Go Ye Therefore

Matthew 28:18-20; The Great Commission is not a mere request.

Trust and Rejoice!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

There are many times in this world that we become anxious or disheartened. Depression may even get the best of us for a time. Life does not always dish out pleasantness. St. Paul reminds us today, as he did the Philippians, not to worry; but, to present our requests to the Lord. In bringing our needs before Him in prayer, we find the confidence to trust that all things are in His hands and He has a good plan for those who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

The trials that St. Paul endured were many and hard. If he could stand, trusting in and rejoicing in the Lord until the day of his execution, surely so can we. 

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered throughout your life. Did God not see you through them all? Was He not with you? Those problems are now nothing more than a memory. Rejoice then that any trials and tribulations you may be encountering today will also pass. Continue on in the way of the Lord. Trusting and rejoicing in Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Enlarge Our Borders

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 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.  1 Chron 4:9-10 NIV

Among the descendants of Judah, is one Jabez.  In the middle of the list of Judah's descendants is a description of this one obscure son. He is born in pain.  He is a humble man who prays to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" (4:10) God answered his prayer. It does not say how.  It just says he answered this prayer.

Now, I'm thinking the fact that he prayed for these things and God answered has to be pretty important; otherwise, wide would this obscure man's prayer be placed in the middle of this genealogy? I have heard many negative critiques of this prayer.  Yet, I pray it often for others whom I love. It is a simple prayer. Jabez asked God to bless him, to keep him from harm and to enlarge his borders or his territories. The critique I've often heard is that enlarging the territories is about riches as in silver and gold or maybe houses and cars or airplanes. Some would turn Jabez' humble prayer into a selfish prayer. 

However, for the Christian our borders are on the mission field. We do not look at this prayer as a magical means to fill our pockets; but as a prayer that God would bless us with missions, with opportunities to reach out to the whole world with the same love He has for us so that others might come to know him. Evangelism is the purpose for which we pray our borders to be expanded. 

Who would not want their loved ones to be blessed by the LORD, to be kept from harm and know no pain and to have ever expanding borders to proclaim the praises of God? Oh, LORD, expand our territory so that we might reach out to even more, to the multitudes, with the Good News of your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice And Give Thanks For Answered Prayers

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

It is said that we ought to be careful what we ask for when we pray to God because God does deliver the answer to the prayers of the faithful. Sometimes God's answer is a bit different than what we had intended. But, all of the time, no matter what the answer is, it is for the good of His children.

On my way home from worship yesterday, I suddenly burst out laughing as I realized that God was answering one of my prayers. It was hard to recognize it at first because He's not answering the prayer request in the way that I had intended. But, He is answering it in His way and it will be a very good thing when it comes to fruition. I have not yet seen the end result; but, I do believe that I have received the request of my lips for His children here in this community.

During the last couple of weeks, I have witnessed one answered prayer after another and each and every time another prayer is answered, I cannot help but smile (more like laugh out loud) and give thanks to God for hearing me and answering in a way that will benefit those who love Him.

Let us give rejoice thanks to the Lord for answering the prayers of our hearts for all of His people; for the whole church on earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J