As we near the end of our week-long focus on why spending time alone with God is so important,

today we're going to look at the value of living and surrender.

Every day there is an opportunity to hand over the burdens and cares of this world

that we might pick up the peace and joy of a relationship

with God.

And for me, that opportunity has presented itself most often in the rhythm of spending time

alone with God.

So I hope today that we both learn a little about the value of living and surrender, and

experience the life that comes through actually dying to ourselves,

that we might live in Christ more fully.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast.

There is life available to us as believers that few find a life free from burden, fear, boredom, and emptiness.

The problem is that the road to life requires a complete sacrifice of ourselves.

The road to purpose, passion, joy, and freedom requires that we die to ourselves every hour of every day.

Jesus made the way to freedom open and clear for us.

Scripture serves as a perfect practical handbook to walk that narrow road,

and the Holy Spirit serves as the perfect guide and friend along the way.

We have everything we need available to us. However, most of us lack a willingness

to sacrifice fully so that the seeds of our surrender lead to the fruition of an abundant life.

Jesus charges us to lose our lives in order to gain life with God. In Matthew 1039, he says,

whoever finds his life will lose it,

and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. The only way for you to truly find

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