Today it is a good time to consecrate our life to God.

What is consecrate?

Consecrate means to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose. Something consecrated is dedicated to God, sanctified, and holy. It is one who is set apart.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [because of all he has done for you], that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, [let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think] that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect]." - Romans 12:1-2

When we have given ourselves to God by turning our back on sin, taking His name Jesus in baptism with His blood washing away our sins, and being filled by His Holy Spirit, we have become a living sacrifice. While Jesus gave His life and died for us, we give our life and live for Him. By the infilling of His Spirit, we are transformed from our old nature and become a new creation, sanctified, holy, and dedicated to our Beloved. We are set apart from the world, and dedicated to pleasing Jesus. He loves us, and we love Him! (Acts 2:38, Revelation 1:5, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21, James 4:4, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 John 4:4).

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV

As we begin this new year, we may be determined to take the opportunity to accomplish more in our life for Jesus this year.

What more can we allow God to do through us for His Kingdom?

Are there any bad habits that are trying to creep into our life that we need to extinguish? Are there some new good habits that we would like to incorporate into our living for God?

This is a good time to examine ourselves, making sure we have peace and communion with God, peace and communion with one another. Now is a good time to forgive others of anything they may have done against us, asking God to not charge them for our sake. If anyone has offended us, it is time to get over it and move on, forgiving those that have offended us.

If we let go of our hurt feelings, ask Jesus to heal our spirit, and we pray for those that have offended us, our hearts are lifted of the weight of bitterness, and love floods our soul. Our spirit is set free of negativity. We mustn’t let a bitter root defile us.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;" - Hebrews 12:14-15 KJV

We are here for a purpose.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended [I have not achieved it]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind [the past], and reaching forth unto those things which are before [looking forward to what lies ahead], I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14