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Every person is created unique, with different characteristics, skills, and abilities. These gifts are then to be used to minister to, and bless other people.

When Jesus said, "Ask the Father anything in My name and He will give it to you" (John 16:23), He did not intend for this to be a license to treat God as some cosmic bell-boy who should come and cater to our every whim.

We cannot be blessed without first being a blessing. We are to keep God first in our lives, then people second, and then ourselves last. Only in this order can we be a blessing and be blessed.

When Jesus said, "Ask the Father anything in My name," He meant that you should ask according to His will. Unless you ask according to His will your prayers will be ineffective. James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your own lusts."

So, how do we ask according to His will, have our prayers answered, and be successful? By abiding in Him.

Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I will abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).

The meaning of the word "abide," means "to live" or "to dwell." So, when Jesus said, "Abide in Me," He meant that we are to submit to Him and let Him have full reign in our lives, allowing Him to lead. Since Jesus Christ and the Word of God are one in the same (John 1:14), when we abide in Christ, we abide in the Word.

When we abide in the Word, we are allowing God to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8). He will also guide us to pray according to His will and our prayers will have a guaranteed effect.

God wants to use your personal, unique, skills, and abilities to bless other people. This is why He made you and gave you the characteristics you posses. When you use them for what they are meant for, you will then be ultimately successful.

Copyright 2005 Daniel N Brown