Heavenly Father, give me the faith to walk obediently, purposefully with a clear conscience. Knowing your great faithfulness to complete the good work you began in me. Give us your Holy Spirit, that we may have eyes that see, ears that hear and hearts that understand; so that we will turn to you and you will heal us. Today soften my heart and change me, my desires - everything I am, for your glory, Amen.
Prayer - Word - Work
Without prayer our days are ineffective (2 Tim 2:21), without power (John 15:7) and without peace from God (Phil 4:6-7). Without the Word of God, giving by the Holy Spirit (John 14:17; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:21) our prayers can be self-motivated (Matthew 6:5-8), hindered (Matthew 5:23,24) and lacking faith (Jer 33:3; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 21:22) . Without prayer, guided by God's Word our work is condemned to fail (Proverbs 14:12; 21:2; 16:25). However, prayer, guided by God's Word allows us to partake in God's work (Matthew 9:37-38;28:18-20; John 10:16; John 14:6; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:11-15; Philemon 6). Prayer, God's Word and His Work are the active means by which our Christian faith is alive and fruitful (Eph 2:8-10; John 15:1-17; John 16:1, 5-15, 33; )
Sanctification - Guidance - Consecration (Action)
"The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write. Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose." - Bradford A. Mullen
"The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write. Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose." - Bradford A. Mullen
Sanctification is the work of God in our lives, making us holy, set apart by the work of Holy Spirit who lives in us when we are born of the Spirit (John 3:3-21). We are guided in truth by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1; Acts 8:29; 10:37-38; 13:2; 15:28; Romans 8:14, 26-27; Galatians 5:25) whom Jesus has sent to us (John 14, John 16:13). We are called to act in the process of sanctification which is consecration, again this is only possible by prayer, God's Word and His Work (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:20-21; Joshua 3:5).
Confession - Repentance - Commitment
In prayer we confess our sins to God (1 John 1:9; James 5:16; Romans 10:9-11) and with repentance we turn away from sin toward God (Acts 3:19; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ezekiel 18:21-23; Acts 17:30 ). We do this with faith believing God (Hebrews 11:1,7) forgives, heals and restores us into a right relationship with Him (Matthew 18:11). This is the purpose for which Jesus came, died, resurrected and will return (1 Timothy 1:15; Mark 2:17; Luke 19:10; John 18:37; Matthew 20:28; John 10:10; Matthew 5:17). Jesus made the way for us back to God, to understand Him and to be at peace with him (John 14-17)
A friend once said, "Christianity is the only religion you can't try." You are either a believer, that God has provided salvation from sin and death by his son Jesus Christ and committed your life to him or you are not. You believe Jesus is who he claimed to be and proved he was by miracle of his bodily resurrection and other fulfilled prophecy or you do not.
It only takes a moment to reach God in prayer in Jesus name. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. Will you take a moment now and ask God if you have any sin in your life that is not pleasing to him? Will you ask him to remove it and give you his Holy Spirit to overcome it? Will you commit your life to God, right now and become his child - living with full assurance that you are his for ever? It only takes a moment to reach the Creator, who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Have faith and turn to him and you will never be sorry or put to shame.
Many thanks to http://www.openbible.info/topics/sanctification, http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/sanctification/, http://www.obeygod.com/holy.html, http://www.openbible.info/topics/prayer, http://www.openbible.info/topics/faith, http://www.challies.com/resources/7-scripture-texts-about-evangelism, http://tech.cymi.org/tweet-intents
