James 4:7 - "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."A man dreamed he lived in a two-story house when Jesus knocked at his door. "Come in," he said. Jesus asked, "Do you have a place where I can stay?" "I have a spare room upstairs on the second floor," the man replied. Jesus accepted this offer because He won't take control where you don't yield to Him.Later that nigh...  Read More

Colossians 2:15 - "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."I read an account of a boxer - "Mysterious" Billy Smith - who went into a San Francisco bar with a sports writer named Wilson Mizner. Billy was always looking for a fight and started brawling with the longshoremen at the bar. While Billy was fighting everyone else, Wilson f...  Read More

“And that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10Jabez’s name meant “pain.” His mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Can you imagine naming your child “Pain”? Every time someone called his name, it must have been a reminder of sorrow, grief, or hardship. It could have been because his mother experienced a great deal of pain in chi...  Read More

“That Your hand would be with me…” – 1 Chronicles 4:10One of the most important parts of Jabez’s prayer was his request for God’s hand to be with him. This wasn’t just a sentimental phrase or a casual request. It was a plea for God’s anointing, guidance, and power. He knew that without God’s presence, all his efforts would be in vain. Jabez wasn’t asking to accomplish great things on his own. He w...  Read More

“And enlarge my territory…” – 1 Chronicles 4:10Enlarge my territory. This is about achievement. Each of us has a desire to achieve, and we should bring that to God. Have you ever asked the Lord to enlarge your territory? The Apostle Paul did this repeatedly. In Ephesians 6:18 and following, after discussing spiritual warfare and the armor of God, he requests, “Pray for me that doors would be opene...  Read More

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed…” – 1 Chronicles 4:10Jabez prayed, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed.” We sometimes water down the word “bless.” We say, “Bless the food,” or “Bless the missionaries,” or even, “Bless you” after someone sneezes. But Jabez’s prayer was personal and specific. He cried out for God’s favor in his life.It’s okay to ask for God’s blessing. Deuteronomy 28 describes t...  Read More

“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 4:10Is there a desire in your life to be great? Oftentimes, I’ll hear men and women talk about their goals, their aspirations, and th...  Read More

Acts 10:38 - "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."A missionary pastor traveled to Haiti to learn about the work being done there and to start a church where needed. When word spread that a church was going to be started in a particular village, this pastor was approa...  Read More

Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion...'"When God created this world, He made it for you. He created all the things you see, feel, touch, and enjoy - the mountains, the oceans, the sand, all the different animals, the beautiful wonders of His creation. He created all these things for man, as gifts for man. Then, finally, He...  Read More

Ephesians 1:19 - "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe..."Just before World War II, in the town of New London, Texas, there was a tragic school explosion that claimed the lives of 295 children and teachers. After the war, when they rebuilt the school, the community was determined that such a tragedy would never happen again. They installed what they believed was t...  Read More

“[Jesus said] Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” - John 14:12 What could be greater than healing the sick or feeding thousands? Jesus was pointing to the work of salvation. Through His death and resurrection, the door was opened for people to experience the new birth, to be t...  Read More

“And she said, ‘I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.’”  -  Genesis 24:19Rebekah is a great example of diligence and a servant’s heart. When Abraham’s servant asked for a drink of water, Rebekah didn’t just stop there. She offered to draw water for his camels as well - his was no small gesture. Drawing water for a group of camels likely took an hour or more of ...  Read More