Day One- Monday, June 13

For the next 10 days from June 12- 22 we are taking extra time to “consecrate” ourselves in a bigger way to God. Wait a minute WHAT is consecrate and why at this time? Glad you asked. J

One definition of consecrate is to take someone or something and set them apart so that they are Holy. Another example is:  if your mom or dad has invited some friends over for dinner that are very special to them and to your family, you might be asked to get the good china out for the dinner table.  What else?  They will often be very busy cleaning the house and getting it in order, right? Maybe you will need to give your room an extra straightening and clean all the dust bunnies and other stuff you have stored there J out from under your bed.

A time of consecration is like getting your “inside home”, or your heart, ready.

For this first day we will look at the Levites to check out what set them apart and how that can apply to you and your family.

 Materials needed

·        masking tape

·        bowl with water

Levites – Who are they and what did they do?

Deut 10:8-9 tells us how the Levites were set apart from every other tribe of Israel.  God chose them to be his special servants and to lead worship.  They didn’t have any inheritance (land that belonged to them) in the Promised Land, because God Himself was their inheritance.  Wow!  That meant that they had to trust God for all their needs.  They also took care of the tabernacle or temple, and the priests, who were a special part of the tribe of Levi, were responsible for the sacrifices and offerings and spoke blessings over the people. 

Why did God set this group of people apart?

In Exodus 32:25-26 we read the story of the time the Israelites sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf.  Moses saw that the people were running wild totally out of control. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and called out “Whoever is on the Lord’s side, come to me.”  And all the Levites came to his side.  They had to take a radical and costly stand to follow God.  It was this obedience and faithfulness that earned them the special privilege of ministering to the Lord.

So how does this apply to you today in Canada? As we prepare for the One Heart Gathering there are a lot of things in our nation that look like the people at the foot of Mount Sinai with the Golden calf.  Many people and situations are totally out of control and are running wild. Just take a look at the newspapers.  Because of this we have felt God say as he did in
Joel 2 :16

“Gather the people, Consecrate the assembly, bring together the elders. Gather the children and nursing babes...”   So this call is not only for the older people but for kids and teens as well.

 ACTIVITY

We’re going to take part in several actions now, which symbolize this call.

Have someone in your family draw a “line in the sand”, with masking tape and ask, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side, come and step over the line in an act of dedication to God”.

Don’t automatically step over the line but ask yourself are you ready to totally follow God and obey Him no matter what the cost?

If you are not ready now, God knows, and He values your honesty. But keep on with the devotions this week and maybe later on you will be able to make that stand.

Take the words of this song by Brian Doerkson and declare it as you cross over the line.

Today, I choose to follow you

Today, I choose to give my “yes” to you

Today, I choose to hear your voice and live

Today, I choose to follow you

As for me and my house, we will serve you

As for me and my house, we will spend our lives on you

Today

Purity

(set up some basins with water and a towel)

Another character trait of the Levites was that they were devoted to God and avoided sin.  This heart attitude made them what they were.  Outward purity was required as well and when they washed it was a picture of what was happening in their hearts.

So in recognition of this, let’s wash our hands together in these basins as a symbolic act of purification.  As we do so, let’s remember that purity is also a matter of the heart, not the hands only, and renew our commitment to reject sin and draw near to God.  (Wash hands)  As you do, pray this prayer and wait for God to speak to you in your heart. What are the dust bunnies in your inside home that need to be cleaned out? What are the things you have hidden “under the bed” in your heart?

 Ps 139: Search me Oh God and know my heart, try me and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Confess anything God brings to mind and then pray the following prayer:

LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE IN THY SIGHT O GOD. Ps 19:14