DEVOTIONAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS

CONSECRATION - December 7

In my devotions this morning, my heart was touched by many readings... My prayer is that you will be touched also.

The Word of God and prayer consecrate us and bring consecration into situations and upon those for whom we pray. The most effective prayer contains and/or completely aligns itself with His Word. That's why it is so important to know the Word----for when we truly know His Word, we truly know Him; then it is "easy" to pray according to His Word, remind Him of His Word and evoke His Word and His Will upon any situation.

See 1 Timothy 4:4-5: "Everything God created is good, and nothing to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer." (Read the entire chapter for context.)

Inspiration here was from THE POWER OF PRAYER, a compilation of the writings of E. M. Bounds by Kobus Sandenbergh.

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Repentance is a divine gift from God received by sinners and wrought by the Holy Spirit of God.

Conviction of sin is one of the rarest things that ever strikes a man. It is the threshold of an understanding of God. ...and when the Holy Spirit rouses a man's conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not his relationship with men that bothers him, but his relationship with God. /1/

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." ~2 Corinthians 7:10

It is one thing to know of God; it is another thing entirely to live for Him----to make Him (allow Him to be) the Lord of your Life as He requires.

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Sinners are quite common and may be found everywhere, at every level of society. Nevertheless, ...

"He chose the lowly things of this world." ~1 Corinthians 1:28

If you find the grossest specimen of humanity, I will have hope of that person yet, because Jesus Christ came to seek and to save sinners." (See Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:11.) "...Grace turns rocks in the brook into jewels for the royal crown. He transforms worthless dross into pure gold. Redeeming love has set apart many of the worst of humankind to be the reward of the Savior's passion. Effectual grace calls forth many of the vilest of the vile to sit at the table of mercy. Therefore, let none despair. Reader, by that love looking out of Jesus' tearful eyes, by that love streaming from those bleeding wounds, by that faithful love, that strong love, that pure, disinterested, and abiding love, by the Lord's compassion, we urge you not to turn away as though it were nothing to you. Believe in Him and you will be saved. (See Acts 16:31.) /2/

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/1/ MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST by Oswald Chambers.
/2/ MORNING BY MORNING, a compilation of the writings of Charles H. Spurgeon (rewritten and updated by Harold J. Chadwick.

Jesus loves you, this I know...