Asking, Abiding, and the Works of Jesus | Insights on Bringing Glory to God

Coincidentally (and by the way, I don’t believe in coincidences), I’m reading through the Gospel of John, and my Oswald Chambers devotional has been lining up perfectly with my Scripture reading each day. It feels like one of those Spirit-led moments where God is gently but clearly trying to get my attention.

In John 14:12–14, Jesus is speaking directly to His disciples:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

When I reflect on what Jesus has done up to this point, His works include teaching, preaching, healing the sick, casting out demons, and feeding thousands with very little. And here He is—telling His disciples, and by extension us, that we will be able to do these works too… and even greater ones?! As a disciple of Jesus, I have to stop and ask myself: Do I actually believe this?

Jesus continues:

“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

Let’s slow down and break this apart—because this is foundational to biblical discipleship and Kingdom living.

First, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth.” Jesus doesn’t lie. He is truth.
Second, He tells us we must believe—believe He is who He says He is, and believe He will do what He says He will do.
Third, we are invited to ask for anything in His name—but only after belief comes first.
And fourth, Jesus answers our asking because His ultimate desire is to bring glory to the Father.

This tells me the context here isn’t about asking for whatever feeds our comfort or agenda, but asking for what enables us to carry out good works that glorify God. Works rooted in discipleship, mission, and Kingdom purpose. So I’m challenged.

Am I exercising my “asking” muscle enough?
Am I asking for the right things—things that advance God’s Kingdom?
When someone is hurting or suffering, am I interceding on their behalf and asking Jesus to work through me in a way that brings the Father glory?

If I’m honest, I don’t think I ask enough. And I’m not sure I always believe Jesus will give me what I’m asking for.

Then in John 15:1–6, Jesus shifts to the imagery of the vine.

He tells us He is the true grapevine, the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. We must remain in Him, and He will remain in us. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. This is discipleship at its core—abiding, depending, surrendering.

In verse 7, Jesus says:

“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

Again, Jesus lays out the conditions clearly.

First, we must remain in Him. Jesus comes first—above all idols, addictions, compulsions, distractions, and things of this world.
Second, His words must remain in us. His gospel. His promises. His commandments. Do I know them? Live by them? Share them with others as part of my calling as a disciple and, ultimately, a missionary right where God has placed me?
Third, after those two conditions are met, we are told we may ask—and it will be granted.
Fourth, the result is that we will produce much fruit.

What is fruit? That’s probably a journal entry of its own. But at its core, fruit points us back to the Great Commission: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…”
And finally, all of this—our believing, asking, abiding, and fruit-bearing—brings glory to our Father in heaven. Amen.

Oswald Chambers says it this way in his December 17 devotional:

“By means of our asking, God gets processes into work whereby He creates the thing that is not in existence until we do ask.”

And:

“As the Redemption creates the life of God in us, so it creates the things belonging to that life. Nothing can satisfy the need but that which created the need.”

This is the heart of Spirit-led coaching, Christ-centered discipleship, and Kingdom Women Coaching—partnering with God as He creates and satisfies His purposes through us.

So I’m left with a few questions for reflection....