May 14 Living Larger Than Life 1 Chronicles 4:10
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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.” 1 Chronicles 4:10
Are you living larger than life or is life living larger than you? What would it take to make your life better? Money man John D. Rockefeller said, "Just a little bit more." Jabez wanted more than what he presently had as he prayed … "and enlarge my territory." Bruce Wilkinson suggests Jabez looked at his present circumstances and concluded, "Surely I was born for more than this!" Gordon McDonald writes in his book, "Restoring Spiritual Passion" … You see someone you know, and ask a simple question: "What’s going on in your world these days?" You may get an all too common answer: "I’ve got to cut down! I’m into too many things." Or you ask someone how he or she is feeling & you’re liable to hear the response, "I think I’m on the edge of burnout... or something." You comment on how busy the last few weeks seem to have been, and someone agrees and begins to philosophize: "Tell me, do you ever ask yourself why we’re doing all of this anyway?"
The last thing anyone probably wants to think about is "doing more!" We are people living a life that is larger than us.
Jabez was praying just the opposite … he wanted to live larger than life! He was seeking to live life by the motto, "Wanting to be more and do more for God." When Jabez prayed for the enlargement of his territory … I believe he was asking for more than just land acquisition. He wanted more influence, more responsibility, and more opportunity to be and do more for God. If we are going to be "living larger than life" we have to move the boundaries lines of our lives. We have to start praying differently by asking for more rather than for less.
"O God and King, please expand my opportunities and my impact in such a way that I touch more lives for Your glory. Let me do more for You!" (Bruce Wilkinson, The Prayer of Jabez)
Three boundaries need enlarging in our lives … - Expand our Hearing … to be more influential. - Expand our Heart … to be more responsible. - Expand our Heralding … to be more opportunistic. If we are to live larger than life, we must be committed to God and we must listen to His Word and do what He instructs. Our hearts must be tuned to His will and everything about us must be guided by His Will and His Love. When we are in a proper attitude and when we are following His Purpose and Plan, then we must share the Good News, in words and in actions and in our every existence… You see. Jabez wasn’t asking for a self-centered reason; he was asking so that he would be a greater witness for God. What about us? Are we in a proper attitude of service and are we motivated by His Love, or are we directed by our own selfishness? We can live life, larger than life, when we are committed to God and claiming His promises and walking in OBEDIENCE! In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Through Christ, we have the promise of bounty, when we are completely sold out to the message of OUR SAVIOR! Claim the Blessings, Live the Message and Expect the Bounty (of His Grace and Power)! What God does with you, is entirely up to you! It always has, and it always will! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!