God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.

“God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have.”

“Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any in town.. At least there aren’t any who come to our church.”

“Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.”

“His dad God appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn’t have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.”

“You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.”

“You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God. Don’t skip church or do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong and besides the sun doesn’t come out at the beach until noon anyway.”

“If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids”

“But you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases. And that’s why I believe in God.”

 

If we could reduce the world’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:

The village would have 60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 8 Latin Americans, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 from the South Pacific

51 would be male, 49 would be female

82 would be non-white; 18 white

67 would be non-Christian; 33 would be Christian

80 would live in substandard housing

67 would be unable to read

50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation

33 would be without access to a safe water supply

39 would lack access to improved sanitation

24 would not have any electricity (and of the 76 that do have electricity, most would only use it for light at night.)

7 people would have access to the Internet

1 would have a college education

1 would have HIV

2 would be near birth; 1 near death

5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth; all 5 would be US citizens

33 would be receiving — and attempting to live on — only 3% of the income of “the village”

One of the most interesting prayers in the Bible is recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:10. It’s easy to overlook this little prayer because it is inconspicuously nestled in nine long chapters of genealogies. But, it’s a beautiful prayer that tells us what one man did when life pained him.

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm that it may not pain me!”

Jabez belonged to a family from the tribe of Judah. He was probably the first-born in his family because his name is the one included in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles. We also know that “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers” (1 Chronicles 4:9). The word “honorable” suggests that he was more “weighty” than his brothers in terms of influence. His personal piety was reflected in his personal conduct and acknowledged by others.

All children are brought forth in pain (see Genesis 3:16). However, the pain in child-bearing is usually replaced by an even greater joy after the child is born. Not so in the case of Jabez. The pain which his mother experienced while giving birth must have been so extraordinary that she felt compelled to commemorate it. So, when the time came for Jabez to be circumcised and given a name, his mother named him Jabez which means “pain.”

Poor Jabez! His name was a constant reminder that his mother “bore him with pain.” Understanding what life must have been like for Jabez can help us to understand his prayer.

“Now Jabez called on the God of Israel” | Jabez called on the covenant God who keeps His word and never forgets His people. He had a right view of God, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Jabez knew where to turn for help. He expressed his faith and confidence in God alone.

“Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed” | At first glance this appears to be a selfish request, but keep in mind that these are the words of the man named “pain.” Jabez had the courage to ask God to bless him. He refused to allow his name and the ridicule he had to endure to keep him down.

“and enlarge my border” | Jabez had the courage to pray for success in his undertakings. He was not content to let his little light shine in a little corner. He asked God for a big corner to brighten. Jabez was not content to have just a little responsibility. He asked God for greater responsibility.

“and that Thy hand might be with me” | This is a beautiful expression of Jabez’s dependence upon God. He wanted to see God’s all-powerful and all-sufficient hand at work in his life — leading, protecting, providing, and strengthening him.

“and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm” | Jabez acknowledged that God alone was capable of keeping him from harm — the harm caused by the stigma of his name as well as the harm caused by sin, trouble, and enemies. Jabez acknowledged his need for God’s protection.

“that it may not pain me!” | Jabez ended his prayer by alluding to his name. A paraphrase might read: “Dear God, grant that the pain implied in my name might not come upon me!”

“And God granted him what he requested.” | What a beautiful statement! We really don’t need any details regarding how God answered his prayer. It is enough to know that he answered it. God granted Jabez what he requested. That means that God blessed him indeed, gave him success in his undertakings, broadened the scope of his responsibilities, kept His mighty hand upon him, and kept him from harm.

Jabez teaches us what to do when life pains us.

First, we should turn to God in prayer, acknowledging our need for Him.

Second, we should not allow the painful things in life to keep us down; rather we should use them as motivators for reaching higher and doing more.

Third, we should ask God to allow us to see and understand more of the bigger picture and how that painful situation fits into the bigger scheme of things.

Fourth, we should be courageous in our praying, making our hearts fully known to God.

So, remember Jabez the next time life pains you and dare to pray with the kind of courage and confidence he demonstrated in prayer.

