{"id":769,"date":"2024-02-15T16:14:05","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T16:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=769"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:07:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:07:51","slug":"requesting-gods-best","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/requesting-gods-best\/","title":{"rendered":"REQUESTING GOD\u2019S BEST!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Requesting God&#8217;s Best!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1 Chronicles 4:9-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good morning, if you have your Bible, turn with me to 1<strong> <\/strong>Chronicles<strong> <\/strong>chapter 4.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong> I want to continue<strong> <\/strong>the series you\u2019ve been in \u2014 on prayer.<strong> <\/strong>And for my part, I want to encourage you to pray with boldness, and to ask God to give you the best He has to offer.And to do so, I want to take you to <strong>a<\/strong> story found in the<strong> Old Testament <\/strong>book of <strong>1 Chronicles. <\/strong>It\u2019s a story about the life and prayer of a man named Jabez.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I wonder \u2014 how many of you have heard of Jabez before? Just curious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s possible that you discovered his story through a book written several years ago by author Bruce Wilkinson. His book was simply titled: The Prayer of Jabez. And it was a great little book. When it came out, it sold millions of copies and became a <em>New York Times Best-Seller <\/em>overnight.\u00a0Well, if you haven\u2019t read it, hopefully you leave here today with a much better understanding of who he was and why his prayer is so important. I must say, the story of Jabez<strong> <\/strong>is really very brief. In fact, all we know of him is told in just two simple verses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, his story is told in <strong>1 Chronicles 4.<\/strong> So if you have your Bibles open, look there with me. Beginning in <strong>verse<\/strong> <strong>9<\/strong>, we\u2019re told:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cJabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him <\/em><strong><em>Jabez<\/em><\/strong><em>, saying, &#8216;I gave birth to him in pain.\u2019 <\/em><strong>(1 Chronicles 4:9, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This verse and the next comes near the end of a <strong>very long list<\/strong> of <strong>\u201cwho\u2019s who\u201d <\/strong>among the <strong>tribe of Judah<\/strong>. And after about <strong>500<\/strong> <strong>names<\/strong> \u2014 we\u2019re introduced to <strong>Jabez<\/strong>.\u00a0His name gives us a clue about his identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In ancient times, names often reflected the circumstances of a person&#8217;s birth or sometimes seem to foretell their destiny.&nbsp; The name <strong>Jabez<\/strong> means <strong>&#8220;to grieve&#8221; <\/strong>or \u201c<strong>to<\/strong> <strong>sorrow<\/strong>&#8221; \u2014 <strong>\u201cto cause pain\u201d <\/strong>or even to live a life defined by \u201c<strong>pain<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 It could be that his life would be hard\u2026<strong>filled with pain<\/strong> and <strong>sorrow<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 Or it could have referred to the<strong> circumstances of his birth<\/strong> \u2014 indicating that his mother experienced a painful pregnancy and delivery of <strong>Jabez<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 Some scholars believe his name pointed more to the circumstances in which he was born. A home filled with struggle, possibly a fatherless home. Or maybe he came at an inopportune time. A season of scarcity and so Jabez\u2019 arrival just made things worse (another mouth to feed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At any rate, he was called PAIN. And so, for the rest of his life, there was nowhere he could go. Nowhere he could turn without being reminded of his past and the pain he either brought or faced.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pain, hurt, disappointment, anguish, and struggle. That was his life. And things were hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can you relate? As you look back over your life\u2019s history \u2014 do you ever feel like your life has been defined by pain and suffering and sorrow and grief? If so, you\u2019ve come to the right place today \u2014 because I\u2019ve got some good news for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, despite his unfortunate name, Jabez grew up to be a man of faith \u2014 known for his extraordinary character and devotion to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice again, the first few words of verse 9. It says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;Jabez was more honorable than his brothers\u2026\u201d <\/em><strong>(1 Chronicles 4:9a, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know it\u2019s a brief statement \u2014 but those first <strong>7 words<\/strong> tell us a lot.\u00a0They tell us that Jabez came from a dysfunctional family. Some scholars believe his father was either a crooked man or an absent man. And apparently his brothers followed suit.\u00a0Instead of living lives of honor &#8212; they practiced<strong> dishonest gain, <\/strong>made<strong> evil decisions, <\/strong>and<strong> did wrong.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if that\u2019s the case, then it\u2019s even more impressive that <strong>Jabez rose above all that, <\/strong>distinguishing himself as an <strong>honorable man.<\/strong>\u00a0Instead of choosing selfishness and dishonor\u2026<strong>Jabez<\/strong> chose a <strong>life<\/strong> <strong>of<\/strong> <strong>faith, reverence<\/strong> and <strong>humility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, while his life may have been born in <strong>pain<\/strong>, <strong>struggle and sorrow<\/strong> \u2014 his <strong>faith in God led him<\/strong> to experience God\u2019s blessing and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DON\u2019T MISS THIS: <\/strong><em>No life is ever TOO FAR GONE. No past is ever TOO RIDDLED BY PAIN. And, no life is ever TOO STAINED BY SIN that God can\u2019t redeem it!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s one of the messages of this man\u2019s life. But it\u2019s his response to God\u2019s work of grace that I want to focus on this morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that story is told in the next verse, <strong>verse 10<\/strong>. Here we\u2019re told:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>10<\/em><\/strong><em> Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, &#8216;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.&#8217; And God granted his request.&#8221; <\/em><strong>(1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, Jabez\u2019s life was defined by this prayer. And so, in the time that remains \u2014 I just want to walk through <strong>four<\/strong>&nbsp;l<strong>ife-changing requests <\/strong>revealed in this passage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;And the first request we see in <strong>Jabez\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>life<\/strong> is witnessed through his <strong>DEVOTION&#8230;to the Lord.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s the request:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. LORD, ENGAGE ME!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jabez&#8217;s first request is witnessed through his <strong>DEVOTION&#8230;to to the Lord.<\/strong> Recognizing his need for <strong>God\u2019s help<\/strong> and <strong>assistance<\/strong> in life, <strong>Jabez<\/strong> called upon the Lord to <strong>ENGAGE<\/strong> him. Listen again to the beginning of <strong>verse 10<\/strong>.&nbsp;It says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">(vs. 10a) <em>&#8220;Jabez cried out to the God of Israel\u2026&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you know the difference between<strong> this man <\/strong>and <strong>all these other men of his day<\/strong>? Then man was devoted to God. He was a man of prayer. He looked to God as His soul provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1 Chronicles<\/strong> lists a lot of other men in those first few chapters \u2014 be it doesn&#8217;t say anything about them seeking God. No mention of their request for god to engage them the way <strong>Jabez<\/strong> did.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Jabez prayed. He cried out to Him. And here\u2019s the thing \u2014 God responded! God answered his prayer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, don\u2019t miss this \u2014 <strong>Jabez<\/strong> prayed because he knew he needed God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What about you? How would this writer describe you if he penned another couple of verses? What would be the defining mark of your life today? Would it be:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 That you knew the Lord \u2014 That you trusted in God \u2014 That you sought His face \u2014 That you called on His name \u2014 That you were filled with His Spirit \u2014 That you reflected His nature \u2014 That you honored Him with your words?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What would it be? What would describe you\u2026and your relationship with Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen, if your list would be more like the DISHONORABLE brothers than it is Jabez. The change that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make it your goal in 2024 to become a <strong>person<\/strong> <strong>of<\/strong> <strong>prayer<\/strong>. Become one who calls upon the Lord, trusts in the Lord, and lives for the Lord. Let this be your year. Let this be the year you SEEK HIM OUT\u2026seekto KNOW HIM MORE. That\u2019s God\u2019s desire for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 In <strong>Jeremiah 29:13<\/strong> He says, \u201cWhen you seek me \u2014 you will find me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 And, i<em>n <\/em><strong><em>Jeremiah 33:3<\/em><\/strong><em> He says, <\/em><em>\u201cCall out to me \u2014 and I will answer you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>That\u2019s God\u2019s desire for you<\/strong>\u2026that you would <strong>pray<\/strong> and <strong>seek<\/strong> <strong>Him<\/strong> and <strong>ENGAGE WITH HIM.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve ever wondered what <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>will<\/strong> for your life was\u2014 it\u2019s this: <strong>He wants you to PRAY!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>1 Thessalonians 5, Paul<\/strong> addresses this issue of God\u2019s will when he writes:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>16&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>Rejoice always, <\/em><strong><em>17&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>pray continually, <\/em><strong><em>18&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus.<\/em><strong>(1 Thessalonians 5:16-28, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So pray! SEEK HIM, and SPEAK TO HIM. <\/strong>Talk with Him in the <strong>morning<\/strong> \u2014 before you leave your home. Talk with Him on your daily <strong>commute to work<\/strong>. Express your thoughts to Him. Ask Him for <strong>direction<\/strong> <strong>in your decision making<\/strong>. Let Him know what troubles you \u2014 and what keeps you up at night. <strong>Bare your soul<\/strong> to Him. <strong>He can handle it.<\/strong> More than that \u2014 <strong>He wants to handle it!<\/strong> So pray!