We were unable to post yesterday due to technical difficulties. After tomorrow’s studies, we will be on break until 9/19.
Consecration is defined as “to devote or dedicate to some purpose.” It can also mean “set apart to deity.” “Personal” refers to that which is done by the individual involved. Every man must hear the gospel. Jesus says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’[a] Therefore everyone who has heard and learned[b] from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:44-45; NKJV).
Every person must bear his own burden (Gal. 6:5). We each, also, must present our own bodies as living sacrifices: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).
God requires consecration. Consider the thoughts of Jesus in Matthew 22:37: “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” We must consecrate our hearts to God. That is, we must set our affections on God (Col. 3:1-2). To word it another way, we must make sure that God is enthroned in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15).
We must consecrate our whole soul to God. Our soul is more valuable than the whole world (Matt. 16:26). Do you hear Paul’s estimate of his own soul? Listen to him in Acts 20:24: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,[a] so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (See also Phil. 3:8).
We must consecrate our entire minds to God. Some have not retained God in their minds (Rom. 1:28). David writes that he meditated on the law of God day and night (Psa. 1:1-2). Consider the words of Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” (See also isa. 55:7).
In any case, there’s cialis no prescription a whole other story. Healthy blood circulation is the prime demand for developing harder and order generic viagra wikipedia reference longer erections. When a spinal disk herniates, the gel-like canadian viagra pills substance between the vertebrae can creat pressure around the nerve causing pain and dysfunction. cialis without prescription Old age men with liver and kidney disease should take a self-test knowing your potency to develop erection during the intercourse. God has such a right to demand consecration from us. He is our creator (Acts 17:24). He gives us what we have (Acts 17:25). He loves us supremely (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). He has prepared an eternal dwelling place for us (John 14:1-3) and He provides the escape from sin (1 Cor. 10:13).
If we consecrate ourselves to God, then we will be transformed, even within our own minds (Rom. 8:29; 12:1-2). We can also partake of His nature, by grace (2 Peter 1:4).
Consecration motivates us to try our best to keep His commandments (John 14:15; 15:14). John writes: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18). Consecration also keeps us unstained by the world (1 John 2:15-17). If we would love life and see good days, we should consecrate ourselves to God’s service (1 Peter 3:10-12).
The late Wayne E. Holland
In a sermon preached in Hiawassee, GA 7/28/85
and South Boston, VA 1/29/95
