My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)

Matthew 21:22 … Asking with Faith
(04/26/2017)
“Whatever you ask for in prayer with Faith, you will receive.”
~ Jesus (Matthew 21:22)
Remember first & foremost that – at least as far as Jesus was concerned – we
can only truly receive things that are in harmony with The Way of Christ; a Way
that can only pray “in his name” (i.e. that can only pray for opportunities to serve
others, never for any benefit to self -- see Luke 11:9, John 14:13-14, John 15:7, John
16:23-24 et al), and a Way which is based fully in serving, never in being served
(see Matthew 16:28, Matthew 20:28, John 13:15-17 et al) … Indeed, this is an
interpretation that resonates with the over-arching context of Jesus‟ ministry in
general, as well as the specific context of Matthew 21 (where Jesus is seen preparing
for his pre-planned triumphant entry into Jerusalem – the precursor event to his preplanned
crucifixion; the greatest embodiment of his teachings on willing self-sacrifice).
Remember as well here that for Jesus “Faith” was a verb that is steeped solely
in Loving others self-sacrificially (see John 14:12 & Matthew 5:43-48 & Matthew
25:35-40 et al) … And finally, please remember that prayer for Jesus was not a
vehicle used to ask for any self-benefit, but rather was a time of reflective solitude
(Matthew 6:5-6) when one re-affirmed one‟s intention to do God’s will (see
Matthew 6:10, Matthew 7:21-26 & Luke 9:23, along with the “thy will not mine” of
Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 & Luke 22:42).
Amen ... Let it be so.
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