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first request in <strong>Jabez\u2019s story<\/strong> points to his devotion to God. He prays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But there\u2019s more<\/strong>\u2026because, hissecond request tells of his reliance upon God\u2026as he prays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. LORD, ENLARGE ME!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In<strong> verse 10<\/strong>, he continues saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(vs. 10b) <\/em><em>&#8220;Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And it\u2019s here that <strong>Jabez<\/strong> invites God to act on his behalf. Knowing that his life had begun in sorrow \u2014 he now prays for that which would bring great joy to his life\u2026<strong>God&#8217;s Blessing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you get caught up in the awkwardness of a man praying for&nbsp;<strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>blessings<\/strong> \u2014 as if he\u2019s asking for God to making him wealthy and impressive. Understand, this prayer was more of a prayer of identification and dependence than it was a prayer of arrogance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was <strong>Jabez\u2019s<\/strong> acknowledgement that he was dependent upon God and identified with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He wasn\u2019t seeking simply for selfish blessings of personal gain, but rather for God to provide for him and use him for His good purposes. This was in essence a prayer for <strong>kingdom expansion <\/strong>\u2014 that of <strong>God&#8217;s kingdom<\/strong>. His request was for God to lay His hands on his life and to shape him in such a way that he could be used by God, for <strong>God\u2019s purposes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve often understood it like this \u2014 <strong>THE HEART OF A MATTER IS THE HEART OF THE MATTER! <\/strong>Meaning, what\u2019s the heart or motivation behind something. In this case, what was Jabez\u2019s motive for wanting God\u2019s blessings. And it appears (by the context of this passage and the surrounding verses dictating God\u2019s work among the people He could trust), was that Jabez wanted to be a BLESSING himself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know, there\u2019s a lot of misunderstanding about what it means to be \u201cblessed.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some think the word \u201cblessing\u201d is about preparing to eat. Some think it\u2019s a kind response to someone sneezing. Others think it\u2019s how we describe those who are wealthy \u2014 their blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But, from a biblical perspective, the word \u201cbless\u201d means \u2013<strong> \u201cto impart supernatural favor\u201d.<\/strong> It\u2019s about pressing forward and experiencing more. And that\u2019s just what God wants to do in you. <strong>He wants to BLESS YOU!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact \u2013 it\u2019s in His nature to bless you! He longs to impart supernatural favor into your life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Psalm 5:12,<\/strong> the psalmist says,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>\u201c<\/em><\/strong><em>For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.\u201d <\/em><strong>(Psalm 5:12, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, that\u2019s who He is. That\u2019s how He works. Blessing and giving favor is a part of His character.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is: \u201cWhy\u201d? <strong>Why does God want to bless you?<\/strong> Any guesses? It\u2019s <strong>that you might be a blessing!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Well, its impossible to pour out<\/strong>\u2026<strong>what<\/strong> <strong>hasn\u2019t first been poured in<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>So, this is like a divine investment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When God blesses you, you can bless others. After He blesses you, you can invest your life into the lives of those around you. You can pour into them that sense of supernatural goodness, divine favor, and godliness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s what <strong>Jabez<\/strong> longed for. That was his prayer:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prayer of <strong>Jabez<\/strong> serves as an example of seeking <strong>God&#8217;s<\/strong> <strong>blessings<\/strong> in our lives. It shows that it is okay to ask <strong>God<\/strong> to <strong>ENLARGE<\/strong> <strong>US<\/strong>\u2026and add to our territory (or our areas of responsibility). It\u2019s okay to ask God to bless us beyond imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, the apostle <strong>Paul<\/strong> confirms this truth in <strong>Ephesians 3<\/strong>, when he urges us to rely upon God and seek Him for all things. As <strong>Paul<\/strong> says (beginning in verse 16),<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>16&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>&#8220;I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, <\/em><strong><em>17&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, <\/em><strong><em>18&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>may have power, together with all the Lord\u2019s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, <\/em><strong><em>19&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>and to know this love that surpasses knowledge\u2014that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. <\/em><strong><em>20&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, <\/em><strong><em>21&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.&#8221; <\/em><strong>(Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul\u2019s implication <\/strong>is that we should not be limited in any way \u2014 especially when it comes to our prayers. So, rather than just hoping God will help us in desperate moments \u2014 we should rely upon Him at all times and for all things.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the greater emphasis is that when we pray \u2014 know this: <strong>He is not limited! <\/strong>Not in any manner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So when we pray, may we pray for great opportunity, greater usefulness, and larger areas of responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understand, God always has more for you. For <strong>Jabez<\/strong>, it\u2019s recovering what\u2019s been lost, and expanding beyond that. What do you want to be recovered and enlarged?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I want to be <strong>recovered<\/strong> from things that trip me up and hinder;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I want <strong>restored<\/strong> those things that have been lost, taken or destroyed;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I want <strong>enlarged<\/strong> those areas that are weak, diminished or neglected.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I want <strong>health<\/strong> in every area of my life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, <strong>PRAY YOUR<\/strong> <strong>BIGGEST PRAYER!<\/strong> And then expect even greater things. Because He, <em>\u201cis able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first request we see in the life of Jabez reveals his devotion to God.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thesecond request we see in the life of Jabez reveals his reliance upon God.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The third request we see in his life points to his desire for closeness with God. It\u2019s where he asks:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. LORD, EMBRACE ME!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jabez<\/strong> was praying and inviting God\u2019s presence and participation in his life. He was seeking to enjoy a close relationship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(10c)&nbsp;<\/em><em>&#8220;Let your hand be with me\u2026&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The was a prayer for relationship and closeness. He was saying,<em> \u201cLord, come near!\u201d <\/em>It was a request for God Himself. It was a prayer that recognized that gifts of God were good \u2014 but they were not enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jabez<\/strong> longed for the intimacy of <strong>God\u2019s abiding presence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This is so important.<\/strong> Notice here that <strong>Jabez<\/strong> did not want <strong>the<\/strong> <strong>blessing<\/strong> without <strong>the<\/strong> <strong>blessor<\/strong>.&nbsp; He wanted <strong>God&#8217;s hand<\/strong> <strong>to be upon him in power<\/strong>. He realized that if all he had <strong>the blessing<\/strong> but lacked <strong>the blessor<\/strong>, then he really didn\u2019t have anything at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What he was saying is, that <strong>Lord<\/strong>, when your hand is with me, I want to be controlled by You. When <strong>God&#8217;s hand <\/strong>is with him,<em> I want to be guided by you.<\/em> When <strong>God&#8217;s hand <\/strong>is with him, he is saying, I want to be empowered by you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 In fact, that little phrase, <em>\u201clet your hand be with me\u2026\u201d<\/em> is speaking if the <strong>hand of the<\/strong> <strong>Lord<\/strong>. And that phrase is a biblical way of saying, \u201clet your presence and power be with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 It\u2019s a phrase found all through the <strong>Bible<\/strong>. In<strong> Acts 11:21,<\/strong> <strong>Luke<\/strong> writes, <em>\u201cThe Lord\u2019s hand was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.\u201d<\/em>Meaning, <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>presence<\/strong> <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>power<\/strong> was with them\u2026and great things happened.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 My experience has always been that with <strong>God\u2019s blessing <\/strong>comes <strong>greater need<\/strong> for His strength and power \u2014 because <strong>WE\u2019RE NOT ENOUGH\u2026BUT HE IS!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s good news, because in <strong>Matthew 28:20 <\/strong>Jesus says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cSurely I am with you always, to the very end of the age\u201d. <\/em><strong>(Matthew 28:20, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, in His message to one of the churches in <strong>Asia Minor<\/strong> (in <strong>Revelation<\/strong>), <strong>Jesus<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cHere I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. <\/em><strong>(Revelation 3:20, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first request we see in the life of <strong>Jabez<\/strong> reveals his devotion to God.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thesecond request we see in the life of <strong>Jabez<\/strong> reveals his reliance upon God.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The third request we see in the life of <strong>Jabez<\/strong>\u2014is his desire for a deeper closeness with the Lord.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And the last request we see in this story of <strong>Jabez<\/strong>, points to his desire for God\u2019s protection. It\u2019s where he asks:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. LORD, ENCOMPASS ME!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here again, Jabez is praying in faith &#8212; trusting that God will respond. And so, beyond God&#8217;s blessing and closeness&#8230;Jabez asks God for His protection. In <strong>verse 10<\/strong>, he continues as he prays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(10d)<\/em> <em>&#8220;keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These faith-filled words of <strong>Jabez<\/strong> remind me of the faith-filled words of the psalmist in<strong> Psalm 91<\/strong>. It\u2019s there that he declares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>1<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. <\/em><strong><em>2<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp; I will say of the Lord, \u201cHe is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.