Matthew

• The words and deeds of Jesus
• Keyword: King

Mark
• Jesus’ mission
• Keyword: Servant

Luke
• The life and ministry of Jesus
• Keyword: Son of Man

John
• Believe in Jesus
• Keyword: Son of God

Acts
• The life and expansion of the early church
• Keyword:The Holy Spirit

Romans
• God’s gift of righteousness
• Keyword: The righteous

1 Corinthians
• Spiritual development
• Keyword: Sanctification

2 Corinthians
• Jesus’ death on the cross
• Keyword: Reconciliation

Galatians
• No other gospel
• Keyword: Freedom

Ephesians
• Living in unity
• Keyword: Grace

Philippians
• To live is Christ
• Keyword: Joy

Colossians
• The supremacy of Christ
• Keyword:Christ

1 Thessalonians
• The return of Jesus
• Keyword: Imitate

2 Thessalonians
• Expecting Jesus’ return
• Keyword: Day of the Lord

1 Timothy
• Advice for Christian leaders
• Keyword: Instruction

2 Timothy
• Instructions to Timothy
• Keyword:Endure

Titus
• Advice to young minister
• Keyword: Teach

Philemon
• Have your slave back
• Keyword: Forgiveness

Hebrews
• The superiority of Christ
• Keyword: Better

James
• The importance of faith and action
• Keyword: Active faith

1 Peter
• When you are persecuted
• Keyword: Endurance

2 Peter
• Enemies from within
• Keyword: Be alert

1 John
• Live in fellowship with God
• Keyword: Fellowship

2 John
• Beware of false teachers
• Keyword: Watch out

3 John
• Live in fellowship with Christians
• Keyword:Faithful

Jude
• Beware of false teaching
• Keyword: Contend

Revelation
• Things that will take place
• Keyword: Revelation

Genesis
• God chooses one nation to bless all nations
• Keyword: Beginnings

Exodus
• Deliverance from Egypt
• Keyword: Redemption

Leviticus
• Approaching a holy God
• Keyword: Holiness

Numbers
• Disbelief and disobedience
• Keyword: Wanderings

Deuteronomy
• Beware that you do not forget
• Keyword: Covenant

Joshua
• Entering the Promised Land
• Keyword: Conquest

Judges
•Leaders from Joshua to Samuel
• Keyword: Forgot

Ruth
Godliness illustrated
• Keyword: Kinsman-redeemer

1 Samuel
•Israel’s early kings
• Keyword: Rejection

2 Samuel
• Israel’s early kings
• Keyword: David

1 Kings
• Story of two kingdoms
• Keyword: Division

2 Kings
• Story of two kingdoms
• Keyword: Captives

1 Chronicles
• A spiritual perspective
• Keyword: Covenant

2 Chronicles
• Solomon and the kings of Judah
• Keyword: The Temple

Ezra
• Exiles returning to Jerusalem
• Keyword: The Temple

Nehemiah
• Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem
• Keyword: Jerusalem walls

Esther
Jews under threat
• Keyword: Providence

Job
The suffering of man / a loving God
• Keyword: Sovereignty

Psalms
• Hymn book of the Jews
• Keyword: Worship

Proverbs
• Practical moral instruction
• Keyword: Wisdom

Ecclesiastes
• The search for meaning in life
• Keyword: Vanity

Song of Songs
• A love song
• Keyword: Love

Isaiah
• Salvation comes from God
• Keyword: Salvation

Jeremiah
• God’s patience and holiness
• Keyword: Obey

Lamentations
• Mourning the destruction of Jerusalem
• Keyword: Weep

Ezekiel
• Condemnation and consolation
• Keyword: Restoration

Daniel
• Encouragement for exiled Jews
• Keyword: God’s plan

Hosea
• God’s love for Israel
• Keyword: Return

Joel
• God’s judgment
• Keyword: The day of the Lord

Amos
• Social justice
• Keyword: Judgment

Obadiah
• Judgment on Edom
• Keyword: Judgment

Jonah
• Salvation for non-Jews
• Keyword: God’s love

Micah
• Injustice exposed
• Keyword: Mercy

Nahum
• The fall of Nineveh
• Keyword: Judgment

Habakkuk
• Sin in God’s world
• Keyword: Faith

Zephaniah
• The coming day of judgment
• Keyword: Restoration

Haggai
• Rebuild the temple
• Keyword: The temple

Zechariah
• Future blessings for Israel
• Keyword: Vision

Malachi
• An appeal to backsliders
• Keyword: Return

The HOME is a Place for the Bible

The home is a place for the Bible. The Bible belongs in the home because it contains God’s blueprint for building and maintaining a stable home. God cares about the home. Psalm 127:1 states, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” This verse assures us that God is willing to roll up His divine sleeves and help us build homes that are strong.

The home is important to God for several reasons.

First, the home is important to God because it’s the setting where children learn their value as human beings. As children interact with others in the home they develop either a positive or negative view of themselves. The Bible gives family members important guidelines concerning how they should relate to one another.

Second, the home is important to God because it’s the setting in which children learn to relate to those in authority. Their experiences at home usually determine the manner in which they relate to those in authority outside the home and ultimately to God.

Finally, the home is important to God because it’s the place where children develop their values. As children observe what their parents hold important they too make determinations about what is important. In particular, if your children do not see the importance of the Bible in your life, they will likely not place much importance on the Bible.

