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WilBeyo
05-12-185 BEYOND JABEZ Expanding Your Borders Bruce Wilkinson |
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Wilkinson
is the author of The Prayer of Jabez, which sold 9 million
copies, and the founder of Dream for Africa, a movement to mobilize
volunteers to address the critical problems of hunger, orphans, poverty and
AIDS. www.dreamforafrica.com This
follow-up book reads a lot like its forerunner. Wilkinson attempts to deflect criticism that Prayer of Jabez
promotes a “prosperity gospel,” and includes a number of testimonies, some of
them financial blessings and others blessings of ministry. “The
phrase, ‘You should hear what God did’ may be the key to the unprecedented
success of The Prayer of Jabez.” (10) “Jesus
commanded His followers to disciple all ‘nations,’ or people groups. Not just individuals or families or
cities, but nations. For the
first time in my ministry, I asked a totally different question: ‘How can I
obey the Great Commission by discipling a whole nation for God?’” (11) “One
leader said to me recently, ‘The Prayer of Jabez is your John the
Baptist for your work in Africa!’”
[The book opened up doors to the presidents of nations.] (12) Beyond Jabez was written to further develop the concepts in the prayer, to clear
up misconceptions and false teaching surrounding the book, and to encourage
the habit of praying the prayer of Jabez.
(12-13) “My
hope is that after reading Beyond Jabez, you will make it your habit
to ask God to bless you. ...I hope
you will ask God daily for more territory in which to serve Him.” (13) “Whether
you have six days or sixty years remaining, God still has you here on earth
for a purpose.” (21) Imagine
that you long for God’s blessing, spiritual or material, or both. Imagine aspiring to take new territory,
not for yourself but for Him and His purposes. Picture yourself crying out for His hand of power to enable
you. And sensitive to sin’s
destructive effect you beg God to keep you from evil. (23) The
four parts of Jabez’ prayer were the opposites of what I had prayed all my
life. (30) “God
isn’t in the habit of answering selfish prayers.” (James 4:3) (31) “Each
of the four parts of the prayer correspond with the teachings of the Bible,
including those of Jesus Himself. In
other words, the prayer of Jabez works because you are asking God to help you
do the very things that Christ commanded you to do.” (38) “But
by no means is this the only prayer you should pray. In fact, it’s the last thing I pray during
my time with God. I urge you to
follow the example of Jabez, but never apart from a life-encompassing
conversation with God.” (39) “Blessing
Misconception #3: If you want to get
rich, pray the prayer of Jabez.”
“Scripture clearly teaches that many of God’s faithful will endure
hardship and poverty while receiving abundant spiritual blessing and the promise
of great reward in eternity (see Matthew 10:21-40; John 16:33)” (41) “Every
blessing, large or small, is from God.” (James 1:16-17) “God loves to give.”
(47) “Some of God’s greatest
blessings are reserved for those who ask.” (Matthew 7:9-11) (49-50) Five
kinds of blessing: (52-54) 1.
Common blessings are given to everyone freely without any requirement 2.
Conduct blessing is given to those who meet a standard of behavior.
(Deut 7:12-13; Matt 5:6) 3.
Conversion blessing is given to those who believe (John 3:16) 4.
Compensation blessing is given, primarily after death, to everyone on
the basis of their life conduct (Luke 14:12-14) 5.
“Compassion blessing is given solely on the basis of God’s character
to those who ask.” (Jabez’ prayer in I Chronicles. 4) “None
of us can predict what form God’s gifts will take. They may come in material form, or they may be spiritual or
relational. Or something else
entirely. But they will be good
because they come from the King of givers.” (63) “And
what will God do with your surplus blessing?
He will use you as a source of blessing for others. We are to imitate His generosity all the
time, even when we don’t have much (see 2 Corinthians 8:1-4).” (64) “‘It
is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:34). Is it wrong to receive? No, it’s fine, and some of us need to
receive more willingly. But even
more blessed is the act of giving.” (65) “He
wants to use you and the talents and skills He has entrusted to you to touch
more and more of the people of the world.” (76) “The
choice of new territory is usually not self-initiated, but God-directed.”
(78) “The
prayer for territory is not focused on your comfort, but on change. Whenever you ask for ‘more,’ you really
are asking God to take you beyond where you have ever been before—into the
unknown and unpredictable.” (79) “In
my experience, God rarely makes our fear disappear. Instead, He asks us to be strong and take courage.” (84) “Taking
new territory involves all of God and all of you. And if you leave out either part of this
equation, you r efforts will be ineffectual.” “He will enlarge your territory, but you must struggle to
occupy it.” (95-6) “Keep
your antenna constantly alert for divine appointments, through which you can
touch a life or do something for God’s purposes. Keep asking God, ‘What’s next?’” (104) “God
is eager to show Himself strong toward Dreamers who take risks to do what He
wants done.” (113, quoting The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson) “Anytime
you face a big task—especially one that seems impossible—you come
face-to-face with the reality that you are a limited being. But be careful not to project your
inadequacies onto God. Just because
you can’t, that doesn’t mean He can’t.”
“‘For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him’ (2
Chronicles 16:9)” (136-37) God
works through a lifestyle of proactive dependency on God, not running
ahead of God, but prayerfully dependent the whole way. (140) Watch
carefully for temptation just before a significant effort in God’s service
and just after an effort when you’re physically and spiritually
exhausted. Implement practical
safeguards against the sins you have the hardest time resisting. (161) Dangers
to Pray Against: (170-74) · The temptation of pride.
(James 4:6) · The temptation of power.
(Mark 9:33-34; 10:35-37; Luke 22:24) · The temptation of
possessions – desire to be rich, lusts, greed. (I Tim 6:9-10) · The temptation of sinful
pleasure. “In our day, sexual sin may
well cause the greatest number of failures among believers and Christian
leaders” (174) *
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