FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word

WEEKLY WORD

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9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 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 Chronicles 4:9, 10
New King James Version

Last week, we featured the pain of Jabez, but this week we will emphasize the joy that came by way of his prayer. When looking at the life of Jabez, that is summed up in two verses, will show us that bad beginnings will not prevent us from having a good ending. It is when we see Jabez endure the pain that he then experiences the gain after he goes into prayer. His pain produces a prayer that petitions God that results in his request being granted.

We submitted this prayer in part II of this sermon series in 4 requests:

1. BLESS ME INDEED
2. ENLARGE MY TERRITORY
3. NEED YOUR HAND TO BE WITH ME
4. KEEP ME FROM EVIL…THAT I MAY NOT CAUSE PAIN

This Weekly Word will highlight “bless me indeed.”

Many times, when we have asked God’s blessings, it has been for somebody else. We have asked God to bless family, friends and even strangers but when was the last time you asked God to bless you personally. We fail to pray that kind of prayer because it comes across selfish but, it really speaks to self-care.

Many of us have learn to do without because of our unwillingness to ask God to bless you personally. However, James reminds us in his epistle that, “…we have not because we ask not…” What is interesting is that we are encouraged to pray this kind of prayer by way of Jabez who thought it was not robbery to ask God to bless him indeed. So do not feel that asking God to bless you indeed is selfish but it is really SELF-CARE!

Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor