God's Large Down Payment for You

God's Large Down Payment for You

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” 2 Corinthians 1:22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What does this mean, that God has given us the “earnest of the Spirit in our hearts”? When a man in Jesus’ day intended to buy something he couldn’t afford to purchase at that moment, he would put down “earnest” money. The greater the down payment, the greater the indication that full payment will be made.

For instance, if you’re selling your home for $100,000 and a prospective buyer gives you $5, don’t look for that person again. But if he gives you $50,000, he means business, and you know he’s coming back.

In today’s terminology, we would say that God has given us a down payment of the Spirit.

ACTION POINT:
Do you think God is going to forfeit His Holy Spirit? No. God is not going to forsake you! He has too much invested in you!

~Adrian Rogers~

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Making Suffering Your Servant

BIBLE MEDITATION: 
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
How do you enlist suffering to make it your servant? 

First, you receive it as a gift from God. Job said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21b). 

Second, rely on God’s grace, because with the gift comes His grace. 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” God is going to be near you in a special way.

Finally, reflect on the glory of God. There is no greater Christian who ever lived than the Apostle Paul. His greatest motive in all he endured was the glory of God. His pain became a platform from which he declared the glory of God.

ACTION POINT:
Receive it as a gift. Rely upon God’s grace. Reflect upon God’s glory. Choose to glorify Him through it. 

~Adrian Rogers~