Dr. Anita McLaughlin -- A M Ministries, Inc.

Selah, pause and calmly think on that.

How many people have you seem who say they have prayed the prayer of Jabaz? I am sure there are many.  The book sold multiplied millions.  Now ask yourself, of your friends that you know were standing on his prayer for "enlarged territory, escape from evil-- so that they would not do hard, how many are talking about the territory they now have, the victory over evil they are experiencing and those opportunities to cause pain to someone that they did not take?

I would venture to say not many.  We know that God does answer prayer, but are we following the fad or do we really want God to increase our territory?  If per chance he did place you in a position of greater influence, how would you handle it?  Everyday in one way or another we are faced with the option to speak our mind, never mind what the other person might say, think or do.  Most of the time we throw caution to the wind and let 'er rip...

Evaluating your daily habits, do you display a reluctance or enthusiasm to try new things?  Is there within you the ability or inability to receive criticism?  Do you desire to, or do you have a total lack of concern in receiving personal critical instruction? Are you known as having a inflated or deflated ego?

Is God able to answer your prayer for increased territory, and if He did would you even know what to do with it?

There is a cost for everything we do and for those things we receive freely of God.  Abraham payed a price when he received the promise of many sons, when he had to leave everything he knew and held dear to receive that.

The Apostles were given a truly history (of the world) making opportunity to follow our Savior, but they had to leave all behind to receive the impartation of faith and instruction which would be reflected through their witness for generations upon generation, and through out centuries.  They had to be willing to experience what ever was before them to have the distinction of being named "among them".

Now again, if God did enlarge your territory what would you do with it?  God uses his people as an extension of himself, our hands are his hands, our mouths to speak his words, with his Spirit reflected in those words.  People are supposed to know that we are Christians by our love.  We are to esteem another higher than ourselves.  We are supposed to give rather than to seek to receive.  Yet if we were given the opportunity for an enlarged territory or sphere of authority, would we use it on ourselves or would we make room for others?

Are we seeking increase just to say we have more than the next person-- a larger house, bigger car, fatter bank account, larger congregation?  Would we fill our new territory with "stuff"? 

When God answers your prayer will you even know what to do with it?

Selah!

The air is thin which eagles fly and everyone can not go there.

 What ever God has called you to do, know that you are unique in that.  No one can do it quite like you, from the song that you sing, to the way you talk, to the smile on your face.  No one is quite like you.  It is even apparent in identical twins there is a difference no matter how slight, there is still a difference.

This month we honor our military past, and present. Men and women who have put themselves in the position to be called away from their families, friends, communities, and country to make the ultimate sacrifice for people they may never meet. 

To you, I stand in awe.  Thank you because The air is thin where eagles fly and everyone can not go there.