June 10th   

So, we choose, we surrender, we consecrate ourselves. Consecrate means to set ourselves apart for God. It means to declare ourselves His, declare ourselves “holy” which means we are His and not of this world. That means choosing, it means not being like this world, it means deciding that we are going to be completely His, it means by His power we are going to surrender ourselves to Him, and think differently, not like the world but like Him.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Check that same verse out in the NLT translation: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

It is change in our behavior yes, but it is first a change in attitude and mindset and it starts with a choice and a commitment. It is a choice that is simple but may not be easy because we have to surrender our will and choose what He has to offer over what the world is dangling in front of us. But it is not done by our own strength or might, it is done by His Spirit. Here is an example from Zechariah.

Zecharaiah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

WE have to choose; we have to surrender and ask for help from the Holy Spirit in consecrating ourselves to Him. What are the consequences of consecration?

GOOD things!

Actually, AMAZING things! Here is an example of this very thing from Joshua. If you haven’t read the book of Joshua I encourage you to start reading today. Look at Chapter 3.

Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

What amazing things happened to them? That was the beginning of God miraculously moving them in to take the Promised Land. The priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant in the Jordan River (which was at flood stage at the time) and it parted and the Israelites crossed on dry land. Then when they were all across and the priests came up out of the river, it went back to flood stage again. That was the start of a journey of taking the Promised Land by defeating 31 different kings, fight the infamous Jericho battle, and so much more.

Sometimes we see those amazing things happen around us, sometimes we don’t, but always we see the amazing things that happen IN us. The spiritual battle is fought and won, and we may not be completely aware of the spiritual victories won around us when we consecrate ourselves. But the change IN US will be evident, and THAT is SANCTIFICATION!

Jesus, thank you for starting your rescue plan on the cross but thank you that you didn’t stop there. Thank you for having a plan to rescue me through transformation. Thank you for having the patience with me to take me through the process. Thank you for making me in your image and being willing to restore your image in me. Help me to surrender every step of the way. I choose YOU Jesus!