Topic: Secrets of Life Long Consecration to Christ – Discover the Book by Dr John Barnett 30 December 2021
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Secrets of Life Long Consecration to Christ
Today God’s Word has a powerful illustration of how we should pray for our families. Remember we are to be Raising Godly Families – One Prayer at a Time.
Open with me to one of the truly great prayers of a father for his son. This prayer is in 1st Chronicles 28.9.
1 Chronicles 28:9 “ As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever”. (NKJV)
Also Read: Open Heaven 30 December 2021 –Topic: GET RID OF THE WEIGHTS
Now as we turn over to 1st Chronicles 29:10-20, let me tell you about David as he prayed for his son Solomon.
~David wasn’t perfect but he prayed.
~David made many mistakes but he always loved the Lord.
~David’s children may not all have turned out to be saints but he was God’s man.
~David might have failed here and there as a father – but in God’s sight he was a man after God’s own heart.
A life given back to God as an offering is exactly the theme of one of the most impactful books I have read this year. In one sitting of maybe half an hour my heart was stirred by the simple and powerful message of a small book by Randy Alcorn called The Treasure Principle. Here are some key points of this book.
GOD OWNS EVERYTHING. I’M HIS MONEY MANAGER. “When we come to grasp that we are stewards, not owners of our money, it totally changes our perspective. Suddenly I’m not asking, “How much of my money shall I, out of the goodness of my heart, give to God?” Rather, I’m asking, “Since all of ‘my’ money is really yours, Lord, how would you like me to invest your money today?”
A TRUE STEWARD AFFIRMS THAT JESUS HAS THE RIGHT OF DISPOSAL. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (NKJV)
He is the owner, we are only employees. Christ asks that He be above all our treasures on earth be they money or possessions.
A TRUE STEWARD OBEYS WHAT GOD ASKS AND GIVES. Luke 12:33-34 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIV)
A TRUE STEWARD HAS UNRESERVED SURRENDER FOR CHRIST Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (NKJV) THIS DEALS WITH PERSONAL POSSESSIONS!
A TRUE STEWARD AFFIRMS THAT THE LORD WANTS US TO GIVE OURSELVES BACK TO HIM 2 Corinthians 8:5 “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” (NIV)
A TRUE STEWARD REALIZES THAT SOME REFUSE TO THEIR OWN PERIL. Luke 12:20-21 “But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” (NIV)
Jesus teaches us that some hold on to things with grasping clenched fists and lose them. He advises the way to keep things longer than you can hold your breath. His plan is for us is to open our hands, hold those treasures palms upward and say, ” You are the Giver of all that I have. You alone are the Owner of all things. I am Your servant forever. I will be a steward for you of all these possessions. When You want anything back just tell me, they are Yours!” Such an attitude changes us from how much of MY money should I give to how much of HIS money should I keep!