Freedom and Confidence
Date: July 25, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence." - Ephesians 3:12
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Dear God, thank You for the incredible gift of access to Your presence through Jesus Christ. Help me to embrace this truth and come before You with confidence, knowing that I am accepted and loved. Strengthen my faith and help me draw near to You with a heart full of gratitude and reverence. Amen.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians while he was in prison, around AD 60-62. In this verse, Paul emphasizes the believers' access to God through Christ and the freedom and confidence they have because of their faith in Him. This scripture reminds us that, through Jesus, we have the privilege of approaching God with boldness and assurance. In the past, access to God's presence was limited to certain individuals or rituals, but now, in Christ, we can come before Him personally and intimately. It is not based on our performance or merits, but solely on our faith in Jesus Christ.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
"In Him": Our access to God is made possible through our union with Christ.
"Through faith in Him": Faith is the key that unlocks the door to God's presence and favor.
"Freedom and confidence": We can approach God with a sense of liberation and boldness.
S - Summarize and Share:
There were times in my past when I felt like getting close to God was this distant and overwhelming thing, but as I’ve grown in my faith, I now know that because of Jesus, we have a direct line to Him. It's like having a hotline to the King of Kings! No more barriers or protocols. We can come just as we are and talk to Him openly.
You know, sometimes life can feel overwhelming, and we might wonder if God even hears us. But this verse reminds us that we have this amazing privilege to draw near to God anytime, anywhere. We don't have to worry about being perfect or having it all together. It's all about our faith in Jesus.
I can't even put into words how freeing and comforting this is. It's like finding the best friend who never judges us but always listens and loves us unconditionally. We need to take full advantage of this open invitation. We need to approach God with a heart full of freedom, knowing that He loves to hear from us.
I've experienced how incredible it feels to talk to God like a close friend, sharing my joys, worries, and dreams. And you know what? He answers! How do I hear Him? Through His Word. When we read it, we can find the guidance, encouragement and reassurance that we need. There are times that I’m upset or worried and a specific verse will just calm me, providing me with exactly what I need. Another way I hear Him is through prayer. While I may not hear Him talking to me like a person, I often feel a sense of peace, or understanding after I’ve talking things through with Him. And one more way I hear him? Through others. God often uses other people, like friends or family or even strangers, who say something to me and I’ll just KNOW that it was God speaking through them to me.
So, let's make time for Him every day, pouring out our hearts, seeking His wisdom, and trusting that He's always there for us.
Remember, it's not about religion or following rules; it's about having a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. Jesus paved the way for us, and now we get to experience the fullness of God's love and grace. So, let's embrace this gift with gratitude and confidence, knowing that we are loved beyond measure!
Bible Cross References:
Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Ephesians 2:18 - "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
Romans 5:1-2 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."