Body Soul Spirit - the Body

God knows us and created us

Exalting Christ in all aspects of life

Philippians 1:20-22 NIV
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. [21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. [22] If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 NIV
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,

Psalm 139:13-18 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! [18] Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand---when I awake, I am still with you.

Relationship with God brings life

Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. [8] This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

How we manage our soul and spirit affects our physical health too. They are all connected.

Proverbs 14:30 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Here we see how managing feelings can bring life or death to our bodies just as the words we speak bring life or death.

How we see life affects the body

Matthew 6:22 NIV
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

Jesus was very keen on healing the physical body. There are many scriptures where he heals in some way.

Romans 8:9-11 NIV
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. [25] Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. [26] Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. [27] No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Like most things in life it takes discipline to keep the body under control and is all connected to soul and spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:42 NIV
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

Proverbs 22:15 NLT
A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

Food

1 Timothy 4:3-5 NLT
They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. [4] Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. [5] For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

This is not an excuse to continuously eat unhealthy food. The food mentioned here was not highly processed etc. It would have been fresh and unprocessed. However, when you are eating with others, especially when you receive food from others as a gift or in good will, receive it and eat it with thanks.

There are many places where we can find information on healthy eating. In general, food grown locally without pesticides and eaten fresh and unprocessed is ideal. This is not always possible but I encourage us to consider ways we can make small shifts in our thinking and behaviors towards healthy eating.

Here's some ideas:
Find a local farmer's market or community garden

Grow your own herbs and vegetables

Shop at the local fruit market and source local ingredients

Get together with other people and swap, buy collaboratively, and share.

Make time to cook fresh food and find easy things to do to start

Eating out - look for the healthier menu choices and try to avoid fast food.

Eat regular meals - you'll tend to crave carbs late in the day if you don't eat regularly.

Start small - you are more likely to maintain habits when you achievable goals

Enjoy the journey.

Body Soul Spirit - Nuturing the soul

The state of our mind and our thinking is crucial to our overall health. Toxic thoughts can be damaging to our lives and to our brain.

The goods news is that it's possible to actively and proactively deal with the toxic thinking and to develop good healthy thinking. This is not an overnight fix. It takes time, practice and persistence. But stick with it and you will see positive results.

Doing A Brain Sweep

Doing a “Brain sweep” to deal with the toxic processes we’ve developed takes time but is worth it.

We acknowledge it, quit it, and deal with it.

Ps 119:30

I have chosen to be faithful I have determined to live by your laws

The process involves acknowledging the thoughts, understanding where they come from, repenting – changing - stopping the thought patterns

Repentance is doing a U-turn. It’s choosing to stop thinking that way and to think differently.

Then forgiveness – asking and receiving forgiveness, and most importantly, where others are involved – forgiving others.

It takes 21 days to work this process to completion in your brain.

Dr Leaf says in her book “Who Switched off my Brain” that we must spend at least seven minutes a day (or at least seven repetitions of deliberate deep thought), speaking God’s truth, in prayer, and worship.

The first 4 days are the hardest as you are changing the old and laying down the new. If you persist, and work the process through you will find that you are thinking differently.

This is not about a positive thinking mantra – it is about effecting lasting and positive change in our thought patterns, our emotions, our choices and our behaviours.

There is a challenge- we have to be willing to do what it takes and not give up.

So what is the process?

Gather

This is the first part – acknowledging and becoming aware of our thoughts.

Gather the information, what thoughts are coming up? How long have they been there etc., what are your senses telling you, what emotions are you feeling?

As you gather, you become aware of your thoughts and bring them into your consciousness.

For example:

Those things you were told about yourself – what was said? Who said it? How do you feel? What are your senses telling you?

When we are aware, we can begin to work on the thoughts and start to change them.

Reflect

Think deeply about the thoughts and prayerfully. Analyse the thought. This is where begin to develop wisdom and insight.

Prov 23:23

Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline and discernment.

Psalm 139:23

Search me, God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Ask questions: What type of thoughts are they? Do they line up with God’s word? What does God’s word say? What do I need to stop doing, or thinking? Who do I need to forgive?

Deep thinking is where the changes in the brain begin to happen. The thought is mouldable at this stage. This is where we bring the thought into captivity.

We can choose to accept or reject the thought. We make a conscious decision to accept the thought if it is good and to reject it if it is not.

We tear down strongholds and then change the thought through repentance and forgiveness.

What changes need to happen?

E.g if we are holding unforgiveness we choose to let go of it and to forgive.

If words spoken over us have been a problem, we choose to let go of them and seek God’s truth about who we are.

E.g Ps 139 Fearfully and wonderfully made

Eph 2:10

We are God’s masterpiece etc.

