By Rev. Daniel Yaw

Introduction
As in the title of my article for the month of January, we want to venture into the New Year with a rededication to consecrate ourselves for the work of God to preach the gospel.

We constantly speak of clean hearts and clean hands. That is not about going for ceremonial washing before coming into the presence of God but a cleansing within and without, hearts as the inner being and hands as our outward action.

Where do we begin in this process of consecration? I hope in the months ahead of us, we will address the issue of consecration to the LORD.

As I was reading the adventures of Nehemiah – a leader both spiritually and in the marketplace – as we all fit into that picture, I can see that in this process of consecration, he recognized the power of God’s Word.

Right at the end of the rebuilding, he sees another foundation of life – the consecration of our lives by the Word of God. Thus, he called for an adherence of God’s Word.
 
They separated (consecrated) themselves to the Law of God!

The people of God responded in commitment. As the leaders and priests took the lead, the people followed. Beginning a personal revival, they committed themselves to God.

I see here two aspects in our commitment in this verse:

Consecration (separated themselves)
This is not about segregating us from those who do not believe. For Israel, it was a preservation of the nation. Applying that is a preservation of our faith in being separated not of the people around us, but the way of life. A separation is about the willingness to live a life that is honouring to God amid today's world. We are to be influencers, not to be influenced.

This is where we are to be separated FROM. It is separation from the way of life of this world to be consecrated in the ways of God. May the year 2024 be a year of coming aside for the Lord. We are all in the world, but we must not be of the world. Our belonging is rooted and founded in God and His kingdom.

Conformity (to the Word of God)
Then there must also be a separation TO - and it is to the Laws of God, or the Word of God. God is calling us to obedience, not just accumulation of knowledge of God's Word. Every pursuit of knowledge must be translated into application.

Rev Edmund Chan said it very clearly, “The Word of Truth will not transform us, only the APPLIED truth will transform us.”

I am seeing here today, a strong reminder of the obedience to God's Word. It is easy to listen to sermons today - there are so many out there, but the real essence is obedience.

We can have a lot of Bible Study (as I rejoice over the enthusiasm of many who are now in the Bible Study Fellowship), or we can read the Bible today in so many versions and the google is never short in our research of God’s word. However, we are to ask the question – “Am I being obedient to Him?”

Conclusion
May I put to challenge to all of us for 2024 – to read the New Testament in one year. Not only that to also journal what we have read and meditate upon and then translate them into our lives. May the family of FCC be a testimony of faithfulness and obedience in today’s world. Pastor Raymond has put in a significant effort to help us do that in producing a journal exercise book with the bible passages daily. Can I urge you all to take hold of a copy and begin the new year powerfully with God’s word planted in our hearts. God bless you with a great new year 2024!