I don’t know about you guys, BUT, as I try to read I Chronicles, or other parts in God’s Word that list name after name, I find myself skipping or skimming past, thinking it is unimportant or let’s be honest- kind of boring. I know that Bro. Doug and Randy Copeland say that every single word in the Bible is inspired by God and important, but I find it difficult to keep my mind on the Geneology. I am sure most of you have heard of the Prayer of Jabez, but let me repeat what I heard today on Joyce Meyer. Afterwards, I researched other favorite pastor’s sermons concerning this prayer. I found them truly inspiring:
I Chronicles 4:10 KJV …And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
What I find so cool about this prayer is it is stuck smack dab in the middle of a whole list of geneology. No other name says hardly anything, but there is Jabez and there is his prayer. His prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain.
The Prayer of Jabez reveals that he understands what the lost do not- there is only one God and He should be the center of all. God wants to bless every life. But, we must pray to Him and ask for His blessings. I did my discipler lesson last night on prayer, and it really convicted me. God is working on me and my prayer life in a big way.
Also, what is important is that when we pray for goals and accomplishments that we pray it in GOD’s WILL!. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. Jabez clearly knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was passionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer.
So, what does the Prayer of Jabez mean to us? It reminds us that everybody struggles with choosing to rely on himself or God. However, it is very clear as the rest of the Bible that God is faithful in caring for those who seek Him. Jabez sets a great example of how God wants everyone to come to Him through constant and passionate prayer. God answers prayers when you trust Him (1 Chronicles 5:20). Prayers to God also please Him (Proverbs 15:8). We can all learn from Jabez and faithfully pray to God always in everything that we do. I am so blessed by all of you who pray for me, my children and each other every week. When we send out these requests to each other, I hope each of you are taking the time to lift each name and request up to our Lord and Savior. We need this prayer and I thank each of you for all of your support, help and prayers!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Pray for those who hurt us!
Have you ever been around people (even best friends and close relatives) that choose to speak words of hate, anger and grief into your life? I like the phrase my momma taught me as a child—“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!” Well, our Lord, feels the same way.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. [Proverbs 15:2]There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. [Proverbs 12:18]Taken from Joel Osteen : “Are your words bringing healing to the people around you? The Bible clearly tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue. We can use our tongue to build people up and encourage them with words of healing, or we can just as easily sow negative seeds with our words. The Bible says that the tongue of the wise brings healing. Choose to be wise today by choosing healing words. Choose to look for the best in others and build them up. Choose healing words over gossip; choose words of freedom and peace over anger and judgment. Let your words uplift and encourage the people in your life. Speak strength and hope to others. As you use your words to bring healing, God will pour out more of His wisdom in your life. You’ll reap the harvest you’ve sown with your words. God will pour out His blessing and increase in your life so you can live the abundant life He has in store for you.”He must be devoted to the trustworthy message that agrees with what we teach, so that he may be able to encourage others with healthy doctrine and refute those who oppose it. [Titus 1:9]Sadly, we can’t change others or the way they behave.What we can do is stay strong in the Word of God. Rely on His grace and strength to see us through the times that we feel hurt or even angry. We can use His Word and His promises as a shield to deflect the ‘… thrusts of the sword …’.Finally, instead of repaying the anger and hatred with the same, we can respond with love and kindness – praying for those that hurt us!
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. [Proverbs 15:2]There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. [Proverbs 12:18]Taken from Joel Osteen : “Are your words bringing healing to the people around you? The Bible clearly tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue. We can use our tongue to build people up and encourage them with words of healing, or we can just as easily sow negative seeds with our words. The Bible says that the tongue of the wise brings healing. Choose to be wise today by choosing healing words. Choose to look for the best in others and build them up. Choose healing words over gossip; choose words of freedom and peace over anger and judgment. Let your words uplift and encourage the people in your life. Speak strength and hope to others. As you use your words to bring healing, God will pour out more of His wisdom in your life. You’ll reap the harvest you’ve sown with your words. God will pour out His blessing and increase in your life so you can live the abundant life He has in store for you.”He must be devoted to the trustworthy message that agrees with what we teach, so that he may be able to encourage others with healthy doctrine and refute those who oppose it. [Titus 1:9]Sadly, we can’t change others or the way they behave.What we can do is stay strong in the Word of God. Rely on His grace and strength to see us through the times that we feel hurt or even angry. We can use His Word and His promises as a shield to deflect the ‘… thrusts of the sword …’.Finally, instead of repaying the anger and hatred with the same, we can respond with love and kindness – praying for those that hurt us!
