Hello, thank you so much for joining me today for Give Him 15.

Our title, Dedicating Our Nation to God.

When God was about to perform significant events in Israel, he would often ask them to draw near and rededicate themselves to him. Why? Because he wants our partnership,

not just our obedience. And the faith and spiritual authority needed to partner with him

are determined by how well we know him. Intimacy produces efficacy.

Our heart connection with Abba dictates the degree of our productivity in his kingdom.

The more we know his heart and ways, the more authority and responsibility

he can entrust to us. He wants partners, family, not hirelings. The actual Hebrew word he used

when telling Israel to dedicate themselves was Qaddash. The way this word is often translated,

along with our preconceived ideas, can rob us of its true meaning. Kadaesh is frequently translated

as consecrate or sanctify. To most people, these are antiquated religious

terms, meaning to be holy by not sinning or committing inappropriate acts. However, that is not

what Kadaash means.

It actually means to be set apart, separated, dedicated to, consecrated.

In scripture, this was a setting apart or dedication to God, not from sinful actions.

Consecration is for connection. Sanctification is a relational concept.

The Old Testament word for being separated from sinful acts is Nazir. Nazar, we would pronounce it.

You can easily see that Nazarite comes from this word,

which was a person who took a Nazarite vow of separation from certain things and activities.

The vow and actions were meant to picture one's devotion to God, not produce it.

Nazir did not create one's relationship with God.

Religion has wrongly emphasized that Nazir,

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