"In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me." John 16:26-27

"Just mention my name. Tell him I sent you." Sometimes the mention of a name gains admittance and the interest of people who otherwise would be unapproachable.

What comfort and power is ours, then, when the Son of God sends us to His Father and says, "Just mention My name!"

Timidly, we stand outside the door and say: "I cannot go in! God is God, and I am nothing but dust! How can God be concerned about me?" But Jesus urges: "Was I not born of flesh? Yes My Father loves Me! Just mention My name!"

Still we hesitate, "How dare I approach God? God is holy, and I have contradicted His will and deserved only His anger!" "Do not be afraid," says the Savior. "Has not the Father sent Me into the world to fulfill the Law you broke and then suffer the punishment you deserved? Just mention My name!"

"O Jesus," we cry, "You go in and ask the Father for me!" But He replies, "You can ask for yourself. He is your Father, and He loves you because you have loved Me! Just mention My name!" So as God's adopted children through Baptism, we go in boldly and speak the name of Jesus -- and the arms of God open joyfully to receive us as His own!

PRAYER: We thank You, dear Father, that we need never again stand hesitantly outside Your door; for You have shown us the power of Your forgiving love in Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 1-3    1 Corinthians 6

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