Love your neighbor!
God says “Love your neighbor” --Ya Know- It sounds so simple – doesn’t it? We love our kids, our friends, our family, our church friends, maybe some of our neighbors, our pets…But…If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [Luke 6:32] And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. [Mark 12:33] There are always, always, going to be people in our lives that try us or test our patience! The rude cashier, the person who cuts in line, your son’s teacher, the boy who bully’s your son, etc. Thing is, the Bible specifically says to love those that are unlovable! -Talk about convicting! Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. [Romans 13:8-10] Today, the kids and I went to pay my storage building, we were behind the SLOWEST lady on earth renting a UHAUL truck, and probably the most ignorant man alive working the desk. Talk about trying my patience! Quite frankly, by the end of that unpleasant trip, I wasn’t the happiest person either – but I did continue to try. Try to be polite. Try to smile. Try to be a loving example of God’s love! Bro. Doug spoke last night about this same thing! Let all that you do be done in love. [1 Corinthians 16:14] That’s all we can ever really do. We will never be totally perfect until the day we meet our Father in Heaven. But the important thing is to passionately continue to try. Continue to love. Continue to strive for Godliness! Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. [ Philippians 3:12] Sincerely loving and caring for others is a God-given act of selflessness! By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. [John 13:35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. [Luke 6:35]
Take care of Yourself!
So often times as busy single mom’s, we often neglect our own needs and wants. We walk around as sleep deprived, over-worked, under-nourished mommy-zombies ready for the next pick up or drop off.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19
God has such great plans for our lives but He simply cannot carry them out if His temple is not in top condition. HE has chosen to reside in YOU, because He loves you. That means, your heart, your mind, your spirit and your BODY. Sure, it is extremely important that you do for your children, but don’t forget about yourself! Get plenty of rest, proper nutrition, exercise, medical, dental and optical care, quality time with your children, your own free time without children occasionally and of course your personal devotion time with Your Father in Heaven. And go buy yourself that new pair of shoes you have been longing for! It all makes for well-rounded happiness!
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19
God has such great plans for our lives but He simply cannot carry them out if His temple is not in top condition. HE has chosen to reside in YOU, because He loves you. That means, your heart, your mind, your spirit and your BODY. Sure, it is extremely important that you do for your children, but don’t forget about yourself! Get plenty of rest, proper nutrition, exercise, medical, dental and optical care, quality time with your children, your own free time without children occasionally and of course your personal devotion time with Your Father in Heaven. And go buy yourself that new pair of shoes you have been longing for! It all makes for well-rounded happiness!
Overcome!
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] [John 16:33] Now isn’t that some good news? Maybe that’s why people call the Bible “The Good News” That is just a nurturing verse to me. I don’t know about you, but it seems like the harder I try and the more I attempt to accomplish - the more life seems to knock me down. The more I try to do for others, the more I try to give and be selfless in my actions – the more bad things are thrown at me and I become selfish in my thinking.
When something is hard, or when you have to work a little more diligently, some people may say that God is trying to deter you. Personally, I believe that ALL grief, shame, lack of self-confidence and hopelessness come from the enemy - originally. Occasionally, yes, God will filter these trials and use them to teach us something. But overall, He is a loving, kind Father and wouldn’t purposely inject our lives with these burdens and impossibilities! Our Father is not cruel or calculating. He doesn’t put dreams and visions in our hearts just to make them impossible to achieve. In the same respect it’s our duty to do our part. We have to put forth an effort, apply ourselves, use common sense, go the extra mile and be shining examples of God’s love. We need to retain our joy and light - even when the circumstances seem impossible! When we are attempting to do something noble, significant - something that can only bring glory to God, the enemy WILL TRY to challenge us to the point of pure confusion and desperation. He will do everything possible to keep us from blessing others and glorifying God. If we can just remember that we aren’t alone - that God has already conquered the evil and hatred and spitefulness and malice that come along like a smack in the face! Now, please know that I am preaching to myself here. Sometimes I just get so discouraged by things Satan has placed in my life and don’t understand why God has allowed it. Take my marriage for instance. (If you can call it a marriage. Let me rephrase, take my 8 year prison for instance.) No, seriously- I would never have come back to God, never have come back to DBC, never found Celebrate Recovery, never have met all of you or learned how to have a genuine relationship with our Father had it not been for my rocky marriage. Also, I never would have had my three beautiful heatherns, errr, I mean children. I praise God for that time of my life because I learned so much and gained so much. Now, at the time I was asking why God???? He has a plan for each of our lives and sometimes we have to be in a terrible place just to get to the shining light. Greater is He who is IN you …Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. [I John 4:4] (Amplified)
When something is hard, or when you have to work a little more diligently, some people may say that God is trying to deter you. Personally, I believe that ALL grief, shame, lack of self-confidence and hopelessness come from the enemy - originally. Occasionally, yes, God will filter these trials and use them to teach us something. But overall, He is a loving, kind Father and wouldn’t purposely inject our lives with these burdens and impossibilities! Our Father is not cruel or calculating. He doesn’t put dreams and visions in our hearts just to make them impossible to achieve. In the same respect it’s our duty to do our part. We have to put forth an effort, apply ourselves, use common sense, go the extra mile and be shining examples of God’s love. We need to retain our joy and light - even when the circumstances seem impossible! When we are attempting to do something noble, significant - something that can only bring glory to God, the enemy WILL TRY to challenge us to the point of pure confusion and desperation. He will do everything possible to keep us from blessing others and glorifying God. If we can just remember that we aren’t alone - that God has already conquered the evil and hatred and spitefulness and malice that come along like a smack in the face! Now, please know that I am preaching to myself here. Sometimes I just get so discouraged by things Satan has placed in my life and don’t understand why God has allowed it. Take my marriage for instance. (If you can call it a marriage. Let me rephrase, take my 8 year prison for instance.) No, seriously- I would never have come back to God, never have come back to DBC, never found Celebrate Recovery, never have met all of you or learned how to have a genuine relationship with our Father had it not been for my rocky marriage. Also, I never would have had my three beautiful heatherns, errr, I mean children. I praise God for that time of my life because I learned so much and gained so much. Now, at the time I was asking why God???? He has a plan for each of our lives and sometimes we have to be in a terrible place just to get to the shining light. Greater is He who is IN you …Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. [I John 4:4] (Amplified)
Watch your tongue!
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Proverbs 18:21 (New Living Translation)
The Bible says a lot about the tongue and it’s destructive power. I know that this is probably one of my worst sin problems. So, is the life of a spirtual Sanguine. How about you? Our tongue may be small but it can cause such big problems! It can cause you to lose so much- friendships, relationships, jobs. Words can be used to build up or tear down.
We cannot tame our own tongue; we need God’s help to do that. We should pray as King David prayed in Psalm 141:3 Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. In Psalm 19:14, He also prayed “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” He was aware that he can’t control his mouth without God’s help and neither can we.
Have you ever thought that even when we listen to gossip and don’t repeat it, that is causing someone else to sin! I know a lot of times when someone comes to me gossiping, I know I shouldn’t indulge and listen, but I do anyway because I don’t want to hurt that person’s feelings. How crazy is that? Next time, say “I am trying my best to live my life right and I think I better not listen to this. I wouldn’t want someone talking about me.” That shouldn’t offend someone and also makes them think about how they are acting. If it does upset them, then they weren’t that great of a friend anyways!
Everything that comes out of our mouth should be God driven, God blessed and God praising. We must think before we speak. How many times have you thought, “I wish I hadn’t said that” but it is too late. You can never take back words once they are spoken, they are already doing their work—building up or tearing down.
As a mother, I need to realize that what I say to my child influences every aspect of their character. Even the tone of my voice is important because it reveals the condition of my heart. Discouraging or encouraging? Healing or wounding? It is my choice, but only with God’s Almighty hand of help.
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
James 3:2 (Amplified Bible)
Proverbs 18:21 (New Living Translation)
The Bible says a lot about the tongue and it’s destructive power. I know that this is probably one of my worst sin problems. So, is the life of a spirtual Sanguine. How about you? Our tongue may be small but it can cause such big problems! It can cause you to lose so much- friendships, relationships, jobs. Words can be used to build up or tear down.
We cannot tame our own tongue; we need God’s help to do that. We should pray as King David prayed in Psalm 141:3 Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. In Psalm 19:14, He also prayed “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” He was aware that he can’t control his mouth without God’s help and neither can we.
Have you ever thought that even when we listen to gossip and don’t repeat it, that is causing someone else to sin! I know a lot of times when someone comes to me gossiping, I know I shouldn’t indulge and listen, but I do anyway because I don’t want to hurt that person’s feelings. How crazy is that? Next time, say “I am trying my best to live my life right and I think I better not listen to this. I wouldn’t want someone talking about me.” That shouldn’t offend someone and also makes them think about how they are acting. If it does upset them, then they weren’t that great of a friend anyways!
Everything that comes out of our mouth should be God driven, God blessed and God praising. We must think before we speak. How many times have you thought, “I wish I hadn’t said that” but it is too late. You can never take back words once they are spoken, they are already doing their work—building up or tearing down.
As a mother, I need to realize that what I say to my child influences every aspect of their character. Even the tone of my voice is important because it reveals the condition of my heart. Discouraging or encouraging? Healing or wounding? It is my choice, but only with God’s Almighty hand of help.
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
James 3:2 (Amplified Bible)
A Balancing Act
So many of us are out of balance – what can we do? Is it possible to balance ALL of our responsibilities? I am so out of balance right now. Not enough sleep, way too much to eat, not enough ‘me’ time, and surely not enough ‘God’ time. I’ve got a 7 year old that seems to think staying home is a crime, because he wants to be on the move constantly. I’ve got a pre-schooler that has a selective hearing disorder. I have a two yr old that has just discovered her screaming voice-yeehaw. I am still trying to decide whether to go to work after Blake goes back to school or continue to stay home with the babies. I would really like to be able to move out of this house with my stepfather and mother, but in all actuality, I don’t like being alone. Some of us are working full time, pregnant, dealing with ex’s, divorces, boyfriends….There are so many issues, worries, obligations and responsibilities pulling on us right now, we must remember a time to prune! I must, must, must prune away the responsibilities and obligations that are fruitless (so to speak). The point is this, we must balance our lives. None of the things I’ve mentioned can be allowed to overcome or overwhelm us. When things are out of whack or out of balance, that creates frustration, exhaustion and many other ‘gaps’ for the enemy. When we are tired or hungry, lonely, harboring hurt feelings, all of these instances create vulnerability and allow the enemy to brutally attack us. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2
If a branch is not bearing fruit – it is taken away. I always have a very hard time with this. I feel like I need to be everywhere I can, doing everything I can to glorify God. It isn’t necessarily working out that way. I thought that even if I wasn’t gaining anything, that it was my responsibility to ‘give’. The thing is, the vine was fruitless. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:11 “…so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Not ‘sort of’ or ‘kind of’ or ‘somewhat’ – but FULL! We are all just roaming around aimlessly, bogged down by all these wayward, crazy branches. The other branches are trying to produce fruit, but desperately need pruned back so that they can grow healthier and fuller! Limit yourselves sisters! As single moms, we are all so used to doing everything ourselves. We fix everything and nurture everything. But the fact remains that we are human and can only do so much – even with God’s help. Quit trying to be everything to everyone! Instead, balance, prune and be FULL of His joy!
If a branch is not bearing fruit – it is taken away. I always have a very hard time with this. I feel like I need to be everywhere I can, doing everything I can to glorify God. It isn’t necessarily working out that way. I thought that even if I wasn’t gaining anything, that it was my responsibility to ‘give’. The thing is, the vine was fruitless. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:11 “…so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Not ‘sort of’ or ‘kind of’ or ‘somewhat’ – but FULL! We are all just roaming around aimlessly, bogged down by all these wayward, crazy branches. The other branches are trying to produce fruit, but desperately need pruned back so that they can grow healthier and fuller! Limit yourselves sisters! As single moms, we are all so used to doing everything ourselves. We fix everything and nurture everything. But the fact remains that we are human and can only do so much – even with God’s help. Quit trying to be everything to everyone! Instead, balance, prune and be FULL of His joy!
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