Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2026 John 14:13.
John 14:13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
It’s a brand new work week friends, and we’re all rested up, fired up and chomping at the bit, to get out there on this Monday morning in August 2026! I know some of you must be wondering what I smoke or drank to be so enthusiastic about a windy and somewhat cloudy Monday morning, after a rather inclement weekend, that spoiled a lot of our outside entertainment. To tell the truth friends, I didn’t smoke or imbibe any kind of alcoholic beverage or uplifting drugs, I just asked the Good Lord for the energy and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Him, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that He desires me to be, and He gave it to me.
We keep forgetting what Jesus told us about asking for things. First off in the Sermon on the Mount He says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8) So that’s the first lesson; if we want something, we must ask, seek and or knock for it. However, that does not refer to selfish, carnal, meaningless stuff. It must be things and stuff that fit into God’s will.
And having noted that proviso, we can now look to the gospel of John, where Jesus again informs us about asking for stuff. ‘And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:13-14) And as the scholars explain: ‘In my name means “as My Agent.” The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus’ will (cf. 16:23-26). The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.’
Then in the very next chapter, where He mentions about Him being the vine and we the branches, Jesus again talks about asking. This time He declares: ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.’ (John 15:7-8) Yuh see mih bredrin, it’s all about bearing good fruit for Jesus; not just satisfying our own sinful, lustful urges.
And in the following chapter in telling the disciples about His going away, Jesus says: ‘And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day, ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name. He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
These things I have spoken unto you in proverbs (figurative language): but the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs (figurative language) but shall shew (tell) you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself LOVETH you, because ye have LOVED me, and have believed that I came out from God.’ (John 16:22-27)
Ah mih people, as we saw yesterday, it’s all about the name of Jesus, the inherent power in His name because of His selfless and marvellous works. There must be faith, a personal relationship to Christ, as well as submission to His Lordship, if we hope to ask for stuff and be granted it. Remember we’re mainly ambassadors for Christ; meaning we need to do the work He desires of us, and if we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, then He will give us the resources to do His will. It’s as simple as that! (smile)
And James, Jesus’ brother, further informs us about asking, when He declares: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) Words of absolute wisdom my brethren!
But John has the last word from his epistle. (smile) ‘Beloved if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and LOVE one another, as he gave us commandment.’ (1 John 3:21-23) And now, having all of that knowledge about asking for stuff, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, confidently, but humbly and faithfully seeking divine aid to do God’s work.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And with our prayer being successfully answered, let’s go out and meet the enemy in battle, confident of our victory in Jesus’ name! Much LOVE!
…to ask…to ask…and yet to ask in faith…in Jesus’ name…
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