Today is a good time to renew our consecration to God

 

Consecrate means to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose. Something consecrated is dedicated to God and thus sacred. It is one who is set apart. (Some verses – “filled” with the Spirit).

"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, taken His name Jesus in baptism with His blood washing away our sins, and filled with 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. We are transformed from our old nature and become a new creation. We are set apart from the world. (Acts 2:38, Revelation 1:5, Romans 5:8, 2Corinthians 5:15,17,21, James 4:4, 2Peter 1:4, 1John4:4).

What did we not accomplish for Jesus last year that we are more determined to accomplish this year?

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

What old bad habits are still in our life we need to get rid of, and what new good habits should we consider beginning?

It is a good time to examine ourselves, making sure we have peace with God, and peace with one another. (Acts 7:60, 2Timothy 4:16).

We pray for those that have offended us, and ask Jesus to heal our heart. (Hebrews 12:14-15).

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 

Church! Staying fueled up with the word and Spirit for the new year!

                                                                                                                                  

Church!

As we are beginning the new year with goals and renewed consecrations, we need to remember, the Lord will help us. Just call on Him.

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:11-12 KJV

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

Life Instruction Manual

Here are the verses:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" - Colossians 2:12-13

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" - 1 Peter 3:21

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:3-6

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:26-27

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 12:13

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:3-5

 

Hear - Led by His Spirit

Jesus wants us to hear Him.

The first and great commandment in the Law begins with “Hear.” (Mark 12:29).

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" - Deuteronomy 6:4

The Lord spoke to Samuel.

"And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child." - 1 Samuel 3:8

"And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth." - 1 Samuel 3:10

Jesus repeatedly would say, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9).

Jesus wants those that He is calling to hear, and those that have answered His call and are living for Him to hear.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" - John 10:27

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." - Romans 8:14

Philip was led by the Spirit to witness to the Ethiopian Eunuch that was traveling in the desert from Jerusalem.

"Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." - Acts 8:29

Philip listened to Jesus and was used to bring salvation to the Eunuch.

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." - Acts 8:38

Peter was led by the Spirit.

"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee… And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:" - Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12

Peter listened to Jesus and was used to bring salvation to the Gentiles.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ... And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:44, 48

Jesus tells us,

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20

 

Prepare Yourself to Face the New Year.

                                                         

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

With the Armour of God, you can make it!

Thou hearest the sound thereof

                                                 

Jesus spoke to Nicodemus.

"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3

Jesus got more specific.

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5

Jesus then gave revelation on being born of the Spirit. He said just as the wind makes a sound, there is a sound when a person is born of the Spirit.

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." - John 3:8

We cannot see the wind. But we can see the effect of the wind on the things it is blowing. We can see trees moving in the wind. The wind can be gentle. The wind can be powerful. We hear the sound of the wind as it moves in the trees.

We cannot see the Spirit. But we can see the effect of the Spirit on a person. We might see stammering lips. We might see a trembling hand. When a person allows the Spirit to move in a powerful way, we might see a person physically moved by its power. We hear the sound of the Spirit as it moves in them.

The Greek word for Spirit (pneuma) is the same for wind in John 3:8. The Greek word for wind in Acts 2:2 (pnoe) is the same for blow and breath. The Greek word for bloweth in John 3:8 (pneo) is also the same for breath. (The Hebrew word for wind (ruah) is the same word for Spirit and breath.)

On the day of Pentecost, the Bible records there was a sound.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." - Acts 2:2

The Bible does not say there WAS a wind that filled all the house; it says there was a SOUND AS a rushing mighty wind.

Like the wind, the Spirit filled all the house.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4

With 120 people all speaking in tongues it must have sounded as a RUSHING MIGHTY wind!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.