Better Than the "Good Housekeeping Seal"!!!

"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." Ephesians 1:13-14

This may seem a strange post for Thanksgiving day...but bear with me! I'm just so awed and blessed by...and thankful for God's precious Word to us!!!

If you read my last post, this is one of those "things scribbled" that has just stayed on my mind for days...and I must share!

Okay, I must admit, I would like to have young, beautiful...did I say young...skin! However, I just can't justify paying top dollar for moisturizing products. Well, on a trip to my Mama's house, I had the luxury of some relaxation and a chance to read her Good Housekeeping magazine. Right there in black and white, they listed the best and most reasonably priced daytime and nighttime moisturiser...with the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval"!!!! I couldn't wait to run out and buy both!!! And I've been using them for months. The sad thing is that I look in the mirror and still see wrinkles and the definite signs of aging. So I'm thinking...What about the Good Housekeeping Seal?

I think God just chuckled as He reminded me of a seal that is so much more precious...and true...and eternal! Join with me, as this whole passage is just such an encouragement and a blessing...and such reason for giving thanks!!!

Ephesians 1:3-13 (NIV)
"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. For He chose us (Yes, He chose us!!!) in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will (We bring Him pleasure!! We are a part of His will and His plan!)-to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. (Amazing Grace!!) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished (Oh, I love that word!!) on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will (We are a part of His purpose and plan!!). In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. (We were created for the praise of His glory!!) 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." (Parentheses mine)

Now that's a guarantee that I believe in!!! Oh let us "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations!!!" Psalm 100:4-5

Father, we praise you! Thank you for your goodness and faithfulness!! Thank you for your amazing love and grace!!!

A Thought for Thanksgiving

"'...Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'" Luke 1:28

My apologies to the few followers who check occasionally to see if I'm writing!! I've either been caught up with the day to day comings and goings of life...or terribly undisciplined...or BOTH! God has spoken on several different occasions and I must confess that I never made it to the computer. But, those words are jotted on random pieces of paper...the back of sermon notes, sticky notes, envelopes, napkins...and hopefully someday when I am more disciplined I'll be able to remember the purpose of my scribblings and share words that hopefully will bless the readers of them.

Now, on to the Word!!! This morning I started studying Luke's account of the Christmas story. Mmmm, so much there to bless our hearts. I was particularly touched by the angel, Gabriel's words to Mary as he just appeared...out of the blue! He said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Let's just take those words and hear them fresh...directly to our hearts. We are highly favored by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He loves us!! We are His favorites!! And He...Emmanuel...is with us...no matter where we are, no matter where we've been, no matter what road life takes us down in the future. He loves us and He is with us.

Wow! What a reason for giving thanks. Wrap that love around you today. Feel the warmth of His presence.

Abba, Father, thank you for your great love for us. Thank you for the assurance of your presence with us. Thank you for loving so much that you sent your Son on our behalf so that we could spend eternity with you. Your love is truly unfathomable. Thank you.