"And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying: Oh, that You would bless me indeed..." ~I Chron 4:10~

Jabez was focused. He knew he needed to be blessed, and he knew the only one that could change his circumstances was God Almighty. He got desperate. He cried out, "OH, that You would bless me"....and not just bless me, bless me "indeed". I think about The Little Rascals saying, "And How!"...Many of us let satan beat us down with all our past failures and tell us we are unworthy to approach a Holy God and ask for His richest blessings. But friend, we serve a God of great forgiveness, casting my sins and yours into the sea of forgetfulness, as far as the east is from the west when we come to Him with a repentant heart. And HE WANTS to bless us...He is waiting for us to trust Him enough to ask. We are so human, we look everywhere else to meet the needs in our life, counselors, pills, money, jobs, people, bad habits, hobbies...we have to become like Jabez, and realize that only God can supply.

"...and his mother called his name Jabez, saying: Because I bore him in pain" ~I Chron 4:9~

Jabez came into this world known for "causing pain". It sounds like his entrance was not a welcome one, and his name would overshadow that fact all his life, marked for everyone to know. I wonder about the mother of Jabez...I wonder was the physical childbirth that difficult to bear, or was the pain of Jabez's birth related more to difficult circumstances that he was born into? How hard were they struggling to get by, to feed other children, how hard was she already working every day and now another child to care for....did she grieve for some other reason, heartbroken, and this child stood would be a forever reminder of that sad time in her life....How many women find the miracle of an expected little one, not so miraculous for where life is at the moment. But God makes no mistakes. He is more aware of where we are at this moment than we are. He is not a hap-hazard God, and He carefully plans every human existence, equips for that life a divine purpose in the Kingdom's design. Jabez was no different. It is because she named him in pain, that Jabez cried out desperately seeking the Lord: "that I may not cause pain!" Without that name branding this man, he may never have spent his life striving to be so honorable before God and to have his prayer answered. This mom could never have imagined that for thousands of years her "son of pain" would be read about and bring hope to every generation.

"Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying: Because I bore him in pain. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! So God granted him what he requested" ~I Chron 4:9-10

You may have heard about the prayer of Jabez. There are only 2 short verses about this little known character in the Bible. There are excellent books and devotionals written about him & this powerful prayer. As we begin to break this down, the first and last phrases stand out: "He was more honorable than all his brothers...So God granted him what he requested." Our first lesson, for God to answer our prayers, we have to remain honorable in His eyes. Choosing the high road, even when it's difficult. Being men and women of integrity.
I've been reading a book lately that gives one of the best descriptions of integrity: Its not what you appear to be when everyone is around, but who you are when no one is looking. A level of morality you never fall below no matter what's happening around you. High standard of honesty, truthfulness, decency & honor that's never breached, His goal is to please God....wow.....our goal is to please God. This is the key that unlocks His blessings, our answered prayers.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties" ~Ps 139:23~

If there is one thing satan knows, it's how to push our buttons. He knows our weakness, and he knows the things that rob our peace. But the good news is so does God, HE knows us inside out. He is able to put just the perfect persons and events in line to extinguish our anxieties, words of comfort to defeat satans attacks. Give Him your heart, be available for Him to search you through and through. Let Him " calm and quiet your soul". (Ps 131:2)

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" ~Rom 5:5~

In uncertain times, where the economy, jobs, the government, family stability, personal finances and so many other things seem frightening and unknown, we have to hold on to something....and that something is Jesus Christ. Without His hope in our heart, we have no reason to get out of bed each morning. He is the foundation, the cornerstone that all else is built on. When everything else fails us, He still stands strong. When all else proves false, He still stands in truth. When everybody else abandons, He remains. When we cannot find the way back, He is the true north pointing us home. He is the hope that never disappoints, His love poured out in our hearts, Holy Spirit indwelling, forever present, constant companion, Savior, Redeemer, Friend.

