john 15:7-9

Recently I have been so overwhelmed with God... in a good way. The blessings are overwhelming! Blessings I surely don't deserve, and that are surely just God reminding me how much He loves me.

It's amazing to me how much I'm falling in love with Jesus more and more every day. He's won me, heart and soul.

In this realization, I've noticed a major part of prayer that I have never really focused on before: trust. It is so important to trust the ones we love, and this is no different with God.

Prayer is lifting something to the Lord and trusting that He hears you and trusting that He loves you.
Prayer is an expression of love.

In the last few weeks or so, I have been praying through John 15. Especially John 15:7-9.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.

In prayer, in asking God for the desires of our heart to be united to His, and in entrusting our very selves to the Lord, God is glorified. He delights in us, and He delights in our trust of Him. By asking for what we need, we are recognizing that we cannot do it alone. We are showing our love for Him by our trust and our reaching for Him.
But in asking, it is so crucial to unite that desire to the will of God. We can't just ask for whatever we want - we could be unnecessarily disappointed. God knows, like a good parent, what is good for us and what is not. We must ask for whatever we want, and then ask that it only be done if it is in accordance with God's will in our lives. His plan is infinitely more beautiful than anything we could want. Ask to conform your will to the Father's, and you will never be disappointed.

Remain in My love. To remain in God's love we must first place ourselves there. We must know and accept and cling to His love for us. In our desire to love Him more in our prayer and in our trust, we are dwelling in the love of God. Run after Him and then remain in His love.

John 15 has really spoken to me these past few weeks, and I hope that it captivates you too.
Remain in Christ, remain in His Word in Scripture, and remain in the great, unceasing, relentless love He has for you. Be open to letting Him work in your life, and let Him pour His blessings into your heart.

Fall more deeply in love with the one who wants to give you more than you could ever ask for.

Live with Joy.