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.