With and In

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Father, God of peace, thank you for sanctifying us completely that we may be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord that you not only call us to sanctification, but you said you are faithful to also do it.  I pray for the Deeper Still Team and participants to remain in and with You Lord Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

There were years of crying.  Tears rooted in a well of immense mess fed by an underground stream of insecurity, shame, and unworthiness. Holding drenching tissues surrounded by a sea of Puffs crumpled on the floor beside the bed,  I wondered if I would ever feel ok.  I wondered if I would ever feel free. 

To sanctify in the original Greek is the word “hagiazo” in the verse above and it means:  to purify, free from guilt of sin or purify internally by renewing of the soul.

God promises that He is sanctifying you completely.  He is purifying.  He has freed us from the guilt of sin and we are purified internally by the renewing of the soul.

Renewing our soul or our mind comes by being in the Word of God and being with the Word of God.  Notice the two different prepositions.  In and with are not mutually exclusive.  One cannot replace the other and one is not more important than the other. 

Both are needed.  Both transform.  Both are a waterfall of life that drenches our souls, allowing its healing power to soak into our core.  This life giving and restoring waterfall will over flood the undercurrents rooted in a past of regret and heartache.  It is truly all I know that can cure a heart calloused or captured by sin. 

Reading is the being “in” the Word of God part.  His Word will reap lasting effects of freedom nothing on this earth can accomplish.  No amount of counseling, although it is helpful, can do what the Word of God can do.

Praise and worship and resting in Jesus are the being “with” the Word of God.

John  1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “  John 1:14 then says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory”.

When we dwell with the Word, we behold His glory.

 Spiritual transformation takes place when we rest in His presence and spend time lingering in worship (both personal and corporate).  One of the reasons transformation occurs at the retreats is because we first soak in God’s presence then we wash the participants in the water of the Word.  The participation of engaging in worship helps to introduce them to the Holy Spirit in ways that are new and refreshing and it opens up new wells of intimacy.

He is the answer.  In Him is our hope.  He is sanctifying us completely.   Our part is to be in His Word and be with His Word.   Be With and In.