During the time of Consecration, we should focus on repentance, reflection, and prayer.

Here are some helpful guidelines to help us in this time of consecration.

Go in God’s Direction

Col. 3:1 – …seek those things that are above…

Seek – Strive for, be about, devote serious effort towards

We must go in God’s direction, seeking those things that are above, because those things that are below seek to distract and destroy.

Matthew 6:33 ESV – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Just as when one turns their head in one direction, that action automatically says no to every other direction.

Give God Your Attention

Col 3:2 – Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

“Whatever has your attention has the potential to influence you.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

For example, Genesis 3 the serpent shows up in the garden.  The serpent begins to talk to Eve, and as a result, she was influenced and ultimately deceived by the serpent.

Romans 8:5 – For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

“Where my mind is set will be the direction of my life.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

Remember Peter in Matthew 16 first called Christ the son of God, and Jesus replied, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you…”  But a short while later, Peter rebuked Jesus when He began to tell of His death.  Jesus replied, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Don’t give the day the opportunity to start and you don’t start in the Spirit.  Get a head start, because our flesh wants to do what it wants to do.  We must get to a place where we are giving God our attention immediately.

Get Serious About Your Sanctification

Sanctification – To become progressively more and more like Christ

“Just because you’ve been delivered from something, doesn’t mean you’ve been delivered from everything.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

Put To Death

Col 3:5 (ESV) – Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Sexual Impurity – Fornication is where we get our word pornography.

Put Off These Things

Col 3:8-9 (NKJV) – But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Put On These Things

Col 3:10 (NKJV) – and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Col 3:12-14 (NKJV) – Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.