One of the best songs I love the most is from a group who had the R&B world in the palm of their hands in the 90's. They had such hits as Free Your Mind, Never Gonna Get It, and Giving Him Something He Can Feel. This group was known as En Vogue, a set of four divas who could sing and put on a show. During my time of really listening to this group, they came out with a song where they were talking about leaving men/women alone in relationships, along with the cares of this world. This song was entitled, "Give It Up, Turn It Loose". If truth were told, today, as I am writing you, many of you are carrying things from your past and it's hurting your present and future. I am charged by the Almighty God on today to encourage you and challenge you (myself included) to do like En Vogue said, give it up and turn it loose! Just like our Heavenly Father, He provides us with scripture to back this topic.
Today's main scripture is located in the book of 1 Peter. This is the first of two epistles written by Peter to encourage believers to count it an honor to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ, as He suffered for them and for us on today. Isn't it amusing when someone comes at us wrong that we are ready to either check them or say something back? Well, since we are Christians or Christ-like, we do not have to worry about that. More importantly, He does not want us to act like that. Romans lets us know that "Vengeance is mine and I will repay". Anyone who has done you dirty, God will deal with them accordingly! As we move on, in the fifth and concluding chapter of this epistle, Peter addresses elders and young men and provides final greetings. Within his address to the elders and young men, he provides us understanding why it's time to give it up and turn it loose.
The text begins with Peter writing, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him". Ladies and gentlemen, there's someone that can carry your load more than you and His name is Jesus! He lets us know that He would not put more on you than you can bear! He allows you to understand that the frustration that occurs in marriages, give it up and turn it loose to Him! The frustration of financial success, give it up and turn it loose to Him! The frustration of dealing with bad children, give it up and turn it loose to Him! The frustration of not meeting your quotas at the workplace, give it up and turn it loose to Him! The frustration of feeling alone because you are single, give it up and turn it loose to Him! Whatever you need to let go on today, give it up and turn it loose to your Heavenly Father and the Lord Savior Jesus Christ!
Why can we cast all of our cares or give it up and turn it loose to Jesus? Peter provides finality here. He tells us that we can give up our cares and turn them over to Jesus because "for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully". I am reminded of a song a trustee use to sing at my home church entitled "Jesus Cares". Jesus cares when I am burdened! Yes, He cares, when I am alone! Yes He cares when I am in trouble! On today, I want you to know that when you give up your problems and turn them over to Jesus, you can do that because He cares! He cares for you affectionately! In other words, He loves you with a DEEP love! He loves you with a passionate love! He loved us so much that He took on flesh, dwelt amongst men, lived 33 years, died on Calvary's cross for your sins and mine, and got up on the third day morning with all power in His hands! He loves you, my brother, and He loves you, my sister! He also cares about you watchfully. In other words, Jesus tunes in to every move we make, whether it's a good move or a bad move, He tunes in on a regular basis! He tunes in so much that He knows when you need to let things go. He knows when you need to stop trying to fix it and let Him fix it. He knows that beyond a shadow of doubt, whenever harm tries to come your way that He will send angels to protect you! Aren't you glad that Jesus cares and cares enough for you and I that we can give up and turn loose our cares to Him?
In closing, I believe within my soul, there are greater days ahead for each and every one of you who receives these devotionals. I believe that God has great things in store for you. I believe that God will send "in the back of your mind" blessings. He will send "why me Lord" blessings. He will send "This was nobody but you Lord" blessings. Within receiving these blessings, He wants us to be able to let go of some things. He is calling for you and for me to go deeper in Him so much that we become transparent! When you become transparent and real with yourself, watch out because the blessings are coming!
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