******NOTICE******
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, today will be the last day of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks again for reading!
“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” –James 5:19-20
Often when I’m talking to old friends, a name will come up that I haven’t heard in a while. In the midst of the conversation I will discover that the person is no longer following Christ. Sometimes it is a blatant rejection. Other times it was a gradual slip. However it happens, I can never get used to it. What is worse, often times I will wind up running across that friend either in person or online somewhere. There’s always this very awkward feeling that is tough to get over. But rarely do I know what to say.
James closes this book with a note of encouragement towards us who are striving to restore someone. He in essence tells us that our work with people who have fallen away may ultimately have eternal consequences. We can make a huge difference in their lives by bringing them back to God.
One thing is for sure: it is rarely easy to bring people back to God. Often times there are hard feelings, hardened hearts, and sometimes hard liquor that have to be overcome. There’s no guarantee that anything we do will work. But we are called to persevere and to continue to love no matter what happens.
It is fitting that this passage comes right after a section that focuses on prayer and healing. While most people who have fallen away are not yet ready to have us pray for their restoration while they are around, I think the principle is certainly there that we must pray without ceasing for them. We should pray that God would work in their lives in order to open their hearts back towards him in any way that he can. He will be faithful to work. Whether they are faithful to respond or not is totally up to them.
Have you noticed that someone has slipped away lately? Is there someone who has been on your heart that needs restored? If so, pray. Pray for opportunities to share with them. Pray for the courage to share. Pray that God would be working in every area of their life to bring them back.
May you experience the joy of seeing a dear friend come back to Christ when you are faithful to seek them out and to pray.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Praying the Tough Prayer
******NOTICE******
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, tomorrow will be the last day of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” –James 5:17-18
Earlier in this passage, James mentions praying the ‘prayer of faith.’ This has often been abused to say that whether our prayers are answered or not are dependent upon the amount or quality of our faith. This, amongst other things, causes people to really twist their interpretations of events in order to protect their dignity. It also makes a lot of people feel bad because they didn’t get what they asked for.
Here we see that this is not at all the case. Unless Elijah was some kind of traitor, he would not have wanted to pray the prayer that he prayed. This was something that he did because he was able to discern the will of God for Israel. When he as a prophet made this decision, it was not popular. But it was for the best of God’s people. You must understand that a modern day equivalent would be for Christians in America to pray for the stock market to collapse so that people here would start seeking God again. It would not be a popular prayer at all.
I’m not sure how to instruct you to pray the tough prayer for our country today. But I can tell you that there are a lot of tough ‘prayers of faith’ for you to pray for yourself. Maybe a prayer for God to reveal any idols that you might have in your life would be tough. Or how about asking God to remove any distractions that you have in your life that keep you from him? I know a girl I went to college with prayed that prayer. She was an avid fan of music. The next day she went out to her car to find that her new car stereo and all of her music had been stolen. Now I know you can over interpret that one, but she got the point. Her music had been distracting her from God. She prayed, and she will tell you that he got rid of it. It wound up becoming a period of great spiritual growth in her life.
Are you willing to pray the tough prayer? It may not be easy. It may even cost you now. However, in the long run it will be worth it.
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, tomorrow will be the last day of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” –James 5:17-18
Earlier in this passage, James mentions praying the ‘prayer of faith.’ This has often been abused to say that whether our prayers are answered or not are dependent upon the amount or quality of our faith. This, amongst other things, causes people to really twist their interpretations of events in order to protect their dignity. It also makes a lot of people feel bad because they didn’t get what they asked for.
Here we see that this is not at all the case. Unless Elijah was some kind of traitor, he would not have wanted to pray the prayer that he prayed. This was something that he did because he was able to discern the will of God for Israel. When he as a prophet made this decision, it was not popular. But it was for the best of God’s people. You must understand that a modern day equivalent would be for Christians in America to pray for the stock market to collapse so that people here would start seeking God again. It would not be a popular prayer at all.
