Category Archives: Righteousness / Serving God

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Provider, Thankfulness

Give God Glory for What He Has Done in Your Life

We may not personally connect with a specific prophecy that the LORD spoke, as He did for Solomon in saying that Solomon would build the temple.   However, I think we can consider how Solomon reacts in this situation and apply it in our own lives. When the prophecy has come true, Solomon makes a point to bring the glory to Yahweh. He reflects back on God’s promises or prophecy and focuses on it while celebrating and recognizing the temple completion. With or without a specific prophecy about our lives, we should also pause and reflect and declare what the LORD has done for us in our lives. All too often we can take it for granted.

2 Chronicles 6:1- 11

Solomon’s Dedication

      1Then Solomon said,
“The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

2“I have built You a lofty house,
And a place for Your dwelling forever.”

3Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 4He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hands, saying, 5‘Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; 6but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ 7“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8“But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 9‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’ 10“Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in the place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11“There I have set the ark in which is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with the sons of Israel.”

The LORD has done much in my life, starting with forgiveness of sins through Yeshua, our Messiah. He provides for me food, shelter, job, a healthy immune system. That does not mean I have everything I want or never get sick. But I want to appreciate what He has done for me. I want to give Him thanks. Honestly, I find myself asking Him to help me with this attitude. All too often I can focus on what I do not have that I want or what is not going as I would like it to go. I can easily lose sight of what He has done for me.

Take time to reflect, maybe make a list, of all God has done for you. Share it with someone you trust.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me give You glory and praise by focusing on all You have done for me. Help me not get distracted by the things that are not as I would like, but rather rejoice in who You are and Your relationship with me.  Help me have an attitude of thanksgiving for all You have done and do for me. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Humility, Learning To Pray Effectively, Seeking God, Speaking, Submitted / Servant, Teachable, Wise

Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening

Samuel was a great prophet of the Lord. What can we learn from how he connected with the Lord when he was still a child?

  • He listened to the advice of one elder than himself, even though that person was far from perfect.
  • He responded to YHWH’s call with utmost simplicity… no complicated prayer needed. “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
  • Then… he did something amazing that most of us don’t do… he stopped talking to YHWH and started listening.
  • He shared the word that the Lord gave him even though he was scared to do so.

We should do likewise.

1 Samuel 3:1-14

The Prophetic Call to Samuel

     1Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.

      2It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, 4that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. 8So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. 9And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

      10Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12“In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13“For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. 14“Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

      15So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17He said, “What is the word that He spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the words that He spoke to you.” 18So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him.”

      19Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. 20All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. 21And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Faith / Trusting God, Generous, Giving, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus (hearing from God), Money / Finances / Wealth, Offering Sacrifices

How We Give Is a Reflection of What We Value

Yahweh does not need our money. It is not because He needs to buy something that He calls us to give. He calls us to give, and give generously, to challenge us to pursue Him wholeheartedly. How we give is a reflection of what we value. We are to seek first the kingdom of God, rather than pursue money as priority.

Mark 12:41-44

The Widow’s Mite

      41And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Yeshua did not measure the gift by the absolute value of the coins. Instead, He valued it by the sacrifice and therefore the reflection of the heart and its priority seeking God over self.

If you have much, ask yourself if you are giving only from surplus or truly honoring God with what you have. You do not need to go give away everything you have… if you do that how can you continue to help others as you find them in need. However, challenge yourself to test your heart and your attitude as you choose to give to help others in a way that honors God.

If you have little, remember that God appreciates and deeply values when you give from your poverty to help others or serve Him. There is no such thing as “too little a gift to make a difference”. God knows all and appreciates the gift and your sacrifice.

One last thought, do not assume you must give your whole donation to the local church. Sometimes we have the opportunity to help others directly or there may be other charitable efforts that you can support to honor the work and name of the LORD.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have a generous heart to give to honor and glorify Your name. Help me to put You first, above my own desire for money. Help me to have discernment in how to use the money I have to honor You and show my love for You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus (hearing from God), Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Seeking God, Study the Word, Teachable

Challenge Yourself To Dig Deep In Scripture

Jesus captivated the crowds. He took on the traps and challenges of those who plotted against Him and challenged those who would listen to think beyond the obvious. He covered the basics, yes, but He also delved deep into the scriptures in order to help challenge people to really think about what God was saying in them. Often, it was different than what they were commonly taught by the religious leaders.

