Let God Lead...Week 6

For five weeks, we have focused on one verse:
..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." -Joshua 3:5

This one verse has taught us five key lessons:
1. Amazing Things are possible
2. We must Consecrate ourselves to receive amazing things
3. It's safe to Expect amazing things
4. The Lord Will Do so we don't have to
5. Amazing Things will not just happen to us but Among Us!

So, during this sixth week that ushers us to the road of Palm Sunday, it is time for us to make a bold stand.  I mean a really bold stand.  It will take strength and self-restraint...LET GOD LEAD!

It is recorded in verse 6 of the same chapter: 

Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.

You are probably steeped in Old Testament history and facts, so please forgive me for this brief lesson.  See, the ark of the covenant was incredibly important because this represented the presence of God.  In fact, the only way the Spirit of God would dwell among the people in this time was within the ark of the covenant.  So, verse 6 is equally important as verse 6.  Once we get ourselves together to receive and experience amazing things, we have to know the correct posture for moving forward.  The correct posture is followship!

Don't judge me.  It is not a formal word, but it is an important part of the Christian vocabulary.  Relationship with God cannot be maintained without followship!  Followship is actually proof of our relationship.  I mean, who can really have a relationship with someone who you do not trust to LEAD YOU!?

The children of God had already at this point come to the understanding that they needed self-corrective steps to prepare for amazing things; however, they had to put their work into action.  It is time for us to put these devotions into action.  It's time to follow God...let God lead!  It's not fun some times but it is worth it-the reward for God leading far outweighs the sacrifice of uncertainty.  I would rather not know but know that God knows than to know for myself!  Come on...join me:  Let God Lead!

This week we must identify all of the areas of our lives that we do not demonstrate relationship because we do not demonstrate followship.  

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I block myself from God's promise?
How can I benefit from removing myself out of my own way?

How can I consecrate myself for God's service?
How can I benefit from consecrating myself from myself?
Within what areas of my life do I expect God to move?
How do I block myself from expecting from God?
Do I trust God enough to allow God to be in charge?
Am I praying for God to do amazing things among me?
Who should I pray for today?
Where am I leading when God should be leading?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  We confess that we have been and continue to lead in areas of our lives that we should trust You to lead and direct.  But today, we surrender to You and Your ability to lead us.  We trust in Your wisdom for us.  So as we await our amazing, help us to let You lead.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Lord Will Do...Week 4

Joshua 3:5 commends the people of God:
..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

It's week four, so let's get right down to it.  This Lenten season of blocking ourselves from ourselves should remind us that we are simply put NOT IN CHARGE!

We agree that we must consecrate so that we can expect amazing things; however, we all struggle with control.  I mean who is really alright with waiting for something amazing but not really having any control about when we will actually get to the amazing?!  (long pause) Right.  Well, this week I believe that God wants us to remember and acknowledge who is really IN CHARGE.  I mean, God is Lord after all.  God does not need our help!

..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

 

This week's focus is:  The Lord Will Do!  

It is NOT your responsibility to create amazing things.  As a matter of fact, you can't do it.  I mean you're brilliant and talented, but every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.  Therefore, I need you to say it with me like you mean it:  The Lord Will Do (insert your amazing here)!

That's right, God desires to perform amazing on our behalf.  When we get involved, we block ourselves from God's amazing.  We insert our version of amazing, and the truth is if God can do amazing we can only do good.  So, do you want amazing or good?  If we want amazing, we must release the "Chair" and declare:  The Lord Will Do!  Since the Lord Will Do, I don't have TO for myself.  Just consecrate and expect...and we are on our way to receive!
  

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I block myself from God's promise?
How can I benefit from removing myself out of my own way?

How can I consecrate myself for God's service?
How can I benefit from consecrating myself from myself?
Within what areas of my life do I expect God to move?
How do I block myself from expecting from God?
Do I trust God enough to allow God to be in charge?
 

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  Help us to release the reign over our lives.  We want You to be the Lord over every area of our lives, and we trust You completely.  Please give us the strength to be weak in You so that You may rise as Lord in us.  We believe that You will do.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Among You...Week 5

Joshua 3:5 commends the people of God:
..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

Can you believe we have completed four weeks in the Lenten Season and are now embarking upon week five?!  My how time has flown by...

It is with this speed that we attempt to hurry God through the wilderness, but we must pause in preparation for the promise.  We have had four enlightening and soul-seeking weeks with the following themes:

Amazing Things
Consecrate
Expect
The Lord Will Do

In each week, we have focused completely on the Amazing Things that The Lord Will Do for ME if I Consecrate and Expect it of God! Don't panic.  That's the way this devotion was setup.  It's personal, yes, but it's actually corporate!  God told Joshua to tell the people:

..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

You see, the consecration, expectation, and relinquishing of control is personal.  We all must trust the Lord to do what the Lord has promised.  We all must consecrate ourselves to be worthy of the promise.  However, as we do so...God is not stingy in passing out Amazing Things!  This week I want us to remember that the amazing things of God is so amazing that God does not simply give or perform it to, in, or for ME!  It's too amazing!  God gives and performs amazing AMONG US!

This is why I shout and praise God when someone else receives an amazing blessing.  God is fulfilling God's word that His amazing for me is so amazing that it must be wrapped up and tied up with others.  In the same way, when God blesses you...there is someone praising God because they realize that there amazing is wrapped up and tied up in your amazing.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us now focus outwardly.  What prayers should I be praying for someone else?  What amazing thing do they need from the Lord?  As you pray for those among you, someone is bound to pray for you!  Do not simply consecrate and expect of God for yourself.  Consecrate and expect of God for someone else!
  

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I block myself from God's promise?
How can I benefit from removing myself out of my own way?

How can I consecrate myself for God's service?
How can I benefit from consecrating myself from myself?
Within what areas of my life do I expect God to move?
How do I block myself from expecting from God?
Do I trust God enough to allow God to be in charge?
Am I praying for God to do amazing things among me?
Who should I pray for today?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  We are so grateful that our amazing things are not selfish and me-centered, but that You intend to bless among us.  We are excited about the way You will bless others in our circle and even along the paths we cross.  Strengthen us to be a vessel for amazing things in the lives of others.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

I EXPECT...Week 3

Joshua 3:5 commends the people of God:
..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

We are now entering week three of this year's Lenten Season.  Can you believe it?  It feels like we just started.  So, let's pause for this moment and review our progress:

Week ONE:  we began to intentionally seek out ways to block ourselves from blocking ourselves in order to experience amazing things.

Week TWO:  we realized that if we want amazing, we must be amazing.  In order to be amazing, we must consecrate!

Those are not easy ventures.  I mean truthfully, every single day of this Lenten season God could reveal to us another way we must block ourselves from blocking ourselves.  But, don't be too hard on yourself.  We must remember that Jesus was tempted three times in three different ways when He was in the wilderness...and He is our Savior!  So, surely mere humans will be tempted each and everyday to block ourselves from amazing things.  Fight the urge to give in-every day block yourself from blocking yourself by consecrating yourself from yourself.  That's right...those two work hand in hand!  As we work towards this goal, we move forward in our focus scripture:

..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

This week's focus is:  I EXPECT!  

The challenges of this world...well, staying "saved" while dealing with the challenges of this world sometimes causes us to have low or no expectations.  Some of us stop believing in ourselves.  We don't look like it or even act like it in public, but secretly we have stopped believing in ourselves.

Maybe I've waited too late to have THAT
or
God is tired of ME
or
IT didn't work before, so why would it now

I believe that this Lenten journey is designed for us to dream again... believe again... EXPECT again!  The foundation for receiving amazing from God is consecration and expectation.  Without consecration, God cannot provoke our spirits to EXPECT.  If you are wondering why you have lost your zeal or desire for amazing, perhaps your time of consecration is missing.  It is with consecration that we separate ourself from our emotions and insecurities so that the Holy Spirit triggers that contagious urge to EXPECT something from God.  

So, on this third week in the wilderness, I challenge us to actually expect God to move.  I mean really...expect a change!  Expect greater!  Expect increase!  Expect breakthrough!  Expect!
  

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I block myself from God's promise?
How can I benefit from removing myself out of my own way?

