James 5:16 (NKJV)...

Read verses 12-18 for context.

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.12-18):

James aligns with the teaching of the OT that false swearing and the giving of oaths is forbidden (e.g. Lev. 9:12).

The true theme of the passage is prayer (v.16).  James here deals with the prayer of the individual (v.13), the prayer of the elders (vv. 14-15), the prayers of friends and companions for one another (v.16), and finally the prayer of the righteous prophet Elijah (vv. 17-18)

The first issue raised is that of suffering (v.13a).  In such times, James advocates prayer.  It allows us to be active and positive and keeps us in communion with God.  Then James discusses the case of those who are happy (v.13b).  God desires our prayers in both difficult and pleasant times.

The sick person is to be "pray[ed] over" (v.14).  It is obvious that the basis for this action is the firm belief that God is the source of healing.  James clearly teaches here that sickness can be alleviated through public confession and prayer.  

Our world places a great premium on eliminating discomfort.  In the face of this potent cultural value, evangelicals need to go against the grain and adopt a biblical understanding of adversity.  God uses adversity for spiritual preparation.  Prayer in adversity also urges us to renounce the pride that is associated with the world's materialism and self-centeredness.  This has been a constant theme in James.  

God's Timing is Perfect...

A friend shared this and I wanted to share too so I found an adorable picture to put with it as well😉:

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months later, the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months after that, she was pregnant again, and nine months later, she gave birth to another dozen puppies. This pattern continued for some time.

Eighteen months later, the dog approached the elephant and asked, "Are you sure you're pregnant? We conceived on the same day. I've already given birth to a dozen puppies three times, and you're still expecting! What's going on?"

The elephant calmly replied, "There's something important I need you to understand. What I carry isn't a puppy; it's an elephant. I only give birth once every two years, but when my baby touches the earth, the world will feel it. When it crosses a street, people will stop and stare in awe. What I carry is powerful and majestic." She continued, "Don't lose faith. When you see others receiving their rewards quickly, don't feel jealous if yours hasn't come yet Don't despair. Instead, remind yourself, 'My time is coming. And when it does, people will be amazed."

MORAL:

God's timing is perfect. Everything comes when it is meant to, never too soon, never too late, but always at the right moment.

Week 2 of A Jesus Shaped Life...

I am so loving this bible study.  Week 2 was all about the Trinity and Community.  

One way to define the Trinity is = God eternally exists as three persons (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit).  Each person is fully God.  There is one God.

We went over the "Nicene Creed".  Click on it to learn more about it.  

Our picture of God (how we see God in our mind's eye when we pray, read Scripture, and engage in other spiritual practices) absolutely informs the way we live our lives.  

Trinitarian theology = the oneness of God

God is a God of unity!  

Christianity is a monotheistic (one God) faith!

Trinitarian theology is 1 + 1 + 1 = 1.

It is essential to the Christian faith that our God is one.

Praise God for His infinite nature and that we can continue to grow in our understanding of Him for all of eternity!

For Paul, in the book of Corinthians, Trinitarian theology  was essential to understanding the redemptive work of Christ and the power of Holy Spirit.  

Paul's letters are important for us Christians today because although he was writing specifically to the ancient Corinthians and not us, through the power of God he was writing for us.

Because we know that all 3 persons of the Trinity have ALWAYS existed and none were created later on, we know that God has always existed in community.  

Genesis 2:18 - Why did God know that it was not good for man to be alone?  Because God Himself has never been alone either!

God, in His infinite wisdom, knows it is important for us to reflect His image & so He created in us a deep desire for good & whole community.  Basically, God is in community, so we should be too!

God is consistently gathering His people to Himself throughout the story of the Bible, & God is drawing near to us all over the pages of Scripture.  

Such a great week of learning.  Lisa Harper is an amazing Bible teacher.  I love her passion for God's Word.  It exudes out of every part of her and it's contagious.  It just stirs you in your inner most being.  So thankful for this woman of God and all I'm learning from her obedience to teach God's people what He would have her teach.  

The hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" has been in my mind this week.  One because she mentioned it in the study but two because it fits perfectly with all that we studied this week.  The old hymns that I learned as a child are coming home to rest so deeply in my heart these days.  Don't get me wrong, I love all the new Praise & Worship songs but there is just something that hits you with such depth about the old hymns.  It's indescribable but I feel it in a way that I never did when I was growing up in church.  There's so much more meaning in them for me now.

God In 3 Person's,

Blessed Trinity!

Happy Labor Day!

Summers coming to an end 😢 but Christmas 🎄 will be around the corner but not before we get to enjoy the fall 🍂 colors 😍😊.

We hope you enjoy this Labor Day with your families enjoying the last glimmers of summer 😌.

A Snippet from this mornings Sermon...

Here's a snippet from this mornings sermon from Pastor Chad at Cross Assembly:

He  was  teaching  from  Romans  14  (be  sure  to  read  the  chapter).  

I  still  need  to  watch  Victory's  service  from  this  morning.  I  haven't  had  a  chance  to  do  that  as  of  yet  but  will  before  the  day  is  over.  

We  watch  both  services  every  week.  Both  of  these  church  Pastors  are  amazing.  They  don't  hold  back  and  they  speak  truth  whether  you  wanna  hear it  or  not.  They  don't  sugar  coat  things.  They  won't  "tickle  your  ears"  but  they  will  "speak  truth"  from  God's  Word!

Milestone Moment...

Today Tim took his 1st solo drive to the gym to do his weightlifting training.  He made it safely.  Thank God for the Life360 app that helps give us nervous parents more peace of mind.

It's never easy to let go of the apron strings with our children but they do have to grow up at some point and we've got to let them.  We miss the times when they were younger as they grow into adulthood and take steps outside the nest of safety that we've had them in all these years but they will never know how to fly unless we allow them.  A wise momma bird pushes her young out of the nest and forces them to fly and so must we with our kids.  We've got to trust that we have done our job as parents well and that they will soar in life as they begin their journey of life without us.  

Tim is growing to be an amazing young man.  His dad and I are so proud of all that he's accomplished and survived in his young life.  God has kept him on this earth for a reason.  He has a plan for Tim and we pray that Tim lives out God's plan for his life.  

We know that as he grows and learns more of God's plan + reads and studies God's Word that he will do well in this life, such as it is currently.  

We are so incredibly thankful for God's blessings in our lives and we pray for God's ministering angels to guard around about Tim as he does life.  We pray safe journeys everywhere that he goes.  We pray God's hand will lead and guide him every step of the way of his journeys.  We pray that God meets him right where he's at.  We pray to God for protection, wholeness, and completeness always and forever.  And thank you God for giving us, as parents, a peace that passes all understanding as you guard our hearts and minds as our son steps out into the world to do life without us with him constantly.  In Jesus Name, Amen & Amen!

John 13:34 (ESV)...

Footnote From NIV Application Bible (v.34-35):

Jesus' statement in these verses is dramatic.  Disciples are to reflect a love expressed through committed obedience.

    But the word "new" may mean something more (v.34).  The "new command" may be a signal that Jesus is talking about life in a new era - a messianic era.  In that era, love must characterize his followers; a love patterned on the generous, loving act of God that saves his people.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)...

NEVER  LOOSE  FAITH!

JUST  WHEN  YOU  THINK  IT'S  OVER,

GOD  WILL  MAKE  A  WAY  FOR  YOU!

National Dog Day - August 26th...

Forgot to share this with you... 

Exodus 14:14 (NIV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.14-15):

We should understand v.14 in the context of the Israelites' faithlessness in the light of what God has done. Why is it, after the Israelites cry out in v.14 and Moses rebukes them for their lack of faith, that Moses is reprimanded by God for crying out?  There is a close identification between Moses and the people he is leading.  He is the mediator who connects the people to God (e.g., 32:9-14).  Their guilt becomes his.