Consecration and Obedience
Debbie and I attended church at Timberline Windsor this morning. It was great to see the good things that are happening in this church location that is less than three years old. Pastor Reza Zadeh left the staff at Timberline Fort Collins to launch this satellite church on December 24, 2011 and has provided excellent leadership. Unfortunately this was Pastor Reza’s last Sunday. I am confident that the Lord will open up doors of His making for Reza and use him in a powerful way.
Other than that it was an enjoyable brunch at Mimi’s, a nap, some shopping, (which has not been on my activities list) and then a jaunt down to the the neighborhood pool.
Yesterday as I was trimming roses I couldn’t help but notice these pink roses. Pink was one of Debbie’s mom’s favorites roses. When I saw this bush it reminded me of her. (see picture)
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5
This is the verse Pastor Reza used for his text this morning. I want to share a few of his points from the message and some of my own on “consecration” and “obedience.”
This passage is about the children of Israel moving into the Promised Land through crossing the Jordon River at flood stage. It was going to be similar to crossing the Red Sea, but different for this generation. The priests, caring the ark of God, were instructed to step into the water and when they did the waters would roll back and the people would cross.
In preparation for this miracle Joshua commands the people to “consecrate” yourself. Consecration for God’s people would be ceremonial preparation, a surrender to God’s plan and God’s ways. Confessing and offering sacrifice for sin. Riding any idols or things of defilement from their life.
Consecration involved the people taking actions for themselves. Demonstrating their faith and obedience to God’s laws and God’s ways.
Pastor Reza pointed out that, “Consecration always end in amazing.” He also observed that, “we are more comfortable doing things “for God” than trusting God to something “for us.” Consecration is not intended to be some type of onerous “religious” duty it is a pathway to the miraculous.
Consecration that leads to the amazing (the miraculous) happening occurs when we “no longer call all the shots and give God veto power in our life.” (Pastor Reza)
Consecration leads to obedience – “Obedience is putting faith in action. Consecration proceeds obedience and obedience brings the miracle.” (Pastor Reza) Joshua, the priests and the people had to follow God’s plan. This time it was different, yet God would provide. This shows that God doesn’t always do the same thing in the same ways.
Peter admonished believers to “set apart Christ as Lord.” (1 Peter 3:15) As we do that act of consecration, which requires an act of obedience in itself, we position ourselves to live a life of obedience that not only pleases the Lord but allows us to see the “amazing.”