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  WHAT DOES CONSECRATION MEAN?
  by Andrew Murray
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Summary: Consecration is a miracle of grace that allows us to offer back
to God what we receive from him, bringing us closer to our blessed God.

Topics: "Consecration", "Stewardship"
Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 29:14, Psalm 24:1, Romans 12:1, 2 Corinthians 9:7, James 1:17

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DESCRIPTION
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Andrew Murray explores the profound meaning of consecration, emphasizing
that it is a divine privilege to return to God what is inherently His.
He reflects on David's prayer in I Chronicles 29:14, highlighting that
all we possess comes from God, and our ability to give back is a miracle
of grace. Murray outlines four key insights: God's ownership of all, our
dependence on Him, the honor of giving back, and the joy God experiences
when we return what He has given us. He encourages believers to apply
these truths to their lives, encompassing their wealth, property, and
entire being.

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CONTENT
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I want us to think about what consecration means. The Lord Jesus thought
the heathen world was worth so much that he gave his blood for it. May
God give you and me the grace to get a clearer understanding of
consecration, and may we come one step closer to the blessed God to whom
we belong.

In his prayer (I Chronicles 29:14) David expresses his astonishment that
God should allow the people to give back to him what is in fact his own:
'All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.' It is a
mystery that we are able to offer anything to God. Consecration is a
miracle of grace. Four very precious thoughts are suggested by David's
words:

1. God is the Owner of everything and he gives everything to us.

2. We have nothing except what we receive - but we may receive from God
everything that we need.

3. It is our privilege and honour to give back to God what we receive
from him.

4. God has a double joy when he receives back from us what he has given
us.

If we can apply these thoughts to our lives - to our wealth, to our
property, to our whole being with all its powers - we will then
understand what consecration ought to be.

(Excerpted from Consecrated to God, pg. 3, 4)

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/andrew-murray/what-does-consecration-mean/
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