Tag: surrender

Crucifying The Flesh

Being a follower of Christ demands constant self-examination. Each day, we wake up asking, “What do I need to work on today?” One persistent battle we face is the flesh, our sinful nature that pulls us off track, like that wobbly Walmart shopping cart wheel that requires constant correction.

Carl Pollard

Being a follower of Christ demands constant self-examination. Each day, we wake up asking, “What do I need to work on today?” One persistent battle we face is the flesh, our sinful nature that pulls us off track, like that wobbly Walmart shopping cart wheel that requires constant correction. Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” But what does it mean to crucify the flesh, and how do we live it out in a world brimming with temptation?

In Galatians 5, Paul describes the flesh not as our physical bodies but as our sinful desires that rebel against God. Galatians 5:17 explains, “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; they are contrary to one another.” The flesh urges us to lash out in anger, indulge in lust, gossip, or hold grudges. Paul lists its acts: sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19-21). These are symptoms of a heart not fully surrendered to God. The flesh promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness, chaining us to sin. Recognizing this enemy within is the first step to living for Christ.

Crucifixion, in Roman times, was a brutal, final punishment. Paul’s use of this term signals a decisive, no-turning-back commitment to put sinful desires to death. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). This daily choice means saying no to pride, bitterness, or greed and yes to humility, forgiveness, and generosity.

The key to crucifying the flesh lies in belonging to Christ. When we surrender to Him, we’re united in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:5-6). His victory over sin becomes ours, and His Spirit empowers us to resist temptation. This is why Paul confidently states we “have crucified” the flesh, a present reality for Christians. Living like we belong to Jesus means choosing the Spirit daily, allowing it to produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives.

To crucify the flesh, start with confession and repentance, naming and turning from sin (1 John 1:9). Rely on the Spirit through prayer and God’s Word. Choose daily obedience, saying no to temptation and yes to love. Crucifying the flesh isn’t restriction, it’s liberation, freeing us to run the race God has set before us. What needs to be nailed to the cross today? Lay it at Jesus’ feet and live the life He promised.

Call To Godly Leadership

To find a good place to eat, you need a trusted source—someone who’s tasted the food themselves. You wouldn’t trust a guide who’s never fished to lead you on a fishing trip, or let someone who’s never experienced childbirth lecture you about it. They might know the theory, but they lack the experience. You can’t lead others where you haven’t been. 

Carl Pollard

To find a good place to eat, you need a trusted source—someone who’s tasted the food themselves. You wouldn’t trust a guide who’s never fished to lead you on a fishing trip, or let someone who’s never experienced childbirth lecture you about it. They might know the theory, but they lack the experience. You can’t lead others where you haven’t been. 

Leadership isn’t about titles, power, or recognition, it’s about walking with God and inviting others to follow. To lead others to Christ, you must first walk with Him.

But why do we even need leaders? First, God demands it. He’s never left His people without guides. When Moses’ time ended, God chose Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land. When the early church needed direction, Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus. God establishes leaders to guide His people toward His will. Without them, we wander; with them, we find purpose.

Second, leadership makes us effective. We all have talents, but a leader, like a conductor waving his little stick around, brings harmony to the chaos. Jesus’ mission was clear: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Imagine 30 Christians, each leading one person to Christ yearly and teaching them to do the same. In 10 years, that’s nearly a million souls. In 25 years, over a billion. That’s the power of leadership multiplying God’s kingdom.

Third, leaders strengthen faithfulness. Studies show up to 90% of new converts may drift away within a year. Heartbreaking. Why? Often, there’s no follow-up, no leader to nurture their faith. But with intentional guidance, 93% of converts stay faithful. Hebrews 13:7 tells us, “Remember your leaders… imitate their faith.” Leaders model steadfastness, helping us stand firm.

Fourth, leadership trains for service. Ephesians 4:11-14 says God gave leaders to equip believers for ministry, building up the church. Leaders don’t do all the work—they empower others to serve, strengthening and uniting the body of Christ. Worldly leaders can’t guide spiritual people. A president might lead a nation, but only godly leaders point us to Christ. It’s tough, requiring sacrifice and surrender, but 1 Corinthians 16:13 calls for vigilant, faithful leaders.

Two key points: First, leadership must be pursued. God designed the church and family to function under leadership, like a husband and father under Christ. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, bring [your children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Your home is your first ministry. Lead with love, patience, and prayer—not pride or frustration. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). Fathers, model faith through your actions. Even if you’re not an elder, embody their qualities (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Leadership begins at home and ripples outward.

Second, leadership must be praised. Leading is tough—imagine shepherding an entire congregation’s souls on top of life’s stresses. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls.” Elders aren’t managers; they’re shepherds, called to serve, not dominate (1 Peter 5:2-3). Honor them by refusing gossip (Titus 3:2), supporting their efforts (1 Corinthians 15:58), and giving grace (Colossians 3:13). As the wise Hiram Kemp once said, “Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms in battle (Exodus 17:12), support your leaders.” Leadership is servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28), and every member plays a role in the church’s mission.

Leadership must be pursued and praised. Pray for our leaders in the church and focus on the future. As a Christian man in the church, you may become an elder one day, but today, lead your family. 

God demands leaders because the lost need reaching, faith needs strengthening, and service needs equipping. Leadership isn’t about being flawless but faithful. Go to the cross, the Word, and prayer daily. Lead your family by loving like Christ, serve in the church, and shine in the world.

Let Go And Let God: Finding Peace Through Surrender

To say that crisis is welcomed is inaccurate, but strength in suffering is one of the most faith-building examples we can find in others. I invite you to read a brief glimpse of one such example.

Brent Pollard

My recent stay in a long-term acute medical facility resulted in my return home on a ventilator. I was unable to entirely wean off the ventilator, as I had done successfully in 2021. As a result, I find it necessary to connect myself to the ventilator every night as I prepare to sleep. The ventilator helps me expel excess CO₂ from my body, which my restrictive lung disease makes challenging to do. Since returning home, I’ve become more aware of how much trust I need to place in my ventilator to avoid panic. Suppose you have ever remained conscious while on a ventilator; you may understand what I am saying. The device helps you breathe, but you must fully surrender and refrain from interfering with the machine’s operation on your behalf. Using a ventilator presents a significant learning curve, contradicting our natural inclination.

As I reflect on my new reality, I can’t help but think of an expression you’ve probably heard before: “Let go and let God.” Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous used that expression in the middle of the twentieth century, but its origin is unknown. Although it is not rooted in a specific scripture, several passages in the Bible convey a similar sentiment. Here are some such passages:

Proverbs 3.5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (NASB95).

Psalm 46.10: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NASB95).

1 Peter 5.7: “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (NASB95).

Surrender is deeply complex. In the face of uncertainty about what lies ahead, the burden of expectation to solve every problem, and the unyielding grip of anxiety, we frequently overwork, cling more tightly, and eventually exhaust our resources. It is then we need to “let go and let God.” This expression does not advocate idleness or inaction; instead, it promotes a proactive faith. It takes faith to rely on the Divine’s strength, wisdom, and love to handle what is beyond our abilities. It represents a receptive and generous attitude, emphasizing openness over defensiveness.

By releasing, we make room for the divine to work. When we give up our efforts, we can begin to hear the Lord’s voice. As we release our burdens, we feel the comforting embrace surrounding us. Jesus invites us to experience this release.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11.28 NASB95).

Releasing is not the same as giving up—surrendering our control, not our hope. It represents giving up our fears, letting go of our timing, relinquishing our desired outcomes, and surrendering our sense of control. In this pursuit, we discover tranquility and divine peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4.7).

Surrendering our burdens to God ultimately opens us to a peace beyond comprehension. Faith in His intentions for our lives brings a profound sense of peace and confidence. He comforts our weary souls and assures us that He will bear our burdens if we seek Him out.

What burden are you still trying to carry on your own that God is inviting you to release today? Let go and let God! Let us find comfort in releasing our grip and welcoming the peace only He can provide.