Journal

Write it down – journal be creative – mind map etc. example of matacog

Writing it down helps us to consolidate what we are doing.

This is really an extension of the reflect stage but it helps us to see clearly where the issues and patterns are.

It helps us see clearly the words spoken over us, the things we believe either right or wrong etc.

What patterns do you see? What images etc. come up? Are their words that are repeated, thoughts that group together?

Revisit

Revisiting is more deep reflection.

What are we learning in this process of reflecting and journalling?

What do we need to change or to add?

As we revisit, our brain is in an active dynamic state.

We can do something positive with the thoughts that are dominating our conscious mind.

Again we choose to keep or reject a thought. We rethink our reactions to information, evaluate the thought.

We then build a new thought based on the truth and on God’s word.

By doing this we re-transcribe our thoughts in to a healthy strong part of our brain and memory.

We do this with God’s grace. He is at work in us to complete what he has started.

Phil 2:13

For God is at work in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

WE do not do this alone. We have the Holy Spirit to help us.

The Bible has the answer for us.

e.g Worry

We can actively choose to reject worry and to accept what God’s word says.

God cares for me and he is in control.

Matthew 6:25-33

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Phil 4:13

I can do all things through Christ

4:19

God will provide all I need

AS we choose to accept the truth, our brain steps in and builds new circuitry.

This is where the repetition comes in.  As we repeat, as we think regularly and deliberately about what God’s word says and the positive reframing we have made, we continue the process of laying down new circuits and consolidating pathways in our brain.

We actually renew our minds.

Be deliberate. Every day, work on the thought. Concentrate on the truth of God’s word and the new thought and memory. Choose to reject the toxic and accept the good.

Quote Scripture, pray, (Pray for those you have chosen to forgive), worship God.

This builds new memory, effecting new and lasting changes and producing strong healthy structures in our brains (and breaks down the old which disappears).

Repetition is important. The more repetition, the stronger the new pathway will be. ( At least seven times a day for 21 days.)

Reach

This is the faith aspect.

James 2:14-17

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?  Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Faith without works is dead.  James says that not doing what you know is like looking in a mirror and forgetting

James 1:22-25

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Jesus said that the wise man built his house on the rock – this is the person who hears God’s and puts it into practice.

Matt 7:24

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

It comes after all the others because it requires us to have transcribed thoughts built on a solid foundation of truth, so that our actions line up with belief.

This is where we actually start doing what we have made a decision to do.

We regularly bring the “good” transcribed thought into consciousness and repeat it. We forgive those who have hurt us.

Our Actions and beliefs match up.

Ps 119:5

O that my actions would consistently reflect your principles

Conclusion and Challenge

God is calling us to be transformed, to take our thoughts captive, and to focus on what is good and right and lovely.

We do this by being aware of our thoughts. Choosing to accept or reject them. (Taking them captive)

We then build a new thought based on the truth and on God’s word.

We spend time each day, regularly revisiting the thought and continuing to spend deliberate and intensive time thinking on and reflecting on the truth, repeating God’s word, singing, praying.

The question is: Will you join me in this journey?

Are you prepared to deal with the toxic memories, words thoughts emotions, and be free from them forever?

Body Soul Spirit - Nuturing the spirit

Last week we looked briefly at reasons to be healthy,  reasons to look after our health in an holistic way.

We also touched briefly on emotional health (boundaries) and we will discuss this more fully next week.

Today we will look at spiritual health.

What does it take to remain spiritually healthy?

And how do we nuture our spirit?

1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

Spiritual health is related to the state of our relationship with God

The first step towards true spiritual health is a renewed spirit.

In John 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus asking him about his miracles.

John 3:3 Jesus answered
Unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

John 1:11-14
These words are powerful. They teach us that Jesus is The Word made flesh

John 1:10-14 NLT
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. [11] He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. [12] But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [14] So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

Jesus wants to come into our lives.

Romans 8:9-17 NLT
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) [10] And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. [11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. [12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [15] So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. [17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

In Romans 8:11

The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies

Romans 8:14-17.

The Spirit of God brings life to our spirit, assures us of our place in God's family and speaks to God interceding for us when we don't know what to pray

We are to nuture our spirit by allowing God's Spirit to bring life. John says that Jesus is the Word,  that Jesus lives in us by the Spirit

How do we nuture our spirits? What are we doing to build our spiritual health and our relationship with God ?

What is the  state of our relationship with God?

Colossians 2:7-10 NLT
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. [8] Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. [9] For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. [10] So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

There are two key ways we build our spiritual relationship

The first is continuing to gather for worship, coming together to find God together and for spiritual encouragement that builds us up. In worship we are drawing close to God, dwelling in his presence.

Jesus said that where two or three are gathered he is there in the midst. To build that relationship there are 3 key areas.

