Monday, July 18, 2016

Rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God

James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you in trouble?  Let them pray.  Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.  Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.  If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefor, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

None of this happens from our own power.  Nor does it happen alone.  It only happens with the Lord's blessing, and the Lord's power.  I am praying for Baton Rouge, for all her people, for all her first responders, for her healing.  I am praying for Dallas, for all her people, for all her first responders, for her healing.  I am praying for the United States, for all her people, for all her first responders, for her healing.

It says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  That does not mean sinless, or perfect.  It means persons just like you and me, that are scared, that are tired, that are unsure of what to do or how to impact a situation that is beyond our reach and our understanding.  I believe there is only one answer, and that is to take it to the Lord in prayer.

It might help if you understand that Jesus does not require us to do any more than be where we are, with Him.  And with Him, there is peace.  It does not mean the world around us changes, but it does mean that you change.  It is hard to be afraid, when you are chosen of the most high King, heir to His inheritance.  It is hard to worry, when you are sure of eternity.  It is hard to find things that are hard, when you are in the hand of the Lord.

I just thought, given how bad yesterday was, how unhappy and unfruitful our days sometimes feel, that maybe we need to remember what the ultimate measure of the worth of our days are.  It is not here, and now, but rather where God is, and forever.  It hurts my soul, the damage we do to each other, because it is not in keeping with God's command.  Nor is it in keeping with decent behavior.

We all need to see if we are wandering from the truth, and help each other back on the path.  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

God Loves You And So Do I

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