by Pastor Cecil | Nov 14, 2019 | 1 Chronicles
I Chronicles 4:10
“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 that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”
Working for the Lord has never been easy, nor will it ever be. When God enlarges our territory of service we need more and more of His strength. Those who enter the Christian ministry thinking it is an easy endeavor are in for a rude awakening. It is impossible to really do His work without His empowerment.
In his prayer, Jabez asked the Lord to enlarge his territory. The territory was right at his front door. His prayer was not to be sent to some other territory, but that his sphere of influence would be multiplied. The Lord heard that sincere prayer and so will He hear our honest prayer.
It is not what we do for the Lord that makes the difference, but what the Lord does in and through us. John the Baptist was a powerful preacher of truth who called sinners to repent, but his real mission was to announce the arrival of Messiah!
Two thoughts I would like to share from my experiences:
- Never look at another person as being insignificant. You may block their ministry for the Lord. Be their supporter and cheerleader to let them know they are not alone.
- Realize that nothing is insignificant to Him. Charge into the task He has given you and allow Him to slay the giants that stand in the way of the work of the Lord.
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 16, 2019 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10a
“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.’”
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord asking that He would enlarge your territories? Are you content to creep toward retirement when you could be catapulted into creative ministry?
From time to time people that I have not seen for awhile will ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any other time: Pastoring a small congregation, writing Daily-E-Votionals that are emailed worldwide, authoring several books, counseling, and other ministries as they arise. I just do what God sets before me to do.
Several years ago I began to pray the prayer of Jabez. I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered this prayer. Not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors.
I challenge you to join in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord God give you a unique ministry that will be designed by Him just for you. I can assure you right now that you will never want to retire!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 2, 2018 | 1 Chronicles
1 Corinthians 5:1
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
I have enjoyed many nights camping out in a tent, but I must confess that I was always eager to return to my own home and comfy bed. The apostle Paul was a tent-maker by trade. I can almost visualize his calloused fingers and hands. They would almost certainly have been the marks from years of stretching and stitching the fabric to create or repair tents.
In today’s Scripture, Paul uses his profession as a tent-maker to illustrate a spiritual truth: This human body of ours is not going to survive. There are those who try to reverse the aging process in various ways, but nothing is going to keep us from coming to the end of our life and entering eternity.
It is sad that most of us spend far too much time and effort on things that will pass away. By spending so much time on earthly things we neglect the things that really count—those things that have eternal value.
Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word will prepare us for that heavenly home that will never pass away. What home are you spending your time and effort to build?
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 14, 2018 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
“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.”
It was several years ago when I first saw this prayer of Jabez and decided to make it my prayer. I was anxious for the Lord to expand my territory of ministry. Little did I realize that He had a world-wide ministry in which I would write daily encouragement that would reach hearts of people I have never met and will probably never meet until we are gathered together in heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
Looking at the date above causes me to bow in humble adoration before the Lord Jesus Christ. It is on this date that I celebrate my 84th birthday. Our kids used to tease that you have already lived one year before your first birthday so I need to add one year to that total and say that I have lived 84 years and am now entering my 85th year. Kids can be so cruel about things like that.
As I write this Daily-E-Votional I am in awe of the way the Lord has answered my prayer. I never imagined I would still be involved in active ministry at this age, but the Lord had other plans for me. I want to thank each of you who write from time to time and share how God has used a particular E-Votional to meet a need in your life. Keep me in your prayers!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 9, 2017 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
“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.”
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord asking that He enlarge your territories? Are you content to quietly creep toward retirement when you could be catapulted into creative ministry?
From time to time people I run into, friends that I have not seen for awhile, and they ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any time in my entire ministry: Pastoring an organic congregation, producing a Daily-E-Votional that is sent worldwide, authoring several books, officiating at funeral services, counseling … and several other activities.
Several years ago I began to pray this prayer of Jabez for enlarged territory. I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered — not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors.
I challenge you to join me in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord give you a unique ministry that will be designed by Him just for you. I can assure you right now that God is anxious to answer your prayer!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing! – –
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 18, 2017 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 16:25-26
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.”
There have been times in my life when I have been blessed to be overcome with pure delight. For instance, that day so long ago when I knelt at an altar on the last day of Vacation Bible School and received Jesus as my personal Savior was a life-changing delight.
Then there was the day I first saw my future wife. We were just fourteen, but it was a moment I will never forget — a moment of pure delight. I somehow “knew” that she was the only girl for me! We grew inseparable for over 65 years.
The birth of our three children, eight grandchildren, and eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren have been times of pure delight. As I consider the days of my life, I realize what rich blessings the Lord has showered upon me.
It is often easy to focus on the personal blessings and overlook the greatest delight of all — the unchanging Word of God. In times of trial and heartache, His word has been my constant delight. I can rejoice with tears in my eyes because the Lord has given me the assurance that He will never leave me! WHAT PURE DELIGHT!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
