REMAIN IN ME - PART 7

FRIDAY 06 OCTOBER 2023

Without Christ Jesus, a born again Christian can do absolutely nothing, and this includes "receiving answers to prayers." So the expression "without Christ" signifies the same as being "separated from Christ." More below!

Reference: John 15:7 New Living Translation (NLT) "But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted."

When Jesus tells us to ask for anything we want, and it will be granted, "anything" includes heaven and earth. For instance, the Psalmist stated in Psalm 2:8 - "Ask me (God), and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" (NIV). As for heaven, born again Christians already possess it as their inheritance, by virtue of new birth (Philippians 3:20-21 NRSV). This means that if you remain in Christ and His words remain in you, there should be no limit to your prayer requests, as you ask by faith.

The Bible also says, "If you don't have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded commitment to God..." (James 1:5-6 Voice). If you need wisdom, ask God, and He will generously give it to you. He will not rebuke or scold you for asking. This also includes every other human desire that is ethical.

As long as you belong to Christ, and you have His Word in you, ask and it will be granted without displeasure or disapproval from God. But when you ask, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. So our faith is an added impulse to the process of receiving from God, while doubt and unbelief can become the sources of a limiting power in the same process.

What is the second reason why we must use or mention the name of Jesus to receive answers to prayers? Using His name is our everlasting power of attorney on earth; so we exercise our authority bequeathed to us in Christ by using the name of Jesus, especially in our prayer life. To instantiate this verity, Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (NIV). Notice that God gave Him up for our sake, so that through Him and in His name, we can graciously receive all things which God has given us. Apostle Paul specifically stated — "how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Note the adverb "along." Along with who? Christ. In other words, "Won't God also freely give us all things with Christ or by Him?" Got it?

Every signal of answered prayers carries the name of Jesus both in heaven and on earth. It is the only powerful name that is used in heaven, on earth and even under the earth to receive anything from God. In other words, even if you go to the moon, or another planet, and use the name, it will work for you. This is because all of the information and conditions concerning the promises of God and more - have been fulfilled and uploaded in the name of Jesus. As you mention the name after speaking to God about your godly requests by faith, the details of your prayer requests will be processed in His name, bringing the answers to your prayers into the real world, which become available to you, and evident to all around you.

Today, we are living in a technology-infused world. We are no longer waiting to see how the whole world can become infused with media, because that has already happened. Hence, we can access media contents almost anywhere and interact with it. In the same manner, we can confidently pray and access answers to prayers from any location in the universe, using the name of Jesus which has been infused with all the promises and inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light. To that effect, 2 Corinthians 1:20 reads, "For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] 'Yes'...."(AMP). Stay tuned for part 8. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 21:22; Luke 11:9-13; Philippians 4:6.

Guided Prayer: Heaven Father, you nailed your grace on the cross for my sake; you also raised Him up with me on the third day, and seated me with Him in the place of supreme power and dominion. With the continual influence of the Spirit of grace and dominion at work in me, I constantly present my requests to you in the name of Jesus and I receive my desires with an unspeakable joy. Thank you Father for granting me the authority to receive answers to my prayers, and to prevail over all the power of the enemy, in Jesus' Name, Amen!