Surrender: Ending the Battle for Control
On Wednesday, we discussed surrender.
There’s a battle happening in every one of us.
Not out in the world—but within our own hearts. A battle for control. Who will lead my life? Who will decide my path? Who will be in charge?
And as long as that battle continues, peace will always feel just out of reach.
James reminds us that the conflict we experience flows from within—from our own desires (James 4:1). We want our way, our timing, our outcomes. Even as believers, we can find ourselves resisting God’s direction, holding tightly to control instead of trusting Him.
But God calls us to something better.
“Submit to God” (James 4:7). This isn’t forced surrender—it’s willing trust. It’s choosing to come under His authority because we believe He is good. Romans 12:1 describes it as offering our lives as a living sacrifice. Surrender isn’t God taking from us—it’s us trusting Him with everything.
So why is it so hard?
Because we want control. We think we know what’s best. We may trust God with our salvation, but struggle to trust Him with our everyday lives—our future, our relationships, our plans. The reality is, whatever we refuse to surrender will eventually control us.
Surrender isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily posture.
Jesus said to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). It looks like choosing God’s way over our own, saying “yes” when it’s difficult, and trusting Him even when we don’t understand.
And here’s the promise: surrender brings peace.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). Peace isn’t found in controlling our lives—it’s found in trusting the One who already holds it all.
We’re not surrendering to a harsh ruler—we’re surrendering to a loving Father. One who is faithful, gentle, and completely trustworthy.
So maybe the question isn’t, “What should I do with my life?”
Maybe the better question is, “Is my life fully surrendered to God?”
Because surrender doesn’t weaken us—it frees us. It ends the war in our hearts and opens the door to the peace we’ve been longing for.
Mark your calendar! 🗓
Exciting things are coming to Crosspoint! See below for several of these opportunities to serve and grow together. Be sure to save the dates and be a part.
Prayer Gathering
April 30 at 7:30 pm
Join our prayer team for a time of praise and prayer. Everyone is invited!
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Location:
Pastor Phillip and McKenzie Jones’s home
1112 E Mountain Street
Pasadena, CA 91104
Hoving Home
May 9 at 11:00 am
This is a great opportunity for women in our church family to go and share God’s Word and love with women who need hope and Christian friendship.
Mother’s Day
May 10 at 9:30 am & 11:30 am
Ladies, we can’t wait to honor every woman in our church on Mother’s Day!
Every one of you play an important role in nurturing others, and we are grateful for you!
Single Ladies Gathering
May 16 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Single Ladies, join us for the second gathering in our new series, Secure in Christ. We’ll be exploring the topic of comparison and envy, and how to find true security in Christ through every season.
A light breakfast and refreshments will be provided, so come ready to be refreshed and watered by the Word of God.
Church App
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Service Times and Location
434 N Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107
Sunday @ 9 am - Prayer
We believe in the power of prayer. We would love for you to join us for this special time to seek the Lord together before the morning service.
Sunday @ 9:30 am & 11:30 am - Worship gatherings
Childcare and classes are available for kids through 4th grade.
Check-in for childcare starts 15 minutes prior to each gathering.
Wednesday @ 7:00 pm - Bible Study
Join us Wednesday night at 7:00 PM as we continue our series on the doctrines of the Bible. AWANA (3 years old through 9th grade) continues this Wednesday. Check in begins at 6:45 PM
Love and Share
Share Crosspoint on social media! Help your friends and family see what God is doing in lives! As you love and share our posts, others see how excited you are about what God is doing. Hey, they just might show up and start walking with Jesus too!
What is your Next Step?
God intends for us to grow in our new life in Christ. Here are several things you can do to jumpstart that growth.
Enroll in CONTINUE
Sign up for Baptism
Become a Member of Crosspoint
Join a ministry team
Whatever your next step is, we are here to support you and help you make it!
Not sure of your next step? That's ok too! We can help. Click here!
LIVESTREAM
We will be streaming the 9:30 AM service LIVE on our YouTube channel. Also, all of our services, including our Wednesday Bible studies, are posted to our podcast. Search for CrosspointLA in your favorite podcast app.
