Psalm 63: 1-2
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.”
My main struggle right now is in prayer. I know that every spiritual gift within me is going be activated in prayer. I know that the breakthroughs I am expecting are going to manifest through prayer. I know that every promise that God has spoken will be birthed out through prayer. And not in praying about myself, but specifically intercessory prayer – standing in the gap for others.
Right now I feel like David in Psalm 63. My soul thirsts for Jesus, I want to see His power and His glory, greater than ever before. It is time for me to seek God early while He may be found. Not just early in the morning, but right now while I am alive. I have to find a place where I can be alone with the LORD, even if it is in my car. I need to get up early every morning, no matter how tired I feel, and consistently get into the presence of God and intercede on behalf of others. I know there will be opposition, but God will not give me more than I can handle, and right now these desires are too strong to ignore. I must get closer to God.
I had the pleasure of attending the women’s fellowship last night running the soundroom, and after Prophetess Jean spoke she passed the mic to my sister from Homestead, Pastor Tarea. I hold her in very high regard, although I have not fellowshipped with her much, I have a lot of love for her, she has one of those kindred spirits that I kind of cling to. One thing that Pastor Tarea said was that the best time to be intimate in a marriage is early in the morning - the same thing goes with the LORD. As His wife, the best intimacy we’ll have is when we wake up early in the morning and get to “know” Him.
Looking introspectively at myself, prayer is the missing ingredient in everything that I do. I exort everyone reading this to examine yourself. Is your prayer life what it should be? Are you growing in your relationship with the LORD? Is there open communication between you and God? Have you gotten to know Him as Eve knew Adam? There is fullness of joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11). Seek God early while He may be found.
Proverbs 8:17
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
What is your legacy?
1 Kings 11:11-13
Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of
1 Kings 15:3-5
[Abijam] walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. Nevertheless for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; because David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
2 Kings 8:18-19
[Jehoshaphat] walked in the way of the kings of
Isaiah 37:33-35
"Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the king of
Are you taking advantage of this time on earth to leave a lasting legacy? Or will you be forgotten once you pass on? What you do in this life will influence generations to come. David is an example of how obedience to the LORD can affect future generations in a positive way, even in their disobedience. David was described as a man after God’s own heart. Although he made many mistakes, he turned to God in repentance and gained favor in His sight. Because of this favor, God spared kings, kingdoms and entire cities for the sake of keeping David’s name alive. David’s son Solomon was blessed because of his obedience, and even when Solomon turned to other gods the LORD had mercy “for the sake of his father David.” The LORD gave David so much favor that He called Jesus Christ “the son of David.” When you pass on, will God have mercy on your future generations for your name’s sake?
Your decisions can affect your posterity in a negative way as well: “…I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” – Deuteronomy 5:9
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
True Repentance
Psalm 103:8-13
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in Mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."
How great is our God! Those He has chosen have received His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness! Those who have repented of their sins have been washed clean, their transgressions have been removed, and their iniquities blotted out! We are being sanctified and perfected to be holy as He is holy. Hallelujah!
But how do you know that you are one of His chosen vessels? How do you know if the LORD has chosen to forgive you of your sins and not reward you according to your iniquities? The Bible tells us that in order to receive forgiveness of sins you must repent. Let's take a look at what repentence really means.
To repent means to turn away. So, to repent of your sins means to turn away from your sins. We do this by confessing our sins, for "if we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Then we turn to Jesus Christ: "All the prophets testify about him (Jesus) that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (Acts 10:43) When we confess our sins and put our trust in Jesus Christ, we have assurance that He has forgiven us.
Now that we have confessed our sins and turned to Jesus, our actions (our fruit) will show us whether or not we have truly been forgiven. When God forgives us, He gives us a new heart, and our desires change. We are not to take His grace as liberty to sin, but use His grace as means to grow in holiness. We should all have a reverential fear of the LORD, knowing that we are undeserving of this forgiveness, yet thankfully receiving it as the free gift that it is.
