Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.
John 16:24 NKJV
A conundrum is sometimes defined as a riddle inside an enigma wrapped in a mystery. It's also a fair description of more than one scripture that has challenged me through the years. Like today's verse on asking and receiving. I read it and immediately get lost in a tangled web of sentences that all start with but or what-if.
Yet, when the journey of reason becomes so convoluted I think I may never find my way back, I take a tip from an atheist who's writing I have always admired. Mark Twain said, "It ain't the parts of the Bible I don't understand that bother me. It's the parts I do!" If I'll back off and focus on what I know instead of getting lost down rabbit holes, life-and scripture-make a lot more sense.
From this verse, what I know is when I ask Jesus for something and receive it, the cycle is a whole lot of fun!
I was going through a particularly wearisome time of spiritual dryness. I had just finished one book and was casting about trying to envision the next, but nothing was working and I drifted into such a slough of despond that I wasn't sure I cared if I ever wrote again. Too much hard work. Too little reward. God had many excellent writers in His fold. He didn't need me.
That was when I picked a prayer journal from the shelf and began thumbing through. I was amazed at how many victories had slipped by without my notice. Troubles had been solved. Growth had taken place. Moods had changed. And, all of it had progressed almost stealth through my days. Where had I been when that prayer was answered? Why didn't I notice the cloudy mood I prayed about was lifted in less than seventy-two hours?
I pulled down another journal. Forgotten memories surfaced like neglected friends. With such a body of evidence demonstrating that my efforts and choices made a difference in life, what gave me the right to think new dreams, new prayers and new horizons weren't worth pursuing? The experience was like coming up from under water and taking a deep breath of fresh air. Just like Moses had assured the Israelites, remembering yesterday created courage for tomorrow. [1]
There are still many things I don't understand about this verse. I haven't got a clue how Jesus could give such a powerful blank check to humans who have a penchant for making unreasonable, selfish requests. I don't understand why sometimes when Christians make perfectly logical, needed request; they don't seem to receive from God. But I know I am a weaker, sadder person when I fail to grab hold and bask in the sunshine of each answered prayer no matter how small or large.
[1] Deuteronomy 7:18
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Whatever?
Whatever you ask in My name I will do it that the Father may be glorified. John 14:13 (abridged)
Before He went away, Jesus gave the astounding promise that we could ask anything we wanted—anything—in His name and He would do it. He even told us why He would grant our desires; because doing so would glorify the Father.
I know very few Christians who have not puzzled over this verse and some have fallen as they claimed what they believe to be a clear promise from Jesus, yet did not receive the thing they asked. I certainly don’t have the complete answers to this mystery, but a small light began to glimmer when I read the verse using a different name for God.
Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Looking at Jesus—knowing how He acted, what He said and how He felt—showed humanity the unseen God. It was probably the clearest picture of the Father He could give, but it wasn’t the only one. He also said “God is Spirit” [1] and later His closest earthly friend taught us, “God is love.” [2] All of these words and examples help us wrap our mind around a Being who is in truth beyond comprehension.
I don’t think we stretch the meaning of this verse too far when we insert other scriptural words for “Father.” Although the technique is not without limitation, the Father is God, and God is love. For better understanding, the verse might be read, Whatever you ask,…I will do it that Ultimate Love may be glorified.
How could prayer— especially “unanswered” prayer—glorify (exalt, lift up) Love? The scenarios are not as difficult to imagine as one might think.
We show (lift up) love’s patience [3] when we don’t immediately receive what we ask but keep believing. We experience love’s humility [3] when we ask rather than demand and leave the final decision to our God. We demonstrate the selfless nature of love when we allow His choice to be first [4] and love’s trust is displayed to angels, our own heart, and a doubting world [5] when we refuse to accuse God of being unfair [4] simply because we don’t understand.
