Let Devotions

Several years ago I self-published a booklet focusing on the Bible verses that tell us to "Let". Here is the introduction and first meditation.

   Webster's Dictionary defines let with 20 entries and a huge list of synonyms. The very first definition is to allow or permit, and that is the definition we will use in this booklet on the word Let.
  Jesus accomplished all of our salvation through his work on earth and upon the cross. It is remarkable though that God does hold us accountable for our own behavior and cooperation within this salvation. Over and over we are told by Jesus and the Scripture writers that we are to let certain things happen and not to let other things happen.
  Too often today the focus of modern Christianity has been either upon too rigid legalistic do's and don'ts or a cheap grace where we just float along and God does all the work. Jesus taught that we are responsible in many areas for what happens to us and/or, at minimum, how we react to events or respond in those areas. Let's look at some of these Scriptures in an effort to walk worthy of the Kingdom. Perhaps going back to the very words of Jesus and the Scriptures is the only way to regain a balanced view of our responsibility within salvation.
  He set forth many incredible promises and almost all of them are conditional upon our receptivity and the choices we make in each situation we face. I pray these meditations will help you to choose His Life.

 Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSV) Reads:  Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This passage is full of responsibility and promise for us. The peace of God can be hindered or cultivated by our charge over our own hearts.  Paul cautions us to rule over our hearts and not allow the  to run rampant in anxiety or fear. Paul notes we are to 'have no anxiety about anything." The promised peace of God is dependent upon our discipline over our own heart.
  Self-control is a promised fruit of the Holy Spirit., Surely this is because God knew how greatly we would need help with self-control. Letting your requests be made known to God demands transparency and trust in the relationship. No masks, shunning mental clutter, and wordy noise; but cultivating anxiety-less honesty and love. This means when anxiety begins to infect our hearts we are to run to God with the situation.
  As we follow these explicit and thorough instructions, thanksgiving is to be part of the discipline. There is something about giving thanks that anchors our heart and mind with the assurance of God's mighty power and love for us ... His ability in any situation to work things together for good.
  Lord, teach us to let You be part of each area of our lives.  Amen.