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.
I look at the date above and it causes me to bow in humble adoration before the Lord Jesus Christ. It is on this date that I celebrate my 79th birthday. Our kids used to tease that you have already lived one year before your first birthday so I you need to add one year to that total and say that I have lived 79 years and am now entering my 80th year. Kids can be so cruel about things like that. At least they were before they reached their 50th year. HA!
As I write this Daily-E-Votional I am in awe of the way the Lord has answered my prayer. I had never imagined that I would still be involved in active ministry at this age, but the Lord had other plans for me.
It was several years ago when I first saw this prayer of Jabez and made 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.
On the other extreme, He has allowed me to have a ministry with a small group of believers who are like family. God has used our tiny group to grow spiritually in fantastic ways. The love reaches all who enter and causes us to feel like we are having a family gathering each week. As a matter of fact, that is what it is. A FAMILY OF GOD!
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