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Making Jesus Lord: The Dynamic Power of Laying Down Your Rights
We live in a world where the exaltation of individual rights has become an obsession. Because personal rights do hold great value, we can perform no greater act of faith and worship than to conciously lay down these rights at the feet of the One who has gone before us! Loren Cunningham details proven steps to a life of freedom, joy, and intimate fellowship with God.
145 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1989
36 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 28, 2019
Written by Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM: Youth With A Mission, this book tells of how God led him and his wife to give up all other work to establish YWAM IN 1960.
Having established the dramatic path Loren and Darlene travelled in 1960, Loren explores the way spirit filled and led Christians should embrace the lost and be obedient to Gods call on their lives.
There is a clear authenticity to his writing. Example after example of how God brought victory in the face of danger, imprisonment and other Satanic attacks make for thought provoking reading.
Christians are not perfect, and yet as self will gives way to Gods will, miracles happen.
I found this short book challenging to my own materialism and complacency when I consider myself a Bible believing Christian.
It is good to be challenged.
Having established the dramatic path Loren and Darlene travelled in 1960, Loren explores the way spirit filled and led Christians should embrace the lost and be obedient to Gods call on their lives.
There is a clear authenticity to his writing. Example after example of how God brought victory in the face of danger, imprisonment and other Satanic attacks make for thought provoking reading.
Christians are not perfect, and yet as self will gives way to Gods will, miracles happen.
I found this short book challenging to my own materialism and complacency when I consider myself a Bible believing Christian.
It is good to be challenged.
March 13, 2010
Challenging. Full of Godly truth.
December 22, 2020
Simple but necessary truths of living as a wholehearted disciple of Christ
A reminder that my life is to be one of surrender and that we find our lives when we lay them down
A reminder that my life is to be one of surrender and that we find our lives when we lay them down
August 2, 2021
This little nine-chapter book is a must-read for Christians--especially YWAMers. The author, Loren Cunningham, founded the world's largest non-denominational missions organization, Youth With A Mission (YWAM). He talks about surrendering all our God-given rights to our Lord and Savior, so we can win back the world from the devil who got Adam and Eve to surrender it to him in the Garden of Eden.
Areas of surrender include hopes and dreams, possessions, our families, finances, freedom, reputations and offenses. Cunningham talks about counteracting evil by responding in the opposite spirit, giving and forgiving and so on. By humbling ourselves to serve God and others, we become more effective at impacting the world in every sphere of influence.
YWAMers are taught these principles from the very beginning of their training. However, it's always good to review from time to time. Cunningham explains it so clearly and concisely, using lots of illustrations and personal examples, even non-YWAMers can benefit and apply these truths. You're likely to want to read this book over and over again and loan it to others, so get plenty of copies!
Areas of surrender include hopes and dreams, possessions, our families, finances, freedom, reputations and offenses. Cunningham talks about counteracting evil by responding in the opposite spirit, giving and forgiving and so on. By humbling ourselves to serve God and others, we become more effective at impacting the world in every sphere of influence.
YWAMers are taught these principles from the very beginning of their training. However, it's always good to review from time to time. Cunningham explains it so clearly and concisely, using lots of illustrations and personal examples, even non-YWAMers can benefit and apply these truths. You're likely to want to read this book over and over again and loan it to others, so get plenty of copies!
November 15, 2023
Honestly, I picked this book up hoping to get a bit more theological depth in laying down our rights, and making Jesus Lord. It wasn't as deep as I was hoping for. However, I did get an incredibly inspiring book, full of real-life examples. What does it look like to make Jesus Lord? This is what it looks like. Laying down your own life, and saying YES to Jesus.
For now, that's more than enough theology for me.
For now, that's more than enough theology for me.
July 12, 2020
Lorens writing style is very approachable, and for that reason the profound keys and authority gained from from a life lived this way can easily be missed. Don’t scan over this book with your eyes and nod in agreement and theological assent- let it touch your desire to know God, be fully His and make him known.
