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Date Posted: 11:20:27 05/17/23 Wed
Author: c
Subject: Supplementary Teachings 4/2023

intouch.org Daily devotion 4/4/23

Beacons in the dark

Galatians 5:13 - 25

Yesterday, we discussed the uncomfortable topic of sin and how, thankfully, Christ came to liberate us. But what impact should that fact have on our everyday life? How should we live in light of the freedom we've been given?

The apostle Paul offers a compelling answer in today's Scripture reading. He says our liberty isn't intended for us alone but is meant to be shared with the world. We do that by serving others in love, thereby fulfilling what Christ called the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:35 - 40).

Acting out of love eliminates the inclination to judge those around us - or in Paul's words, "bite and devour one another" (Galatians 5:15). A harsh, critical attitude doesn't represent our freedom well. There's nothing compelling about us if we act just like people who have never experienced the all-surpassing love of Christ.

Instead, we must "walk by the Spirit" (v. 16) and exhibit the fruit produced in us when we follow HIm faithfully. Our "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control" (vv. 22 - 23) are like a beacon in the dark, and others will feel drawn to its light.

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intouch.org Daily devotion 4/6/23

Remember that God is sufficient

Psalm 91:1 - 10

When life's running smoothly and all is well with us and our loved ones, we have no trouble being content and trusting God. But when situations become difficult, our peace is rapidly replaced by stress and anxiety. So what do we do?

We must remember that no matter how we feel, the One Who rules the universe remains sovereign over all things, down to the smallest detail. He loves us unconditionally and always works for our best interest. Therefore, if He has allowed a situation, we can trust there is a divine plan and reason for whatever comes our way. It isn't always easy, especially when we are facing loss or danger, but Scripture assures us that God is more than adequate to sustain us.

So when difficulty hits, don't lose sight of Who God is or who you are in Him. In those moments, make Isaiah's words your own: "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song" (12:2).

Spend some time on this Holy Thursday contemplating God's loving omnipotence and bearing this in mind: The One Who keeps the entire universe functioning perfectly holds you securely in the palm of His hand.

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Intouch.org Daily devotion 4/24/23

How to listen to God

John 10:2 - 5

Do you just talk to God, or do you listen to Him too? To train ourselves to listen to God, we must remember that hearing is an active, ongoing process. Our mind and heart should be open to the idea that the Lord has something to communicate throughout our day. We should expect Him to speak to us - and to do so in a way we can understand.

To practice hearing from God, we need to spend time focusing on Him, free from distractions. Meditating on Scripture creates an attitude that is conducive to listening. Active listening includes responding to what we hear. As we read, we should ask ourselves questions, such as What is the Lord trying to say to me through this? But we should also ask what each passage teaches about God Himself: What does it reveal about His character? or What do these verses indicate about the things He loves? The Lord speaks to us through His Word. When He sees that it is our heart's desire to walk in His ways, He will gently correct any missteps and guide us down His path.

To develop a listening spirit takes a strong desire and regular practice. Are you listening to God's voice? Is your heart inclined toward Him and intent on listening?

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intouch.org Daily devotion March 24, 2023

God Is Sovereign Over Delays

Waiting is difficult but we can relax, knowing that our Lord is active even in the details of our life.

Proverbs 16:9

Most people don’t like to wait, but have you ever wondered why? One reason may be that delays reveal we are not in control. Someone or something else is calling the shots.

Although we are often able to identify the immediate cause—like a traffic light or long checkout line—ultimately the One who controls all delays is the Lord. He is sovereign over everything in heaven and on earth, and even our time and schedules are in His hands. You might have thought that the expression “waiting upon the Lord” applies only to seeking guidance from Him or an answer to prayer. But it can mean so much more when you remember that He controls all your day-to-day inconveniences and frustrations.

In the Christian life, patience is vital. Without it, we can’t effectively obey God, pray, or experience the peace of resting in His sovereignty. We must learn to trust His judgment—about not just the big events in our life but also the trivial ones that cause us to become irritated, impatient, or angry.

The next time you face an unexpected or unwanted wait, remember that it comes as no surprise to God. He’s more interested in developing godly character than He is in making sure your schedule runs according to your plans.

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PowerPoint daily devotion by Pastor Jack Graham 3/24/23

What's your spiritual temperature?

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.

--Revelation 3:20

Today, I’d like to give you a test so you can evaluate where you are spiritually.

Question number one is, is prayer a passion in your life? If you’re really fired up for the Lord, prayer will not be drudgery… it won’t be a duty. It will be an ongoing, exciting conversation you have with God day by day.

Question number two is, do you love the Word of God? I believe if your heart is hot towards God, you’ll look forward to meeting Him in the Scriptures. You’ll look forward to hearing the Word of God preached. And you’ll carve out time every day to read the Bible.

Question number three is, do you hate the sin in your life? Do you hate the things that God hates? When your heart is hot for God, you will weep at those things that make God weep… and you will rejoice over those things that cause God to rejoice.

Question number four is, do you long for the return of Christ? In the heart of every Christian who is passionately pursuing Christ is a longing for His return… there’s a longing to see Him face to face. So are you excited about seeing Him? Or would you be ashamed if He returned today?

The fifth and final question is, do you obey Christ? Is it your heart’s desire to please God in every single area in your life? In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

So let me ask you: What’s your spiritual temperature? Are you hot… cold… or lukewarm?

Today… if you know that your heart is cold or lukewarm… it’s my prayer – and my challenge – to you to answer that knocking at the door of your heart.

OPEN UP THAT DOOR...LET JESUS IN...AND ENJOY THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP HE'S PROVIDED FOR you THROUGH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION!

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intouch.org Daily devotion 3/30/23

The Desires of Your Heart

When we learn to delight in the Lord, we are forever changed and discover unspeakable joy.

Psalm 37:4-7

What is your greatest desire? We often read today’s passage and assume that it means God will give us whatever we want. It’s not uncommon for someone to talk about a prayer request and then add, “God promised to give me the desires of my heart.” But in context, that scripture reveals the Lord’s principle for purifying our desires and issues a call for devotion to Him. To delight in the Lord means to take pleasure in discovering more about Him and in following Him. As we do, the Holy Spirit aligns our heart’s desires with His, which positions us to experience His blessings.

When we commit our way to God, we allow our thoughts, goals, and lifestyle to be shaped by His will and the things He loves. In other words, we acknowledge His right to determine whether our longing fits His plan. If we rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, we can rely on Him to work out circumstances, even when the desire He’s given us seems impossible. When He is our first love, our heart becomes focused on making His glory known with our life.

God wants to give us our heart’s desires in His time, when we’re aligned with His will. As we learn to enjoy Him for who He is, our self-focused wants are replaced by His perfect will and purpose for us.

--------------------------------------=

PowerPoint Daily devotion by Pastor Jack Graham 3/30/23

How God can turn your mess into a masterpiece

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

--Galatians 2:20

Several years ago, a noted violinist was playing a concert to a very prominent crowd. He walked out on stage and showed the audience his violin. He told them, “This violin is a Stradivarius, one of the rarest and most valuable violins in the world.”

The violinist then proceeded to play one of the most beautiful tunes the audience had ever heard on his violin. But after he was finished and the crowd had applauded heartily, he took that violin and broke it into a thousand pieces.

A collective gasp could be heard throughout the auditorium. So after a few moments of silence, that violinist said, “That wasn’t actually a Stradivarius violin. I bought it today at a pawn shop for 40 dollars. But I did this to make a point: the violinist is much more important than the violin.” With that, he brought out the real Stradivarius and finished his concert.

What’s true in music is true with people. It’s not the talent or charisma of people, but the one who’s making the music that matters. I realized long ago that I was just an old violin… completely inadequate on my own. But in the hands of the Master, He can make beautiful music in both my life and yours as well!

PUT your LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE MASTER WHO CAN TURN ORDINARY people INTO AN EXTRAORDINARY MASTERPIECE!

---------------------------------=

PowerPoint daily devotion by Pastor Jack Graham 4/5/23

Caring for others in the midst of personal pain

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”

--John 19:26

Yesterday, we talked about Jesus’ dying words on the cross…how He showed forgiveness for those who tortured and killed Him.

