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The theme this week from The River at Tampa Bay Church is Consecration, Gethsemane and the Heart work.

In the Bible, consecration means being set apart, dedicated, or made holy for God's specific purposes, separating from the unclean to serve Him, involving a deep commitment of one's life, time, and actions to His will.

Gethsemane means "oil press" (from Hebrew gat shemanim)

"where your will dies and God's plan is born".

The Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus went to pray before the Cruxifiction: Luke 22:42

42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”  

He surrendered His life for you and I! He was pressed in the garden, the weight of our sin that was laid upon Him was so great that in Luke 22:43-44 it says "Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."  When I read what Jesus did for me, what He went through so that I could be set free, so that I could come boldly into the Throne Room of Grace; giving up that meal, giving up that cookie or that soda, doesn't seem so hard if it means that I can have a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father! Are you willing to let go of your will and accept God's wisdom and perfect plan for your life? Not my will but yours be done Lord! 

The Heart Work - The secret place is the birthplace of Power!

Psalm 91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

I liked what the AI overview said about: To "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" means to live in constant, intimate communion with God, finding complete safety, shelter, and provision in His presence, not a physical location, but a spiritual state of deep trust, faith, and abiding in His love, which brings protection and peace, as described in Psalm 91. It's about making God's presence your permanent home, rather than just a temporary visit, allowing His shadow to cover you from harm.  

When you set your heart on God the eyes of your understanding are enlightened! (Ephesians 1:18) He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End! There is no one greater! When you spend time in His presence, you get a small taste of how powerful He is!

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Let nothing hinder you - 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

Make sure to read the Ephesian prayers over your life twice a day and truly believe what it says! God is no respecter of persons, but you have to believe that His word is true for your life! 

Ephesians 1:15-23 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward me who believes, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant me, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in my inner man, that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith; that I, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that I may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in me, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We will share some links to worship music each day as well if you do not have your own playlist.  Please reach out with any questions, we want you to experience all that God has for you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llJ5QVT_mto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVlvqfJBh8c&list=RDTVlvqfJBh8c&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWOQbxOkKXo&list=RDkWOQbxOkKXo&start_radio=1