Expanding

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

Funny, isn't it; we hear no more of Jabez.

• What territory was enlarged?
• What pain was relieved?
• What blessings did God bestow upon this honorable man?

If God won't tell us the rest of the story, how are we expected to apply it to our lives? It doesn't make much sense when I think about it. Yet, maybe we should just take it at face value. Perhaps we are analyzing a bit too much.

Let's take a look at this from our perspective. We live a life defined by borders we place around us, which ultimately dictate who and what we are, and how we deal with things around us.

Borders that limit:

• Pride
• Anger
• Doubt
• Envy

And the list could go on and on. In fact, take a moment or two and write down some of your borders -- be honest and forthright!

Now here is the relevance of these borders. People know us by these borders; we are comfortable within these borders; and, we make our decisions based on these borders. Yet, we get perplexed when things don't go our way and these borders remain intact. We ask again and again;

• "God, why does this happen to me?
• "How can I go on when you never change things?"
• "Why, why don't you listen to me?"

Unfortunately, despair and anxiety become our guideposts as we attempt to manuever through the maze of uncertainty we find ourselves. Why operate in despair and anxiety? God certainly does not intend that for you. Let me have you start this study by examining some scripture that may speak to you and your circumstance...

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

Now, look at this from a different perspective --> God's...Christians always begin with hard pressed and end with not destroyed. However, I think they forget one very, very important thing. Verses 8 and 9 are preceeded by "treasure in jars of clay." That treausre is Christ in us...

Therefore, let me ask this of you -- exactly how have you shown Christ in you as you go forward in your circumstance?

The next three posts will provide you some ways to make this a priority in your life as you let God expand your borders.

Be Blessed