\u201d<\/em><strong>(Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason that Jabez was so honorable is that he understood, dear friend, that he needed to be protected from the devil.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As followers of <strong>Christ<\/strong>, you are assured His ever-present help in your life. Therefore, when you pray \u2014 pray with confidence. Declare with conviction you trust in Him. For He is trust-worthy. He will watch over you. He will defend you. And He will do it by fighting for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s why scripture tells us, the battle isn\u2019t ours, it\u2019s His. The battle belongs to the Lord. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And no where do we need His strength and presence to encompass us more than in the area of temptation and sin. Our enemy, the devil seeks to destroy us with traps of evil. And when we fall into them and welcome sin in our lives, evil and sin will destroy us (from the inside out).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know a lot of people who wish we would quit talking about sin\u2026and the idea of missing the mark of God\u2019s best in our lives. But, sin kills. It destroys. It hurts and rips people apart. So, we must talk about it \u2014 and we must ruthlessly eliminate it from our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like <strong>David<\/strong>\u2014let\u2019s pray, <em>\u201cGod, help me hide your Word in my heart \u2014 so I won\u2019t sin against You.\u201d <\/em>Let\u2019s welcome God\u2019s work in us to protect us from the sin that so easily entangles us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s what <strong>Jabez<\/strong> was praying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But<strong>, what about you? Are you inviting God to protect you?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If not, start today. Pray for <strong>His presence to surround you and keep you from evil. Pray for his protection.<\/strong> Because He\u2019s good at it. He is able to protect and save!In <strong>Isaiah 43 <\/strong>He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>1<\/em><\/strong><em> \u201cDo not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. <\/em><strong><em>2<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. <\/em><strong><em>3<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.\u201d <\/em><strong>(Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ooo\u2026that\u2019s good stuff! <\/strong>That was his promise <strong>then<\/strong> \u2014 and it\u2019s his promise <strong>now!<\/strong> So take hold of that promise and welcome His care.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pray and invite Him to ENCOMPASS you!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#570480\">It reminds me of a story I once read about a former line-backer for the <strong>Miami Dolphins<\/strong>. His name was <strong>Mike Kolen<\/strong>. After his college days, after graduating from <strong>Auburn University<\/strong>, his coach asked him to stick around and help him recruit the next generation of <strong>Auburn football players<\/strong>. He said, &#8220;Sure coach, what kind of a man do you need?&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#5a0a7d\">He said, &#8220;Well Mike, you know there&#8217;s a guy you knock him down and he just stays there.&#8221; Mike said, &#8220;We don&#8217;t want him, do we coach?&#8221; He said, &#8220;No sir.&#8221;\u00a0But he said, &#8220;You know Mike, there&#8217;s a guy you knock him down and then he gets up and then you knock him down and he stays there.&#8221;\u00a0Mike said, &#8220;Well I don&#8217;t think we want him either, do we coach?&#8221; He said, &#8220;No sir.&#8221;\u00a0But he said, &#8220;Mike, there&#8217;s a kind of guy, you knock him down, he gets up, you knock him down, he gets up, you knock him down, he gets up, you knock him down, he gets up.&#8221;\u00a0Mike said, &#8220;Boy, that&#8217;s the one we want, isn&#8217;t it coach?&#8221; He said, &#8220;No, sir, I don&#8217;t want him either.&#8221;\u00a0He said, &#8220;I want you to <strong>find that guy that&#8217;s knocking everybody down.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s must have been how <strong>Jabez<\/strong> felt.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen, I am grateful that when we I knocked down \u2014 <strong>Jesus<\/strong> picks me up up!&nbsp; But I much prefer those times when <strong>Jesus does the knocking<\/strong> on my behalf. When He strikes the enemy down before me. I much prefer those time when <strong>Jesus <\/strong>protects me and the devil flees. <strong>Amen?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can. If you learn how to pray as Jabez prayed. Not only Lord forgive me (that\u2019s, pick me up when I get knocked down). <strong>But Lord lead me and keep me from the evil one.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than <strong>fighting<\/strong> in your own strength, or <strong>relying<\/strong> upon your own wit to out smart the enemy or those who might oppress you. Instead, <strong>RUN<\/strong> TO THE LORD! Call on the Lord\u2026rest in the Lord\u2026wait upon the Lord\u2026and see what He will do for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jabez asks for the Lord\u2019s defense not only for his own sake, but to <strong>expel the residue of any evil<\/strong> in him that would inhibit God\u2019s purpose for his life or become painful to others:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Things that <strong>tempt, attack<\/strong> or <strong>haunt<\/strong> my mind;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Things from my <strong>past<\/strong>, my <strong>parents<\/strong> or my <strong>heritage<\/strong>;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Things that <strong>condemn, confuse<\/strong> or <strong>compromise<\/strong> me.