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It is important for us to pause and recognize the many gifts that God bestows upon us. These blessings include not only the daily provisions that sustain us, but also the love and support we receive from our family and friends. By intentionally recognizing these gifts, we foster a spirit of gratitude that brings us closer to God. When we acknowledge the kindness and goodness God continually showers upon us, we can express true appreciation. This act of thankfulness not only honors God but also deepens our faith and strengthens our relationship with His eternal love. Sanctification, much like justification, is fundamentally a gift from God. Whether sanctification is a completed work or an ongoing process in our lives, it is always received by faith alone — just as justification is. This truth makes it abundantly clear that nothing is possible without God’s active presence and work within us.
The Jordan River represents powerful symbolic meanings in the Bible. It is a boundary and a crossing point, a metaphor for “spiritual rebirth and salvation”, and a source of holy water. Perhaps you think about John the Baptist — baptizing new believers and the importance of Jesus’ baptism as an inauguration into His ministry. Jesus himself came to John at the Jordan River (Mark 1:9) –not to show repentance but to fully identify with us and”to fulfill all righteous” (Matthew 3:15). What comes to your mind when you think of the Jordan River? The Jordan River represents an opportunity you have before you. Your own “Jordan” lies ahead, signifying that change is inevitable– even when certain obstacles may seem insurmountable.
There are moments in our lives when we experience a breakthrough — a sudden moment of clarity that we have long been seeking. These breakthroughs often present themselves as opportunities to step away from our everyday routines and prepare our hearts and spirits to perceive where God is at work around us. By faithfully embracing God’s presence, guiding us in crossing barriers that once seemed impossible to overcome. As we journey through life, we are continually faced with obstacles and challenges. Yet, by persisting through tough situations and faithfully following where God leads, we transform small, seemingly insignificant actions into lasting achievements. Each step forward, no matter how minor it may appear, contributes to the greater work that God is accomplishing in and through us.
Santification is a divine gift, part of the salvation process, enabling believers to become more like Jesus by being set apart for God’s purposes. It is an ongoing, supernatural process of becoming holy through the work of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word, which renews our hearts and minds. While obedience and prayer are essential components, sanctification is not achieved by personal effort but through God’s grace and power alone. Although we crossed over, struggled, and persevered in impossible situations repeatedly, we took the simple steps, yet sometimes giant steps that remain for us to this day. It’s when our Jordan stretches before us, change happens; and if some challenges are likely too much for us — be assured nothing is too difficult for God in His plan. In a world spiritually hungry, God specifically sent Jesus in the “fullness of time,” showing his sovereignty for our redemption and teaching us that he is in control of in every detail of our lives. Therefore, we must be ready to move with glorious expectation, always being mindful that if anything is going to last, it’s from the Lord. In all circumstances, let us fix our gaze on Jesus Christ, maintain constant spiritual vigilance for the hand of the Lord at work around us. In all seasons, commit to opening your eyes daily to recognize God’s precious gift, and genuinely appreciate each moment as the treasure it truly is.
Amen.
Rev. Carole, Assistant Pastor
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