Saturday, April 24, 2010

Enlarged Territory

We are going through the Prayer of Jabez study on Wednesday evenings and have just completed the section where Jabez asked God to expand (enlarge) his territory. As I listened and studied, I began to think about the mission trip to Kenya that our church is sponsoring in June. The main idea of the trip, as I believe, is to help build a school for girls in northern Kenya -- A great task and a difficult one as well. I began to think that as Jabez asked for expanded territory (influence), that maybe God has something even bigger for the participants in this trip.

There is an obvious passion that our people have for the nation of Kenya. God, through Ezekiel, said, "I searched for someone that they should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land (Kenya), that I should not destroy it: but I found none." Ezk. 22:30. God loves the nation of Kenya but it is a nation on the brink. I don't think there is a big window of time for the Gospel to be brought to this nation. I want God to do something way beyond what our team expects Him to do -- something only He can do.

"Lord, expand the territory (the mission) of this trip. Do something even bigger than has been asked for to this point. As you heard the prayer of Jabez and answered, so hear and answer this prayer. Let everything about this trip be supernatural. Let the "expansion," the "enlarging" of territory begin right now. Let the salvation of souls begin now. Let the witness of the mission team be given now. Let people be saved even now all the way through the completion of the mission and even beyond. Let those flying on the same plane be open to the Gospel. Let people in the airports be open to the Gospel. Let neighbors and friends of the mission trip participants be open to the Gospel. Let every mission trip participant be fully expectant NOW for the giving out of the Gospel. Before the trip, during the trip, during the time in Kenya, the trip back, and after each one returns, Lord, let the Gospel be given powerfully for your Kingdom's sake. Amen!"

Just as important as the trip members are the intercessors who will cover everything about the mission with prayer. The attack of the enemy really begins now in earnest if we pray for expanded territory now. We must fight the good fight of faith. The prayers of God's people are powerful. Be a part of this trip with yours. Assist those going on the trip not only with prayers but with your financial support. Many of you have already. Many of you still can. When Paul writes of his journeys, he mentions not only Timothy and Titus as his helpers, but also Lydia and the other precious women who aided him. They were all devoted servants whose assistance helped touch entire nations with the Gospel.

Soooooo, let's pray the prayer of Jabez for this trip. "Lord, bless indeed, each mission trip participant. Expand their territories way beyond their present thinking and believing. Put your hand upon each one and keep them from any evil that the enemy would bring upon them. For Your Glory, and Honor, and for Your Kingdom's sake. AMEN!!!!

5 comments:

  1. Pastor Jerry, I love your enthusiasm for the Kenya trip. Speaking from someone who will is preparing to be there, I hope everyone at LHC and beyond reads your challenge on what they can do from this of the Atlantic. I know these prayers will make a difference!

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  2. I have waited till I had a little time to respond to your post, as It is so on the spot for this very week in the mission trip process!
    I have been brought to my knees and to tears regularly through the process of preparing for the Kenya Trip. On my knees I am humbled as God continues to assure my spirit that He has immense plans, bigger than we could ever imagine, dare I say... Mega plans for our family at LHC. Everything we are doing these days is bringing unity to many families in order for God to unfold what he is really doing.
    God is so amazingly consistent as He unfolds His plans, using so many people to bring each piece together. Your blog post is so timely and on the spot, especially for those of us going on the trip right at this moment. I am so grateful for God bringing so many together under one banner at this time, in this place for one purpose. As this purpose unfolds further I pray that we rely on God's strength to continue to move into it. I am grateful for your leadership, which so reflects the consistency that is God's character, you are the right man for God's plan! Thank you for leading as God has called. Thank you for those who pray as God calls, thank you for those who give as God calls, thank you for those who go as God calls. Each and everyone of us make up His plan, we need every single part to move ahead, the unsaved world is depending on us!
    My response may be as long as your blog, but the fire burning in my soul spews out with such excitement for the road God has us on I can do little to contain it at times. When you say the best is yet to come on Sunday mornings I want to stand on my chair and scream out yes! Thank you for leading us down this path.

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  3. Pastor Jerry - thank you for your encouragement. I am excited by the upcoming trip but as I consider all that must be done to prepare, the finances we still need to raise, the materials we will need to purchase and pack and all the other details I admit to becoming overwhelmed at times. Then I read your post and I am reminded that God is in control and His plans are so much more than ours. He will prepare and guide us as long as we keep seeking Him. Thanks again for the encouragement, the leadership and most of all your prayers and the prayers of the entire church.

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  4. In Afghanistan, there was a tourist who began to see the problems of the villages in which the girls were not allowed to attend school... He saw the need for these young girls and started a school building project. They found that when the girls of these villages were done being educated and went off to universities eventually. When they would return back to the village, they became progressive change agents for the entire village. My prayer for the mission trip school building project for the impoverished and uneduacated young girls in northern Kenya is based on a recent reading of a couple scriptures out of Ecclesiastes chapter 7 that I had written down to memorize:
    11 Wisdom like an inheritance is a good thing and benefits many. 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of it's posessor.
    My prayer right now is that the Father up above would ensure the building project for those young girls in Kenya and that their lives would indeed receive the benefit of education to benefit others as well. God Bless it! God bless it! God bless it! Finally, thank you Father for the vision to build and the many you are sending to accomplish it! May many more visions be fulfilled for the building through these you send out. Continuing in prayer, Vicki

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