conquering the world

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Before we dive into our reading for today I want to let you know about a fun event this weekend. Saturday from 9-11 am we'll have a car wash at Laurelton. Besides being great neighborhood outreach, the car wash will raise money to put new counters in the kitchen downstairs and to spruce it up a bit more. The more help we have on Saturday the better. It will be a good time.

Jesus tells his disciples that the Father loves them and will grant them anything they pray for in Jesus' name. That invitation has always scared me because often the things we pray for don't happen. Maybe that's because the ultimate prayer is Jesus prayer, "Thy will be done." As we learn to be better disciples and pray better prayers we will find our prayers and lives bearing more fruit. One of the other things that catches my attention in this passage is Jesus warning and promise that the disciples will face persecution, but that Jesus has conquered the world. He doesn't conquer the world with violence, but with love.

God bless,
Sam

John 16:23-33

23On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.


28I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” 29His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”