ACCESS

Ephesians 2: 18: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Brethren, try to grasp the truth of this amazing statement. We have open, welcome access to God.

When God created Adam upright in the garden man had access. But when Adam sinned we lost communion with God. That is how it would have remained were it not for God. Sinful man wants no access to the true and living God. Dead sinners want to escape hell and go to heaven. But sinners do not want the God of heaven. Thankfully, God elected a people unto salvation whom God would give access back into his presence.

Yet, God could not simply give his elect access. Justice had to be poured out—we all had to die. Also, we had to be born-again, recreated in the righteousness and true holiness of Christ by the incorruptible Seed of the gospel. We had to be given repentance from self and faith in Christ.

In order for God to receive all the glory in giving us this access all three persons in the Godhead perform the work. God the Father chose us, God the Son redeemed us, and God the Holy Spirit quickened us. Notice all three persons receive the glory for giving us this access, “For through [CHRIST] we both have access by one SPIRIT unto the FATHER.” The reason we have access forever is to give God the glory forever!

Pastor Clay Curtis

And It Came To Pass

The phrase “and it came to pass” as far as I can find, is one of, if not the most used phrase in all the Bible. Over 1,680 times we find these words written on the pages of Holy Scripture. Every time we hear or read the words, “and it came to pass,” may we be reminded that God has, is, and will always cause all things to come to pass by His own sovereign purpose, providence and predestinating power, and after the counsel of His own will. (Ephesians 1:11) God can cause all things to work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, simply because He controls all things. (Romans 8:28) David wrote, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psalm 115:3) The next time you read “and it came to pass” in the Scriptures, or the next time something “comes to pass” in your life, remember WHY it came to pass and never forget WHO caused it to come to pass.

Pastor David Eddmenson

NEVER AFFLICTED ALONE

Any child of God suffering affliction can take comfort from the truth that no child of God suffers affliction alone. “In all their affliction he was afflicted” (Is. 63:9). When a child of God suffers affliction, Christ our Savior suffers affliction with us. He personally feels the affliction of His people because believers are the body of Christ. This is why the Lord said to Saul “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?” (Acts 9:4). Our great High Priest is touched with the feeling of our infirmity (Heb 4:15) so He not only comforts, but He sympathizes with us in our affliction and delivers us from it. God said “I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them” (Acts 7:34).