Proverbs 16:3,9 (NKJV) Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established… A man’s heart plans his way but the LORD directs his steps.
A consecrated life is one set apart for the Lord in holiness. It covers every aspect of life, from choosing a life partner to managing our wealth, assets, gifting, and career. We choose to live for God, and this lifestyle causes us to always seek the Lord for His will and direction for our lives.
We should present the choice that we need to make to God but not have any preconceived ideas. In other words, we lay down our rights to God. The safeguards are:
- Pray and ask God to speak to you primarily through His Word.
- Be sensitive to the leading and witness of the Holy Spirit.
- Seek godly counsel and share with them what you think God is leading you.
- Take a step of faith if God has spoken to go ahead with the plan.
Luke 5: 6-9 (NJKV) And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken.
Last but not least, we need to act on what we have heard from the Lord. Simon Peter could have had two reactions when he heard the Lord’s instruction to launch into the deep: to continue to stay on shore or follow the instruction to launch into the deep. He acknowledged Jesus as Master and launched into the deep since it was Jesus who had instructed him, even though it wasn’t logical or professional to launch out into the deep during the day. Nevertheless, he acted on what he heard by obeying the instruction. As a result, they had such a huge catch that the boat began to sink under the weight of the fish! Simon Peter knew that it was supernatural and repented of his ways!
There must be a corresponding action to our faith when we perceive that we have heard from the Lord. We will not witness the work of God in our lives unless we step out in faith to believe.
The best way of consecration is to submit your plans to the Lord. Remember the four safeguards and trust that the Lord will lead you. When He has spoken to you, you will have a firm footing even when you are faced with a situation contrary to what you have heard from the Lord.
Sermon Series ： Consecration
聆听并顺服
箴言 16:3,9 你要将所作的交托耶和华，你所谋的就必成就……人心筹算自己的道路，唯耶和华指引他的脚步。
分别为圣的生命是那种为主分别出来成为圣洁的生命。它涵盖了生活的方方面面，从选择生活伴侣到管理我们的财富、资产、天赋和事业。 我们选择为神而活，这种生活方式使我们始终寻求神的旨意以及祂对我们生命的指引。
我们应该把我们需要做出的选择呈在神前，但不要有任何先入为主的想法或答案。换句话说，将我们的权利交给神。
保障措施如下：
1）祈祷并请求神主要藉着圣经对你说话。
2）敏锐于圣灵的引导和见证。
3）寻求属灵的辅导，并与他们分享你认为神在哪些方面正在引导你
4）如果神已经告诉你放手去执行计划，那就迈出信心的一步
路加福音 5:6-9 他们这样行了，就捕到许多鱼，网几乎要破了。于是他们向另一只船上的同伴打手势，叫他们来帮忙。他们来把鱼装满了两只船，甚至船要沉下去。西门彼得看见，就俯伏在耶稣膝前，说：“主啊，离开我，我是个罪人！”他和所有与他在一起的人都对他们所捕到的鱼感到惊讶
最后但同样重要的一点是，我们需要遵行从主那里听到的话。西门彼得听到主指示他把船开到水深之处时，可能会有两种反应：继续留在岸上，或按照指示去到水深之处。西门彼得承认耶稣是他的主，于是去到了水深之处，因为是耶稣指示他的，尽管在白天把船拢到水深之处的建议既不合逻辑也不专业。不管怎样，他遵行了指令，按照吩咐去行。结果，他们捕获了如此之多的鱼，以至于船在鱼的重压下开始下沉！西门彼得心里清楚此事超乎自然，于是忏悔了自己的所作所为！
当我们觉得自己从主那里听到了指示时，必须有与信心相对应的行动。除非我们踏出信心的一步去相信，否则我们不会在生命中见证到神的作为。
最好的分别为圣方式是将你的计划交给主。记住那四重保障措施，相信主会引导你。当祂对你说过话后，即使你面对的情况与主告诉你的截然相反，你也会稳如磐石。
讲章系列： 分别为圣
Image Source: pixabay.com