The home was very important in ancient Israel. That is why in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 God charged parents with the responsibility of providing spiritual instruction in the home. Parents were to teach their children how to put their confidence in God, to not forget the works of God, and to live in obedience to God (Ps. 78:5-8). The children, in turn, were to teach these same lessons to their children.

The home is the basis of a strong nation. When homes are strong the nation is strong. And, when homes are weak the nation is correspondingly weak. According to Ezekiel 22:7, the breakdown of the home contributed to the spiritual and moral decline and eventual captivity of Israel. Many other ancient civilizations also fell because of the disintegration of the home.

We can not expect to provide spiritual instruction in the home apart from God’s Word. And, if we fail to teach our children how to put their confidence in God, to not forget the works of God, and to live in obedience to God, we will raise a spiritually and morally confused generation that will further weaken the moral fiber of our nation. The Bible must have a central place in our homes.

The HAND is a Good Place for the Bible

The Bible must also have a place in our hands.

I met Dr. David Fite during my seminary years. Dr. Fite was imprisoned by Castro for a number of years. He was not allowed to have a Bible while he was in prison. Dr. Fite could not bear the thought of being without a Bible, so he asked a friend to get him a copy of the Greek New Testament. When the guards examined the book, they were told it was a book of great literature and history written in Greek. That New Testament became a great source of strength and comfort to him during those difficult years.

Years ago I visited the home of Corrie ten Boom in Haarlem, Holland — just outside the city of Amsterdam. Her family’s story is recorded in the book entitled, “The Hiding Place.” Corrie and her family were Christians who helped hide Jews from the Nazis during the dark days of World War 2. Her family was betrayed and consequently arrested and sent to concentration camps. Corrie ten Boom kept a Bible hidden on her person during her imprisonment. It was a constant source of strength to her.

A Bible in our hands is available for reading. It is important for us to spend quiet moments with God when He can specifically speak to us about our lives. We should have a Bible in our hands for the purpose of reading at least once a day. Doing so will make a great difference in our lives.

A Bible in our hands is also available for reference. The Bible addresses all the issues that touch our lives and can give us the counsel to make right decisions.

A Bible is our hands is also available as a resource in times of confusion, danger, difficulties, distress, doubt, fear, loneliness, pain, pressures, and trials. Whenever I find myself in one of those difficult seasons in life, I do not hesitate to look to the Bible in my hand as a resource that will comfort and guide me.

What about you? Does the Bible in your home find its way to your hand at least once a day? The Bible in your home will not make a difference in your life if it never ends up in your hand.

The HEAD is a Better Place for the Bible

The home is a place for the Bible and the hand is a good place for the Bible. But the head is a better place for the Bible.

To have the Bible in our head means that we should strive to master the Word of God. In other words, we should seek to increase our knowledge and understanding of the Word of God — a task that will take a lifetime.

Someone wisely stated that no one ever graduates from Bible Study until he meets the Author face to face. Paul told his young friend Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

A friend in high school gave me a copy of the New Testament. That New Testament did not have a concordance. I did not know that there was such a thing as a concordance at the back of most Bibles. A concordance is a handy tool for finding verses in the Bible. But, as I read and studied this little New Testament every day, I began to put together my own concordance. All of the pages at the front and back of this New Testament are filled with my notes about where to find verses on certain topics. That was only the beginning of a Bible Study journey that continues through this day and will continue until the day I meet the Author face to face.

To have the Bible in our head also means that we should meditate on the Word of God. To meditate means to reflect on God’s Word … to turn it over in our minds … to think it through. The Psalmist said (quote Ps. 1:1-3).

Ezra is one of my favorite Bible characters. Ezra 7:10 states, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes in Israel.”

Many scholars believe that Ezra is the author of Psalm 119 — the most magnificent Psalm on the beauty of the Word of God. Psalm 119:97 states, “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Like the righteous man of Psalm 1 and Ezra, we too should meditate on God’s Word throughout the day.

To have the Bible in our head also means that we should memorize the Word of God. Every believer should make it a point to memorize Scripture. Begin by memorizing familiar and favorite verses.

I enjoy memorizing Scripture. By memorizing Scripture I am able to meditate on it throughout the day. My favorite book of the Bible is Psalms. The Psalms not only speak to me, they also speak for me. They are a daily source of comfort and inspiration to me. I enjoy reflecting on their meaning as I go about my day. These are among my favorites.

The Bible in your home must find a place in your hands if it is ever going to end up in your head.

The HEART is the Best Place for the Bible

The home is a place for the Bible. The hand is a good place for the Bible. The head is a better place for the Bible. But the heart is the best place for the Bible.