May 30, 2022
I enjoyed some of the practical challenging aspects of this book as far as the Lordship of Christ goes. It was a good challenge and a reminder of the radical aspects of faith in Christ and why He has called us to live as servants of all in the surrender of our rights. It was a quick read but challenging. I like the way Loren Cunningham challenges Christians to live on mission
November 13, 2025
It had a lot of interesting insight and important information on truly giving your life to god. However, Loren was first and foremost an evangelist. We can see this in his writing. It is mostly story telling and not much of any theological background. This makes sense because of who he was but changes how you read his books. Not bad but personally not my favorite.
November 23, 2020
Challenging, and somewhat convicting, book that changed and shaped how I look at Lordship and what it truly looks like to be a follower of Christ.
Cunningham writes with authority and a easy to read language.
Will probably be re-reading this at some point!
Cunningham writes with authority and a easy to read language.
Will probably be re-reading this at some point!
July 15, 2019
Easy to read, but still challenging. Lots of good stories.
April 7, 2020
Personal and collected testimonials, along with Bible passages, supporting active listening and obedience to God in all things. Convicting and inspiring!
July 12, 2020
Didn’t finish reading
January 4, 2025
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. This book does cover the first part, Lordship, beautifully. Loved it.
March 6, 2017
I happened to read this book during Lent, and it fits the season so well. Because it's quite short - fewer than 45,000 words, at a rough estimate, which is much shorter than the average novel - it can be read through quickly once and then again at a more leisurely pace with journal in hand. The study guide at the back prompts personal thinking and can also be used for discussion in small groups.
Summary:
Cunningham looks at the various "rights" that we are called to lay down, if we want to be more mature in the faith and more effective witnesses for God's kingdom. He uses personal experiences, testimonies, and Scriptural references to support his claims.
In the beginning two chapters, he introduces his subject. First he explains that nothing in our lives actually belongs to us: it is loaned to us by God for His glory. Then he briefly discusses the various rights that Jesus gave up for His mission, and explains that we must follow His example in order to demonstrate our love for God and win the world for His kingdom. In chapters three through six, he talks about the rights that God may call us to give up over the course of our lives: the right to be part of a family, to own material possessions, to be settled in a particular environment, to have a good reputation, to sleep, to eat, to be free, and even to be alive. In chapter seven he explains that one of the rights we often hold tightly, the right to be mad, is actually not our right and that Christians must forgive others. Finally, in the closing two chapters, he focuses on how laying down our rights helps us to achieve victory over Satan and win the world for Jesus Christ.
Summary:
Cunningham looks at the various "rights" that we are called to lay down, if we want to be more mature in the faith and more effective witnesses for God's kingdom. He uses personal experiences, testimonies, and Scriptural references to support his claims.
In the beginning two chapters, he introduces his subject. First he explains that nothing in our lives actually belongs to us: it is loaned to us by God for His glory. Then he briefly discusses the various rights that Jesus gave up for His mission, and explains that we must follow His example in order to demonstrate our love for God and win the world for His kingdom. In chapters three through six, he talks about the rights that God may call us to give up over the course of our lives: the right to be part of a family, to own material possessions, to be settled in a particular environment, to have a good reputation, to sleep, to eat, to be free, and even to be alive. In chapter seven he explains that one of the rights we often hold tightly, the right to be mad, is actually not our right and that Christians must forgive others. Finally, in the closing two chapters, he focuses on how laying down our rights helps us to achieve victory over Satan and win the world for Jesus Christ.
April 10, 2017
" ' Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!'
Laying down your rights is a concept foreign to our culture - indeed, foreign to the very nature of humanity. We live in a world in which the protection and exaltation of individual rights has become an obsession.
As Christians we believe that personal rights do hold great value. Therefore, we can perform no greater act of faith and worship than to consciously lay down these rights at the feet of the One who has gone before us, Jesus himself!
Drawing from his own life and those of Christians around the world, Loren Cunningham details proven steps to a transformed life of freedom, joy, and intimate fellowship with God. 'Making Jesus Lord' demonstrates the dynamic power available to every person willing to embark on this faith adventure."