John began his memories of Jesus’ last hours by saying, “Having love His own who were in the world, He [Jesus] loved them to the end.” [6] Love was the reason for Calvary [7] and ultimate, pure, perfect love is a reflection of the nature of God. When Jesus answers our requests, yes, God’s love for us is glorified (exalted, lifted up) and when He answers our requests, no or wait, our love for God is shown to a skeptical world.
[1] John 4:24; [2] I John 4:8; [3] I Corinthians 13:4; [4] I Corinthians 13:5; [5] I Corinthians 4:9; [6] John 13:1; [7] John 3:16
Before He went away, Jesus gave the astounding promise that we could ask anything we wanted—anything—in His name and He would do it. He even told us why He would grant our desires; because doing so would glorify the Father.
I know very few Christians who have not puzzled over this verse and some have fallen as they claimed what they believe to be a clear promise from Jesus, yet did not receive the thing they asked. I certainly don’t have the complete answers to this mystery, but a small light began to glimmer when I read the verse using a different name for God.
Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Looking at Jesus—knowing how He acted, what He said and how He felt—showed humanity the unseen God. It was probably the clearest picture of the Father He could give, but it wasn’t the only one. He also said “God is Spirit” [1] and later His closest earthly friend taught us, “God is love.” [2] All of these words and examples help us wrap our mind around a Being who is in truth beyond comprehension.
I don’t think we stretch the meaning of this verse too far when we insert other scriptural words for “Father.” Although the technique is not without limitation, the Father is God, and God is love. For better understanding, the verse might be read, Whatever you ask,…I will do it that Ultimate Love may be glorified.
How could prayer— especially “unanswered” prayer—glorify (exalt, lift up) Love? The scenarios are not as difficult to imagine as one might think.
We show (lift up) love’s patience [3] when we don’t immediately receive what we ask but keep believing. We experience love’s humility [3] when we ask rather than demand and leave the final decision to our God. We demonstrate the selfless nature of love when we allow His choice to be first [4] and love’s trust is displayed to angels, our own heart, and a doubting world [5] when we refuse to accuse God of being unfair [4] simply because we don’t understand.
John began his memories of Jesus’ last hours by saying, “Having love His own who were in the world, He [Jesus] loved them to the end.” [6] Love was the reason for Calvary [7] and ultimate, pure, perfect love is a reflection of the nature of God. When Jesus answers our requests, yes, God’s love for us is glorified (exalted, lifted up) and when He answers our requests, no or wait, our love for God is shown to a skeptical world.
[1] John 4:24; [2] I John 4:8; [3] I Corinthians 13:4; [4] I Corinthians 13:5; [5] I Corinthians 4:9; [6] John 13:1; [7] John 3:16
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sing a Merry Tune
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. I Chronicles 15:16
Did you know a human may well be the only thing in God’s creation that sings? I’ll admit that the point is arguable. It depends on exactly what you mean by “sing.” However, by all accounts our human experience of this phenomenon is unique. Birds chirp various tones, but they are bound to repeat these same tones and can never make up any other. Many animals express emotion by various vocalizations, but the purr of a cat or the bray of a lonely donkey can hardly be called music. Even angels are said to speak rather than sing out their praise (Luk. 2:13-14). God can sing (Zep. 3:17) and people sing, but the rest of creation? Not really.
Happiness, joy and celebration are closely tied to music. Before the temple was built, David set up a system where music would be flowing 24/7 (I Co. 9:33) as they sang day and night in the house of the Lord. And, in the early church (as today) music was a vital part of every gathering. They even sang to each other (Eph. 5:19) and no one seemed to bother with whether one could carry a tune.
Music is one of the few things that carries a double blessing. When we praise, it lifts the spirit of others and then ricochets to lift our own heart as well. Got a bad mood going and want to break the spell? Sing! It can be the fastest route to restoring joy and a positive attitude.
Did you know a human may well be the only thing in God’s creation that sings? I’ll admit that the point is arguable. It depends on exactly what you mean by “sing.” However, by all accounts our human experience of this phenomenon is unique. Birds chirp various tones, but they are bound to repeat these same tones and can never make up any other. Many animals express emotion by various vocalizations, but the purr of a cat or the bray of a lonely donkey can hardly be called music. Even angels are said to speak rather than sing out their praise (Luk. 2:13-14). God can sing (Zep. 3:17) and people sing, but the rest of creation? Not really.
