Month: January 2021

Key Passage: Matthew 19: 16-30

Key Text: Matthew 19: 22 – “When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions”

God does not always have to tell you what He has in mind when He instructs you to do something. God expects you to know that He is good and He has only good plans, even if His request seems a little odd or difficult.

Just think about this simple analogy. A father was in the garden with two of his sons, suddenly he tells one of his sons to remain still or just stay where you are, and to the other he says “run into the room and get me the big cane”. The brother arrives with the cane and the father says to the other son keep still and lifts up his cane and brings it down heavily just a few inches away from the boy’s head. The boy looks surprised, then looking behind him he sees that his father has just killed a big snake hanging from the tree above the boy’s head. In this little story (all made up of course), you can just see how we need to trust God, even when we don’t seem to know why or what He is doing. Babie Mason said, “if you can’t trace His hand, trust His Heart!”

In our passage today we read of the rich young ruler who wanted to be perfect. Jesus simply told him to go and obey the commandments. The young man said he has been doing all these since he was a child. Jesus then threw him the consecration challenge. “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” The bible tells us the young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions. Honestly, the request the Lord made on the surface looks really severe and extreme and I don’t know many people today who would gladly do that. But if you are walking with a knowledge of God and His goodness; If you know that God will never owe you anything; If you understand that what you give up can never compare to what He has in store for you, then it becomes easier to consecrate and obey.

Bible expositors have told us that it is possible that Jesus was looking to use this young man to replace Judas Iscariot. Judas was the treasurer. So it makes sense. But let’s stretch this a bit further. If he became one of the Apostles of the Lamb; One of the twelve. He would have an eternal throne in heaven with the other eleven. Here he is a temporal ruler, there he would have a ruler-ship that will never end. I really don’t know of any greater position any human being can ever attain, that can be higher that those 24 thrones before the Lord. What an honour. What a reward!

Let me reiterate, consecration is the pathway to growth in the Kingdom of God. In the amplified bible version the case is stated so clearly by the Lord Jesus Himself. ‘Jesus answered him, “If you would be perfect [that is, have that spiritual maturity which accompanies self- sacrificing character], go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; and come, be My disciple [side with My party and follow Me’”

What is your consecration test? Will you pass it? Will you go higher with the Lord? Will you consider the eternal significance of your temporal decision?

Let us pray – Father God, you word says it is you that works in us both to will and do your good pleasure. Father give us a willing heart. Give me a broken and contrite heart so I can really do your will and grow in my walk with you. Lord have mercy on me and help me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Morning Dew

Key Passage: Romans 12:1-2

Key Text: Romans 12:1 – “…present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

I first wrote this eight year ago and I am being impressed upon to republish the series.

Before kings and queens are crowned, they go through a time of preparation and consecration. The process is quite elaborate and intense, so the king is really prepared to carry the responsibilities of royalty. So also, it is obvious that before the priests in the Old Testament were installed and commissioned, God gave specific instructions on how they are to be prepared and consecrated. If you read the book Exodus and Leviticus you would find many references to the consecration of Aaron and his sons into the priestly ministry. It involves washing, purifying, purging and anointing. So also are the vessels to be used in the temple or tabernacle, the pans, pots, shovels etc all need to be consecrated and prepared. These acts are not to be ignored or trivialised in these days, because we are New Testament believers. Consecration is still a prerequisite for power and service. If God is to anoint one for His purpose, there will be a time of consecration and preparation.

The act of consecration is being lost today. Most people don’t recognise the need to be set apart for God’s holy purpose and will. But let us understand, that God uses consecrated people and if your desire is for God to use you then please understand that you must consecrate yourself to Him.

Let us look at another biblical story to let you know the power of consecration. Esther and the virgins had to go through a whole year of consecration before they were brought before the king for just one night. They were purged with myrrh for six months and beautified for another six months with perfumes. This elaborate process for just one night with the king! So imagine what it means to appear before God.

In the New Testament, we see that when Jesus called Peter, James and John, he challenged them to come and follow him and he would make them fishers of men. They left their boats and nets and followed him. This is a type of consecration, in that they set themselves apart for the service of God.

Today, Jesus has shed his blood for our cleansing. He has paid the price for us to appear before the King. He has made it possible for us to be separate and serve Him. But we still have to respond to the call and separate ourselves to him. We are washed by His word and cleansed by His blood, so whenever we hear the word of God and it convicts us, we are expected to react and amend our ways. The blood is applied by faith to cleanse us from our sins.

Jesus said in Luke 14: 26-27 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” And verse 33 says “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Following Jesus requires a clear understanding that our lives are no longer ours and He has the right to use the way He chooses. So only a consecrated person can be truly anointed by Him for his service.

The consecration of a person is one of the ways to receive the anointing and power of God for service. Many people have a calling from God, but are yet to be endued with the power to fulfil the commission, because they have not yet understood the need to be separate and consecrate themselves so God can anoint them and empower them. Remember Jesus asked His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they are endued with power from on high.

But perhaps most importantly is that before we get to our coronation and wedding in heaven as the bride of Christ, we would first consecrate ourselves here on earth. Let the following verses of scripture minister to you. “

Revelations 19:6-9 – “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great. 6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Today’s key text is a simple injunction and admonition to consecrate your life to His service.

Is God calling you for a holy purpose? Consecrate your life to Him.

Let’s pray: Father God, today I rededicate my heart and life to you and to your heavenly purpose. Father God, please forgive me for not giving my heart fully to you and for allowing other things to come and take my attention away from you. Father in the name of Jesus I ask for the grace to be consecrated to you and to always recognise that you have the pre-eminence in my life. Use me now for your glory, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.