We will all make mistakes, we will still have faults, but the key is to confess those faults and ask God to help you change. Don't accept them. If you battle with fear, don't confess you are fearful, instead confess what God's Word has spoken concerning you: "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind." If you wrestle with anxiety, don't confess you are an anxious person, but speak what the Word requires of you "I am anxious for nothing!" Spirits will try to attach themselves to you, and you must recognize that the way you feel, the way you act, and the way you think is not always you! Don't allow things that are not of God to become part of your "personality". Our personality now is one of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." If you are saved, the Holy Spirit now lives within you, and everything else has to flee! Submit yourself to God, resist the devil (and his demons) and they have no choice but to flee! Put to death the deeds of the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit, because they should have no part in you! Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries have no place in the Christian.
Repentance is an ongoing process. There is an initial repentence for living a lifestyle of sin before we are saved, but once we are saved we must repent for all of the wrongdoing we find ourselves doing when we walk in the flesh. The goal of every born again beliver should be to walk in the Spirit 24/7 just as Jesus did.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Trust God - He Can't Lie
Yesterday at church my pastor called me up to the front and announced to the congregation that he was placing me in charge of the youth ministry, and that my title is now "Minister Otis." The LORD has been preparing me for this new life in ministry for almost 3 years now. Multiple visions, prophecies and other confirmations have flooded my life concerning my work as a youth pastor. I just never thought it would sneak up on me so fast. I can't say that God didn't prepare me, and I'm looking forward to stepping out in faith and allowing God to use me in this new capacity. I'm excited to see what He has in store!!
God is constantly speaking to me, making promises, trying His Word, then bringing His Word to pass. You would think at this point that my faith would not waver. But I must admit that sometimes I still battle. In the midst of His Word being tried and proven, things usually begin to look contrary to what He has promised me. I usually begin to feel anxious, which is direct disobedience to Philippians 4:6-7 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." So no wonder my spirit is not at rest. I go through stages of being in complete peace, but it is usually interrupted when I worry about what I see. This shows me that my will has not yet been completely submitted to the LORD. It shows me that Jesus Christ has not become the satisfaction of my soul. So what is it that is interrupting my peace? What is it that is causing me to sin by worrying? What is it that is distracting me from my LORD Jesus Christ?
I remember being taught in elementary school that a noun pertains to people, places and things. And you know what? Nouns are getting in the way of my communion with God!
People.
People that I care for make decisions that I don't agree with, so rather than pray for them, I worry. One thing I learned a long time ago, years before God saved me, is that you can't make decisions for other people. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says not to have fellowship with unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 5:11 says that if one says he/she is a believer, yet takes part in sin, not keep company with them, even to eat with them. Matthew 10:37 says that he who loves anyone more than the LORD is not worthy of him. This is serious. This means I have to forsake my mother, my father, my sisters, my friends from the world, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my spiritual parents, and even my fiance and future wife compared to Christ. So when they do things or say things that hurt me, I cannot let it affect me, because that shows that I love them more than Christ. Now that is what I call a harsh word!
Places.
Living in a fallen world I am surrounded by sin. And I can't stand sin! I can't stand lust. I can't stand pride. I can't stand ungodliness and anything that upsets my Father in heaven. So sometimes the sins of the world cause me to get upset. Living in a very sensual world, where the media feeds us the love of money, sex and violence, I find myself warring in my flesh. I try not to watch television and movies, but living in a house where the TV is always on, it is a battle. These seeds of wickedness are constantly being thrown in our faces. We are told what to look like, how to talk, what to like, what to dislike, what is attractive, what is ugly - and it is all a lie of the devil! It is time to rise above the world we live in and live in the Kingdom of God, in earth as it is in heaven.
Things.
We all want things. Consumer America bombards us with advertisements trying to incite us to want the "next best thing." To be up-to-date with the latest styles. To own the newest state-of-the-art technological device. But these are all distractions. Things war with God for our focus, they want us to desire them instead of Christ. Psalm 23 says that if the LORD is truly our shepherd we should have no want. Since we have Christ, He should be all we need. As Jesus said in Matthew 6, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things the gentiles (unrighteous) seek will be given to us. As Paul said to his son Timothy, "godliness with contentment is great gain." It is time for us to be content.
So now it is time to repent. And tonight I'll do it publicly.
