Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year, “Supernatural Manifestation.” Today we will continue to look at 1 John 4:16,17 and John 14.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
Jesus said the following, in response to a question from Philip:
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”
Jesus answered, “Philip, I have been with you for a long time. So you should know me. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father too. So why do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The things I have told you don’t come from me. The Father lives in me, and he is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or believe because of the miracles I have done.
I can assure you that whoever believes in me will do the same things I have done. And they will do even greater things than I have done, because I am going to the Father. And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. Then the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son.
(John 14:8-13 ERV)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- You have to ASK for it!
- a) I made the point yesterday that God requires us to ASK for what we are believing Him for. Believing something is God’s will is not enough. We must ASK for it!
- b) Jesus explained that He was ONE with the Father, that we were ONE with the Father, that He prayed for the Father to do things, and that we must also PRAY. Jesus taught us to ASK the Father, in His name! If we don’t ask, we won’t receive, and it will not be God’s fault.
- It’s in the contract, but you have to ask for it.
- a) I was in a meeting this week where this point about “asking” came out and I would like to draw the parallel here. I was talking to a customer about an opportunity. In the conversation, a question came up about our current contract with this customer. One person asked, “Is this particular capability covered in our existing contract?” My answer was, “Yes.” To which the person responded, “Well, if it’s covered, then why are you not doing it?” Before I could respond, the person’s boss said, “It’s in the contract, but we have to ask for it! It can be in the contract, but most people don’t read the contract to know what’s in there. And then, even those who do, don’t always ASK for everything that is in there.” Yesterday afternoon the Holy Spirit reminded me of this conversation and began to speak to me about the parallels of this conversation and prayer.
- b) Many people are walking around wondering what God’s will is. These same people have access to the Bible. The Word of God is the will of God documented! Many questions would be answered if people just simply read the Bible (read the contract).
- c) When God promised something in His Word, He obligated Himself. For example, the Word teaches that ALL who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved; that ALL who accept Jesus as Lord have eternal life. So when someone accepts Jesus as Lord, we don’t question whether or not God has saved them, we know He has, because it’s in the Book. God will never renege on His Word. For God to go back on His Word, He would have to violate His own integrity, and He won’t, because He is completely HOLY!
- d) The Bible is full of promises. These promises are BINDING. God obligated Himself when he spoke His promises. In this context, the Bible can be seen as a contract. But like in real life, most people don’t read the contract, and even when they do, they don’t ASK for what’s in it!
- e) Not only do you have to read God’s contract (His Word), but you have to ASK for what’s in it. You have to make a demand on what He has promised! If you fail to ask, you will fail to receive, and it will not be God’s fault!
- f) Seeing yourself “As Jesus is, in this world,” will give you the boldness required to ASK, in His name, with complete confidence that God will do what He said He would do. That is how we live the life of faith!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I read Your Word daily. I meditate and medicate on it day and night. It is life to me. Your Word contains Your will. Your Word contains many great and precious promises. You obligated Yourself when You gave us these promises. Your Word is binding. But just like most people don’t read a contract to know what’s in it, many believers don’t truly read Your Word to know what’s in it and to ask for what’s in the contract. I am not like most believers. I read Your Word, I believe Your promises, I ask in name of Your Son, and I believe I receive when I pray. Because as Jesus is, so am I, in this world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
