John 14:12-31
Powerful Promises
John 14:12-31
"You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father"
John 14.13
John 14.13
In the message this week we're looking at 19 verses packed with powerful promises, and I encourage you to read the whole passage and let God speak all of these truths into your life. However for this devotion we will stop up at the second promise of this passage, found in verse 13-14 where Jesus says: 'You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it'
This is one of those verses that I think we sometimes read and think that's amazing and then we continue without really stopping up and taking it in. And I think the reason why we sometimes do that is because it is simply too much, it's too big - how can this be right? But Jesus words are trustworthy and true, Jesus does not come with promises he doesn't intend to keep! So we should stop up and it should excite us and inspire us and make us think; what does that mean for my life, how should that change the way I approach prayer!!
Jesus is talking into the context of the whole speech to his disciples here. The whole passage for this week is really about us continuing the work that he started when he was in this world. Filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit we are to continuing doing his work, the things we have seen him do. And as we do that - going into this world continuing in his footstep, being his hands and feet on this earth, he says that whatever we pray for in his name; the things that are on his heart, things that are according to his will, his word, he will give it to us! And why? So that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
God is so passionate about His own glory, and this is something that really encourages me when I read this promise. I know that He will do it, for His own glory. Yes, God is moved by compassion. The gospel is full of that too, we see Jesus being moved to tears in compassion, and he answers our prayers out of love, compassion, grace and mercy, for our good. But ultimately it is all for the glory of God! And this really encourages me, yes - He will answer my prayers so that the world will see His glory, so that the world will see who He is. So that we will turn to Him and Worship him.
I had an powerful encounter with God this summer where God revealed to me how passionate He is for His own glory, and it left me with this enormous sense of awe. Some time ago God healed me from an allergy I'd had for many years, and not really knowing when it happened (as I'd stayed away from certain food for years) I didn't really know how it had happened. But then, through a powerful encounter with God this summer I heard Him tell me: This which has happened in your body, you being free from the allergy. It is I who have healed you and it is all for My glory. And it left me with an enormous sense of God being so passionate for His glory that in no way would He let me not give Him the glory. It left me with an enormous sense of awe knowing that; God you are passionate for Your glory!
For my good, yes - I praise God for the miracle of healing, and it's for my good. I can again eat strawberries!! But ultimately it is for His glory. And this excites me! Knowing how passionate He is for His glory we can go out into our day knowing that this is true; we can ask Him for anything in His name, and He will do it - so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. When I pray in His name for healing, in His name for salvation, in His name for works of compassion and love that will demonstrate who the Father is, He promised us: Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it'
This is one of those verses that I think we sometimes read and think that's amazing and then we continue without really stopping up and taking it in. And I think the reason why we sometimes do that is because it is simply too much, it's too big - how can this be right? But Jesus words are trustworthy and true, Jesus does not come with promises he doesn't intend to keep! So we should stop up and it should excite us and inspire us and make us think; what does that mean for my life, how should that change the way I approach prayer!!
Jesus is talking into the context of the whole speech to his disciples here. The whole passage for this week is really about us continuing the work that he started when he was in this world. Filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit we are to continuing doing his work, the things we have seen him do. And as we do that - going into this world continuing in his footstep, being his hands and feet on this earth, he says that whatever we pray for in his name; the things that are on his heart, things that are according to his will, his word, he will give it to us! And why? So that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
God is so passionate about His own glory, and this is something that really encourages me when I read this promise. I know that He will do it, for His own glory. Yes, God is moved by compassion. The gospel is full of that too, we see Jesus being moved to tears in compassion, and he answers our prayers out of love, compassion, grace and mercy, for our good. But ultimately it is all for the glory of God! And this really encourages me, yes - He will answer my prayers so that the world will see His glory, so that the world will see who He is. So that we will turn to Him and Worship him.
I had an powerful encounter with God this summer where God revealed to me how passionate He is for His own glory, and it left me with this enormous sense of awe. Some time ago God healed me from an allergy I'd had for many years, and not really knowing when it happened (as I'd stayed away from certain food for years) I didn't really know how it had happened. But then, through a powerful encounter with God this summer I heard Him tell me: This which has happened in your body, you being free from the allergy. It is I who have healed you and it is all for My glory. And it left me with an enormous sense of God being so passionate for His glory that in no way would He let me not give Him the glory. It left me with an enormous sense of awe knowing that; God you are passionate for Your glory!
For my good, yes - I praise God for the miracle of healing, and it's for my good. I can again eat strawberries!! But ultimately it is for His glory. And this excites me! Knowing how passionate He is for His glory we can go out into our day knowing that this is true; we can ask Him for anything in His name, and He will do it - so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. When I pray in His name for healing, in His name for salvation, in His name for works of compassion and love that will demonstrate who the Father is, He promised us: Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it'
Apply
- Spend some time with God simply worshipping Him in His glory, for He is worthy of all your worship, attention and love.
- Read the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. What do you think Jesus want to say to you personally through this story?
- Write down three things that you used to pray for, but then stopped praying for before you saw the answer. Knowing what Jesus has promised you, if these are things you can pray in Jesus name, then pick them up again and keep praying till you see the breakthrough.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you so much for this amazing promise that you have given us. Thank you that your word is true, and I can know that this is for me. I pray that you will forgive me for all the times when I have doubted your promise, for the times I have thought that it won't happen, even if I pray. I confess this as sin and I turn to you in prayer, please give me the faith of the persistent widow who knew her rights and didn't give up before she saw the answer. Thank you that you will answer when I pray in your name; for our good, for the good of the world, but first of all so that the Father can be glorified! All for your glory God, I pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
Thank you so much for this amazing promise that you have given us. Thank you that your word is true, and I can know that this is for me. I pray that you will forgive me for all the times when I have doubted your promise, for the times I have thought that it won't happen, even if I pray. I confess this as sin and I turn to you in prayer, please give me the faith of the persistent widow who knew her rights and didn't give up before she saw the answer. Thank you that you will answer when I pray in your name; for our good, for the good of the world, but first of all so that the Father can be glorified! All for your glory God, I pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
This Everyday Devotions was written by Elisabeth Radtke, who is a Deacon at our Croydon Plant.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on John 14:12-31 why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on John 14:12-31 why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.