Sunday, February 28, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN: Psalm 102, 110
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV); Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
What an incredible prayer and promise! Paul was not claiming to perfection, but he did understand from personal experience how much the Spirit could truly change a person.
God wants to sanctify us – to make us blameless, holy and pure. Paul prayed that the church would experience this sanctification, where they would be transformed into the pure bride as they awaited the return of Christ. This, he prayed two thousand years ago, and it is still our prayer today. Christ’s bride is not meant to be foolish and disloyal, going from this thing to that until the moment the bridegroom comes. Our focus is to live in preparation for the coming of our Groom, whether it is 2000 years, or 20 years until we will see his face.
We can be a blameless bride, but this is not by our own doing. It is a work of the Holy Spirit in us. As we submit to Him and obey His leadership, we will be readied for Jesus. But to depend only on ourselves and our efforts would be arrogant, for if it were up to our own efforts, mankind would be destined for eternal separation. But it’s not up to us. It is up to God as we partner with Him. He has called us to this, and He is faithful to help us.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Think of the character issue of yours that you struggle with the most. How do you think God desires you to behave and think in this area? What keeps you from walking out His desire?
a. Spend time in confession and prayer about this issue. Ask God for a strategy for change, and ask Him for the humility to do it. What specifically is He asking you to change?
b. God has called you to this change and He is faithful to complete His good work in you. Meditate on the verse and ask God to remind you of His faithfulness through a verse, picture or word.
c. Thank God for the things He showed you and pray that you would take the necessary steps TODAY that will enable you to obey Him.
