Grant County church of Christ
October 7, 2007
THE PRAYER OF JABEZ
As we are reading along through the genealogy of Judah, a name appears abruptly in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. The name is Jabez. His name means "Sorrow" or "I will cause you pain." In verse 9 of the text we learn that he was named such because in great pain his mother bore him. However, it is not the unusual naming of Jabez for which he is noted these many years after his life on earth. It is his prayer.
Jabez has brought generations of believers joy. He prayed in the following manner:
1) "Oh that You would bless me indeed": God alone knows what is good for us. To BLESS: is the act of declaring, or wishing, God's favor and goodness upon others. The blessing is not only the good effect of words; it also has the power to bring them to pass. In the Bible, important persons blessed those with less power or influence. These included: Moses (Deuteronomy 33), Joshua (22:6-7) and Jesus (Luke 24:50). In the famous prayer of Jabez, the first thing for which he asks is the blessings of God.
2) "Enlarge my territory" He is not merely asking for temporal things but spiritual interests as well. In 1 Kings 4:29 we read: "And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore."
3). "That Your hand might be with me": As 'the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him': Ezra 7:6 This Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
4.)"That You would keep me from evil": In Matthew 6:13 Jesus taught the apostles to pray this prayer: And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
5.) "That I may not cause pain!" The quest of the Christian is: To bring joy not pain! To help not hinder! To build up not tear down! To cause peace not tension and turmoil! To speak the truths of comfort not the gossip and lies of discomfort! To alleviate burdens not to bind heavier ones! To stop the hurt and sorrow not to make it worse! We all should pray that we no longer cause anyone unnecessary pain.
Jabez, the son of sorrow, by prayerful faith inherited joy in the end. "God granted him what he requested."
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS
God challenged Job with questions that caused him to realize how foolish he was to demand answers from God! Job 38:3- "I will question you and you will answer Me!"
Self-examination is the key to health, physical & spiritual. "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith" 2Corinthians13:5.
Let us look closely at our own spiritual standing by asking ourselves the following probing questions.
I. ARE YOU STANDING ON THE PROMISES OR JUST SITTING ON THE PREMISES? (ACTS 2:38-39; JNO. 10:10; HEB.13:5, 6; REV.2:10)
II. ARE YOU WORKING IN THE VINEYARD OR JUST EATING THE
GRAPES? (MATT.20:1-16; JOHN 6:26,53-67).
III. ARE YOU FRIENDLY OR FRIENDLESS? (MATT.7:12)
IV. ARE YOU SELFLESS OR SELFISH (MATT.20:20-28)
V. ARE YOU A LILLY OF THE VALLEY OR A WEED IN THE
GARDEN? (MATT.13:24-30).
VI. ARE YOU A STRAIGHT FLUSH OR A FULL HOUSE (MATT.
12:43-45; REV.21:8; PHIL.4:8)
VII. ARE YOU A LINK IN THE CHAIN OR A CHAIN LINK FENCE?
(GAL.6:1FF; 1COR.12; ROM.14;7)
VIII. ARE YOU A USEFUL VESSEL OR A CRACKED POT (2COR.4:7-
10; 2TIM.2:20-21)
IX. ARE YOU A BARNABAS OR A BARABAS (ACTS 4:36-37;
LK.23:18-19)
X. ARE YOU MORE CONCERNED ABOUT RECREATION OR RE-
CREATION (2COR.5:17).
XI. ARE YOU SHOD WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, OR ARE YOU
A HEEL WITH ONLY A PIECE OF THE GOSPEL (EPH. 6:15;
ACTS 20:20,26,27)
XII. ARE YOU ILLINOIS TOP SOIL OR GA. CLAY MATT.13:1-9;18-23
XIII. ARE YOU BORN ONCE TO DIE TWICE OR BORN TWICE TO DIE ONCE? (JNO. 3:1-8). PHYSICAL BIRTH, SPIRITUAL DEATH, PHYSICAL DEATH, OR PHYSICAL BIRTH, SPIRITUAL BIRTH, PHYSICAL DEATH, SPIRITUAL LIFE!
INTERESTING PLACES IN THE BIBLE
BETHLEHEM: (House of Bread)
The birthplace of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem was situated about five miles south of Jerusalem in the district known as Ephrathah (Mic 5:2), a region known for its fertile hills and valleys.
Bethlehem was the burial place of Rachel, the wife of Jacob (Gen 35:19). The original home of Naomi and her family, it was also the setting for much of the Book of Ruth. Bethlehem also was the ancestral home of David (1 Sam 17:12) and was rebuilt and fortified by King Rehoboam (2 Chron 11:6).
The most important Old Testament figure associated with Bethlehem was David, Israel's great king. At Bethlehem Samuel anointed David as Saul's successor. Although David made Jerusalem his capital city, he never lost his love for Bethlehem. 2 Sam 23:14-17 is a warm story about David's longing for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which was a Philistine garrison at the time. But when three of David's mighty men broke through the Philistine lines to draw a drink of water, David refused to drink it because of the blood that had been shed for it.
The prophet Micah predicted that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2), a prophecy quoted in Matt 2:6. It is significant that the King of kings, who was of the house of David, was born in David's ancestral home. According to Luke 2:11, Jesus was born in "the city of David," Bethlehem. Christ, who is the Bread of Life, was cradled in a town whose name means "house of bread.
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UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETINGS
October 14 - 17, 2007
Pt. Pleasant church of Christ
Hebron, KY
Speaker: Bill Mead
Sunday: 9:30am & 6:00pm
Monday – Wednesday: 7:00pm
Prayer List
Ì Randy Carmichael Jerry’s brother was back in the hospital last week and still struggling from his recent surgery.
Ì Sandy Mills is having health problems.
ÌBill Mollett was diagnosed with colon cancer last week and is awaiting the plan of treatment from the oncologist.
ÌRemember Dale Jacobs in your prayers as he moved to Louisiana to live with his brother.
Reminder:
If you need a ride to church services please let Jerry know as soon as possible.
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MEET WITH US
205 Hopperton Lane
Dry Ridge, KY 41035
Sunday AM Worship……..... .9:30AM
Sunday Bible Study………...10:40AM
Sunday PM Service……….. .6:00 PM
Wednesday Bible Study…... 7:00 PM
Minister: Jerry Carmichael
Website: