Tag: James

Morning Musing: James 5:16

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“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

Why do people get sick? Most folks today are going to turn toward a medical answer and stop there because it’s easier. People get sick because of a bacteria or a virus or a genetic flaw. Sometimes it’s simply bodily wear and tear. That settles most of the reasons, right? Well, that depends on the kind of answer you’re looking for. James here says there’s at least one more we need to consider. It’s really uncomfortable by itself, but its immediate context makes it even worse. 

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Digging in Deeper: James 5:15

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“The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

Prayer is powerful stuff. You believe that, right? In spite of our nation’s growing secularity, a sizable majority of Americans still profess to pray regularly. You would think, then, that most of them believe there is some kind of effect or benefit to it. But just how much benefit does it bring? James here suggests there is potentially a lot of benefit. 

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Morning Musing: James 5:13-14

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“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” ‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

Imagine with me for a minute: Something awful has happened. Who’s the first person you tell? You’ve just had the best day you’ve had in a long time. Who do you tell first? You’ve finally solved that huge mystery you’ve been wondering about for weeks. Who is it you can’t wait to see so you can give them all the details? My guess is the person who’s name kept coming up is either your best friend in the world, your spouse, or both. That’s just about as it should be. James, however, has another suggestion for that list. 

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Digging in Deeper: James 5:7

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“Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Do you like waiting? I can honestly say that I don’t mind at all waiting for things…if I can be entertained while I’m waiting. But to simply sit with nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs until it’s time for whatever it is? Yeah…I don’t do very well with that. Are you with me? Given our culture, I suspect you are. Patience is a virtue in which we tend to be sorely lacking.

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Morning Musing: James 5:2-3

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“Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I still remember moving from seminary to my first church job in Church Road, VA. We had some good friends help us load a 26-foot Penske to capacity, along with both cars, and we headed east from Denver, CO. Nearly nine years later we did it again, this time to where we are still. Maybe you’ve experienced this. We knew we had accumulated more stuff in that nearly decade span, but we weren’t prepared for how much more.

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