And today, I’d like us to reflect on some other words that Jesus spoke during His final hours…when he spoke words of comfort and compassion, like those in the verse above.

Isn’t it amazing that in His moment of dying Jesus thought of others? He didn’t care about Himself. In the midst of His excruciating pain…in spite of His horrible humiliation…He still reached out and cared for others.

And the application for you and me is clear, isn’t it?

In the midst of whatever you may be facing today…a mound of bills…a pile of laundry…or a load of frustration…could you speak a word of compassion to someone who needs it?

Who knows, your words might be the very things that shine the light of Jesus Christ into the darkness of someone’s life...and bring them to a saving knowledge of Him!

IN THE MIDST OF your PERSONAL STRUGGLES, REACH OUT WITH COMPASSION FOR others.

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Messianic Bible 4/12/23 Crossing the Red Sea - and the Lessons God Has for Us

(edited)


Taking the Long Way Through the Wilderness

We typically try to plan out our lives using a pre-set schedule of events. The plan includes finishing college by this age, getting married by that age, purchasing a house before having children, etc.

Life often doesn't follow our carefully planned itinerary, however.

Consequently, we may feel that we are wandering in a wilderness of our own, moving in a different direction than we had planned.

God knows us better than we know ourselves (or are willing to admit) and there can be many reasons that God takes us the long way through the wilderness.

For one, attaining our goals without proper spiritual growth can drive us further from God.

For example, some who have achieved their goals think that it is due to their hard work, wisdom, skill, education or talent. They think that God had nothing to do with it. They might be on a successful track in life, but they do not know that they are spiritually lost.

Another reason that God might be taking us through the wilderness is that it is a perfect place to learn how to depend on Him.

Others are in the wilderness because they disobeyed God's leading, and now they are in a place where they must seek it.

If your wandering is because of disobedience, the answer is simple: turn toward God, turn toward obedience.

"Draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you." (James 4:8)

In the wilderness, we might feel that God is unnecessarily holding back from answering our prayers.

We ask Him, "Why, Lord. Why?"

He answers by leading us to the parable of the widow who never gave up seeking justice (Luke 18:1-5). He seems to be telling us to be persistent.

We might answer God with a bit of His own wisdom by quoting Proverbs 13:12: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

But God responds, "Be patient. I am still doing a work in you."

As the Israelites were led by the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire by night, we must allow God's Spirit — that still small voice — to lead us through our wilderness toward His goal for our life, His Promised Land.

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Turning Point daily devotional 4/13/23

Hand in Glove

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

Nothing is as useless as a pair of gloves without hands. They may be made for either high fashion or hard work. But they are limp and idle without a pair of hands. Their very existence is pointless. But once fingers fill the fabric and a hand stuffs itself into the material, the glove can do anything that a hand can do. It can swing hammers, grip railings, open doors, and point out dangers or delights.

Recommended Reading:
Colossians 1: 24 – 28

We are the gloves of God in this world, but we’re useless unless we are filled with Him. We don’t even have the strength to lift ourselves up. But when we are pervaded and permeated with His Spirit, we operate in His power, not our own.

When we try to serve the Lord in our own strength, we struggle and end up failing. We must yield ourselves to Him, surrender to His total occupancy of our personalities, and let His power sustain and strengthen us as we serve Him. Rely on your all-powerful God to empower your Christian life and labor. His love fits into your soul like hands in a glove.

Blessed Lord, teach us to surrender ourselves unreservedly to the Holy Spirit…. So we are in You, and You work through us.

Andrew Murray

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Today in the Word May 2023

Questions & Answers

by Dr. Winfred O. Neely, Vice President and Dean of Moody Theological Seminary

p 21

Q: Is the Kingdom of Christ a present or future reality?


A: The Kingdom of Christ is both a present and a future reality. The Kingdom of Christ is where the dynamic rule and reign of Jesus is experienced (Matthew 23:13). We enter this Kingdom sphere of blessing through the new birth when we trust Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior (John 3:1 - 8). At the moment of our conversion to Christ, God placed us in the Kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). Today, as Christians, we experience the reality of the Kingdom through the power of the Spirit (Romans 14;13).

