What does it mean to be made holy, and why does that matter? God has many wonderful plans for our lives, but often, the wrong ways in which we used to walk (or still walk) leads only to worse paths.

God promises to never leave nor forsake us on this journey of doing what is good and right and letting go of the wrong things. Join Nicole and MJ as they discuss the sanctification process of being made whole and holy.

Blooper!

Scripture References:

Romans 6:21-22, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, John 15:2-8, Hebrews 13:4-5

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Has anyone ever told you that you’re really good at something? Maybe you’re a great baker and have a specialty in cheesecakes, or you’re someone who sees an old piece of furniture on the street, and takes it home to make it into something beautiful, or maybe you’re really good at deleting emails.

In this episode of The Sanctuary, MJ and Nicole discuss some of the gifts that every Christian has been graced with. Whatever it may be, the gift itself is not as important as how you use the gift. When we use our gifts to serve one another, we grow more deeply and fully like Jesus. And becoming more like Jesus, and loving how He loved, is the goal.

Resources

In her book, Upon Waking, Jackie Hill Perry lays out two examples of how the church can be held back from being fully the body God designed her to be:

The one gifted to teach pours out insight, and it doesn’t take long before the gift and the grace to teach are attributed to the intellectual ability and personality of the teacher. Removed from their psyche is any consideration that what they were able to give they first received.

The merciful saint begins to think mercy is a part of their own nature, and so a diabolical pride develops in him, invisible to the eye of everyone but the Lord. They are thus tempted to test God, as Ananias and Sapphire did. Giving only as a means of honoring themselves. Using benevolence as a cover for selfish ambition.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. - Romans 12:3

Let us know how we can be praying for you!

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We are taking a deep dive into the Spiritual realm. During Jesus’ ministry, he healed many people, including people possessed by demons. In the book of Luke, Jesus meets a man who is demonically oppressed. He runs around naked, sleeps in a cemetery, and isolates himself from human beings. As MJ points out in the episode, this man was being spiritually oppressed by demonic powers. Jesus commands the demonic force to leave, and then the man starts screaming. The evil spirts leave and the man is left in his right mind.

The Scriptures repeatedly show us that there are spiritual beings that are opposed to God. Humans, as shown in Luke, can be rebellious and outright madmen, a physical expression of a spiritual reality that we confront in our lives today. And what tools are we to use?

You may be wondering, do I have that kind of power? When you believe in Jesus, yes! Tune in to discover the protection and tools Jesus gives us during the battle.

Resources:

“The Enemy cannot change who we are. He doesn’t have that power. His best plan is to make us doubt who we are.” - Hosanna Wong in her book You Are More Than You’ve Been Told

Scripture references: Ephesians 6:11-13, John 16:7-15, Luke 8:26-39

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How aware are you of your surroundings? Not only physically speaking, but also spiritually? The Word gives us insight into the spiritual realm - not to be afraid or passive - but to show us that we are all in a spiritual battle together.

According to the Bible, God promises to be our protector and shield. In Psalm 91:11-12, it says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” Join Nicole and MJ as they discuss how we are equipped with the Holy Spirit to fight and be victorious.

Even though we don’t see the [spiritual] things around us, the spiritual realm exists, and we live in a world where we can’t assume that something is what it is because we can’t see it, or we only see pieces of it in our life. - [16:10] MJ

There’s a very passive part about being spiritual and just accepting things as they are and just learning, and then there’s an active part. When we are putting on the armor of God, you are in the battle. You are actively fighting now. [31:52] Nicole

The most important thing when you are walking in the spiritual realm is to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and the power that He has. [32:34] MJ

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. -2Timothy 1:7

Scripture References: Ephesians 6:10-20, 2Kings 6:15-17, Exodus 14:15-30

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Additional Resources: Warfare Prayer

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Have you ever been in a drought? Maybe you haven’t experienced a physical drought, where there was no water for so many days that you couldn’t find food (A shortage of a certain kind of cream for your coffee doesn’t count). But maybe you’ve been in the kind of drought where everything about praying, reading the Bible, and fasting felt, well, dry. In this episode, Nicole and MJ discuss the choice before us during those discouraging times: Continue to pursue, or give up. But when we persevere and choose to follow the One who never leaves us, we find renewed hope, strength and life.

