What A Warranty! #106

1 Corinthians 1:21-22 “It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us.” (NLT)

Ever buy something with a warranty? It meant that if anything went wrong with the product you could return it. Of course the warranty is usually short lived. It has certain requirements that must be upheld in order to remain in effect. After a few months or years it is no longer good. Then the store wants you to buy an extended warranty which goes for another length of time.

Aren’t you glad God doesn’t have the same approach to your walk with Him. Instead of you being the one who meets the requirements, it is God who gives us the ability to stand firm for Christ. He is the one who delivers the product, eternal life, and then guaranties it for all eternity. It is God who commissions us and identifies us as belonging to Him.

He even goes so far as to place His Holy Spirit within us as the symbol of His ownership of our lives and a guarantee we will never lose what He has given us. And the scripture says that the Holy Spirit is the first installment of everything He will give us throughout eternity. What incredible assurance, hope and encouragement that we have because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. God lives in you and makes us confident that “He who began a good work in you will complete it.” Philippians 1:6

What a terrific guarantee. God paid for our eternal life in Christ with Jesus death and resurrection and then gave us His Spirit as a guarantee.

You serve an amazing God. Praise Him today and thank Him for His Holy Spirit.

I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.

_________________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Tempe, AZ!

Thanks for your prayers concerning opportunities for ministry for both me and Sandy. God continues to open doors of service to Him and ministry to encourage God's servants. We scheduled speaking opportunities in Louisiana in September. We will be speaking at the New Covenant Baptist Church and Christ's Community Church, both in Denham Springs, LA. We are eager to minister but to also see many friends.

We will be in Columbus, Ohio for a conference in November and the dates are still being worked out for a conference in Virginia in October. Both of us are available the rest of the time for speaking engagements in Arizona.

I will be speaking at the Mission Service Corp meeting at the AZ Southern Baptist Convention meeting in November. Praise God for allowing both of us the health and desire to continue sharing God's word. Pray for our study and preparation time. Thanks!

Several of you have asked about how Sandy is doing after her fall while we were in South Dakota. She has recovered and healed and is doing fine.

God is so good and we are so grateful for His provisions. What a great God we serve.