Jesus commands us to seek first the Kingdom, instead of paralyzing ourselves with anxiety and the worries of this life. We are to seek the Kingdom of God, seek the rule and reign of God in our lives as our number-one priority (Matthew 6:33). Thus, the Kingdom of God is a reality in the present.

The Kingdom of God also has a future and eternal aspect. The future aspect of the Kingdom will break into our world at the second coming of Christ to establish His thousand-year reign on earth (Revelation 19:11 - 21; 20:1 - 6). For a thousand years Jesus will reign literally on earth from Jerusalem. A number of Old Testament texts have looked forward to the glorious reign of the Messiah (Isaiah 2:1 - 4; 11:1 - 9; 35:1 - 10; 32:1 - 4; Daniel 2:36 - 45; Zechariah 8:1 - 5). The thousand-year reign of Jesus will merge into the Eternal State, the Lord Jesus reigning forever in a glorified universe inhabited with redeemed, glorified, embodied human beings (Revelation 21:1 - 22; 22:1 - 5). We look forward to the future Kingdom with great joy and delight (2 Peter 3:13).

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Turning Points Daily devotion May 13 - 14/23

(edited)


Fresh Air: Focusing on Moments of Fresh Faith

Day by Day

The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. the poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel

Isaiah 29:19, NLT


Freshness doesn't last very long. If you buy meat, poultry, or seafood, it should be refrigerated within a couple of hours, or it begins to spoil...

Even our personalities become spoiled and stale if we don't continually renew them with fresh joy, fresh grace, and fresh words from the Bible each day. We cannot live today on yesterday's joy. we can't borrow from tomorrow's grace. God gives us day by day a fresh supply of all we need to remain inwardly renewed. He gives us seasons of refreshing and daily bread for our soul.

Just as the Israelites gathered manna fresh each morning. so we're to gather spiritual nourishment from the Lord each day. The believers in Berea "searched the Scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11). Make Psalm 90:14 your prayer today: Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives" (NLT).

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intouch.org Daily devotion 5/11/23

Caring for others

Luke 10:25 - 37

(edited)

So many people in the world are in need today, and serving them is one of the highest callings of the Christian faith. Therefore, it's essential for believers to commit to give of themselves on behalf of others.

There are countless ways to serve people...

Before you become overwhelmed by the variety of needs in your area, remember that loving neighbors is meant to be a church-wide effort. One person can't do it all. Instead, join a small group of fellow believers committed to serving those God brings into your sphere of influence. In order to care for them, you may be asked to surrender resources and time - but when you do, the Lord will bless you with the joy and contentment that come only from Him.

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intouch.org Daily devotion 5/27/23

Rekindling the Flame

(edited)


2 Timothy 1:6 - 7

We all get burned out at some point or another. Perhaps difficult circumstances have led to discouragement. Or maybe you keep going but feel as if you're just going through the motions - there's no joy, no fruit. Paul told Timothy to "kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you" (2 Timothy 1:6). So how do we do that?

Refill: Get on your knees before the Lord and ask Him to fill you again. Examine your life, repent of any sins, and submit to Him.

Refocus: Nothing dims the flame like fixing your eyes on the problem. Whenever we focus on obstacles, they grow larger. But when we shift our eyes to Christ, He becomes bigger than any difficulty we face.

Reject: When we're down, the devil whispers his lies into our mind....We need to recognize all discouraging thoughts as coming from him - and reject them.

Retreat: Get away with the Lord - free from distractions - to rekindle your relationship with Him.

After going through all these steps, you will have renewed enthusiasm and commitment. Hard circumstances may remain, but you'll be equipped to handle them because you won't be handling them alone.

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intouch.org Daily devotional 5/31/23

Beloved Children, pleasing to God

Ephesians 5:1 - 10

(edited)

As believers, we're supposed to imitate Jesus. That might seem impossible to us. After all, he was the Son of God!....

Thankfully, God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows we're still learning. Just like a parent who rejoices over a baby's first steps, so our Heavenly Father delights in our steps as we seek to walk with Him. The goal is growth....As long as we keep growing in our faith, we will never cease learning new ways to please our Father. He loves us and patiently cheers us on at each new level.

What's important to the Lord is our heart. Amidst all our frailties, failures, and temptations, God sees our inmost thoughts and motivations. He knows how much we love Him and desire to obey. Even in our stumbling, He helps us up and encourages us with His Word.

If you're prone to perfectionism, give yourself grace and time to grow. That's what the Father does, so learn to see yourself through His eyes. he's waiting - not to berate your efforts but to help you develop into the person He designed you to be.

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Our Daily Bread Daily devotion 6/28/23

Insight

A key metaphor in this much-loved psalm is that of God's "rod" and "staff" (Psalm 23:4). The Hebrew word for "rod" is shevet, and as used here refers to a shepherd's staff. But it can also mean the rod of a leader or military weapon. As such, shevet connotes God's discipline, correction, and leadership. We might think of such an image as negative - something to be avoided - but David sees it as a source of comfort. "The Lord disciplines the ones He loves," said the writer of Hebrews (12:6). God's discipline is a sign that we're His children. David was often pursued by his enemies, yet in this Psalm he notes how he can eat in safety "in the presence of his enemies" (Psalms 23:5). Rather than being pursued by his enemies, it was God's "goodness and love" that followed him (v. 6).

Tim Gustafson

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Adult Bible Class - Spring Quarter - March/April/May 2023

Union Gospel Press

Lesson 7

4/16/23

Proofs of the Resurrection

p 37

John Alva Owston

(edited)

People may sometimes get the impression that Christ's death and resurrection automatically provides forgiveness for humanity. This, of course, is not true. Only as people turn from sin, and turn to God - that is, truly repent - can they expect to be pardoned from sin. To be sure, repentance does not earn salvation, rather, repentance is a gracious work of God in the heart.

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intouch.org Daily devotion April 24, 2023

How to Listen to God

Blessing comes to those who seek the Lord's wisdom and apply it in their life.

John 10:2-5

Do you just talk to God, or do you listen to Him too? To train ourselves to listen to God, we must remember that hearing is an active, ongoing process. Our mind and heart should be open to the idea that the Lord has something to communicate throughout our day. We should expect Him to speak to us—and to do so in a way we can understand.

To practice hearing from God, we need to spend time focusing on Him, free from distractions. Meditating on Scripture creates an attitude that is conducive to listening. Active listening includes responding to what we hear. As we read, we should ask ourselves questions, such as What is the Lord trying to say to me through this? But we should also ask what each passage teaches about God Himself: What does it reveal about His character? or What do these verses indicate about the things He loves? The Lord speaks to us through His Word. When He sees that it is our heart’s desire to walk in His ways, He will gently correct any missteps and guide us down His path.

To develop a listening spirit takes a strong desire and regular practice. Are you listening to God’s voice? Is your heart inclined toward Him and intent on listening?

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Turning Points daily devotional 5/4/23

Peace, Be Still

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

One of the ironies of the naming of hurricanes and tropical storms is the fact that some are named Irene. There were tropical storms named Irene in 1947 and 1959, and hurricanes named Irene in 1971, 1981, 1999, 2005, and 2011. The irony? Irene comes from the Greek word eirene—the word for “peace.”


Recommended Reading:
Mark 4:37-39


Jesus showed His disciples it is possible to experience peace in the face of a storm. When a squall came up as He and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus “arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). Storms and squalls of all kinds arise in our world. Jesus told His disciples that they would experience trouble in this world but assured them He had “overcome the world” (John 16:33). He tells us the same.

We can have peace and calm in this world knowing that Jesus gives us His peace and He has overcome the world.


Faith that goes no further than the head can never bring peace to the heart.
John Blanchard

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intouch.org daily devotion 5/4/23

A New Creation in Christ

Upon salvation, a person becomes a new creation, holy and blameless in God's sight.

Ephesians 4:17-24

Some people think they can receive salvation and go on living as they did before. But 2 Corinthians 5:17 is clear: “If anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” It’s important to realize that this new creation is not an addition to the old you but, rather, a completely new self.