I’m not sure how to instruct you to pray the tough prayer for our country today. But I can tell you that there are a lot of tough ‘prayers of faith’ for you to pray for yourself. Maybe a prayer for God to reveal any idols that you might have in your life would be tough. Or how about asking God to remove any distractions that you have in your life that keep you from him? I know a girl I went to college with prayed that prayer. She was an avid fan of music. The next day she went out to her car to find that her new car stereo and all of her music had been stolen. Now I know you can over interpret that one, but she got the point. Her music had been distracting her from God. She prayed, and she will tell you that he got rid of it. It wound up becoming a period of great spiritual growth in her life.
Are you willing to pray the tough prayer? It may not be easy. It may even cost you now. However, in the long run it will be worth it.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Confession
******NOTICE******
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 3 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” –James 5:16
Over the past few years, the idea of confession has become quite twisted. I remember hearing the advertisement for a show called ‘Taxicab Confessions’ where people would talk in front of a camera in a taxi and tell all kinds of raunchy details of their lives. But instead of this being a remorseful confession, it was almost a celebration of their depravity. It was more boasting than confession.
This type of behavior has continued today. Look at the shock treatment that we receive from our so called heroes from Hollywood and the rest of the entertainment industry. We celebrate their immorality, and then are shocked when they die young. This was very apparent to Kristen and me when we visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So many of the greats that we saw all seemed to die between 27 and 29 years old. Yet we celebrate their lifestyles.
Christian confession is much different. It is the willingness to open ourselves up to other people and to reveal our sins and sinfulness so that we might find forgiveness and healing. Often we dismiss confession to others and convince ourselves that we just need to tell God about it. However, there is great value in humbling ourselves to others and speaking words of forgiveness to each other. I’ve heard it called the physical representation of the spiritual reality. In some ways it is a lot like the Lord’s Supper. Is it symbolic? Yes, but it is not just symbolic. It is the physical representation of the spiritual reality. So when we speak those words of confession, it is very much a representation of us speaking the words to God. And when we hear the words of forgiveness, it is a representation of God speaking those words to us. It is quite meaningful.
Do you have someone you can confess to? This may be one of the single greatest needs in today’s church. Who is it that you can trust and relate to? I encourage you to find someone who would listen, challenge, and offer those words of forgiveness to you. I think you’ll find that in confession there is great healing.
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 3 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” –James 5:16
Over the past few years, the idea of confession has become quite twisted. I remember hearing the advertisement for a show called ‘Taxicab Confessions’ where people would talk in front of a camera in a taxi and tell all kinds of raunchy details of their lives. But instead of this being a remorseful confession, it was almost a celebration of their depravity. It was more boasting than confession.
This type of behavior has continued today. Look at the shock treatment that we receive from our so called heroes from Hollywood and the rest of the entertainment industry. We celebrate their immorality, and then are shocked when they die young. This was very apparent to Kristen and me when we visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So many of the greats that we saw all seemed to die between 27 and 29 years old. Yet we celebrate their lifestyles.
Christian confession is much different. It is the willingness to open ourselves up to other people and to reveal our sins and sinfulness so that we might find forgiveness and healing. Often we dismiss confession to others and convince ourselves that we just need to tell God about it. However, there is great value in humbling ourselves to others and speaking words of forgiveness to each other. I’ve heard it called the physical representation of the spiritual reality. In some ways it is a lot like the Lord’s Supper. Is it symbolic? Yes, but it is not just symbolic. It is the physical representation of the spiritual reality. So when we speak those words of confession, it is very much a representation of us speaking the words to God. And when we hear the words of forgiveness, it is a representation of God speaking those words to us. It is quite meaningful.
