Thoughts for Life: #37 The Key to Great Works (about prayer)

Alvin Vandergriend- John 14:12-13 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (v.13) And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." Google image, Man praying

Jesus spoke these words shortly before He was arrested and crucified. He had just told His disciples He would be leaving them. This news left them confused and fearful— confused about the future of their work for the Lord and fearful that they would not be able to do it.

Jesus' words were intended to allay the disciples' fears. He assured them that they would be able to do the work. In fact, they would do what He had been doing — and even greater things.

On the face of it this seems a preposterous thing for Jesus to say. After all, He had preached great sermons, attracted huge crowds, spoken wonderful words of wisdom, walked on water, stilled a storm, healed the sick, and raised the dead. How could the disciples possibly do such things?

Jesus explains that it would be possible because He was going to the Father and they would be able to ask in His name for what they needed in order to do the work of God's kingdom.

Jesus going to the father meant that He would be given all power in heaven and on earth. Thus empowered, He would continue His work on earth in a different way —through them.

Their asking in His name would link Him to them. By means of prayer His power would be at their disposal as they carried on His ministry "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Prayer would be "the talking part' of this ministry partnership in which He would supply the power and they would do the work.

These words of Jesus, though meant to comfort and encourage His first disciples, were also meant for us. Jesus, you will notice, addressed these surprising words to "anyone who has faith in me." That includes you, if you are a Christian, and me.

What a powerful combination: Christ on the throne of the universe, empowering us, His disciples, here on earth to build His kingdom. We ask, and He acts, and the work gets done — great works to the glory of God the Father.

What's Jesus doing through you today?

Let's pray-

Father, we have to admit that most of our prayers have been somewhat selfish. Please help us be more diligent to pray for things that help build Christ's kingdom. Open our eyes to ways we can participate in honoring our Lord Jesus. May we take notice how You are working in the body of believers that we are a part of, and show us how we can be involved too.

We are grateful for all that Jesus did while here on earth those many years ago, and for all that His disciples have accomplished since then. May we realize now that our failure has been motivated by selfish desires and not necessarily ministry oriented.

We appreciate Your Faithfulness in answering the prayers we've said, and we realize that You do hear us when we pray in Jesus' name. May we begin to intercede for neighbors and coworkers and those You bring to mind when we pray, using the prayer pattern that Jesus taught us. May what we do and say bring glory to You, Father, through our efforts as we prayerfully rely on the Spirit of Jesus to help us.

It's in His name we pray. Amen

626-630- one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

626- Ro. 3:24 "Being justified feely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

627- Ps. 94:18 "When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up."

628- Ps. 55:6 "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."

629- Ps. 35:28 "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long."

630- Ps. 118:5 "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."

Quotes for today-

Just As We Are

I’ll love you if you’re pretty
I’ll love you if you’re thin
I’ll love you if you’re witty
I’ll love you if you win.

I’ll love you if you’re rich
I’ll love you if you’re smart
I’ll love you if you love me back
Then I’ll give my heart.

But that’s not how God loves us
He loves us as we are
It doesn’t matter what we’ve done
Or if we’ve strayed afar.

For when He sent His Son to earth
He showed us how He cared…
By Jesus dying in our place
Not one soul need be spared.

Salvation is a precious gift
And best of all it’s free.
It’s ours if we will just believe…
It’s up to you and me.

©Frances Gregory Pasch

(Used wit permission)

- Jennifer Waddle- "The most important thing to keep in mind when God doesn’t answer our prayers for healing is that He loves us more than we can comprehend. And it is because of His great love that we can rest in His sovereignty and know that He holds eternity in His hands." . . . "The burden of healing falls on my God who knows the plans he has for me even when my own hopes collapse around me. The burden of healing lies in my God whose ways aren’t a faith formula, but a mystery. The burden of healing doesn’t lie in saying just the right words or praying something that sounds beautiful. And I don’t know about you but that frees me up to pray a little more boldly for God to heal."

Words of wisdom-

When we extol, (shout out praises) to God, we bless Him in the midst of our troubles, and we let the next generation see our faith. Our posture in praise needs to be spontaneous. We are encouraged to sing out loud so that we stir up our faith through worship! (See Ps. 63:1-4; Ps. 145:4).

Today's Popular post-

Praise Refreshes the Soul

Sharon Jaynes shares with us, "One day I was mopping the kitchen floor and my words were anything but cheerful.

I grumbled to myself . . . no one even appreciates all that I do around here . . . "

Upcoming posts:

2/19- #38 The Strength to Stand

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2/26- #39 Prayer Defeats Satan

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3/5- #40 Prayer Shapes History

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