May 7:  Ask and You will Receive

Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). You cannot get the Word inside of you by keeping your Bible on a shelf, putting it under your pillow at night, or even by hearing someone preach it to you. Preaching only stirs up faith; you have to have the Word in you before hand through regular reading and meditation.

Jesus gave us the condition, “If… My words abide in you,” so the last part of the verse could be fulfilled in us: “Ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.” If you are filled with the Word, you won’t ask for just anything. You will ask on the basis of His Words, which He fulfills. Remember that many of our prayers aren’t being answered because we pray for things, he never asked us to pray for. When we pray according to His Word, however, we know we are praying the will of God. God performs His Word and nothing else – neither your suggestions nor your feelings.

Therefore, if you don’t bring Him His word, you won’t experience the promise “it shall be done for you.” Too often we think the phrase, “ask what you desire” means we can ask for anything. Yet Christ says, in effect, “If my Word is abiding in you, then you can ask what’s abiding in you, and it will be done.” That is the power of the Word. Note: God fulfills His Word – not your suggestions or feelings. Abiding in Jesus means continual spiritual communion with Him by fellowship, worship, prayer and fasting. Dear friend, are you abiding in in the Lord’s Words? Let it show in your words, thoughts and deeds and the peace of God which surpasses all human endeavors will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Here’s the foundation for your prayer life.

Let’s pray: Father, may your Word abide in me so that it can flow out of my heart and mouth in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 1 – 3; Luke 24: 1-35

Our Provision is Stored up in God's Word.