Prayer, presence and the Word.

Let's start with the Word

1. The Word
Immersing ourselves in God's word

In Joshua God instructs him to be strong and courageous

Joshua 1:6-9
Strong and courageous meditating on it day and night.

Joshua 1:6-9 NLT
"Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. [7] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. [8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Strength and courage for life comes from living in the word of God.

To prosper in life, we are to meditate on the word of God because the word of God brings life and direction.

Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. [21] Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, [22] for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. [23] Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Just in case you thought this an Old Testament thing. Paul encourages his readers to let the message about the Messiah dwell richly in their lives. 

Colossians 3:15-16 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. [12] You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. [13] For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. [14] Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Prayer and time in God's presence are essential to relationship and to spiritual health. There is no getting away from the fact that time spent in God's presence is the single most important factor in Spiritual health.

2. Presence
In his presence we hear his heart for us, for his people and for the world. Time in his presence build us up and brings strength and renewal.

Isaiah 40:30

Those who wait on the Lord ...

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. [30] Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. [31] But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 91
He who dwells in the presence of the most high will find rest...

Psalm 91:1-2 NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

Take time to be in God's presence. Spend time with him, not talking, but just in his presence, maybe praying in the Spirit or maybe in silence.

The psalms are filled with prayers of people worshipping God, glorifying God, seeking God.

But God also speaks to them and simply says

'Be Still and know that I am God.'

Stillness in God's presence may not be physically still, but it is a posture before God, stilling our hearts before him.

Brother Lawrence - practising the presence of God. It takes time and practice to stay connected into God's presence

3. Prayer
Prayer and presence are clearly related

Prayer brings us into God's presence

Isaiah 55
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near

Isaiah 55:1-3, 6 NLT
"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk- it's all free! [2] Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. [3] "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

[6] Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

The call is to come into God's presence, to seek him in prayer and to listen for his voice.

When we take time to listen we hear the voice of God.

In Kings we read of Elijah.  He's hiding away, totally exhausted and God comes to him. God seeks him out. He speaks to him and is not the great loud voice but the still small voice that whispers to our hearts through the tumult of life around us.

The Bible talks of the earthquake, the whirlwind and fire. God's voice comes to us through these things, not in these things, but when we are in the midst of the these things, if we will take time to spend with him, regardless of the tumult of our own lives, he will speak with us.

God seeks you out too,  he wants you to ask him in and he comes to you.

Rev 3:20

Behold I stand at the door and knock.

Revelation 3:15-22 NLT
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! [16] But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! [17] You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. [18] So I advise you to buy gold from me-gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. [19] I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. [20] "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. [21] Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. [22] "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches."

This was written to Christians.  Context - they thought they had it,  but they were luke warm, not committed to God's word but living a compromised life. Jesus says open every part of your heart to me. In prayer we can open our hearts to God and let him come in.

Some practical tips.

SOAP for reading the Word

S - Scripture - write down the reference

O - Observation - what are the key points- who is it written to - what is the context and what is God saying in these verses - what did it mean to the people of the time.

A - application - how does this apply to me - what is God saying to me through these verses

P - Prayer - ask God to help you to put it into practice in your life

Finding God's presence - finding a place to get away with God,  and joining together to find encouragement from one another and God's presence corporately.

Leadership

I read this quote from "Family On Mission" by Sally Breen, Mike Breen. It is so true. Jesus was very clear that leadership is about serving others.

"Leadership doesn’t mean you get to boss people around — it means you get to serve and sacrifice for others. Jesus pointed to his own life as an example of how to lead, how to be a spiritual parent."

Start reading this book for free: http://amzn.to/1TvecOpleadership

Body Soul Spirit - Introduction

Prepare to really connect with God, listen for his voice and develop an holistic approach to 'Body Soul and Spirit'

1. Worship - Take time to prepare and ready ourselves to connect with God through worship.

Let go of all that is on our agenda and focus on God and who God is.

Take time to relax in God's presence and focus on the words of the songs as we share our worship together (or if you are at home, take time to quieten your spirit before God and connect with him through music or whatever works for you.)

2. Looking after the body, soul and spirit

a) Looking after ourselves as an act of worship to God, benefit to ourselves and a witness to others

Romans 12:1-2

Our physical and mental health is important to God.

1 Cor 3:16 together we are God's temple and he asks us to look after it.

1 Cor 6:19-20 Context is integrity in our sexualising lives but the important truth is that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to honour God with our bodies.

Colossians 3:23 work always as working for the Lord.

What areas of my physical life are not in line with God's word?

Am I willing to make the necessary changes to my life to build disciplines in these areas ?

Willingness is important. If we are not willing to change we will not make progress over the long term and may become resentful.

There is a sense of building spiritual and physical disciplines into our lives, but to do so, willingness is necessary.

