James Chapter 5

James Chapter 5

Warning to the Rich Oppressors

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth is rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you."

Patience in Suffering

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider 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. Above all, my brothers, do not swear - not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No' no, or you will be condemned.

The Prayer of Faith

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 so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

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, the the earth produced its crops.

My brothers, if one 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.

Once again, we see powerful words from the mind of James. He has such a grasp on communicating to people the basis of staying true to our faith. Here, he addresses the way greed can overcome the individual to a point of condemning him. James also points out that it is the cries of the unpaid workmen that reach the ears of the Lord. He shows mercy on them because they are abused at the hand of the wealthy, but did not oppose them.

Maintaining my patience during this diagnosis is becoming increasingly difficult for me. I am sure all of you have endured something that did not come with a "quick fix". It is so hard to wait for the promises of God, even though I know His timing is always perfect. He has proven this to our family time and time again since I have been a stay at home mom. I think it is more difficult now because these treatments wear on me physically and emotionally. I truly know that God has confirmed in us that we will witness a miracle in this cancer. I hear the Holy Spirit whisper that I am about to join Him on the ride of my life. I always find encouragement from the Holy Spirit concerning this diagnosis. It is just so difficult to be patient because of the treatments. Please pray that I will be who God wants me to be through this. My biggest fear is letting Him down by my actions.

I love the last segment that reiterates the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. I feel that we must stay in constant conversation with God concerning every matter in our lives. I talk to HIm when I wake up, when I am driving down the road, when I am out shopping, when I am watching my boys play, when I am traveling to and fro. It is just a constant part of my day. I believe with all of my heart that our prayers are of the utmost importance to God. He wants to answer our prayers if they fit in line with His will. Go to Him with your prayers, but remember to pray that God's will abe done above all else. This is difficult to do at times; however, it is important to remember that we are God's children. He wants us to be happy and share the miracles that He performs in our lives!!! Prayer is an important way to maintain relationship with God and allow Him to make himself real in you life. If prayer time is not a routine for you, make it one. You will not believe the difference it makes in you day!!!!