August 23, 2017
Do You Have What it Takes?
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV)
Friend to Friend
One of my favorite people is author and speaker Patsy Clairmont. We were trying to set up a time to visit when she came to speak at a Women of Faith Conference in my hometown.
“Patsy, I’d love to spend some time with you before the conference, but I don’t have a backstage pass. I won’t have access to the part of the building where you will be.”
“No problem,” Patsy answered. “Just go to my book table and tell my son who you are. He’ll bring you to me.”
The day of the conference arrived, and I swam through a sea of women to reach Patsy’s crowded book table. It wasn’t hard to spot her son – a male version of Patsy herself. After proper introductions, Jason and I were off to find his mom. First we passed through heavy mahogany double doors that led to an area called The Crown Room for the VIP’s who attended professional basketball games and other important events. Then we entered an elevator that took us to an area where the speakers were tucked away.
As I stepped into the elevator, a stern-faced security guard pointed his finger in my face and pronounced, “You’re not supposed to be here, young lady. Where’s your backstage pass? You’re going to be in a lot of trouble.”
He whipped out is walk-talkie and was not afraid to use it. Before I could force one word out of my dry mouth, Patsy’s son stepped forward, showed the guard his credentials, and gallantly stated, “I’m one of the speaker’s son. She’s with me.”
“That’s right,” I agreed when I had once again found my tongue. “He’s Patsy Clairmont’s son, and I’m with him.”
“Oh, OK then,” the guard said. Then he hopped off the elevator and was off to seek and find other dangerous Christian women like myself who were attending the conference.
I had a wonderful visit with Patsy and left the conference very inspired by each one of the speakers. But perhaps the greatest lesson I learned was on that elevator ride.
See, one day we will leave this earth, heaven bound. As we make our way to God’s throne room there may be someone lurking in the shadows, waiting to accuse us, to call us unworthy, and to question our credentials. In Revelation 12:10, Satan is called “the accuser of the brethren.” I envision him standing in my path, pointing his crooked, gnarled, demonic finger in my face and saying, “You don’t belong here! Where’s your pass? What are your credentials?”
Then just as Patsy’s son stepped forward to vouch for me, Jesus, God ‘s Son, will step forward and say, “Leave her alone! She’s with me. I’m all the credentials she needs.”
Just like the security guard who pointed his finger in my face and told me I didn’t have the right credentials to enter the secure area, Satan will tell us that we don’t have the right credentials to enter the throne room of God. He’s a liar and a thief. Once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have all the credentials you need. As a child of God, you have undeniable access because God’s Son is with you and in you.
Savor the peace of knowing that one day you will pass through heaven’s gates to spend eternity with your Heavenly Father. You don’t have to worry about what the future holds, because God holds your future. If you know Jesus, you’ve got what it takes.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You that I have undeniable access to You through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, if it were up to my credentials—or rather my own works, I would never stand. But You have made a way for me to come into Your presence. I look forward to the day when I will see You face to face.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
The next time you make a telephone call and are put on hold or have to go through a lengthy series of (if…press two, if…press three, if…press 0) thank God that you do not have to go through such maneuvers to get to Him.
If you have not made a decision to follow Christ and make Him your Lord and Savior, please click on the link at the end of today’s devotion to learn more.
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