Approaching With Boldness

Praise Reports:

• David was able to help Christin fix her car with little expense.
• Zeb and Josie’s baby shower went wonderfully and they were very encouraged

Prayer Requests:

• Abby—college work
• Byron and Mary and Pam and Markus
• Danny—strength and healing for back
• Dwayne, Robin, Jana, Belinda, Joyce—battling for health
• Elaine—healing
• James—recover from accident and do well at work
• John—safe travel to Texas and back, grace and blessing
• Julie—sustaining grace
• Kim—an increase of energy
• Mercy on our country, authorities from Washington DC to Sulphur Springs
• Sandra
• Those who won’t express their needs

In the light, a photo by kelsey_lovefusionphoto on Flickr.

What do think of when you hear the word “disconnect”? Perhaps you think "removed from", "detached", "divided" or "removed". Our world is obviously in struggle and stress; when we see evil, atrocities, spite, deceit, etc., something in us says that this is not the way things should be. Even haters can see hate and know it’s not right; the worst criminals know right from wrong, and most people can agree on what core virtues are. The truth is that we are disconnected from Father God. Hold on to that word, and let’s see how it is connected to another word.

In John 10:24 the people ask Jesus to tell them plainly whether or not He is the Christ. The word means to be forthright, without ambiguity; they want Him to “give it to us straight”. In John 11:14 Jesus uses the same word to announce, “Lazarus is dead,” in the plainest way possible. The word is used again in vs. 54 to say that Jesus walked publicly, in open. In Acts 4:13 the word is translated confidence; Peter and John spoke with boldness and openness. In vs. 29 and vs. 31 it appears again as confidence and boldness. 1 John 2:28 says that we should have confidence at Christ’s appearing. Look up verses 3:21, 4:17, 5:14 to see more examples of confidence.

As Christians we still suffer from this world’s disconnect, though we are in Christ we are still waiting for Him to return and reign. In Hebrews 4:14-16 we read about how our high priest can connect us back because He knows our trials and temptations. And He has been tempted in all things so that we may approach Him with confidence/frankness/authority/license. So how do we go about approaching Him? When we need grace and mercy we can get it, but only get if approach the throne of God boldly and openly (cut to chase, don’t make excuses, quit beating around the bush). Think of it as if you were asking your boss for a raise: this is not the time to recount the details of your problems and hedge the issue. When approaching the Almighty, request what you require. You must also confess your sin boldly, admitting it all, laying it bare. There are no cowards in Heaven. Approach the Lord with guts and faith.