" ...if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

Keep your eye on the good things of life, soak em up! Focus your thoughts on anything and everything you can find to praise God for. Life is short, time is fleeting. Seize the moment, praise Him through the storms, choose the high road in your attitude even when your body struggles to find it. His presence inhabits your praise

"...whatever things are of good report...meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

Another verse comes to my mind in relation to this phrase: "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold" ~Prov 22:1~ God wants us to walk worthy of the name of Christ. He wants us to be men & women of integrity, known to all people as individuals of honor. The way we conduct our business, pay our bills, give our tithes, honor our word, speak with respect, and live honestly...all things lead to a good report for both us, and the Heavenly Father we represent. I'm amazed that as we work hard to build good relationships in every area of our life-work, church, community, school, business- God honors that as well, and when we occasionally make some mistakes, folks are much more open to assist us, forgive us our short comings, knowing that it this the exception and not the rule of our lives.

"...whatever things are noble, meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

You will notice that I skipped this phrase earlier in the verse. I wanted to get a dictionary's defination to the word noble, and I am surprised. I thought it would mean humble, meek, mild, but it doesn't. It means: eminent, illustrious, of very high birth, grand appearance. God wants us to think spiritually of the things that are eminent, unavoidable. We each have an appointment with salvation, to either accept it, or reject it. We each will face the judgement seat, either prepared or unprepared. Each of our souls will last for all eternity, either in heaven with our Maker and Savior, or in hell forever tormented. These things ARE eminent. God knows we have to dwell here everyday in the flesh, in the physical relm, yet He intended that we keep our minds set on the spiritual relm, that illustrious Savior and the grand appearance of Him in our daily life. His thoughts for us are of very high birth...born in the mind of The Almighty. That makes us royality...think noble, O child of the King!

"...whatever things are lovely...meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

You know the best way to get through days you dread, is to focus on things you love...coming home to great hugs, a family dinner, awesome praise and worship CD's, fun at the kids ballgame...the comfortable couch, your favorite Tv program, a hot bath, warm PJs, a great book, candlelight, curling up under the covers & soothing gospel music to sleep. It really is the good life. If you have a job, even if you really hate it right now, praise Him. Praise Him for your health. Praise Him for your family, even if they get on your last nerve sometimes. Praise Him for the roof over your head. Praise Him for your church family, while not prefect, is still family. Praise Him for the lovely things in life that make it worth living.

"whatever things are pure...meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

We live in a time where many things are corrupt...media, government, organizations. But worse than any of these is when our minds become corrupt. Sometimes we allow a small thing to take root in our thoughts, and we never imagine it can grow so out of control...it becomes a twisting vine that takes over & chokes out anything good. It can be sexually related things, an addiction, or it can be a root of bitterness toward somebody, something, some event. Without ever realizing it, we can slowly slip into a very dark existance.
That is not the life Christ intends for us. He deeply desires the abundant life for us. He wants us to fill our mind constantly with pure, Godly images, messages, songs, words, renewing them throughout the day... attached to Him as the controling vine of our life. Focus your thoughts on these things.

"...whatever things are just,...meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

We all have heard it said: "Nobody said life would be fair"...but somewhere in our hearts, we still long for it to be. Makes since, everybody wants a fair shake. Yet when I think about how God created us each so different, so unique, each with our own special talents, gifts, and flare for life, I can certainly see how He also created a different path for each of us. The ingredients of "me" gravitate me toward a path the Father designed for my life before I was ever created in my mother's womb. The situations and circumstances I encounter along the way were purposed "just" for me, to accomplish His greater purpose through me. There are so many just & fair moments on my path, even moments I get 10 times the blessings I deserve...that is the justice I should focus on. The "just God" moments.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true...meditate on these things" ~Phil 4:8~

Meditation is the act of focusing our thoughts. This verse has a whole list of good things in life to meditate on...the first is truth. Satan is the master of lies. Often the things that overwhelm us most are overexaggerated in our mind. We imagine the worst possible outcome. Ask God to show you what is true. And even when circumstances don't turn out the way we would like, there is still God in every situation. He is the one constant. He is the one truth...meditate on Him, meditate on the good things in your life every day that still hold true.

"and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" ~Phil 4:7~

I have seen times I struggled so hard, I had scripture written on notecards in my pocket and pulled them out to read & say a 5 second prayer every hour just to get through the day. I'm grateful for those times now, that I learned the power of His presence. As we take the things that make us anxious and nervous to God in prayer, thanking Him for how abundantly He has always met our needs....His peace covers us. Time spent alone in conversation with the Father always brings peace. It's amazaing that even though my circumstances may not change one bit, He can shed new light on them so I can see a little clearer. In that light, the warm presence of Him, my hope is renewed and I have new strength to get up from my knees and face life one more hour. Only God can guard our heart and minds from the negitive discouragement of satan...Take your needs to Him, run to Him, fall into His arms, lay your head on His chest. Let His peace cover you.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" ~Phil 4:6~

Be anxious for nothing...don't be nervous. Ouch, this one hits me hard. How often do I let concerns overtake my thoughts. I know God is all powerful, I know He works all things out for His glory and my good. I know whatever He allows, He purposes to accomplish His will. I know that even if things go a different route than I thought best, He will give me grace and mercy to endure it. So how do I get past the anxious moments, when all my heart knows about the Father struggles with the doubts satan injects?....."by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". There is never a time I pull closer to Him than in fearful moments, laboring in prayer. The thanksgiving reminds me of all He has accomplished already in my life to take care of me, and the time He stood faithful...He won't leave me this time either. Pour out your heart to Him. Ask Him for guidance. Ask for strenth to endure. Ask for peace in this moment. Ask for hope to sustain your heart. He WILL answer.

"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." ~Phil 4:5~

The only way to lead people to the Lord is by gentleness. The world will know us as Christians by the way we love one another....and especially in difficult circumstances. Love when we agree, or when we are happy is easy. But the love we can show an enemy, those who spitefully misuse us...that will speak volumes to a lost world. Even if we never reach that enemy, God will use the example of our quiet, meek (well controled), gentle spirit to draw others to Him. We do not represent ourselves in these tough times, but we represent HIM.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice!" ~Phil 4:4~

How can we rejoice in the middle of difficult circumstances, when the last thing we feel like is celebrating? It's these times that we have to follow in obedience, trusting Him to life our spirits in the process...Pray: pour out heart out to the Lord honestly, remembering how many good things He has done for us, brought us through in the past, and how many things He has spared us from. Read: When you are down & out, you can count on the word of God to have encouragment to lift your soul. Go: Fellowship with other believers in church, our family in Christ gives us strength to carry on. We bear one another's burdens....Rejoice in the relationship, the friendship of God that never fails.

"Love never fails..." ~I Corinth 13:8~

Here we are at the concluding description of God's greatest gift. This one has particularly special meaning for me. Sometimes we go through so many hard things in life, we begin to doubt everything we thought we knew... But His love never fails. Other people will hurt us. Family will disappoint us. Friends will let us down. The world will reject us....but His love never fails us. It's the foundation all of life is built on. Without this cornerstone, nothing else makes much sense. He never leaves us, hope in Him will never disappoint us....HE will never fail you.

"love...endures all things" ~I Corinth 13:7~

We face alot of challenges in life...job loss, financial difficulties, wayward children, hopelessness. We can easily get into some bad attitudes and habbits during these stressful periods of time...irritability, sharp words, emotional tones, sleeping to escape it all. Raising kids can often feel like we are breaking one bad habbit after another bad phase.It's so easy to give up on someone who "just can't seem to get it all together". But you know, my devotion yesterday reminded me that God isn't waiting for us to get it all together. He is always here with us, in the fire, seeing us through. By His example, we can pray for His strength to endure all things with someone we dearly love, too. That's what family does, sticks together...even our family in Christ.

"love...hopes all things" ~I Corinth 13:7~

One of the hardest things in life is keeping your chin up when the going gets tough. But few things are as refreshing to a weary soul as a friend or family member that looks at you in the midst of the worst possible situation and says: Hey, we'll get through this...me & you, together. Alot of our anxieties about the situations we face are from facing it alone, and fearing we won't survive it, that it will some how ruin us as a person. You and I can be that person that suffers long and continues to hope all things. When they can barely get out of bed each day, our words of encouragement can keep them going. And if you have been blessed with someone to hope all things in you, let them know how much you thank God for their constant companionship....
One more thing...no matter where you are, what you've done, how dark today's circumstances appear...God is hoping all things in you.