28 Days 2020: Day 8

AUTHORIZED

 

As we pursue the harvest in 2020 we started by consecrating ourselves.  Very often when the people of God got ready to walk into His promises and fulfillment, He would ask them to consecrate themselves, to set themselves apart and to re-focus and re-prioritize.  

 

There is another step I would like us to explore as we get ready to be harvesters - that is understanding that God has called and authorized us to continue His mission.

 

Read Luke 3:21-4:44

 

Jesus has authority

Luke 4:14-20Something happened before Jesus began His ministry, what was it?  See Luke 3:21-22, Luke 4:1 and 4:14.

Are those two things true of you as well?  

We will look at the second one more closely this week but click here if you want to take that first step.

 

Jesus has a mission

SO...what does Jesus say his mission is that we are being authorized to partner with Him?  See Luke 4:18-19

 

Take a moment and sign up for our 70 Hour Prayer Vigil happening January 30 -Feb 1.  

 

70Hour Sign Up

28 Days 2020: Day 6

STEPS TO CONSECRATING YOURSELF BEFORE GOD

 

Read Joshua 5

 

Step 1: Remember God's grace in our lives

Step 2: Remove our idols and distractions

Step 3: Repent of sinful attitudes and actions

Step 4: Recommit our hearts to God.

 

Consecration is not ultimately about clean living, it is about worship. We consecrate ourselves before the Lord not to prove ourselves to our neighbor or feel good about ourselves. We consecrate ourselves before the Lord for the Lord. We pursue holiness as an act of worship, out of a deep love and awe for the worthiness of God. In this way, true consecration seeks to bring the Lord the glory and honor that He is due.

 

Finish your consecration process by declaring your love and devotion to God as your highest and greatest pursuit.  Spend time today in extended worship.  

 

Here is a Spotify playlist I use when I just want to spend some time soaking in God's presence just worshipping Him. Hope you can enjoy it as much as I do.

28 Days 2020: Day 5

STEPS TO CONSECRATING YOURSELF BEFORE GOD

 

Read Joshua 6

 

Step 1: Take time to remember and rehearse God's grace in our lives.

Step 2: Remove our idols and distractions.

 

 

Third, we need to repent of sinful attitudes and actions.  

When we turn from our idols to seek the Lord, we must confess the sins that have become second-nature to us.  We must be mindful of the sins that we most easily excuse – the selfish attitudes, evil thoughts, and harsh words.  We need to agree with God that our laziness and spite and lust and greed and apathy are sins against His holiness.  We need to repent of our flippant attitude toward our own sin, and recognize the damage that our sin causes to our relationship with God and with others.  

 

As you consecrate yourself before the Lord, ask Him to show you the sinful attitudes and actions that are offensive to Him, especially those that you cannot see.  And turn from those sins back to the Lord.  

Come up with a plan of action for how you will respond to the things that God reveals to you and consider sharing with someone else who can help you to live it out victoriously.