READ IT, EAT IT

Do you realize how important it is for us to read our Bibles and do what the Bible teaches? We can't do what it says if we don't know what it says. Even if we had known at one time, we need to be constantly reminded every day. We need those little gold nuggets of truth to meditate upon throughout each day, being nourished by them spiritually. Jesus gave us the parallel when He said that man doesn't live on bread alone but on the very Words of God. So when we read, we need to see it like food for our spirits. It is what we live on. It is even more important than our physical food. Consuming the Word will change us into the likeness of God's Son. Neglecting to eat it every day will malnourish us so that we don't look a thing like Him!

So here is a tasty passage for today: "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 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. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 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 5:13-16

We must also BELIEVE what we read. How can we believe Christ was risen from the dead, yet fail to believe that God will heal sick people? It is also hard for some to believe that their sins can make them sick. God will actually give one of His children over to sickness so that they will confess their sins and find healing and forgiveness. I sat in a room with a fellow sister one time who refused to believe that could be possible for a believer. But it is right there in our Bibles. That doesn't mean every time you get sick that you need to confess, but you must be willing to accept that it could be the case at times.

Thankfully, i have known several people in my life who have gone in faith to the elders and had them anoint them with oil and pray for their healing, but how many of us will not do this because we don't even know the Scripture commands it? Or we are so far-removed from anointing with oil that we'd be embarassed to make such a request. Or we don't want to confess our sins because that would shame us and we don't want anyone to know our sins!

Come on, my fellow brothers and sisters, let us read, believe, and do. I know it is foolishness, but that is what God has chosen, isn't it? Do not be ashamed of Him and His commandments.

Let us eat together as one body today, and let our prayers be both powerful and effective!

I love you with all my heart, in His Name.