[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] A Backstage Pass - Girlfriends in God - March 21
Eric Calhoun
eric at pmpmail.com
Mon Mar 21 16:58:22 UTC 2011
Original Message:
From: "TONY_at_FloridaHealth" <FloridaHealth21 at verizon.net>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] A Backstage Pass - Girlfriends in God - March
21
Date:
Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:49:19 -0400
March 21, 2011
The Right Credentials
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 discussing my first book on the telephone
one day and trying to set up a time to meet face-to-face 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 replied. "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. 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
events.
Then we entered an elevator that took us
to an area where the speakers were tucked away. As soon as we stepped into
the elevator, a stern faced security guard rushed in, pointed his finger in
my face and pronounced, "Where's your backstage pass? You're not supposed
to be here, young lady. You're in a lot of trouble."
Then he whipped out his walkie-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, "It's OK. I'm one of the speaker's sons. I have a
backstage pass and she's with me."
"That's right," I agreed when I had once
again found my voice. "He's Patsy Clairmont's son, and I'm with him."
"Oh, okay then," the guard said as he put
the walkie-talkie back in its holster. He exited the elevator and he 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 most important lesson I learned was on that elevator ride.
Revelation 12:10 says that Satan, "the accuser," stands before God accusing
us day and night. He calls us "unworthy" and questions our credentials as
he points his gnarly finger and tells us we're not good enough to pass
through heaven's doors. But just when we begin to feel unworthy to approach
the throne room, God's Son, like Patsy's son, steps forward and says,
"Leave her alone. She's with me, and I'm all the credentials she needs."
In the Old Testament, there is a sense
that God was unapproachable because of His holiness and our sinfulness. In
the temple a veil separated the Holy of Holies where God resided, from the
other areas of the temple where the priests attended daily. The high priest
entered the Holy of Holies only once a year, on the Day of Atonement.
Before he could enter, the priest went through a rigorous ceremonial
cleansing process. Bells were hemmed to the bottom of his robe and a rope
was tied around his ankle. When the priest entered the Holy of Holies, the
men outside listened for the tinkling bells to make sure he was still
alive. If God was not pleased, and the sound of the bells ceased, they
pulled the dead priest out by the rope.
But in the New Testament all that
changed. God was and is still the holy great I AM, but He welcomes us into
the Holy of Holies with the confidence of a child approaching her daddy.
When Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, God tore the veil of the Holy of
Holies from top to bottom, inviting all those who believe in His Son as
Savior and Lord to enter with assurance and confidence. (Mark 15:38). The
writer of Hebrews encourages us, "Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in
our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Paul reminds us, "In Him and through
faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians
3:12).
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 secured area, Satan will tell us that we don't deserve to enter
into God's presence. But just as Patsy's son showed his credentials to
allow me to enter the secured room, Jesus Christ stands to show his
credentials that allow us to enter the throne room of God. As a child of
God, your Father welcomes you into His presence. Not only that...He longs
for you to come.
Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, I know that there is no
way I could ever be good enough to earn my way to heaven. Thank You that
Jesus did it for me, and He is all the credentials I need.
In Him Name,
Amen
Now It's Your Turn
Has Satan ever tried to make you feel
like you weren't good enough?
If so, then here are a few verses that
let him know exactly who and Whose you are!
a.. I am the salt of the earth. (Matthews
5:13)
b.. I am the light of the world.
(Matthews 5:14)
c.. I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
a.. I am part of the true vine, a channel
(branch) of Christ's life. (John 15:15)
b.. I am Christ's friend. (John 15:15)
c.. I am chosen and appointed by Christ
to bear His fruit. (John 15:16)
a.. I am a joint-heir with Christ,
sharing His inheritance with Him. (Romans 8:14-15)
b.. I am a temple of God. His Spirit
dwells in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
a.. I am joined to the Lord and am one
spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
b.. I am a member (part) of Christ's
body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
c.. I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians
5:17)
d.. I am reconciled to God and am a
minister of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18,19)
e.. I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)
f.. I am blessed with every spiritual
blessing in heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)
More from the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's
new book, 5 Dreams of Every Woman and How God Wants to Fulfill Them(a new
revised version of her previous book, Dreams of a Woman). Can you risk the
hope that God still has dreams for your life? That He hasn't forgotten you?
Place your hand firmly in His-take a deep breath and begin the exciting
journey to a place you thought you'd never find: the dream God planned for
you all along. Sharon also has a laminated prayer card filled with verses
to help you remember your identity in Christ.
Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info at girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com
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