MEMORISE:
And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 2 Chronicles 7:5
READ: Leviticus 12:6-8
6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
MESSAGE
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
For a dedication exercise to be complete in the sight of God, there must be a sacrifice alongside to show commitment. In Genesis 17:9-13, God asked Abraham to circumcise all male children in his house. This act marked the children of Abraham as God’s; they were dedicated to Him. Today, we must know however, that the ultimate circumcision is that of the heart (Romans 2:29, Deuteronomy 10:16)- giving our lives to Christ. He is our sacrifice. Anyone that will be a child of God has to come under this sacrifice by confessing Him as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10).
When David came face to face with Goliath, he said the Philistine was doom because he was not circumcised- not dedicated to God. When you are dedicated to God, no Goliath can stand in your way. When you are not, you are exposed.
Anytime there is a dedication. It must go with sacrifice (Leviticus 12:6-8). God knows everyone’s ability. Bring a worthy sacrifice alongside whatever or whoever you are dedicating to Him- yourself, car, business, home or child. When Hannah was going to dedicate Samuel to God, she took along three bullocks and some other materials (1 Samuel 1:24). You see why only very few prophets can compare with Samuel.
When you are sealed as God’s own, demons will have no power over you anymore. Even the devil will see you and say “This belongs to God.”
Always remember the ultimate dedication happens when you surrender your life to Christ as a living sacrifice. You are to deny yourself, pick up your cross every day and follow Him (Luke 9:23). You cannot continue to live in sin and claim you are dedicated to God. 1 John 3:8 puts it clearly: those who sin are of the devil.
As you go about your daily activities today, ensure you remain dedicated to God.
KEY POINT:
Dedication must be sealed with a sacrifice.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 32-34
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 17: MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED.
1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
o Refrain:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?
2. Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.
3. Oh, the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.
4. Oh, ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.
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