Keep Your Eyes On Him

     "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed  in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13      In the Greek, the word seal or 'sphragizo' "signifies ownership and the full security carried by the backing (full authority) of the owner." Also, "to seal or affix with a signet ring to stamp~to attest ownership, validating what is sealed." In the book of Haggai, God tells us, "I will make you like My signet ring , for I have chosen you." (2:23)       I don't know about you, but reading this excites me to know that in Christ, I am sealed and nothing can change this awesome truth! As soon as you and I believe, Christ seals us with His Holy Spirit! "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....

     "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2       Take a good look at this picture. The beauty of the sun behind the clouds. There is even a planet in the background. The marvelous work of God is all around us. We have an awesome and great Creator. God has always been. I know it is hard for us to wrap our minds around this, but God is infinite. Before He formed the earth and everything you see-He was! He is the great I AM!       Isaiah 6:3 tells us that the earth is full of His glory. What is so fascinating to me is the fact that this Great and Powerful God-the God of the universe, created you and me for Him. He loves us so much that He desires to have a relationship with each one of us. He proved this to us by sending His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to die a brutal death on a cross for our sin....

      "Then His disciples said to each other, 'Could someone have brought Him food?' "My food, Jesus said, is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." (John 4:33-34)      Jesus had one purpose, and this purpose was to die for the sin of the world. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) Jesus did something that you or I could not do on our own. He was the perfect, spotless Lamb that was sacrificed in order that you and I might have life eternal. Our sin placed a barrier between us and God. No amount of good works, charitable acts or contributions could ever be enough for a Holy and Righteous God. We needed a perfect Savior to take our place. You see, we do not get what we deserve. If that was the case, we would all go to hell. But God, so rich in mercy and grace had a plan. This plan was to send His One and Only Son to earth for the sole purpose of dying...