Happiness, joy and celebration are closely tied to music. Before the temple was built, David set up a system where music would be flowing 24/7 (I Co. 9:33) as they sang day and night in the house of the Lord. And, in the early church (as today) music was a vital part of every gathering. They even sang to each other (Eph. 5:19) and no one seemed to bother with whether one could carry a tune.
Music is one of the few things that carries a double blessing. When we praise, it lifts the spirit of others and then ricochets to lift our own heart as well. Got a bad mood going and want to break the spell? Sing! It can be the fastest route to restoring joy and a positive attitude.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
God's Fun Food
The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, [. . .] Also, their neighbors from far away [. . .] came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel! I Chronicles 12:40 NIV, abridged
I think food gets a bad rap these days. Yes, the Bible condemns gluttony (Php. 3:19; Pro. 23:21) and America has a shocking rate of obesity. But, those are very different subjects than joyfully consuming what God has provided with gratitude and celebrating life with abundant food. In fact, both my personal experience and work as a professional counselor have convinced me those who are overweight seldom really enjoy food. Jesus welcomed celebrations built around food so much that others accused Him of being a glutton (Mat. 11:18).
The Bible regards food as a blessing (Neh. 9:25; Lev. 20:24). God could have created us without taste buds or to live on water alone, but He didn’t. He gave food color and texture and variety. Sweet and sour, savory herbs and starches, the choices are almost limitless. In the Old Testament, He chose food to be a method of worship (Lev. 23:5-14) and in the New Testament Jesus selected food to be a way we would remember Him (I Co. 11:26).
The next time you sit down to a delicious plate, resist the urge to dive right in. Pause. Savor the moment. God provided this goodness especially for you. Eat with celebration and gratitude for His delightful gift!
I think food gets a bad rap these days. Yes, the Bible condemns gluttony (Php. 3:19; Pro. 23:21) and America has a shocking rate of obesity. But, those are very different subjects than joyfully consuming what God has provided with gratitude and celebrating life with abundant food. In fact, both my personal experience and work as a professional counselor have convinced me those who are overweight seldom really enjoy food. Jesus welcomed celebrations built around food so much that others accused Him of being a glutton (Mat. 11:18).
The Bible regards food as a blessing (Neh. 9:25; Lev. 20:24). God could have created us without taste buds or to live on water alone, but He didn’t. He gave food color and texture and variety. Sweet and sour, savory herbs and starches, the choices are almost limitless. In the Old Testament, He chose food to be a method of worship (Lev. 23:5-14) and in the New Testament Jesus selected food to be a way we would remember Him (I Co. 11:26).
The next time you sit down to a delicious plate, resist the urge to dive right in. Pause. Savor the moment. God provided this goodness especially for you. Eat with celebration and gratitude for His delightful gift!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
God's Laughing Plan
A time to weep, and time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4
Like most people, I live under the domination of a clock. A stopwatch sits on my desk marking off the minutes and at the end of every week I check to make sure 40 hours have been recorded. If I didn’t use a clock to force discipline, the minutes, days and weeks would slip away with no work accomplished. But, I’ve learned the hard way that work is not the only thing that needs to be fitted in the schedule. Fun must be honored with designated time, too.
God did not choose to give us a life free of difficulty, but that doesn’t mean long faces are the only mood of which He approves. Laughter and dancing are also part of His plan. If we ignore these fun, relaxed times of celebration we avoid a good thing He ordained. When the pressures mount and workload is high, it is more important than ever to be intentional about our laughter!
One way to be intentional is through purposeful gratitude. When shadows creep, I set my mind to find five things every day that feel good. Even the tiniest, most inconsequential event can bring a whisper of joy. If I’ll pause and cherish the thing as it passes, gratitude replaces a glum outlook and soon life is worth living again.
Another way to incorporate fun is putting something on the clock. I can’t force my heart to laugh, but I can set aside one hour to watch a funny video or read a light-hearted book. I can’t giggle without a reason, but I can schedule time around people who are laughing and before I know it, I am laughing, too! According to God’s schedule, that is a good use of time.
Like most people, I live under the domination of a clock. A stopwatch sits on my desk marking off the minutes and at the end of every week I check to make sure 40 hours have been recorded. If I didn’t use a clock to force discipline, the minutes, days and weeks would slip away with no work accomplished. But, I’ve learned the hard way that work is not the only thing that needs to be fitted in the schedule. Fun must be honored with designated time, too.
God did not choose to give us a life free of difficulty, but that doesn’t mean long faces are the only mood of which He approves. Laughter and dancing are also part of His plan. If we ignore these fun, relaxed times of celebration we avoid a good thing He ordained. When the pressures mount and workload is high, it is more important than ever to be intentional about our laughter!
One way to be intentional is through purposeful gratitude. When shadows creep, I set my mind to find five things every day that feel good. Even the tiniest, most inconsequential event can bring a whisper of joy. If I’ll pause and cherish the thing as it passes, gratitude replaces a glum outlook and soon life is worth living again.
Another way to incorporate fun is putting something on the clock. I can’t force my heart to laugh, but I can set aside one hour to watch a funny video or read a light-hearted book. I can’t giggle without a reason, but I can schedule time around people who are laughing and before I know it, I am laughing, too! According to God’s schedule, that is a good use of time.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Jesus Was a Happy Man
These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11
One of the biggest scripture mysteries is how Jesus could be both a man of sorrows (Isa. 53:3) and at the same time be anointed with gladness (Heb. 1:9) Yet, both statements are true and unless we remember each side of His nature, we miss the complexity and beauty of our Lord.
For me, it is easy to remember the pain, but recalling the God-man also laughed is a stretch. Yet, growing up in a home with six siblings, He certainly knew about jokes and giggles and by His own testimony He was filled with joy. Best of all, this happy side is something Jesus wants to share with us. He said He would give us joy that would “remain” rather than evaporate with every change in circumstance and the key to experiencing it was in the words He had just spoken.
What were those words? A commandment that we love each other and assurance that power to love would be provided from a source outside ourselves. We don’t have to work up feelings of love, we work instead at remaining connected to Him and become conduits of God’s love rather than our own generators.
When we experience His love flowing through us, we become more light-hearted because we don’t have to depend on ourselves. Our hope becomes more vibrant because we see with an eternal perspective and our attitude becomes more positive as we give others an opportunity to join in the celebration of love. What’s more, even if they refuse to continue the love-song, we have pleased our Lord and that is enough to be happy about.
One of the biggest scripture mysteries is how Jesus could be both a man of sorrows (Isa. 53:3) and at the same time be anointed with gladness (Heb. 1:9) Yet, both statements are true and unless we remember each side of His nature, we miss the complexity and beauty of our Lord.
For me, it is easy to remember the pain, but recalling the God-man also laughed is a stretch. Yet, growing up in a home with six siblings, He certainly knew about jokes and giggles and by His own testimony He was filled with joy. Best of all, this happy side is something Jesus wants to share with us. He said He would give us joy that would “remain” rather than evaporate with every change in circumstance and the key to experiencing it was in the words He had just spoken.
What were those words? A commandment that we love each other and assurance that power to love would be provided from a source outside ourselves. We don’t have to work up feelings of love, we work instead at remaining connected to Him and become conduits of God’s love rather than our own generators.
When we experience His love flowing through us, we become more light-hearted because we don’t have to depend on ourselves. Our hope becomes more vibrant because we see with an eternal perspective and our attitude becomes more positive as we give others an opportunity to join in the celebration of love. What’s more, even if they refuse to continue the love-song, we have pleased our Lord and that is enough to be happy about.
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