Ask in My Name - Part 4
John 16:23-24
05/29/2025
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
(ESV)
This evening Trinity Lutheran Church and Saint Paul Lutheran
Church in Fulda will be celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ's
ascension into heaven. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Paul
in Fulda as we hear of Jesus' last actions before He joined His
Father at His right hand.
[Jesus said:] In that day you will ask nothing of me.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now
you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.
In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us instructions on how to
pray, how to be certain our prayer is heard. First, we must
trust in God's promise to hear our prayer. Second, we pray is
faith knowing that God keeps His promises.
Third, we pray for specific things, something we definitely
name. This may be a prayer for peace, for faith, for stronger
love, or for the comfort of our neighbor. When Jesus says,
``whatever you ask,'' He directs us to make our petitions known.
Fourth, we must truly desire that the petition be granted.
Our prayers are offered in faith, that God will do that which is
most appropriate, that He will grant us the wisdom to see His
loving hand in everything. Especially in times of tragedy and
trouble, we pray that God shows us how He uses those things which
are unpleasant for the good of those who trust in Him.
Frequently we look back and see the tragedies of our life are
when we received the greatest blessings.
May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises, that we
pray for those things He would have us ask, for His glory and for
the good of our neighbors. Amen.Category: Turn Your Radio On 2025
Daily devotions for 2025
Ask in My Name – Part 3
May 28, 2025
Ask in My Name - Part 3
John 16:23-24
05/28/2025
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
(ESV)
[Jesus said:] In that day you will ask nothing of me.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now
you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.
In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us instructions on how to
pray, how to be certain our prayer is heard. First, we must
trust in God's promise to hear our prayer. Faith is knowledge,
agreement, and trust. Therefore, the second part of true prayer
is faith, that we do not doubt that God will give us what He
promises.
When we pray for temporal blessings, we do so by saying,
``Your will be done.'' As children of the heavenly Father, we
know that our desires are not always in our best interests.
Because we admit that we do not know all the implications and
unintended consequences of our prayer, we defer to God's wisdom.
We are willing to accept an answer of ``no'' or ``wait.''
When praying for spiritual blessings such as the forgiveness
of our sins, for wisdom, for a stronger faith, we already know
those are according to God's holy will. For God has said in His
Word that He does not delight in the death of the wicked, but
that the wicked turn from his sin and live. God desires that all
people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
Therefore we are bold to pray, ``forgive me, Lord, for I have
sinned,'' knowing that for the sake of the death and resurrection
of Jesus we have the gift of everlasting life.
May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises, to come
to Him with both our temporal and spiritual prayers. Amen.Ask in My Name – Part 2
May 27, 2025
Ask in My Name - Part 2
John 16:23-24
05/27/2025
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
(ESV)
There seems to be a confusion among Christians about prayer.
When asked to pray in public, many pastors and chaplains hesitate
to use the name of Jesus because they are afraid to offend the
non-Christians in the audience. The prayer takes on a generic
form, addressed to the unnamed Almighty, in the Almighty's
precious name. Yet that name is never given, so those who hear
the prayer have no idea to whom the petitions were made.
Unaddressed mail is never delivered. The same is true of
unaddressed prayer.
Prayer is talking to God, not to the audience. They listen,
they can say ``Amen'' if they agree with the prayer, to whom it
is addressed and for what the petitions ask. Unless you are
willing to call the offered prayer your own, remain silent at the
end. Your ``Amen'' says ``This most certainly true, and I agree
with everything the pastor or chaplain asked God to do.''
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I
say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,
he will give it to you. Until now you have asked
nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be full.
In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us instructions on how to
pray, how to be certain our prayer is heard. First, we must
trust in God's promise to hear our prayer. Jesus says ``ask,''
let your concerns be known, let God hear of your needs. Without
trusting in God's promise to hear our prayer, we will not be
willing to pray. Over the next several days we will look at the
other instructins Jesus gave us concerning prayer.
May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises and to
come to Him with our needs and our thanksgiving. Amen.Ask in My Name – Part 1
May 26, 2025
Ask in My Name - Part 1
John 16:23-24
05/26/2025
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
(ESV)
This week, the Sixth Week of Easter, the Church looks at the
prayers of the faithful. In addition, on Thursday we celebrate
Jesus' Ascension into heaven where He sits at the right hand of
the Father, from whence He shall come to judge the living and the
dead.
