◦ Desperate times call for desperate measures. ◦ How many disasters have we experienced lately that have been some of the worst in history- the kind we will describe to our children and grandchildren? ◦ God’s call to us is “Return to Me” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 The healing of our land is waiting on the repentance of God’s people. CONSECRATE the People

Joel 1:14; 2:12, 15-16, NIV Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart. Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly”. Call a Sacred Assembly

What is a Sacred Assembly? A Time to Renew Your Covenant Commitment to the Lord Call to God’s people to collectively: Worship Him Repent of personal and corporate sin Remember His special blessings on them Anticipate Future Blessings

Consecrate in the Hebrew means: to make clean; to purify; to sanctify or to set apart from the common profane, or unholy “ Consecrate the assembly” Joel 2:16 “Present your bodies” Romans 12:1 Prepare Yourself

If God measured your love by the standard of your obedience to Him, what would He conclude about your first love for Christ? Jn. 14:15,24  a. I love Him, because I faithfully obey His commands.  b. My love for Him isn’t what it needs to be, because I do not always obey His commands.  c. I don’t love Him much, because I frequently fail to obey His commands. Return to Your First Love

Identify anything you have grown to love so much that it is distracting you from a whole- hearted love for Christ? I John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world…..” Matthew 6:24 “No one can be a slave to two masters…..” Remove the Idols in Your Heart

Pride is a sin that stands in opposition to God. He aggressively opposes it. Consecrate yourself and put away pride. God gave four requirements in 2 Chronicles 7:14 for His people to have forgiveness and healing: 1. Humble Yourself 2. Pray 3. Seek His Face 4. Turn from your evil ways Humble Yourself and Put Away Pride

God wants us to be holy as Christ is holy. I Peter 1:15-16 Consecrate yourself by putting away everything that is unholy and even questionable. Romans 13:11-14 “knowing the time…wake up from sleep. The night is nearly over, and daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires. Be Holy as God is Holy

“Our unity is the most convincing evidence to the lost world that Jesus is the Savior sent from God. And our disunity is probably the greatest hindrance in leading others to faith in Christ.” John 17:23 If you have broken relationships with others, you must be reconciled. Consecrate yourself and reconcile your broken relationships. Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First Go and be reconciled with your brother and then come and Offer Your gift. Restore Your Broken Relationships

This covenant agreement is based on a love relationship. As our Lord and King, God has given us His commands to obey so we can experience life abundantly. “This is the covenant that I will make…. I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Hebrews 8:10 HCSB God’s invites us to RETURN TO HIM “Return to Me…. And I will return to you. Zech. 1:3 Renew Your Covenant with God

Homage Ceremony and Full Surrender to King Jesus