A person in Christ is a person forever changed. According to today’s passage, this new self is “created to be like God —truly righteous and holy” (v. 24 NLT). Not only will sin lose its attraction for the believer, but there will also be an appreciation for God’s Word and a desire to reflect His righteousness more and more. If we don’t see evidence of these things in our life, what does that say about the state of our heart?

Jesus promises that salvation cannot be lost (John 10:28)—once a child of God, always a child of God. But it is possible to become apathetic about our identity in Christ. Does your lifestyle demonstrate that you are a “new creation”? What is your attitude toward sin and the pursuit of righteousness? Though none of us will live perfectly, the desire of our heart should be to move in the direction of our new self, which has been created in Christ’s likeness.

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Today in the Word, June 2023 Devotional

Q&A

Questions & Answers

by Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Moody professor of Jewish Studies and host of Moody Radio's Open Line


p 20 - 21


(edited)


Q: Why do believers worry that they can lose their salvation? If the Scripture is so clear that we can't, why are so many concerned about it?


A: We sometimes doubt the security of our salvation because of our experiences with others. I'm sure everyone knows a person who seemed to have a vital walk with Jesus, and then abandoned the faith. Some doubt the security of salvation because we struggle with sin. Still others struggle with difficult passages such as Hebrews 6:4 - 6 or 10:26 - 27. Despite so many verses that assure us of our salvation, difficult ones can strain our confidence.


Here are some suggestions that have helped me have assurance of salvation. First, we need to interpret our experiences through the lens of Scripture and not the other way around. Although we recognize that the Lord Jesus will never leave us or forsake us, that He holds us securely in His hands, and that nothing will ever separate us from His love, too often we say, "But what about Fred and Gina? They seem to have lost their salvation." Rather than look to others, start with what the Bible teaches.


Second, we need to interpret unclear passages in light of the clear teaching of Scripture. When I was a freshman student at Moody Bible Institute, I believed in the security of the believer, but I was tortured by Hebrews 6. I remember badgering one of my professors for an explanation. He taught me that we need to interpret the unclear verses of the Bible by referencing the clear ones. That resolved the issue for me. The Bible is harmonious and clearly teaches the perseverance of our Savior. I would always pursue the meaning of difficult passages with what the Bible plainly teaches.


Third, oftentimes passages that seem to refer to the loss of salvation actually refer to the loss of rewards. For example, when Paul says he disciplines himself, so that "I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27*), he refers to being disqualified from receiving a crown (or rewards). Paul is not saying he could lose his salvation.


Finally, people who seem to abandon the faith may have never known the Lord at all. It's why the Lord will tell some at the final judgment, "I never knew you; depart from Me" (Matthew 7:23), not "depart from Me, you lost it."


Too often we struggle because of our own human inconsistency. We have good days and bad days. On good days, we feel God's love in a tangible way. But on a bad day, we wonder how anyone could love us, let alone God Himself. But God will never love us more or less than He does right now (Romans 8:37 - 39).



Q: Is the spiritual life lived by the follower of Jesus alone or by God alone?


A: When I first became a follower of Jesus, a more experienced believer taught that the spiritual life called on believers to "Let go and let God." Although he was trying to emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit, this led to a passivity on my part. I believed that if I just "rested in Jesus" it would lead to instant godliness.


As time passed, I became convinced that Scripture teaches something different. Our spiritual growth is achieved by God working in us, as well as our own effort. Spiritual growth involves the work of the Triune God. Paul prayed, "May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The word "sanctify" means "to set apart," and this passage indicates that God Himself will set us apart from sin and for His service. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to put to death, separate themselves from the behavior of their pre-faith lives. As we are controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5;18) and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), we will be transformed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to produce our spiritual growth. Though sanctification is under God's control, Paul says that God's people are to "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). "Cleansing" refers to our decision to separate from sinful behavior so we may mature in holiness.


We are not passive agents (letting go and letting God do all the work), but we participate by obeying God and living according to His standards. Growing in our walk with the Lord takes the balance of a tightrope walker. If we lean too far in one direction or the other, we're bound to slip. Only by living with the balance of God's 100 percent of empowerment and enablement and our own 100 percent of diligence and discipline will we achieve mature, spiritual lives.

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