Hello Tuesday. I am summing up I Chronicles 4:9-10 and how that relates to the heart of who we are in Christ Jesus. Jesus loves you so much! I cannot tell you how much He enjoys walking with you through your whole complete day no matter what you are doing. The more you are connected to Him, the better you reflect Him to others.
Today I am sharing my final thoughts regarding these two crucial verses:
I Chronicles 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. (KJV)
10Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection—don’t let evil hurt me.” God gave him what he asked. (NIV)
Should We Not Be Praying for a Larger Work of God?
This is definitely needed all around us and all around the world. It is God’s heart to have a personal relationship with you, me, and the whole world! It is His will that none should perish, but that all would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus our Lord.
John and Michele are a great example of starting where they were with what they had. They pastored a smaller church in my hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana back in the ’90s. Today they are a major force in changing all of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa as their outreach and campuses continue to expand.
This image is from their last newsletter. God continues to expand their boundaries as they continue to reflect Him in their every-day-walkin’-around-kind-of-life. So, the favor of God continues to move ahead of them allowing God to connect and change the lives of more and more people. Jesus can do that through you in your world. Are you willing?
Are We Not Just Normal Ordinary People?
Well, as I think of all who may be reading this and I am very thankful for each one of you. I think of all who, in many ways and to many people, seem so ordinary. But there is something that sets you and other ordinary people apart from others. Your reflection of Jesus in your life.
Should Not We Be Concerned About God’s Borders?
The bigger picture is hard to see from inside the frame. It is as if we are in the picture and cannot see beyond the frame. God has bigger plans for us that are more than we can imagine. He sees beyond the border of the frame. And if God wants to expand our frame (our borders) then so be it! Let’s do it!
Is Not This a Matter of the Heart?
Maybe you are thinking (if you’ve stuck with me over the last week) that this is a bit selfish in wanting more. But isn’t it all about motives?
James 4:3 niv
3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
So how do you not go wrong in praying God’s heart! When your heart is loyal to Him and His heart, you will be favored and blessed (His hand working through you).
Is It About the Blessing?
I say yes! Bless me that I may bless You, Jesus. As we give (bless others) we get blessed in return. I believe God set all principles into motion from the beginning (give and you shall receive). Man discovers them along the way and somehow thinks credit is due them because they “figured it out” before someone else.
So, God gave….we see it from the beginning, we see it in Him giving His son, and we see it in many other scriptures about God’s nature. So in my mind, why is it so hard to see that God wants to give (bless us) so that we can bless Him back as well as blessing others. So even God gives and receives.
Two Key Words – Heart and Faith
Heart – do you have a heart condition? You do if your heart is not after God’s heart. And do you believe what God can do for you and through you, in spite of circumstances and conditions around you? If you don’t, then you have a heart condition that needs to be adjusted.
Faith – You must believe (have faith) and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Apply God’s word in your life.
James 1:6-8 MSG
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
Challenge for today – Have God seek and know your heart (remember the old youth camp song – see below, Psalm 139:23, 24) – take care of any heart condition you might have. And then, dare to believe…believe God’s written and spoken word. His spoken word will always line up with His written word in a very practical, ordinary, and contemporary way. And, be ready for the unimaginable! Trust His Word! Have faith. Act on it. So be it!
Search Me O God lyrics:
Search me, O God, and know my heart
Try me and know my anxious thoughts
And see if there be any harmful way in me
And lead me in the everlasting way.
