Throughout the Scriptures, we find many characters listed only once, yet so much is mentioned in only a few words. It is the quality of life that makes a difference, not the quantity. Consider Methuselah who lived 969 years and only six Scriptures mention him, but the Christ who lived only 33 years – well, need any more be said? You may recall a few years back a best selling little book called, The Prayer of Jabez, taken from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, which reads: And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 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. Although a bestselling book with this title, we see the story by inspiration in the best selling book of all time, the Holy Bible. As something written aforetime for learning (Romans 15:4), the prayer of Jabez is worthy for consideration. As a person, Jabez was honorable in that he sought “…the honor that cometh from God only” (John 5:44). He was humble (James 4:10). He was a praying person (Philippians 4:6; 2 Thessalonians 5:17). He did not ask to be relieved of burdens and responsibilities, but rather called upon the God of Israel, a God in covenant with his people

God declared divine instruction through Moses, “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough…” (Deuteronomy 2:3). In other words, Israel, you have gone around the base of this mountain for several days, it is time to move onward! In another sense, there are “mountains” in life we compass or go around and around. We stay in the same old direction that we direct, but we need to listen to God and turn to a better direction, Friends! Why not resolve to do so? I challenge us to follow what God directs today. It is time we cease compassing the mountains! Wasting time is a mountain we compass. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). As Robertson puts it, “We all have the same time. Paul goes into the open market and buys it up by using it rightly.” There is the factor: It is imperative we use our time wisely and rightly. God forbid any of us be like Felix in Acts 24:24-25. He sent for Paul, but afterwards trembled at what he heard. There is no example from the Scriptures where Felix came to Christ. We go around and around not using time wisely. Schedule carefully and prioritize with importance. Apathy. Simply not caring. Can you imagine? No emotion, no compassion, no concern for anything or anyone. In Revelation 3:14-16, the church allowed the things of the world to dictate their comfort, and the Lord commanded them to repent! Indeed, a mountain that takes us around and around with

The late Helen Keller was asked, “What would be worse than being born blind?” to which she replied, “Having sight without a vision.” As history shows, this was a lady with vision that made a great difference in this world. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18). In this context, the word “vision” means, “a message delivered by the prophets, a revealed message of God.” God’s Word indeed is vision to us, a direction in which to go. Therefore, when there is no direction, people will go anywhere and do anything. However, have we considered where there is vision?” Where there is vision, people are disciplined, lives are structured and priorities are right. Where there is vision there is the spirit of growth. There is the spirit of enthusiasm (Colossians 1:27-29) and evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20) in congregations that are growing. People love to be involved with such a congregation of the churches of Christ. New folks should be special guests each week. People have to move from “their pews and not complain a whit. Where there is vision there is “providing out of the people.” Was this not Jethro’s advice to Moses when he saw Moses’ workload (Exodus 18:20-22)? From among the people, reasoned Jethro, select those that could assist Moses over the “small matters.” Beloved, may we seek out from ourselves able men and women that are able to discern right from wrong and apply the right and defeat the