At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. [John 16.23-24]
I am not going to waste my time trying to explain why we should NOT believe these words of Jesus. Instead, I am going to encourage myself and anyone who reads this to go to God, make petition in Jesus' name, and joyfully receive.
How pitiful it is that most of our efforts in Christian circles are spent talking ourselves out of faith rather than into it! Why don't we realize that doubt is self-serving - it cloaks itself in a guise of faith and accepts every circumstance as the 'will of God' rather than attempting to change circumstances (with the risk of failure)? Our faith demolition must stop! Even at the risk of being seen as foolish, we must strive to believe God (evidenced by asking, receiving, and abundant joy) and encourage others to do likewise!
How tempting is it right now to 'qualify' these thoughts? How tempting is it to 'balance' these words? How tempting is it to hide our own doubt and unbelief by reasoning that God's will could be contrary to what we ask?
Father, today I want to ask, receive, and have that abundant joy!
Is it any wonder that after Jesus instructed his followers to walk in this kind of faith that He had to make this statement: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. [John 16.33]
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