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, cry out to the Lord. Invite Him to defend you\u2026and when trouble comes or hardship arises, refuse to despair. Instead, ask for God\u2019s help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CONCLUSION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After everything was said \u2014 and every prayer was prayed\u2026Jabez found himself in that place that you and I often find ourselves. It was in the waiting \u2014 a place of trust and faith in God. It\u2019s that place where we place in <strong>God\u2019s hands<\/strong> that which we have been carrying around in ours. And then with empty hands and a full heart,<strong> we wait.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We <strong>wait<\/strong>\u2026to give God room to work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>wait<\/strong>\u2026to allow our faith to grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>wait<\/strong>\u2026to watch for God to do what we can not.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>wait<\/strong>\u2026to see the glory of the Lord displayed before us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>wait<\/strong>\u2026to receive the goodness and the mercies of God in our lives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>wait<\/strong>\u2026and\u2026trust in Him!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And as we wait\u2026God works.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He <strong>works<\/strong>\u2026to strength that which remains in us.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He <strong>works<\/strong>\u2026to increase of our faith and resilience in Him.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He <strong>works<\/strong>\u2026to demonstrate His power above all things.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He <strong>works<\/strong>\u2026to meet and exceed the needs we have in this life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He <strong>works<\/strong>\u2026to reveal His love to and through us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He <strong>works<\/strong>\u2026the fulfill His Word, and put His glory on display in us!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>apostle<\/strong> <strong>John<\/strong> helps us understand this when he writes in <strong>1 John 5:14,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThis is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.\u201d<\/em><strong>(1 John 5:14, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And sometimes His answers to our prayers are <strong>WILD<\/strong> and <strong>DRAMATIC<\/strong>. But sometimes that are <strong>SIMPLE<\/strong> and <strong>DIRECT<\/strong>. And in the case of <strong>Jabez<\/strong>, we are told, simply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cAnd God granted his request.&#8221; <\/em><strong>(1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ALTAR &amp; PRAYER TIME:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we prepare to wrap up this morning, I want to pause and acknowledge\u2026that <strong>the greatest blessing God has to offer <\/strong>you and me \u2014 is the <strong>forgiveness of sin<\/strong> and a <strong>salvation<\/strong> found in His Son, <strong>Jesus<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing compares! Not riches, or fame, or influence, or anything else. Nothing compares to <strong>Jesus<\/strong>. So, if you\u2019re not living for <strong>Jesus<\/strong>\u2026Would you consider surrendering yourself to Him today? Would you pray now and put your trust completely in His goodness? If so, pray this with me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Heavenly <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Father<\/em><\/strong><em>, I admit that I am a sinner and I\u2019ve chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He came from Heaven to earth to pay for my sin. I believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, was put in a grave \u2014 and rose again. So, today \u2014 I put my faith in Him. <\/em><strong><em>Forgive me of my sin<\/em><\/strong><em>. Save me and give me new life in you forever. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you prayed today and made a decision to follow Jesus \u2014 would you let us know? We are so proud of you. This is the greatest decision you\u2019ll ever make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PRAYER:<\/strong> Would you come and join me around these altars this morning &#8212; and pray with me? Come and as you do, let&#8217;s draw near to God. Let&#8217;s invite Him to do for us as He did for Jabez. Let&#8217;s pray&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lord<\/em> I pray:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Engage <\/strong>me. Speak to me as I speak to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Enlarge<\/strong> me. Bless my life, my work, my home, my dreams, give me more to steward for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Embrace<\/strong> me. Come near, fill me with Your Spirit, empower me to live for you, and\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Encompass<\/strong> me. Go before me and behind me. Watch over me. Protect me. Keep me safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Requesting God&#8217;s Best! 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 INTRODUCTION: Good morning, if you have your Bible, turn with me to 1 Chronicles chapter 4.\u00a0 I want to &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-769","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=769"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2638,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/769\/revisions\/2638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}