God is constantly speaking to me, making promises, trying His Word, then bringing His Word to pass. You would think at this point that my faith would not waver. But I must admit that sometimes I still battle. In the midst of His Word being tried and proven, things usually begin to look contrary to what He has promised me. I usually begin to feel anxious, which is direct disobedience to Philippians 4:6-7 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." So no wonder my spirit is not at rest. I go through stages of being in complete peace, but it is usually interrupted when I worry about what I see. This shows me that my will has not yet been completely submitted to the LORD. It shows me that Jesus Christ has not become the satisfaction of my soul. So what is it that is interrupting my peace? What is it that is causing me to sin by worrying? What is it that is distracting me from my LORD Jesus Christ?
I remember being taught in elementary school that a noun pertains to people, places and things. And you know what? Nouns are getting in the way of my communion with God!
People.
People that I care for make decisions that I don't agree with, so rather than pray for them, I worry. One thing I learned a long time ago, years before God saved me, is that you can't make decisions for other people. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says not to have fellowship with unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 5:11 says that if one says he/she is a believer, yet takes part in sin, not keep company with them, even to eat with them. Matthew 10:37 says that he who loves anyone more than the LORD is not worthy of him. This is serious. This means I have to forsake my mother, my father, my sisters, my friends from the world, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my spiritual parents, and even my fiance and future wife compared to Christ. So when they do things or say things that hurt me, I cannot let it affect me, because that shows that I love them more than Christ. Now that is what I call a harsh word!
Places.
Living in a fallen world I am surrounded by sin. And I can't stand sin! I can't stand lust. I can't stand pride. I can't stand ungodliness and anything that upsets my Father in heaven. So sometimes the sins of the world cause me to get upset. Living in a very sensual world, where the media feeds us the love of money, sex and violence, I find myself warring in my flesh. I try not to watch television and movies, but living in a house where the TV is always on, it is a battle. These seeds of wickedness are constantly being thrown in our faces. We are told what to look like, how to talk, what to like, what to dislike, what is attractive, what is ugly - and it is all a lie of the devil! It is time to rise above the world we live in and live in the Kingdom of God, in earth as it is in heaven.
Things.
We all want things. Consumer America bombards us with advertisements trying to incite us to want the "next best thing." To be up-to-date with the latest styles. To own the newest state-of-the-art technological device. But these are all distractions. Things war with God for our focus, they want us to desire them instead of Christ. Psalm 23 says that if the LORD is truly our shepherd we should have no want. Since we have Christ, He should be all we need. As Jesus said in Matthew 6, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things the gentiles (unrighteous) seek will be given to us. As Paul said to his son Timothy, "godliness with contentment is great gain." It is time for us to be content.
So now it is time to repent. And tonight I'll do it publicly.
LORD GOD, I come before you humbly thanking you for your grace and praising you because you alone are worthy of every ounce of praise that comes from my lips. Forgive me for placing people, places and things above you. Forgive me for being anxious and not being content. Forgive me for wavering in my faith. I ask right now that you take away every desire that does not line up with your will. Take those desires away and place your desires in my heart. Strengthen my faith, so that I would trust in you and you alone. That I would not be moved in my emotions. That I would forsake all things for you, and as Paul, count all things as garbage for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD, that I may win you. That I may know you. That you may be my all in all. Cover me in your anointing LORD, destroy every yolk, remove every burden. Release your love within me, and help me to walk in all humility, in meekness, in lowliness, in faith, in total trust, so that I would represent you as a good soldier, and that you would demonstrate your power within me in both word and deed and not in the wisdom of man. I magnify your name, you are glorious! You are magnificent! You are God! Thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for regenerating me and conforming me into the image of your son! Thank you for teaching me how to love you, to love myself and others as myself! Thank you Jesus! I love you Father and I pray these things sincerely in the Name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Send Me I’ll Go
Isaiah 6:8
“I hear the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
I’m in front of the church waiting for someone to come and unlock the door. I try to make it a habit to be the first one here and the last one to leave. As I’m waiting, I’m meditating on Isaiah 6 – one of my all-time favorite passages. In verse 8 Isaiah is hearing the Lord speak, seeking a vessel to send out. Isaiah responded by saying “Here I am, send me!” God then gave Isaiah an assignment to be His mouthpiece to
