The Truth of Sanctification..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Truth of Sanctification

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

We have a great High Priest who constantly intercedes on our behalf. The Son of God and Man loves you more deeply than you can fathom. He prays for you, that you might walk in the abundant life his death affords you. And in John 17 we get a glimpse into the fullness of his desire for all those who would believe in him. As we dive deeply into the riches of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer this week, may your heart be awakened and your life be transformed by the riches of God’s love.

Scripture:“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:14-19

Devotional:    

There is a level of freedom from sin in Christ that most of us in the body have yet to reach. Jesus prayed in John 17:14-19,

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Jesus declares a truth about you and me that we have yet to walk in fully: that our sanctification is linked to his consecration. He declares that we are not of the world just as he is not, that he has sent us into the world as he was sent, and prays that we would be sanctified in the truth.

For too long we have sat idle with the incredible gift of freedom bought at the highest price by the blood of Christ and left it unwrapped and thereby not experienced. By the blood of Jesus, we are transformed from being of the world, or of the conditions and brokenness of the world, to being given a new nature and identity of righteousness and holiness. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” And later in verse 21 Paul writes, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The gift of holiness is yours to be continually unwrapped and experienced day after day. Your portion is righteousness and peace in the Holy Spirit, not the weight and consequences of this sin-wrought world.

So how do we open this incredible gift of holiness? How do we pursue sanctification? What does it mean to be sanctified in the truth? It starts with renewing our mind every day to the truth of our new nature in Christ. We will never be able to live righteously if we continually believe we are sinners by nature. Christ has given us a new nature and filled us with the Holy Spirit who offers us freedom from sin in the midst of every temptation. But unless we spend time in the secret place renewing our mind and allowing God’s love to satisfy and transform us, righteousness will only ever be a lofty goal that feels unachievable.

Next, we must pursue obedience to the Holy Spirit every single time he guides us. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 says,

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

We must not disregard the leadership of the Holy Spirit toward purity. If you feel like you shouldn’t watch a TV show or movie, then don’t. If the Spirit takes away your peace about anything you are doing, follow his guidance. Whatever you are doing in that moment might not be sin, but it might lead you down a path to sin. Trust the guidance of the Spirit. Follow where his peace, presence, and word take you. And pursue obedience and freedom at all costs. May you experience sanctification in the truth today as you meditate and spend time fellowshipping with the Spirit in guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the truth of Scripture about your righteousness. Allow God’s word to transform the way you think about yourself and sin. Allow it to lay a foundation for your present pursuit of sanctification and break the bonds of past weaknesses and sin.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

2. Ask for forgiveness for any sin you have in your life. Spend time receiving God’s forgiveness and allow him to lay a foundation for righteousness. Ask him why you struggle with certain temptations. Ask him what the path to freedom is for you.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” James 1:12-16

3. Spend time resting in the presence of God. Allow his love to fill you up, satisfy you, and transform you. Take note of how much more satisfying the presence of God is than anything of the world.

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” Acts 3:19-20

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28

The God you serve loves you and longs to empower you and free you from every sin that entangles you to the brokenness of the world. Therefore, may you be filled with joy at the truth of who you are in Christ. May you pursue obedience and righteousness with fervor and devotion. And may you experience the abundant life available to you as you are continually sanctified in the truth.

Extended Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4

Reconciling Love and War..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Reconciling Love and War

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 6:27-31

One area of confusion about war is the apparent discrepancy between Jesus’ words and God’s approval of battle in the Old Testament. Can such dissimilar teachings be reconciled? How can the God who told Israel to destroy the Canaanites be the same one who said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (v. 27)?

To clarify this issue, we must distinguish between commands issued to nations and instructions given to individuals. The Lord has bestowed certain responsibilities upon governments. He calls them ministers of
God for good and entrusts them with avenging evil (Rom. 13:4). But to individuals, He says, “Never take your own revenge” (12:19).

People are killed in war, but this isn’t the same as murder. A soldier on the battlefield carries out his duties under the authority of his government (Rom. 13:1-2). Murder, on the other hand, is an individual’s vengeful response to anger or jealousy and is motivated by a desire to destroy another person.

When governments avenge wrong, innocent people are protected, but when individuals seek their own revenge, they destroy themselves and others. In Luke, Jesus was speaking about personal conflicts, not national wars. He knows that loving our enemies is the only way to protect ourselves from bitterness.

Would we prefer to turn the responsibilities around—are we quick to fight personal battles, but slow to affirm the avenging of evil nationally? Sometimes the only way for a country to have peace is to go to war, but we’ll never experience inner peace if we battle with individuals who wrong us.

What You Do Matters..Rachael Adams

 What You Do Matters

By Rachael Adams

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Do you ever think that the work you do doesn’t matter? I have been guilty of believing this lie. Most days, I have my fingers on a computer writing or my mouth near a microphone podcasting. Other times, I run errands, fold laundry, cook meals, make beds, wash dishes, and help with homework. Yet, despite all I accomplish, when people ask me what I do, I respond that I'm just a mom or just a writer. 

Like me, many of us are quick to downplay the importance of the work we do, but the reality is, God values and uses our work—no matter what profession (or lack thereof) we have. 

Since creation, God has given us work to do. It began with Adam when he was first put in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). Later, he was banned from the Garden of Eden as a result of his disobedience. God cursed the ground and promised that Adam would only eat of it through painful toil and by the sweat of his brow. We’ve been toiling ever since, but God promises our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). The key words here are “in the Lord.” It is God who makes our work meaningful when we devote it to him.

