July 7

1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17, Acts 25:1-27, Psalm 5:1-12, Proverbs 18:19



Prayer: Dear Lord, may we pray today the prayer of your servant Jabez, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!”

Read: Jabez was more honorable than his siblings. When he prayed a prayer for God to bless him and expand his territory the Lord granted him his request. Wow, if God would bless and grant Jabez an expansion of his territory then how much more would God bless you if you prayed and lived into the prayer of Jesus, “thy Kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Imagine the power behind partnering with God for God’s greater redemptive purposes. When God’s Kingdom prospers, when God’s people prosper, then we all benefit. 

Edify: The wisdom from Proverbs tells us that “Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.” The truth from this statement rises not from the reality that friends cannot have disagreements, rather friends should not tolerate sarcasm and dehumanization as part of their verbiage. Everyone disagrees but some will seek to win an argument at any cost and therefore be tempted to engage in character assassination in order to come out on top. We should resist allowing our pride to determine the outcome of our debates. Rather, we should seek the truth in love.

Practice: Paul has been arrested for his faith and now Paul’s words have the opportunity to arrest the hearts of those who listen to him. Treason is the charge, but it is not treason that the Jews are threatened with. They are threatened by the reality that Jesus Christ, the Gospel message, can and has changed lives. There is no other name, indeed, no other person who divides persons more than Jesus of Nazareth. No one else can bring such joy, hope and eternal transformation like Jesus Christ. No wonder the forces of darkness are threatened by Him…He is light from very light, and “the true light which enlightens every man was in the world and the world was made through him.” Let's boldly know, they have nothing to fear as they share their faith in Christ.