This Is My Year To Grow!!!

King James Version Chapter 4

9 And iJabez was kmore honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name ||Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with lsorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, †Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest †keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 4

9 Jabez a was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.”

10 Jabez called out to the God of Israel: “If only You would bless me, extend my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not cause any pain.” b c And God granted his request.

In our text this morning we have the story the story of Jabez and his powerful prayer. This text in nature is very short but fill life changing principles. This comes to us at a perfect time. It’s the beginning of a new year. Which means most of us have started those “New Year’s Resolutions.” Lose weight, do better, be better.....” Only to fail before January comes to a close. And here is the reason why; many make new plans with old actions. Here is what I mean, many people plan for 2018 using 2017 methods! My brothers and sisters you cannot expect new and different results using old methods. The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results!!!

If you want this year to be different, then do something different!

1.) Before God can trust you with his blessings he needs to trust your character! (v.9a) What you say has to match up with what you do!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters!”

God is not looking for perfection just someone headed in the right direction!”

2.)