Archive by Author | Jumbug

Jabez : The man who refused to let his past dictate his future.

Apr16

Good morning blogging family 🙂 . We are still on Spring break for blogging through the bible a chapter a day. We resume on Monday 20th April with the book of Leviticus. I’m excited to see what God is going to teach us from the book so please invite people to join us as we learn. You can follow me on pinterest and Facebook . Let’s spread the good news of Jesus 🙂 God bless you as you do so.

Today, I thought I’d share a short piece I did on the bible character, Jabez. His story is found in 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10.

Be blessed 🙂

Jabez : The man who refused to let his past dictate his future.

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Jabez was a man from the lineage of Judah. His life story was recorded in 2 verses! We don’t not know much about him except for the fact that his mother named him ‘sorrow’, as he was born in pain. Perhaps his father died before he was born or maybe his mother went through a difficult or agonizing labor, we don’t know. His story was right in the middle of the bible recounting the lineage of Judah. To be honest, I have read that chapter over and over and I still can’t see any mention of who his parents or brothers were . Let’s read his story in 1Chron 4:9-10

“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 Chronicles 4:9, 10 NKJV)

First thing I noticed about Jabez was that the writer of chronicles said he was an honorable man above his siblings. One can infer from that statement that Jabez must have been a man of uprightness, who did the right things including following the laws of Moses, a man who knew God and walked in His ways. Perhaps the pain and the issues surrounding his life made him different and drew him closer to God. Friends, don’t let your pain draw you away from God, rather let them draw you closer to Him.

Prior to the prayer, we find that Jabez was a man of sorrow and great pain. Imagine every time people called his name, they were calling sorrow. Wherever he went people must have been looking at him funny, probably trying to understand why someone would be named Sorrow, but Jabez refused to let his past dictate his future. He knew there was One he could call who has the power to turn his situation around; turn his sorrow to joy; turn his disappointment to divine appointment: he called on his God – Yahweh! I don’t know what name they have given you, or what has transpired in your past, but I want you to learn from Jabez and turn the situation to the One who holds all power in His hands: the One who specializes in turning around impossible situations. I can’t promise you that the situation will change instantly but one thing I can guarantee you is assurance of His presence, peace and joy, even in the midst of the storm; and the knowledge that the Almighty God has your back and He has good plans for you.

So Jabez cried to God. He called on God to bless him and keep him from harm that it won’t cause him pain. Basically, He was asking God to change his situation. One thing I want you to pick from this is that Jabez definitely prayed this prayer in faith. He must have believed that God was able to do that which he requested of Him and I believe it was his faith that got him God’s attention and mercy.

Today lets turn to God in faith. Don’t let your past determine your future. Having a bad start in life doesn’t mean the rest of your life has to be bad. Jabez also had a bad start but he had a good ending. God is offering you a new start today. He is inviting you to let him handle the past for you. It’s not yours to deal with, it’s His.  Give it over to God so you can enjoy the abundant life God has to offer you. It’s the intention of the enemy to cheat you from the good life that God has for you, so why give him that joy? Let God in and I can assure you that you won’t regret your decision.

Have a blessed day 🙂

***With God all things are possible***

Matthew 28 – Just as He said He would

Apr8

Good afternoon y’all. Thanks be to God we made it through the book of Matthew. We will be studying the last chapter today 🙂

Few announcements for those who are following the blogging through the bible plan. We will be on Spring break from April 9th until Monday, April 20th.

On Monday, April 20th we begin the Book of Leviticus  one chapter a day until May 26th.

For more information on blogging through the bible and spring break, see Courtney’s blog at women living well

Be blessed 🙂

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“Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7 NLT)

The phrase “Just as He said He would” was what caught my attention in those verses. Jesus had told His disciples that He would resurrect on the third day but it seemed like the disciple and women didn’t fully understand or believe Him. Hence when they went on the 3rd day, they were expecting to still see Him dead but instead they found an empty tomb because He had resurrected as He said He would. Hallelujah!!!! Jesus is aqlive and lives forever 🙂

This made me ponder how often we doubt as well. God gives us a promise but it’s like we don’t fully believe He can do what He promised because in our own eyes it looks impossible but we must always remember that with God all things are possible (Luke 1:37).

Today, be hopeful that whatever promises God has given you, He will do just as He said. He can be trusted to do what He says. He is too faithful to deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). He watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). He said His word will not return to him void until it has accomplished what it was sent to do (Isaiah 55:11)

Be encouraged, there is a dawning of a new day for you. Keep believing and trusting him knowing He is able to do what He has said he would do.

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Have a blessed day 🙂

***With God all things are possible***