Tag Religion and Spirituality

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!

Should Evangelical Christians Vote for Trump?

Allen Frederick

A study guide for those who are heading to the polls this election cycle. The bible really does have a lot to say about exercising your faith in all areas of life, that includes your civic duties to society. Not voting or voting contrary to biblical principles has ripple effects throughout the entirety of society, and therefore your exercising your civic duty should be taken very seriously and approached prayerfully.

 

Evangelical Christians come in a variety of categories on the subject of politics. These different categories will help explain why some Christians who love Jesus and believe the Bible can vote for a man like Donald Trump who is opposed to what the Bible says on so many biblical issues.

Source: Why are Many Evangelical Christians Voting for Trump? ⋆ The Constitution

A Brand New Day!

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

erase_mistake

Psalm 103:12 (BBE)
12  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our sins from us.

Philippians 3:13-14 (AMP)
13  I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14  I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

Tradition has it that many on New Year’s day make resolutions, plans and goals that they have for the upcoming year. By making resolutions we admit that in the past we have not lived up to our expectations and desire to make a change for the upcoming year. We reflect on what we wanted to do the past year, and make a promise to ourselves and others that we will attempt to do better this coming year. Many make a resolution to diet or exercise, some may plan on being a better parent or spouse, some may plan to make a career change or seek higher education, some may wish to make major lifestyle changes or relocate to another place, whatever the goal, resolutions by nature, indicate that we are not 100% satisfied with were we are in life.

Paul made this sentiment clear when writing to the Philippians in chapter three. He was resolved to learn more about Christ and to become more like him even to the point of sharing in the sufferings of Christ being conformed to Christ even in death. Paul, although he was accomplished in society did not regard his social standing as anything to boast about but rather tossed that aside as garbage when he came to Christ. He valued a relationship with Christ to be of more value then any earthly gain or status. Paul wanted to be associated with Christ to such a degree that he would actually suffer and die like Christ because of his faith in Christ.

Paul’s resolution stands in stark contrast to today’s resolutions because the focus of Paul was on the here-after and not the here-and-now. Paul chose to aim for and attempt to imitate one who was greater than he. He wanted to be like Christ. Paul admitted that he had fallen far short of his lofty goals repeatedly, and yet he held onto the hope that there was going to be a new day, another opportunity to try again to reach his goal. He had set his heart on which way he wanted to go, and although he had been knocked off course numerous times, he brushed off the failures and continued onward and upward.

One of the greatest gifts of Christ is the gift of forgiveness, Jesus came to erase our pasts and give us a new future, a new hope, another chance to do better. Although many observe a new beginning once a year, Christ gives us a brand new start every morning. His faithfulness is renewed each day, his forgiveness wipes out our failures of the past and we are given a clean slate to try yet again. He erases our mistakes and casts them into the sea of forgetfulness and does not hold them up to us as a constant reminder nor torment us with all our weaknesses and shortcomings. Jesus loves us enough to wipe away all our failures giving us a new start each and every day.

So then why not take today and thank God for giving you another opportunity to get it right and then, like Paul, take aim at the higher calling and press toward the goal of being more like Christ today. Take it one day at a time and do not fret if you come up short because the Lord has a new day in store for you as the morning sun rises.

Psalm 118:24 (GW)
24  This is the day the LORD has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad today!

Happy new day!

Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards All Men?

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

christmas peace decoration

One of the most favorite sayings and happy thoughts that are spoken frequently by people during the Christmas or “holiday” season is the phrase “Peace on Earth good will to men”. There are bumper stickers, signs, shirts, holiday cards, trinkets etc. that seek to capitalize and get out this optimistic and positive message. Even liberal secularists who reject biblical Christianity love to quote this phrase and claim it as their own. Sadly, this phrase is TOTALLY taken out of the biblical context and is perceived from a subjective godless utopian world perspective. This theme is repeated often from secular and even godless sources appearing everywhere, they like to toss around that God is love and that he preached peace on earth and that we all should simply get along.

Is that really the message the angels brought forth that first Christmas day? Let’s take a closer look shall we?

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:13 and 14 ESV)

I do need to note that only the King James bible quotes Luke 2:14 without the qualifying ‘with whom He is pleased’ or ‘upon whom his favor rests.’ This is an important concept that needs to be addressed. The wicked, then as now, do not find themselves in a peaceful, loving relationship with the almighty God. They, like us before accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are lost without hope in the world (Eph 2:12) and separated from God.

They (or us if we turn from Christ) will find themselves facing a righteous and holy God without a remedy for their sinfulness. Their unrighteousness will dam them to an eternity separated from all that is good and right without any hope of rescue, nor peace from suffering. God’s word makes it clear…his wrath will come pouring down upon the head of the wicked.

Jesus reiterated this theme when he called his disciples together before sending them out as ambassadors of the gospel. Here is what he said:

Matthew 10:34-36 (NIV)
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law–
36  a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

The message of Jesus brings about a great divide, it causes divisions and enmity between members of a household in addition to members of society at large. Paul put it this way in his letter to the Hebrews:

Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)
12  For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

Let us not forget that Jesus came unto His own but His own received him not. Why?  The problem is not with the messenger nor the message the problem lies within us. We have no peace because we chose to live according to our own desires and wants and fail to accept the truth of God’s word. We ignore the gospel of peace and therefore continue to live without peace, and hope in this world.

John 3:16-21 (NIV)
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Yes peace came into the world that first Christmas night, but only for those who accept the gift of God, sent to us from heaven in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling  clothes and lying in a manger. If we reject this peace of God we will forever be lost without hope, walking around in continued darkness, unable to ever grasp the peace that passes all understanding which can only be found through Christ Jesus. That is what the angels said that first Christmas night… Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to all those upon whom is favor rests.