I’ve been doing a lot of confession on these blogs lately. I can’t help but feel convicted after reading this passage. I have allowed people, situations and things to affect my assignment. I’ve already made the proclamation – “Here I am LORD, send me!!” But I never imagined the opposition I would face. The Bible tells us to count the cost – and the price is high! But the blessings are well worth it. I have to ask myself – why are my parents and loved ones still in bondage? Why has God spoken things concerning my life that haven’t yet come to pass? Why am I not operating in my office within the ministry? The other day God showed me that I was behind schedule. Now is the time to get things in order, and time is short. I feel a sudden urgency, as well as an even greater opposition to keep from pressing forth in the Spirit. The enemy wants me to stay stagnated. He wants to interrupt my ministry, my business, my marriage. He wants me to dwell on things that have no eternal relevance. And I have to confess that at times I have given in. God has brought seducing spirits my way, in the form of very subtle distractions. However I know that these weapons can form but they will not prosper since I am a servant of the LORD, that the seducing spirits will come but will not be able to seduce me away from the faith since I am part of the elect, and that all things will work out for the good because I love God. This is where I take a praise break and shout “HALLELUJAH!!!” :)
So these are my questions for you: Have you told God you were willing? Have you said “send me I’ll go!”? If so, are you owning up to your part of the deal? Are you walking in obedience? Have you counted the cost? As the song says – does your heart soul say yes? There is more that He requires from us, and it is time now to repent from our disobedience, put our past behind us, and like Mary said to those at the wedding in Cana “Whatever he (Jesus) says, do it!”
Quotes from Pastor Jean in today’s service:
“Once you are obedient you have to check your intentions, are you obedient to get something from God, or are you actually obedient to grow closer to God?”
“Stop trying to figure our how God is going to bless you and just line up to receive your blessing”
Hebrews 10:34-37
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Prayer Doesn’t Move God Until You Praise God
This was a line preached by my spiritual father last night during our weekly intercessory prayer meeting. David exclaimed in Psalm 100:
As I’ve mentioned in earlier blog entries a problem I often have is inconsistency in my prayer life. Whether it be distractions from my surroundings or thoughts attempting to exalt themselves above God, in order to get to a place where I can pray without hindrance I usually have to endure some spiritual warfare. Whenever I have trouble praying I am beginning to make it a habit to praise. When I praise God, I am promised in His Word that He will inhabit my praises. When He inhabits my praises, I begin to feel His anointing cover me as His presence grows stronger. My mind then begins to clear up, and I am in a better position to pray effectively. The Bible also makes it clear that when we know not what to pray the Holy Spirit prays for us, and as Paul makes the distinction in 1 Corinthians 14, praying in the Spirit is one and the same as praying in tongues. Jude told us to pray in the Holy Spirit to build up our most holy faith, because as Paul pointed out: when we pray in tongues we edify ourselves. My praise usually evolves into praying in tongues, which then leads to me praying in English. I know the formula, but to know and to act upon that knowledge are two different things. This is where consistency comes into place. Daniel prayed 3 times a day consistently, even when an edict went forth in Babylon making it against the law to pray to the LORD. Because of Daniel’s consistency, when his prayers were hindered, God sent angels to war over the words that he prayed. My battle right now is consistently acting upon the knowledge that God has given me – for to know to do and not do is sin.
Today was a great day. I’ve been out of the job for almost a week now. A few days after I was laid off I got call out of the blue from a contractor that works with ESPN asking me to work a day job at the Orange Bowl running wires for the cameraman. It was my first time attending a football game as UM went up against Georgia Tech. The first thing I noticed was how excited and riled up the fans were. As I ran the sidelines throughout the game I occasionally looked up at the packed out crowd at Orange Bowl Stadium and was amazed to see thousands of people praising the University of Miami, along with a few hundred routing for Georgia Tech. They had so much pride in their school and in their football team. They cheered when UM scored touchdowns and made big plays, and booed at Georgia Tech as they took the field (and eventually won the game). As the praise was building up I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if all of these people were instead praising the True and Living God. I saw myself preaching before them by the 50 yard line, leading them in praises to the King until the Shekinah Glory of the LORD rested upon the stadium as the glory cloud did during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. Preachers always say, “if you can shout and make noise at a football game, you can surely shout praises to the God who saved you!” And you know what, those preachers are right, because if we don’t praise Him, as Jesus said the very rocks will cry out.
