January 21st, 2025
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 NASB
How do we come boldly to the Father?
There is something to be said about a relationship where you know exactly where you stand with that person. It’s easier to approach someone in all things when we know our position with them— whether that’s a loved one, a friend, or a spouse. Having confidence in your relationship opens the way for vulnerability, accountability, and expressions of love.
Is how we’re living reflective of where we stand in the most important relationship in our life?
The Bible makes it so clear where we, as believers, now stand with God. And yet, there are times our conversations, prayers, thoughts or mindsets don’t match our position. The word says we are no longer strangers, but citizens (Ephesians 2:19). We’re no longer servants, but friends (John 15:15). We’re no longer slaves, but sons (Galatians 4:7).
Citizens, friends, and sons have much more access than the former positions.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NIV
Have you been living more like a stranger or a loved one who has full access to God in every way? Can we think about this today as we come to Him?
We have a friend who sees the same doctor as we do. Over time, she has made a personal connection with her and now has her number and open conversation with her. There have been times when our friend has had something going on physically and just texts OUR doctor and gets right in to be seen! She gets right in with the same doctor we have had to wait weeks to see. We have the same doctor, but we have different access. This may seem silly— but how often is this the picture of how we live?
God has told us: “You have full access to Me”, and yet at times we can see ourselves as patients, on hold, listening to elevator music, waiting to be seen. How can we live this way with all that Jesus has done? When we call on Him, He is right there!
Imagine Jesus on the cross, looking at us with the promise that with His resurrection comes full access, new life and purpose! And then imagine yourself ever responding with uncertainty. While our natural circumstances or relationships may falter or be unsteady, God made it absolutely clear that our position with Him is sure. We can come boldly to His throne because He’s asked us to! We are no longer separated because He brought us close.
We are no longer slaves, servants, or strangers. We are His own. He has taken us from what we were and not only placed us in His family, but brought us BACK TO LIFE! Let’s live like it!
“That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.” Ephesians 2:19 MSG
God wants you to live in the fullness of His goodness and glory. Today is an invitation to that! Let’s not hesitate to come near—full of confidence, not in who we are, but in who He has made us to be by His blood. We have a place to belong and be used by Him when we take our rightful place in Him. Can you believe this is the kind of a God He is? There is no other god who would come down low and lift us high with Him!
We’ve had an anthem in our hearts for this week, and we want you to sing it too! Listen to Back to Life!
Lord, help us to come boldly to your throne today! We are all friends with the doctor! : )
Come to church anytime this week between 7am-7pm and we can pray together. Don’t forget to make plans to be there for Worship Night on Friday at 7pm also!
We love you!
Pastors Josh + Tori
How do we come boldly to the Father?
There is something to be said about a relationship where you know exactly where you stand with that person. It’s easier to approach someone in all things when we know our position with them— whether that’s a loved one, a friend, or a spouse. Having confidence in your relationship opens the way for vulnerability, accountability, and expressions of love.
Is how we’re living reflective of where we stand in the most important relationship in our life?
The Bible makes it so clear where we, as believers, now stand with God. And yet, there are times our conversations, prayers, thoughts or mindsets don’t match our position. The word says we are no longer strangers, but citizens (Ephesians 2:19). We’re no longer servants, but friends (John 15:15). We’re no longer slaves, but sons (Galatians 4:7).
Citizens, friends, and sons have much more access than the former positions.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NIV
Have you been living more like a stranger or a loved one who has full access to God in every way? Can we think about this today as we come to Him?
We have a friend who sees the same doctor as we do. Over time, she has made a personal connection with her and now has her number and open conversation with her. There have been times when our friend has had something going on physically and just texts OUR doctor and gets right in to be seen! She gets right in with the same doctor we have had to wait weeks to see. We have the same doctor, but we have different access. This may seem silly— but how often is this the picture of how we live?
God has told us: “You have full access to Me”, and yet at times we can see ourselves as patients, on hold, listening to elevator music, waiting to be seen. How can we live this way with all that Jesus has done? When we call on Him, He is right there!
Imagine Jesus on the cross, looking at us with the promise that with His resurrection comes full access, new life and purpose! And then imagine yourself ever responding with uncertainty. While our natural circumstances or relationships may falter or be unsteady, God made it absolutely clear that our position with Him is sure. We can come boldly to His throne because He’s asked us to! We are no longer separated because He brought us close.
We are no longer slaves, servants, or strangers. We are His own. He has taken us from what we were and not only placed us in His family, but brought us BACK TO LIFE! Let’s live like it!
“That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.” Ephesians 2:19 MSG
God wants you to live in the fullness of His goodness and glory. Today is an invitation to that! Let’s not hesitate to come near—full of confidence, not in who we are, but in who He has made us to be by His blood. We have a place to belong and be used by Him when we take our rightful place in Him. Can you believe this is the kind of a God He is? There is no other god who would come down low and lift us high with Him!
We’ve had an anthem in our hearts for this week, and we want you to sing it too! Listen to Back to Life!
Lord, help us to come boldly to your throne today! We are all friends with the doctor! : )
Come to church anytime this week between 7am-7pm and we can pray together. Don’t forget to make plans to be there for Worship Night on Friday at 7pm also!
We love you!
Pastors Josh + Tori
Posted in Prayer + Fasting
No Comments