Knowing the will of God....

This weekend, we are going to look at a passage in the Bible that demonstrates a number of simple, but clear principles when it comes to knowing about and doing the will of God. ( See 1st Chronicles 17 )

I've listed them here below.

These thoughts are seen in David's life when he wanted to build a house for the ark of the Lord.

He went to Nathan the prophet, and shared what was on his heart, and Nathan encouraged him to move forward in it. Later that night, the Lord came to Nathan and said, "go tell my servant David, you shall not build Me a house to dwell in". The Lord went on to explain to David, that He was going to do something for David. David then willingly and happily submitted to God's Will.

You could say it this way............

1. What do you want to do for God?

2. Seek Godly counsel.

3. Expect God to speak to you about it.

4. Remember, the Lord wants to bless you.

5. Do what God shows you to do.

Do you want to do something for the Lord? Is there something on your heart, something You think God may have put on your heart to do? If so, you might want to talk to another Christian, and share your heart with them, pray with them, and see what they might say to you.

It's encouraging to me to see that God was faithful to speak to David and redirect him if you will. Everything was rolling along, and then God spoke to Nathan and said, "No".....I don't want you to do what you want to do.

Then, God said, rather then you doing something for me, I'm going to do something for you.

David, was overwhelmed with God's goodness and grace, and happily went along with what God wanted to do.

Father, for each of us who know You, no doubt there are things in our heart that we want to do for you, and we bring those things to You right now. We bring our hearts to You in this prayer, and ask for Your direction.

Would you please open doors, close doors, so that we know where not to go, and where to go.

We love You Father, in the name of Your Son Jesus......

The day after, i.e leftovers

Good morning. On any given day, like yesterday, we can hear the Word of God, and He speaks to us so clearly, and so meaningfully.

And, the next day, like a Monday morning, we can continue to be built up, encouraged, directed, comforted, exhorted, etc, etc, by simply thinking about, or meditating, ( meditation in the Biblical sense, is not like meditation in the world, where, it means to empty your mind, but rather to fill your mind, and to consider to ruminate, etc, ) on what the Lord said to you the day before.

So, today, I've been meditating, on the four or so aspects of the prayer of Jabez, and am finding that like eating leftover the day after, God's Word is eternally alive and fresh, and such a blessing.

May God bless you today as you consider what He may have said to you yesterday. In Jesus name. Pastor Bob

That I may not cause pain!

I was very touched by this part of Jabez's prayer. That I may not cause pain!....Just abit earlier, Jabez had asked the Lord to keep him from evil. And, this part of his prayer, ( that I may not cause pain! ) seems to be connected. That is, it's ultimately evil, that would lead us to cause pain in another person's life, and Jabez understood this.

I think most people don't really want to cause pain in the lives of other people. But, most people, like me or you may wind up doing that very thing. Paul talked about this problem in Rom 7. He was describing the internal spiritual battle the christian faces, when the very things they don't want to do, they wind up doing. And the things they want to do, they may wind up not doing. Causing pain I think would fall right in there.

But, having said that, isn't this a great prayer? And, don't you think the Lord will honor this request in the life of His children?

Human beings cause one another alot of pain. Jesus is the only one who came into this world, and did not cause any pain to others. He actually dealt with the very thing that is the cause of all pain, and that of course is our sin.

He died on the cross for our sins.....what pain He suffered there in our place.

Can I pray for you right now, along with myself? Lord, You know all the pain that any of us has caused to other people, and You know that in our right minds we would never wish to do that to anyone. Thank You Lord for forgiveness, and thank You for Your grace, and the power of Your Spirit that help us to walk in love, and to do just the opposite of causing pain.

Father, You honored Jabez's prayer, You granted His request, and that's our reguest also. In Jesus name. Amen.......

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.