sanctification

Apr

2024

Jesus, the Physician of Souls

Mark 2:17 – On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Many feel too far gone for God’s love, believing their sins are unforgivable. This can lead to avoiding Jesus and the Bible due to shame.

The Diagnosis

The Bible affirms we’re all sinners in need of God’s grace. God, in His immense love, sent Jesus to die for our sins and offer forgiveness. We are invited to come to Him “as we are,” for He heals, forgives, and transforms us (Mark 2:17).

Jesus didn’t call the righteous, but sinners. This doesn’t imply some are inherently righteous; rather, some recognize their need for God, while others remain self-righteous and closed to His grace.

Jesus came for those who acknowledge their spiritual illness and need a Savior.

The Prescription

How do we experience Jesus’ healing?

Admit Your Need: You must confess your sins and acknowledge your shortcomings before God. You can’t save yourself; true healing comes from Him.
Believe in Jesus’ Sacrifice: Trust that Jesus died for your sins and rose again, accepting His gift of salvation and eternal life.
Receive His Healing: Allow Him to cleanse, heal, and restore you. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with love, renewing your mind and heart, transforming your desires and actions.

The Recovery

Responding to Jesus brings justification. God declares you righteous through Jesus’ work, accepting you as His child and offering peace and joy in His presence.

You also experience sanctification. God sets you apart for His purposes and makes you holy, enabling you to live a new life of obedience and service. He helps you grow in faith and love.

Finally, God promises glorification. He will one day complete His work in you, making you perfect. He will raise you from the dead, granting you a new body and welcoming you into His eternal kingdom.

The Invitation

Jesus calls you today, just as you are. He offers healing for your soul, forgiveness, and transformation. Will you answer?

A Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner and need Your grace. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I receive Your healing for my soul. I surrender my life to You and follow You as my Lord and Master. Thank You for saving and changing me. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer, congratulations! You’ve made a life-changing decision. You’ve received the greatest gift – becoming a new creation in Christ.

Growing in Faith

Find a Bible-believing church for fellowship and growth.
Read the Bible and pray daily to deepen your relationship with God.
Share your testimony to inspire others to seek Jesus and His healing.

May God bless you on your journey with Him.

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“One Minute with God”

Aug

2023

Living in Holiness

Ephesians 5:3 addresses the believers’ conduct and exhorts them to live a life of holiness, free from immoral and impure practices:

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

This verse underscores the importance of maintaining moral purity and integrity as followers of Christ. It challenges us to distance ourselves from any form of sexual immorality, impure thoughts or actions, and the greed that seeks self-gratification at the expense of others.

We face temptation every day in all of these areas, se we need to be on guard all the time!

Reject Sexual Immorality and Impurity

Ephesians 5:3 emphasizes the need to abstain from sexual immorality and any kind of impurity. This includes any thoughts, desires, or actions that are contrary to God’s design for human sexuality and relationships.

As believers, we are called to honor and respect the sanctity of a marriage, between one man and one woman, to remain faithful to our spouses, and to reject any form of sexual activity outside of the marital covenant.

Additionally, we are to guard our hearts and minds against impure thoughts and lustful desires that can lead to immoral actions. By choosing to walk in purity, we demonstrate our commitment to living according to God’s standards and honoring the sacredness of human relationships.

Pursue Holiness as God’s People

As believers, we are called to be set apart, a Holy people dedicated to God’s service. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ, who is holy and pure.

This requires a conscious effort to align our thoughts, desires, and actions with God’s Word and His moral standards. It involves cultivating a heart of gratitude and contentment, rejecting the greed that seeks to fulfill selfish desires at the expense of others.

By pursuing holiness, we become vessels through which God’s love and righteousness can shine, impacting the world around us.

Cultivate a Lifestyle of Holiness

Ephesians 5:3 challenges us to go beyond mere external behaviors and embrace a holistic lifestyle of holiness. It calls us to examine not only our actions but also our thoughts, motives, and attitudes.

It reminds us that holiness is a matter of the heart and the inner transformation that takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cultivating a lifestyle of holiness involves renewing our minds, seeking God’s guidance, and relying on His strength to overcome temptations and resist the allure of sinful behaviors.

It requires accountability, discipline, and a sincere desire to honor God in all areas of our lives.

With the Power of the Holy Spirit, choose to live in holiness, avoiding sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. Guard your heart and mind, being vigilant against the temptations that seek to draw you away from God’s plan for your life.

Jul

2023

Our All in All

Do you ever felt inadequate or unworthy? Like you just don’t measure up to the standards set by society or even by yourself?

It’s a struggle many of us face at some point in our lives. But here’s the amazing thing: according to God, our worth is not determined by our own achievements or qualifications. In fact, the Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth in his letter to the Corinthians.

He writes, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

We are reminded that our identity and worth are found in Jesus Christ. It’s not about what we can accomplish or how knowledgeable we are. Rather, it’s about our connection to Christ and what he has done for us.

In Christ, we find wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption. He is the source of all these qualities in our lives.

So often, we try to find our worth in external things: our career, our relationships, our achievements. But the truth is, these things can be fleeting. They can change or be taken away.

Our true worth and identity are found in Christ alone. He is the solid foundation that we can build our lives upon.

When we understand this, it brings freedom and peace. We no longer have to strive to prove ourselves or earn God’s love. Instead, we can rest in the knowledge that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator.