Scripture Focus:
Romans 6:16 NKJV - Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Word Analysis (Blue Letter Bible):
Present - (yield; stand with)
Slaves - (servants)
Obey - (submission)

What is the thing or person that keeps us from fully surrendering to Christ? Is it religious tradition? Is it family? Is it our careers? Friends? Spouse? or fleshly desires?

I ask this question because I had to personally reflect on this myself. First let's look at the definition of surrender?

Dictionary.com and the 1828 Dictionary define surrender in the following way:
To yield to the power of another; to resign; to give up; to relinquish

This definition is very powerful and eye opening! I don't think that we realize how much things or people cause us to draw back from seeking God with our whole heart. Or how we have surrendered to many things, but not Christ.

The scripture above from the book of Romans describes the effects of surrendering to anything other than Christ our Lord. The result is sin and death.

This scripture comes to life for me because recently I walked in stagnation and I had not surrendered my all to Christ. I was reflecting on my past and what man (people) had done to me or spoken against my life. I experienced heartbreak, disappointments, and  even abuse. I was confused and didn't understand why those things had happened to me. One example, I watched my dad suffer through sickness and die from kidney failure. As a result of all of this, I struggled with trusting others. I struggled with religion because somehow I knew that there was more to God than that. I internalized my pain and wanted acceptance and affirmation from others. Sometime later, sickness came as a distraction as well. I was diagnosed with asthma and then Type 2 Diabetes. The Diabetes was partly the result of steroid treatment for asthma.  

Then One day, I begin to have a "But God Experience." God begin to remind me of His promises for my life! He spoke to my heart and helped me to understand that He is all that I need! He showed me that even in the absence of everyone else; I am not alone! He is with me and He will never leave me nor forsake me as other had. You see, He never left my side; I pulled back. I got distracted and begin to surrender to the voices of my past and the voices of my pain. God showed me that some of my faith died with my earthly father. Yet, in His great mercy, He reminded me that He is my father. He is eternal. He is the giver of life, sovereign, just and He created me for His glory. I needed to surrender my heart to Him and so my journey began with a simple "Yes."

Each day Christ continues to draw me nearer as I continue to say "Yes"! I thank Him for His grace and mercy. By His power and great love, He is causing me to surrender it all to Him. Now as I go into my prayer room every morning, I want to stay there and commune with Him. I know where He brought me from and I don't want to return. He is my peace. He is my joy. He is the only hope there is for my life. He is life, life eternal!

So I say you today, put your trust in Him; lean not to your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:6)! The things and the people of this world can not fulfill what is only found in Him. Find our whatever your "it" is and begin to say "Yes" Lord I surrender it all. Then seek after Him with all of your heart. There, in the secret place of the most high (Psalm 91), you will find rest for your soul!


Let us be found only slaves of Christ!


Enjoy this worship song:

I Surrender All!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8tFO7Plm8


#Hope-in-Christ



Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

A few months ago I was preparing for Bible study. I was reading a chapter of Henry Blackaby's book "Called and Accountable." As I was reading the chapter, something stood out to me. He was explaining how God loves us and has called us. I couldn't receive that at first. ​You see I was reading that book with a broken heart. I had not really seen His love and I couldn't understand why He would call me when I had been rejected by others!

A few days later I went to Bible study. My pastor begin to explain further that God has called all of us. With tears in my eyes, I said, "I can't understand why He would want me when I was rejected." My pastor went on to encourage me and others in knowing that all that matters is what God says about you.

