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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
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