Day Five, January 16th – Sanctified by the Truth
Fasting Encouragement Day 5 - Sanctified by the Truth
It is the fifth day, you’ve made it through the first work week of fasting, congratulations. But we keep going strong and we continue to press into what the Lord has for us. Just a reminder that there is a prayer gathering at 8:30am tomorrow morning. We would love to see you there as we spend time coming together in the midst of our fasting.
As we have spent time in the word over these last five days together there is an important process taking place that Stephanie touched on yesterday. It is that we are being sanctified by Jesus. So before I continue, let’s read this together:
“17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:17-19 (ESV)
In under going the process of sanctification, it is easy to get caught up on what we are striving for or trying to achieve. I think so often during seasons of fasting or pursuing the Lord intentionally we get into this space of “Lord I need to change, please please please” but as we heard from our pastors these last few weeks, sanctification isn’t about striving or the amount of emotion you put into your plea.
Let’s just hone in on this one line “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Friends, the Lord does love to hear from us and does love that we seek Him. But I invite you to course correct, as we come to the table and seek to be set apart for His purposes. We need His Word to transform us; to sanctify us. So in this season of your fast, as you start to become aware of what you’ve given up. Take this moment and submit yourself to His Word and let the truth begin to bring change where striving won’t reach.
Pray this with me as you continue into your day: "Sanctify me by Your truth. Show me Your glory in the Scriptures and illuminate my heart with Your Word."
Love and blessings,
Youth Director Liam