Throughout the epistle of James, the brother of Jesus describes how, “the testing of our faith produces patience.” Testing can come to us in many ways; through trials (James 1:2), through temptations (James 1:12), through works (James 2:17-26), through stumbling (James 3:2-12), through pride (James 3:13-16), through lust (James 4:1-4) and through power and wealth (James 5:1-6). However James is quick to point out that, “patience must have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4) What this means is, we must complete the test.
Everyone of these types of tests are checks to see where we are in our growth as a Christian. They can be short and quick - field of vision at the beach, that second look - or long and seemingly everlasting - a struggle with drugs/alcohol/cigarettes/porn. We can endure these tests as they come along with patience and become stronger or, we can fall - experience separation - eventually become broken and repentant - cry out to God - and start over again. But, be assured - just like school - if you did not pass the test, you will have to take it again.
What is James exhortation for these test of the faith? To be patient and to persevere until the coming of our Lord (James 5:7-11), to pray for specific needs (James 5:13-18) and to restore our brothers to the faith. (James 5:19-20)
The Truth
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
To Everything There is a Season
How often have you said, The Lords' Prayer? Now, how often have you stopped to think about the words, "Thy will be done?" Those are some tough words to pray at times.
My wife lost her brother to lung cancer a few years back. We prayed for healing and cried out for a healing touch all through his illness but, Gods' will was not to heal him on earth and that's OK. Even though as Christains we are told to, "make our requests known to God," He is under no obligation take our direction. Who are we to direct or council God.
Jesus, the night before His crucifixtion prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. (Matthew 26:39) The Bible also speaks of Jesus being in so much agony at this point, that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44) This request must have been difficult for the Father not to grant seeing both the current and future pain of His Son. However, God had a greater purpose, the salvation of man.
Therefore, do not be discouraged by what seems to be unanswered prayer. Understand our Father has a heavenly purpose that is far beyond our current understanding - and that some day, we will see it clearly.
The Truth
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
My wife lost her brother to lung cancer a few years back. We prayed for healing and cried out for a healing touch all through his illness but, Gods' will was not to heal him on earth and that's OK. Even though as Christains we are told to, "make our requests known to God," He is under no obligation take our direction. Who are we to direct or council God.
Jesus, the night before His crucifixtion prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. (Matthew 26:39) The Bible also speaks of Jesus being in so much agony at this point, that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44) This request must have been difficult for the Father not to grant seeing both the current and future pain of His Son. However, God had a greater purpose, the salvation of man.
Therefore, do not be discouraged by what seems to be unanswered prayer. Understand our Father has a heavenly purpose that is far beyond our current understanding - and that some day, we will see it clearly.
The Truth
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Monday, September 17, 2012
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
Have you ever noticed how most people have a hard time waiting their turn? This can be seen in different actions every day. For example - the sigh-er, the tapper, the look, the body language and of course the questioner, "Can't you go any faster." In the instant breakfast society we live in today, everyone wants an express lane. We want - what we want - when we want it. As Christians, we need to show patience in everything we do in our daily life's, including being patient with our Lord.
Have you ever been praying for someone or something, for what seems to you a long time? Well, join the club. We all have. God is not some "genie in a bottle" ready to grant us three wishes when we call on Him. Nor is He only to be called upon in time of need. What kind of relationship would you have with someone, if you only called them when you needed something? The bible tells us in James, "the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16) Let's look at these words a little closer.
Webster defines effective as fruitful or capable or producing a desired result. This means we must have a prayer life, that is marked by fruit. The word fervent can be translated intense, passionate, very hot - glowing. This means our prayer life should have emotion in it and not just some mundane, half hearted request. Finally, it is the prayer of the righteous that reaches God. We as Christians have righteousness imputed to us through our belief in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore we can, make our request known to God.
It is so important to establish a fervent prayer life with our heavenly father who, "desires to give us above all that we could ask or think."(Eph.3:20) Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. If you set aside the time to do just that, you will see the fruit of your petitions.
The Truth
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:17-18)
Have you ever been praying for someone or something, for what seems to you a long time? Well, join the club. We all have. God is not some "genie in a bottle" ready to grant us three wishes when we call on Him. Nor is He only to be called upon in time of need. What kind of relationship would you have with someone, if you only called them when you needed something? The bible tells us in James, "the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16) Let's look at these words a little closer.
Webster defines effective as fruitful or capable or producing a desired result. This means we must have a prayer life, that is marked by fruit. The word fervent can be translated intense, passionate, very hot - glowing. This means our prayer life should have emotion in it and not just some mundane, half hearted request. Finally, it is the prayer of the righteous that reaches God. We as Christians have righteousness imputed to us through our belief in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore we can, make our request known to God.
It is so important to establish a fervent prayer life with our heavenly father who, "desires to give us above all that we could ask or think."(Eph.3:20) Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. If you set aside the time to do just that, you will see the fruit of your petitions.
The Truth
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:17-18)
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