consecration – fasting

Psalm 119:130-135 TPT
“Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands.
“Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace like you do to every one of your godly lovers. Prepare before me a path filled with your promises, and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me.
“Rescue me from the oppression of ungodly men so that I can keep all your precepts. Smile on me, your loving servant. Instruct me on what is right in your eyes.”

Proverbs 29:18 TPT
“When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you follow the revelation of the Word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul.”

Personal revelation doesn’t happen by chance. In this God-lead time of consecration, it would be prudent to seek after the face of the One our hearts adore in order to hear His will perfectly for each of our lives and as a corporate body.

Things to ask from God:
Wisdom in how to pray
Personal revelation

Personal revelation is directly tied to the awakening of our souls and purpose. Without it, the Bible says that we’ll perish, withdrawing from His voice, leaving us open to deception of the enemy. Spending time in the Word of God with the God of the Word brings about a new level of intimacy and wisdom with the Great God; it’s our responsibility to prioritize this. Revelation doesn’t happen by chance.

At its base level, consecration is the setting aside and declaring of something to be sacred. We are consecrating our time, and ourselves, as sacred during the remaining two weeks in order to fully surrender ourselves to the will of the Father by seeking His face and hearing His voice. Paul in Romans 12 says that if we live in holiness (a consecrated lifestyle), we will experience things that delight God’s heart.

We are pulling away from things that dull our senses to God’s Spirit; His voice. By putting away the distractions of food, TV, social media, and other pleasurable things, we are emptying ourselves of unneeded influence and dominion. William Secker put it like this, “By fasting, the body learns to obey the soul; by praying the soul learns to command the body.”

Psalm 91:9-10
“When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?”

In that shadow of protection is where we tangibly feel and observe first-hand God laboring over our lives. Under His wing is where some of the most intense surgeries take place. He leads us by the hand down that path to every one of our weak spots that needs tending, and asks for our permission to stitch the skin Himself. So, so often, personal revelation is wrapped in the gift of healing that hurts before it helps. Can you trust God in this time of dedication to show you where you need Him most?

It’s easy to allow things (situations, problems, and people) to place be placed between us and God, interrupting His voice and leading us away from the intimacy that He so longs to share with us. When we separate ourselves, but refuse to stand under His cloud of alignment, we can fall prey to the traps of satan.

We see Jesus explain consecration and distraction in John chapters 14-16. When we abide in Him, we can bear the fruit of His desire and divine purpose. Apart from Him, we have no life source, no protection, and no purpose. The Song of Solomon (see 2:15) describes little innocent foxes that come along to spoil the vine, attempting to rip the fruit and branches from their life source. These foxes are life’s distractions, the beautiful, sometimes innocent things that tenderly take hold and pull the fruit of our life to the ground. These foxes are sent to undo holy alignment, separating the revelation of God from the works of our hands.

We are praying for each other this week. We are praying for protection for our brothers and sisters that have put down the plate and picked up the sword. Take this time and allow God to wreck your cravings and right the wrongs in your heart (Psalm 78). No distraction is greater than the reward. No sugar on your lips is worth the healing of your heart.

Prayer:

Jesus, I am coming before you with a choice. I choose to consecrate myself today and here on out for You. Please cover me in Your grace so that I can surrender myself to You with abandon. Sanctify me. Show me the distractions that are pulling me away from Your heart. Show me the way to the secret place where I can hear and see You clearly. Shine on me, and reveal to me what purpose I have in You.