​Have you ever had this feeling? I encourage you to press in to the designer of your very being. He has many promises in His word that helps us to understand that we are not anybody's mistake. We are called by His name and His love is everlasting. We are not alone, but loved by a great an awesome creator! Here are a few of those scriptures and a song by Kari Jobe to encourage you today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzLRyZMKbb0

Jer. 31:3 - The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jer. 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Zeph. 3:17 - The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 103:1-5 - 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4. Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

​#Hopeinchrist

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

I want to encourage you to walk in your God given purpose! When I felt led to start a blog to encourage others, I did not have the first clue where to start! The LORD has guided my footsteps the whole way! We were created with great purpose and it is found in Christ! Never let anyone make you feel like you don't have any worth. God spoke to Jeremiah and said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Just as He spoke to Jeremiah, He continues speaking to us today. Seek Him, ask Him to guide the way to Him, and He will begin to show you the purpose that He has placed inside of you! Watch and see! #Hopeinchrist


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:31 ESV

​There are many beliefs in our world today. Many have turned from the true and living God and have begun to trust in myths, false religions, or have no beliefs at all. Therefore, now more than ever it is very critical for us to know in our hearts what we truly believe. The truth only comes from God the creator of our very souls. His word is written by those who witnessed and believed in Him. The above scripture was recorded by Apostle John. His goal was for others to know that Christ is the One that is and is to come.  I wrote a belief statement based on the word of God and I encourage you all to do the same today. Please enjoy:

I Believe
"I believe that there is only one God, King, and LORD, Jesus Christ! I believe that I am created in His image and His likeness. I believe that His word is the only truth and without error of which I live by since the day He transformed my life. I walk in relationship with Him. I believe that He is my Creator and LORD of my life! I stand on His truth because I believe that truth originates from Him. I believe that He spoke through prophets and teachers and left His Word for me to know Him and keep His way. I believe in eternal life only through Christ Jesus. I believe that I must seek Him all the days of my life. He is love! He is my life! I believe!"



Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from English Standard Version were found on Bible Gateway.

For all the gods of the people are idols (worthlessness, good for nothing, have no value), But the LORD (self-existent, eternal, Jehovah) made the heavens. Glory and honor (splendor, majesty) are in His presence; Strength (might, power) and gladness are in His place. Give to the LORD, O families of the people, Give to the LORD the glory (honor, reverence) and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name (renowned reputation); Bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (set-apartness). (1 Chron. 16:26-29 KJV)

​Some time ago I read the scripture above and it stood out to me. These are very powerful verses. They help us to understand that God is God and outside of Him there is no other God! In biblical times, people worshipped different idols that were man made. Today there is still  idol worship. They are just not in the form statues. We have to be very mindful of this because God is the only one worthy of our worship. Today consider what is hindering or has turned away your worship from our heavenly Father. Ask God to reveal those things to You and then repent, put them away from You and worship the Lord and honor Him with your life! He is worthy of all of our worship!  He is God alone!  #hopeinchrist 

Worship Song: Your Are God Alone/William McDowell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHgTlbXuAgI


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

This picture symbolizes what sin and the lack of relationship with the Lord does to our lives. It yokes us, controls us and we begin to operate in our own will, and not His will. Then it becomes a burden and too much to bare. God has a great and perfect plan for our lives. He knew us before we were even formed in our mother's womb. He is the creator of our very being. He placed something inside of us that only He can fill.
So that is why in Matthew 11:28-30, Christ says, "Come (follow, come near)to Me, all you who labor (grow weary, tired) and are heavy laden (burden upon, overload), and I will give you rest (refresh). Take (raise up, lift up, elevate)My yoke upon you (rest upon)and learn (increase one's knowledge) of me, for I am meek (gentle) and lowly (humble) in heart, and you will find (meet with) rest for your souls (seat of feelings, desires, affections, heart). For My yoke (used of any burden or bondage, as that of slavery) is easy (fit for use, good, pleasant) and My burden (load) is light."

​So as we enter into a new year, let us put down the yoke of sin, regret, deception, pain, and any other thing and let us put on the yoke of Christ. He knows what we need before we even speak. He is the source of our peace. He is our Strength and true joy comes from Him.

​Be blessed in 2016! Hope in Christ! Make Him Lord of your life today!


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.