Wednesday May 11, 2022

Today is Wednesday, May 11th 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 celebrate God’s loving commands with the words of Psalm 119.

Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
Psalm 119:142-144

Pause and Pray

In the first 11 chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he covers the theological concepts of sin, redemption through Christ Jesus, justification through faith, and Israel’s past, present, and future. Then, Paul transitions to instructing the Christians in Rome how they should act in response to these foundational beliefs. He tells them how they should practically live out their faith each day. After being justified and made right with God, maturing disciples move on toward holiness by giving up old ways in order to live in accordance with God’s will.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Knowing the grace offered to me by God in my justification, I wonder, do I offer all of myself back to him in worship? Am I willing to take the route that will cost me something? God has done a work for me through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus. Now God wants to do a work in me through his Holy Spirit as he restores and renews my sinful heart and mind. The Greek word for renewing is translated into – a complete change for the better. The power of the Holy Spirit enables my mind to completely change for the better and to know God’s truth. As I search the scriptures, the scriptures change me over time. Knowing God’s word shows me when something I am facing does not align with God’s truth and his will for me. As my mind is transformed, I am able to see how God wants me to navigate this chaotic world as a maturing disciple seeking to follow God and bring him glory.

Ask: Do I consistently offer up my time as an act of worship by engaging with God’s Holy Word?

Pause and Pray

Merciful God, I confess that I fail to offer my body, my mind, and my time as a living sacrifice to you. Help me resist the patterns of this world and transform me by the power of your Holy Spirit. I reread the words from Romans and seek your message for me today.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

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?

God speaks to me through his Holy Word and I want to hear him. I repeat the words that stand out to me from the passage, keeping it in mind so that God may speak to me later in the day. How does this passage apply to my current circumstances?

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, make me new. Convict me. Cleanse me. Consecrate me. 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