A clear theme of ‘consecration‘ emerged during our online gathering on Sunday 2nd July, which we will explore further as we gather together in Birmingham later this month. You can see a recorded video of the gathering on the ‘watch’ page of our website: here
We are always happy to receive communication if further clarification on any point is required.
- “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” (1Pet 3.15 NIV) or “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (NKJV). When the Lord gave the pattern for the arrangement of the tabernacle in the centre of the tents of the children of Israel He made clear that, although He was always present, the meeting with Him was not a casual or ‘automatic’ part of their everyday lives.
- The consecration – setting apart – of our hearts to the One who is holy, involves the whole of our lives being orientated around Christ and, as a result, we are sanctified (made holy) by His Lordship in our lives. This is not like being given a ‘one-off’ gift; it is about our transformation into the likeness of Christ, not just as individuals, but as His Body. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph 4.15-16). And the purpose of this is that God’s holiness fills the whole earth (See Eph 1.23).
- This understanding of the importance of consecration and sanctification for God’s people is key to understanding the way in which we are called to ‘ASCEND’. It is not a call to ‘climb’ to some physical location; it is an invitation to deepen our union with Christ and to fully occupy our spiritual position in Him and through Him with God our Father and His Holy Spirit. This is only possible in LOVE and requires us to embrace one another in this love, in Christ. So the consecration of our hearts, given fully to Him, strengthens our ONENESS in Christ and enables us to ‘ascend’ together.
- The Maranatha Community was given a prophetic word in 1991: ‘You are called to live the truth in love’.
- “On the day I called, You answered me. You made me bold with strength in my soul.” We are to be bold because the Lord has made us promises. “Adonai will fulfill His purpose for me. Your lovingkindness, Adonai, endures forever. Do not abandon the work of Your hands. (Ps 138.3,8 TLV)
- Word given: “The way is clear”. We hear this word in the context of the call to ‘Ascend & Advance’. The Lord has opened the way ahead. We are to continue to walk His way in faith and confidence.
- Although we are in a posture of waiting on the Lord, we are not simply waiting for something to happen. Now, in our daily lives, we have authority to speak life and order into our families, local communities, work places, church congregations and all the places into which God takes us. We are to be bold in taking this initiative. A picture was given: an eagle’s head with a focus on its eyes, in the context of much activity and creative potential.
- A picture was shared: a new, clean, white toilet-brush, with the words “are you willing to be used – to get down and get dirty?”
- The shocking current situation of rioting, the breakdown of law and order and abandonment of respect for others in France, a sophisticated and highly developed nation, is an example of what can happen when the Lord removes His hand of restraint. We prayed according to Matthew 18.18-20 during our gathering, consciously affirming our oneness with Maranatha members and all Christian believers in France.
- One member shared her recent conviction that she needed to re-consecrate her life to God. She recognised that she had become more focussed on her immobility and ailments with a desire for comfort over recent months; this had become a distraction from her focus on God. There is a need to challenge the lie that is prevalent in the world – that retirement from employment is synonymous with an easier and more comfortable way of life. Within the Body of Christ, the prayer and ministry of those who are mature and who have the gift of available time are of vital importance!
- After 40 years in the wilderness and the death of Moses, Joshua instructed the people to consecrate themselves in preparation to enter the Promised Land. After 40 years of journeying as the Maranatha Community, is the Lord inviting us to re-consecrate ourselves in preparation for what He is about to do?
- During the last part of our gathering we consecrated ourselves afresh to the Lord as individuals. We prayed, as we have often prayed during healing ministry, in the way of the ‘Prayer of Abandonment’. This involves our offering (abandonment/surrender) of our senses, our hearts, our minds, and our emotions to the Lord for His touch of cleansing, healing and sanctification.
This further word was given during the gathering:
- For Maranatha I would say – ‘My people need Me.’ When I say ‘My people’ I mean the whole human race of which you are a special part. You know you need Me, others don’t. I am always here for you, protecting, guiding you. I will never forsake you, not even for a moment. Learn the lesson of continually relying on Me for all your needs.