Do you have someone you can confess to? This may be one of the single greatest needs in today’s church. Who is it that you can trust and relate to? I encourage you to find someone who would listen, challenge, and offer those words of forgiveness to you. I think you’ll find that in confession there is great healing.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Breakin' Out the Oil, Part 2
******NOTICE******
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 3-4 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” –James 5:14
Yesterday we asked whether this passage is referring to a physical or spiritual healing. We looked at the inconclusive evidence surrounding anointing. Today we will ask what it means to be ‘sick.’ Well, here James uses the Greek word astheneo, which is also a very generic word that has a wide range of meanings. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 12 when he describes his thorn in the flesh (NIV translates astheneo as ‘weakness’). It can mean a physical or spiritual weakness. We also have to ask ourselves whether they would have even seen a difference between physical healing and spiritual healing. The answer to that is: probably not near as big of a difference as we do today, but there would have been at the very least a slight distinction. Unfortunately, the other pieces of evidence in the passage leave us as confused as ever. So what do we do with it?
I’d like to recommend that there are two very good sides to an argument over this passage. While I think it is important to take a look and figure out what we believe, ultimately there really isn’t anything here on either side that goes against scriptural teaching (except for the extreme views, which are, well, extreme). So, my basic philosophy is to say this: I think we should be more than willing to practice these basic principles when people call for us in both physical and spiritual sicknesses.
That being said, when I look at this passage, what I come away with more than anything is not the principles to guide me in praying, but rather that in every circumstance, I should pray! Prayer needs to be our first response in both times of pain and times of celebration. We should be quick to turn to God in prayer in all circumstances. How can you turn to God in prayer this week in a way that you did not last week?
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 3-4 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” –James 5:14
Yesterday we asked whether this passage is referring to a physical or spiritual healing. We looked at the inconclusive evidence surrounding anointing. Today we will ask what it means to be ‘sick.’ Well, here James uses the Greek word astheneo, which is also a very generic word that has a wide range of meanings. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 12 when he describes his thorn in the flesh (NIV translates astheneo as ‘weakness’). It can mean a physical or spiritual weakness. We also have to ask ourselves whether they would have even seen a difference between physical healing and spiritual healing. The answer to that is: probably not near as big of a difference as we do today, but there would have been at the very least a slight distinction. Unfortunately, the other pieces of evidence in the passage leave us as confused as ever. So what do we do with it?
I’d like to recommend that there are two very good sides to an argument over this passage. While I think it is important to take a look and figure out what we believe, ultimately there really isn’t anything here on either side that goes against scriptural teaching (except for the extreme views, which are, well, extreme). So, my basic philosophy is to say this: I think we should be more than willing to practice these basic principles when people call for us in both physical and spiritual sicknesses.
That being said, when I look at this passage, what I come away with more than anything is not the principles to guide me in praying, but rather that in every circumstance, I should pray! Prayer needs to be our first response in both times of pain and times of celebration. We should be quick to turn to God in prayer in all circumstances. How can you turn to God in prayer this week in a way that you did not last week?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Breakin' Out the Oil, Part 1
******NOTICE******
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 4-5 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
Breakin’ Out the Oil, Part 1
“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” –James 5:14
Since this passage has its fair share of difficulties and intriguing notions, we’re going to spend a few days on it. The first is simply asking the question, “What does it mean to anoint someone or something?”
The concept of anointing is very simple: It takes place whenever we set someone or something apart for God’s service. This was often done by pouring oil on a person’s head. Whenever someone was to become the king, they would be anointed. There are also many prophecies of Christ where he is referred to as the ‘anointed one.’ In fact, in the New Testament, the original word for anoint in Greek is chrio, which is where we get the name Christ (No, Christ is not Jesus’ last name).
So, it seemingly makes this passage simple. James is talking about a spiritual anointing here, right? Well, it would be that easy except for the fact that James doesn’t use chrio, he instead uses another generic word that can be used for a spiritual anointing, but is more commonly used for any type of the rubbing of medicine on a person’s body. For example, in the story of the Good Samaritan, it says that he anointed the person’s wounds. In modern words, he broke out the first aid cream.
So, is this referring to a physical or a spiritual anointing here? Well, there is more evidence to be examined later, but for today let us simply reflect on Christ, the anointed one. God set him apart so that we might be saved.
