How can we apply the principle of consecration from Exodus 13:1 daily? Opening the Text Exodus 13:1: “Then the LORD said to Moses,” v.2 adds, “Consecrate to Me every firstborn…”—a clear, literal call to set apart what belongs to God. What Consecration Meant Then • God personally claimed the firstborn as His own. • Israel recognized Him as Deliverer from Egypt by giving Him first place. • The act was public, practical, and continual. Why It Still Matters • Romans 12:1 urges believers to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices…” • 1 Corinthians 6:20 reminds, “you were bought at a price.” • Consecration remains a daily response to God’s saving work—body, mind, time, possessions. Stepping into Daily Consecration 1. Acknowledge ownership: everything already belongs to the Lord. 2. Present the ordinary: meals, schedules, relationships, and devices. 3. Expect transformation: Philippians 2:13 says “it is God who works in you.” Practical Ideas for Morning • Begin the day with Psalm 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart,” inviting inspection. • Verbally dedicate the day’s first minutes, tasks, and conversations to the Lord. • Set aside the first portion of income (or planned giving) before any other expense. Practical Ideas for Work and School • View every assignment as an offering—quality and integrity become acts of worship. • Guard speech; words reflect a heart set apart. • Keep a short mental list: “These moments belong to God,” reminding yourself to serve rather than impress. Practical Ideas for Home and Rest • Schedule tech-free space for Scripture or fellowship, reinforcing that leisure is His territory too. • Share a consecrated attitude with family by blessing meals and thanking God for simple gifts. • Exhibit stewardship: tidy spaces, repaired items, and hospitality show that all property is His. Practical Ideas for Evening • Review the day, thanking God for victories and confessing failures (2 Corinthians 7:1, “let us purify ourselves…”). • Release unresolved worries to God before sleep, trusting His ownership of tomorrow. • Place tomorrow’s planner or phone face down as a physical sign of surrender. Encouragement to Stay the Course Consecration is not a one-time event but a rhythm: receive mercy, respond with devotion, repeat. Small, deliberate choices carve out a life that consistently proclaims, “It is His.” |
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