What makes you happy? Maybe it’s watching your kids succeed, performing well at work, spending time with friends, going out to dinner. Or like me, watching your team notch a win. But is that really joy?

We seek happiness and that’s ok. But nothing in this world will give lasting happiness. We can chase all sorts of things that give us immediate happiness. This happiness comes and goes.

Let’s go deep today. Let's explore how surrendering to Christ leads to lasting joy.

KEY PASSAGE:

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Today, you'll hear the story of a courageous Christian who is able to surrender to God in the midst of incredible pain. What he has learned will help us in our journey to surrender now-- and when we're in pain. Take a deep breath and ask God to speak to you.

KEY PASSAGE:

Philippians 4:11-13

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Living a life of surrender to Christ isn’t easy. It’s agonizing at times. Praise be to God that we surrender to a loving Savior and Heavenly Father.

Jesus made it clear. “Hold on to your life and you’ll lose it. Surrender it to me and you’ll find it.”

What a crazy principle. It goes against our natural thinking. But it’s true.

Jesus plays it out to the max. He boldly states that our soul is in jeopardy if we don’t surrender to him. That’s serious stuff.

That's what we'll center on today as we start a new devotional theme this week.

KEY PASSAGE;

Matthew 16:24-26

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com