Ask for Anything
John 14:14
Outstanding Leadership
Good morning, brothers.
It is good and right to pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just look at John 14, where Jesus teaches His disciples about the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As spiritual leaders of our families, Jesus calls us to pray boldly. So let’s be men of prayer, from the moment we roll out of bed in the morning until we close our eyes at night. Ask God to help you be the outstanding leader He has designed and gifted you to be.
Amazingly, Jesus tells His disciples, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:13-14).
Wow. But right after this promise, He immediately commands obedience: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them” (John 14:21). Pray boldly, yes, but let's make sure our lives align with our prayers through obedience.
A quick thought: Many young men today are searching for the real church, the original, universal body of Christ. I’m not surprised that so many are drawn to the Orthodox Church, conservative Anglicans, and yes, the almost 2,000-year-old Catholic Church. We’ve witnessed so much degeneracy in parts of the Reformed world that it desperately needs to reform itself.
Many young men and women have had enough with the fog shows, the entertainment, and the altar calls with no discipleship. They want the truth. They can handle the truth, but are sick to death of lies and hypocrisy.
Why cosplay at the real thing when you can join it and be sanctified in the real church? My prayer for my sons, and for all of you, my brothers, is that we be utterly honest before God. Care little for what the world thinks, but care everything for what God thinks of our prayers, words, and actions.
Don’t expect the path to be easy. Pray fervently, but know the Lord and His ways. Without struggle, there is no emerging stronger. That was a lesson drilled into me at my Catholic high school, Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan.
And that’s the reality of the Christian life. Jesus never promised an easy street, quite the opposite of the “easy ticket” Christianity sold by many frauds. Instead, He commands, “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine” (Matthew 10:38).
Life will bring struggles. So be it. But the good news is this: God is with us every step, every day. We face no trial or test beyond what He knows we can endure, and by the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord and our God, we emerge victorious in Him. It is the Hound of Heaven who pursues and ensures it.
Yes, God expects the man of God to be a mighty warrior. But we fight not for the rich and powerful, the wicked and arrogant, or those who slander the name of Jesus Christ. No, we fight for the cause of Christ: the lost sheep, the needy, the persecuted, the poor, the young, and the old.
Jesus said to His disciples before the Passover celebration, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me” (John 13:8). It’s true: we either belong to Jesus or we don’t. We recall how He told the Jewish leaders that they belonged to their father, the devil, proven by their role in crucifying the Messiah.
Brothers, we must be born again, washed by the blood of the Lamb. This Easter, celebrate Jesus’ victory on the cross. But also remember His example: washing the disciples’ feet, laying down His life for us, and showing us the depth of His love.
Do as Jesus has done. We are servants of the Most High God Almighty. We glorify our Master by serving and washing others as He has washed us. God is with us every step, and He will bless us for obediently following His example.
Welcome Jesus. Welcome, His genuine messengers. Welcome the Father and the Holy Spirit. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).
Even if you must stand alone for the truth of Christ, stand firm. Jesus is looking for obedient men, those who heed His commandments, to build His church on the foundation He through His apostles laid: “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18). Preserve through God’s grace in His efficacious way.
Pray, trust, and expect God to answer, for He will, in His perfect timing and way. Do not fear what others will think or say when you bow to the King of kings, for He alone is worthy of worship. Be far more concerned with the King’s assessment: “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12).
God has gifted you. He knows everything about you and still loves you. How He is so gracious to us is beyond me. Jesus offers us grace today.
Repent of your sin, and focus on eternal emerging in this season of struggle. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, gifts and empowers us. God knows you are capable of being an outstanding leader. I believe that too, and I pray you lead and serve your family well today. Pray. Pray for peace, for courage. And be prepared to fight well with the full armor God provides.
Amen.
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