WILL GOD BLESS ME IF I ASK
HIM TO?
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 tells us about a man
who asked for and received the blessings
of God.
"Now Jabez was more honorable than
his brothers, and his mother called his
name Jabez, 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."
Why did God answer his prayer? The answer
to that question can unlock any questions
you might have about whether God can bless
you!
Jabez wanted to be more and do more for
God and God granted his request.
I believe this scripture shows us that
God longs to give you and me so much more
than we ever thought to ask for. There is
something about Jabez's simple, direct request
to God that changed his life.
HE MADE FOUR REQUESTS TO GOD:
1. That God would bless him.
2. That God would enlarge his territory.
3. That God's hand would be with him.
4. That God would keep him from evil.
Most believers think they should always
pray for others and not for themselves.
The truth is that we can ask for and receive
God's fullest blessings. If God will bless
Jabez, He will bless us, when we ask with
the purpose and tenacity of Jabez.
1. JABEZ ASKED GOD TO BLESS HIM.
When asking for God's blessing, he wanted
God to impart supernatural favor, not a
new car or a house or a motorcycle. The
nature of the blessing was up to God to
decide. He knew God wanted to bless us from
Gen. 12:1-3. When we truly seek His blessings,
we will be in the center of all sorts of
miracles.
2. JABEZ THEN ASKED GOD TO INCREASE HIS
TERRITORY.
He was asking for God to enlarge his life
so he could make a greater impact for God.
That is what I want for Old Town, not to
make a name for myself or anyone else, but
to have a greater impact for the Kingdom
in Saginaw.
You can pray this prayer for more blessings
and greater influence. God wants YOU to
increase and take new territory. God wants
you to move out of your boundary lines,
taking new territory for Him.
3. THEN JABEZ ASKED FOR GOD'S HAND TO BE
UPON HIM.
Dependence upon God makes heroes of regular
people. The world pushes independence, but
God tells us we ARE to be dependent upon
Him. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit
and to give you VISION and PASSION for what
He wants.
God is looking for people to ask Him.
He is waiting for you to step out and do
things for Him that you cannot do in the
natural.
4. FINALLY HE ASKED GOD TO KEEP HIM FROM
EVIL.
When you begin to step out for God you
are taking new territory and the enemy hates
that.
BE AWARE! With success comes greater opportunities
for failure. You will experience more attacks
from the enemy, such as discouragement,
distractions, depression, and opposition.
Jabez is asking God to keep him from evil.
As you keep your life free from known sin
and keep praying this prayer, look for miracles
to take place around you. God will bless
you, expand your influence, and His hand
will guide and protect you.
So can God use you?
ABSOLUTELY YES...but ask Him with a passion
and with the intent to look for the blessing.
God doesn't give casual blessings, He gives
deliberate blessings TO AND FOR ANYONE WHO
WILL USE THE DIVINE FAVOR FOR HIS GLORY.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE?
By Donald H. Dinninger, Pastor
Old Town C.O.C. Missions Ministry
The goal of the Mission's Ministry at Old
Town C.O.C. is to have a strategic part in
fulfilling the great commission by reaching
the lost by showing god's love in our communities
and beyond..
Find out how you can get involved in a
missions trip this year.
