Jun 15 2021

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The United States Secret Service was created in 1865. When we hear something about this agency today, we typically think of the tough, heavily armed agents who guard the President and other high-ranking government officials and their families. But that's not why this law enforcement agency was founded. Its original purpose was to combat the widespread issue of counterfeit currency.

In the nineteenth century, this affected one-third of the currency that was being circulated, and the problem was out of control. Secret Service agents were therefore tasked with investigating crimes that promoted the spread of counterfeit bills. Over time, the organization morphed into what we know now as the safeguard to the President. To get to the President, you must go through these agents first.

In John 14:6, Jesus tells His disciples that the only way to God is through a relationship with Him. There's no way around it—to approach God, you must go through Jesus. Only Jesus, the Son of God, could make this bold statement, but He had complete authority to do so.

Throughout history, there have been many counterfeits who claimed to be God or offer a different path to God, but Jesus is the only way, truth, and life.

The Secret Service can't help us discern a counterfeit to God, but the Bible and the Holy Spirit can and will. We can read the prophecies about Jesus and see that all the other counterfeits don't meet the criteria. So, the only thing we can do is dismiss them and accept that if we want the real deal—knowing God—we must believe in and follow Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for providing a way for me to come to the Father. Your life, death, and resurrection proved that you are the true and only Son of God. The only way I can know the heart of God is through believing what you accomplished on the cross. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much that you provided a way for me to have a relationship with you and spend eternity with you in Heaven. In your name, amen.

Jun 14 2021

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. :

"Can you do me a favor?"

This question is often posed by friends or family members when they believe we can do something for them. They might ask us to do a task we could easily do, or something that's seemingly impossible. Either way, when someone asks us for a "favor," they have confidence that we can help them.

Now, imagine that this friend or family member who needs a favor never listens to anything we say. In fact, the person does the opposite of whatever we ask them to do.

This afternoon's verse in 1 John addresses the confidence we can have toward God: "whatsoever we ask, we receive of him." We might interpret this as giving us the right to ask for anything we want, even billions of dollars, because it says that if we ask, God will give it to us.

The next part of the verse, however, reveals the true meaning: "because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." We can ask anything of God because we are obedient to what He wants from us. As we grow closer to Him, our hearts and minds conform to God's character. As we focus on Him, we begin to see things through His eyes. Then, we ask for the things that line up with God's Word and receive riches that are according to His will for all of our lives.

God, today I confess that I have confidence in who you are. You have been faithful and good in my life, and I can depend on you. Help me learn and obey your commands. I don't want to be disobedient... I want to follow you with all of my heart. With your guidance, I can ask for what I need according to your will, knowing that you will always provide. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
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