Our Gospel lesson records Jesus' final words directly spoken
to His disciples on the night He was betrayed. The following
chapter of Saint John's Gospel is Jesus' prayer to the Father for
the ongoing good of the Church and all who trust in Jesus.
Therefore, the words Jesus spoke are especially important.
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I
say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,
he will give it to you. Until now you have asked
nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be full.
What is most important? Jesus did not exhort His followers
to do great works of charity or daring deeds to show their faith.
Rather, He told them to pray, to ask, to give their requests to
the Father. He taught them of the proper way to pray, something
we need to learn again and again.
May our Lord also teach us to pray, that we may know of our
Father's love and the joy of knowing our sins are forgiven.
Amen.The Helper – Part 5
May 23, 2025
The Helper - Part 5
John 16:14-15
05/23/2025
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine
and declare it to you.
15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said
that he will take what is mine and declare it to
you. (ESV)
We believe, teach, and confess that God is three Persons yet
one God. The Father created us and sent His Son to die and rise
again to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
The Son, Jesus, is both true God and true man, begotten of His
Father from eternity, yet born of the virgin Mary. The Holy
Spirit brings us to faith in Christ Jesus, giving us the ability
to hold to the promise of salvation earned for us on the cross of
Calvary.
The night Jesus was betrayed, while comforting His
disciples, He also told them of the work of each person of the
Trinity.
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and
declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine;
therefore I said that he will take what is mine and
declare it to you.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of one will, even as
they are one true God. Their will is that all people accept the
salvation earned by Jesus Christ, that all people come to the
knowledge of the truth of salvation from sin and eternal death by
God's rich love alone, for the sake of Christ Jesus alone.
The Holy Spirit ensures that the Christian Church will last
forever, even if individual congregations may open or close. He
causes the truth of God's love to be proclaimed. Please join us
at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning to receive the hope
and comfort of God's rich love and mercy, the assurance of the
forgiveness of your sins.
God grant this for Jesus' sake. Amen.The Helper – Part 4
May 22, 2025
The Helper - Part 4
John 16:12-13
05/22/2025
12 I still have many things to say to you, but you
cannot bear them now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you
into all the truth, for he will not speak on his
own authority, but whatever he hears he will
speak, and he will declare to you the things that
are to come. (ESV)
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed, spoke
words of comfort and hope to His disciples to prepare them for
His death, resurrection, and ascension.
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot
bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on
his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,
and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The disciples were not ready to learn, to accept the truth
that Jesus would soon be arrested, tried, tortured, crucified,
and die. Even on Easter morning, the disciples did not believe
the report of the women who had witnessed the empty tomb. On the
day that Christ Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples asked
Him if He would restore the earthly kingdom of Israel.
Only after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of
Truth, did the disciples understand the work of Jesus Christ.
His kingdom is not of this world, but is a kingdom of grace and
mercy given to those who trust in His sacrificial death and His
glorious resurrection. The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets and
evangelists who recorded God's Word for our salvation. The Holy
Spirit calls each of us to faith in Christ Jesus through the
spoken Word, and through the visible Word of the Sacraments.
May our Lord grant that we hear the Spirit of Truth, that we
know He speaks of Christ Jesus for our salvation from sin and
death. Amen.The Helper – Part 3
May 21, 2025
The Helper - Part 3
John 16:8-11
05/21/2025
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world
concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the
Father, and you will see me no longer;
11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this
world is judged. (ESV)
The Holy Christian Church is not called holy and perfect
because the members of the Church are perfect. Far from it. The
Holy Christian Church is called holy and perfect because Jesus
Christ died and rose again to pay the price of the sins of all
people. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make the Church
perfect in God's sight by bringing each member of the Church to
faith in Jesus Christ.
Our Lord spoke of the work of the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
on the night He was betrayed.
And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning
sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin,
because they do not believe in me; concerning
righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will
see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the
ruler of this world is judged.
This sin which condemns the world is rejecting the grace,
love, and mercy of God as found in Jesus Christ. Those who have
faith in Jesus, those who have knowledge of His saving work, who
acknowledge the truth of the revelation about Jesus, and trust in
Him for their salvation have eternal life. The Holy Spirit
reveals the righteousness of God and the righteousness of faith
through the Word and Sacraments. Had Jesus not ascended, had
Jesus not sent the Holy Spirit, the world might not have learned
the truth of the Gospel. Finally, the Holy Spirit, as He causes
the mirror of God's Law to show us our sin, also shows the
judgment of those who reject God's mercy. The devil, the world,
and our own sinful flesh stand condemned by the law. Only
because of the love and grace of God do we find that Jesus has
fulfilled the law on our behalf.
