Today’s Chef Special: “CONSECRATE”

Exodus 13:2, “Sanctify (CONSECRATE, set apart) to Me all the firstborn [males]; whatever is first to open the womb among the Israelites, both of man and of beast, is Mine.” (AMPC)

(Heb. qadash) Strong’s #6942

This Hebrew verb means ‘to make holy’; ‘to declare distinct’; or ‘to set apart.’

The word describes dedicating an object or person to God.

By delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God made the nation of Israel distinct.

Through His mighty acts of deliverance, God demonstrated that the Israelites were His people, and He was their God (Exodus 6:7, “AND I WILL TAKE YOU TO ME FOR A PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE TO YOU A GOD; and you shall know that it is I, the Lord your God, Who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” AMPC).

By having the people wash themselves at Mount Sinai, the Lord made it clear that they as a people were being set apart for Him (Exodus 19:10, “And the Lord said to Moses, Go and SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE [SET THEM APART FOR GOD] today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes” AMPC).

Just like the Israelites, Christians also have been delivered, from slavery to sin. This deliverance has set us apart. We have been dedicated to our Savior and His purposes. We have been called to be His holy people (1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also BE HOLY in all your conduct and manner of living.For it is written, You shall BE HOLY, for I am holy.” (AMPC); 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” AMP).

MAIN INGREDIENT: Today, Consecrate Yourself to the Lord…AGAIN!

Genesis 28:18, “So Jacob got up early in the morning, and took the stone he had put under his head and he set it up as a pillar [that is, a monument to the vision in his dream], and he poured [olive] oil on the top of it [to CONSECRATE it].” (AMPC)

Exodus 29:37, “For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar [of burnt offering] and CONSECRATE it; then the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy (set apart for God’s service).” (AMPC)

Leviticus 6:18, “Every male among the sons of Aaron may eat it [as his share]; it is a permanent ordinance throughout your generations, from offerings by fire to the Lord. Whatever touches them will become CONSECRATED (ceremonially clean).’” (AMPC)

Numbers 3:3, “These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom Aaron CONSECRATED and ordained to minister in the priest’s office.” (AMPC)

Deuteronomy 26:19, “and that He will set you high above all the nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor: and that you shall be a holy people [set apart and CONSECRATED] to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” (AMPC)

Joshua 7:13, “Rise up! CONSECRATE the people and say, ‘CONSECRATE yourselves for tomorrow, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “There are things under the ban among you, O Israel. You cannot stand [victorious] before your enemies until you remove the things under the ban from among you.” (AMPC)

1 Samuel 16:5, “And he said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. CONSECRATE yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also CONSECRATED Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.” (AMPC)

1 Kings 9:3, “The Lord told him, “I have heard your prayer and supplication which you have made before Me; I have CONSECRATED this house which you have built by putting My Name and My Presence there forever. My eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.” (AMPC)

1 Chronicles 15:12, “and he said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; CONSECRATE yourselves, both you and your relatives, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.” (AMPC)

2 Chronicles 7:7, “Moreover, Solomon CONSECRATED the middle of the courtyard that was in front of the house of the Lord, for it was there that he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings because the bronze altar which he had made was not sufficient to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat [all together].” (AMPC)

Ezra 3:5, “and afterward, there was the continual burnt offering, the offering at the New Moons, and at all the appointed festivals of the Lord that were CONSECRATED, and the offerings of everyone who made a voluntary offering to the Lord.” (AMPC)

Nehemiah 12:47, “So in the days of Zerubbabel and [later of] Nehemiah, all Israel would give the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart the CONSECRATED portion for the Levites, and the Levites set apart the CONSECRATED portion for the sons of Aaron [the priests].” (AMPC)

Job 1:5, “When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send [for them] and CONSECRATE them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this at all [such] times.” (AMPC)

Isaiah 13:3, “I [the Lord] have commanded My CONSECRATED ones, I have even called My great warriors, My proudly exulting ones [the Medes and the Persians who triumph for My honor]— To execute My anger.” (AMPC)

Jeremiah 2:3, “Israel was holy [something set apart from ordinary purposes, CONSECRATED] to the Lord, The first fruits of His harvest [in which no outsider was allowed to share]. All who ate of it [injuring Israel] became guilty; Evil came on them,” says the Lord.’” (AMPC)

Ezekiel 43:26, “For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so the priests shall CONSECRATE it [to receive offerings].” (AMPC)

Joel 1:14, “[Starvation and Drought ] CONSECRATE a fast, Proclaim a solemn assembly, Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land To the house of the Lord your God, And cry out to the Lord [in penitent pleadings].” (AMPC)

Matthew 12:4, “how he went into the house of God, and they ate the CONSECRATED bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests only?” (AMPC)

2 Corinthians 7:1, “[Paul Reveals His Heart ] Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a CONSECRATED life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.” (AMPC)

Ephesians 1:4, “just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, CONSECRATED, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love” (AMPC)

1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—CONSECRATED to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (AMPC)

2 Timothy 1:9, “for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a CONSECRATED life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],” (AMPC)

“It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes CONSECRATED men.” (Phillips Brooks)

“True success in this life comes in CONSECRATING our lives – that is, our time and choices – to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.” (Author Unknown)

“True CONSECRATION to Christ simplifies life, for it leaves the management to Him.” (J. Sidlow Baxter)

“With complete CONSECRATION comes perfect peace.” (Watchman Nee)

“Revelation is the first step to holiness, and CONSECRATION is the second. A day must come in our lives, as definite as the day of our conversion, when we give up all right to ourselves and submit to the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ.” (Watchman Nee)

“The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of CONSECRATED feet seeking out the lost and helpless.” (Billy Graham)

“It is only the CONSECRATED, Spirit-Filled Christian who can have victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is the Holy Spirit who will do the fighting for you.” (Billy Graham)

“If you start anywhere without Christ, trouble’s on its road. Just as soon as the devil sees you out of fellowship with Christ, right then he will set out for you as hard as he can. Just as soon as he sees you away from prayer, away from CONSECRATION, Satan will catch you right then if he possibly can.” (William Marrion Branham)

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Love, Chef Shermaine