5 Questions.

It has been fruitful for my heart to process through the bible book of James over the past semester. This past Sunday we came to our last passage in James. I was invited to consider 5 questions. I leave them with you here.

1. Is anyone in trouble? He should pray.

When I'm in trouble I can scheme, list, ignore, lie, pretend, and maybe talk it out. Crazily I can many times not pray.

Is anyone in trouble? He should pray.

2. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

Melody prayers. I am aware of great battle over singing. I am aware of great battle over singing praise to God. I am aware of great battle over men singing praise to God.

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

3. 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.

I love Lea's example in this. She had what was called a frozen shoulder. Really painful. Very concerning. She asked the Korean pastor and the elders at our church to pray over her one Sunday morning. Within several weeks of that time of prayer, her shoulder was dramatically healed. So different than it had been. She offered praise to God for the healing that He brought to her shoulder. She continues to praise God as she reminds me about this question in James 5. Confession of sin also leads to spiritual and physical healing as well.

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.

4. Are you a man or woman? Elijah was a man just like us.

In 1 Kings 17 Elijah declared that there would be no rain. There was no rain for three and half years. In 1 Kings 18 Elijah prays that rain would return. He is praying to God for rain. He sends a man to look on the horizon to see if rain is coming. Nothing. He repeats this 7 times. On the 7th time the man reports a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea, then the sky is black with clouds, the wind rose, and heavy rains came. Well sure, Elijah was a special guy. I mean he made it in the bible right? James purposely makes it clear. He was a man just like us. In other words. We can do it too. "This isn't working. Does God hear me. Is waiting on the Lord worth it?"

Are you a man or woman? Elijah was a man just like us.

5. Is anyone ever a wandering sheep?

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Who is it that can do this in our life. It's Jesus. Yes Jesus. There is one who is closer than a brother. It's Jesus. Yes Jesus. He will love you more than any other and wash your sins away.

Is anyone ever a wandering sheep? Jesus pursues. Jesus forgives. Jesus loves.

There's more.