How To Be All You Can Be (Revised)

Shaquille O’Neal has been for about 12 or 13 years one of the most dominant centers in the NBA.  He is a great player, he can play defense can dribble, Dunk, pass, shoot jumpers; however, everybody who knows basketball knows that there is one thing Shaq is horrible at…Free throws!!!!!  I believe it was Hubie Brown who said that, the reason Shaq has a problem when shooting is because he does not bend his knees… 

This text serves as a testament of those words, for it shows each of us that God blesses those who seek and trust Him. We find here, buried in the genealogies of the Old Testament, a man called Jabez. Little is known of this biblical character. He seems to be misplaced here in this verse coming from nowhere and headed for somewhere. He comes in at verse nine and leaves at verse eleven, two verses, and yet there is something more, there is a substance, and solitude to this man.

In his obscure existence, we may each find a lesson on life. We find How we to can be all we can be just as Jabez did.  If Jabez were here right now I believe he would say;

I.                    Be Willing To Live Beyond What Others Think Of You. (Don’t Worry About Haters)

a.                    Many are distracted in life because we allow what people say about us get next to us.

b.                    Many of us never go anywhere in life because we are seeking the approval of others

c.                    Some of us allow haters to influence us

d.                    Jabez didn’t let his name stop him

e.                    His name meant pain

f.                    He lived beyond the expectation of others, He was more honorable then his brothers

II.                  Don’t Be Intimidated By The Success Of Others. (Don’t Be A Hater)

a.                    Some people can’t stand to see others doing well

b.                    There are people who live to be negative

c.                    The more time you spend worrying about what somebody else has the less time you have to achieve and accomplish your goals and dreams

III.                Go To The Proper Source

a.                    Oprah, Dr. Phil, Montell, and Ricki can’t fix your problems

b.                    He went to God in prayer

c.                    Prayer does a few things

1.                    It conditions you

2.                    It changes things

d.                    He said, take me beyond my limitations

e.                    I want you with me

f.                    Since you gonna be with me, Lord keep me.

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

Oh what peace we often forfeit,

oh what needless pain we bear!

All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!

We have trials and temptations,

 is there trouble anywhere!

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful,

who will all our sorrows share!

Jesus knows our every weakness,

take it to the Lord in prayer!