In this scripture, Solomon equates praise and thanksgiving to wisdom – as we see in Psalm 100 above, his father David wrote that we are to enter into the LORD's gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Proverbs 1:7 says that fools despise wisdom, therefore those who do not open their mouths to give God praise and thanksgiving are fools. As my mother Prophetess Jean pointed out a few weeks ago, the word “gate” in this context refers to a fortified city, the gate of heaven and pertains to our salvation. If we have truly been saved, we will show our gratitude by giving God His due praise and thank Him for His graciousness in sparing and transforming our very lives.
Praise is a necessary duty of every son and daughter of God. Praise removes every hindrance and creates an atmosphere conducive for God to move. The garment of praise is a weapon that God has given us to defeat the spirit of heaviness (depression, anxiety, fear, pain). God has created us to praise Him, and we might as well get used to it now, because when we get to heaven it will be one of our jobs. Praise and thanksgiving gets us into a place where God will hear us, and once He hears us, praise and thanksgiving shows Him that we believe that He has heard us and trust that He will answer our petitions.
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
As I’ve mentioned in earlier blog entries a problem I often have is inconsistency in my prayer life. Whether it be distractions from my surroundings or thoughts attempting to exalt themselves above God, in order to get to a place where I can pray without hindrance I usually have to endure some spiritual warfare. Whenever I have trouble praying I am beginning to make it a habit to praise. When I praise God, I am promised in His Word that He will inhabit my praises. When He inhabits my praises, I begin to feel His anointing cover me as His presence grows stronger. My mind then begins to clear up, and I am in a better position to pray effectively. The Bible also makes it clear that when we know not what to pray the Holy Spirit prays for us, and as Paul makes the distinction in 1 Corinthians 14, praying in the Spirit is one and the same as praying in tongues. Jude told us to pray in the Holy Spirit to build up our most holy faith, because as Paul pointed out: when we pray in tongues we edify ourselves. My praise usually evolves into praying in tongues, which then leads to me praying in English. I know the formula, but to know and to act upon that knowledge are two different things. This is where consistency comes into place. Daniel prayed 3 times a day consistently, even when an edict went forth in Babylon making it against the law to pray to the LORD. Because of Daniel’s consistency, when his prayers were hindered, God sent angels to war over the words that he prayed. My battle right now is consistently acting upon the knowledge that God has given me – for to know to do and not do is sin.
Today was a great day. I’ve been out of the job for almost a week now. A few days after I was laid off I got call out of the blue from a contractor that works with ESPN asking me to work a day job at the Orange Bowl running wires for the cameraman. It was my first time attending a football game as UM went up against Georgia Tech. The first thing I noticed was how excited and riled up the fans were. As I ran the sidelines throughout the game I occasionally looked up at the packed out crowd at Orange Bowl Stadium and was amazed to see thousands of people praising the University of Miami, along with a few hundred routing for Georgia Tech. They had so much pride in their school and in their football team. They cheered when UM scored touchdowns and made big plays, and booed at Georgia Tech as they took the field (and eventually won the game). As the praise was building up I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if all of these people were instead praising the True and Living God. I saw myself preaching before them by the 50 yard line, leading them in praises to the King until the Shekinah Glory of the LORD rested upon the stadium as the glory cloud did during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. Preachers always say, “if you can shout and make noise at a football game, you can surely shout praises to the God who saved you!” And you know what, those preachers are right, because if we don’t praise Him, as Jesus said the very rocks will cry out.
Proverbs 24:7
“Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.”
In this scripture, Solomon equates praise and thanksgiving to wisdom – as we see in Psalm 100 above, his father David wrote that we are to enter into the LORD's gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Proverbs 1:7 says that fools despise wisdom, therefore those who do not open their mouths to give God praise and thanksgiving are fools. As my mother Prophetess Jean pointed out a few weeks ago, the word “gate” in this context refers to a fortified city, the gate of heaven and pertains to our salvation. If we have truly been saved, we will show our gratitude by giving God His due praise and thank Him for His graciousness in sparing and transforming our very lives.