Let’s look at some biblical examples of the various jobs God used. He used a political leader named Joseph to save his family from famine (Genesis 39), a shepherd named Moses to lead Israel out of bondage and into the promised land (Exodus 3), a farmer named Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian (Judges 6), a homemaker named Hannah to be the mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1), a shepherd boy named David to be Israel’s greatest king (1 Samuel 16), a scribe named Ezra to lead the return to Judah and to write some of the Bible (Ezra), a slave girl name Esther to save her people from massacre (Esther), a peasant girl named Mary to be the mother of Christ (Luke 1), a tax collector named Matthew to be an apostle and gospel writer (Matthew 9), a physician named Luke to be a companion of Paul and a gospel writer (Colossians 4), and a fisherman named Peter to be an apostle, a leader of the early church, and writer of two New Testament letters (Matthew 4).

I imagine each of these individuals had days that felt menial and tiring, but they continued working faithfully at whatever task God placed before them. If God used all of these people in the midst of their ordinary work in such mighty ways, he can certainly use what you do in mighty ways too. 

Scripture tells us that whatever we do, we should do with all our heart because it is the Lord we are serving (Colossians 3:23-24). This mindset shift helps me tremendously. When our assignments feel mundane or the fruit of our labor doesn’t seem evident, it is important to adjust our perspective so that we see our work as another way to serve God. Ultimately, this means doing our daily work out of love for him. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Ask God to open your eyes to see him in the midst of your daily jobs and chores. No matter what work you do, pray God helps you realize your significant contribution. 

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving me your work to do in the world. Help me to view everything I do as an opportunity to serve your holy work. Give me a new sense of purpose for each job and show me the fruit of my labor. Help me see how each task can glorify you and yield eternal results. Amen. 

It’s Only By His Spirit..Mark Jeske

 It’s Only By His Spirit

By Mark Jeske

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: '“When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, ‘Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.’ [He divided] the three hundred men into three companies” - Judges 7:15-16

Gideon was a man who knew no fear when he knew that he had the Word of the Lord behind him. A gigantic coalition of nomadic peoples headed up by the Midianites had rolled into Israel like an invading army of locusts, stealing their animals and destroying their crops. Their camels “could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.” Their army numbered 135,000.

Gideon mustered 30,000 Israelites, but the Lord didn’t like those numbers. He thought Gideon had way too many. He led Gideon to reduce Israel’s force to a small battalion of 300. He gave Gideon a positive sign, allowing him to overhear a Midianite man’s dream of Israelite victory.

“When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, ‘Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.’ [He divided]the three hundred men into three companies” - Judges 7:15-16.

Not only did Gideon welcome the sign and believe the Lord’s promises; he actually divided his tiny force into three companies. The Lord didn’t even need the three hundred—he simply drove the Midianites and their allies to attack and kill one another. Through Gideon’s strong leadership, Israel had peace for 40 years.

It pleases the Lord to no end to do great things through small people, to make the extraordinary happen from the ordinary. Never say, “We are too small.” Never say, “God can’t.”

A Prayer for Those Who Want to Give Up..Victoria Riollano

 A Prayer for Those Who Want to Give Up

By Victoria Riollano

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

I understand. Years ago, I was at what felt like the highlight and lowest point of my life. On the surface, so many things were going right. I was a worship leader at my church, a leader in a worldwide organization for Christian moms, and a youth director at my church. To top this off, I had just earned my master’s degree while being a mom of four children. If anyone looked at me, I had the word “blessed” stamped on my forehead.

Yet, in the secret places of my heart, I was far from happy. My Sunday morning smile was a mask for the inner turmoil. I was lonely, depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed by all of life’s responsibilities. And after years of trudging through, I wanted to give up. On a Monday night in October, I imagined life would be better without me and made plans to end it all. No matter how hard I tried to shake it, I just couldn’t erase the thought.

Coincidentally, this week was also our weekly church leadership meeting. Although I fought with everything inside me to go, I went to the meeting with my head down, praying not to be noticed. Yet, within moments of walking into the building, the pastor stopped speaking and stated that I needed to be prayed for. In a room full of church leaders who had no idea of my silent struggles, each person took turns speaking God’s Word over me and praying that my heart be healed. In a moment of time, God removed the turmoil, the shame, and the lies of the enemy that my life needed to end. Giving up was no longer an option. God had a great plan for my life, and I wanted to be around for it all!

In the Bible, we find the prophet Elijah in this same place. From being instrumental in ending a drought to defeating the false prophets of the pagan god, Baal, we see numerous stories of God moving miraculously through Elijah. However, in 1 Kings 19:4, he reaches his breaking point and is overwhelmed with the reality of being used by God, while being hated by those in power. 

“Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’” (NLT)

A man who appeared victorious outwardly was defeated on the inside. However, in true godly fashion, the Lord intervenes and appears to Elijah and provides comfort for the journey ahead. God reminds Elijah that he is not alone.

Today, my prayer for you is that you do not give up. Much like I was surrounded by an army of believers who prayed for me, and God was with Elijah in his toughest moments, God will also be with you. I won’t profess to know your story or what hurts your heart. Some moments are too hard to carry within our own strength. Yet, I want to remind you if there is breath in your body, God is not through with your story. Stay the course and know that you have a God who still cares, still heals, still comforts, and who uses the trials of this season to be a testimony for the next. 

Let’s pray.

Lord, there are times when I want to give up. Sometimes, life’s circumstances feel crushing. God, I ask that when these moments come that you bring those who can see my pain and pray for me. I pray that you will bring me the comfort I need, Lord. Help my soul not to grow weary as I await things to change. Help me when the enemy attempts to steal my joy. Show me how to seek you more when I want to isolate. Lord, remind me of your plan for my life when I feel like I want to give up. I need you, Lord, and I trust you.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.