God’s Heavenly Lay-a-Way Plan

By Andrea Merrell

For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen (which means "Yes") ascends to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT

Years ago, as a young mother of two with a very tight budget, the best option for purchasing gifts, especially at Christmas, was to use the lay-a-way plan. With a small down payment, my items were tagged with my name and placed in a secure area. As long as I made the required installments each week, the items would be there until I redeemed them.

It’s the same with God’s promises. Every one of them were placed in a heavenly lay-a-way plan. He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT).

The AMPC puts it this way: [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise].

The down payment (or security deposit) was the Holy Spirit. This was our guarantee that everything He promised could be ours.

When I made the final payment on my lay-a-way items, I could take them home. They belonged to me.

When Jesus made the final installment by sacrificing His life, the price was paid in full. Redeemed. The promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding yes and amen! They now belong to us.

Dig into God’s Word to find all the treasures that are waiting for you. All you have to do is believe and receive.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net & Supertrooper.)

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All of God’s promises are yes and amen. Dig into His Word to find all the treasures waiting for you. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Identity Crisis

By Andrea Merrell

For God made the only one who did not know sin

to become sin for us, so that we who did not know 

righteousness might become the righteousness of God 

through our union with him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 TPT

“I just don’t know who I am anymore,” my friend said. “I’ve somehow managed to lose myself in the busyness of life and all the demands on my time. I’m not even sure God sees or hears me anymore.”

At some point in our life, we’ve all felt that way to some degree. We wonder, who am I?

The truth is—no matter how we feel—we are who God says we are.

• We are loved.
• We are forgiven.
• We are redeemed.
• We are righteous.
• We are His child.
• We are unique.
• We are blessed.

Knowing and understanding our true identity comes only when we know who we are in Christ.

If you’re going through an identity crisis, turn to God’s Word and see for yourself what He says about you. His opinion is the only one that matters.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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If you’re going through an identity crisis, turn to God’s Word and see for yourself what He says about you. His opinion is the only one that matters. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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