Wanting To Want To

 

Neal Pollard

Do you want your marriage to flourish and grow?
Do you want to read through the Bible this year?
Do you want to lead someone the Savior to know?
Do you want to live life without worry and fear?
Do you want to lose weight and be healthy and fit?
Do you want to attain to more financial discipline?
Do you want self-confidence, courage, and grit?
Do you want to get better at caring and listening?
Do you want a closer place near the heart of God?
Do you want to trust Him when trouble finds you?
Do you want to have heaven after earth you’ve trod?
Then it all must begin with you wanting to want to! —NP

Call it desire, motivation, or willpower.  Whatever you call it, it is central to succeeding at whatever your goals are. What does it take to become a Christian? Wanting to! What does it take to defeat the sin in your life? Wanting to! What does it take to break bad habits and repeated blown judgment calls? Wanting to! What does it take to be a stronger, more faithful Christian? Wanting to! That is not to minimize or ignore our dependence on God and the strength He provides. But He is not going to overwhelm or overtake our will and make us do or be something. He did not operate that way in the age of miracles.

What will be your motivation? There are so many potential incentives. There’s the love God has shown us (2 Cor. 5:14). There’s the fear of hell (Mat. 10:28). There’s the yearning for heaven (John 14:1-3). There’s the concern about how we influence other’s destiny (Mat. 5:14-16). There’s the love we have for God (1 Jn. 4:19). There’s the longing to be like Jesus (1 Jn. 3:2). For each of us, some motivations are more powerful than others. Whatever it takes to be more for God in this needy world, latch onto it and pursue it. You can do it because you won’t be doing it alone. God gave you the church, His Word, prayer, and a personal will to help arrive at the ultimate goal. Don’t let up. Don’t look back. Don’t lose hope. Want to want to!

img_4387
4 people have motivated me to run over the past 19 years: Kathy, Joe, Bob, and Wes. Today was a 6 miler in the snow when it felt like 4 degrees. 

“The People…In The Wilderness”

Neal Pollard

Shortly before Joab turns the tide of Absalom’s rebellion by killing him, David, the rebel’s father, had reached a low ebb in his reign.  David and his faithful followers had been on the run from Absalom for some time, hiding and trying to escape rout and death. Worry was a regular exercise for David during this time (2 Sam. 15:14), as was weeping (2 Sam. 15:30) and weariness (2 Sam. 16:14).  Just before the fateful day of his son’s death, David and his loyal followers fled for their lives and survived thanks to the crafty counsel of Hushai.  The state of the people, at this point, is described in 1 Samuel 17:29: “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”  They were at the end of their rope, worn and frazzled by their very real problems.

Have you wrestled with worry, weeping, and weariness lately?  Can you relate?  Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed and overmatched by things going on in your life.  As we read this account, there are several reasons to hope.

THEY WERE NOT ALONE.  2 Samuel 17:22 notes that it was “David and all the people who were with him” who arose and crossed the Jordan to go to Mahanaim.  Each struggled, anxious and uncertain, but how comforting that they were able to go together.  The Christian should never have to go it alone.  There are those around us who to help bear our burdens (Gal. 6:2).  From the beginning of the church, this has been the case.  Acts 2:44 says, “All who had believed were together.”  While each of us may be struggling with individual problems, struggling is part of the human condition (Job 14:1).  In God’s wisdom, He has made the church a place where we can help and support each other (1 Th. 5:11).

THEY WERE BENEFICIARIES OF KINDNESS. What happens when they get to Mahanaim? Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai are waiting for them.  That had to be encouraging by itself.  But look what they had with them—“beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd” (28-29a).  Those three men saw their brethren were suffering, hurting, and needy.  So what did they do?  I have seen this in the church more times than I can remember.  A brother or sister was in financial, emotional, or spiritual need, and their brethren showered them with kindness and love. So many of God’s people take to heart Paul’s exhortation, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted…” (Eph. 4:32a).  See 1 Corinthians 13:4, Colossians 3:12-15, and 1 Peter 3:8, and you see the heart of so many of our fellow-Christians.  How helpful when we are in the wilderness!

THEY WERE SOON VICTORIOUS.  David draws up a battle plan in 2 Samuel 18:1, and before long the threat was quelled. There were still plenty of challenges that lay directly ahead, but they had doubtless learned a valuable lesson in the wilderness. Their victory did not mean that they were exempt from further problems, but they had experienced God’s deliverance. What a powerful lesson for us!  Yes, we will continue to struggle so long as we are pilgrims on this earth (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11), but there is a victorious “day of visitation” on the horizon (1 Pet. 2:12).

Are you “in the wilderness”?  Hang in there!  Focus on the people God has put in your life, be attuned to their kindness and encouragement, and remember the great victory God has promised you.