Have you ever had the message “access denied” come up on your computer screen or bank machine? The message I don’t like to see is “access denied - user unknown”! Maybe you have had the experience of trying to open the combination of a lock or steel safe. After you entered the password or combination and tried the handle... it was still locked!

What did you do? Did you give up and say - “I guess it does not work?” “It must be broken after all I tried it once and it did not open.” Most people don’t give up that easily when they are trying to get into their account or their locker. Why is that? It is because they know there is something of value inside and they want it and they want it NOW!

Some will try the same password over and over and expect something to change. That reminds me of the definition of insanity; doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result. Some will resort to physical violence against their computer or the bank machine. This usually only brings temporary stress relief and with it added consequences such as localized bruising, financial loss in repairs, and sometimes criminal charges - if it was your bank machine.

So why do some people “try” the Word of God this way? I have heard of some who heard that God’s word says “that if you give it will come back to you along with a bunch more.” So they put a dollar in the offering and expect God to make them rich. Well it didn’t come back to them that week so it must not work. “It must be broken. I tried it once and it did not work therefore, I‘m going to go against the truth of God‘s Word and base my belief system on my experience.

It sounds like I may be exaggerating, but too often I hear of similar scenarios where people tried the Word, whether it was for healing or deliverance or some other personal need. God did not act the way they thought He should - therefor it must be broken.

God’s Word Is Not Broken!

If only they would realize the priceless treasure that is available to all of us inside of the Word of God. The more I study the bible the more I “want in” and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get in and stay in! If you have spent very much time on the computer when you get into your Internet account, it is sometimes a relief. Especially if you have forgotten how to get in.

What about the times when you are in and suddenly you are shut down – “access denied - user unknown?” That is not possible! I was just in! What is going on? Maybe you attempted a process that could jeopardize your account, so for security reasons your access was denied.

Sometimes in our walk with God we start out doing what is right and we see Him work on our behalf. We are in the account! Then we decide one day that things have been going pretty good. Maybe God would not mind if I just had one drink, or maybe smoke a little MJ (Weed or Marijuana). You may even be able to get away with it for a period of time and seem to live life quite smoothly. But one day “all hell” breaks loose and you run back to God and it seems you keep getting a message... something that sounds like “access denied - user unknown!”

God does not forget who we are, but sometimes we can forget who He is and His way of doing things. Recently I taught on the subject of pride and I was reminded of what Jesus said in Mark 7:20-23 “20 And then he added, “It is the thought-life that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.”

Unacceptable! Does that sound like - Access denied - user unknown?

God’s Word is not hard to follow, but He does expect us to do it right. The plan of redemption is so simple. It is religion that has made it hard to understand. Thank God He has made a way to get back into His account. If we admit we have sinned, (that is went ahead and did what we knew was wrong), and ask for His mercy, He will email us the password so to speak. 1 John 1:9 “9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”

What is the password to the promises of the bible? LOVE, God is love and the bible says we are created in His image, therefore we are love. In other words if we don’t act in love towards, God, our neighbour, or love ourselves we can’t expect the promises of God to manifest.

Matthew 22:37-40 “37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (NLT)

1 Peter 4:8 “8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (NLT)

1 John 4:12 “12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.” (NLT)

Another key to the promises of God that some people miss is in Mark 11:23-25

“23 I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. 24 Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (NLT)

What? We not only have to love our neighbours and family and friends and pastor (I just threw that one in), but now you say “we need to forgive them too?” Well you want into your account don’t you? Why is it that we can learn the exact password and memorize them so we can access our earthly accounts, but when it comes to doing things God’s way some people forget what is required to access the promises of God?

This reminds me of the scripture I read recently - Hebrews 5:12 “12 You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food.” (NLT)

Now, I know most of you reading this love to sink your teeth into the solid meat of God’s Word, but there may be times we need reminded. I have had the experience of being sure I knew the password to my account, but I could not get in. So finally out of desperation I asked for a reminder to be sent to me. We can forget - especially as our lives become busy it can be difficult to do the things we want to. We may be tempted to try to cut corners or do most of what we know to be right. How many know that unless we enter the exact password - we are not getting into our account.

We may be a very nice people and really try hard to do the best we can, but it still seems our lives are a mess. WHY? One thing I know - it is not God’s fault. Every time I could not access my account, it was my fault. I had forgotten the password. The system works to protect me from intruders and when I am in. I have access to all the benefits of my account. God’s word also protects me when I’m fully submitted to the will of God.

God’s word works the same for me as it will for you. When I’m in my account (that is walking in love and believing His word), I have protection from intruders to protect my stuff. I have access to meet my financial needs. I have access to meet my health requirements. My access is through the blood of Jesus in the work of the cross - as long as I remember the password.

It is worth getting inside!

Philippians 4:19-20 “19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now glory be to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.” (NLT)