May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word, that the Holy
Spirit may create and sustain us in faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.The Helper – Part 2
May 20, 2025
The Helper - Part 2
John 16:7
05/20/2025
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
will send him to you. (ESV)
Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, ``Are you a king?'' ``Jesus
answered, `My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of
this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might
not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the
world.'''[1] This spiritual kingdom is the Church, those who
believe and trust that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to
pay the price of their sin. Although Jesus would no longer be
visible to the Church, He made a promise to the disciples.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send
him to you.
Once Jesus had accomplished His mission of paying the price
for all sins, once He gave His life for the salvation of all
people, the Holy Spirit caused that message of hope to be spread
throughout the world. For forty days after Easter, Jesus proved
to His disciples and many other witnesses that the bonds of death
are broken, the tomb is empty.
The Kingdom of God is not found in the visible things of
this world. The Kingdom of God is the truth that the Father sent
His only-begotten Son to redeem and deliver us from the power of
the devil. He governs us as a King of Righteousness, life, and
salvation against sin, death, and an evil conscience.
It is the work of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to call,
gather, and enlighten the Church with the truth of God's grace,
love, and mercy.
May our Lord grant us the faith to recognize Jesus as the
Lord of the Church, the one who has reconciled us to God the
Father. Amen.
____________________
1. John 18:36 (ESV)The Helper – Part 1
May 19, 2025
The Helper - Part 1
John 16:5-7
05/19/2025
5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of
you asks me, Where are you going?
6 But because I have said these things to you,
sorrow has filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
will send him to you. (ESV)
This week's Gospel lesson records Jesus' words on the night
He was betrayed. As Jesus and His disciples walked from the
upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, He reminded them of God's
grace and mercy. Within a few minutes everything would change
for the followers of Jesus.
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you
asks me, Where are you going? But because I have said
these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send
him to you.
Jesus was going away. His first departure would be when
Judas betrayed Him. Before the next evening, Jesus would lie
lifeless in the tomb, seemingly gone forever. Yet, on Easter the
tomb was empty, Jesus rose from the dead. But for the good of
the Church, Jesus had to ascend to His Father.
Jesus' words to the disciples the night He was betrayed did
bring them sorrow. They were not certain what to make of this
news, and they certainly did not realize how quickly Jesus would
be taken from them. But Jesus promised they would not be alone,
for He promised them the Holy Spirit.
This week we will be looking at the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
who brings the Church to faith in Jesus Christ as the way, the
truth, and the life.
May our Lord give you comfort and hope in times of sorrow
and confusion. Amen.A Little While – Part 5
May 16, 2025
A Little While - Part 5
John 16:22
05/16/2025
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you
again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one
will take your joy from you.'' (ESV)
Jesus said, ``A little while, and you will see me no longer;
and again a little while, and you will see me.'' He also
promised His disciples, ``So also you have sorrow now, but I will
see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take
your joy from you.''
The Church waits for the coming of Jesus, the end of the
``little while'' where we are unable to see Him face to face.
While we wait, we read His Words, study His promises, and trust
in the sacrifice He made to redeem us from sin, death, and the
power of the devil. In the midst of life, in the tragedies and
triumphs while we wait, we have the eternal hope of life
everlasting in the mansions of the Father.
Yet Jesus did not leave us without His presence, without His
comfort. He sent the Holy Spirit to call us to faith, to
enlighten us with the gifts God bestows upon His people. Faith
is the sure and certain knowledge that Jesus' death and
resurrection are for you and your redemption from sin and death.
Faith is more than knowledge, it is acknowledging and agreeing
that the message of hope is true. Faith is the trust in that
true message, you are saved from the guilt of your sin, you are
given life in Jesus' name, by God's rich gift of love and grace
alone.
In order to give us a tangible proof of His mercy, Jesus
gave the Church the sacraments which bring us the forgiveness of
sins and renew our faith in Him. God invites us to come into His
presence to receive these gifts, given without price, given out
of His love. Please accept His invitation by joining us at
Trinity Lutheran Church to hear His Word, to receive His gift of
redemption, as we gather each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
May our Lord grant you the peace and joy which come from
knowing Jesus Christ. Amen.