From Indulgence to Consecration: Embracing Spiritual Renewal

Devotional

Day 1: Consecration as a Living Sacrifice

Consecration involves setting ourselves apart for God, presenting our lives as living sacrifices. This act of dedication aligns us with God's heart and prepares us for His purposes. It is a call to surrender our desires and embrace His will, allowing His Spirit to transform us from within. As we consecrate ourselves, we are not merely abstaining from worldly pleasures but are actively choosing to feast on Jesus, aligning our hearts with His, and preparing for a spiritual revival. This process of consecration is essential for experiencing the supernatural, as it precedes the miraculous. [01:02:42]

Leviticus 20:26 (ESV): "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you feel God is calling you to be set apart for Him? How can you begin to consecrate this area to Him today?

Day 2: Revival Begins Within

Revival is not an external event but an internal transformation. It starts with us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts. By cultivating intimacy with God through prayer and fasting, we become vessels of His revival, impacting those around us. This internal revival is about aligning with the rhythm of heaven, allowing God's presence to permeate our lives. As we seek God Himself, rather than miracles, we trust that He will draw others to Him through our transformed lives. [01:01:38]

Psalm 85:6 (ESV): "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in your heart today? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God?

Day 3: The Power of Abiding in Christ

Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit and experiencing the fullness of His Spirit. As we remain in Him, we are empowered to live out His purposes and see His kingdom come on earth. This abiding relationship is the foundation of our spiritual growth and effectiveness. Jesus exemplified this through His life, demonstrating that His ministry was empowered by His intimate relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We are invited to cultivate this intimacy, to abide in Him, and to bear fruit through His Spirit. [01:04:31]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What does abiding in Christ look like in your daily life? How can you intentionally remain in Him throughout your day?

Day 4: The Role of Prayer and Fasting

Prayer and fasting are vital for spiritual growth and consecration. They help us let go of worldly attachments and draw closer to God, aligning our hearts with His. Through these disciplines, we create space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. As we enter a time of consecration, we are invited to recalibrate our spiritual lives and seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This preparation is crucial for experiencing the amazing things God will do among us. [01:18:27]

Isaiah 58:6 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?"

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your routine this week? What worldly attachments do you need to let go of to draw closer to God?

Day 5: Lifting Up Jesus

Our focus should be on lifting up Jesus, trusting that as we exalt Him, He will draw others to Himself. This is the key to seeing transformation in our lives and communities. By prioritizing His presence, we become conduits of His love and power. As we consecrate ourselves and align our hearts with His, we prepare for the renewal, transformation, and fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives. Let us embrace this call to consecration, knowing that on the other side lies the fulfillment of His promises. [01:21:27]

John 12:32 (ESV): "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Reflection: How can you intentionally lift up Jesus in your interactions with others today? What practical steps can you take to prioritize His presence in your life?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey from indulgence to consecration, emphasizing the transition from feasting on worldly pleasures to feasting on Jesus. This shift is not merely about abstaining from food but about setting ourselves apart for God, aligning our hearts with His, and preparing for a spiritual revival. As we enter this new year, we are called to consecrate ourselves, to be set apart as living sacrifices, and to seek a deeper relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and worship.

The essence of revival is not an external event but an internal transformation. Revival begins within us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts. Jesus exemplified this through His life, demonstrating that His ministry was empowered by His intimate relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We, too, are invited to cultivate this intimacy, to abide in Him, and to bear fruit through His Spirit.

As we consecrate ourselves, we align with the rhythm of heaven, allowing God's presence to permeate our lives. This alignment is crucial for experiencing the supernatural, as consecration precedes the miraculous. We are reminded that our role is not to seek miracles but to seek God Himself, trusting that as we lift Him up, He will draw others to Him.

This week, we are invited to enter a time of consecration, to recalibrate our spiritual lives, and to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, we prepare for the amazing things God will do among us, believing that revival will come as we align our hearts with His. Let us embrace this call to consecration, knowing that on the other side lies renewal, transformation, and the fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Consecration as a Living Sacrifice: Consecration involves setting ourselves apart for God, presenting our lives as living sacrifices. This act of dedication aligns us with God's heart and prepares us for His purposes. It is a call to surrender our desires and embrace His will, allowing His Spirit to transform us from within. [62:42]
2. Revival Begins Within: Revival is not an external event but an internal transformation. It starts with us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts. By cultivating intimacy with God through prayer and fasting, we become vessels of His revival, impacting those around us. [61:38]
3. The Power of Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit and experiencing the fullness of His Spirit. As we remain in Him, we are empowered to live out His purposes and see His kingdom come on earth. This abiding relationship is the foundation of our spiritual growth and effectiveness. [64:31]
4. The Role of Prayer and Fasting: Prayer and fasting are vital for spiritual growth and consecration. They help us let go of worldly attachments and draw closer to God, aligning our hearts with His. Through these disciplines, we create space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. [78:27]
5. Lifting Up Jesus: Our focus should be on lifting up Jesus, trusting that as we exalt Him, He will draw others to Himself. This is the key to seeing transformation in our lives and communities. By prioritizing His presence, we become conduits of His love and power. [01:21:27]
** [81:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - The Joy of Being Together
[03:15] - Family and Fun Times
[06:45] - Transition from Feasting to Fasting
[10:30] - The Power of Consecration
[14:00] - Revival Starts Within
[18:22] - Thrive in 25
[22:00] - Jesus as Our Example
[26:38] - The Secret Place of Prayer
[30:42] - Consecration Precedes the Supernatural
[34:31] - Seeking the Breaker for Breakthrough
[38:27] - The Call to Prayer and Intercession
[42:09] - The Table of Consecration
[46:03] - Dedication and Commitment
[50:27] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Sermon Clips

See, Jesus' consecration empowered his ministry. It was his consecration. It was the secret place. And yes, we're going to study it. We're going to start there again. The secret place again. Because maybe like you, like me, the secret place has been a little wobbly through the holidays. [01:02:42] (17 seconds)

See when we want to see god do amazing stuff what we do is we seek that stuff we seek his hands see we seek the stuff we want that stuff lord we want that breakthrough we want that thing we want that thing on that thing and jesus says you got the wrong way around because the way the breakthrough is going to come the way the miracles are going to come is actually through me. [01:04:31] (24 seconds)

God rules the world and his church through the prayers of his people. God calls intercession and prayer. And in his grace, he has made his work. He has made his work dependent on it. Guys, the work of God is dependent, dependent on our prayers. [01:18:27] (18 seconds)

Pour out even more of your love on us. Reveal more of your kindness. And restore us back to you. Oh, Jesus, we want to be restored back to you. The fullness of what it means to be passionate in love with you. Father, today. Today, I pray that you restore first love, that you will restore passion, that you will restore joy in our lives, Lord Jesus. [01:19:50] (24 seconds)

Revive us again, O God. I know you will. Give us a fresh start. Then all your people will taste your joy and gladness. [01:19:50] (12 seconds)

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