I CHRONICLES

Today is Friday and I just finished up reading ten chapters in I Chronicles.  There are several interesting truths and each of them have a message for me today, and I hope you as well.  Here are some of them: 1) JABEZ- In I Chronicles 4:10, we have the prayer of Jabez:  "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."  This prayer is encouraged by many as a formula for God's blessings.  I'm not at all sure about that, but I do know that prayer and asking God for a request is the way to have prayer answered.  In other words, you have to ask for something, before God grants you something.  James says:  "Ye have not, because ye ask not".  So, like Jabez, ask!  Why don't you take a moment this morning, and write down what you would like God to do for you, your family, your church, etc. and then carry that with you each day and pray about it.  Prayer works, when we work prayer! 2) RECKONED BY GENEALOGIES- I Chronicles 9:1, it says:  "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies;"  This is stated because the first eight chapters of I Chronicles are the genealogical listings of the tribes of Israel, going back to ADAM in I Chronicles 1:1!  Wow!  It is amazing the details given in whom begot whom, and it is interesting when you start to realize you know many of these people as you read through your Bible.  The importance of these listings is to prove that Jesus Christ came from the tribe of Judah, and the decedent of King David, just like God said He would.  God was going to put someone on the throne of David forever, and that someone is Jesus Christ, His Son!  So the genealogical record is very vital in proving prophecy. 3) WHO STRENGTHENED THEMSELVES WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM- In I Chronicles 11:10, there is an important verse about the fighting men of David.  It says:  "There also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom,.."  In chapter 11, we have the listing of the Mighty Men of King David.  And verse 10 tells us that they became strong as David became strong.  They grew with him.  In a Church, a people and staff must grow with the pastor.  The church will not grow until the pastor grows.  But, the Church must grow with him, or it never grows!  This is a powerful verse for laymen and staff to grow with their God given leadership.  May God help us all to grow! Well, this is all I am sharing today.  Hope you have a blessed day in the LORD!  Pastor Mike Mutchler