Praise is a necessary duty of every son and daughter of God. Praise removes every hindrance and creates an atmosphere conducive for God to move. The garment of praise is a weapon that God has given us to defeat the spirit of heaviness (depression, anxiety, fear, pain). God has created us to praise Him, and we might as well get used to it now, because when we get to heaven it will be one of our jobs. Praise and thanksgiving gets us into a place where God will hear us, and once He hears us, praise and thanksgiving shows Him that we believe that He has heard us and trust that He will answer our petitions.
Friday, October 12, 2007
True Consecration
Consecration is a term that is thrown around left and right in Christiandom, particularly in charismatic/pentecostal circles. Sometimes I wonder if people truly understand what consecration is. To many, consecration and fasting are synonymous. Fasting can be part of consecrating, however they are not one and the same. To fast means to go without something, traditionally food. According to Isaiah 58, there are a number of requirements that people often neglect when it comes to going on an "acceptable fast to the LORD":
How many of us do these things when we fast? Without following these requirements it is possible that you are merely starving yourself and there will be no true reward for your time of 'fasting'.
Consecration on the other hand means to set yourself apart. You do not necessarily have to fast to consecrate yourself, but it is helpful. In a consecration you are setting yourself apart from all distrations and making yourself available to the LORD so that you can focus on Him.
The Priests of the Old Covenant
Traditionally, Priests were all consecrated to God before they could serve in the tabernacle/temple. Exodus 28 through 30 speaks about the order of the priesthood - what they were to wear, what their duties were and how they were to perform those duties. God was giving these instructions to Moses, and He told Moses that after the priests were adorned in their garments that he was to "anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me (God) as priests." They had to be consecrated, set apart from the world and dedicated to God before they could minister to the LORD. No unclean thing could come into His presense in the Holy of Holies - if there was any iniquity present they would die (28:43).
Personal Consecration under the New Covenant
Paul was speaking about consecration in Romans 12:1. Setting ourselves apart to God as a living sacrifice. With that said, consecration is not just something that we do when we want to get closer to God - it is a lifestyle to be lived by every believer. Yes there are times and seasons when we will eliminate certain things from our life to help us grow closer to God, however our lives should be consecrated to God continuously. Just as the Priests of the Old Covenant had to be consecrated before they could come before God, so do we. The only difference is that our consecration comes in the finished work of Jesus Christ, not through the works of the law. He made the way for us to live a consecrated lifestyle by faith, for He is now our High Priest and in Him we are being conformed daily to His image as He sanctifies us and prepares us as a Bride without spot or blemish.
Verses 3-4 says that we should not fast to be seen, for selfish reasons or to oppress others, if we do this our prayers during the fast will not be heard by God.
Verses 5-6 says that we must humble ourselves and provide for the poor with food, shelter and clothing.
How many of us do these things when we fast? Without following these requirements it is possible that you are merely starving yourself and there will be no true reward for your time of 'fasting'.
Consecration on the other hand means to set yourself apart. You do not necessarily have to fast to consecrate yourself, but it is helpful. In a consecration you are setting yourself apart from all distrations and making yourself available to the LORD so that you can focus on Him.
The Priests of the Old Covenant
Traditionally, Priests were all consecrated to God before they could serve in the tabernacle/temple. Exodus 28 through 30 speaks about the order of the priesthood - what they were to wear, what their duties were and how they were to perform those duties. God was giving these instructions to Moses, and He told Moses that after the priests were adorned in their garments that he was to "anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me (God) as priests." They had to be consecrated, set apart from the world and dedicated to God before they could minister to the LORD. No unclean thing could come into His presense in the Holy of Holies - if there was any iniquity present they would die (28:43).
Personal Consecration under the New Covenant
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Paul was speaking about consecration in Romans 12:1. Setting ourselves apart to God as a living sacrifice. With that said, consecration is not just something that we do when we want to get closer to God - it is a lifestyle to be lived by every believer. Yes there are times and seasons when we will eliminate certain things from our life to help us grow closer to God, however our lives should be consecrated to God continuously. Just as the Priests of the Old Covenant had to be consecrated before they could come before God, so do we. The only difference is that our consecration comes in the finished work of Jesus Christ, not through the works of the law. He made the way for us to live a consecrated lifestyle by faith, for He is now our High Priest and in Him we are being conformed daily to His image as He sanctifies us and prepares us as a Bride without spot or blemish.
Leviticus 20:7-8 (NIV)
"Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy."
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