One of My Favorite Hymns

Sealed

Wow, Beth Moore brought it in Session 5 of her Revelation series!

Although we are studying the book of Revelation, she took us to 2 other Scriptures to help us understand the "seal of God on their foreheads" from Revelation 9:4.

So, we went to Ephesians 1:13-14. "And you also were included in  Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory."

Also, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.  "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

Why should we doubt our salvation?  When we do, we are only listening to the enemy.  God has SEALED us!  We are HIS when we believe in the promise of Christ as our Savior!

Revelation Twice Over

It's true that repeated lessons over time are more than likely something God is trying to teach you.  Perhaps the first occurrence helps us to recognize the second.

Last week, immediately following Beth Moore's 4th lecture of her Revelation series I wrote the following statement in my notes because it spoke to me.

"You do not have control.  It is all an illusion.  Give it to him."

I'm not sure those were her exact words, but they were important to me because I believe that I work under the illusion that I have control over things that, in reality, I do not.  Examples could be endless, but to name a few...my children, my husband, my family, my friends, my own emotions, my life in general, the way I am perceived by others, my schedule...

Today, my Bible Study Fellowship teaching leader said, "We think we are in control."  I'm not even sure about the context because I was not very focused after a mentally challenging morning, but I heard that.  Loud and clear.  God speaking to me.

"Lauren, you are not in control."

"Lauren, you are under the illusion that you are in control."

Lord, exactly what does this mean?

I notice that there are not any Scriptures that talk of controlling others or the world around us.  There are only Scriptures that talk of self-control.  Here are the ones I've found.

Galatians 5:22-24
     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

2 Peter 1:3-9
     His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
     For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Proverbs 29:11
     A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Meditating on these this afternoon...

Isaiah 1:18

This verse has been EVERYWHERE in my life over the last month!

"Come, let us reason together,"
says the Lord.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be white as snow;
Though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool."

Praise the Lord that for us, this happens by the blood of Jesus.  Praise him.