For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph 2:18

Christianity is far more than a religion. Religions are noted for their practices, rituals, ordinances, and observances. Folks often differentiate their sense of belonging to a religion by their participation of what they do and don’t do. Christianity is about relationship. Ultimately, God saves us out of sin and forgives us of our sin that He may draw us into an intimate relationship with Him. He desires that none should perish in sin but have “eternal life” (Jn 17:3) for all who would believe in His work through His Son Jesus Christ. The scripture passage instructs us that the children of God have something far greater than religion, we have relationship with God. It is through Jesus Christ that the children of God “have access by one Spirit unto the Father” and may know Him and fellowship with Him. Jesus is clear that He is “the way” to the Father and “no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (Jn 14:6). All who come to Jesus by faith receive the Holy Spirit and the Spirit leads us into all fellowship with the Father. All God’s children have access to the Father and may enjoy fellowship with Him through the indwelling, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. The child of God is no longer a stranger or an alien, but a “fellow citizen with the saints” (Eph 2:19) and a friend of God (Jn 15:15). Those who He calls friends are granted access to come to Him in faith. He receives all who come to Him and secures them for all eternity (Jn 6:37). The child of God has free and immediate access to the presence of God that we “might come boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb 4:16). We no longer need to hide in shame, live in fear, or live by our foolish desires, because “we have peace with God” (Rom 5:1) through Jesus Christ and are granted “access by faith into His grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:2). My friend, do you have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ? If so, you have access to His eternal fellowship and the hope of glory. The child of God has access to the Father for the forgiveness of sin, cleansing of all unrighteousness, (1 Jn 1:9) and “the riches of His grace…according to His good pleasure” (Eph 1:7-9). Dear friend, the Father has gifted to us the Holy Spirit by which He grants access to Himself that we may delight in intimate fellowship with Him and cry out “Abba Father” (Rom 8:15) with a loving and longing heart. Come to Him today. Father thank You for Your love and free access to delight in You through Your Son Jesus Christ. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Isa 41:10

There are distractions and disruptions at every turn in life. Some draw our attention to something new and beneficial, while others darken our view and add weight to our pursuits and livelihood. Distractions and disruption can take our focus off what is important and create fear for an undesired consequence, or a dimmed view for success. The scripture passage is given to the child of God for times when our hearts become troubled, discouraged, and heavy burdened. For those times our Father says, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God.” God promises to His children that He will faithfully care for them “for I am with thee.” He promises to be present with and for all His children that “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5) and “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt 28:20). The word of God when taken to heart will silence all fears, encourage our faith, that we may faithfully serve God through patience and comfort with hope. God promises that He “will strengthen thee…help thee…uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” My friend, our Lord Jesus Christ is the right hand of God. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father (Col 3:1), making intercession for us (Rom 8:34), advocating for the saints (1 Jn 2:1), and keeping us eternally secured in the Father’s hand (Jn 10:29). Dear friend, are your troubled by some fear and or some possible unfortunate outcome? Hear the word of God say to your heart “trust in the Lord…lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov 3:5) and again hear God say, “Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isa 26:4). The love of God removes all fear that the children of God may find hope, help and strength and “be not dismayed” but proclaim “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13). Father thank you for Your eternal, everlasting love. “Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:23). In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy Name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isa 25:1

I pray that you had a wonder and blessed gathering with the saints at your local church on the Lord’s Day. It is wonderful to gather in worship and give praise to the LORD in fellowship with other believers, but I believe God desires to hear praise from His children. The scripture passage is a reminder of individual praise to God. Before we stir up others, we must first stir our hearts to praise the LORD. We should offer personal praise that demonstrates the covenant relationship that God has with the child of God to say, “O LORD, Thou art my God.” Though troubles surround us, and the world grows darker every day, the child of God can rise to proclaim to the LORD God, “I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy Name.” He has called us to praise Him. He called us to be His people that we might be unto Him for a name and for a praise (Jer 13:11). My friend, as you go this day remember the “wonderful things” that God has done, recall the counsel of His word and you will soon find your heart stirred with praise and thanksgiving “for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Our God is an amazing God and worthy to be praised. Dear friend, rejoice and be glad in the LORD, for great is His faithfulness (Lam 3:23). Father thank You for Your love, Your wonderful works, and counsel of Your word. I give you praise. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.