"Thou shalt not be afraid. . . Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation."
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A Story of Sorrow Turned into Joy

4/10/2015

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“9And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.  10And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (I Chronicles 4:9,10)


 
Oh, what a beautiful story of sorrow turned into joy.  Jabez’s mother named him Jabez because she bare him in sorrow.  But Jabez did not want sorrow all his life.  He wanted blessing – God’s blessing.  Though the text does not say so, perhaps he also desired blessing so that his mother might have some joy for her sorrow.


There are six things that stand out to me about this story.

 
1.  Jabez called upon the God of Israel.  He acknowledged God for who God was.

 
2.  Jabez asked the Lord to bless him.  He knew that all good things come from God.

 
3.  Jabez asked for material blessing.  He understood that everything he possessed or would possess was provided by God’s hand.


4.  Fourth, He asked for God’s hand to be with Him.  Jabez realized that all wisdom, power, and success come from God.  Nothing he did or worked for would prosper if he sought to do it in his own strength.

 
5.  Jabez requested God to keep him from evil so that evil would not grieve him.

 
This brings to mind the story of Lot.  Lot wanted good things, and he wanted prosperity.  He wanted these things so badly that he considered himself before Abraham, and he was willing to live where evil was rampant in order to get his prosperity.  He got what he wanted, but it did not bring him joy and satisfaction.  Rather, it brought him grief.  Besides the loss of his family, the Bibles says that living in Sodom “vexed his righteous soul from day to day.” (II Peter 2:8) Lot hated the evil deeds he saw day in and day out, but he loved his riches and prosperity too much to leave. 

 
Jabez sought his prosperity by seeking God, and he asked the Lord to keep him from evil that he might not be grieved by it.

 
6.  God granted Jabez that which he requested

                Blessing

                Prosperity

                Deliverance from evil

 
Because Jabez sought the Lord and honored Him with his heart, life, and riches, God blessed Jabez and turned his story from one of grief and sorrow to one of blessing and joy.


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I Am Amazed By Your Wonder

4/6/2015

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A worshipful poem written by Katy W.

I Am Amazed By Your Wonder

I Am Amazed By Your Wonder
I Am Amazed By Your Grace.
Lord Help Me To Follow
And Seek Your Sweet Face.
Lord I Need Your Help,
I Can't Do This By Myself.
Lord Please Lift Me Up Today.


“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah
.”
(Psalm 3:3,4)


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I Contemplate This Mystery Now

4/4/2015

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A beautiful poem of hope written by my friend.

Contemplate 

by Marge Jenson 3/4/15


My heart does rise above this earth,
To glories promised, joy and mirth.
I cannot fathom Heaven's peace,
No sin, no sorrow, death will flee.
My spirit free to serve the Son;
New body gained, redemption done.
I contemplate this mystery now;
What total union with God, Wow!
I praise Him this world's not my home;
For soon with Him I'll be up borne.
Take courage now, in faith rejoice;
With sacrifice of praise, song's voice;
Decline sin's lure; with power of love;
The Father, Son, Holy Spirit above.
With all my heart and mind and strength;
To know His love, the breadth and length,
Is worth life's pain, all sorrow, loss;
I'll gain the crown if I take the cross.


"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, 
the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be 
fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby 
he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3:20,21) 
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    About the Author

    Hello!  My name is Connie, and I live in North Carolina.  The Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents, a wonderful sister, and a great church family .  The past two years have been difficult in many ways, but God has been with me all the way.  

    Much praise goes to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom in starting this website.  I would also like to express my thanks to Valerie who has joyfully and willingly given of her time to help design this website and do much of the technical work.  She and her family are faithful servants to the Lord.  They also have gone through many trials in the past few years, but they have allowed God to use these trials to make them sweeter and more like His Son Jesus Christ.

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    Any articles, images, and materials on this site may be used for personal and/or ministry use with proper credits to the rightful owner.  They may not be used in any other manner without prior written permission of Connie Young.


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