Morning
Verse
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Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. ”
John 16:24
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Reflection

In teaching His apostles about the Holy Spirit, and other crucial doctrines, it becomes evident that-even in their high and holy callings-the 12 apostles did not fully "get" all that Jesus was trying to convey. Indeed, in this same discourse, one of the apostles says to the others, "What is this that He saying to us?" (V:17) One of the things they clearly did not "get" was the power of His "name," meaning the power of Jesus' intercessory work on their behalf (Romans 8:34). Thus, surely they had "asked" Him things, and even "asked" things "of Him." But here Jesus says, "Up until this point, you've failed to ask anything in my name-but once you start doing that, then your joy will be made complete." Jesus is inviting them to understand Him as their intercessor with the Father, and not just a nice friend and teacher.

The Greek of this verse is curious. Whereas English translations command them to "ask," the Greek reads more like "go on asking" or "continually ask, without ceasing." Thus, Jesus is not saying, "Hey, casually ask stuff in my name and it will come, and you'll then be overwhelmed with joy." Rather, He is inviting them to realize that everything that is good, everything that brings "joy" into our lives, comes from Him and, thus, we should ask in His "name." But he also reminds His apostles that that "joy" won't come "cheaply." It will require work, patience, trust, and faith. Thus, in essence, Jesus is saying (in John 16:24), "You've failed to grasp that I'm the source of all things. So, ask me in faith and sincerity, exhibit patience as you wait for those needs to be met and, when I see that the time is right, you'll receive what you need-and, in so doing, that joy you seek will be made complete."

Evening
Verse
Saturday, Sep 7
Today's Theme: Forgiveness
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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ”
Jeremiah 29:11
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Intepretation of the Verse

In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.

This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.

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