Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotion was written by Marge Webb.

Our scripture reading is from John 16:23-24 NIV.

“I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask in my name. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete” (John 16:23-24 NIV).

The year was 1977. I graduated from a Christian college, landed a low-paying job at a large daily newspaper, settled into a little studio apartment, and bought my first car. I was eager to show my parents I could live independently. All was going well until I literally ran out of joy. It may have been Ivory, but whatever the brand, my little bottle of dishwashing liquid was empty.

That doesn’t seem like a crisis, but I had a strict budget. I had been paid the day before, put gas in the car, written my eleven-dollar tithes check, paid my bills, and bought groceries. I had nothing left. I remembered a Bible story from my childhood about a widow taking her last bit of flour and oil and using it to make a little cake for the prophet Elijah (I Kings 17). She obeyed God, and the oil in the bottle kept flowing daily.

Even though I was extremely poor, I paid my tithes and knew God was my provider. I prayed and sang a song about the widow in the Bible story that said, “Like the cruse of oil unfailing is His grace forever more and His love unchanging still.” Then I squeezed the soap bottle and got just enough to do my dishes. I had the same routine the next night and the next and for the next several months until I no longer had a need.

It's been nearly fifty years, and I’ve had much bigger expenses and greater needs. The verse in John says to ask, and you WILL receive that your joy may be complete. I didn’t need much that day but Liquid Joy. I was so blessed by God’s provision. I was also blessed with the joy the Lord supplies when you know He has provided from His bounty.

What do you need today for complete joy? I’m guessing it’s not something as small as a bottle of dish soap. Maybe it’s money to pay your house payment this month, a more dependable car, or perhaps a healed relationship? Whatever you need, the Father is standing by to give it to you so your joy will be complete.

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com/