“I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things” (John 8:28). When Christ ministered on earth, he enjoyed full access to the Father. He said, “I can do nothing on my own. I do only what the Father tells me and shows me” (also see John 5:19, 30). Moreover, Jesus didn’t have to slip away to prayer to obtain the Father’s mind. Of course, he prayed often and intensely, but that was about fellowship with the Father.

It was a different matter in his everyday activities, whether he was teaching, healing or casting out demons. Jesus knew at all times that he was in the Father, and the Father was in him. He didn’t have to “go up” to the Father to know what to do. The Father was already dwelling in him, making himself known. And Jesus always heard a word behind him, saying, “This is the way … here is what to do.”

Today, we’ve been given the very same degree of access to the Father that Christ had. You may be thinking, “Wait a minute, that’s mind-boggling. I have the same access to the Father that Jesus, the Creator and Lord of the universe, did?”

Make no mistake: like Jesus, we’re to pray often and fervently. We’re to be seekers of God, waiting on the Lord. But in our daily walk — our comings and goings, our relationships, our family life, our ministry — we don’t have to slip away to beseech God for a word of strength or direction. We have his very own Spirit living in us. And the Holy Spirit reveals to us the mind and will of the Father. His voice is always behind us, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

The truth about our union with Christ was a hidden mystery to the church until Paul came on the scene. The Holy Spirit used Paul to open this mystery, which is, Christ in you, the hope of glory (see Colossians 1:27).

Beloved, this is not a complicated issue. Simply ask yourself if you have received Jesus not just as your Savior, but as the enthroned Lord in heaven. And have you accepted that the enthroned Lord lives in you? We have been given heaven here in our souls. Our Savior Jesus Christ came to give us much more than redemption. He came so that we might have fullness of life every day.

Today our society is broken. We have out-of-control schools, confused leaders, collapsing banking systems, widespread unemployment, unmanageable social programs, and a complete breakdown of moral values. And to top it off, the earth could be standing on the brink of a nuclear catastrophe. In short, things seem to be spinning out of control.

How can believers possibly stand firm and steadfast in the midst of all this chaos? The author of Hebrews answers us: We must see Jesus in all that is happening in our lives (see Hebrews 2:9).

Some may wonder, “How could the Lord be in any of this? So many things in my life feel out of control.” Let me give you an example from Scripture. I am talking about a man whose world was turned upside down by chaos, shaking the very foundations of his faith. Yet, in the midst of it all he saw the Lord.

In his hour of great trial, the apostle Stephen stood unmoved as a mob of Christ-haters surrounded him armed with stones and ready to put him to death. Stephen knew he had only a matter of minutes to live — yet he was filled with peace and calm. What was the secret of this man’s endurance?

In that very moment, Stephen testified, “Look! I see the heavens opened and [Jesus] standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). He kept his eyes focused on Jesus alone. He could face a cruel death knowing Jesus was with him in it all.

I am convinced that the example of Stephen holds something of great importance for all who love and serve the Lord. It is this: When we truly see Jesus in the midst of our afflictions and hardships, we will always hear him tell us, “Fear not!”

If we’re honest, we’ll admit we often put our confidence in others during our hour of great need. We look to pastors, counselors, friends, spouses for answers. We spend hours, days, even weeks trying to figure out how our problem can be solved. And if a solution isn’t quick in coming, we keep manipulating, working every angle, until all our human resources are exhausted.

Thank God for all the help we get from others, but we are not to look for an angel to appear or a ship to come in. Paul states, “[We] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). It is for our soul’s sake that God waits until we look beyond human resources and seek him alone for help. He does use people in our lives, but we are to let him orchestrate it.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). “Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion. . . . Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me” (Micah 7:5, 7).

Paul knew all about the powerlessness of the flesh. He admitted he was not clever. His critics called his preaching contemptible, his presence base — in short, they said he was boring. But Paul had no problem with such criticism because he didn’t trust his flesh. He knew that Jesus hadn’t fought his battles with cleverness, ability or charisma but with all confidence in the Father (see 1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

There is a glorious promise in Hebrews 3:14 for all who hold firmly to their confidence in Jesus: “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” This means that when we maintain an unwavering confidence in the Lord, he becomes our only true source of supply. We need look nowhere else.

At times, you may find yourself asking, “Why am I so discouraged? Why do I have all these fears?” You must know that is always a Holy Spirit issue. Isaiah says that the Holy Spirit portions out peace and there can be no peace without righteousness. “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:17-18).

When the Holy Spirit is poured out, peace is the result. And if that effect isn’t present — if there is still turmoil — then we must take a look into our own hearts. Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit is given only to those who ask in faith. Do you live, walk and move in the Spirit? It doesn’t matter how successful your life appears; your supply of the Spirit always has to be renewed. Paul speaks of his own “supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” and asks the Philippians for “your prayer” (Philippians 1:19).

Praise God for all the men and women of God who have not lost the Spirit and are aflame with the Holy Spirit. Isaiah gives us this good news: “Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on our descendants, and My blessing on your offspring’” (Isaiah 44:2-3).

Jude assures us, “Beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 17-21).

Pray this prayer today: “Holy Spirit, stir my soul! Draw me to the secret closet of prayer with you. Discipline me to wait on you, to cry out, to not give up until you fill me to the full. Supply me with your quiet rest and assurance that you will see me through whatever comes.”

“Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:19-20). We are now living in “that day” Jesus speaks of; in short, we are to understand our heavenly position in Christ. Of course, most of us know our position in him — that we are seated with him in heavenly places — but only as a theological fact. We know it as an experience.

What is meant by “our position in Christ”? Very simply, position is where one is placed, where one is. God has placed us where we are, which is in Christ. In turn, Christ is in the Father, seated at his right hand. Therefore, if we’re in Christ, then we are actually seated with Jesus in the throne room, where he is. That means we’re sitting in the presence of the Almighty.

This is what Paul refers to when he says we are made to “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). This isn’t something you can attain, it’s what God says of you. If you’re in Christ, then in the Father’s eyes you’re seated near him, at his right hand.

The moment you place your trust in Jesus, you’re taken into Christ by faith. God acknowledges you in his Son and seats you with him in the heavenlies. This isn’t merely some theological point but a truth, a factual position. Of course, being “in Christ” doesn’t mean you leave this earth. You can’t manufacture some emotion or feeling that takes you up into a literal heaven. No, heaven has come down to you. Christ the Son and God the Father came into your heart and made their abode there: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23).

Yes, Jesus is in paradise, and his Spirit moves over all the earth. But the Lord himself abides in you and me specifically. He has made us his temple on the earth, his dwelling place, which means we have unimpeded access to the heavenly Father. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). “We have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (3:12).

Your heavenly Father rejoices over you, so leave your worldly pursuits behind and take your position in Christ today!