Sunday, August 19, 2012

Ask and Receive

VERSE:                               John 16:23‑24
    And in that day you will ask Me nothing.  Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  Until now you have asked nothing in My name.  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
REFLECTION:
    How is your prayer life?  Do you always pray in Jesus' name or someone else's name?  When we pray we are always praying to the Father but He only hears and answers our prayers if we pray in Jesus' name.  We can't pray to Peter, Paul, or Mary‑‑they are only people and they cannot take our petitions to the Father.  Only the true Son of God, Jesus, can be the mediator between our prayers and the Father in heaven. 
    If we ask the Father anything in Jesus' name, He will give it to us.  Does that mean we can ask for a million dollars?  You can ask, but you probably won't receive.  Your requests must be aligned with the will of God for your life.  We cannot dictate to God what we want and when we want it.  If we truly love God, then our desires will be aligned with His desires for our life.  We need to be praying for things like wisdom, discernment, protection, and God's compassion.  Then and only then will our joy be full.  Our joy shouldn't be in earthly things but in the things of God.  Do you get more excited when you buy a car or when God shares something intimate about His Word to you?
    Start today by praying in Jesus' name and pray for spiritual desires because those are the things that will truly bring you joy.
PRAYER:
    Pray for something spiritual that you desire.  Pray for the love of God to be poured out in your heart.  Pray for your joy to be full.

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