November 21, 2024 -Persevere & Pray

EZEKIEL 42:1-43:27

JAMES 5:1-20

PSALM 119:1-16

PROVERBS 28:6-7

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

James 5:10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Think of the suffering that many of the prophets suffered. Yet as they persevered it was counted as blessing. We can do the same. It may seem like one thing after another and that you "just can't get a break" but we know that perseverance through that suffering will result in blessing. Whether we receive that blessing here or in the life to come. God who is compassionate and full of mercy will in the midst of our suffering give us moments of grace and peace we just need to look for them. I think we are sometimes so focused on our troubles that we miss the gifts. I have a couple of dear friends who are going through lots of trials and struggles right now but I see that in their faith they are persevering and I also see how looking for the ways God is showing His compassion and mercy are helping them to get through.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 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. 15 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. 16 Therefore 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.

What to do when in trouble and/or sick. Pray on your own, sing songs of Praise and reach out to others to pray for you. Prayers offered in faith will make a sick person well and the Lord will raise them up. I may have to visit a friend and anoint her with oil and pray for her.

Sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other. I had to confess a sin and repent to another believer at work yesterday. It was a sin that happened because of wrong motives (yesterday's post). Today I asked how I can make restitution and it allowed him to also confess his wrong motives to me and it healed our relationship.

James 5:19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,

This is Us Women's conference theme this coming January is Living in Truth. As brother and sisters in Christ we need to help each other to live in truth by lovingly bring each other back when we begin to wander from the truth.