One of the most valuable lessons that I learned in High School was this: “It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know That Counts!” I learned this lesson the hard way and had to suffer some embarrassment and a good bit of frustration along the way.  I want bore you with the details, but I will tell you that this one of the things that changed my life in a very big way!

I was thinking this morning about this lesson learned and how it allows the spiritual to unfold into our physical!  Think about it:  It’s not what you know, but WHO you know that counts! God is the Creator and Sustainer of life and if we know Him, really know Him, then that has to make a difference in our lives and our eternities.

When God knows you and you know Him, and because of your knowing Him, you live a different life, then your life is lived in a place of favor and blessing.  We are children of the Most High God.  Our Heavenly Father created the universe and everything in it.  His favor rests upon us, blessing flow through us and we can and should expect that this relationship changes things and makes a difference.

Psalms 8:5 says that God has “crowned us with glory and honor”.  God wants you to succeed in this life and throughout all eternity!  We need to believe, and if we believe, then we will expect, and if we expect, then watch out – MIRACLES ARE ON THE WAY!

I want to encourage you to live with confident assurance that you are God’s and God is yours!  Believe this and realize the great difference that this makes in your life!  Expect good things!  Believe that God will use even the bad for your good as you love and trust Him.  Determine to know Him more and to know Him better and with this renewed attitude of faith watch as God accomplishes incredible things in and through your life!

It has always been amazing to me that God would want to talk with and listen to me!  He is perfect and I am messed up and yet He still wants to have conversation with me!

This is one of the reasons that I love the prayer of Jabez.  It teaches us the steps that we must take if we are going to have these powerful prayer conversations with God!  This prayer that was made popular by the book written by Dr. Bruce Wilkerson entitled “The Prayer Of Jabez!” is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10  “9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”

Do you remember the first three steps?  The first step is the Step Of Integrity! If we are going to pray powerful prayers, then we must be people of honor, people who’s walk and talk match up to bring glory to our Creator and Sustainer!  The second step is the Step Of Godly Focus! When we pray we need to make sure that our prayers are talking to and listening for God and His will for our lives.  God has a plan and it is to bless us, so we need to make sure that we are paying attention to Him!  The third step is the Step Of Request! We  have to learn to ask God for what God is leading us to ask for!  When we pray according to God’s will, then we are sure to receive positive, motivating and life changing responses from God!

The fourth step is the Step Of Trust! Jabez prayed:  “Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” When we pray, we have to trust that God is going to hear us and respond in a way that is best for us and the life that we are living!  We need His hand guiding our lives, so that if we start to take a step in the wrong direction,the strong and gentle hand of God will be there to guide us in right direction.

When we are traveling in the right direction of God, we don’t have to worry about harm or pain, because God is protecting us every step of the way! And when we take that step of trust that helps us to ask for God’s will, then God is sure to grant our request.  Trust God and chase after His will – you will be glad you did!