Discussion Questions:

* Have you ever been in a drought in the sense where nothing was pleasing to your senses anymore? For example, going on a run may be enjoyable one day, but the next day, or the next week, is hard. If so, what is that thing?

* Have you ever pursued something even when it was hard? How did it feel to persevere? How did it feel to finish?

Scripture References:

Ephesians 6:11-12: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Isaiah 44:3: “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8: "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

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Let’s face it, we live in a world where tension is thick in all areas of life - just look at the news. But when we look at the Word of God, the Bible, then we are given a new way of seeing this world, which will eventually pass away. With the light of Christ, our hearts and minds can be renewed each day as we wait for the Lord to return and make all things new.

This is the last episode of the year! What did you think about The Sanctuary?

Scripture References:

John 8:12, Psalm 119: 105, Mark 4:21

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Jesus was accused of being a glutton. He loved to eat! And yet there were times Jesus went days (40!) without food. In this episode, MJ and Nicole talk about fasting. If you’ve ever thought about fasting as a spiritual discipline, or would like to learn more about fasting (and what not to do), then tune in. In this episode, there are 3 parts, including:

Part 1 [2:10]: What is a fast?

Part 2 [5:45]: How to prepare for a fast.

Part 3 [29:20]: Surrounding our outcomes.

It was a common practice among the tribal people to go without food to help their prayers and for other spiritual reasons. Sometimes it was done out of sadness and sorrow for a friend or a family member’s troubles. -First Nations Version from Mark 2:18

Scripture References:

Matthew 6:16-18, Mark 2:18, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 58, Daniel 9, 2Samuel 12:18, Esther 4:16

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Praying with a group can bring modern day miracles. When we choose to join others in intentional, prayerful spaces, we leave encouraged and empowered. Join Nicole and MJ as they discuss how to build an intimate atmosphere where you can experience unity regardless of background, ethnicity, or how well you know anyone in the room.

Discussion Questions:

* Who do you go to when you’re in a rut?

* Who do you go to when something amazing happens?

Call To Action:

Local Group of Prayer:

* BlackHawk African American Ministry (BAAM) (Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month)

Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in joining this group!

Scripture References:

Acts 2:42, Acts 12:12

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We not only have grace and new life, we have the Word!

“When I think about my most difficult time, I know I had to rely on Scripture to guide me in praying because there was not anything specific that I knew I could pray for that would make everything okay.” - MJ [8:09]

Here are some Scriptures to use to pray within the Lord’s will:

"Those who seek you will find you...so I’m seeking you Lord. I’m inviting you into this space."

"Your word says you are a refuge to my soul, so I’m seeking refuge in You Lord."

"Your word says that those who hope in You, You will not be put to shame."

Scripture: Romans 8:28

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Quotes:

“We don't get to determine the timeline. And for so long, I would just pray like, Lord, when though? Like this year? Next year? Five years? And I realized that out of His great mercy, He doesn't need to tell us the time.” - MJ [11:03]

“And so I just I feel so convicted to share for anybody who has deferred hope and saying, ‘I've been praying a long time for this and it's not here. And does He even hear my prayers? Does He even care?’ I promise you He does.” - MJ [12:00]

“…I really hope people not only realize that though their outward circumstances may not be changing in this season, God is changing them- their hearts - little by little.” - Nicole [13:26]

Blooper!

Discussion Question

* Waiting can feel like a hamster wheel. Sometimes it takes months or years until what we are hoping for comes to pass. What are some ways you can prepare for the promise the Lord has in store?

* What are you waiting for? A new home? A relationship to mend? A relationship to grow? A promotion? A job? The Lord has a plan and purpose for you.

Scripture References:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 Samuel 16

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesanctuarywithnicolemj.substack.com