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 4-5 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
Breakin’ Out the Oil, Part 1
“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” –James 5:14
Since this passage has its fair share of difficulties and intriguing notions, we’re going to spend a few days on it. The first is simply asking the question, “What does it mean to anoint someone or something?”
The concept of anointing is very simple: It takes place whenever we set someone or something apart for God’s service. This was often done by pouring oil on a person’s head. Whenever someone was to become the king, they would be anointed. There are also many prophecies of Christ where he is referred to as the ‘anointed one.’ In fact, in the New Testament, the original word for anoint in Greek is chrio, which is where we get the name Christ (No, Christ is not Jesus’ last name).
So, it seemingly makes this passage simple. James is talking about a spiritual anointing here, right? Well, it would be that easy except for the fact that James doesn’t use chrio, he instead uses another generic word that can be used for a spiritual anointing, but is more commonly used for any type of the rubbing of medicine on a person’s body. For example, in the story of the Good Samaritan, it says that he anointed the person’s wounds. In modern words, he broke out the first aid cream.
So, is this referring to a physical or a spiritual anointing here? Well, there is more evidence to be examined later, but for today let us simply reflect on Christ, the anointed one. God set him apart so that we might be saved.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Choosing to Pray
******NOTICE******
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 5-6 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” –James 5:13
At first glance this verse looks pretty simple: If things aren’t going well, you ought to pray. If they are going well, then praise him, which is really a form of prayer too. So, no matter what you are doing, pray. There’s nothing wrong with that interpretation, and it is certainly valid with Scripture. However, I think there is an even more significant meaning when we look at the book of James as a whole.
If we look at the immediate context of the book, we will see that the previous section just talked about how we are to be patient in the midst of suffering. When we look at the book as a whole we see that this is a recurring theme, from the beginning to the end. So, while it certainly includes praying always, it has a more significant meaning of choosing to praise God and pray in the midst of suffering.
Whenever we face hardships and suffering, we also find an open door for spiritual growth. Whether God causes or just allows these situations, we can always grow through them and become more like him as we endure. Sometimes we will even find ourselves cheerful (this is closer than the NIV’s ‘happy’) in the midst of that suffering. This is next to impossible to explain, but it happens. When it happens, we should simply praise God. But there are other times when in the midst of trouble and trial when it absolutely gets a hold on us. When this happens, our response should essentially be the same: pray.
When you face a trial, no matter whether you are cheerful or downtrodden, may your response be the same: turn to God in prayer and praise.
Since we are winding down our “FaithWorks” sermon series on the book of James, this will be the last 5-6 days of our daily devotions for a while. As we evaluate this tool, please leave a comment below with your name so that we can discern who has been reading the blog postings and plan for the future. Thanks!
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” –James 5:13
At first glance this verse looks pretty simple: If things aren’t going well, you ought to pray. If they are going well, then praise him, which is really a form of prayer too. So, no matter what you are doing, pray. There’s nothing wrong with that interpretation, and it is certainly valid with Scripture. However, I think there is an even more significant meaning when we look at the book of James as a whole.
If we look at the immediate context of the book, we will see that the previous section just talked about how we are to be patient in the midst of suffering. When we look at the book as a whole we see that this is a recurring theme, from the beginning to the end. So, while it certainly includes praying always, it has a more significant meaning of choosing to praise God and pray in the midst of suffering.
Whenever we face hardships and suffering, we also find an open door for spiritual growth. Whether God causes or just allows these situations, we can always grow through them and become more like him as we endure. Sometimes we will even find ourselves cheerful (this is closer than the NIV’s ‘happy’) in the midst of that suffering. This is next to impossible to explain, but it happens. When it happens, we should simply praise God. But there are other times when in the midst of trouble and trial when it absolutely gets a hold on us. When this happens, our response should essentially be the same: pray.
When you face a trial, no matter whether you are cheerful or downtrodden, may your response be the same: turn to God in prayer and praise.
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