Mark 12:35-37

   35And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?

36“David himself said in the Holy Spirit,
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,
“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET.”’

37“David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

 Any pastor or teacher considers it good news when the crowd is both large and enjoying listening to the message… especially when the message is not just intended to say what people want to hear, but rather challenge them to seek to understand God’s word at a deeper level. Jesus captivated people with the truth of God’s word. He never compromised… and yes there were always those who would plot against Him because of it. However, many learned and were drawn closer to God.

As disciples of Christ we should dig deep into the scriptures and challenge ourselves and others to truly consider their true meaning and how it affects our lives even today. Do not be satisfied just listening over and over to the basics or accepting the word of others for what the Bible says. Dig in deep and study to challenge yourself to understand new sections you have not previously considered in depth. Then, apply to your life. Then repeat with more scripture.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help me not be content with just the basics of Your word, but rather hungry to study and challenge my understanding of what others teach. Help me to continually better define my understanding of You by studying and understanding scripture more deeply rather than let my current understanding of You redefine what the scripture actually says to fit in my “box”. Help me to enjoy studying and learning the truth of Your word. Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Guide, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Love, Loving / Kind, Seeking God, Study the Word

You Are Not Far From The Kingdom Of God

How can we sum up the whole of the law and the prophets concisely? How can we pull together a high level mission statement we can all get our minds around that is the foundation for all of God’s instruction?

Leave it to Jesus to bring about such a summary:

  • There is one God. We shall love Him above all else.
  • Love others as we love ourselves.

Mark 12:28-34

    28One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; 33AND 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.” 34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

What a wonderful summary. If we do these things in the way that God’s word instructs us, we are not far from the kingdom of God.

Take care, however. While the summary is a great tool to bring with us, we should also dig deep in study and prayer to fully understand God’s word for how to love Him and how to love others. Love does not mean we just stay happy with everyone no matter what they do… and neither does God. Love means we care deeply to help others understand what is best for them and that means establishing boundaries and clear sense of right and wrong. Not everything is ok and accepting all behavior is not demonstrating God’s love.

Will you make the investment to understand how to love God and love others? Will you live it beyond just words and let it direct your path in life? Let us challenge each other to go deeper into God’s word and live it out as a way of testifying to others about Him!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me understand how You define loving You and loving others. Help me to live that out in a way that is pleasing to You and brings glory to You. Help me to live joyfully and gratefully. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Heaven and Hell, Jesus (hearing from God), Marriage, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Share the Good News, Study the Word, Teachable

Be Ready In Season and Out of Season

Yeshua was always prepared to give an answer to help lead people to greater understanding of the kingdom of heaven. Whether the questioners sought to trap Him, or genuinely learn, Yeshua never missed an opportunity to make an important point to His audience. He was prepared to speak to the scriptures at all times.

Mark 12:13-34

Jesus Answers the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes

      13Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15“Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.

      18Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER. 20“There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21“The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. 23“In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” 24Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? 25“For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26“But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob’? 27“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”

      28One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; 33AND 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.” 34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

We should study and learn from these thoughtful and quick responses which Yeshua gave as well as reflect internally upon our own preparation to provide an answer to those who may ask questions. Ask yourself… “Are you prepared to share God’s message? Are you willing to share God’s message?” Are you prepared to speak even if someone is baiting or trapping you with the question? 

Before you answer too quickly and move on in your day… ask yourself also “When was the last time you did share God’s message?”

2 Timothy 4:2

2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help me be prepared to always speak of You and Your scriptures to others. Help provide for me the words to speak in wisdom to help others draw nearer to You and shut down those who wish only trouble. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Obeying God, Parables, Selfishness, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil

How Shall We Treat God and His Messengers?

Yahweh has created a wonderful world for us to enjoy. He has created each of us as unique and wonderfully made. He gives us each gifts and abilities to use for His glory. He blesses us with life and many more things to help us prosper.  How shall we treat Him and His messengers in return?

Mark 12:1-12

Parable of the Vine-growers

      1And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESS AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. 2“At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. 3“They took him, and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4“Again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. 5“And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others. 6“He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7“But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ 8“They took him, and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9“What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others.

10“Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;

      11THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD,
AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?”

      12And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

Take a moment to reflect on how selfish and wicked the vine-growers are… they represent the vast majority of people that God has created. They reject God, His messengers, even His son. They live for themselves. The justify and rationalize their actions as if to avoid recognizing any wrongdoing.

