Surrender Everything

by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” — Isaiah 6:8

Watch this week's video by clicking on the image below.

One of the most beautiful and freeing moments in our lives is when we surrender everything to God and can say to Him…

“Send me where You will.”
“Do through me what You want.”
“Have Your way in my life.”

In doing this, we open ourselves up to His best so that we may touch others lives with His power every day that we live!

Watch this week’s video for more on the blessings of surrendering. 

God's Letter to You 

Beloved child,

I know there is much in your mind and in your heart that you want to do in your lifetime, but I'm asking you to do something extraordinary, something that will give you a life so much better than you could ever give yourself. I'm asking you to lay down every dream and surrender everyone and ask me to send you where I want you to go. Ask me to do through you what I want to do and if you will, you will find the true meaning and purpose of life. I know what I ask is not easy and it fights against everything that you want but I know that deep in your heart you know that I know what is best for my girl, You! 

Love
Your Heavenly Father

Prayer
Dear God,
I lift your daughter up before you right now knowing how scary it can be to surrender all to you. So I pray you would give her the courage to take a step of faith and do just that today. Amen.

Treasure of Truth
A surrendered life is a life worth living. 

For more about Sheri Rose's ministry, visit HisPrincess.com.

His Princess Every Day - Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Devotionals for Women - Inspirational author and speaker Sheri Rose Shepherd imagines what a letter written from God to you would look like.

Your Life is a Symphony  
You are to Me a beautiful song.Your life is a sweet symphony that I Myself am composing note by note. I take your failures, your tears, and your triumphs, and I turn them into a glorious harmony that will be sung in the heavens for all eternity. All your thoughts and deeds are laid before Me like notes on a page. Every choice you make is a significant chord in an eternal arrangement. Don’t let the noise of the world destroy your magnificent melody, My beloved. Seek Me in the quiet stillness of the morning, and I will fill your heart with divine music. Stay in rhythm with My Spirit throughout the day, and I will make your life an irresistible medley that will linger like sweet perfume in the hearts of all that journey with you.Walk with Me in absolute surrender, and you will draw others to Me in a rhapsody of praise.

Love,
Your King and your Composer 

He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done
and be astounded. They will
put their trust in the Lord. - Psalm 40:3 (NIV)

This devotional is written by Sheri Rose Shepherd. All content copyright Sheri Rose Shepherd 2015. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Visit HisPrincess.com for devotionals, books, videos, and more from Sheri Rose Shepherd.

Chocolate For Your Soul with Sheri Rose Shepherd

Leave Your Sin Where it Belongs...at the Cross
by Sheri Rose Shepherd  

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! — 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you are battling to forgive yourself from your past mistakes, keep in mind that there is not a soul on this earth who won’t experience failure, disappointment, and discouragement. Our beloved King David had to get up from the shame of neglecting his duty to be on the battlefield and committing adultery. The apostle Peter had to get from the guilt of denying Jesus three times after bragging he loved the Lord more than everyone else. Do not misunderstand me, there is a price to pay when we fall and sin against God, but the same God who disciplines us because He loves us, also sent us a Savior to give us the power to get up and finish our faith fight.

Confession is a gift from God by which He replaces the strongholds of our past sin and shame with blessings of forgiveness and freedom, healing and hope.

Today I am free from the fear of God’s punishment, not because of anything I can do in my own power, but because my Lord paid the price for my sin. I am forgiven and so are you!

There is nothing you can do that can keep God from loving or forgiving you. Leave your past where it belongs... nailed to the cross! 

God's Letter to You 

I believe if The Lord was going to write you a personal letter about battles this life brings it may read like this.... 

Beloved Child,
I love it when you come to Me to confess your sin. I am your safe place and your salvation. There is nothing you can tell Me that I can’t handle hearing. I already know your every thought and action, so why waste even a moment trying to hide anything from Me? Let’s make it right together. Let Me have the thing that’s holding you back from a new and fresh start. Come to Me in truth and be transparent. I’m the Lover of your soul. If you will come to Me and confess, I will gladly wash over your mind, your body, and your spirit to make you clean. You will never need to feel shame again, because I covered you with My life.
Love,
Your Lord and Savior who died for you

Girlfriends in God - April 19, 2016

Winning Over Worry
Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20, NCV). 

Friend to Friend

When we lived in South Florida, the grass in our yard grew year round. So did the weeds. We soon learned that the best way to deal with weeds was simply to take really good care of the grass. When the grass was healthy, it was thick and lush – leaving little room for weeds to grow.

When our hearts and lives are filled with praise, worry is a weed that will die from lack of attention. When we choose to continually give God thanks, there will be little room in our hearts for fear.

Why?

Because praise acknowledges the very character of God, while thanksgiving recognizes the work of His hand. Together, praise and thanksgiving are powerful weapons against worry and formidable tools to strengthen our faith.

I know what you are thinking. Sometimes it is just plain hard to praise God because of the grueling circumstances we are facing. Honestly, it is hard to find something to celebrate.

The problem is that we don’t understand the true meaning of praise.

Praise comes from a Latin word that means “value” or “worth.” To praise God means to celebrate His worth, His value and His presence. “Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the Lord—and rejoice before Him” (Psalm 68:4).

Praise and thanksgiving pleases God. Psalm 147:1 “How good it is to sing praise to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!"

Praise and thanksgiving encourage obedience. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Did you catch the truth that it is His will for us to praise Him? Obedience to Him always promotes peace and eliminates worry.

Praise and thanksgiving enhance our awareness of His presence. Psalm 22:3 “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” When we praise God, we enthrone Him in our lives. We make that fearful circumstance His dwelling place. That’s right! We invite Jesus to join us in our mess. And do you know that He always accepts that invitation of praise?

Praise and thanksgiving produce trust. Psalm 42:11 asks, “Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising Him, my Savior and my God.” The psalmist is telling his own soul to stop the pity party, put his hope in God and keep praising Him – no matter what!

Thanksgiving is a deposit on the future.

Praise is trusting Him for what He will do and then expecting Him to do it, understanding that today’s stumbling blocks are tomorrow’s stepping-stones.

Praise frees God to work because when we praise Him, we are choosing to trust Him, despite the circumstances.

The story is told of a young man who was sitting on a park bench reading his Bible. Suddenly he began to shout. “Praise the Lord! What a miracle!” An older, very distinguished man walking by stopped and asked what he was so excited about. The young man replied, “I was just reading how God parted the Red Sea and the whole nation of Israel walked across on dry ground.” The older man sneered, “Don’t you know? That wasn’t a real sea at all. It was just a few inches of water.” He then turned in irritation and walked away, leaving the young man confused and discouraged. But in a few minutes the young man began to shout again. The unbeliever returned asking, “What are you shouting about now?” “I just read how God drowned the whole Egyptian army in just a few inches of water!"

Don’t let anyone keep you from praising God.

Don’t let any circumstance deny you the joy of giving thanks.

Praise is not optional in a life that wins over worry and doubt.

Praise is a demonstration of trust and the acceptance of a circumstance without insisting that God change it. When we choose to praise God, we choose to trust Him. And when we choose to trust God, we will win over worry. 

Let’s Pray

Father, I am helpless. I am desperate for You, Lord. I need Your strength and power to sustain me. Everything seems to be falling apart. I want to be a woman of faith and stand strong when trouble bombards my life, but I can’t do it alone. I am afraid and seem to worry about everything. Today, I turn to You and celebrate the truth that You will turn to me and be my refuge.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen. 

Now It’s Your Turn

When did God take something bad in your life and bring good out of it? Describe that experience.

Remember the truth that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and what He did in your past … He can do today and tomorrow. He is faithful – even when we are faithless.

Read and memorize Psalm 59:16. Choose to sing a new song of praise – no matter what happens today. Record this verse on an index card and keep it with you. When fear and doubt come, meet them with this powerful promise from God. 

More from the Girlfriends

Need help? Get Mary’s E-Bible Study, Getting a Grip on Fear, for practical ways to win over worry and experience real peace in your life. Included is a bonus article that will help you learn to walk by faith … not by sight.

Be sure to check out the FREEBIES on my website and connect with me through Skype, email or on Facebook.

Seeking God? Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 1311
Huntersville, NC 28070

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THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Stand firm then…with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14b 

The soldier’s breastplate of the Roman times was to protect his vital organs. It was usually made of hardened slabs of leather or pounded bronze or a combination of both. The soldier’s rank and his country’s seal were affixed to it. It covered the soldier’s chest and stomach but not his back. So it was designed to face the enemy, not for retreat from the enemy.

Because we are waging a war against an invisible enemy, we must always be armed. Our breastplate is made not of heavy metal but is molded by the Spirit of the living God to fit us properly in our inner being. Our righteousness is not a metal front, but given by Christ to show to everyone in all our day-to-day relationships and circumstances.

Our enemy will point out your failures and shortcomings. He will try to convince you that you are unworthy to be a child of God. He is right. But your relationship with God is based on Jesus’ uprightness before God, not yours. Your sins have been wiped out. When God sees you, he sees Jesus. Stand tall before the enemy…in your breastplate of righteousness.

