CONSECRATION - (RECONSECRATION)
I was reading in 2 Chronicles 29 recently where King Hezekiah ordered the Temple cleansed (v3-11) and as I read the proclamation that the priests and Levites were to "remove all defilement from the sanctuary" I had to ask myself the same question - am I removing defilement in my own life? I know we are "in this world not of it" but I really need to get rid of things in my life. This can be from garbage I am watching on tv, places I go on the Internet, music I am listening to, books I am reading. And yes, it can even be people I need to separate from for a time. It is choices I make that cause this mess and defilement in my life and I need to keep short accounts with God. I want to be consecrated, set apart, holy and usable for God (2 Tim. 2:21).

Total time: 16 days - wow, it took over 2 weeks to clean the Temple. Not a one day or couple of hours will do for such a task. Sometimes that is hard to hear and even harder to implement as we want instant reconsecration. And even though we can be restored the moment we confess (1 John 1:9), we have habits that need to be broken, strongholds that need to be torn down. It takes time to purify our lives before God. He will help but we must not give up before the process is done. Renewing our minds and refreshing ourselves in His Word has to take place daily, constantly. See Hebrews 12:1- 3, especially verse 3. Don't grow weary of doing good.

Sacrifice - not a word we like to hear. In our luxurious life in the US we think sacrifice is when we have to have leftovers instead of a fresh meal. Or our favorite program is a rerun and we must watch something else. Or we have to have a slightly less hot shower because several others have already used the facilities. You get my drift here as these are not true sacrifices. True sacrifice is our giving up our desires for God's. In the reading in 2 Chronicles there were consecration sacrifices made, 28 in fact, necessary to purify the temple. And these sacrifices cost someone something. We must also make sacrifices in our lives, giving up that which we hold as valuable for something that is of greater worth - eternity! We should be driven by what one day will issue from our Savior's lips, "well done, good and faithful servant." Things that we hold dear, let us examine these and be willing to lay them down on the altar. Things that the world says are OK or permissible, may not be for us as Christians. This is a tough to hear, let alone to write, and cuts to my heart as I know of things that I need to be willing to give away to God.

Interesting to note that the offerings were accompanied by music (2 Chronicles 29:27-30). Not mournful, funeral dirges, or laments, but praises, worship and adoration for God. The time of reconsecration was accompanied by praise. Again I need to be honest: Am I singing over the sacrifices I am making in my life? Do I praise God for what He is doing in me as I seek after Him? "So they sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshiped" - (End of verse 30). Do I dedicate myself with gladness?

A neat end result is that the nation of Judah wanted to celebrate Passover with everyone. They invited Israel, Ephraim, Manasseh, to all come and join in with them as they worshiped God and remembered His provision. Will that be the end result for us as we consecrate ourselves to Him? Will we want to tell others the good news? Tell others about what God has done for us?

The Power of Words: WORSHIP

The word "worship" is bandied around by churches so often that it has taken on a mythological quality. Many times the word is spoken of in hushed tones, where contemplation and mystical things take place. The word is used even more to describe such a variety of items that it loses it's uniqueness as a descriptive word. Church does not consist of Sunday morning services, but are "worship" services. Really? I thought there were announcements, and singing, and fellowship, and teaching, and prayer going on, as well as "worship."
In the Bible, the word "worship" is translated from multiple words in Greek and Hebrew and at a minimum encompasses our human response to God. I wonder if we spent some time going through the definitions how that would affect our individual and corporate "worship?" I know that I personally have been impacted by studying the word "worship," and digging into the Scriptures regarding the various instances. So let me challenge you to go get your Bible, find the word "worship." See how it is used in the sentence and see how it is used in context. Use the Concordance, use the Index, side notes, Bible Dictionary - there are so many tools to use to educate yourself and know more about words like "worship" and how the Bible defines it. Pray about what you learn, incorporate some of what you learn into your time of personal Bible reading and prayer - it will be become a time of "worship." This, then, will overflow into so many areas of your life. I know that your "worship" will be enhanced because of it.
I am a worshipper,
Graham

WORSHIP versus "WHORE-SHIP"

I was cleaning up some papers recently and came across a paper that had "Whorship" written with the "h" scribbled out. I think the person who wrote this was just probably hastily writing and put the "wh" together accidentally and then corrected his mistake by just scribbling the erroneous letter out. But after two things that I read in the last few days - some of Glenn Packiam's new book, "Secondhand Jesus,"(http://www.glennpackiam.com/home.jsp) and an article at Christian Music Today.com (http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/commentaries/2009/musicinrecession.html ) I was struck that many in Christian Music are seeking after riches, fame, adulation, and related items and in essence are "whoring" after these items. And scarily, I may be as well. Oh, I hope and pray that I am not doing so and lusting after the world. So a few checks are in order.

I want to check my motivation - is it for me or God?

I want to check my attitude - is it selfish and self-seeking or is it selfless and others focused?

I want to check my desires - are they purely driven by financial means and gain or are they pure?

I struggle with these things and pray that as I stay in the Word and in prayer that my mind with be renewed to be more like my loving God and Savior, Jesus.

RENEW MY MIND

Oh Lord, I’m driven to distraction
Too many things vie for my
attention
Oh Lord, what is this strange attraction?
Only You, deserve my
affection

(Chorus)
So renew my mind, refresh my soul
Cleanse my heart, and
make me whole
Restore Your fire to my life, my love, my all
Lord, renew my
mind on You

Oh Lord, I’m such a poor reflection
Going my own
way, selfish ambition
Oh Lord, why do I run from Your correction?
I surrender and follow Your direction

(Bridge) You are faithful, You are Holy,
You are righteous, You are true
I will seek and I will find You, I will
follow You

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. - Ephesians 4:23 (NIV)

My prayer is that I will keep renewing my mind on Jesus.