ACCESS

Over the past couple of weeks, a lot of work has gone into increasing the accessibility of our church to people with disabilities. As a handful of people worked together, progress was made, and there is now a ramp on the east side of the church. Yes, there is more work to do, but the progress has been significant. And, for some people, it should be much easier to get into our church building … those who struggled, or just couldn't make it in, now have access.

Having access … that’s significant. Have you ever wanted to go somewhere, but did not have access? Perhaps it was a trip you wanted to take, but didn’t have the funds. Perhaps you wanted to meet a dignitary or famous person, but had no means. Or, have you wanted to fix something, but just couldn’t reach what needed to be fixed with the tools you had?

Any of these could be points of frustration and/or disappointment. But, can you imagine the frustration of not having access to God? What if we had to go through all kinds of rituals and cleansings (i.e. Old Testament sacrificial system) in order to set things right with God? What if our prayer requests had to go through a priest, instead of being spoken directly in our time of need? Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus Christ has granted us direct access to the Father? With the help of the following verses, I invite you to consider what a great gift that access is:

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 3:11-12 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (ESV)

Access to the Father in prayer is indeed a great gift. Never neglect it!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker