Unity

Jesus spoke many promises. Some are embedded in dialogue and could almost be overlooked, but they’re wonderful promises nevertheless.

Jesus was visiting with His disciples, preparing them for His impending death on the cross, when He said, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.” (Jn. 14:19 NKJV) His subject was His unity with His Father and with the Holy Spirit. Because He experienced that unity, Jesus knew the heart of the Father and He could promise, “I won’t leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (v. 18)

Then He shifted His focus just slightly by expanding the scope of His unity. He expanded it to include God’s unity with His people: “you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” (v. 20)

When we receive Jesus—when He comes into our heart—we receive His life. Because He is God living within us, we enjoy His life on earth. We even experience unity with Him as part of our daily life when we respond to Him. Just as He promised.

Originally published April 30, 1993.

Answers to Prayer?

Jesus said to Philip, “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also . . . And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (Jn. 14:12a,13a NKJV)

Wow. Is it possible that God answered every prayer Philip ever prayed after receiving this promise? Hardly, and I’m sure no reader thinks that was the case. Life doesn’t work that way. It didn’t even work that way for apostles.

Why aren’t our prayers answered? According to this portion of Scripture, it has nothing to do with doing an especially great job. Philip received the promise jut after Jesus set him straight on an important issue—yet Jesus gave him such a glorious promise.

Philip didn’t understand many things and we don’t understand many things. But we do know God wants us to pray, to come to Him in Jesus’ name. And we know we will never receive answers to prayer until we begin praying.

One key for receiving answers lies in aligning ourselves with Jesus’ name. If we align ourselves to Him, we're open to respond to His leading, His direction. Jesus said, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (v. 14)

Originally published October 20, 1989.
Picture: Flowers in Las Vegas, NV. 2008. Photo by Solveig.