GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 8

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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ALREADY YOURS

Ephesians 1:13-14

“The promised Holy Spirit,  who is the guarantee of our inheritance.”

D.L. MOODY

A poor woman once told Rowland hill that the way to heaven was short, easy, and simple; comprising only three steps – out of self, into Christ, and into glory.  We have a shorter way now – out of self and into Christ.  That way is the kingdom of heaven begun below – a little of what awaits us in glory.

ERWIN LUTZER

D.L. Moody’s preaching was characterized by simplicity, directness, and deep conviction.  He used visual imagery, challenging both the unsaved and the Christians of his day.  As far as he was concerned, we could have the assurance of heaven at this moment.  The Bible agrees.

The full passage of Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.”

At conversion, the Holy Spirit seals us.  The imagery comes to us from ancient times when a king would seal a document by having it rolled up and then hot wax poured on it where the end of the parchment met the rolled paper.  Then the king’s signet ring would be pressed into the hot wax to form the seal.  The only one allowed to break the seal was either the king or the intended recipient of the document.   In our case, the Holy Spirit is both the one who seals us and the only one who could break the seal.  But He will not break the seal because we are “sealed for the day of redemption.”  (Ephesians 4:30).

Are you struggling spiritually?  Thank God right now for the sealing of the Spirit, and trust Him to bring a bit of sunshine into your restless heart.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for sealing me with your Spirit, and grant me the assurance of my eternal destiny.

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John 6:27

Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

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Isaiah 42:1

Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;

My chosen one in whom My soul delights.

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the nations.

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2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

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Ephesians 1:13-14

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

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2 Corinthians 5:5

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

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Ephesians 4:30

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

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1 Peter 1:5

who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

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