The Psalmist declared, “Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee” (Ps. 119:11). The Apostle Paul said, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…” (Col. 3:16).

We memorize God’s Word in our heads but we treasure it in our hearts.

In other words, the truths, principles, and precepts of God’s Word are what we treasure in our hearts. When God’s truths richly dwell in our hearts they can help govern our decisions, our actions, and help us live our lives in a way that pleases God.

Someone wisely said about the Bible: “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.”

Let me illustrate what I mean. Psalm 139 is in my head. It is recorded on the pages of my memory. That has allowed to meditate on its truths as I go about my day.

Psalm 139:1-6 states “O Lord, Thou hast searched me…”
The truth that is treasured in my heart is this: The fact that God watches everything I do should be an incentive to holy living. I can never do anything behind God’s back.

Psalm 139:7-12 states “Where can I go from Thy Spirit…”
The truth that is treasured in my heart is this: I can never escape the presence of God. I am never alone no matter where I go or how fast I try to go. I can count on God’s presence all the time. I am never alone.

Psalm 139:13-16 states “For Thou didst form my inward parts…”
The truth that is treasured in my heart is this: I am special to God. He has known me since I was in my mother’s womb. I am a person of value and significance.

Psalm 139:17-18 states “How precious also are Thy thoughts…”
The truth that is treasured in my heart is this: God thinks about me all the time. Even when I am asleep, God is thinking about me. And when I wake up in the morning He is still thinking about me. Nobody thinks about me as much as God.

Psalm 139:19-22 states “O that Thou wouldst slay…”
The truth that is treasured in my heart is this: I should hate the things God hates. I should avoid the things that would cause my love for Him to grow cold.

Psalm 139:23-24 states “Search me, O God…”
The truth that is treasured in my heart is this: God can make my heart clean. He can calm anxious thoughts and correct hurtful ways.

And so, the Bible in your home must find its way in to your hands in order to find a place in your head and ultimately end up in your heart.

Conclusion

I want to challenge you to think seriously about what you believe concerning God’s Word, the implications of that belief, and the place that God’s Word actually holds in your life.

How frequently does the Bible in your home find its way into your hand?

How much time do you actually spend engaging your head with the Bible in your hand?

How much of what you learn in your head actually ends up finding a place in your heart?

We cannot expect to intelligently speak to the various competing ideologies and worldviews in our post-modern culture apart from a strong Biblical worldview?

I hope you will allow God’s Word to richly dwell within you.

Please spend time in God’s Word every day.

Proverbs 13:13 is a one-verse commentary on why God’s Word deserves a special place in each of our lives: “Despise God’s Word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed.”

10 Little Christians standing in line
1 disliked the preacher, then there were 9

9 little Christians stayed up very late
1 overslept Sunday, then there were 8

8 little Christians on their way to Heaven
1 took the low road and then there were 7

7 little Christians chirping like chicks
1 disliked music, then there were 6

6 little Christians seemed very much alive
but one lost his interest then there was 5

5 little Christians pulling for Heaven’s Shore
but one stopped to rest, then there were 4

4 little Christians each busy as a bee
1 got his feelings hurt, then there were 3

3 little Christians knew not what to do
1 joined the sporty crowd, then there were 2

2 little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done
differed with each other, then there was 1

1 little Christian can’t do much ’tis true
brought his friend to Bible study, then there were 2

2 earnest Christians, each won one more
that doubled the number, then there were 4

4 sincere Christians worked early and late
Each won another then there were 8

8 splendid Christians if they doubled as before
In just so many Sundays, we’d have 1,024

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
You belong either to the building or to the wrecking crew!


Author Unknown

What if my foot felt lowly and blue,
Looking up at a knee or a wrist.
And began turning green, as we’re prone to do
When we fancy the glory we’ve missed.

Can’t you just hear my toes up in arms,
Crying out from the depth of my sole?
Wriggling that I might notice their charms—
They might topple me off in a hole!

And where would I be without my best foot
To step forth and traverse terrain?
If my heart said to dance, would I just stay put?
The thought of it boggles my brain!

If we are attached, whose itch have I scratched?
Whose misery or glory dismissed?
Though my tongue’s in my cheek, heed the wisdom I speak—
Pucker up! There’s a foot to be kissed!

---

Margie Mayfield
August 29, 1996
Houston, Texas

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
There are battles to fight,
By day and night,
For God and the right—
And I’ll never let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I’m sick, tis true,
Worried and blue,
And worn through and through,
But I won’t let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I will never yield!
What! Lie down on the field
And surrender my shield?
No, I’ll never let go!

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
May this be my song:
“Mid legions of wrong—
Oh, God, keep me strong
That I may never let go!”

Author Unknown