Consecration-Are You Willing?
-- Living Bible
Ephesians 5:17 –18. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. Don't drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by him.
James 1:22: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
We have to obey God and truly understand His will, which is to live a spirit filled life, to be a doer of the word. The Amplified Bible tells us to be “ever filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit.”
How do you do that?
- Revised Standard
James 1:5 :If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.”
Ask God for wisdom, and He will give it to you. Wisdom to understand His Word and do the things He wants you to do.
2 Timothy 2:15 : “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Be diligent, Rightly dividing the Word of Truth. God will give you the knowledge and wisdom to understand the things of God. He will do it in many way,
Through your personal time with Him, including bible study Through books by scripture based authors, Through anointed teachers and preachers.
The first thing we need to do, however, is consecrate ourselves to the Father.
Consecrate means dedicated or set apart for God.
John 17:19: “ And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”
1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;”
We are consecrated by Christ. To be a royal priesthood, nothing stands in our way to the holy of holies.
But we must also consecrate ourselves:
Romans 5:21 tell us that through faith in Jesus we were made our righteous.
Christ’s righteousness is transferred to us because we trust in Him
-- American Standard
Romans 12:1-2:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ’
We present ourselves, we lay down our lives on the altar, we give up things.
To be holy and acceptable. We are covered and made righteous but then we must learn to live in that righteousness. To live a life acceptable to God. To Consecrated ourselves!
Living Bible
2 Timothy 2:5: “ Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.”
We are running the race of righteousness and we have to follow the rules.
What rules, The rules laid down in God’s word.
This is not legalistic, we are not getting ready to give you a list of “do’s and don’t”
It is running the race with the wisdom, love and understanding of God, being guided by the Holy Spirit, to complete that work in you.
Jesus gave us the ultimate example:
Matthew 26:42: “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”
God is looking for believers who will do the same, seek and do His will throughout your whole life. It is a decision you make.
-- Revised Standard
2 Corinthians 5:9-10: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.”
Be willing and pleasing to God, for we will be judged.
It is an act of faith to say to God: “I am willing to do your will, not mine!”
We have to lay everything on the altar, to make sacrifices to make this happen. Everyday
We need to reverence, fear God and the Things of God.
How do you seek God’s will, and dedicate yourself to it?
Joshua 1:8 “meditate on the word daily.”
Romans 12:2 “constantly renewing your mind.”
- Be Willing to do God’s will no matter what!
Matthew 26:42 - Jesus prayed “thy will be done.”
Psalm 40:8 - delight to do His Will.
Psalm 143:10 - Ask God to teach you His will.
Matthew 7:21 - do the will of God and will receive your reward.
John 6:38: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
Jesus was sent to do God’s will, this is our example.
2 Corinthians 8:12:
“ For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
You have to have a Willing Heart and a Willing mind!
Will - noun - the mental power or capacity to choose or decide.
Making a deliberate choice, exercising control over yourself.
It is a determined purpose or desire.
Willing - means you choose readily, voluntarily. You are favorably inclined to do it.
You are ready- to act promptly! You should not hesitate to consecrate yourself, to dedicate yourself to following a spirit filled life.
It is fairly easy, just follow a few simple steps:
Love the Lord thy God with all your heart.
Serve Him with gladness and joy.
Love thy neighbor
Do unto others.
This builds a willing heart!
Prayer of Dedication*
Lord, I present myself unto You. May Your will be done in my life.
May I never forget that I have surrendered all I am to You.
I commit myself to be one whom You can use - consecrated and separated unto Your purposes. I’ll pay the price by denying the flesh. If You call me in the nighttime, I’ll get on my knees and pray. If I am never seen of men, and if I always work behind the scenes, still I will be faithful.
I lay aside all personal ambition. I’ll be one who walks in the Spirit and in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name, Your will shall be wrought in my heart, in my life, and in my ministry. Amen.
“Following God’s Plan For Your Life.” Kenneth E. Hagin
Pg 60.
If you truly want to know for sure that you are a child of God, then I would like to invite you to earnestly pray this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, “…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn.6:37),
So I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in, And I thank you for it. You said in your Word, "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'' (Ro. 10:13).
I am calling on Your name, So I know You have saved me now, You also said, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Ro.10:9,10).
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. And I confess Him now as my Lord, Because Your Word says, “… with the heart one believes to righteousness…” and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21),
And I am saved! Thank You, Lord!
I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God!
Glory to God!!!! Amen.