Dear Christian Believer

God bless you abundantly through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I've received a number of positive responses from people concerning the April 1st Sunday teaching titled, "Jabez's Prayer." They have shared about how they have been thinking more about their own lives and the need for them pray and believe for God to enlarge their coasts, and start reaching out beyond the vision of their abilities. They desire to see the vision that God has for them and to not be afraid to step up to the plate of opportunity so that God may "bless them indeed."

We have some great illustrations and examples of men and women in the book of Acts that dared to think and believe the way of Jabez. The Apostle Paul, Barnabas, Peter, John, Silas, Aquilla and Priscilla and others were not afraid to reach out beyond themselves and their own personal abilities to enlarge their borders of opportunity to speak, teach, and minister God's Word. look at the exhortation Paul wrote in:

Colossians 4:2-4: [Amplified Bible]
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being (both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
And at the same time pray for us also; that God may open a door to us for the Word (the gospel) to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ, the Messiah, on which account I am in prison.
That I may (speak boldly and unfold that mystery) proclaim it fully and make it clear, as is my duty.

Paul asked the believers to pray for him and others - that God would (enlarge their borders) "open a door of utterance" so the the "logos" might be spoken. The word "door" in verse 3 is the Greek word, "thura" which is used metaphorically in verse 3, and it means ... "an access or opportunity." A metaphor is ... a declaration that one thing represents another, thus, "open door of utterance " = "an access or opportunity to speak the logos." By using this metaphor "open door" we have a clear mind picture of a door that is opened and then access is available to either walk through that door or to not walk through it.

Colossians 4: 5 and 6: [is more exhortation give once the door is opened to the believers]
Walk in wisdom, toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace [lovingkindness] seasoned with salt [truth and commitment], that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Jabez was more honorable than his brethren because he wasn't afraid to ask God for more; more opportunity to serve and honor God, and to enjoy the blessings of God that are yielded by that kind of heart and believing. Paul prayed to God and asked the believers to join him with prayers of opportunity and the boldness and wisdom with which to walk through the doors that God will open to them. I recently received and e-mail from a wonderful believer that is in another country and he wanted prayers for open doors to speak the gospel. I remember the difficulty he had of making his trip to that country and I quickly replied. The door has already opened because, YOU ARE THERE. He wrote back and thanked me. Let's pray for and then SEE the opportunities God gives us and walk with boldness and wisdom redeeming our times.

Praying Thankfully with, and for You;

John & Mary Lou