I Surrender All

January 4, 2020

DAILY READINGS

1 Peter 1:13-16
Matthew 10:39
This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

FIELD NOTES

“He that finds his life shall lose it; and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:39

Judson W. Van de Venter says about his inspiration to write the hymn “I Surrender All”:

“The song was written while I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio, and in the home of George Sebring (founder of the Sebring Camp Meeting-Bible Conference in Sebring, Ohio, and later developer of the town of Sebring, Florida). For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing.”

1. All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live.

Chorus: I surrender all. I surrender all.
All to Thee my blessed Savior I surrender all

2. All to Jesus I surrender. Humbly at His feet I bow.
Worldly pleasures all forsaken. Take me, Jesus. Take me now. (Chorus)

3. All to Jesus I surrender. Make me Savior wholly thine.
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me. May I know Thy power divine. (Chorus)

Our Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition conveys the same truth. At two verses a day, your memorization of this prayer should be complete today.

The Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;

put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,

exalted for you, or brought low for you;

let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing:

I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours. So be it.

And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Questions for the Field

1. What are one or more things that you know would help you most if you surrendered them to Christ?
2. If you know that Christ is ready to help you, and with Christ’s help you will succeed, what is keeping you from surrendering whatever to Christ?

Family Field Talk

1. How are you letting Jesus be born into your lives this week? (Christmas)
2. What agreements and promises did you make this week with Christ? (Covenant)
3. In what ways and in what areas of your lives are you surrendering to Christ? (Holiness)

Prayer Guide

Lord, Jesus Christ, thank you for being born into this world and our lives. Thank you for keeping your promises of being our God and blessing us. Thank you for allowing us to participate in your holiness. We don’t deserve your love and grace, and yet you give it to us. In your gracious name I pray. Amen.