How can I consecrate myself for God's service?
How can I benefit from consecrating myself from myself?
Within what areas of my life do I expect God to move?
How do I block myself from expecting from God?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  We must admit that we have experienced things that have caused us to lack expectation.  We do not want to remain stagnant in our walk with You.  Help us to see the areas that we have blocked You out of by not expecting You to move.  As You reveal those areas to us, please give us the strength to EXPECT AGAIN!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Consecrate Me Now...Week 2 (Lent 2017)

Consecrate Me Now...Week 2

Joshua 3:5 commends the people of God:
..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

For the first 6 days of the Lenten Season, we have intentionally sought out ways to block ourselves from blocking ourselves in order to experience amazing things.  I must admit the journey is not an easy one, and we are just getting started.  Now that we realize that the only person who can keep YOU from amazing is YOU, we must take the right steps to unblock ourselves.

This week's focus is all about consecration!  

Joshua told the people of God that there was only one step to get to amazing-consecrate!  By definition, to consecrate is to dedicate to a sacred purpose.  Some of us get hung up on the walk down the aisle to the preacher that we took with tears in our eyes to say "I want to be saved".  Now, don't go forwarding this devotion to tell people that Pastor C said being saved is not important.  Salvation is just the starting point, but who wants to stay at the starting point?

This is what God is saying to us.  If you want amazing, you must be amazing.  In order to be amazing, you must consecrate!  When we truly consecrate ourselves, there are just some conversations we will refuse to have... some places we will refuse to be seen... some things we won't even think about doing... and some people we will save as DNA (do not answer) in our phones.  When you are assured in the fact that God has a plan bigger for your life than you can imagine, YOU do not jeopardize it.  

So, this week begin the process to consecrate yourself from yourself!

Yes, here I go again!  If we are going to truly "consecrate ourselves" or dedicate ourselves to sacred use, then we must first un-dedicate ourselves to ourselves.  This Lenten Season should provoke us to be more selfless and Christ-driven.  Remember, Jesus was led into the wilderness (Matthew 4) by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was consecrated before He got there!  We must be consecrated before we get THERE!  Stop getting frustrated with God about not receiving the promise if you have not made provision during the process.

This week, let's focus on all truly crying out to God:  Consecrate Me Now To Your Service Lord!   

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I block myself from God's promise?
How can I benefit from removing myself out of my own way?

How can I consecrate myself for God's service?
How can I benefit from consecrating myself from myself?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  We recognize that we need preparation for the glory that You will reveal in our lives.  Help us to daily seek you throughout this Lenten season.  Help us to hear you as you reveal the ways we block ourselves from you so that we can experience the amazing things that you promise to us.  As we journey further into the wilderness, strengthen our walk and our relationship with you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Amazing Things...Week 1

Joshua 3:5 commends the people of God:

..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

How appropriate of a starting place for this year's Lenten focus! I mean who doesn't want God to do something amazing?  We all do in some, if not all, areas of our lives.  Whether it is on behalf of a loved one or directly in our own body, we could really use a dose of amazing.  

This year's Lenten season and devotional focus is designed especially with you in mind.  Yes, you!  It's finally your time to experience amazing from God.  It's time out for you watching others have what you prayed for only to believe that you are not cut out for it.  This is your chance at amazing!  But wait...there is one thing that could keep you from your amazing......well, pull out your phone.  Open your camera.  Switch the view and look in.  You got it...that's right.  The only person that can keep you from your amazing is YOU.

Let us spend these next 40 days blocking ourselves from blocking ourselves.  Nope, it's not a typo.  This Lenten season will ensure that we are Spiritually prepared to have the future that God has promised for us.  Let's stop blocking ourselves.  This week, let's focus on all areas of our lives and the ways we block ourselves.  Let us really examine the first hindrance to God's amazing things.  

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I block myself from God's promise?
How can I benefit from removing myself out of my own way?

 
CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  We recognize that we need preparation for the glory that You will reveal in our lives.  Help us to daily seek you over the first 7 days of this Lenten season.  Help us to hear you as you reveal the ways we block ourselves from you so that we can experience the amazing things that you promise to us.  In Jesus' name, Amen.