Laying down your rights is a concept foreign to our culture - indeed, foreign to the very nature of humanity. We live in a world in which the protection and exaltation of individual rights has become an obsession.
As Christians we believe that personal rights do hold great value. Therefore, we can perform no greater act of faith and worship than to consciously lay down these rights at the feet of the One who has gone before us, Jesus himself!
Drawing from his own life and those of Christians around the world, Loren Cunningham details proven steps to a transformed life of freedom, joy, and intimate fellowship with God. 'Making Jesus Lord' demonstrates the dynamic power available to every person willing to embark on this faith adventure."
May 29, 2015
Loren Cunningham is very down to earth in his relationship with God and we can see that through his writing. One of my favourite things of his books, and especially in this one, is how he gives many examples through different experiences and people's stories. This book challenges the reader to give God whatever we are idolising, maybe it is only one thing or maybe it is several. Loren encourages the reader to do so and we can see the benefits of that in every example in the book.
October 18, 2014
LOVED THIS BOOK! This book inspired me so much that I have a library of favorites and it is in it. It challenged me to really reach more for God. Any Christian seeking depth to their experience, this should be a "must read" book.
July 9, 2009
it was really good to read about laying down my rights, laying down my life overall. it is definitely challenging. but he kinda lost me at the last chapter...
March 20, 2010
Would have liked some more personal illustrations on how God has impacted his ministry, Youth With a Mission.
Want to read
January 2, 2012recommended by Laurie Cook and Paco
May 21, 2012
pretty sure everyone should read this book. just the title alone is enough to make you realize how much we need to learn as followers of Jesus.
October 6, 2013
Some really great stories of seeing God work.
Thankful for the author sharing so many stories from his life, and an exciting, sold out life to Jesus at that.
Thankful for the author sharing so many stories from his life, and an exciting, sold out life to Jesus at that.
August 9, 2018
dang. obedience can be hard at times but it always leads to abundant life and fulfillment :)
August 13, 2024
Each chapter had me doing some deep introspection! 10/10 for new Christians
February 15, 2025
LORDSHIP!!!
Read
April 8, 2017This is the first time I've finished a book and then immediately thrown it in the trashcan.
I was given this book while going through Confirmation at the age of 14. I started reading it, but never got very far. Soon after, I left the church and my faith. Reading this book now makes me almost want to leave again.
The sort of rhetoric and spiritual manipulation presented in this book is something I simply do not agree with and cannot tolerate. I was sceptical from the start, and the more I read, the more I understood that my intuition had been correct. Still, I continued reading with the hope that maybe something would speak to me. Then I reached the second to last chapter, and the Big Sin of homosexuality was brought up. This "sexual immorality", this disease, that so many people were slaves to. "We must forgive them and help them from their sinful ways", Loren Cunningham says. I gave up. No one like that can teach me anything.
Then there's the issue of Cunningham encouraging people to turn our societies into theocracies. Insert long, deep sigh here.
There was so much I didn't like in this book. I cannot believe a youth leader saw it fit to give a book like this to me when I was only 14. Now, at the age of 20, it served as a harsh reminder to why I left. I came back, yes, but not to this. Never to this.
I was given this book while going through Confirmation at the age of 14. I started reading it, but never got very far. Soon after, I left the church and my faith. Reading this book now makes me almost want to leave again.
The sort of rhetoric and spiritual manipulation presented in this book is something I simply do not agree with and cannot tolerate. I was sceptical from the start, and the more I read, the more I understood that my intuition had been correct. Still, I continued reading with the hope that maybe something would speak to me. Then I reached the second to last chapter, and the Big Sin of homosexuality was brought up. This "sexual immorality", this disease, that so many people were slaves to. "We must forgive them and help them from their sinful ways", Loren Cunningham says. I gave up. No one like that can teach me anything.
Then there's the issue of Cunningham encouraging people to turn our societies into theocracies. Insert long, deep sigh here.
There was so much I didn't like in this book. I cannot believe a youth leader saw it fit to give a book like this to me when I was only 14. Now, at the age of 20, it served as a harsh reminder to why I left. I came back, yes, but not to this. Never to this.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews