Sunday Nov 28, 2021

Episode 49: James 5

Today's meditation is based on James 5 from the Passion Translation

I do not put my trust in the riches of this world. Worldly riches will rot, fine clothes will be eaten by moths, gold and silver will be corroded. I do not hoard up treasure for the last days by fraudulently holding back payment for services that I received from others. I don't indulge myself with the luxury and pleasure that this world offers.

Instead, I am patient and filled with expectation as I wait for the appearing of the Lord. Just as the farmer waits patiently for the earth’s harvest as it ripens because of the early and latter rains, I also, keep my hopes high and remain patient, for the presence of the Lord is drawing closer. Since I am part of God’s family, I never complain or grumble about my brothers and sisters so that judgment will not come on me, for the true Judge is near and very ready to appear.

I take the prophets as my mentors. They prophesied in the name of the Lord and it brought them great sufferings, yet they patiently endured. I honor them as my heroes because they remained faithful even while enduring great sufferings. I think of Job and all that he went through, and how the Lord ultimately treated him with wonderful kindness, revealing how tenderhearted he really is.

I never need to verify my speech as truthful by swearing by the heavens or the earth or any other oath. But instead I am so full of integrity that my “Yes” or “No” is convincing enough and I do not stumble into hypocrisy.

If there any believers in my church family suffering great hardship and distress, I encourage them to pray and I pray with them. And the happy, cheerful ones, I encourage them to sing out their praises and I joyously sing along. I ask the elders of the church to come and pray with me over the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. God's Word says that the prayer of faith will heal the sick and the Lord will raise them up, and if they've committed sins they will be forgiven.

When I offend someone, I confess and acknowledge it and pray that we are both instantly healed. I know that tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer.

Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like I have, but he prayed and received supernatural answers. He actually shut the heavens over the land so there would be no rain for three and a half years! Then he prayed again and the skies opened up over the land so that rain came again and produced the harvest.

That's the miraculous power of prayer. And that same miracle working power will work through my prayers if I believe.

As a member of God’s beloved family, I go after the one who wanders from the truth and bring him back. Because when a sinning believer is restored back to God from the error of his way, his soul is brought back to life from the dead.

Episode 49: James 5

Comments (0)