“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.” 2 Cor 1:21-22 (NIV) Perhaps you have heard the expression, “Life has no guarantees!” Well, that’s just not true. In Christ, you have a guarantee that no one can disrupt. God guarantees your safe and secure eternal destiny. How does God indicate the security of our future? “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor 5:5 NIV). God gives His Holy Spirit to us at conversion. The moment we confess Jesus as Lord and embrace the reality that God raised Jesus from the dead; we are saved and filled with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells us permanently. The Holy Spirit does not move in and then move out. His indwelling Presence becomes our guarantee. You are made fit by God for the Holy Spirit’s habitation. At the moment of your conversion, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you. You become the walking Tabernacle of His Presence. The Holy Spirit guarantees what is to come. Your eternal security is enveloped by the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit. Have you received God’s deposit? Read Ephesians 1:13-14 and reflect on the spiritual blessing God has bestowed upon you. You are safe and sealed for eternity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Category: Spiritual Blessing
Categories
Redeemed by the Blood
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Eph 1:7-8 (NIV) Our position of being “in Christ” unlocks the treasure chest of His resources. It is imperative that you make certain that you are in Christ. Your union with Jesus will release the spiritual blessings He has for you. In Christ, you are a saint, you are chosen, you are adopted, you are accepted, and you are redeemed. Redemption in the language of the New Testament carries the idea of purchasing or redeeming a slave in order to set him free. Jesus purchased you with His blood in order to set you free. He ransomed you through His death. Do you realize how valuable you are in God’s sight? Do you understand that Jesus paid your sin debt in full? You have been redeemed! I am reminded of the song, “He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay. I needed someone to wash my sins away.” Thank God for His redeeming love! Rejoice in your new identity that Christ purchased! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
“…to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Eph 1:6 (NIV) How do you respond to rejection? Do you allow the rejection to inject you with insecurity or do you challenge the rejection? Rejection is painful. We long for acceptance. The wonderful news is that in Christ, you are accepted. God has accepted you on the basis of His redeeming love for you. Remember, in Christ, you are a saint, you are blessed, you are chosen, you are adopted, and you are accepted. Have you accepted God’s acceptance of you? He took the initiative to demonstrate His acceptance of you by freely giving you His grace in Jesus. Do you measure up to His standard of righteousness? No! However, God declared you righteous when you accepted the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. When rejection surfaces, combat the lies with the truth of God’s acceptance of you. Your peace in this life will be proportionate to your acceptance of God’s acceptance of you. Your acceptance of God’s acceptance of you will give you lasting peace and eternal security. Some people may reject you. At times, people may misunderstand you. However, you can respond to rejection by living in light of your acceptance of God’s acceptance of you. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV). Your acceptance has permanence! Choose to accept God’s acceptance of you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Categories
Chosen By God
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Eph 1:4 (NIV) Have you ever wondered what makes people do good things? Why would someone choose the way of truth? Why would someone set their heart on God’s laws? Perhaps a person’s behavior is related to his or her position in Christ. In Christ, you are a saint, you are blessed, and you are chosen. Did you choose God or did God choose you? You were chosen by God long before you were even born. The song says, “While He (Jesus) was on the cross, I was on His mind.” Even before Jesus came to earth to live a sinless life, die a substitutionary death, and defeat sin and death, you were chosen by God. Before God splattered the stars in the universe, you were chosen. Before God spoke light into existence, you were chosen. Before God separated the day from the night, you were chosen. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:16 (NIV) “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thess 2:13 (NIV) Why were you chosen? You were chosen by God to bear fruit that will last. You were chosen by God to be saved. Can you pull that off by yourself? No! Does God expect you to pull that off by yourself? No! Jesus came so that you could live the life of choseness. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Eph 1:3 (NIV) You are God’s treasure. Can you imagine the Creator of the universe being the reason for your existence? You are not an accident. God purposed for you to be born. You were planned by God. Another reality of being in Christ is that you are blessed. If you are in Christ, then you can say, “I am blessed.” Go ahead and say it aloud! God has blessed you in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. God’s resources are unlimited. He never runs out! He never runs dry! His shelves are never empty! Our God of abundance has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ. When someone asks you today, “How are you doing?”…don’t say, “Oh, I’m doing alright.” Instead, say with conviction and confidence and assurance, “I am blessed!” Doesn’t that make you want to shout? Don’t ever forget who you are in Christ. You are a child of the King! You are blessed and highly favored by the Lord. Walk in the new identity you have in Christ. You are blessed to be a blessing to others. Regardless of your circumstances, your identity in Christ is safe and secure. Your identity is fashioned by God. You are blessed by God to be a blessing for God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor