--- title: "The Tree Church — Lancaster & Logan, Ohio" url: https://thetree.church/blog/tag/surrender description: "The Tree Church — Lancaster & Logan, Ohio. Experience the life-changing presence of a loving God. Sundays 9:00 & 11:00am." lang: en --- 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ All posts (https://thetree.church/blog) Tag # Surrender. Take 20 ## Two Roads, One Choice August 17th, 2026 Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a stark choice: a narrow gate that leads to life, and a wide gate that leads to destruction. Jesus warns that few find the narrow way. because it takes full and daily surrender to living His way, while the wide road only asks you to drift with the crowd. Jesus gives a warning and a promise in the same breath: you'll recognize a tree by its fruit, and even impressive words mean nothing if they aren't backed by actually doing what He says. The wise builder isn't the one who simply hears the message, it's the one who lets it reshape how they live, so that when the storms come, they're still standing. https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/two-roads-one-choice Take 20 · June 23rd, 2026 ### Living Sacrifices in Daily Decisions esus calls us to take up our cross daily—not once, but every single day. A living sacrifice means presenting ourselves to God repeatedly, one decision at a time. Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices that were offered once and consumed, we are called to continually choose God’s will over our own preferences. This looks like starting your day in prayer instead of scrolling your phone, choosing forgiveness when resentment feels justified, or giving generously when keeping feels safer. Each choice is a small death to self and a step toward transformation. The beauty of living sacrifices is that they’re not about perfection but persistence. What one area of your life needs to be placed on the altar today? Trust that God’s way, though harder, leads to life. https://thetree.church/blog/2026/06/23/living-sacrifices-in-daily-decisions Take 20 · June 18th, 2026 ### Undignified for His Glory Michal despised David’s uninhibited worship, viewing it as beneath his royal dignity. David’s response is striking: “I will become even more undignified than this.” He refused to let human opinion dictate his worship of God. How often do we hold back in worship because of what others might think? Fear of looking foolish, concerns about our reputation, or worry about being judged can build invisible walls around our hearts. True worship isn’t driven by public opinion but by a passionate desire to honor God. David was willing to appear contemptible in human eyes to be honorable before God. Today, ask yourself: Am I more concerned with God’s opinion or people’s? Surrender your pride and worship God with abandonment, regardless of who’s watching. https://thetree.church/blog/2026/06/18/undignified-for-his-glory Take 20 · June 12th, 2026 ### Worship That Transforms True worship transforms both the worshiper and honors God. The writer of Hebrews invites us to approach God's throne with confidence—not arrogance, but assurance in Christ's finished work. God's Word exposes us, but His grace restores us. Paul calls this https://thetree.church/blog/2026/06/12/worship-that-transforms Take 20 · May 15th, 2026 ### The Narrow Gate and Wide Invitation The gate is narrow, but the invitation is universal. Jesus doesn't exclude people; people exclude themselves by choosing the wide, easy path that leads to destruction. The narrow way isn't difficult because God is restrictive—it's difficult because it requires surrendering our self-constructed paths. Many will say https://thetree.church/blog/2026/05/15/the-narrow-gate-and-wide-invitation Take 20 · March 23rd, 2026 ### Counting the Cost of Surrender Jesus never promised an easy path—He promised a transformative one. When He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him, He's inviting us into total surrender. This isn't a one-time decision but a daily recommitment. Before baptism, we must honestly assess what we're leaving behind and what we're embracing. What old patterns, sins, or allegiances need to die? The transition from unsaved to saved should be dramatic, not subtle. Today, take inventory of your life. What are you clinging to that prevents full surrender? True discipleship begins when we stop negotiating with Jesus and start obeying Him completely. The unstoppable force of the church is built on individuals who've genuinely counted the cost. https://thetree.church/blog/2026/03/23/counting-the-cost-of-surrender Take 20 · March 16th, 2026 ### Denying Self to Find Life Jesus' invitation to https://thetree.church/blog/2026/03/16/denying-self-to-find-life Take 20 · March 10th, 2026 ### The Death of the Kingdom of Self Jesus uses violent imagery when He calls us to https://thetree.church/blog/2026/03/10/the-death-of-the-kingdom-of-self Take 20 · February 10th, 2026 ### The Answer Is a Person Humanity’s problem isn’t solved by ideas, systems, or self-improvement—it’s solved by a Person. Jesus didn’t ask Peter what the crowd thought; He asked what he believed. That question still confronts us today. Jesus is not simply helpful—He is essential. He is not one option among many—He is the way. When you confess Jesus as Lord, you’re not just agreeing with theology; you’re surrendering your life to the One who restores what sin destroyed. This confession changes your identity, your direction, and your destiny. Hope is not found in answers—it’s found in Him. https://thetree.church/blog/2026/02/10/the-answer-is-a-person Take 20 · February 6th, 2026 ### From Self-Focus to Kingdom-Focus Generosity transforms our focus. The Macedonian churches gave beyond their ability because they first gave themselves to the Lord. When we surrender ownership and recognize God as the giver of all things, generosity becomes our natural response. Jesus’ ultimate generosity—giving Himself for us—reshapes how we view everything we have. https://thetree.church/blog/2026/02/06/from-self-focus-to-kingdom-focus Take 20 · January 13th, 2026 ### The Heart Behind the Gift Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Genesis 4:1–7Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what y... https://thetree.church/blog/2026/01/13/the-heart-behind-the-gift Take 20 · January 7th, 2026 ### Surrender Creates Peace Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Luke 14:25–33Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what y... https://thetree.church/blog/2026/01/07/surrender-creates-peace Take 20 · January 1st, 2026 ### Don’t Stop Short of Jesus Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Matthew 2:3–11, John 14:6Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to... https://thetree.church/blog/2026/01/01/don-t-stop-short-of-jesus Take 20 · December 12th, 2025 ### Surrender Leads to Joy Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Luke 1:46–55 (ESV); Psalm 37:4 (ESV)Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be a... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/12/12/surrender-leads-to-joy Take 20 · December 9th, 2025 ### Nothing Is Impossible With God Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Luke 1:34–37 (ESV); Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV), 27 (ESV)Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in yo... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/12/09/nothing-is-impossible-with-god Take 20 · December 8th, 2025 ### God Chooses the Unlikely Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Luke 1:26–38Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what yo... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/12/08/god-chooses-the-unlikely Take 20 · December 4th, 2025 ### Another Chance Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Matthew 23:39 (ESV); Psalm 118:19–26 (ESV)Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/12/04/another-chance Take 20 · December 2nd, 2025 ### The Peace Equation Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Matthew 23:37 (ESV); John 14:27 (ESV)Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be ... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/12/02/the-peace-equation Take 20 · November 12th, 2025 ### Honest Hearts and Spiritual Surrender Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Psalm 62:1–8Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what yo... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/11/12/honest-hearts-and-spiritual-surrender Take 20 · October 24th, 2025 ### Refuge in His Faithfulness Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Psalm 31:14–16, 24Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both w... https://thetree.church/blog/2025/10/24/refuge-in-his-faithfulness