Picture from a Christmas party for one of my departments, the Business Development group led by Nate Olsen!

We Have a Theme! 

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 

If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14 

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. John 15:16 

I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I noticed a pattern here in Jesus’ upper room, 2-minute warning pep talk.  

• Ask and I will do 
• Ask and I will do it 
• Ask and it will be done 
• Ask and He will give it to you 

This theme seems important to Jesus. We know it’s not a formula to simply give us what we want. It’s not a prescription to promise us earthly health, wealth and happiness. How do I know? Well, after Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples did not live lives of health, wealth and happiness. They faced hardship, ridicule and martyrdom.  

Add the apostle Paul to this discussion and we know that He fulfilled God’s calling on his life but in order to do it, he left a life of health, wealth and power and give up everything for Jesus. He also faced hardship, ridicule and martyrdom.  

Let’s break this down a little bit and see if we can figure it out. What’s the context of these promises of ask and receive? 

• Doing great works for God 
• Ask in Jesus’ name 
• You abide in Jesus 
• His words abide in you 
• You bear much fruit 

(Side note: Isn’t Bible study fun when you read the text carefully, ask yourself questions and look at the context to find the truth? It’s a lot better than watching a TV preacher isolate and twist verses like “Ask anything and I’ll do it” and then give a bunch of random, self-serving examples that Jesus never said). 

Back to our study… 

There is a sense that our lives (heart, soul, spirit & mind) should grow to be so consciously connected to Jesus and that our thoughts, words and especially prayers flow through us from Him with us in Him and He in us. 

He is in us; we are in Him; His words are always on our mind and in our heart; we are connected to Jesus so closely that when we ask, we ask just like Jesus would ask; our lives are bearing the fruit of a spirit-filled life; we talk to Him; He speaks to us; we think about Him; we love His words; we read and meditate on His words; He is in us and we are in Him; we are connected with Him in the most intimate way. 

This is the essence of intimate connectedness that I desire to live out daily with Jesus. That I am so connected to Jesus that the prayers that flow from my heart are His prayers and He promises to answer. 

Does this seem foreign to you? Please, do not be overwhelmed. I fall short of such intimacy all the time. But I’m pursuing it. I’m growing in it and I’m progressing. I pray that you are too. Just take one step closer each day. Jesus is patient, kind and loving. In this love relationship we have with Him, He is kind to meet you where you are. Jesus, draw me close to You! Amen!