Thursday May 12, 2022

Today is Thursday, May 12th and this week we are exploring being sanctified in God’s truth.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind as I focus on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, here I am. I long to spend time with you and know you more. Give me an awareness of your presence now and through the rest of my day by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

I delight in obeying God’s Word with the words of Psalm 119.

I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Psalm 119:14-16

Pause and Pray

Jesus gathers his disciples, washes their feet, and spends time teaching them before fulfilling his final steps of his mission on earth. In this time, he declares that he is “the way, the truth, and the life.” and that “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). In contrast, Jesus calls the devil “the father of lies” (John 8:44). After all, enemy’s first interaction with humanity was based on a lie. Although the disciples could not understand what was going to happen, Jesus would soon be leaving and he promised he would send another helper.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18

Knowing that the truth is a person, I see now that I am sanctified in truth by a relationship with Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Keeping the commands of Jesus shows him that I love him. Yet, no matter how hard I try in my own strength, my brokenness keeps me from succeeding. He knew that I would not be able to be sanctified on my own. Out of his grace, God sent the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, to live in me (Romans 8:11). The power from the Holy Spirit is what enables me to grow in holiness until the day Jesus returns.

Ask: How have I seen the Spirit of truth working in my life?

Pause and Pray

Holy Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for never leaving me. I love you and I long to keep your commands and walk according to your truth. Fill my soul with hope and peace as I rest in your presence. I reread the words from John and seek your message for me today.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

I consider what speaks to my soul today: I want to keep Jesus’ commands. I want to show Jesus I love him. Jesus will not leave me. Jesus will come to me. God will give me a helper. I will have a helper with me forever. The world cannot accept him. Jesus is the truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. I am the firsfruit of the word of truth (James 1:18).

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, I invite you into the depths of my soul. Let me know your presence intimately. Guide me in the way everlasting. Amen.

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105

As I leave this time of prayer, I go seeking to be set apart from the world by knowing and living in accordance with God’s true word.

Amen