SCRIPTURE  FROM:   1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

TEXT:   ¹⁰ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

OBSERVATION:   Jabez was named because of the great pain that his mom encountered in childbirth, and while I’m sure that he probably prayed diligently for his mom, church leaders and all of those causing evil in his land, yet his prayer for his personal desires has become one that many preachers choose to use in their sermons, and it is referred to by many Christians. So I believe that God deliberately directed me to this prayer as I read this, and He caused such a tug on my heart to share it in Nuggets today.

APPLICATION:  For most of us, we hear about so much going on in our nation, in our state, and also in our own little county, each and every time that we listen to the evening news, that we sometimes wonder where would we ever find enough time to pray about it all. Oh, and don’t forget about the medical condition of our blood and church families. But I don’t believe that Jabez had it any different in his day, yet God wanted us to know that Jabez made it a point to pray for his own welfare as well. Friends, I realize that when we pray for our family, friends and co-laborers in the work of the Lord, we place them in good hands and rest our faith in him to rescue them from whatever ills that they are concerned about. However, don’t you often wish that you could help them, or at least wish that you don’t become quite as burdened as they are? Don’t you wish that you could shine so brightly that nonbelievers will see the light of Jesus in you and ask about what’s so different in your life? I’m not one of those who believe that Christians will always be the healthiest and wealthiest of all people, but I do believe in the almighty power of God and that He could do more than we could imagine or ask for, even in our meek and humble lives. I believe that often we have not, because we ask not. The last words in verse 10, says that God granted his (Jabez’) request! I wonder what the last words might be on our epitaph? If you were to choose one of your own, what might your words be, based on your first-hand knowledge of yourself? May I challenge you to pray for God’s hand on your life in a very bold way, so that you may be His hand extended here on this earth? Ask Him to bless you so that you may bless others. Imagine you being able to brag on God and visibly show God’s rich blessing on you, instead of the usual whining and complaining that we hear from so many Christians. Wouldn’t that be a welcomed change to those looking at your life and following in your footsteps?

PRAYER:   Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me through a broken world in a glorious body, so that others may see your hand at work in and through me. Please help me to always keep my eyes fixed on You and always subordinate to Your perfect will and desire for my life. I realize that there are many folk out there just like me, for we are needy before our all-powerful, gracious Lord. Please begin a good work in me, and show me how to share that with others in a way that you will receive ultimate glory. People need the Lord, and the workers are few. Please use me as needed to impact my home, my church, my workplace, my family and my friends for You Lord. Be glorified today oh Lord because of Your willing sons and daughters. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!