Ephesians 1:1-14 KJV 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Upon salvation through Christ Jesus were are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit provides gifts for us to use in the work of the ministry. The Holy Spirit is a promise to all believers. When Christ comes into our hearts upon salvation, he seals us when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Christ died for us. His ability to redeem each of us because of his death and resurrection and we are then sealed by Christ and marked by God as his child, as a purchased from sin, and no longer enslaved to sin. The circumcision of heart that takes place by the Holy Spirit. The seal is a mark, the circumcision of the heart is the work of God cutting away of the sin in our life through Christ Jesus death and resurrection. Because of our mark we are promised an inheritance, it like having a golden ticket to enter heaven, not with the knowledge of facing judgment but facing our Heavenly Father of love/grace who gives us the inheritance of heaven. While on earth we are created into a new image. A new person is now formed by the power of God. The old is gone. The sin is gone and we got a new start in life. True one might return to the same house, same car, but it not the same life. It might be same job and even for a time the same friends. Some friends you might loose others you will gain or stay the same. Yet what changes is the inner soul of man. The life begins to be molded into the image of God's only Son. Molded and transformed into His likeness. We no long desire sin or the things in our life that is unhealthy and causes separation from God. Sin after salvation is already forgiven, but it causes separation because of our unwillingness to repent, and even seek God. God seeks us like God did Adam and Eve in the garden. He no longers cast us out, but uses the sin as a time of correction and change. Somethings are instant and other things we have to work on. God saved us to be part of the body of Christ when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. He sealed us for salvation, predestine us for salvation. He chooses us before the world began to be join heirs with Jesus. He choose us but gave us free will to choose Him. He called us to be His. He desires to protect us, but does not force his protection on us. To know who Christ is sometimes takes time. The whole story is not always understood beyond the need of salvation and the fact Jesus saved us upon belief and repentance. Upon being sealed by God we need to learn as much as we can about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit so we know what is of God and how to share who He is, not only in our life but with scripture. He calls us to be ambassadors of Christ. He calls us to share the message of hope of salvation to all mankind. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for salvation and the seal of your Holy Spirit until the day of our redeemption. Thank for giving me a new start upon salvation. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 KJV 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. http://www.turtle30cshell.com