Access

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Have you ever thought about the great freedom that you have to access things all around? Growing up, I wanted access to the cabinets at home that were securely guarded by my mother. I couldn’t eat sweets all day and especially before supper. Occasionally, she would grant me the privilege of getting a snack before supper. I can remember having my own key to my parent’s house and being amazed that they would entrust me with it. Later, I was given keys to a car at sixteen years old. Can you remember the power and freedom that you enjoyed? About a year ago, I was able to get a key that would give access to me and my wife’s first house. There is definitely power in having access!

My mom is no longer guarding the cabinets, and I can lick the bowl of yellow cake batter without her watching over me. It seems that I have also lost the awe of entering my parent’s home, driving my car and entering our home anytime. Accessing these things is part of everyday life. They become mundane. The privilege of being able to get into the cabinets at will and having a key to my parent’s home, a car to drive and a home to sleep in each night has turned into a right that I think I sometimes deserve. These blessings are easily taken for granted. Even the freedom to access my bank account with a debit card loses its luster when I look at the account balance.

With our accounts of sin being settled with God at Calvary and with the realization of true conversion in the heart, we are given peace with God through Jesus Christ. We are adopted into the family of God and become His sons and daughters. Have you ever seen a loving Father turn away his son or daughter when they come to them with a question or desire? We have an amazing privilege today to go to God in prayer and access His wisdom, nurture, love and truth for every situation. It is not a right that we deserve or have earned. It is all of grace. We never have to worry about the account running low, because He is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. He is the Creator of the earth, above all things and is watching over His children. Have you forgotten about the gift and privilege of prayer?

Today, we have the power to access about anything that we want. From the power of buying books to getting on the internet, we can retrieve any kind of information that we desire. With good relationships with people, you can access many homes. However, the only way to access Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Do you understand the greatness of the One who allows God’s people to access heaven? Though millions of people are praying today at different times, only those who are conversing with God through Jesus Christ are being heard. There is only one true God. How great of a revival do you think God would send if His people would pray and seek His face?

God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives the challenge, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The power that is needed in the church today is a result in God’s children knowing their Father in heaven. Daniel 11:32b says, “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Are you looking for strength, wisdom, understanding and courage? It is only found in Christ. “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18)

Ravished by Grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Have you ever thought about the depths of God's grace and mercy in your life everyday? Often we overlook the small things that God does everyday. We take Him for granted and the gifts that He brings for our pleasure. Are they really for our pleasure? Only if the gifts include thanksgiving back to Him. When we fail to thank Him, the gifts, instead of being a blessing, can become a idol and a curse. It is easy to go throughout your week and forget about God, but it doesn't take very long to be humbled. Have you ever stood beside a tree and realized that it was planted long before you were ever a thought in your parent’s eyes? What is it about looking at the grandeur and majesty of a mountain that makes me feel so weak? Last week, I was standing in front of the Atlantic Ocean in Jamaica and could sense the power of the waters that were held in the palm of my Heavenly Father's hand. How could I possibly overlook these glimpses of His creativity, beauty and splendor even during the darkest storms of life? As one friend told me, she often finds God winking at her throughout the day in the smallest of ways.

How long has it been since you noticed the Father's love for you? Have you been paying attention to what He is doing and wants to do in your life? Have you been giving God a cold shoulder by not allowing Him to work in your heart? What kind of relationship will someone have who is constantly looking for the wrong and negative in others? Instead of complaining remember, love is patient, kind, is not envious, proud, rude, or selfish, does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love bears all things, trusts, rejoices in truth, always hopes and remains strong.

How can we have this type of love for God? First of all, we love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Upon genuine conversion, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5). As we grow in Christ, we learn "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment and he that fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18) It would be easy to wake up every morning in fear of a storm, tornado, earthquake, flood, death, or a multitude of other things could happen. God doesn't want us to live in a paralyzed state of fear but have purposeful life of faith, hope and love.

A few days ago, the reality of being ravished by grace became much clearer. I was sitting across the table of a man who had been living on the streets of Nashville for six years. He began explaining the way he used to look a life and now how he views it in light of Christ's love for him. He told me that he used to complain all the time, pout, and almost give up by turning to the bottle for his source of strength. He often wondered if God was really there. One day, he began thinking about the hand of God on his life and how he had been protected by so much. As I looked across the table, the world would say this man was nothing, but I believe he is my brother in Christ. He had two front teeth, but a smile and countenance that could light up a room. He had recently been dealing with some type of mouth cancer, but he continues to walk to work the best he can. He told me that things were getting much better in his life. In a few days, he would be meeting with someone who could provide him with housing as he tries to get back on his feet. With a smile on his face and toboggan on his head to keep warm, Eddie (47) enjoyed his meal from the mission and left in laughter with joy in his heart, because he took time to notice the small things that God had done each day for him.

Eddie's story reminds me of the ten lepers who came to Jesus to be healed. All ten were healed physically, but only one turned back to give thanks. I believe the response of the leper's heart proved his spiritual healing. For those who have been touched by Jesus, how is it possible to not to worship "to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:6) Notice Him. Look for Him. Search. Explore. Discover your life hid with Christ in God. If you look long enough, I promise you that you will see Him today at work in your life whether through an email, a glimpse of nature, a friend, or some silly coincident that wasn't a coincident at all, but a wink from God. Overlooking God would be like standing in front of the ocean and saying, I can't see anything.

Prayerful thought: May the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:18-20

His Majestic Grace

(5-7-05 Hendersonville, TN 11:24PM)

Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

I am searching for the seam in the sky
But I haven’t found one yet
The fabrics of the heavens are one piece
Covering His glory I bet

If only I could take a look
Behind this veil, I see
I would never be the same I know
Changed is what I’d be

I wish He didn’t have to cover His face
Though I try to understand
A beauty more than I can behold
Would destroy this temple of sand

For I am too small to contain
Our Creator’s awesome space
One day the heavens will be torn to show
Revealing forever His Majestic Grace

A Picture of Grace

(5-13-05 Hendersonville, TN 11:44AM)

My mom always liked the quality of being down to earth. She always told me that I need to be that way and should look for a wife that is the same. When we realize that we can only live, move and have our being because of the grace of God, then we are in a place where life can spring forth in abundance.

So often I portray myself
As who I am not
For what reason I’m not sure
Maybe my pride likes to trot

Pretending to know it all
Have experienced it all
Seen it all
Own it all
What a lie to live!

I just need to be myself
What you see is what you get!
Nothing fancy, abnormal, but maybe plain
Though happy as can be dancing in the rain

It doesn’t matter if I get wet
I was made of the dirt and rain has to set
Form a puddle over me and I’ll soak in
The water that’s hiding me from my sin

Just trying to hide from Who’s over me
Until the sun comes out, scorched as can be
Dried, cracked and wrinkled on top
Enough is enough, it’s time to stop

In reality, I am but dirt or clay
Let me be who I am while I’m here today
Enjoying the gravity that keeps me close to the ground
In this handful of dirt look what I have found.