1 Timothy 2:5 NLT
[5] For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus.
Good Morning!
When Christ died for us, He gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we would have access to the very throne of God. There was only one Messiah that was prophesied about throughout the entire Old Testament. There is only one Savior for all of humanity. There is no other name throughout all of history in which we can be saved. Jesus Christ is, was and will always be the only ONE that gives us eternal life — our Mediator.
Acts 4:10-12 NKJV
[10] let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. [11] This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ [12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Not only do we get the privilege of eternal life when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we also become a friend of God. Jesus tells us in John 15 that we are no longer a servant but His friend, when we do what He commands us. That command is very simple — to love each other and to love the Lord our God.
John 15:11-15 NKJV
[11] “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. [12] This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. [14] You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Like with any other friendship, we have the responsibility to dialogue with one another. God speaks to us through His word and we speak to God through prayer. Our Heavenly Father loves to hear our prayers and His ears are open to the prayers of His friends. Our prayers rise up to the very throne of heaven as incense. When we pray earnestly, consistently and in the name of Jesus, the Father will answer our prayers. Praying is one of the most important things we can do as a Christian — the prayers of the righteous avails much.
But what does it mean to ask “in the name of Jesus?” Jesus instructs us in The Lord’s Prayer to pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So if we pray according to God’s will and for things that line up with His word, His ears are fully listening and will answer our prayers. It may not always be the answer that we want, but He knows what is best for our lives. By praying “in the name of Jesus,” we are given access to the very throne of God because of His mercy and grace toward His children. The Creator of all things is listening to us!
1 Peter 3:12a NKJV
[12] For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers;
Psalm 141:2 NKJV
[2] Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Revelation 5:8 NKJV
[8] Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
James 5:16b NKJV
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
John 16:23 NKJV
[23] “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Proverbs 15:29 NKJV
[29] The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Abiding
As we walk daily in this life, we have the simple task of abiding in the Lord — obeying His word and living a life that is focused on seeking His will first and praying often. When we do this one thing, we can live in the security that we are a friend of God. We won’t need to worry about the ups and downs of this life as God will supply all of our needs. When we seek Him first, He will take care of all of the details of our lives.
Abiding in Him is living moment-by-moment with a God first mentality. What would Jesus do in every situation? What can we do to walk more like Him? None of us are perfect and we will all make mistakes. God knows that we are not perfect and His grace and forgiveness allow us to walk with Him in humility and as His friend.
1 John 3:24 NKJV
[24] Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV
[33] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad