. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas conspired with religious leaders to hand Jesus over. This act of betrayal reminds us of human frailty and the cost of sin, yet it also sets the stage for God’s redemptive plan.

Maundy Thursday: A Final Act of Love

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Last Supper, instituting the sacrament of Communion. He washed their feet, demonstrating humility and servanthood. It was a night of love and fellowship, yet it ended with Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, fully aware of the suffering He was about to endure. His agony in the garden revealed His humanity and submission to God’s will.

Good Friday: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Good Friday is the somber culmination of Passion Week. Jesus was arrested, falsely accused, and subjected to unimaginable suffering. He was crucified on a Roman cross, bearing the weight of humanity’s sins. As He breathed His last and declared, “It is finished,” the veil in the temple tore, symbolizing the new access to God made possible through His sacrifice. Good Friday is both heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring—a day of immense sorrow and divine grace.

Holy Saturday: Waiting in Silence

Holy Saturday is a day of quiet reflection. Jesus lay in the tomb, and His followers mourned, grappling with grief and uncertainty. It is a day that reminds us of the tension between despair and hope, as God’s redemptive plan was still unfolding.

Easter Sunday: Victory Over Death

The week culminates in the glorious celebration of Easter Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. His resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, offering hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe.

Final Thoughts

Passion Week is more than a historical account; it is a spiritual journey that invites reflection, gratitude, and renewed faith. It reminds us of the depth of God’s love and the lengths He went to reconcile humanity to Himself. As we meditate on these events, may we find inspiration to live lives marked by love, humility, and a steadfast hope in the risen Christ.

Liars Will Be Punished!

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?”

Acts 5:3 (NRSV)

Lying has consequences, or at least should. Today it would appear lying has become an art form, even garnering praise from others as somewhat noble! What a sad commentary on contemporary life. One can expect to find lying in the secular realm since it is predominately under the influence of old slew foot himself Satan, the father of all lies, but when it is pervasive in the church then we have a real systemic problem.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be charitable and sell some of the land they owned and give it to the Apostles. They did so but instead of giving as they said they would they withheld a portion for themselves. When asked they said that the amount given was the full amount they got on the purchase. They were struck dead for lying! WOW, now that is quick, and some might say extreme, punishment for what many would say was a small matter. To God however, this was a big deal.

Could you imagine, during an election season, what would happen if candidates running for office would suddenly drop dead while speaking to crowds? If this happened on a consistent basis do you think these politicians would end their constant lying? Why did God treat Ananias and Sapphira so harshly? Because they had taken an oath to God and lied while under that oath. Know anyone who has lied under oath? I can name a whole House and Senate full of liars and deceitful people. They all took an oath by swearing to God to uphold the laws of this land and defend the Constitution and have gone about doing as they please, while enriching themselves in the process. Now I don’t know about you, but a huge part of me wishes lying members of our political class would start dropping dead while speaking! Some might even be thinking of that used car salesman who sold them that lemon last year. Lying is serious business and God does not take kindly to lying lips.

22The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12

So then why do liars seem to prosper and get away with their multitude of falsehoods? Why isn’t the damage they do being punished to vindicate the victims? Those who wield unfettered power continue to gain even more power by deceitful practices and seem to be immune from any law and order, where is God?

9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Thessalonians 5:9-10

We’ve heard the old adage that give a man enough rope and he will hang himself, well this could be said of God who allows evil men and women to continue in their wickedness with the hopes that they will repent and turn from the evil ways, however, if they don’t judgement will be sure, swift and final!

Lying is a BIG DEAL, and there is no such thing as a little lie. Ananias and Sapphira learned too late that telling lies under oath is a death sentence!

I suspect before long to start to see corpses piling up around State Houses across the country and in D.C.

‘It Will Be Good for that Servant’

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

Image by Sergio Cerrato from Pixabay
My Dear Shepherds, It is certainly easier to imagine the Apocalypse now than it was a year ago! Jesus’ commands to have our people ready and waiting for his return seem more urgent. In Luke 12 Jesus told us to “be dressed ready for service … like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet.” Peter asked, “Lord are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” (Luke 12:42-44)

(Luke 12:42-44)

There is our job: To be faithful and wise managers, providing food on schedule to those in the household we oversee. Food service doesn’t have the cachet of greatness or prestige but that is our job. We’re quartermasters behind the lines, feeding the troops their rations. The measure of our success is a well-nourished flock, soldiers who don’t wilt in battle. As Dallas Willard wrote, “Instead of counting Christians, we need to weigh them.”

Pastors who love teaching the Bible sometimes assume that as long as they exposit Scripture for their people they’ve fed them well but, frankly, some pastors hide poor shepherding behind good preaching. We must feed our household as Jesus did, with the Word applied, visualized, and embodied by us. Pastors, breathing the Spirit, must incarnate what we preach. Most important is that our people see the love of Christ in us—in the grace we distribute like bread and the ways we wash their feet.

This isn’t the best time to evaluate our work, especially not by the often accepted metrics of pastoral success. Wait till Jesus returns. Feed your people now, day in and day out, meal after meal so that they are healthy, ready, and watching.

Christ’s promised reward is unsettling: “… he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” When I read promises like that (“take charge of ten cities,” is another), I think, You know, I’m tired of being in charge of things. How about if I just sing in the choir. But the work of heaven will be different. We may need a new word for it. “Work” is too weedy and weary. To begin with, our new responsibilities come because of the delighted trust of our Master. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Look at that! He’s kept track of those countless small things we did in his name!

Not all our earthly accomplishments will matter then. Our pride-infected, misdirected, faithless work will have been incinerated like wood, hay, and straw. But when we did what the Lord assigned to us, when we built squarely on the foundation of Christ, when we fed, led, and guarded his flock faithfully, our humble work here will be seen there by Jesus as gold, silver, and jewels, the very building blocks of the New Jerusalem.

But there’s more! Our Master will also say, “Come and share your master’s happiness.” Managing God’s possessions in the New Jerusalem will come without weeds, without hassles. No problems to solve. No touchy people to shepherd. Everything to which we put our hand is glorious, every person is beloved, and everything is awash in the bright glory of God.

Lee Eclov Retired Pastor, PT Contributor, leeeclov.com