Sermon dated 28th May: Living Large for God - Praying the Jabez Prayer
Preacher: Apostle Lawrence Khong
Scripture Reference: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, [c] saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
(my responses are in green)
FCBC was built on the Jabez Prayer.
Jabez was more honorable than the other clad leaders; the others were outstanding, but he was more outstanding.
WHY?
Because he made the prayer, which we call it 'Jabez Prayer', and GOD answered it.
All of us want our lives to be of some 'weight'. I.e. Of certain importance and influence
That's true for me; I want my life to be of some weight. I hope to make impacts in people's lives and leave my footprints in their lives. Leaving my legacy behind.
The Jabez Prayer is:
'Oh GOD , bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be upon me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.'
A prayer of confidence in GOD - Be Bold
Ask GOD to bless yourself. Self-centeredness? Not quite true. The Jabez prayer is a supreme prayer. GOD is eager to bless us. Ask GOD to open up the gates of Heaven, that you can do things which you never know you can.
Jabez means 'pain'. In the Bible, you can only find 'Jabez' in 1 Chronicles. Jabez prayed that prayer to ask GOD to take away the infliction/suffering that's upon him.
Pray daily - every morning and night and ask GOD to bless you. Say it 3 times.
- 1st time: Ask GOD to bless you in a personal arena of your life
- 2nd time: Ask GOD to bless you in your studies/ work
- 3rd time: Ask GOD to bless you in your ministry (i.e. Miracle Catch)
- GOD, bless me in my life to be fruitful in the things I lay my hands on
- GOD, bless me in my work in future that it will be peaceful and successful. I want to be able to earn more money, like my CEO. Hence being able to give freely to support 2 orphanages in Thailand.
- GOD, bless me in my ministry that I find favour with the people in my Miracle Catch list and that I'll be able to speak into their lives. Let them be open to both the messenger and message.
A prayer of conquest for GOD - Be hungry
Ask GOD to enlarge your territory. If you are a fund manager, ask GOD for greater AUM. If you are a student, ask GOD for more Aces. If you are a worker, ask GOD for higher pay. Is this egoist? Doesn't the Bible taught us to be content with what we have? No worries, no oxymoron here.
The motivation behind asking GOD for enlargement of your territory is for the Glory of GOD. Be the best at your profession, that you may boast in the Lord! This day, hunger more for what GOD can do for you, not achievable by self.
Pray daily - every morning and night and ask GOD to enlarge your territory. Say it 3 times.
- 1st time: Ask GOD to enlarge your territory in a personal arena of your life
- 2nd time: Ask GOD to enlarge your territory in your studies/ work
- 3rd time: Ask GOD to enlarge your territory in your ministry (i.e. Miracle Catch)
- GOD, enlarge my territory at home; in my relationships with my daddy, mummy, sister and brother.
- GOD, enlarge my territory at work which will commence in 3rd July. Much uncertainty, yet my faith and trust is in you. Positive performance. Greater AUM?
- GOD, enlarge my territory in my ministry. I'm dreaming for 50 committed ladies and girls whose hearts are after JESUS.
2 Corinthians 10:17 - But, "Let him who boasts boast in the LORD."
Some testimonies: In my Computational Finance cohort, there are only a few Christians. Back then before graduation, there were Vincent, Yahong and I. Vincent and Yahong have excellent results. First class honours somemore. They boast of the LORD for they recognise GOD's faithfulness in their lives as they serve JESUS. As for me, boo, though I'm only Second Lower Honours, I always boast of the LORD for the many blessings GOD has poured forth in my life. E.g. My internship which turned out to be amazingly good.. I even got a job offer. My other strengths like public speaking, run camps, time management etc.
As we get serious with GOD, do not be surprised by greater intensity of spiritual warfare. But fret not, WHY?
Because JESUS has won the fight, JESUS is victorious! So claim the victory in the name of JESUS.
It is absolutely essential to claim the VICTORY by faith. Also, we must unite as one and pray because prayer is our powerful weapon against the Devil. For those ignorants, let me tell you spiritual warfare is very real. The Devil can strike us physically, emotionally and financially and then tries to weaken us spiritually. I injured my back last Tuesday. Yet I claimed healing and AMEN I'm healed! Past few weeks before the EJ288 Re-Encounter, the Devil struck me emotionally. I prayed fervently and GOD delivered me. I'm fit and well for JESUS now. So what is holding you back? PRAY! Pray in unity! Do not let the Devil introduce any disharmony into this family of GOD.
Have the Khongster DNA - Asking GODfor more!
I realised I have this DNA, always asking GOD for more, ain't for my glory but His :)
GOD is a GOD who hears ALL prayers. No kidding. If you're a child of GOD, you get to expect prayers being answered because GOD will answer the prayers of His children. If you are not yet a child of GOD, GOD still hears your prayers.
So pray the Jabez prayer and I pray that as you witness GOD answering your prayer, FAITH will arise in you to know the one and true GOD.
What are your take-aways from this sermon? Let your contributions come in.
Love,
Eunice Lim
posted by God-Pleasers at
12:08 PM
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