January 1, 2008
Concentrating on Consecration
By Wendy Pope
“Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Joshua 3:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
I recently spent a weekend serving and teaching a group of women in beautiful
When I’m preparing to teach I often underestimate God's power to teach me through the process. God and I spent months preparing for this particular weekend. In the final days of preparation He took me to an unexpected place in the book of Joshua. In chapter 3 verse 5, Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." God wouldn’t let me forget or dismiss this scripture. As I prayed and He pursued, I realized He was stepping on my toes, bringing me up close and personal with Him.
I routinely ask God to do amazing things in my life, to wow me with His presence and power. I want to be a part of the work He is doing in my world, but sometimes I fail to recognize Him. Let me correct that, many times I fail. I’ve wondered, "Why did I miss the amazing when He was right there up close and personal with me?” The Lord used this scripture in Joshua to help me understand why I sometimes miss some of the amazing things He does – I’m not concentrating on staying consecrated.
In the chapter the Lord, through Joshua, was getting ready to finally lead His people to the Promised Land. He commanded Joshua to tell everyone to "consecrate themselves." In other words, "prepare yourselves because I am going to do something incredible and I don't want you to miss it."
I knew exactly what He was telling me through this story. He wanted me to consecrate myself by turning off a certain television show. I was to stop watching a certain show that I knew I should not be watching. Turning it off has been easier than I thought. I love that God equips us to do what He asks us to do (2 Timothy 2:7). Now, instead of watching that show, I pray at night asking God to prepare me for tomorrow as I sleep. Now, I am watching for the amazing!
How about you? Are you preparing for amazing signs of God, consecrating yourself, setting yourself apart from the world? I believe if every Christian would do this, we’d be wowed by God. I want to challenge you to ask God what you need to do to consecrate yourself for the amazing things He has planned for you. If you ask, He will respond.
Dear Lord, I know that You are working all the time. I want to actively participate in what You are doing. Help me know what I should do to consecrate myself for the amazing things you have in store. I don't want to miss the amazing things you do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Becoming a Woman Who Listens To God by Sharon Jaynes
God the Builder, a message on CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy’s blog.
Application Steps:
Purchase a small notebook to keep by your bedside. Each night for one month write the verse from Joshua 3:5 in your own words. Record each amazing thing you sense God doing.
Reflections:
Do I routinely look for the amazing things of God?
How does God want me to consecrate myself?
Am I reading God's Word daily?
Power Verses:
Psalm 25:8, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.” (NIV)
Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” (NIV)
Psalm 36:5, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Tuesday, 01 January 2008.
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