God's Holy Fire: 'Equal Access'

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

[Jesus] brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
— Ephesians 2:17-18 NLT

Key Thought

Assured grace means equal access! Because of Jesus' sacrifice and because of the work of the Holy Spirit, we are all welcomed at the throne of grace regardless of gender, social standing, financial status, race, nationality, political affiliation, or any other differences. This equal access brings a kind of peace that wars can't accomplish and diplomacy can't achieve. This status is a peace brought to us because Jesus paid the price for the peace and sent the Spirit to give us the assurance that we are loved and heard by the almighty God.

Today's Prayer

O God, you are incomparable! No one can stand before you in arrogance. I recognize that I can come before you only because of your desire to cleanse me at great cost to you and to give me the gift of the Holy Spirit to bring true peace. I ask for the peace that passes all understanding, and I also ask that you lead and guide me in the way I should go. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Same Spirit
Devo: Together in Christ
"[Christ] brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to..."
No Longer Strangers
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, friend of the far and the near, I am so thankful that Christ came and preached peace to those who were far off and to those who were..."
The Night I Was Argentine
Article by Tim Archer
Sometimes, everyone gets to be a part of things My status as an Argentine was a fleeting thing. It ended when the World Cup celebration was over. But my right to be a part of God’s people will never end.
SpiritFire - More than Near
Article by Phil Ware
How close is God to us? Phil Ware shares insight in his SpiritFire series on the Holy Spirit and reminds us of the incredible promises of God's nearness and personal indwelling in us through the Holy Spirit.
See All 10 Related Resources about Ephesians 2:17-18

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 2:17-18 NLT — Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Revelation 21:23
"Yonder in the better world, the inhabitants are independent of all creature comforts. They have no need of raiment; their white robes never wear out,...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 6:19-21
""Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Luke 12:6-7
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Prayer and Good Deeds' (1 Ti. 2:8-14)
"Dear Father, Let the men of your church pray constantly to you, lifting holy hands without quarreling. May your women adorn themselves modestly and....."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations