“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.” 
(1 Chronicles 4:10)

Jesus, I too ask You to bless me, be with me and keep me from harm.

But do I really want more territory to manage? 

Only if it’s best.

In fact, if it will help sharpen my focus on You, shrink my territory!

And how dare I ask to be free from pain, knowing You use it to produce in me perseverance, obedience, righteousness, peace, worthiness – even freedom from sin?

All I ask is that You use the scalpel of pain only when there is no other way…

… to make me more like You.
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Proverbs 30:8-9; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 10:29-30; Romans 5:3-4;1 Thessalonians 3:2-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5; James 1:2-4; Hebrews 5:7-9; Hebrews12:11; 1 Peter 4:1-2; 2Corinthians 12:7-10; Matthew 26:42

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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