Now reflect on the vineyard owner. How shall he react? God has given much patience and grace already. Many prophets and even His son have come in His name. For those who have welcomed them, they will be received into the kingdom of God. For the many, however, who have rejected and killed and mocked the messengers and son of God, they will face a righteous judgment. They will suffer because of their own choices.

Each of us gets to choose how we treat God and His messengers when He reaches out to us. It is more than just words. We show we accept God through consistent actions and attitudes… through how we choose to live our lives. Will we live selfishly after our own desires and claim with our lips to honor God or will we honor God with our very lives, choosing His ways above our own.

Choose wisely.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to treat You and Your messengers with respect and thankfulness. Let me not live selfishly according to my own desires, but live in submission to You as LORD. Help me to do so joyfully and thankfully! Thank You for my family, my job, my home, and so much more. Thank You for fellow believers, followers of Christ. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Bring Praise, Music and Singing as You Seek the LORD

After much work was done to build and prepare the temple as a place to honor the LORD, and everything was prepared, the final important touches were made to bring in the ark other implements set apart for the LORD. Do not miss that there was praising, singing, and music to glorify the LORD. It was not an afterthought. It was planned and coordinated. The LORD was pleased and His glory filled the temple.

2 Chronicles 5

The Ark Is Brought into the Temple

      1Thus all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the utensils, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.

      2Then Solomon assembled to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. 3All the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, that is in the seventh month. 4Then all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. 5They brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils which were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up. 6And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him before the ark, were sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 7Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the holy of holies, under the wings of the cherubim. 8For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering over the ark and its poles. 9The poles were so long that the ends of the poles of the ark could be seen in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside; and they are there to this day. 10There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

The Glory of God Fills the Temple

      11When the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions), 12and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets 13in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 14so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

When we want to be among the presence of the LORD, do not overlook the value of praise, music, and singing.

I invite you to pray with me:

 Father, You are worthy of praise and honor and glory. I do want to be in Your presence. I want to experience a close relationship with You. I want to bring honor and glory to You! Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness

If You Do Not Forgive, Your Father Will Not Forgive You

Scripture today is short on length, but long on meaning. Take time to really reflect on forgiveness. Mark 11 is one of many places this is addressed. Do not breeze over it. We are all guilty before God. We all need forgiveness. Thus we should pay attention to anything which may get in the way of that.

Mark 11:25-26

25“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26[“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]

Forgiveness is quite interesting in another perspective as well. If we don’t forgive, if we instead hold bitterness… we hurt ourselves. It affects us even if the other person is totally unaware or does not care. We actually help ourselves in more ways than one to embrace forgiveness. I recognize that it is harder for some, so ask for His help!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your forgiveness of my sins. I pray You would help me to forgive others quickly and for Your glory. Let my life and the lives of Your people be characterized by forgiveness and being forgiven. Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Learning To Pray Effectively, Money / Finances / Wealth, Peace / Rest, Protector / Deliverer, Provider

Jabez Was More Honorable Than His Brothers

Almost buried in a section of historical family lineage in 1 Chronicles is a brief excerpt, limited to two verses, about a man named Jabez for whom God answered his prayer. Like so many parts of scripture, it is waiting for us to find it and explore the depths of God’s word, like buried treasure.

It is worthwhile to pause and reflect on these verses.

1 Chronicles4:9-10

9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.” 10Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.

Quite some time ago, someone wrote a book about “the prayer of Jabez” and people got almost in a craze about it. The problem is that many focused on only his prayer. They wanted to turn it into some formula whereby if anyone repeats the words they force God to bless them also. However, this is not how a relationship with the Lord works. We don’t control Him. We don’t get His power by rehearsing specific words like some sort of spell.

Matthew 6:7-8

     7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

The prayer of Jabez was an honorable prayer. He asked for God’s blessing and asked for God’s protection from harm. These are good things to pray for. Let us also take care not to overlook that he also asked for God’s hand to be with Him and he was honorable in his life.

Jabez was not simply asking for more land and less pain, but also for a relationship with God and living his life in accordance with what God directed.

The path to living with the peace and joy of the Lord is one of submitting to him and building relationship with him. You can not and should not try to skip the relationship with God in pursuit of controlling him to give you the outcomes you want. As you build relationship with him, you will also discover that the relationship is the real treasure… that his hand would be with us.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.