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Listen while you read: "And Can It Be That I Should Gain"1 (Lyrics) |
Ephesians 1:14 – The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. (NLT)
Guarantees can be the difference between misery and enjoyment, but God's guarantee differs.
Only a few times have I purchased a car without a warranty, and only once in my lifetime have I bought a car from someone I didn't know. My wife and I looked it over, glanced under the hood, drove it a few miles, and asked the seller pertinent questions. Since it had over 200,000 miles on it, we were concerned about its trustworthiness. We took the owner at his word. Our car was similar to numerous items that we had purchased at auctions. Even now, I can hear the auctioneer's famous words: "As is where is."
Guarantees, however, are nice — like my wife's homemade chocolate icing on a yellow cake. Of course, getting a guarantee usually requires that I purchase something brand new or close to it. Otherwise, I have to pay extra money either to get it or to extend the warranty that I get. Guarantees guarantee that if something happens to the product, the company from which I purchased it will repair or replace it free of charge. This small piece of paper can save me an enormous amount of money.
I like the fact that God gives a guarantee. His is not written on paper but rather in a person — the Spirit — God's presence with us. Jesus told His disappointed disciples that He had to go away in order to send the Comforter, the Spirit. Paul says that the Spirit guarantees that we'll get everything that God has promised us.
Through the Spirit, God is with us everywhere we go, guiding us through every trial, temptation, and decision. His presence also means our eternity and our relationship with Him are secure. We can live with confidence instead of doubt and fear. All of God's promises will materialize.
Do you have a guarantee on your future?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the presence, power, and comfort that come with Your guarantee to us. Amen.
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Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – In Canada — Pray for those in small or rural churches, many of whom are struggling without adequate leaders or funds to minister to their communities. Give them faith and courage to reach out to neighbours and those who are not involved in worship and fellowship. Pray for their dependence on God to grow as they trust him for guidance and provision.
Prayer for Pastor Kristen: "Update December 2, 2024: Kirsten is not doing well. She will probably need to go on disability. She..." 
Thanks, Martin. The best guarantee of all!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Amen Martin.
Be blessed.
Excellent! So well put, Martin. Thank you.
(Ontario)
Thank you for directing my morning thoughts to such a great truth. Jesus didn’t leave us comfortless!
Miles, I appreciate the way you transition our focus from the temporal to the eternal. We need frequent reminders, don’t we?
Good morning, Martin,
Thank you for your good words this morning.
Blessings.
Hi Martin,
A really important part of our belief in God. Thanks for expressing your thoughts on God’s guarantee. Blessings.
Thank you, Martin, for these words of promise. And may God be praised, indeed.
Blessings on your day.
(BC)
Thanks, Martin, for your encouraging words today. Yes, we can be certain of a lifetime guarantee of love and care from our Lord not only here on earth but also in our eternal home with Him. We need be very grateful for His guarantees as expressed in your closing prayer. Blessings for the special devotional writings you prepare.