Tag: Ephesians 1:13-14
Father of a multitude!
January 6th Scripture Reading: Genesis 15-17
A great deal has happened in the lives of Abram and Sarai in the last three chapters. They traveled to Egypt and back. They rescued Lot from invaders. They gave the first tithes to Melchizedek, an unusual man who was a king of Salem (Jerusalem) and a priest of “The Most High God”. Sarai suggested to Abram that he have a child by her maid, Hagar, to fulfill God’s promise since she was still barren. A child resulted and trouble ensued. Good ideas are not always God’s ideas! The child, Ishmael, became a source of trouble in the house and was prophesied to be one who would cause trouble (Genesis 16:12). We are today experiencing trouble from Ismael’s offspring over 4000 years later!
God visited Abram and Sarai again about 25 years later. Abram is now 99 years old and Sarai is 90. During this visit, God renewed His promise of a son born to Sarai. God confirmed His promise to them in a covenant. Part of a covenant is an exchange of names. Abram means “Exalted Father” and Abraham means “Father of a multitude”. Sarai’s new name means “Princess”. God took Abraham’s name too. He became known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God gave them circumcision a physical sign of the covenant. This mark in the male organ carrying the “seed”, would remind Abraham of God’s promise and mark his offspring as set apart for Him.
Faith simply says “yes” to God and obeys! Abraham is known as the father of faith because he believed God and God credited him with being righteous! (Genesis 15:6) By faith in Jesus we are credited with righteousness and adopted into God’s family. God writes our name in the Book of Life and we have an eternal inheritance in Him . He gives us the Holy Spirit as a mark of His promises! Amen!
Have you ever tried to ‘help God out’ to fulfill a promise He made to you? How long have you had to wait for a promise to be fulfilled? Are you assured of your right standing with God through Jesus?
“Having believed, you were marked in Him (Christ) 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.” Ephesians 1:13-14
Thankful to be included!
Scripture reading for December 4th: Galatians 5-6, Ephesians 1-3
Key Scriptures: 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.”
The gospel is powerful and effective in bringing salvation. A preacher preaches the word of truth and God gives grace to repent, believe and receive the promise of eternal life. This salvation includes a mark of God’s ownership, the gift of the Father–the precious Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a deposit of God’s grace and glory that marks us a belonging to God as a member of His family and declared righteous. We are saved and await the full redemption at Christ’s return!
Thankful for promised inheritance: “The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.” (Psalm 37:18) Amen!
Abraham, Sarah, and Ishmael
Scripture reading for January 6th: Genesis 15-17
A great deal has happened in the lives of Abram and Sarai in the last three chapters. They have been to Egypt and back. They have rescued Lot from invaders. They gave the first tithes to Melchizedek, an unusual man who was a king of Salem (Jerusalem) and a priest of “The Most High God”.
Next, since she was still barren Sarai suggested to Abram that he have a child by her maid Hagar in order to fulfill God’s promise. Hagar bore him a son and now felt superior. Sarai became jealous and mistreated her. The child Ishmael, became a source of trouble in the house. (Genesis 16:12). (In fact, we are today experiencing trouble in the Middle East and a war on terror from Ismael’s offspring!)
Genesis 17 recorded another visit by God to Abram and Sarai. Abram was then 99 years old and Sarai was 90. God confirmed His promise to them by covenant. Part of a covenant is a change of names. Abram means “Exalted Father” and Abraham meant “Father of a multitude”. Sarah’s new name meant “Princess”. God took Abraham’s name too! He became know as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God also gave them a physical sign of the covenant, circumcision. This mark in the male organ carrying the “seed”, would remind Abraham of God’s promise and mark his offspring as special. This sign also helped keep the line pure and free from venereal disease, thus protecting the offspring.
Faith simply says “yes” to God and obeys! Abraham is known as the father of faith because he believed God and God credited him with being righteous! (Genesis 15:6) We are made right with God exactly the same way! By faith in Jesus we are credited with righteousness too. Our sign of covenant is that we get the Name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who circumcises our hearts and marks us as belonging to God. God writes our name in the Book of Life and we have an eternal inheritance in Him! We are truly blessed through Abraham and Sarah and their seed, Jesus Christ!
“Having believed, you were marked in Him (Christ) 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.” Ephesians 1:13-14