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.

Isaiah 53:5

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;  the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

I can hardly read this verse without singing the song that is based on these words.

Here is what I know to be true, for God's word is true:

I am healed.  I may not act like I am healed.  I may continue to walk right back into the sin that I am healed from.  But I am healed.  Because of Jesus, I am healed.  I strive to act as though I know these words to be true.  

My current sin is the sin of negativity.  I find that I have been looking on situations with a critical eye, refusing to see things as God would see them.  Refusing to see things through the Holy Spirit that I have been blessed with.   May I unplug my hears, wipe my eyes clear, and start seeing things from the positive side!

1 Peter 2:4-5

"As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

***Sovereignty of God Alert***

I ran across this verse as I searched for background information about 1 Peter 2:9-10.  It's CRAZY how God calls a single thing to my attention twice in just a few days.  This verse is, I believe, the verse that my friend Amy used as the basis for the middle name of her newest baby boy: Stone.  So, today is the second trip to these verses.

1. I am being constantly changed into the person God desires me to be.  I am not that person today.  The people in my life that I expect so much from...they're not the people God desires them to be either...YET.  That perfection comes in heaven.  But I know that tomorrow I will be just a little bit closer.  And so will the people in my life that are seeking God's will.

2. I am offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God.  Wow.  But how acceptable are they when they come straight from my lips or body?  The reason they are acceptable in God's sight is that Jesus makes them acceptable.  That final phrase says "through Jesus Christ."  It's an important part to notice!  Thank you to my high priest!

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for you souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

These are the words of Jesus.  And I need these words tonight.  I feel physically tired, mentally spent, and emotionally tested.  Each for it's own reason.  

Today has been a whirlwind of commitments leaving me in need of deep, fulfilling sleep tonight.  This week has been a heavy load of study in Exodus for BSF and for another Bible study with ladies from church.  I procrastinated the bulk of my lesson prep for tomorrow and had to buckle down tonight to finish it, leaving me in need of mental revival in the morning.  Jadie and I continue to face stressful family stresses leaving me emotionally tested and in need of wisdom for how to love without condoning and stand firm without condemning a family member.

I also pray this Scripture verse over a friend who needs this truth spoken over her life as well.