Mikail Khorev, a very effective evangelist in Russia, spent many years in prison for his continued public ministry. On one occasion his family was refused visiting rights and sent home. When the prison guard was taunting him about it, he replied:

“I would like to tell you that my God is fulfilling his plans through you and will use you for our blessing. I love my family very much and being together with them means a lot to me, but if it brings more honor to the Lord for us to part rather than be together, then why should I insist on seeing them? If his name is glorified more through my being in prison than through my being at liberty, then I tell you that there is no greater joy for me than to die on this prison bunk as a prisoner, as my father did and as many of my brothers in the faith have done.”

Mikhail is also quoted as saying, “I have to admit to you that prison is a very useful school for our education and for the testing of the genuineness of our faith...I’m grateful to the Lord for this school and for his leading.” 

RESPONSE: Today I put on the breastplate of righteousness…protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, may my breastplate of righteousness guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy in the face of trials.

Verse of the Day - April 19, 2016

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NIV) But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 15

Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury

Today the church remembers Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Martyr, 1012.

"From the wrath of the Northmen, Good Lord, deliver us."? So prayed the English monks, but their prayer seemed of no avail. In 1011 Canterbury itself was besieged and taken by the fierce Danish Vikings. They carried the Archbishop, Alphege, off in their ships and demanded a ransom.

Alphege was an old and kindly monk from Deerhurst and later Abbot of Bath. He had been elected Bishop of Winchester under Dunstan (see May 19). For five years he had served as one of the most beloved and effective archbishops ever to hold the See of Canterbury. He played a part in the conversion of King Olaf of Norway. Now Alphege was harshly bound, half-starved, and shamefully abused.

Englishmen immediately began raising the ransom, but Alphege, knowing how impoverished his people were already, refused to permit it. The enraged Vikings, in a drunken frenzy, fell upon the old Archbishop and savagely beat him to death. Yet, a number of them had been so impressed with the faith and compassion of their prisoner that they soon presented themselves for baptism.

Grant us, in like manner to your servant Alphege, constancy in faith and truth, and to fear none of the world's adversaries. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86lfheah_of_Canterbury

O Loving God, your martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death when he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people; Grant that all pastors of your flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Daily Readings for Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Exodus 32:21-34
Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?" And Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are bent on evil. They said to me, 'Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' So I said to them, 'Whoever has gold, take it off' so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!" When Moses saw that the people were running wild (for Aaron had let them run wild, to the derision of their enemies), then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Who is on the LORD's side? Come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. He said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Put your sword on your side, each of you! Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.'" The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand of the people fell on that day. Moses said, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves this day." On the next day Moses said to the people, "You have sinned a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will only forgive their sin-- but if not, blot me out of the book that you have written." But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; see, my angel shall go in front of you. Nevertheless, when the day comes for punishment, I will punish them for their sin."

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Matthew 5:11-16
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 45
1   My heart is stirring with a noble song; let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2   You are the fairest of men; grace flows from your lips, because God has blessed you for ever.
3   Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, in your pride and in your majesty.
4   Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice.
5   Your right hand will show you marvelous things; your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
6   The peoples are falling at your feet, and the king's enemies are losing heart.
7   Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom; you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8   Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9   All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10   Kings' daughters stand among the ladies of the court; on your right hand is the queen, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
11   Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; forget your people and your father's house.
12   The king will have pleasure in your beauty; he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13   The people of Tyre are here with a gift; the rich among the people seek your favor."
14   All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15   In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16   With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the palace of the king.
17   In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18   I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."

Evening Psalms

Psalm 47
1   Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
2   For the LORD Most High is to be feared; he is the great King over all the earth.
3   He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
4   He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5   God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of the ram's-horn.
6   Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7   For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
8   God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
9   The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
10   The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.

Psalm 48
1   Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2   Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3   God is in her citadels; he is known to be her sure refuge.
4   Behold, the kings of the earth assembled and marched forward together.
5   They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
6   Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7   As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established her for ever.
8   We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.
9   Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
10   Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments.
11   Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her; count the number of her towers.
12   Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
13   This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.

Daily Meditation for April 19, 2016

From Forward Day by Day

Matthew 5:14-15 A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket.

Most weeks, in our day school chapel, I sing “This little light of mine” with our preschool students. Their absolute favorite verse asks, “Hide it under a bushel?” as we mime a bushel with one cupped hand slowly descending over the pointer-finger candle of the other hand. Then at the last minute we shout, “NO! I’m gonna let it shine!” I watch their joy as they rip the bushel back just before they smother their symbolic light.

In my heart, I silently hope that when forces tempt them to cover the light that God has uniquely given each of them, in their hearts they will shout, “NO!” and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Perhaps the best way to teach our children to let their light shine is to let our own lights shine. By being the authentic creatures God has made us to be, we model what it means to let our light shine with Christ’s light. By saying “no” to the bushel baskets that hide who we are, we pave the way for our children to shine their little lights and make the world a brighter place.