3 John - I pray that you are propspering even as your soul prospers

b) Caring for ourselves so we can care for others

Keeping a healthy soul

Discipleship is bringing others with us on the journey.

When we care for ourselves, we  are better able to care for others.

3. Boundaries

Maintaining healthy boundaries

Know what we are responsible for.

There is a difference between responsible for and responsible towards.

Galatians 6:2,4-5

I'm responsible for my own thoughts feelings actions etc

I'm not responsible for the thoughts feelings and actions of others whatever they may say .

Try to say "I feel..." rather than "You made me..."

Think about your own life

What areas of your life would you like to start working on?

Why?

How will you begin and what accountability will you place in your life to keep yourself on track.

Jabez: Some thoughts

Prayer of Jabez. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Jabez was an honourable person. He had good character and lived with integrity.

If we are to have a positive influence, to lead others, to experience increase, then our character and our motives are important. Good character is more important than gifting and talents. Producing good character is about integrity, and becoming more like Jesus every day.

Note that Jabez was honourable and his motive was therefore right when he prayed these words. Notice too, that out of this whole list of people, he was the one who prayed. When others are just going about their lives, he chose to take time to talk to God and to seek God.

He starts by asking for blessing and increase. I wonder if because he had a name that meant pain, he wanted to make sure his life was not defined by pain, but in the truth of God's desire to bless his people. Because he was honourable and because his request was granted we can probably assume that he's asking with right motives.

He understood that blessing was not for himself but others. God says we will have seed for sowing and bread for food (Isaiah 55).  Being blessed, being given an abundance of blessing is the same. The blessing is given to us for what we need, and the abundance is for others, that they too may be blessed. God speaks about the whole world being blessed through Abraham and Jabez takes hold of the blessing offered to God's people.

What areas of life is God wanting to bless that you've maybe closed off to him through attitudes and behaviours that stifle God's blessing?

Jabez goes on to pray for expanded territory. More territory is more blessing to bless others, but it's also more influence and more responsibility. More influence over other people and situations, more responsibility to watch over what God has given and to use it well.

Jesus told the parable of three servants who were given influence and responsibilities over the master's belongings. Two used it well and brought increase, one hid it away and then lost it to the others. When we take hold of the responsibility God brings increase. Increased territory brings increased influence and increased responsibility. Unless we are prepared to take on the responsibility of influence we will lose it.

In what areas of life has God called us to be influencers?

We are called according to his purpose and according to his call on our lives.

Where has God placed you in this time and in this season to influence others?

We often think in terms of future influence. While ever we are thinking this way we will miss opportunities to influence those whom God has given us right now. We say things like 'If only I was...' or 'If only this would happen then I'd have more influence'. But God calls us to be influencers where we are now, and in this season of our lives.

Who is God asking you to draw alongside and to influence by your life, character, behaviour, words and actions?

Jabez asked that God would be with him in all that he does. He understood that he needed the presence of God in his life if he was to accomplish whatever God placed before him. We need the presence of God. We have the promised Holy Spirit, (John 14, Acts 1,2) and he is our guide and our counsellor. Jesus promised that as we went in his authority he would be with us (Matt 28), by his Spirit; given to us as a teacher, a guide and a counsellor so that we would know where to go, what to do, how to do it and what to say.

How well are we allowing the Spirit to guide our daily life?

Jabez wanted to be a blessing; he needed God's hand in all things so that he would not cause difficulties for others. He knew he had been birthed in pain but he saw no reason why that should define his life or the lives of others, (some translations say 'that I may not cause pain'). He had a desire to be a blessing; to live in a way that did not cause pain and difficulties either for himself or for others.

Sometimes we cause ourselves pain and difficulty because we are not listening to the guiding and leading of the Spirit, and we make choices in life that are not helpful. Sometimes our actions cause pain and difficulties for other people because we are allowing self to manifest rather than the good of others. Jabez understood this and asked God to be with him, to keep him from the thoughts, attitudes and behaviours that would cause him and others trouble.

What thoughts, attitudes and behaviours do we have that cause us or others pain or trouble?

How can we allow God to deal with them? Let him challenge your thoughts and attitudes to bring change.

Jabez' prayer was answered. Because Jabez was honourable, and because he sought God with right motives, his prayer was answered.  This means that God did bless him so he could be a blessing. God actually gave him increased territory, and his presence was with Jabez throughout his life. We are never told how God did this, just that his prayer was answered.

James writes that we have not, because we ask not, and when we ask we ask with wrong motives, to try and get what we don't have. Jabez received what he asked for because he was honourable in his approach to life and he asked with right motives.

Bring your life before God; come with the right attitude, and ask God for his blessing and increase so that those around us will experience God, and his blessing on their lives.