New Year Consecration
2024
Consecration is the sanctification of something by setting it apart as dedicated to God; it's making a solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal).
Our Consecration for the New Year begins Tuesday January 2 – Monday January 22, 2024 with a Consecration Celebration Service on Sunday January 21, 2024.
Focus points during the fast:
- To seek a deeper understanding of your unique calling and purpose through prayer, reflection, and seeking divine guidance.
- To enhance your ability to discern God's will in your daily decisions, aligning your actions with your divine calling.
- To improve spiritual habits by establishing a routine of practices such as consistent prayer, meditation, and scripture reading to foster a stronger spiritual connection.
- To strengthen your connections within the faith community and foster support and encouragement as you pursue your calling.
- Take actionable steps by identifying and committing to specific actions that align with your calling, and take tangible steps toward fulfilling your purpose in obedience to God's will.
We will observe this consecration through:
- exercising the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting;
- corporate study of scriptures;
- seeking God in the areas of change/growth and the determination of strategy for the manifestation of the same;
- journaling our insights and revelations and;
- keeping our motives and attitudes pure throughout the remainder of the year.
Fasting
There are three types of fasts:
- “Normal” / “Day” Fasting – Abstaining from food from sunset to sunset (Lev. 23:32; 1 Kings 19:8; Mt. 4), however, water may be consumed.
- An Absolute Fast – Abstaining from food and drink (Matthew 6: 16-18, Acts 9:9, Ezra 10).
- A Partial fast / Daniel Fast - (Daniel 1), where food is consumed but restricted. This is the kind of fast that we will undergo in the New Year.
We obtain our fasting guidelines from Matthew 6:6-16, and Daniel 1:3-20.
Fasting is to strengthen the total person:
- Your body will benefit from healthy eating
- Your soul (emotions, intellect, and will) will benefit from the spiritual discipline of fasting
- Your spirit will grow in strength and in the knowledge of Christ and His ways.
FASTING GUIDELINES:
Full Fasting: Abstain from food and water from bedtime to 6 PM the next day
- Increase your water intake, in an effort to flush the body of toxins and decrease hunger pangs.
- Refrain from red meat (beef, oxen, as well as pork) along with any meat that is fried or processed, as well as starches, breads, desserts, along with food made with dairy products (products coming from cows).
- Also, eliminate caffeine/stimulants (e.g. coffee, non-herbal tea, soda, and chocolate.).
Partial Fast will consist of:
- Baked/broiled poultry and fish
- Fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, and soy products
- Soups, juices, herbal teas, and of course, water.
SUGGESTIONS:
- Limit your TV watching to the news, preaching/gospel / inspirational videos, and/or positive educational programming. Only watch that which is edifying to the mind and Spirit.
- Feel free to utilize our Empowerment Library (See Pastor Powell) to enrich your spirit during this or any time.
- Make every effort to consistently attend virtual bible classes, and in-person worship services during the consecration, along with our Consecration Celebration Service on Sunday, January 22, 2024. Assembling with the people of God adds strength.
“Fasting is not just about getting a handle on what you’re eating, but what’s eating at you—it’s not just about abstaining from food, but from negative attitudes, thoughts, habits, and behaviors that keep you from maintaining a healthy relationship with God, with yourself, and with the world at large."
Trimm, Cindy. The 40-Day Soul Fast: Your Journey to Authentic Living (p. 26).
Consecration Calendar
Day 1 (January 2):
Proverbs 3:5-6
Day 2 (January 3):
Jeremiah 29:11
Day 3 (January 4):
Ephesians 2:10
Day 4 (January 5):
Psalm 37:4
Day 5 (January 6):
Isaiah 30:21
Day 6 (January 7):
Romans 12:1-2
Day 7 (January 8):
Philippians 1:6
Day 8 (January 9):
1 Peter 2:9
Day 9 (January 10):
Colossians 3:23-24
Day 10 (January 11):
Proverbs 16:3
Day 11 (January 12):
Joshua 1:9
Day 12 (January 13):
2 Timothy 1:9
Day 13 (January 14):
Matthew 28:19-20
Day 14 (January 15):
Psalm 119:105
Day 15 (January 16):
Proverbs 16:9
Day 16 (January 17):
1 Corinthians 10:31
Day 17 (January 18):
Romans 8:28
Day 18 (January 19):
Galatians 5:22-23
Day 19 (January 20):
Hebrews 11:6
Day 20 (January 21):
Matthew 22:37-39
Day 21 (January 22):
Ephesians 4:1