We Have Direct Access to God!
Every second of every day you have direct access to God. This may be something you already know, but think for a second about how incredible that is. At any time and in any circumstance, you can call on Him and He will hear you. It’s easy to take that gift for granted, but this direct access hasn’t always existed. In the Old Testament, before the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the only people with direct access to God were the priests. Priests served as the liaison between God and His people.
Because of the sin among the people of God, God had to separate Himself from them, and if someone needed to speak to Him, they would have to talk to the priests. Then the priest would go to the temple on a mountain to seek God on their behalf. God loved us so much and knew the gap between us and Him needed to be closed. So He sent Jesus to die for our sins and create something new.
Jesus stepped in and reconciled our relationship with God. Because of His miraculous life, death, and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit who lives within us, we are now “priests” who have direct access to the God of all eternity. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into this wonderful light.” Instead of having to depend on a priest to speak to God for us, we have been made a “royal priesthood.” This means God has moved out of the temple, off of the mountain, and into us. The beauty is that we are now called “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), and we’re being formed into the temple God chooses to live in.
With our new title as priests, we have all been given the “ministry of reconciliation,” and have the responsibility of carrying the gospel into the world around us so that more people can have direct access to God. We have been called, equipped, and sent as God’s ambassadors.
Now as ambassadors, with the Holy Spirit in us, it is our responsibility to reflect the culture of the kingdom we represent (2 Corinthians 5:20). That means we seek to live in a way that reflects Jesus for the rest of the world to see. When we carry His presence, know His Word, and lift His name, we bring hope to a world that desperately needs it. (HCD)
WORD
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
WORSHIP
Think about the worship songs below and enter a time of worship. May these worship songs bless you during your time of fellowship with God. Be reminded that God is near and is listening to you intently.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for waking me up this morning and laying me down for a restful sleep last night. Thank You for loving me and choosing to live in me. I want to represent You in my life each day. Teach me Your Word and help me to be an ambassador for You. In my life, let Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SHARE
Our prayer for you in this season is to eagerly await what the Lord will do for us, in us and through us during these very special 30 days. Our heart is to spread the hope of Jesus to the world around us. Invite your family and friends to this daily devotional, save the image below, and share via social media!
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