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Sealed

A Guessing Game

by TerryLema October 30, 2023

Various people and agencies are trying to predict what the weather will be like in Idaho this winter. As I write this, we have a bit of an assurance of winter as temperatures this week are in the 20’s for our lows.

I was reading an article in my newsfeed that said, “According to the Climate Prediction Center, most of Idaho has a 40-60% chance of above-average temperatures and a 33-50% chance of below-average rainfall from November through January.”

I must admit as I read that glorious prediction I laughed. It was that little word “chance” that got me. So, in other words, it’s anyone’s guess what winter holds for Idaho this year.

Much of life is a guessing game. We try this and try that and then try to determine what we should do next. But—there is one thing we can do in life that is absolutely certain. That is, to place our trust in the LORD Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD. When we do that, Scripture tells us, we are SEALED!

2Corinthians 1:22: “He has also SEALED us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.”

Ephesians 1:13: “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:30: “You were SEALED by Him for the day of redemption.”

There is no guessing what the future holds for us. There is no 40-60% chance. We are 100% assured of our redemption and salvation. Our eternity is SEALED!

October 30, 2023 0 comment
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Sealed

by TerryLema October 10, 2022

While on my walk this morning a song that I had not heard in a long time came up on my phone.  It was, “I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” by P. P. Bliss (1876), published in 295 hymnals.  I love the chorus!

“Sing, Oh sing of my Redeemer, With His blood, He purchased me, On the cross, He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, And made me free.”

There is one word in that chorus – yes, I admit I love one words and two-word phrases!  That one word is “sealed.”

“Sealed” is “sphragizó” and means to set a seal upon, to attest ownership and the full security carried by the backing of the owner. It is a legal signature which guaranteed the promise of what was sealed. So what was sealed for us?  Well …

Ephesians 1:13-14: “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory” [HCSB]

Ephesians 4:30: “You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption.” [HCSB]

2 Corinthians 1:22: “He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.” [HCSB]

Our redemption is sealed. We have been given the Holy Spirit which guarantees the promise of God and carries the full, authoritative, backing of our owner.  We have the full security of our redemption, nothing can change it, nothing can diminish it, no other requirement will be added to it.

Today: Thank you Lord, for sealing my pardon, paying my debt, and setting me free.

October 10, 2022 0 comment
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Sealed

by TerryLema March 15, 2022

A few years ago, we replaced a fiberglass shower in our master bathroom. The shower was worn when we moved in years before and did not improve over the years after we bought the house. It was time for a change.

The replacement shower walls are all one piece with one long silicone seal in the corners and around the shower base. It looks like white subway tiles but thankfully there is no grout to deal with.  Over the years, however, the seal around the base seemed to have loosened its grip and mold and mildew began to build up.

Bob is almost 82, I am 75. We do not get down on the floors anymore. (We can’t get up!)  Our wonderful son showed up last week with new silicone seal, tore out the old and replaced it with the new. The shower is once again pristine.

As I looked at that shower after he left, I thought about that silicone seal–and I thought about the fact that it will probably need to be replaced in another few years as it once again loses its grip. Then I thought about another seal—one that will never lose its grip. “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” [Ephesians 1:13 HCSB]

When we heard the good news of truth about the salvation God invited us to in Christ Jesus, we believed Him. When we believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our down payment on the Promises of God. “Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.” [2 Corinthians 1:22 HCSB]

This Seal will never lose His grip on us and one day we will stand in the presence of God Almighty, blameless, sinless because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.  “You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption.” [Ephesians 4:3 HCSB]

HALLELUJAH! AMEN!

March 15, 2022 0 comment
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Pastor Terry Lema

Pastor Terry Lema has been married for 53 years, and has 3 children and 3 grandsons. Terry graduated from Trinity Bible College, and and recently retired as Lead Pastor at The Way Church in Middleton, Idaho.

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