God's Holy Fire: 'Marked with His Seal'

Monday, December 7, 2026

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ...
— Ephesians 1:13 NIV

Key Thought

When we first came to Jesus, he poured out the Holy Spirit upon us, to live in us as God's gift, presence, and power within us (Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:3-7). The Holy Spirit is also our proof that we are children of God (Romans 8:9). In today's verse, Paul adds another powerful image - a royal seal - to help us understand who we are because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In New Testament times, a royal official would use a seal to confirm his or her correspondence. The message would be sealed with wax, and while the wax was still warm, the official used a ring to leave the royal imprint showing the message was true and carried the authority of the wearer of the ring. The Holy Spirit is God's authoritative sign that we are his! He claims us! We are not only his messengers, but also his message, and we are authentic and true.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for making me your child through the new birth and for giving me the seal of the Holy Spirit showing that I am yours. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Ephesians 1:13-14
Devo: Today's Verse
"You were marked in [Christ] with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's..."
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free — signed, sealed, and..."
The Gift of Praise
Article by Jeanene Reese
Ruby and diamond rings are half as important as the praise they bring! A Christmas present of a ruby and diamond ring that is adjustable is a present that evokes praise just like the way God has blessed us should pour forth our praise!
The Secret of God's Will
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, King of an eternal kingdom, You have made known to us the secret of your will, the purpose which you set forth in Christ as a plan for....."
See All 10 Related Resources about Ephesians 1:13

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 1:13 NIV — And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, December 7, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Courage, Investment, & Call!'
"Dear Disciple, I AM deeply moved when people show their undivided loyalty to Me and are willing to invest everything they have in My cause. Remember...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Jonah 4:9
"Anger is not always or necessarily sinful, but it has such a tendency to run wild that whenever it displays itself, we should be quick to question its..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Ephesians 4:25
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Sexual Sin Blocks Our Path to God's Kingdom'
"Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship...."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations