Dear Church,
I hope things are going well to you on this frigid Wednesday. A few weeks ago I encouraged everyone to pray through the prayer of consecration at least once a week. By now some may have intended to do it, but didn't. Others may have lost the prayer. I have attached it below in case that is true for you. May you continue to pray it and find yourself fully committed to God.
Additionally, I hope you are able to live out the teachings from 1 Corinthians which we have been covering. Hopefully you know your gifting or have been praying for God to reveal it. This past Sunday Paul reminded us that as a church, we are to be united. I spoke how fear can drive our disunity and I cited 1 John which says, "Perfect love drives out fear." This Sunday we will investigate further what it means for love to be the most excellent way.
I also wanted to remind you that on Wednesday nights we are doing a deep dive into the Articles of Faith. We are still in Article 1 which speaks of God's characteristics. If you have wanted to attend, but have been unable I posted (and will continue to post) the worksheets on the blog. Tonight we will discuss how Christians have engaged the the conversation around creation and Evolution.
Grace and Peace be with you today.
Strength,
Pastor Ryan
Let me be Your servant. Let me follow your commands. I will no longer follow my own desires. I give myself completely to your will.
I am not my own. I am Yours alone. Make me into what You will. Rank me with those You will. Put me to use for You. Put me to suffering for You. Let me be employed for You. Let me be laid aside for You. Let me be lifted high for You. Let me be brought low for You. Let me be full or let me be empty. Let me have all things or let me have nothing. With a willing heart, I freely give everything to Your pleasure and disposal.
My righteous God, for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, see me now as I fall down before You. Forgive my unfaithfulness when I have not done your will. You promise mercy if I turn to You with my whole heart.
From the bottom of my heart, I here and now renounce every idol in my life, covenanting with You that I will not commit any known sin. By turning against Your will I have turned my love toward the world. In Your power I will watch for any temptation that will lead me away from You.
Before all heaven and earth, I here and now acknowledge You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as my Lord and God. I vow to give all of myself, body and soul, to be Your servant and to serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.
Jesus, I here and now accept You and the only new and living Way. I join myself in covenant with You. I come to You hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked, unworthy even to wash the feet of Your servants. With all my power, I accept You as my Lord and Head. I renounce my own unworthiness, and vow that You are the Lord, my righteousness. I renounce my own wisdom and take You for my only guide. I renounce my own will and take Your will as my law.
Jesus, I here and now make this covenant with You and accept whatever comes in life. ThroughYour grace I promise that neither life nor death will separate me from You.
I here and now willingly take on Your yoke and burden. All Your laws are holy, just, and good. I accept them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising I will strive to order my whole life around your direction. I will not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.
O God, You know that we have made this covenant today in sincerity, without deceit or reluctance. If You find anything false in us, guide us and help us to set it right. And now, glory be to You, God the Father. From this day forward, I shall look upon You as my God and Father. Glory be to You, God the Son. You have loved me and washed me from my sins in Your own blood. From this day forward, I shall look upon You as my Savior and Redeemer. Glory be to You, O God the Holy Spirit. By Your almighty power, You have turned my heart from sin to God. From this day forward I shall look upon You as my Comforter and Guide. O mighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have now become my Covenant Friend. And I, through Your infinite grace, have become Your covenant servant. You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. May this covenant that I have made here on earth be ratified in heaven. Amen.