The recent process of completing my flight training has provided many insights about the Christian life. Don't be surprised if these articles occasionally feature illustrations of spiritual truths from this experience.

For instance...

My license is a very valuable, legal document. It grants me official rights to fly any single-engined, land-based aircraft virtually anytime and almost anywhere I wish to go. In essence, I have been granted legal access - first to certain aircraft, and then to airspace. This access I consider to be a great blessing, a gift from God to me, and I pray regularly that He would use it for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.

While thinking about this concept of "access" the other day, I began to consider the far greater access that all Christians have been granted, through Jesus Christ, to none other than God Himself.

Just think of this for a moment. At any time, day or night, we can enter the throne room of Heaven, and approach the King. We don't need a ticket, and there's no need to stand in line. Neither is there a long security checkpoint to endure. The Lord bids us and wants us to come, bringing anything and everything that burdens us, distracts us, or otherwise discourages us from our walk with Him. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand," (Romans 5:1-2). "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16).

Each and every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has been granted this "license", the official right of access to God Himself. It was not granted to us because we studied hard and passed a few tests. It is "not by works of righteousness that we have done", for even our "righteousness is as filthy rags". No, we have access because the Son of God loves us and gave His life for us. He has clothed us in His righteousness, and adopted us into His family.

Now practically speaking, there are limitations on my access to aircraft and airspace. Issues of ownership, insurance requirements, and even weather may prevent me from utilizing my privileges. Sure I'm licensed to fly, but my experience doesn't always reflect that fact.

In like manner, there are many things that can and often do deny us, in our experience, the enjoyment of our privileges of access the Lord has given us. For instance, if we harbor sin in our hearts, habitually giving in to the desires of the flesh, we have introduced an element that interferes with our fellowship with the Lord. We note, however, that this is not God's fault. As soon as we are willing to confess and lay these sins aside, He, like the Prodigal's father, will run to meet us again with open arms.

Hindrances to the experience of our access need not be sinful in and of themselves. There are many things and pursuits in life that could be considered good and useful. The attractions of the world however often entice us to devote our time and attention to them to the exclusion of the things of the Lord. And when we do, we set up idols in our hearts which steal our affections away from the only One Who can truly satisfy.

Add to all of this the barrage of lies and distortions the devil repeatedly brings to us, doubts of God's love for and acceptance of us for example, and together all of these negative influences draw us away from the enjoyment of our access to the Lord.

Think of it this way. If I never took advantage of my license or utilized the privilege to fly, I would rightly be considered foolish. My investment of time, work, and finances would have been worthless. However, I did not get my license to waste it, but to use it, and moreover to use it for the glory of God. Therefore, I purpose and work to overcome any obstacles that might hinder me from utilizing my privileges as a pilot.

Likewise, when the world, the flesh, and the devil attempt to keep us from utilizing our privilege of access to God, giving in to them and neglecting fellowship with the Lord is ultimately a foolish and frustrating response. No, instead we must purpose in our hearts, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to overcome those things which keep us from fellowship with God.

Someday, perhaps soon, we His children will be in His physical, not just His spiritual, presence. At that time all of the other things which vie for our affections and keep us from enjoying our access and fellowship with Him are going to be seen to be what they are - utterly worthless.

Until then, may God grant us the increased desire to boldly use our free access to His throne, and to His heart.

In His Service,

Stephen Tecklenberg,
President

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Ministry Report

Shenandoah Valley Excursion. Since 1995, Steve has been leading this unique journey to the mountains of Virginia for high-school students under the auspices of Beachmont Christian Ministries. This year, Eagle's Nest and Beachmont worked together to organize and supervise the trip.

Twenty four individuals from 4 states spent a week hiking, swimming, and in a variety of other sports and games. Additionally, each day also had its own spiritual thrust, with two sessions devoted to teaching from the Scriptures, small group discussions, and one-on-one discipleship.

Throughout the week, the Lord also allowed various situations, like vehicle problems and inclement weather, to give us the chance to trust Him and watch Him work in overcoming these potentially negative circumstances, all to teach us of Himself, and to bring Him greater glory.

Totally His Conference. From June 17-22, thirty seven young people from all over the country came together at the Evangelical Institute in Greenville, SC for this special time of seeking the Lord through the study of His Word and fellowship with each other.

Each day typically consisted of four periods of instruction on a variety of Biblical topics. Though each instructor brought his own unique series of messages, it was inspiring to see how often they would overlap and reinforce one another. This, of course, led to the sense that the Lord had a very special message for those young people. Indeed, the testimony time at the end of the conference revealed that the Lord had touched many of them, for which we praise God.

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Special Prayer Request

One of the scheduled speakers, Aidan McKenzie, was unable to join us as planned due to some very unusual health problems. We certainly ask you to pray for him, that God would restore him to the full functions of the ministry, and in the interim grant him and his family peace and joy in the midst of this trial.

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Romanian Partnership Update

From time to time, we have been endeavoring to keep you informed about the partnership we have developed with A.M.C. Golgota, the Bible school and mission organization in Romania we work with while in that country.

Many of you have made special contributions of clothing, office supplies, and even finances to help our brothers and sisters there, and we want to thank you for your support.

Recently, the Romanian government has levied a substantial fee on Golgota's campground / conference center development project. If the Lord should burden you to assist in this particular project, you can feel free to send your gift to them through Eagle's Nest. ENM is assuming all administrative costs for this - 100% of it will go to Golgota.